All Consuming : James Webster

Consumed "The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy-and What We Can Do to Get Happier"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:13:19 GMT

The Science of Happiness: How Our Brains Make Us Happy-and What We Can Do to Get Happier

by Stephen Kline

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Designing Interfaces"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:51:35 GMT

Designing Interfaces

by Jenifer Tidwell

WORTH IT!

Consumed "The Death of Vishnu: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:02:07 GMT

The Death of Vishnu: A Novel

by Manil Suri

WORTH IT!

Consumed "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 10:55:07 GMT

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

by Bill Bryson

WORTH IT!

Consumed "New Europe"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:27:00 GMT

New Europe

by Michael Palin

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Spook Country"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:01:47 GMT

Spook Country

by William Gibson

Consumed "Key Management Ratios: The Clearest Guide to the Critical Numbers That Drive Your Business ("Financial Times")"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:29:41 GMT

Key Management Ratios: The Clearest Guide to the Critical Numbers That Drive Your Business ("Financial Times")

by Ciaran Walsh

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:01:18 GMT

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values

by Robert M. Pirsig

Why I recommend "Animal Farm"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 20:20:42 GMT

Animal Farm

by George Orwell

This book fits my definition of a ‘classic’ worth reading; short, to the point, relevant, and with a dark sense of irony.

A story about "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 22:27:03 GMT

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

by Malcolm Gladwell

I actually listened to the audiobook version of this, purchased from Audible, and it is read by Malcolm Gladwell himself. It was the first audiobook that I have listened too.

A few points…

Gladwell is a great reader to listen to, he adds the right amount of enthusiasm to his speech without being over the top. I couldn’t always clearly discern when he was reading the dialogue of people speaking in his text.
Listening to an audiobook requires alot more engagement than I had expected. I listened to it whilst walking or on the bus, but am not sure I would have got as much out of it as if I had just been sitting in a chair with my eyes closed (but then I may have fallen asleep if too relaxed!)
I had hoped that the iPod/Audible integration would result in better navigation of audiobooks, perhaps by providing a table of contents and navigation in this fashion.

A review of "Trading and Exchanges: Market Microstructure for Practitioners"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:10:18 GMT

Trading and Exchanges: Market Microstructure for Practitioners

by Larry Harris

Whoa. It took a long time to finish and I now need to go back through the end-of-chapter summaries to review the key concepts. It has shone a bright light onto the many aspects of capital markets and the behaviour (frequently irrational) of many of its participants. As an introductory text for understanding capital markets I recommend Valdez’s Introduction to Global Financial Markets first, if that whet’s your appetite then Trading and Exchanges is next.

Why I recommend "Confessions of an Economic Hitman (Unabridged)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:31:05 GMT

Confessions of an Economic Hitman (Unabridged)

by John Perkins

I think this is a book that definitely needs to be more widely read. It has encouraged me to do what I can to remove the inequities between the developed and developing world.

Why I recommend "Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 23:24:46 GMT

Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software

by Eric Evans

This is a good book, although long. In between the somewhat verbose prose there are many invaluable insights. Eric Evan’s has also defined language and patterns for a domain of software development that sorely needs one. If it was half as long it would be brilliant.

A story about "A Short History of Nearly Everything"

nobody@allconsuming.net (James Webster) — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 03:14:36 GMT

A Short History of Nearly Everything

by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is one of the best writers I have ever read. His dry wit has an ability to make me laugh that is equalled only by the late, great Douglas Adams.