Lisa (805's) Quasi Reading Unplan, Version 2017

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Lisa (805's) Quasi Reading Unplan, Version 2017

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1This-n-That
Modifié : Jan 29, 2017, 10:49 am

My Year in Books: 2016



My 2017 unplan is to make very few formal reading plans in advance.
My challenges this year are open ended, with a focus on clearing more books I own off my list and reading a few books about Scotland or written by Scottish authors.

2This-n-That
Modifié : Jan 29, 2017, 10:49 am

3This-n-That
Modifié : Mar 24, 2017, 6:10 pm

My Template Helpers:

Monthly Wrap-up:

Favorite Book of the Month:

Other Books Read:

  1. First item.
  2. Second item.
  3. Third item.


Additional Thoughts:

4This-n-That
Déc 16, 2016, 1:09 pm

Reserved 3

5This-n-That
Déc 16, 2016, 1:09 pm

Reserved 4

6This-n-That
Déc 16, 2016, 1:09 pm

Reserved 5

7This-n-That
Déc 16, 2016, 1:09 pm

Reserved 6

8dchaikin
Déc 28, 2016, 3:11 pm

Lisa - I'm finally starting to post over here, after returning from holiday travels. Checking out your thread and curious about your Scotland theme. Any Sir Walter Scott in the plans? Look forward to tagging along through the year.

9This-n-That
Déc 28, 2016, 7:00 pm

>8 dchaikin: Hi!! Glad to see you back on LT. :-) I own a few books by Scottish authors and will likely read those first. Time permitting, I may consider tackling Ivanhoe, as I do not recall reading it in school. Are you a Sir Walter Scott fan? Any suggestions?

10dchaikin
Déc 28, 2016, 7:59 pm

No, I've never read him. Just curious, as I have wanted to read him.

11AnnieMod
Déc 28, 2016, 8:11 pm

>9 This-n-That: I prefer Waverley and Rob Roy compared to Ivanhoe (although I had not read either of them since my teens). But it comes down to what you are looking for exactly. (And I probably should reread at least some of them when my next Victorian cravings hit...)

And if you are reading Scottish books, Ian Rankin is a master of nowadays Edinburgh.

12This-n-That
Déc 29, 2016, 12:29 am

>11 AnnieMod: Thanks for the recommendations. Sometimes it is difficult to make a choice, just based on book summaries.

13This-n-That
Modifié : Déc 29, 2016, 12:32 am

>10 dchaikin: Oh, I understand. I hope you have an opportunity to try one of Sir Walter Scott's books. Plus, now you have recommendations. :-)

14AnnieMod
Déc 29, 2016, 12:49 am

>12 This-n-That:

Don't get me wrong - Ivanhoe is a good novel and if you are looking for something less verbose (just comparatively) and more adventurous, it may be better for you. I've mentioned before that I have a soft spot for the Victorians. On the other hand his Kenilworth is a book I usually want to throw against the wall - because of the way he handles "the history". Not sure how much of his others are really historically correct but as this story I know... it gets me :) Happy reading. I will be interested to see what you will read from Scotland.

15The_Hibernator
Jan 1, 2017, 9:07 pm

16This-n-That
Modifié : Jan 10, 2017, 12:05 am

>15 The_Hibernator: Thanks, and the same to you!! Sorry for the delay in responding, as did some post-holiday traveling. Glad to be back to reading though.

17This-n-That
Modifié : Jan 13, 2017, 3:53 pm

Happy New Year, all! Hoping for the best but expecting a bumpy ride, at least as things are revealed through Twitter and the new media.

19This-n-That
Modifié : Jan 14, 2017, 10:41 am

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi - 4 stars

Since I am not in the writing mood, here are my quick thoughts:

Certain aspects of this literary and quasi-historical fiction novel drew me into the story. I am embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of bacha posh which is a theme that runs throughout the entire book and ties two timelines together. Other elements were reminscent of other fictional accounts I had read in middle eastern settings written by authors such as Khaled Hosseini and Mira Jacob.

