La Reina Tuerta

This was surprisingly satisfying. My final takeaway was an appreciation to explore the ups and downs of a lengthy relationship that was not based on romantic love. These characters had some complexity, some development throughout the book, and yet stayed the same. Their relationship was what made the book special, as it helped me as a reader relive moments of strong connection in my past. The descriptors and details around gaming, the actual games they create, are the transporting elements for the reader, into a world they may or may not know. As a world that I did not know, it felt fun to learn something new, or at the very least, feel like I was learning something new. The key to authenticity in details is the one for me to remember here, and then to trace the development of characters. 

How could a book with little to no plot, minimal character development, no special love of the English language, and low level vocabulary entice me to finish the book in one or two days? I knew the author’s work from other books. In the end, the rhythm and cadence she hits are the ones I have to ensure I like in mine, so that it is satisfying to the reader, however thin the actual storyline.  This is a useful reference point.

The biggest lesson, and almost a regret, is that I didn’t know how to clip the audio during my key takeaways. For the print books, I have been able to flip back through and find the key ideas. Rather than torture myself, I am going to write what I remember and then add as needed. He provides an explanation for the modern uses of like and lol. There is a term for their uses, and it explains how we actually text and speak today. I have been so far lost in foreign languages that I forget sometimes how rich it is to speak English as a mother tongue. I can always go back into the audio and find the references. Now I have found the PDF. A few interesting tidbits: - C for Compounds: a “black BIRD” is an adjective followed by a noun, while “BLACKbird” is a compound and a specific animal. Think a “white HOUSE” vs. the “WHITE house”. - K for Ket: New Speakers of Languages. The chances the elaborate languages can be learned by busy adults is pretty slim. At least, they can’t be learned completely...

These books have incredible pacing. They take you from event to even. They create a different world. They have comfortable plot and character development. Make sure to game check your works to have the following. It is not the same format, but the same elements are absolutely needed. 

I didn’t know what to expect of this book. I came across it when I was researching the word freier, since it has a chapter named “Fear of Frei-ing”. It was a much more personal account than I had anticipated, and it reminded me of how powerful storytelling can be. This is something I experience every day in sales, the need to tell a story, to draw the narrative, and there wasn’t much novel to me in this book, but it was interesting to get a somewhat historical perspective. The book was published in 1986, and he begins his narrative as a 20-year-old American heading to the motherland in 1967. Chafets ends up working for the Liberal Party, he describes the style of Menachem Begin and the Likud, he writes in more of an observer style than Netanyahu’s autobiography, which can’t be much of a surprise to anyone. They are all familiar themes, and not particularly well written or particularly captivating, which is probably why I did not read the second half of the book with as much attention a...

Botticini and Eckstein fact check each of the most common explanations for how Jewish people ended up a highly educated group known as an urban population of traders, entrepreneurs, financiers, lawyers, physicians and scholars. In the majority of the books I read in learning about Israel and the Jewish religion, these were the same cited phenomena: prohibited from owning land, diaspora population after the destruction of the Second Temple, repeatedly massacred, Christians were banned from lending money at interest. In other words, mobility is important, so human capital is worth more to this group, and it’s a small group.  The idea of chosen few is ingrained into my understanding of the group, and yet conversions to and from Judaism, forced or not, plays a role. After having completed the history of China course, and now that I’m in the midst of my wine studies, it is helpful to see how some of the same principles and themes, as well as frameworks, work throughout the various topic...

Talking to Strangers was a recommendation after a networking meal with one party who certainly oversold her reach and abilities. I was, of course, the freierit who fell exactly for the tricks described in this book. Before I get further into the lessons I want to remember for future reference, I would also like to mention how extraordinary I find Malcolm Gladwell, and how I do believe his unique background and appearance have allowed him access to see the world from the margins. He is of Jamaican descent without looking or sounding detectably black or African American and without a noticeably non-standard American name. Yet the intimacy with the issues, and I imagine the comments and conversations he has heard behind what others assumed were their closed doors, can only be accessed with someone who has lived a first person experience and worries for their families in a first person way. The first is the default to truth. The irony of this fault of mine, or the freirit mistakes I make, ...

This picture book shares the same general principles and lessons that she is known for. I was an early reader of her first book and appreciated that there was an old school element to needing to interpret words on a page without any accompanying visual element, especially for the folding component which was unknown to me beforehand. I picked up this book out of habit, because who wouldn’t want to be inspired by the magic of tidying up, by the inspiration of clean, uncluttered spaces, by the peace of mind that comes with working on your peace of mind, both outwards in and inside out? I certainly do and imagine I always will. This is the same attraction of stationery stores. Unfortunately, I also realized how poorly I have adhered to some of the principles in the recent years. I took it for granted the way that constantly moving kept my physical belongings to a minimum, the way that lacking my own space removed the possibility of having a space to curate, and above all, how much allowing...

Above Ground is one of multiple books that I read but did not write about soon after finishing. I enjoyed this book of poetry and yet still remember myself wondering what counts as poetry. He has a prose-like writing style and perhaps poetry was wrongly depicted as erudite, like fine wine, and therefore outside of my grasp. I have been listening to the Wine 101 podcast by Vinepair, and throughout the episodes, I am struck by the American insecurity about our ability to access fine art, fine wine, and the higher echelons of society. There is something to the chip on our shoulder, that we are evolved past that, that informs the anger in this country. I mention this because these undercurrents very much informed my own reaction to this book. I adored the journey through his personal life, through the delightful details of watching his babies grow up, through the universal pains of humanity. And the negative Nancy in my head wanted to strike down the art form as a fear reaction, to say, it...

