Micro-Reviews of Books Read, December 2013

   Reviews of books read last month: two novellas, a novel, and two
   non-fiction books.


   1. "Indian Nocturne" by Antonio Tabucchi
     <http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Nocturne/dp/0811210804>

   The narrator is an Italian nicknamed Roux (short for "rouxinol",
   Portuguese for nightingale). His friend, Xavier, went missing in
   India. Roux, determined to find out what happened to Xavier, travels
   across India, retracing his friend's steps. He starts in Bombay
   (Mumbai) on the west coast, crosses the country to Madras (Chennai)
   on the east coast, then ends up back on the west coast in Goa. He
   encounters a wide spectrum of Indians and their culture: poverty and
   luxury, rural and metropolitan settings, and diverse religious
   beliefs. He travels by taxi, boat, train and bus, meeting some
   interesting locals and foreigners along the way.

   A contemplative novella, which incorporates philosophy and literary
   elements.


   2. "Annabel Scheme" by Robin Sloan
     <http://www.amazon.com/Annabel-Scheme/dp/B004E3XC1S>

   This book is set in the near future in San Francisco. Annabel Scheme
   is a private investigator, specialising in cyber and occult cases
   (usually simultaneously). Search giant Grail (loosely modelled on the
   advertising company we know as Google) has its HQ, called the Shard,
   in a trendy part of town. The brief use of a network of quantum
   computers generated a "quantum cloud" around the Shard, and the area
   became known as Fog City. Strange things happened there: for example,
   people could randomly pop in and out of existence. Annabel, with the
   help of her virtual assistant Hu, start off investigating why a long-
   dead singer's voice can be heard on what appear to be brand new
   recordings. This case is solved quickly, but more weirdness lies
   ahead when the Falafel King is murdered, then appears to live on in a
   multiplayer online game set in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.

   Lots of other interesting ideas are presented in this novella,
   including augmented reality, a website called doctorfaust.us (think
   eBay, except for selling organs to demons in return for favours), and
   the ghost of a man, electrocuted in 1879, who lives in the the city's
   electrical grid.


   3. "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome
     <http://www.amazon.com/Three-Men-Boat/dp/1484156706>

   Written in 1889, this novel is about of a group of hypochondriacs
   who decide to go on a two-week boat ride and camping trip along the
   Thames. The narrator's mischievous fox terrier, Montmorency (Monty)
   goes with them on their comical adventure. But first they need to
   agree what supplies to take with them, which leads to amusing
   arguments. The book is part travelogue through historic Thames
   sites, including the alleged site of the signing of the Magna Carta,
   and various inns that Elizabeth I and other historical figures
   apparently visited. When they eventually get on the boat, they get
   themselves into some funny situations, compounded by their rather
   delicate natures. Many digressions describe other events in their
   past, and provide further insight into the lives of the three men
   (and the dog).

   I guess the style of humour is not everyone's cup of tea. But at
   least it's a relatively short novel, and it does include some
   interesting historical and cultural tidbits.


   4. "Time Warped: Unlocking the Mysteries of Time Perception"
      by Claudia Hammond
     <http://www.amazon.com/Time-Warped/dp/0062225200>

   This book looks at the psychology, neurology and physiology of time
   perception. It includes results of scientific studies and anecdotes
   from people who's perception of time have been altered, including a
   journalist kept hostage for four months, a base-jumper who experienced
   a life-threatening situation, and a man who voluntarily spent two
   months in a dark ice cave. Factors affecting our perception of the
   passing of time include: fear, depression, fever and boredom.
   Different people have different internal concepts of time and how they
   move through it. The book also considers why a watched kettle appears
   to never boil, and why time seems to speed up when you get older. The
   author proposes the "holiday paradox": time flies when your having an
   enjoyable holiday, but novel experiences create memories that make the
   holiday seem longer in retrospect.

   A deeper review of the book:
     <http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/07/15/time-warped-claudia-hammond/>
   The author's RSA talk:
     <http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2012/time-warped>


   5. "Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes" by Maria Konnikova
     <http://www.amazon.com/Mastermind/dp/014312434X>

   This book shows how the adventures of the fictional detective
   Sherlock Homes can help us become clearer thinkers. The author
   argues that Holmes' metaphor of the "brain attic" is borne out by
   modern research in psychology and neuroscience. The book covers the
   brain's two modes of thinking, System 1 and System 2, relabelling
   them as System Watson and System Holmes respectively. System Watson
   provides immediate and automatic responses, often triggered by the
   fight-or-flight part of our brain. System Holmes involves more
   considered analysis, is slower with a higher energy cost, but is
   often more accurate. Distractions, including multitasking, affect
   our thinking. Sherlock's use of mindfulness can improve our critical
   thinking. Cognitive biases also distort our thinking. We can adopt
   Sherlock's techniques of introducing some distance, keeping an open
   mind and remaining objective can help overcome biases.

