10 Things I Learned Reading “Choose Yourself!”

     Recently, I came across a book that had an interesting proposition. Prove you've read the book and the author will give you your money back.  That deal, as well as, the topic intrigued me.  So I am using this blog post as my “proof” that I read and learned something- 10 things actually.   

1.        We are in a Choose Yourself era. The economic meltdown in 2008 changed things forever. The American Dream has left the building. It is time to face the new reality and build your own path.  There are two employment paths: entrepreneur and temp worker.

2.       You have to start with a strong foundation: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. As a side note, I find it interesting that contemporary self-help book address physical health. Let’s face it people, eating right, sleeping and doing some regular physical activity are basic life principles that we as a society are seriously lacking.  Unless you get those in order, you are screwed.

3.       Do you ever find your mind going in circles with worry and thinking, thinking, thinking?  That is because your mind likes to be busy- very busy. So give it something to do. Think of a problem and tell your mind to find 10 solutions, then 10 more.  I think this was the most important thing I took away from this book.  The mind can’t be silenced, so make it productive.

4.       Live in the present, otherwise you are “time traveling”. Reliving the past and worrying about the future takes you away from the right now.  Recognize your situation, moods and thoughts and accept them.  See #3 if you can’t stop obsessing.

5.       Surround yourself with positive people and minimize your exposure to naysayers. 

6.       Stop judging by changing statements into questions: I should do that.  I should do that?  This applies to judgment of others too:  She should do that. She should do that?

7.       Hitting “Like” on Facebook releases oxytocin which reduces cortisol (stress) levels.  Finally some good news about the internet... Like.

8.        Stop wasting brain space on paranoia, resentment, regret, and perfectionism.  “Subtraction, and not addition, is what makes the window to the brain more clear.”

9.       You learn most when listening, so stop talking.

10.   “This is how we form a better society. First we become better as individuals”

     The book covered many more subjects, including advice on how to be an entrepreneur, self-publish a book, take care of yourself and get your mindset straight. The author also presented case studies of people who choose themselves and were very successful (i.e. Gandhi). I would recommend this book, even if I wasn’t getting my money back J

Choose Yourself! by James Altucher. Here are the details for on the author’s offer of read and refund:

http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2013/06/nobody-has-ever-made-this-offer-before-i-am-paying-people-back-if-they-read-my-book/

Reading Reviews- February 2013

Is February over already? I actually wished I had more time to read! Here are the things that I did get a chance to read:

The Cloud Atlas by Liam Callanan

   This book was a mistake. I meant to read Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell- the one that is a movie.  Still this book held my attention, even after I realized my mistake. I learned something new about WWII- Japanese balloon bombs!  That part was interesting, but the story and the characters got less interesting as the novel went on.  Enjoyed the story, hated the ending.
Verdict: I would say pass, but hold the right to change my mind once I read the "right" Cloud Atlas.

Blogging for Dummies by Susannah Gardner & Shane Birley

I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on any tips or tricks for blogging. I really shouldn't read this dummy book; they are always very basic.  I hoped to figure out how to post streaming twitter feed on this blog- no luck.  I did learn the blog is a mash up of web log, so that was something.
Verdict: Blogger is intuitive, you don't need this book.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

   I'll admit it, it was a tear jerker.  I am a sucker for dogs, so I loved a story about a family, told from a dog's view. I am treating my dog extra extra nice now! It was a quick read, almost like a short story, but it captured everything perfectly.
Verdict: If you love dogs, read it!

The Dirty Parts of the Bible:  A Novel by Sam Torode

  At the end of chapter one, I knew this book wasn't for me, but I soldiered on til chapter 6 before I finally gave up. This story somehow manages to be crude and yet feature an (unbelievably) innocent character. I probably should have guess it from the title.
Verdict: Nope. Not even a little bit.

The Everything Juicing Book by Carole Jacobs

  After watching "Hungry for Change," I start thinking about getting a juicer. After reading this book, I bought a juicer.  The first couple of chapters give you practical information on choosing a juicer and then there are chapters for detoxing, weight loss, and specific health conditions. Each of the chapters discussed the important vitamins for each condition and is followed by tons of recipes.  Very well laid out and it got me excited about all the flavor combinations!
Verdict: A very good resource if you are interested in juicing for health.