Just noting, that a few online reader's guides and blogs alludes to this being YA novel, in addition to cultural fiction. Some content is rather mature for YA audiences though, including violence against women and drug abuse.

Edited:

From the author's website: "What is Bacha Posh?"

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell is the story of Rahima, a young girl born into contemporary Afghanistan. She’s transformed into a bacha posh, which in Dari translates to “dressed as a boy.” Bacha posh is a custom that goes back at least a hundred years in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though little is known about its precise history or exact prevalence. It is interesting, however, to note that the practice began before the rise of the Taliban, the fundamentalist regime that oppressed the female population of Afghanistan.

Continued @: http://nadiahashimi.com/what-is-a-bacha-posh/

20dchaikin
Jan 13, 2017, 11:58 pm

Bacha posh? Ah, thank you google.

21ELiz_M
Jan 14, 2017, 7:01 am

22This-n-That
Modifié : Jan 14, 2017, 10:25 am

>21 ELiz_M: Yes, and thanks for pointing that out. Can you tell I was in a rush yesteday while posting? :-) I will edit it now.

23This-n-That
Jan 14, 2017, 10:33 am

>20 dchaikin: I added a link to the author's website which provides a explanation of what Bacha Posh is.

Such helpful comments so far!! :-)

24This-n-That
Jan 20, 2017, 10:33 am

My reading progress has slowed to a snail's pace. I haven't been feeling all that well and the upcoming inauguration has dampened my enthusiasm for nearly everything right now.

25dchaikin
Jan 20, 2017, 10:37 am

Understand about the enthusiasm, Lisa. I'm the same way. I don't think I've ever felt worse about the state of the world.

26This-n-That
Modifié : Jan 20, 2017, 6:34 pm

>25 dchaikin: Thanks, Daniel. :-) Sorry so many of us are currently feeling a deep sense of bleakness, instead of hopefulness. Possibilities for what could-have-been have long passed, though.

27This-n-That
Jan 24, 2017, 8:04 pm

Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body by Jo Marchant 4 Stars (LibraryThing Early Reviewers)

This well researched book covering current scientific thought concerning the mind/body connection is very relevant, especially given the increase in popularity of non-western or holistic types of treatments.

The writing style is easy to follow and isn't overly laden with medical terminology, however there are many scientific studies included in the chapters. The chapter on the placebo effect is both interesting and controversial in some respects. I am not certain that I came away with a good sense of why some individuals are far more susceptible to the placebo effect than others though. Also, I did take issue with a statement the author made claiming "most side effects we suffer when we take medicines are not due directly to the drugs at all, but to the nocebo effect." That is a strong assertion to make and also implies that most patients are well informed of all potential side effects before starting a new medication (outside of controlled studies).

Otherwise, an interesting book that covers topics ranging from biofeedback to the importance of social support. Some modalities aren't new but the research presented is.

*In medicine, a nocebo is an inert substance or form of therapy that creates harmful effects in a patient. The nocebo effect is the adverse reaction experienced by a patient who receives such a therapy. Conversely, a placebo is an inert substance or form of therapy that creates a beneficial response in a patient. (Source: Wikipedia)

28This-n-That
Modifié : Fév 3, 2017, 10:40 am

Finding Yourself in the Kitchen: Kitchen Meditations and Inspired Recipes from a Mindful Cook
by Dana Velden 3 Stars



This was a short and sweet cooking/meditation inspired book. I started reading it because the book was available through Hoopla and I needed a food memoir for the one year-long reading challenge I am participating in during 2017.

So, I have a few thoughts about the title and content:

- The book read like a series of blog entries. After finishing over half the book, I did some research and discovered that the author originally had a blog on the same subject.

- "Kitchen Mindfulness" may have worked just as well for a title or perhaps been more accurate. Much of the writing focuses on being in the moment while cooking, such as enjoying the simple process of chopping carrots (which is used as an example multiple times) or being aware of the smell of freshly snipped basil. I personally am mindful while chopping any veggies, just to avoid unwanted finger cuts and pain!

- There are some recipes included but that is not the focus of the book. My personal taste in food did not mesh well with some of the recipes though, as I am not a big basil or leek fan.