   A deeper review of the book:
     <http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/01/07/mastermind-maria-konnikova/>
   The author's RSA talk:
     <http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2013/the-scientific-
       method-of-the-mind-what-sherlock-holmes-can-teach-us-about-decision-making>

Micro-Reviews of Books Read, November 2013

   Reviews of books read last month. Three novels (two of them by
   Australian authors), and a non-fiction book about information and
   communication.


   1. "The Rook: A Novel" by Daniel O'Malley
     <http://www.amazon.com/The-Rook/dp/0316098809>

   A woman wakes up in a London park on a rainy night, surrounded by
   dead people wearing latex gloves. She's lost her memory, but soon
   finds the first of many letters from her pre-amnesiac self. She is
   Myfanwy Thomas, a high ranking official (a Rook) of the Checquy
   Group, a paranormal secret service agency charged. She was warned
   by a psychic that she would lose her memory, so she made
   preparations. It turns out her memory was wiped because she was
   close to exposing a traitor in the Checquy Group. Knowing this,
   she could just leave the country, take up a new identity and stay
   out of trouble. Instead, she decides to find out more about who
   she was, resume her job and go after the traitor. She rediscovers
   she has a frightening superpower (which explains the incident in
   the park), but lots of other people in the country have special
   abilities too. And to complicate things further, the Belgium-based
   Grafters, long-time adversaries of the Checquy, have resumed their
   centuries-old goal of invading the UK.

   This is a very imaginative and amusing debut novel by a Canberra-
   based public servant. The characters are complex and intriguing,
   with a well-executed plot.


   2. "They're a Weird Mob" by John O'Grady (as Nino Culotta)
     <http://www.amazon.com/Theyre-Weird-Mob/dp/1921922184>

   Italian journalist Nino Culotta (not his real name) is sent on
   assignment to Australia to report on how Italian migrants are
   settling into their new lives. It's the 1950s, and he arrives in
   Sydney, with the intention of travelling around the country for a
   couple of years to write regular pieces for his newspaper back in
   Milan. He gets of to a rocky start, quickly discovering that the
   "proper" English he learnt back home is not that helpful, and
   he'll have to learn the Aussie lingo if he wants to fit in. He
   does write some articles, but he finds he likes Sydney so much
   that he wants to settle there himself. He gets a job as a builder's
   labourer, makes some new friends, and eventually gets married.

   I have mixed feelings about this novel. I agree it is a witty
   portrayal of the brand of English spoken by Australians in the
   1950s. But I didn't find the central character authentically
   Italian. I also expected more insight into the migrant way of
   life, but that wasn't the point of the novel. Perhaps what grated
   the most was the author's insistence that the Australian way of
   life was perfect, so "New Australians" should forget all their
   old ways and just blend in. That reactionary attitude sounds
   simplistic and short-sighted given the rich contributions from
   the different waves of migrants over the past 60 years.


   3. "Emmaus" by Alessandro Baricco
     <http://www.amazon.com/Emmaus/dp/1938073150>

   This is the story of a group of four teenage boys and their loss of
   innocence. The narrator and his friends Bobby, Luca and the Saint
   were brought up with very Catholic values. They were in the church
   band, and spent their spare time helping out at a nearby hospital
   for poor people. Things were going pretty well, they even had
   girlfriends. Except the Saint, who wants to enter the priesthood.
   But then they meet and become obsessed with Andre, a girl from a
   wealthy non-believer family. She has a carefree attitude, sleeps
   around and even tried to kill herself. Andre believes she and her
   family are cursed. A strange relationship develops between her and
   the boys. Unfortunately, things start going wrong for the boys,
   bringing drugs, death and disgrace for some of them.

   I enjoyed this short novel by an award-winning author and screen-
   writer. The characters were relatable, as they dealt with issues
   of faith, devotion and sin were tackled. I also found the contrasts
   and interactions between believers and non-believers interesting.


   4. "The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood" by James Gleick
     <http://www.amazon.com/The-Information/dp/1400096235>

   This books takes a sweeping look at the history of information. From
   the humble beginnings of transmitting messages over distances using
   drums through to the modern day, where Google and others constantly
   collect and analyse our digital activities to find out what we want
   before we know ourselves. Despite changes in technology, many of the
   same issues recur, such as how to ensure accurate and efficient
   transmission. The book reminds us that abbreviations like LOL and
   emoticons had precursors in the days of the telegraph. Information
   is not just encoded in our devices and communication methods.
   Subatomic particles and genes are information carriers. Ideas (or
   memes) also convey information, and some theorists believe they too
   are subject to the survival of the fittest. The book also looks at
   issues such as information overload.