Frommer's Australia by Lee Atkinson, Ron Crittall, Marc Llewellyn and Lee Mylne
  Australia is my goal destination for my 40th birthday!  I got this book to inspire me to start saving up for it, but now I am not sure if I want to go. I do want to go, but traveling to a foreign country sounds like work!  Anyway, I did figure out I probably only need a week in Australia to see the things I want to see- Sydney, The Great Barrier Reef, Blue mountain and of course kangaroos and koalas.
Verdict: Don't buy this book until you are about to go on the trip. It had detailed information on places to stay and eat, which will probably be outdated in a year.

Citizenville by Gavin Newsom
  This was a fascinating read!  This book discusses how to reinvent the way citizens and government interact (spoiler: the answers are technology and communication).  People are frustrated and disengaged with government and politics. The quote that best sums up our current state:  "I truly believe that it' not the problems we face that are complex- it's the system we've designed to solve them that's complex."  Many examples are given of specific programs enacted throughout the country that have made a difference.
Verdict:  Wonderful read, I felt inspired that maybe things can change for the better.

Articles of Interest:

Ditch your inner Pollyanna!  "Stop Apologizing: Why are Woman so 'Sorry' All the Time?"
http://jezebel.com/5980683/stop-apologizing-why-are-women-so-sorry-all-the-time?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women#13599992764063&{"type":"iframeUpdated","height":2395}

This is written by Ian, he is a CrossFit owner, trainer and police officer. Here are some of his thoughts on being in law enforcement and the service and sacrifice it requires:
http://crossfitcenturion.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/service-and-sacrifice/

Beyonce rocked the Superbowl- here is breakdown on her fabulous!
http://www.paleoforwomen.com/lets-talk-about-beyonce-rhapsodizing-kickass-womanhood/

Reading Reviews- January 2013

Whew this month gave me a lot of options in book reading! Perfect thing to do on these cold dark winter nights.  Here is the lowdown on what to read and what to skip:

The Primal Connection : Follow your Genetic Blueprint to Heath and Happiness by Mark Sisson
  This was the much awaited follow-up to the Primal Blueprint. Of course, I am biased when it comes to Mark Sisson. I read his blog Mark's Daily Apple and pretty much own all of his books.  He is my favorite writer in the paleo/primal community. So gush gush. Check out his blog and then buys his books!  
Verdict: Highly Recommend.  This is the only book I actually bought this month.

The Dressmaker: A Novel by Kate Alcott
  I liked this book, but glancing over the reviews, I might be the only one?  Apparently, it is full of historical inaccuracies of the sinking of the Titanic. Fortunately for me, my knowledge about that event is pretty much limited to Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCarpio 1997 movie version.  The story is as light or as heavy as you want it to be.  It is about a young woman,who longs to be a fashion designer. Of course, she is also pursued by two men and must figure out who she loves more. Yawn. What I found interesting, is it tells the story of the survivors- how they were put in the media spotlight and judged for not going down with the ship.  It explores the social notions of "what makes a hero?"
Verdict: I borrowed this an eBook from the library, so it was free. Would I have paid for it?  Yes, if I was going to be on a plane or stuck in jury duty all day.   

The Case for God by Karen Armstrong
  I only made it about a third of the way through this book and I couldn't even continue to skim it.  It is laden with detail and historical facts.  For me,  the details buried the interesting question about religion's place in society through out the ages.  It is written a step or two down from an academic paper.  In fact, if you told me this was adapted from the author's thesis paper, I would totally believe you.
Verdict: If you love detail, you will love this book.  

Paleo Slow Cooker Recipes by Tracey Daniels
  This was a free down load from Amazon and I might have just paid for it too! I haven't yet made any of the recipes, but they look good!  I love cooking in a crockpot and the author has recipes for everything: soups, sides, snacks, desserts, etc.
Verdict: I am thinking yum.

The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson
     This book got very good reviews.  The story is well written and it kept me interested, but the ending led me nowhere, except that living in North Korea sucks (and I kinda knew that already).  I get that it is a bold move to write about North Korea in such a unflattering narrative.  However, I found the story disturbing and depressing. I felt sorry for everyone, even the "bad" guys.
Verdict: If you are deadset on reading a downer- go for it!

Write Good or Die: Survival Tips for the 21st Century by Scott Nicholson
     I had a brief moment this month, when I flirted with a career as a writer.  This book is a collection of essays written by various authors about writing and publishing a novel. I found it quite inspiring not just for writing, but for life- if you love something go after it!  I like that the essays were short, so anytime I had and extra 5 minutes, I would read one.
Verdict: If you think you might want to be a writer, this provides insight about the all the things you will need to think about. The devil is in the details.

