recommended reading

Here, in descending order, are my top recommendations from my 2007 reading.

1. Jimmy Corrigan, the smartest kid on earth by Chris Ware
find out more here
"the best graphic novel I have read, some of the pictures present complex familial histories in a way I have never seen before, a great central character and depth of emotion"

2. Agile Estimating and Planning.
find out more here
"a great and hugely pragmatic book for those looking to adopt an agile method for software development"

3. Imperium by Robert Harris
find out more here
"an easy but gripping read with a powerful attention to detail that brings life to ancient Rome"

4. The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell
find out more here
"comprehensive, clear and good science that makes for a convincing argument regarding nutrition"

In 2005 just one work of fiction made it into my top 5, last year it was three, in 2007 it falls back to two. In 2007 I read 28 books (13 fiction, 16 non fiction) [2006-35 books(19 fiction, 16 non-fiction), 2005-35 books (5 fiction, 30 non-fiction)].

Of the 28 I read this year 6 were graphic novels so overall my reading has reduced a little and the amount of fiction I have read has increased also, both good things.



Complete 2007 reading list ...
Listed below are the books I read in 2007, books in bold type may also be worth a look.

Flashman in the great game - George MacDonald Frazier
The Acme Novelty Library Vol. 16 - Chris Ware
Quimby the Mouse - Chris Ware
The Acme Novelty Library - Chris Ware
Ice Haven - Daniel Clowes
The Acme Novelty Library Vol. 17 - Chris Ware
How to Haiku - Bruce Ross
Presense - Peter Senge, C. Otto Scharmer, Joespeh Awonski, Betty-Sue Flowers
The Great Learning - Master Nan Huai Chin
Pompeii - Robert Harris
The 10 minute coach - Fiona Harris
5 Myths of Consumer Behaviour - Csaba Tarnai
The manual of the warrior of light - Paulo Coelho
The inmates are running the asylum - Alan Cooper
The Coaching Bible - MacDonald Jago
Pilgrimage: Adventures of the Spirit - Editied by Jean & James O'Reilly
Happiness: Lessons from a new science - Richard Layaard
The illustrated encyclopedia of Buddhist Wisdom - Gill Farmer Halls
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching - Aldis & Lombardo
Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
You can heal your life - Louise L Hay
Can do, how to achieve personal change and growth - Ben Tiggelaar
The Devil and Miss Prym - Paulo Coelho
The form of things - A.C. Grayling
Veronkia Decide to die - Paulo Coelho
The Valkyries - Paulo Coelho
The Zahir - Paulo Coelho
The 3 signs of a miserable job - Patrick Lencioni
Round Ireland with a Fridge - Tony Hawkes


For more information ...
2006 recommended reading
2005 recommended reading

the road is made by walking

The combination of a physical and mental journey and the interplay between both has attracted humans throughout the ages. The idea of pilgrimage is often associated with the fulfillment of a religious duty but first and foremost it fulfills a human need.

I have often found my reading has a meandering nature leading places I did not know existed or could not have planned visiting. Recently whilst reading Pilgrimage - Adventures of the Spirit, I came across the following lines from the Spanish poet Machado.

I thought the fire was out
I stirred the ashes
And I burnt my fingers.
- Antonio Machado

(photo: ravi bhavnani)

Great, simple lines that capture a moment, a Spanish haiku. My wife was somewhat familiar with Machado so I wikipedia'd him and came across this famous verse by him. What a great way to describe one's pilgrimage or journey through life.

Wanderer, your footsteps are
the road, and nothing more;
wanderer, there is no road,
the road is made by walking.
By walking one makes the road,
and upon glancing behind
one sees the path
that never will be trod again.
Wanderer, there is no road--
Only wakes upon the sea.

Caminante, son tus huellas
el camino, y nada más;
caminante, no hay camino,
se hace camino al andar.
Al andar se hace camino,
y al volver la vista atrás
se ve la senda que nunca
se ha de volver a pisar.
Caminante, no hay camino,
sino estelas en la mar.
- Antonio Machado, Proverbios y cantares XXIX" in Campos de Castilla.

(photo: boblycat)

I probably would hesitate to recommend Pilgrimage - Adventures of the Spirit, unless someone was particularly interested in journeys of a spiritual nature. It does contain some good essays by Jack Hitt on the Camino, Nicholas Shrady on Buddha's journey and Kent E. St.John on visiting the only German concentration camp based on French soil.

