Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace Through Education in Afghanistan &Pakistan - Greg Mortenson
From Amazon: "If you read Three Cups of Tea, you would be foolish to miss this book. The opening briefly recounts those events (to refresh your memory if you didn't read it recently, or to fill in the gaps if you have never read it all). From there, the story mostly moves to Afghanistan as Greg Mortenson and his colleagues from the Central Asia Institute (CAI) seek to keep the promise to bring a school to what may be the most difficult location in that challenged country. If providing schools in remote locations isn't enough, CAI also had to brave the ongoing war there. The story moves into its highest gear as Mr. Mortenson recounts the horrible devastation that a major earthquake (about the same power as the 1906 quake in San Francisco) brought to the mountainous regions, wiping out almost all the schools and killing many of the students and teachers"
I read Three Cups of Tea and enjoyed it, although I enjoyed this one much more. Having finished reading Mortenson's story about himself, this one was much more about the people. I read it in less than a week of busing to work (which either says that my commute is too long or I read too fast). It was captivating and really showed us what education for a girl can do in a country like Afghanistan. It didn't convince me to donate money to their cause, but I do believe education is important!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
In Pursuit of Elegance
In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing - Matthew E. May
From Amazon: "In this thought-provoking exploration of why certain events, products, and people capture our attention and imaginations, Matthew E. May examines the elusive element behind so many innovative breakthroughs in fields ranging from physics and marketing to design and popular culture. Combining unusual simplicity and surprising power, elegance is characterized by four key elements—seduction, subtraction, symmetry, and sustainability. In a compelling, story-driven narrative that sheds light on the need for elegance in design, engineering, art, urban planning, sports, and work, May offers surprising evidence that what’s “not there” often trumps what is."
I really enjoyed this book. It was nerdy in all the right ways, talked a little bit about stuff I didn't really understand, but not enough that I didn't want to read it. Plus, it was a non-fiction book..I haven't read one of those in a while. I think the nerdier people out there would enjoy this, but not so much for others.
From Amazon: "In this thought-provoking exploration of why certain events, products, and people capture our attention and imaginations, Matthew E. May examines the elusive element behind so many innovative breakthroughs in fields ranging from physics and marketing to design and popular culture. Combining unusual simplicity and surprising power, elegance is characterized by four key elements—seduction, subtraction, symmetry, and sustainability. In a compelling, story-driven narrative that sheds light on the need for elegance in design, engineering, art, urban planning, sports, and work, May offers surprising evidence that what’s “not there” often trumps what is."
I really enjoyed this book. It was nerdy in all the right ways, talked a little bit about stuff I didn't really understand, but not enough that I didn't want to read it. Plus, it was a non-fiction book..I haven't read one of those in a while. I think the nerdier people out there would enjoy this, but not so much for others.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Treasure Island
Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
From Amazon: "Climb aboard for the swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime. Treasure Islandhas enthralled (and caused slight seasickness) for decades. The names Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins are destined to remain pieces of folklore for as long as children want to read Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous book. With it's dastardly plot and motley crew of rogues and villains, it seems unlikely that children will ever say no to this timeless classic."
There was a few times when this book was a bit confusing, but I really enjoyed it. Like Tom Sawyer, this was a pretty quick read. I enjoyed the adventure, and I'm not sure why I didn't read this earlier...
From Amazon: "Climb aboard for the swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime. Treasure Islandhas enthralled (and caused slight seasickness) for decades. The names Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins are destined to remain pieces of folklore for as long as children want to read Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous book. With it's dastardly plot and motley crew of rogues and villains, it seems unlikely that children will ever say no to this timeless classic."
There was a few times when this book was a bit confusing, but I really enjoyed it. Like Tom Sawyer, this was a pretty quick read. I enjoyed the adventure, and I'm not sure why I didn't read this earlier...
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
From Amazon: " The book starts out with Tom Sawyer, a mischievous boy, just trying to have fun. He plays hooky on a Friday and then has to work on Saturday because his Aunt Polly finds out. Tom doesn't want to work so he convinces other kids to take the privilege of doing his work for him. He even persuades the kids to give him something so they can work for him."