Catherine The Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
     The author does a good job fashioning facts into a narrative, but I just couldn't get into it. This is a loooong book, so make sure you have time and patience. This story makes being a princess and queen sound not fun! 
Verdict: Meh, but better than the history book version of Catherine the Great.

The Food of Paradise

Could there be a more perfect book to read on my way home?  The moment after I bought my plane ticket, I started a must-have Hawaii food list on my "Reminders" app. When most people plan a trip to Hawaii, they think about the beach and drinks with little umbrellas. I think about Family, Friend and FOOD!  Hawaii people love to eat and we love to talk about food.

Besides explaining where some of my favorite Hawaii foods originated, the book also captures why food is so important in Hawaii.  "In a society that has little in common except the language 'pidgin' where neither religion, nor literature, nor art, nor music, nor social customs, nor a long shared history provide a common ground, Local Food serves as an important, indeed essential, basis that glues the diverse people of Hawaii together."  "Recognizing this use of food as a common language drives home the point that food sustains more than the body, that it also sustains cultures. What makes people in Hawaii feel they belong is that they share Local Food."  These sentences, on page 7, perfectly capture why home and food are so intertwined in my mind and heart.

I graciously ate my way through my Hawaii trip: Korean BBQ, apple bananas, Dobash cake, lau lau, fried noodles and lychee just to name a few. Of course I had a few things mentioned in the book:

Saimin

Andagi

Teriyaki Steak

Seeds

This book provided a"story" to some of the foods I have always enjoyed.  It helped me appreciate how unique it is to grow up in Hawaii and be exposed to a fusion of food and culture. I admire the author's culinary curiosity.  Rachel Lauden weaves history and recipes together in a way that honors Hawaii's heritage. It added another layer of enjoyablity to my trip home.

"The Food of Paradise: Exploring Hawaii's Culinary Heritage" by Rachel Laudan:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Food-Paradise-Exploring-Culinary/dp/0824817788

1Q84 Book Review

1Q84 is a novel written by Haruki Murakami.  It was originally published as three part books series in Japanese from 2009-2010 and was an immediate sensation in Japan (according to Wikipedia).  I honestly, knew none of this when I chose to read it. The cover looked interesting- yes I judged a book by its cover.  I got myself on the library waiting list for the ebook version and was notified I had a 7-day loan period to get through almost a thousand pages. One of my challenges for journal writing was an Art Journal entry and after reading this book, I knew I had a work of art journal entry winner. 

This novel is different and I am still not sure if I mean "different" good or "different" bad.  I could see it being made into an anime movie like "Spirited Away" by Hayao Miyazaki.  There is the obvious similarity that 1Q84 is an alternate reality, but also because you have to suspend your disbelief.  The world of 1Q84 does not follow any established rules. In fact, it sole purpose seems to be to bring together the two main characters, Aomane and Tengo, together.  Fate apparently requires the complete bending of logic, suspending of reason and of course a healthy sprinkling of magic.  It seems this genre of romantic sci-fi has gone global!

I wondered if something about this story was lost in translation? The choice to make it one long book instead of 3 books like in Japan or 2 books as it was released in the UK, may have been a mistake. The American audience is an impatient one.  Our "Happily-Ever After" story lines tend to be linear and nicely wrapped up and this is not the case in IQ84.  There was a lot of repetition and details (i.e. rubber plant) that ended up not contributing to the overall plot line. Characters were disposed of and forgotten once they stopped contributing to the fated lover's plot line. When I read some of the reviews on Amazon several people mentioned the style of the book is very typical of this author.  I just felt that I was missing some kind of cultural decoder key.

I must confess, I did not actually "read" the whole book, it was just too long!  About a third of the way through,  I wikipediaed it to get a general idea of where the plot line was going before I continued skimming it. I wanted to make sure the story line would be worth the effort. The author has a very engaging style of writing.  I really got a sense of the characters lives and I genuinely liked them.  There is also a gratuitous amount of sexual content, which neither titillated or offended me.

Would I recommend this book?  Yes if you have plenty of time to kill. The story is unique and the writing style is captivating. My major problem with 1Q84 is the way the plot develops and concludes really makes no sense. For me, it was the opposite experience of "Lord of the Rings," which had an amazing story line, but was tedious to read.  I guess like all "good" art it left me with more questions than answers.