what I read in 2013, part one
In 2013 I read a great many books, mostly fiction. This happens when I am underemployed and stressed. I read 66 works of fiction for the first time, some of those from favorite authors, others brand new to me.
I also read 6 works of non-fiction. Here are short reviews:
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
by Charles Duhigg
I first read this book a couple of years ago. I re-read it in 2013 because the information it contains is useful enough I wanted to go over it again. I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to change ANY pattern in their life (sleep, exercise, etc.) - the information on the cue -> action -> reward cycle is very useful. It also has some fascinating discussion on corporate business practices, including a look at how to improve safety and profit at the same time.
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
by Martin Seligman
This book looks at patterns of thinking. It discusses different ways of assigning responsibility for events that happen in our relationships, jobs, etc., how those patterns lead to optimistic vs. pessimistic styles of functioning, and the strengths and weaknesses of both optimism and pessimism. I didn't love it, in part because some of the data on mental illness is grossly out of date, but I found it fascinating. I recommend it to anyone who likes to think about how they think about things. :)
Lose 200 lbs This Weekend
by Don Aslett
This book is about de-cluttering your home and life. A friend picked it up at the used book store, so I read it. It's aimed at someone new to the concept of de-cluttering and simplifying. There's a lot of exhortation on how letting go of stuff frees one both physically and psychologically. It then breaks "stuff" into different areas and walks the reader through simplifying each of those areas, all the while continuing to exhort. I've already done lots of work on how to simplify my life, so it didn't have anything new for me, but it might be useful to someone who has never considered things like: the bigger the house, the more stuff gets put in it, and the more time and tending is needed to take care of that stuff.
SuperFreakonomics
by Stephen Levitt
I *loved* the first freakonomics book. It's an area of study that fascinates me. This book has good stuff, but the chapter on global warming was not just frustrating, but wrong. This has caused me to doubt the authors and has retroactively spoiled my pleasure in their reporting. Disappointing.
Spousonomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage, and Dirty Dishes
by Paula Szuchman and Jenny Anderson
This book has since been republished with the title It's Not You, It's the Dishes: How to Minimize Conflict and Maximize Happiness in Your Relationship. Does basic economic theory work on relationships? I found the authors examples plausible and interesting. Since so many of my friends are poly, I will note that while this book focuses on people who are married and in a monogamous relationship, the information carries over to poly relationships, work relationships and other long-term interactions. I found several parts of this book useful, and will probably re-read it at some point. Bonus points to the authors for including a gay couple as one of their demonstration couples.
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
by Timothy Egan
It's one thing to know, intellectually, that the dust bowl happened. What this book has is the emotional punch that gives body to that knowledge. It sets up the ignorance and ambition and greed that primed us for the devastation of the dust bowl. It takes you through how many years it lasted, and describes what it meant, in practical terms, for the people who were affected. I knew the dust bowl as a long drought where a lot of topsoil was lost. I didn't understand the years and years of heat and dry. I didn't understand the sheer tonnage of dirt being propelled by the wind. I didn't understand that there was so much dirt blowing that it buried roads, cars, and even houses in giant drifting dunes. That the storms happened almost daily. That people couldn't go outside for risk of being lost and dying, because you couldn't see more than a few feet. That fine silty dust came in through every crack and hole in your house, covering everything. That hundreds of thousands of people died from dust pneumonia, and animals choked to death as their lungs and stomachs filled with silt. We, as a nation, have been going through a hard time, but reading this book offers a perspective that is awesome and humbling. I didn't love this book, but the information it contains should be part of any class on American History. It should be read by anyone interested in economics, the environment, sustainability, or just what sort of grit is sometimes needed for people to survive.
I did much less comfort reading than would normally happen in a year anywhere near as stressful and lonely as last year was, largely because my books are all in storage. I only re-read about 20 books, mostly Terry Pratchett.
Reviews on the best fiction I read in 2013 are coming soon!
I also read 6 works of non-fiction. Here are short reviews:
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
by Charles Duhigg
I first read this book a couple of years ago. I re-read it in 2013 because the information it contains is useful enough I wanted to go over it again. I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to change ANY pattern in their life (sleep, exercise, etc.) - the information on the cue -> action -> reward cycle is very useful. It also has some fascinating discussion on corporate business practices, including a look at how to improve safety and profit at the same time.
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
by Martin Seligman
This book looks at patterns of thinking. It discusses different ways of assigning responsibility for events that happen in our relationships, jobs, etc., how those patterns lead to optimistic vs. pessimistic styles of functioning, and the strengths and weaknesses of both optimism and pessimism. I didn't love it, in part because some of the data on mental illness is grossly out of date, but I found it fascinating. I recommend it to anyone who likes to think about how they think about things. :)
Lose 200 lbs This Weekend
by Don Aslett
This book is about de-cluttering your home and life. A friend picked it up at the used book store, so I read it. It's aimed at someone new to the concept of de-cluttering and simplifying. There's a lot of exhortation on how letting go of stuff frees one both physically and psychologically. It then breaks "stuff" into different areas and walks the reader through simplifying each of those areas, all the while continuing to exhort. I've already done lots of work on how to simplify my life, so it didn't have anything new for me, but it might be useful to someone who has never considered things like: the bigger the house, the more stuff gets put in it, and the more time and tending is needed to take care of that stuff.
SuperFreakonomics
by Stephen Levitt
I *loved* the first freakonomics book. It's an area of study that fascinates me. This book has good stuff, but the chapter on global warming was not just frustrating, but wrong. This has caused me to doubt the authors and has retroactively spoiled my pleasure in their reporting. Disappointing.
Spousonomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage, and Dirty Dishes
by Paula Szuchman and Jenny Anderson
This book has since been republished with the title It's Not You, It's the Dishes: How to Minimize Conflict and Maximize Happiness in Your Relationship. Does basic economic theory work on relationships? I found the authors examples plausible and interesting. Since so many of my friends are poly, I will note that while this book focuses on people who are married and in a monogamous relationship, the information carries over to poly relationships, work relationships and other long-term interactions. I found several parts of this book useful, and will probably re-read it at some point. Bonus points to the authors for including a gay couple as one of their demonstration couples.
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
by Timothy Egan
It's one thing to know, intellectually, that the dust bowl happened. What this book has is the emotional punch that gives body to that knowledge. It sets up the ignorance and ambition and greed that primed us for the devastation of the dust bowl. It takes you through how many years it lasted, and describes what it meant, in practical terms, for the people who were affected. I knew the dust bowl as a long drought where a lot of topsoil was lost. I didn't understand the years and years of heat and dry. I didn't understand the sheer tonnage of dirt being propelled by the wind. I didn't understand that there was so much dirt blowing that it buried roads, cars, and even houses in giant drifting dunes. That the storms happened almost daily. That people couldn't go outside for risk of being lost and dying, because you couldn't see more than a few feet. That fine silty dust came in through every crack and hole in your house, covering everything. That hundreds of thousands of people died from dust pneumonia, and animals choked to death as their lungs and stomachs filled with silt. We, as a nation, have been going through a hard time, but reading this book offers a perspective that is awesome and humbling. I didn't love this book, but the information it contains should be part of any class on American History. It should be read by anyone interested in economics, the environment, sustainability, or just what sort of grit is sometimes needed for people to survive.
I did much less comfort reading than would normally happen in a year anywhere near as stressful and lonely as last year was, largely because my books are all in storage. I only re-read about 20 books, mostly Terry Pratchett.
Reviews on the best fiction I read in 2013 are coming soon!