   Overall, a generally accessible and comprehensive book, from a
   respected science and technology author.

Micro-Reviews of Books Read, October 2013

   Reviews of books read last month. Only two books completed this time,
   though I'm part way through two more.


   1. "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck
     <http://www.amazon.com/The-Pearl/dp/014017737X>

   This novella is set in an impoverished Mexican fishing village during
   the 1940s. Kino is a pearl diver, who lives with Juana and their baby
   boy, Coyotito. Kino dreams of finding the largest pearl in the world,
   which will save his family from poverty and his son will be able go
   to school. When he does indeed find an enormous pearl, it brings out
   the worst in the other villagers: envy, opportunism and eventually
   violence.

   An interesting and cautionary folk tale about how a realised dream
   can quickly turn into a nightmare.


   2. "Shift" by Hugh Howey
     <http://www.amazon.com/Shift/dp/1481983555>

   This is the second book in the post-apocalyptic Silo or Wool series.
   It is set before the events in the first book, between 2049 and 2345.
   It describes how a network of silos was secretly funded by US power-
   brokers. One of the main characters is a newly-elected congressman
   and former architect, who was recruited to design a silo. Initially,
   he has no idea what is really going on. When the bombs fall, he is
   ushered into Silo 1, and put into deep-freeze. Over the centuries,
   he is awakened from cryo-sleep to work short "shifts" to advise at
   critical times. Each time he learns a little more about the origins
   and real purpose of the silos.

   Reading this prequel, it becomes clear why the trilogy started in
   the middle. If you're intrigued by the series, I'd strongly advise
   reading "Wool" first to avoid spoilers. I hope to read the final
   instalment soon.

Micro-Reviews of Books Read, September 2013

   Reviews of books read last month. Again, another all fiction selection
   - in fact, all four novels would be classified as speculative fiction.


   1. "Wool" by Hugh Howey
     <http://www.amazon.com/Wool/dp/1476733953>

   An undisclosed global catastrophe (most likely a nuclear war) has
   made the earth's surface uninhabitable. Survivors and their
   descendants have been forced to live underground in a massive silo,
   which goes down more than a hundred levels. Over many successive
   decades, silo-dwellers divide into classes with specific roles.
   Rules have developed to maintain order in this subterranean, self-
   sufficient society. The ultimate punishment is being banished to
   the surface to clean the silo's viewport, which is a death sentence.
   While most officials are elected, the workers in IT seem to have a
   lot of power. Suspicion builds that the head of IT knows more than
   he's letting on. Some people start questioning things: what is IT
   hiding? Is the wool over being pulled over their eyes? Why?

   This is the first of a three book series, which actually tells the
   middle part of the story so as to not give away too much too soon.
   I found it an enjoyable and well-written start, and look forward to
   reading the rest of the series.


   2. "The Third Policeman" by Flann O'Brien
     <http://www.amazon.com/Third-Policeman/dp/156478214X>

   The story opens with the narrator admitting to taking part in a
   violent robbery and murder. He blames his behaviour on the
   corrupting influence of his former guardian and later best mate.
   After laying low for a while, the robbers decide it's safe to
   recover the stolen goods. Then things take a surreal turn. The
   narrator arrives at a police station that defies Euclidean
   geometry, staffed by policemen obsessed with bicycles and pancakes,
   and who speak in non-sequiturs. The narrator is himself beholden to
   the writings and philosophy of a crackpot named de Selby. Is he
   having a bizarre dream?

   This darkly comical novel felt like a condensed and twisted Irish
   version of Crime And Punishment, or a bit like Franz Kafka meets
   Douglas Adams.


   3. "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman
     <http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-End-Lane/dp/0062255657>

   After attending a funeral, a middle-aged man visits his old family
   home and seeks out his old neighbours. His was an unhappy childhood,
   spent mostly reading books to escape an unloving father, strange
   live-in tenants and a controlling housekeeper. He recounts a magical
   episode that happened when he was seven, involving members of his
   unusual household and some other-worldly neighbours who lived at
   the end of the lane.

   The author has had success writing novels and comics, as well as a
   handful of episodes of TV shows including Doctor Who. This is the
   first novel of his that I've read. Personally, I'm not that into
   magic and fantasy, but I can see why fans like his work. It's a
   well written and engaging short novel.