This is the first time I have left a time lag between finishing the book and writing my post. Not surprisingly, this is less than ideal for capturing the fresh thoughts. It should, however, allow me to be efficient in sharing the more lasting impressions. In an unrelated but related topic, this is also the first post I am writing with my wireless keyboard connected to my iPhone. I was frustrated by the hopefully temporary malfunction of my iPad keyboard, and simultaneously malfunction of one of ergonomic mice. However, just like my feelings about the second tire I probably didn’t need to buy, now that I have switched my mindset to say that each of these incidents is protection against something larger, whether to remind myself of a lesson so that I don’t get hurt on the next big one, or to practice a skill so I don’t lose it, then I can feel much better about it. The iPad keyboard was bound to malfunction sooner or later, just like the iPad could. And to have a keyboard that works with...

The lack of capitalization is a sign of my respect for bell hooks and the way she moved me with her writing. I felt like I experienced the books in three parts. At first, it felt political, surprisingly contemporary, and not necessarily a book I would have chosen for myself. I am reading classics and books only highly recommended lists, in an effort to balance my more niche reading style and the one with too many business, self-help, mindset, longevity books on its shelves. To start, the idea that love is itself political is one with which I had never spent time. Not only is our concept of love shaped by our external experiences, including those stemming from political and modern socioeconomic movements, but to love itself is a political act. I read this book around the same time that I was challenged on my view of political developments in modern East Asia. It helped me uncover the discomfort I felt that I could not claim a larger people as my own if I did not also extend the same lim...

I knew nothing about Bear Grylls when I saw him on an episode of Hot Ones, the YouTube show on which celebrities eat increasingly spicy chicken, or chicken substitute, wings and answer thoughtful questions. I may not remember his answers, but I remember his extraordinary grace and his ability to relate to the host and commonalities between their shows. It made me interested enough to order his book from the library. Before completing this write-up, I decided to keep the book. Again, I don’t remember his exact anecdotes but I do remember my feeling of inspiration at his candor and wisdom, however hard-earned it may have been for him to gain or even me to recognize in my life today. Above all, he inspires me to keep chasing my goals, to never give up, and to not be afraid of making mistakes or not doing things perfectly. I remember how much I have always loved challenge and adventure in my life. Somewhere after my past obstacles, I may have taken the wrong lesson, that is, that I was mea...

How brave of Peter Attia to share about his history of abuse and to close the book on such a personal note. The truth is that I am as guilty as anybody of projecting impossible ideals onto the experts that I read, when I equally believe in stoic philosophies and the vicissitudes of life. None of us are immune. If anything, the challenges of these authors and leaders should remind me that it truly can be that the depths of your sorrows are linked to the heights of your joy. Let me apply what I’ve learned from my coach and put that in my own voice. I am determined to take the depths of my pain today and transform them into my next soaring heights.  I have not yet fully healed from the events of January 1st, but I know that they have freed me from the doubts I had before, the fake ideas that I imagined the abuse heaped upon me, the degree of abandonment, the unrealistic expectations that I took, believed and made my own. My eyes are clear and my heart is full. I love that the same adv...

I am only rediscovering fiction after a long hiatus. This book is a perfect reminder why. I picked it up on my way out the library, having had recognized it from recommended reading lists, and instead of benefiting from winding down without screens in the bedroom, I read the book cover to cover in one sitting, a few hours past my normal bedtime. I'm sure the indulgent Saturday afternoon coffee didn't help. It was surprising for the number of themes it incorporated, the rape scene and references, the corruption of the Catholic church and institutions purporting to help the less fortunate, women's rights and opportunities in the 20th century, the idea of childcare, family structure, older adoption practices, and the power dynamic allowing powerful leaders to falsely assume credit for their own work. I found it touching that the root of the story is a meant-to-be relationship between two people who never understood or focused much on relationships. Certain lines stand out, lik...

It was immediately apparent why this book is a classic and how it captures the heart of most. I knew that I was not going to get entirely captured by the language style, as the absurdity and deliberate games felt false to me. I wonder if my overly exercised foreign language muscle is the cause or perhaps my very under-exercised absurd humor and science fiction muscles. Still the commentary on the absurdity of the human experience and our extremely self-centered points of view sit well with me. It may have even influenced the easy name for this blog, to not take myself too seriously, to remember the sheer number of things I don’t know or understand, even as I actively partake in dedicated efforts to try and know them. At the dog park, I catch myself enthusiastically participating with the other dog parents discussing the behavior of dogs. Every now and again I catch myself reminding the group that, if dogs begin their interactions with nose to butt, then as well as we think we may be do...

I thought I could read a few chapters, just enough to grab my interest, while I ate breakfast. I finished the book the same day and remembered why I stopped reading fiction for pleasure. It’s like suffering from an addiction. The characters drew me in. The pacing of the language was a pleasure. Very quickly I was surprised at how emotionally attached to the characters I was and how relatable I found their experiences, long before the book began touching on the heavier race, socioeconomic status and gender themes in the book. I was grateful that by the end Aunt Alexandra was given redeeming qualities and touching signs of humanity, as well as realizing that the primary slur thrown against the family is one the family had worn with pride for generations. How am I not being brave where I should be? What do I see in our culture today that I want to stand against quietly through my behavior? Where can I live as an example for others? May my loved ones be as proud of me as these children lea...