Although I am not Christian I would, one day, like to walk the Camino, to climb Croagh Patrick again, to visit Jerusalem and walk the stations of the cross. I would not expect to meet God along the way but I suspect I would learn more about my fellow man.

Meandering though it was, this post is done. Now let's go on.


For more information ...
antonio machado
pilgrimage - adventures of the spirit

turn, turn, turn

Got a brilliant children's book of illustrations from the library based on the text of Pete Seeger's classic "turn, turn, turn". It includes a CD with his version and the more popular version by the Roger McGuinn and The Byrds. The book is beautifully illustrated and Pete Seeger's live folk version has a raw and rough quality that for me is more attractive than the Byrds pop version.

I think the music seems timely given the changes we are about to go through.



To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!



For more information ...
turn, turn, turn
Pete Seeger
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

the four seasons

Recently listening to Vivaldi's 'four seasons' I find myself surprised that I like them, as I had developed a distaste for them in the late '80's.

That time in Britain was dominated by the excesses of Thatcherite culture. It was a time of Gordon Gecko and 'greed is good' and the four seasons formed a musical backdrop for the last declining days of Margaret and her yuppies. The music became as common place as Constable's Haywain is on place mats and because of that probably undervalued, at least in my mind.

With a fresh and unprejudiced ear I have begun to listen to them again and found them to be great. My wife bought me Roberto Michelucci's take on them and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It almost makes me want to go out a buy Nigel Kennedy's take on Vivaldi. In particular I like the faster parts from Summer and Autumn, the allegros and presto.

Give them a listen, let me know what you think.

• Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8, RV 269, "La primavera" (Spring)
  1. Allegro
  2. Largo
  3. Allegro
• Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8, RV 315, "L'estate" (Summer)
  1. Allegro non molto - Allegro
  2. Adagio - Presto - Adagio
  3. Presto
• Concerto No. 3 in F major, Op. 8, RV 293, "L'autunno" (Autumn)
  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio molto
  3. Allegro
• Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8, RV 297, "L'inverno" (Winter)
  1. Allegro non molto
  2. Largo
  3. Allegro

For more information ...
Antonio Vivaldi
the four seasons
Nigel Kennedy
Margaret Thatcher
wall street
hay wain
the four seasons recording by Roberto Michelucci

recommended reading

Here, in descending order, are my top five recommendations from my 2006 reading.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy.
find more out here
"both sobering and frightening in confronting the reader with the meaning of life, or lack thereof and yet at the end of its darkness is light"

2. Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis.
find more out here
"the books narrator might suggest that the unexamined life is not worth living, Zorba would counter that the unlived life is not worth examining"

3. Winning at New Products by Robert Cooper.
find out more here
"the best research driven and yet practical guide to accelerating products from idea to successful launch"

4. Me to We by Marc and Craig Kielburger.
find out more here
"suspend your cynical gene and let these two brothers show you how meaning and purpose can be created in our lives through focusing on others and not ourselves"

5. Royal Flash by George McDonald Frasier.
find out more here
"offensive, dastardly, derivative but a very funny page turner"
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Last year a single fiction work made it into my top 5 but this year 3 made it. This reflects success at reading more fiction. In 2005 I read 35 books (5 fiction, 30 non-fiction), in 2006 I also read 35 books (19 fiction, 16 non-fiction). Those figures also reflect success at reducing the amount I read as of the 35 this year, 7 were graphic novels which are quick reads.

In my non-fiction reading I have seen a move from philosophical/religious works to reading more biographical/interview. Examples of these include, Po Bronson's 'What should I do with my life?' and 'Deep Survival' by Laurence Gonzales. This shift marks a move from abstract existential thinking to a more pragmatic enquiry on life and its challenges.

3 Of the 4 philosophical/religious works were about Zen but reading about Zen is a little foolish. As Yoda would say 'Zen, not read, Zen, do!'.

Of the 19 fiction works, 7 were graphic novels, 4 were from the Flashman series, 2 were by Tolstoy, 2 by Sean Russell (a fantasy writer), and the remaining works were by Beckett, Kertesz, De Maupassant and Kazantsakis. The 'high literature' books I read were very accessible and generally short books. The Flashman and fantasy books were recommended by friends and worth reading although I would not have picked them off the bookshelf myself

So what will be the reading focus for 2007?