   4. "The Drowned Cities" by Paolo Bacigalupi
     <http://www.amazon.com/Drowned-Cities/dp/0316056227>

   This is a sequel to "Ship Breaker", set in the future when the
   Earth's climate has changed irreversibly. The United States didn't
   cope well, so China sent peacekeepers to try to restore order. But
   when the Chinese left, competing factions fight to control what's
   left in a brutal civil war. One of the characters from the earlier
   novel, Tool, is a main protagonist. He's an augmented human/dog/tiger
   hybrid, bred for loyalty and fighting on behalf of his master. But
   after his newly-gained freedom, he struggles to find a purpose.
   Should he help war orphan Mahlia rescue her friend from a local
   warlord's band of soldiers?

   This is a sometimes violent but definitely thought-provoking novel.
   It's probably uncomfortable reading for proud conservative Americans
   - surely this could never happen?

Micro-Reviews of Books Read, August 2013

   Reviews of books read last month, all fiction: a collection of short
   stories, a novel and a novella.


   1. "This is How You Lose Her" by Junot Díaz
     <http://www.amazon.com/This-How-You-Lose-Her/dp/1594631778>

   This is a collection of short stories connected by the theme of love,
   in particular how passion fades. Most of the male characters are
   objectionable, especially in the way they mistreat women. The
   stories centre on a handful of Dominican Americans living in New York
   from the 1970s to recent times. I was intrigued by the theme of this
   collection, and that the stories look at the lives of immigrants.
   Unfortunately, I found many of the stories a bit disappointing. A few
   years ago I read the author's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "The
   Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao". While I could relate to some of
   the cultural references, I couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
   It seems other people consider the author's work is over-hyped:
     <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anis-shivani/the-15-most-overrated-con_b_672974.html>


   2. "The Prague Cemetery" by Umberto Eco
     <http://www.amazon.com/The-Prague-Cemetery/dp/0547577532>

   The latest novel by Italian essayist, semiologist and author, Umberto
   Eco, is a fictional account of the origins of the Protocols of Zion.
   It's a sweeping story set in 19th Century Europe, mixing real-life
   events and historical figures. The chief protagonist, though, is a
   purely fictional character. Simonini is an Italian emigré living in
   Paris, who has a long-standing grudge against Jews. His pettiness
   prompts him to foster a conspiracy involving Jews, Masons, Jesuits,
   mystics and devil-worshippers. The origin story for the Protocols of
   Zion is a meeting of rabbis in the Prague cemetery many years earlier
   that his grandfather witnessed. Despite his general incompetence, he
   manages to get support from government officials and other political
   groups. He finds other misfits to do his dirty work, often with
   unintended consequences. It seems many reviewers missed the irony in
   the book, superficially criticising it as anti-Semitic. Much like in
   his earlier novel, "Foucault's Pendulum", Eco explores how easily
   conspiracies can spread. Overall, I found the novel a bit challenging
   at times, but I enjoyed it. A better knowledge of European history
   would've made it even more enjoyable.


   3. "Bartleby, the Scrivener" by Herman Melville
     <http://www.amazon.com/Bartleby-Scrivener/dp/1480255416>

   This is a novella set in the late 19th Century in the offices of a
   small legal firm on Wall Street. The narrator is the lawyer who
   runs the firm, and he has some interesting employees. The strangest
   of all is his newest copyist, or scrivener, Bartleby. In the days
   before photocopiers, legal documents had to be copied by hand, so
   lawyers hired scriveners. Bartleby starts out rather promisingly,
   but eventually his quirks come to the fore. He starts become very
   particular about what work he is willing to do, often answering
   requests with "I would prefer not to". Despite the  problems this
   causes, his rather timid boss can't manage to let him go. The
   hard-up Bartleby even begins treating the law offices as his home.
   The situation soon becomes untenable. I found this less heavy-going
   and more enjoyable than the author's epic novel, "Moby Dick". I also
   appreciated the dark humour.

Micro-Reviews of Books Read, July 2013

   Reviews of books read last month: a book about ancient philosophy and
   three novels.


   1. "Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations" by Jules Evans
     <http://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Life/dp/1608682293>

   While using cognitive behaviour therapy to deal with an emotional
   crisis, the author found CBT incorporated many ideas from ancient
   philosophy. This book aims to show how we can learn how to live
   better and more fulfilling lives by learning from the lessons of
   Epicureans, Platonists, Stoics, Sceptics and other schools of
   philosophy. In addition to describing and critiquing these
   philosophies, the author highlights practical uses, such as in the
   military, business, the Occupy movement and psychology. The author
   looks beyond the individual to our relationship and responsibility
   to society as a whole. I found the book an interesting and wide
   overview of Western philosophy, and has kindled my interest to
   investigate further.