I can't remember if I've read a version of this before - I remember the characters and some of the adventures. Either way, I don't think that I would have read this version, as a young child I don't think I would have understood some of the language. That said, reading it now, I enjoyed it. It was a quick read full of adventure. :)
From Amazon: " The book starts out with Tom Sawyer, a mischievous boy, just trying to have fun. He plays hooky on a Friday and then has to work on Saturday because his Aunt Polly finds out. Tom doesn't want to work so he convinces other kids to take the privilege of doing his work for him. He even persuades the kids to give him something so they can work for him."
I can't remember if I've read a version of this before - I remember the characters and some of the adventures. Either way, I don't think that I would have read this version, as a young child I don't think I would have understood some of the language. That said, reading it now, I enjoyed it. It was a quick read full of adventure. :)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S. Thompson
From Amazon: "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the best chronicle of drug-soaked, addle-brained, rollicking good times ever committed to the printed page. It is also the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever undertaken."
Seriously. I'm not sure why I bothered reading this book. I found it very uninteresting and really confusing. I prefer books where things happen. Enough said.
From Amazon: "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the best chronicle of drug-soaked, addle-brained, rollicking good times ever committed to the printed page. It is also the tale of a long weekend road trip that has gone down in the annals of American pop culture as one of the strangest journeys ever undertaken."
Seriously. I'm not sure why I bothered reading this book. I found it very uninteresting and really confusing. I prefer books where things happen. Enough said.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Lion Cupcakes
For R's birthday at the end of July, I made lion cupcakes. I started with a vanilla bean cupcake and then added vanilla and chocolate icing.
I convinced a friend to help out, and this is what we ended up with:
Seriously delicious. :)
I convinced a friend to help out, and this is what we ended up with:
 |
| Too bad the colour is wonky... |
Friday, August 12, 2011
About a Boy
About a Boy - Nick Hornby
From Amazon: "Will Lightman is a Peter Pan for the 1990s. At 36, the terminally hip North Londoner is unmarried, hyper-concerned with his coolness quotient, and blithely living off his father's novelty-song royalties. Will sees himself as entirely lacking in hidden depths--and he's proud of it! The only trouble is, his friends are succumbing to responsibilities and children, and he's increasingly left out in the cold. How can someone brilliantly equipped for meaningless relationships ensure that he'll continue to meet beautiful Julie Christie-like women and ensure that they'll throw him over before things get too profound? A brief encounter with a single mother sets Will off on his new career, that of "serial nice guy." As far as he's concerned--and remember, concern isn't his strong suit--he's the perfect catch for the young mother on the go. After an interlude of sexual bliss, she'll realize that her child isn't ready for a man in their life and Will can ride off into the Highgate sunset, where more damsels apparently await. The only catch is that the best way to meet these women is at single-parent get-togethers"
This was a kind of twisted story of Will who has no kids and apparently hates them, and how he ends up befriending and being a sort of father-figure to Markus, who is a really nerdy/out of place sounding kid. Bizarre story, but I read almost 3/4 of it on an hour and a bit long plane ride, so it wasn't that awful!
This is probably best as a summer read - nothing too in depth, or requiring too much thought. Just enough to keep you there, but if you didn't finish it, you probably wouldn't be wondering what happened..
From Amazon: "Will Lightman is a Peter Pan for the 1990s. At 36, the terminally hip North Londoner is unmarried, hyper-concerned with his coolness quotient, and blithely living off his father's novelty-song royalties. Will sees himself as entirely lacking in hidden depths--and he's proud of it! The only trouble is, his friends are succumbing to responsibilities and children, and he's increasingly left out in the cold. How can someone brilliantly equipped for meaningless relationships ensure that he'll continue to meet beautiful Julie Christie-like women and ensure that they'll throw him over before things get too profound? A brief encounter with a single mother sets Will off on his new career, that of "serial nice guy." As far as he's concerned--and remember, concern isn't his strong suit--he's the perfect catch for the young mother on the go. After an interlude of sexual bliss, she'll realize that her child isn't ready for a man in their life and Will can ride off into the Highgate sunset, where more damsels apparently await. The only catch is that the best way to meet these women is at single-parent get-togethers"
This was a kind of twisted story of Will who has no kids and apparently hates them, and how he ends up befriending and being a sort of father-figure to Markus, who is a really nerdy/out of place sounding kid. Bizarre story, but I read almost 3/4 of it on an hour and a bit long plane ride, so it wasn't that awful!
This is probably best as a summer read - nothing too in depth, or requiring too much thought. Just enough to keep you there, but if you didn't finish it, you probably wouldn't be wondering what happened..
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