So, I'd recommend this book to those who love cooking but haven't read much about meditation or mindfulness. It was still a worthwhile read for me and I always learn something new or useful from every book I read. In retrospect, I probably would have enjoyed reading it more as a weekly blog though.

**************

Just noting, I won't be updating this topic for a while. Wishing everyone a good year of reading.

29Simone2
Fév 4, 2017, 2:29 am

Sorry to hear that, I just found and started your thread. Wishing you the best!

30ipsoivan
Fév 5, 2017, 10:56 am

>28 This-n-That: echoing simone2

31RidgewayGirl
Fév 5, 2017, 11:36 am

I hope that you are feeling more hopeful. I found that the protests going on every day, in every part of our country and around the world have made me cautiously hopeful, and the act of calling my senators and congressman every few days has made me feel less out of control. But, yes, this is all frightening and not who we are.

As for the kitchen book, were I to be mindful in the kitchen I would fall behind on my podcast listening.

32This-n-That
Modifié : Mar 29, 2017, 2:35 am

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts, everyone. Just need a little break. Maybe I'll have more energy/hopefulness and feel like updating my posts here in a month or two.
If it helps, I am currently trying to read The Gene: An Intimate History. That ought to keep me busy for a few months.

33This-n-That
Modifié : Mar 20, 2017, 12:07 pm

Well, I haven't much felt up to posting for a while but am briefly updating now. Although it took me nearly a month, I did complete The Gene: An Intimate History and rated it 4 stars. For anyone considering tackling this, I would suggest only reading one or two chapters a day. Based on other reader's comments, I wouldn't recommend the audio version, as the information is too highly detailed to absorb easily.

My Thoughts:

Ultimately, the book doesn't neatly fit into one category, but I came to think of it as a "who's who" of geneticists, with a whole lot of science, historical information and some of Mukherjee's personal stories sprinkled in. The author self-admittedly doesn't care to use pictorial representations in his books, and although used sparingly, I am glad he made an exception in this case. For myself, I really needed visual diagrams to understand some of the complex concepts he was trying to explain.

So, I won't say that this is an easy read, because it isn't. Nor will I claim that it is always engaging because a few chapters felt bogged down with highly detailed concepts about past genetics research. However, the general subject is fascinating and I loved some of the historical details, especially concerning Mendel's discoveries. Remember being taught about pea pods and recessive/dominant traits during science classes? Well as younger students, we are only given the summarized version. Also, Mukherjee seamlessly blends controversial subjects, such as the history of the Eugenics movement, into the discussions about genetic related research that was occurring during the early 20th century. Fascinating historical information, yet equally appalling.

Much progress has been made in the field of genetics, which may give hope to those suffering from hereditary chronic diseases which are currently incurable. However, the main thought I will take away from this book, is how much still isn't adequately understood and scientists need to balance the ever present quest for knowledge with a sense of circumspection and ethical standards. Perhaps Mary Shelley's Frankenstein should serve as a cautionary tale?

34This-n-That
Modifié : Avr 8, 2017, 2:06 pm

February 2017:

A brief retrospective catch-up for February since I wasn't feeling up to posting.

- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. I gave this book three stars. Hearing a story from a dog's point of view was interesting and sometimes funny, however I wasn't engrossed in the family drama running in the background.

- Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. This was easily my favorite book of the month. I wasn't expecting the free verse writing style for this historical fiction novel but greatly enjoyed it. Four stars.

- The Pearl by John Steinbeck. Although I am not a big Steinbeck fan and this book this didn't end up making my "favorite classics" list, I did enjoy reading it. A really interesting take on a Mexican folk tale. Three stars. Thanks for posting the buddy read, Alias.

- The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher. This was the first book I read by Fisher and wasn't certain what to expect. I was impressed with her writing, especially the older diary excerpts that were included. I also appreciated Fisher's candor but didn't feel all that excited about some of the Hollywood gossip sections of the the book. It was a quick and engaging read though, so I gave it four stars.

