By Jodi Picoult590 pages, excluding reading guide paperback edition (2017). Published by Simon and ShusterISBN: 978-1-5011-0243-1 Review and Evaluation I thought “Nineteen Minutes” started slow, but this “change of heart” was even slower for me. You need to get through all the development to begin and understand and appreciate the…
Category: Books
Growing up, my parents encouraged us to read. There was a time back in high school when I would take the time to read the encyclopedia from end-to-end, especially during the weekends. This was during a time that there were only three to four channels on television. I also consumed “Reader’s Digest”, which I read front to back, and the daily newspaper.
When I got to college, I started reading pocketbooks. I was partial to spy thrillers and science fiction. This was also the period I first wore glasses. I’m sure it is preordained, but I like to think my bad reading posture sped up the process.
So before graduation, I just dropped everything. I worked, went to grad school, and got a little too busy with my social life.
Fast forward to the 2020s and I’ve realized there are too many ways to just sit in front of a screen and not use your brain. Too many ways for those unused gray matters to just wither away. I needed to exercise these. The prevalence of streaming videos and cable does not help. I needed an active way to stimulate the brain, and maybe improve my memory.
Taking up reading, among others, is the obvious path.
I want to share the books I read. And to give my opinion about these books. This blog will help keep me accountable and make sure I do not stop and fall back to just binge-watching.
Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step
By Edward de Bono300 page paperback reissued edition (2015). Published by HARPER PERRENIALISBN: 978-0-06-090325-1 I recently visited my parents in the Philippines. The year was 2020, and this was just at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. We were talking in their living room, my Dad pointed out a book…
Developing Story Ideas
Developing Story Ideas: The Power and Purpose of Story Telling 3rd EditionBy Michael Rabiger288 pages printed in paperback. ISBN 978-1-138-95623-0Published by: Focal Press I was drawn to this book by the prospect of learning how to develop story ideas. It seemed like an excellent complement to the book I just…
20 Master Plots and How To Build Them
20 Master Plots and How to Build Them by Ronald B. Tobias279 pages in paperback. Published by Writer’s Digest BOOKS ISBN 978-1-59963-537-8 As a “wanna-be-writer”, getting my hands around the concept of plot has been troublesome. What is a plot? Is it a summary of the story, a description of…
Nineteen Minutes
By Jodi Picoult455 pages printed on paperback, excluding the Readers’ Club Guide. Published by Washington Square Press. ISBN 978-0-7434-9673-5. Summary All stories start slow. And Nineteen Minutes is no exception. I picked up this book from my daughter; she loves the author’s books. I was hesitant because the cover screamed…
Books
The Poisonwood Bible
By Barbara Kingsolver 564 paperback published by HARPERPERRENIAL ISBN 978-0-06-078650-2 My daughter has had a copy of The Poisonwood Bible since high school, and I have never taken the time to even open it. At first glance, and reading the summary, this was not a book I would normally consider reading….
THE DIABETES CODE
By Dr Jason Fung Paperback, 265 pages including 41 pages of endnotes. ISBN 978-1-77164-265-1 The author of The Diabetes Code, Dr. Jason Fung is a Nephrologist, Author, and a leading expert in using intermittent fasting and low carb to treat obesity and type-2 diabetes. In this book, Dr. Fung makes…
HOW TO SET A FIRE AND WHY
By Jesse Ball283 pages in hard cover. Published by PANTHEON BOOKSISBN 978-1-101-87057-0 HOW TO SET A FIRE AND WHY. I assume that this book is one of those teen or early-adult-themed book that deals with the emotional and social issues they encounter. Setting fire to wood, and paper is, admitted,…
Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation
By Matthew Kelly187 pages in paperback. Published by Beacon PublishingISBN 978-1-942611-20-2 BOOK TITLE: Rediscover Jesus. The book is for those who may have in their accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but may have now lost the path or have not had a deeper understanding of him. Who…
Unleashing the Power of Everyday Leadership
Book Title: My first impression about the title is that the book will discuss how you can be a leader in your organization. It does not appear geared to managers who are in the upper ranks but more on managers in the front line. About the Author: Hal Pitt CEO and…