   2. "Mr g: A Novel About The Creation" by Alan Lightman
     <http://www.amazon.com/Mr-g/dp/030774485X>

   The author, a physicist and educator, has written an updated story
   about the creation of the universe. Mr g, wanting a change from the
   bland and constant Void, decides to conduct an experiment. He creates
   a universe, which introduces new concepts such as time and space.
   Mr g sets out the laws which will govern the growth of the universe,
   including cause and effect. Eventually, intelligent life develops,
   and he must decide if and when he should intervene. Accompanying him
   are his Aunt Penelope, Uncle Deva, the mysterious Belhor, and his
   sidekicks, the Baphomets. The novel brings together the latest
   understanding of the origins of our universe with themes from other
   creation stories, religions and the author's own imagination. The
   novel reminded me of the "Cosmicomics" stories by Italo Calvino.


   3. "One Hand Clapping" by Anthony Burgess
     <http://www.amazon.com/One-Hand-Clapping/dp/0786706317>

   This is a dark, satirical novel set in the 1960s in England. A young
   couple living in a council estate dream of permanent happiness. For
   a brief moment, it appears they've realised that dream. Howard works
   as a used car salesman, and his wife Janet works in a supermarket.
   They enjoy watching quiz shows on TV. Howard has a photographic
   memory, so he decides to go on a quiz show himself. Things look
   promising after he wins a thousand pounds. Through luck and shrewd
   gambling, he parlays those winnings into a small fortune. The couple
   are set for life, but things soon take a tragicomic turn. Not as
   well known as the author's classic "A Clockwork Orange", this novel
   is worth a read.


   4. "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi
     <http://www.amazon.com/Ship-Breaker/dp/0316056197>

   This novel is set in the near-future, when major coastal cities
   have "drowned" following major climate change. A rogue faction of
   a global shipping company wants to use the owner's daughter as
   "leverage" in the boardroom. With the help of a loyal captain,
   the girl flees in a high-tech clipper. But they run into a "city
   killer" hurricane, and the ship gets wrecked on the Gulf Coast of
   the US. The ship is found by a pair of desperate scavengers, who
   must decide whether to help the girl, or turn her in to her
   pursuers for a tidy reward. This is a fast-paced novel packed with
   imagination. Mainly aimed at a young adult audience, this novel
   should appeal to anyone interested in a post-apocalyptic adventure.

Micro-Reviews of Books Read, June 2013

   Reviews of books read last month: three novels and a collection of
   short stories.


   1. "The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare" by G. K. Chesterton
     <http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Was-Thursday/dp/1613824025>

   A secret society of anarchists has a ruling council where each of the
   seven members uses a day of the week as their code name. Gabriel Syme,
   an undercover policeman, manages to infiltrate the Central Council of
   Anarchists. A former poet, Syme was recruited by an even shadowier
   chief detective who is setting up a corps of "philosopher policemen".
   The newly-elected Thursday finds all is not quite what it seems as he
   tries to foil an attempt to assassinate a member of European royalty.
   This was a short and surreal novel was fast-paced and very enjoyable.


   2. "Il tempo forse" by Francesco Genitoni
     <http://www.amazon.it/Il-tempo-forse/dp/8874240287>

   This is the story of an elderly widow living on an old family farm in
   northern Italy. Her unwed son lives with her and still runs the farm,
   but he mistreats her. Television and the occasional visits by her
   other children and grandchildren provide company in her declining
   years, but there will inevitably come a time when she has to leave
   the farm and village where she has spent her whole life. A brief and
   poignant story, as told through her grandchild's eyes. The title
   translates literally as "Time, perhaps".


   3. "Pump Six and Other Stories" by Paolo Bacigalupi
     <http://www.amazon.com/Pump-Other-Stories/dp/1597802026>

   A collection of thought-provoking short stories set in the future,
   when food and animals are genetically modified, energy sources have
   become scarcer, and global warming has caused major political and
   social disruption. Like a lot of good science fiction, the stories
   take an aspect of current life and examine its consequences by
   extrapolating into the future. Many of the stories are quite
   disturbing, but almost always imaginative. Characters and ideas
   in these stories are explored further in the the author's award-
   winning novel "The Wind-Up Girl", which I enjoyed and also recommend.


   4. "Puttering About in a Small Land" by Philip K. Dick
     <http://www.amazon.com/Puttering-About-Small-Land/dp/0765328356>

   This is a contemporary novel set in 1950s California. Roger runs a
   modest television repair business. He lives with his second wife
   Virginia, a frustrated dancer. They have a son who they send off to
   private school every week. They meet another couple, Chic (Charles)
   and Liz Bonner, whose two sons go to the same school. A complex
   relationship develops between the two couples, as their underlying
   differences, impulses and ambitions are slowly revealed. I was
   pleasantly surprised by this change of style from an author who
   made his name writing science fiction novels and short stories.
   His work has been made into several movies, including "Blade
   Runner", "Minority Report" and "A Scanner Darkly".