35This-n-That
Modifié : Avr 8, 2017, 2:07 pm


Monthly Wrap-up for March:

Favorite Book of the Month: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (Audible) - 5 stars

In some ways this must have been a difficult trip down memory lane for Trevor Noah to take. Even though Born a Crime is categorized as a memoir, it is also frank discussion about the historical, cultural and socio-economic aspects of post-apartheid South Africa. Similar to Noah's personal experiences, there are likely some mixed raced children and young adults in the US who don't feel they fit in with any specific ethnic group.

On a personal note, some of his childhood remembrances made me laugh out loud, even his semi-gross pooping story. Others made me feel sad, empathetic or even angry. Someone recently asked me if I would categorize this as an inspirational book, and I feel many aspects of this memoir do fit that criteria. Noah didn't seem to be seeking sympathy for the hardships he and his mother went through, but instead gave me a brief glimpse into his life. Ultimately he allowed me to relate to his journey through childhood and to care.

Kudos to Trevor Noah for his heartfelt, informative and often entertaining narration for the Audible version. For anyone who has not read this yet, I would highly recommend listening to it.

Other Books Read:

  1. The Gene: An Intimate History - 4 stars
    (See review in Comment 33)
  2. The Girl Who Came Home: A Novel of the Titanic (P.S.) - 3 stars
    The historical narrative (loosely based on factual accounts of the Addergoole Fourteen from County Mayo, Ireland) was far more interesting to me than the additional contemporary story.
  3. The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living - 3.5 stars
    A quick read filled with cozy ideas and comforting images. The author was repetitive with some of the topics and information though.
  4. A Man Called Ove - 3 stars
    I wanted to love this book and I did laugh out loud while reading certain passages. Unfortunately the annoying parts and characters, overshadowed the good parts.


Additional Thoughts:

March was a good month to focus on reading and avoid TV news updates overload.



36This-n-That
Avr 20, 2017, 11:35 am

April has been a slow reading month for me. I am still working on America's First Daughter, which is an excellent book so far.

37This-n-That
Modifié : Mai 1, 2017, 11:58 am

Monthly Wrap-up for April:

Favorite Book of the Month: America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

This is a fictionalized account of Patsy (Martha) Jefferson Randolph's life, which also gives the reader many glimpses into her devoted relationship with her father. I wanted to emphasize the word fictionalized, because in a Note From the Authors there is a detailed explanation about why they chose to write the story as they did, including the need to take some creative license concerning specific situations. Even with a bevy of historical documentation and primary sources, some details were left open to interpretation, especially regarding events that the family probably tried to keep secret. In those instances, incriminating documents may have been destroyed, as is alluded to in the book. I would not recommend reading the Note From the Authors before beginning the book though, as it gives away too many details.

Overall the dramatized and romantic aspects of the story didn't bother me too much. In fact, it may have been a depressing story lacking in cohesiveness without some of the additions. In most cases, I felt the authors made decisions based on the spirit of existing historical documents. The political and social discussions kept me interested and wondering what was going to happen next. I felt transported to a different time period but then also was occasionally reminded of how some things haven't changed very much in the political realm. Perhaps different technology and tactics are used but the game playing still exists today.

This isn't quite on par with Gone With the Wind as very few can match Margaret Mitchell's eloquent writing style, but I would highly recommend America's First Daughter to readers with an interest in American political history, or southern family sagas.

For More Information: (noting there may be spoilers)

http://www.stephaniedray.com/books/afd/

http://www.historyundressed.com/2016/03/americas-first-daughter.html

https://www.monticello.org/site/plantation-and-slavery/thomas-jefferson-and-sall...

Other Books Read:

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon - 3 stars

An interesting perspective on WWII set in Italy, however the romance aspect of the book became too sappy for my liking.

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande - 3 stars

Dr. Gawande broaches an important subject concerning quality of life when facing a terminal illness, but most of the book is filled with anecdotal stories. Unfortunately, the author doesn't present many specific concrete ideas about how to facilitate a change in the medical system, government policies or contemporary American culture, which is the primary reason I couldn't give this book more than three stars.

Onto May's reading endeavors......