As with 2006, I would like to write more and read a little less. I did increase the amount of fun stuff I read and should increase it further. In particular I enjoyed the graphic novels which is a very different experience. I could also read more poetry as that is part of what I write and I increasing my appreciation of the form may lead to a better quality of work. Milton's Paradise Lost beckons daunting thought it may be.

So now onto 2007 and some more page turning.



For more information ...
recommended reading (2005)
Po Bronson - What should I do with my life?
Laurence Gonzales - Deep Survival

Complete 2006 reading list ...
Listed below are the books I read in 2006, I have placed an asterisk * beside books other than the top five which may also be worth a look. Beckett's Endgame is does not make it to my top 5 for 2006 as it was a re-read, it most definitely makes it into my all time list.

Flashman - George McDonald Fraser
The joy of not working - Ernie Zelinsky
What should I do with my life - Po bronson*
Royal Flash - George McDonald Fraser
Flash for Freedom - George McDonald Fraser
Flashman at the Charge - George McDonald Fraser
The Necklace and other short stories - Guy De Maupassant
Winning at new products - Robert Cooper
How we choose to be happy - Rick Foster & Greg Hicks*
Death of Ivan Illych - Tolstoy
Leadershock - Greg Hicks
The Devil - Tolstoy*
The art of reading poetry - Harold Bloom
Deep Survival - Laurence Gonzales*
Zorba the Greek - Nikos Kazantsakis
Crossing the Unknown Sea - David Whyte*
Gandhi: An autobiography - Gandhi
The artist's way at work - Mark Bryan & Julia Cameron
Waking up to what you do - Diane Eshin Rezzetto
Zen Principals - Martine Batchelor
Essential Zen - Tanahashi & Schnieder
Endgame - Beckett*
Buddha: Vol 1 - 6 - Osamu Tezuka*
Louis Riel - Chester Brown*
Me to We - Craig and Mark Kielburger
The Brand you 50 - Tom Peters
The Initiate Brother - Sean Russell
The Gatherer of Clouds - Sean Russell
Liquidation - Irme Kertesz

liquidation

After reading liquidation I find myself reaching for that big book all of us have in our libraries, diminished though they be. The book which tells us what we should know or that which we already know but of which we unsure. Fumbling between 'post-coital' and 'Potenza' I find that expletive post-modern. The definition alludes to a 'late 20th century style, a distrust of ideologies, a deliberate mixing of styles and conventions'.

I don't understand the term because for me it always referred to an art that contained within itself a criticism of the form itself. It contained an allusion to its creation and a criticism of it. I never found it to be modern, let alone post-modern. Hamlet, for instance, I find to be post-modern as evidenced by the play within a play. Ulysses by Joyce must surely be post-modern and yet this term persists, and yet too, there must be some relevance for it as a descriptor. Or is there any relevance to it beyond the stylistic concerns of the Sunday supplements?

Liquidation suffers the fate of many books from late 20th and early 21st century writers who try to leave something of significance and yet the paradox is that they are generally nihilistic or cynical in their approach. The act of writing a book is essentially positivistic in nature and yet the doctrine they preach is pessimistic. Can a trumpet be blown that rallies people to their own demise? Perhaps, is what Beckett would say, and yet be assured I would not make this argument at the vanguard of conservative ignorance but rather in the shadow of such bold intellects.

'work makes one free'

I wanted to like this book and yet feel let down by the author, Nobel prize winner though he may be. Liquidation it is a good book that goes beyond the story telling narrative of a beginning, middle and end. It does seem to capture the succession of events that make up a life and the sense that their is very little of a story to relate. There is a sense that the story is lost, is abandoned, is discarded and maybe in some sense we all discard our own story. It is a 'degenerate art' that surely Hitler would have burned but yet it survives. Unfortunately, I believe it ultimately fails to make a connection with the Holocaust in spite of the words, in spite of the author's own life story.

But perhaps, in asking the questions, in presenting what is at times a contrived story it does achieve some awareness of an event. As you can see I am conflicted in my response to this book, a definite re-read is in order. However, I was left, thinking that I should go to Auschwitz.

Perhaps, he succeeded. Perhaps.

For more information ...
liquidation
Imre Kertész
post modernism
Auschwitz