Micro-Reviews of Books Read, May 2013

   Reviews of books read last month: two novels and two non-fiction books.
   For various reasons, these and future reviews will be much shorter than
   usual. I hope you still find them useful.


   1. "Antifragile" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
     <http://www.amazon.com/Antifragile/dp/1846141575>

   Volatility, randomness, disorder and stressors are usually considered
   undesirable. They cause problems for the "fragile", where fragility is
   defined as the state of being vulnerable to any shocks or surprises.
   One approach to these problems is to seek robustness, which mostly aims
   for containment. Antifragility goes beyond robustness or resilience.
   Drawing from many disciplines, including ancient philosophy, economics,
   finance, statistics and history, the author describes how not only cope
   with uncertainty, but how to use it to our advantage. An intriguing and
   thought-provoking book.

   RSA Keynote delivered by Taleb discussing the book:
     <http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2012/antifragile>
   A longer Authors@Google talk given by the author:
     <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3REdLZ8Xis>


   2. "The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction" by Alan Jacobs
     <http://www.amazon.com/Pleasures-Reading-Age-Distraction/dp/0199747490>

   In an age of short attention spans and constant distractions, it is
   generally believed that "long-form" reading will inevitably decline.
   The author challenges this conclusion, offering his thoughts on how
   we can reconnect with books and enjoy reading. He discusses at and
   critiques earlier guides to reading, offering his own suggestions on
   deciding what to read. Reading should not be a chore, and we should
   feel free to follow our whims. He covers ebook readers, "deep reading"
   and re-reading. An entertaining and useful guide.


   3. "The Year of the Hare: A Novel" by Arto Paasilinna
     <http://www.amazon.com/Year-Hare/dp/B004WB19E4>

   While driving back from an assignment in the forest, a journalist and
   photographer hit a wild hare with their car. Fortunately, the hare
   survives. But this event triggers a series of life-changing decisions
   for the journalist. Taking the injured hare into his care, he turns his
   back on his unloving marriage and his unsatisfying job, and sets out
   on a year-long adventure in the country regions of Finland. He
   experiences many aspects of human nature in this picaresque novel.


   4. "The Time Machine" by H. G. Wells
     <http://www.amazon.com/Time-Machine/dp/1453767525>

   Written in the late 19th century, this pioneering science fiction novel
   speculates on the possibility of travelling through time (the fourth
   dimension) as though it was one of the three spatial dimensions. The
   author draws on the then-recent emergence of evolution theory, the
   political rivalry between capitalism and socialism, and the class
   system of the Victorian era. What does the future hold for the human
   race? In this brief novel, the author demonstrates considerable
   imagination. Both the story and the writing style have aged well.

Mini-Reviews of Books Read, April 2013

   Reviews of books read last month: a novel and three non-fiction books.


   1. "The Gone-Away World" by Nick Harkaway
     <http://www.amazon.com/The-Gone-Away-World/dp/0307389073>

   It's the near-future.  Following a disagreement over access to natural
   resources, "un-war" has broken out in the Middle East.  The respective
   leaders never officially declare war, but in reality their armies are
   engaged in conflict.  Such mini-cold wars have become commonplace, and
   eventually resolve themselves.  But this time things get out of hand
   when one side uses chemical weapons.  In retaliation, the other side
   unleashes a brand new super weapon: the "Go Away Bomb".  This bomb
   works by removing information from matter, effectively erasing whatever
   is within its vicinity when it detonates.  Unfortunately, other nations
   have also developed the same technology.  They all decide to deploy
   their own arsenals of Go Away bombs, making most populated regions of
   the planet resemble Swiss cheese.  This is the Gone-Away World.

   Go Away Bombs were designed to be the ultimate "clean" weapons.  But
   it turns out they were not so clean and perfect after all: "the wanton
   messing we have done with the basic level of the universe is not,
   after all, completely free and without consequence".  A byproduct of
   their use is the generation of "Stuff", which reifies the thoughts of
   people who are exposed to it.  Dreams and nightmares manifest into
   monsters, chimeras and bifurcates that torment the other survivors.

   The story is told from the point of view of a member of a crew of
   hazardous materials experts.  Mostly veterans of the Go Away War,
   they are engaged to repair part of the world-spanning Jorgmund Pipe
   after a sabotage attack.  The Pipe keeps the "Stuff" away from the
   survivors.  Spoiler alert: something happens about two-thirds of the
   way through that makes you reevaluate the narrator's account.

   This was a highly readable piece of speculative fiction thanks to its
   blend of humour, satire, adventure and intrigue.  In addition to
   interesting central characters, this entertaining post-apocalyptic
   novel features ninjas, special forces, freedom fighters, an enigmatic
   mime troupe and an evil mega-corporation.  At almost 500 pages it's a
   bit long, but it sustained my interest.


   2. "The Consolation of Philosophy" by Ancius Boethius
     <http://www.amazon.com/Consolation-Philosophy/dp/0674048350>

   The author was a member of the Roman nobility, becoming a senator then
   consul in the early sixth century AD.  This was when Ostrogoths occupied
   the Italian peninsula following the sacking of Rome.  Boethius was
   unjustly suspected of conspiring with the Eastern Roman Empire.  He was
   exiled, imprisoned and executed.

   While awaiting trial and execution, he wrote his best known work, "De
   consolatione philosophiae".  The book takes the form of a series of
   conversations between himself and Lady Philosophy.  He asks why bad
   things happen to good and just people, while others profit from their
   evil doings.  She consoles Boethius by discussing the fleeting nature
   of wealth, high office, power, fame and physical pleasures.  These are
   all at the mercy of Fortune.  She argues that happiness comes from
   within us, and that our virtue is all that we really possess.  Drawing
   on the teachings of Stoic and Christian philosophers, Lady Philosophy
   says that true happiness follows from self-sufficiency and respect.
   Boethius also questions her about the nature of evil and free will.

   This was a popular and influential philosophical work, especially during
   the Middle Ages.  Boethius was regarded as the “last of the Romans and
   the first of the Scholastics”.

   An interesting discussion on Boethius and "The Consolations of
   Philosophy" is available online (BBC, In Our Time):
     <http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00g46p0>


   3. "Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being"
      by Martin Seligman
     <http://www.amazon.com/Flourish/dp/1439190763>

   The author is a leading psychologist who has written several books
   about his research and ideas about psychology, happiness and well-
   being.  He argues psychology should be more than about just treating
   those with mental illness: it should be more positive, and help
   promote mental well-being in everyone.

   He questions the preoccupation with the vague and one-dimensional
   concept of "happiness".  Instead he proposes a multi-dimensional
   approach to well-being, having the acronym PERMA.  The five elements
   are: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and
   Achievement.  Drawing from the research of others as well as his own,
   he examines how each of these components contributes to well-being.
   For example, positive emotion can be enhanced by identifying things
   that went well during the day.  Engagement (also called "flow") can
   be achieved by identifying and exploiting one's highest strengths.
   Achievement requires more than just talent: self-discipline is
   important, and some people become high achievers thanks to "grit".
   By working on each of these components, we not only cope with
   adversity, we can also flourish.

   The author's RSA talk gives a good overview of the book:
     <http://www.thersa.org/events/video/vision-videos/martin-seligman>


   4. "Getting Real" by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson and
      Matthew Linderman
     <http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Real/dp/0578012812>

   This book was written by some principals of 37signals, a successful
   startup and the creator of the Ruby on Rails web development framework.
   It contains highly opinionated views on how to develop web applications,
   from initial idea to launch and beyond.  They recommend an ultra
   pragmatic approach.  They argue for simplicity - even if that means
   fewer features than competitors.  "Done" is better than "perfect".
   Web applications can always be improved in later iterations.  Smaller
   teams are better.  Keep meetings, red tape and formal specifications
   to the bare minimum.

   They advise against the venture capital-based funding model, which
   usually favours providing services for free to quickly grab market
   share.  Instead, charge an adequate price from day one, with a free
   level of service to give customers a chance to try before buying.
   Upgrades should be easy.  Not relying on outside funding means greater
   control and flexibility.

   Overall, some good advice for budding web entrepreneurs.  The authors
   admit that their suggestions are not applicable for all organisations.
   Some applications are too big or life-critical to be built by just a
   handful of developers.  A later book by Fried and Heinemeier Hansson,
   "Rework", refines and expands on many of the suggestions.

Mini-Reviews of Books Read, March 2013

   Reviews of books read last month: all three books were non-fiction.
   My fascination with psychology seems to know no bounds.  I started a
   novel too, but haven't finished it yet.

   A bit of an experiment this month: I've limited myself to three
   hours to write the reviews.


   1. "The Resiliency Advantage" by Al Siebert
     <http://www.amazon.com/The-Resiliency-Advantage/dp/1576753298>

   Resiliency, the ability to adapt and cope with life's changes, is not
   an innate talent.  It is a skill that can be learnt just like any other.
   The book's subtitle is: "Master Change, Thrive Under Pressure, and
   Bounce Back from Setbacks".  The author is a clinical psychologist and
   researcher.

   The book looks at the attributes of highly resilient people: those
   suffering chronic pain or life-changing disabilities, and survivors
   of terrible adversity.  The examples and anecdotes are backed up by
   research findings.  Attributes that help build resilience include the
   ability to solve problems, curiosity, willingness to try new and
   possibly uncomfortable or challenging things, and openness to
   serendipity.  This last point helps turn accidents or misfortune into
   positives.

   Resiliency requires a healthy view of three aspect of one's "self":
   self-esteem, self-confidence and self-concept.  An interesting
   argument the author makes is that people who never complain and
   always try to please others (i.e. to be a "good child") can actually
   harm their ability to cope with their problems.  Detachment and a
   modest level of selfishness can help people become resilient.

   The author challenges the concept of stress.  Often the thing causing
   stress is not the real problem, but rather how we choose to internalise
   it and react to it.  Just as straining muscles in an exercise routine
   helps strengthen them, coping with the strains of everyday life helps
   strengthen our "resiliency" muscles.  This makes me wonder if many
   parents are actually harming their children by always trying to make
   their children's lives as easy as possible.  Too much sheltering from
   helicopter parents could backfire when the child grows up and has to
   face life's challenges on their own.


   2. "How to Thrive in the Digital Age" by Tom Chatfield
     <http://www.amazon.com/How-Thrive-Digital/dp/1447202317>

   Advances in technology are changing the way we live our lives.  This
   book looks at how our "wired", continuously "plugged in" lifestyles
   impact our
   work, leisure, relationships and politics.

   The author points out both the benefits and drawbacks of the digital
   age.  While we have access to more information than ever before, not
   all the information is of equal quality.  He argues "much as online
   authority has increasingly become divorced from expertise, so, it
   seems, cultural production is becoming divorced from talent".  Other
   issues include information overload, the dehumanising effect from
   instant gratification, escapism, and the feeling of isolation.
   Technology is not the root cause of these problems, but just an
   enabler.  As such, we can learn to take control of the situation to
   help mitigate the problems.

   The author makes some interesting points about the consequences of
   technology, and provides some useful suggestions for thriving and
   flourishing in the digital age.


   3. "Stumbling on Happiness" by Daniel Gilbert
     <http://www.amazon.com/Stumbling-Happiness/dp/1400077427>

   It seems like an easy question: what makes us happy?  The author, a
   professor of psychology at Harvard, argues that we can't be relied upon
   to give a decent answer.  In the foreword he writes: "This book is
   about a puzzle that many thinkers have pondered over the last two
   millennia, and it uses their ideas (and a few of my own) to explain why
   we seem to know so little about the hearts and minds of the people we
   are about to become".  He covers psychology, cognition, neuroscience,
   economics and philosophy to make his argument.

   Findings include:
   * Happiness is very subjective.  As they say, "one man's meat is
     another man's poison".
   * We're not very good at predicting the future.
   * We're not even particularly reliable remembering the past.
   * Our memories are selective.
   * Our thinking is subject to biases.
   * Major events which we expect would have a lasting impact on our
     happiness (e.g. winning the lottery or becoming handicapped), will
     affect us in the short term, but then we will eventually return to
     our individual "default" level of happiness.

   When making decisions about the future, and how that affects our
   happiness, we often resort to thoughts and imagination.  But there
   are three major shortcomings of imagination:
    1. Its tendency to fill in and leave out without telling us (Realism).
    2. Its tendency to project the present onto the future (Presentism).
    3. Its failure to recognise that things look different once they
       happen - in particular, that bad things will look a whole lot
       better (Rationalisation).

   So, if imagination leads us astray, what are we to do when trying to
   make important decisions?  According to the author, the best advice
   is to ask others who have already made similar decisions to see if
   they're happy or not with their choices.

   The author also makes some potentially controversial claims regarding
   life as a "belief-transmission game".  In particular, we believe in
   the joy of money and the joy of children.  Regarding money, research
   shows that beyond a certain amount, additional income does not lead
   to increased happiness.  Regarding children, research studies show
   that marital satisfaction actually dips just after the birth and
   only picks up when the nest empties.

   Overall, the author makes a persuasive case, often with humour.  There
   is no simple, universal formula for finding happiness.  We probably
   shouldn't try to think too much about making ourselves happy, since
   we have unreliable ideas on the subject.  Instead, we should take
   each day as it comes, accept what we have, and make the most of the
   situations we find ourselves in. And where possible, seek the advice
   of people more experienced than ourselves.