All Consuming : raschema

A story about "In the Presence of My Enemies"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:02:40 GMT

by Gracia Burnham

I first heard about Gracia on National Geographic’s Locked up Abroad. Her story moved me to tears, but also demonstrates the strength, love, and courage, that people put themselves through during kidnapping situations like hers.

Hers is a story that I will never forget.

Consumed "In the Presence of My Enemies"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:02:40 GMT

In the Presence of My Enemies

by Gracia Burnham

WORTH IT!

A story about "The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:59:31 GMT

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World

by Eric Weiner

This book is so fascinating and I was truly sad when it ended.

It’s an interesting look into the psyche of various countries and what overriding factors into the happiness of different nations.

His look at Iceland only made me love the country even more. It’s such a stunning place, with an it’s OK to fail mentality.

I’d probably even call this one of my favorite books ever. It’s that good!

Consuming "A Brief History of the Future: A Brave and Controversial Look at the Twenty-First Century"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:09:27 GMT

A Brief History of the Future: A Brave and Controversial Look at the Twenty-First Century

by Jacques Attali

A story about "Outliers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:02:56 GMT

Outliers

by Malcolm Gladwell

I’ve read all of Gladwell’s books, which are very quick reads. I appreciate the books of this genre that encourage the reader to think a little deeper or to question how and why things happen as they do.

My favorite chapter was on the pilots and what are elements for tragic plane wrecks. It’s fascinating and now I’d like to read some of the other books he’s quoted throughout the book.

I recently read he was going to be working on a book about cultures, which I am already excited at the possibility of. Until then I’m reading his blog for updates.

Consumed "Outliers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:02:56 GMT

Outliers

by Malcolm Gladwell

WORTH IT!

A story about "Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:52:13 GMT

Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes

by Mark Penn

This is an easy book to read on the subway or bus simply because the chapters are very short and to the point. Some of the topics were thought provoking, while others weren’t as interesting.

Overall I appreciated the ideas that were presented that even a seemingly small 1% of the population can at times sway votes, feelings, and sentiments to create large ripple affects.

A story about "If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:49:24 GMT

If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation

by Janine Latus

This book is more about a sister’s journey than the unfortunate story of murder.

Janine Latus candidly writes about what it is like to feel like a victim starting from a young age. She is able to turn her struggles with men, sexuality, and her body, into an empowering tale of knowing that it’s OK to speak up and not to accept abuse as ‘love’. She is very graphic in her descriptions, which really made me cringe. I even considered not finishing the book, however I am glad that I did.

This is a poignant read for anyone that is suffering from domestic abuse or wanting to know why any woman would return to an abusive relationship.

Consumed "If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:49:24 GMT

If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation

by Janine Latus

A story about "The Geography of Bliss"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:22:34 GMT

The Geography of Bliss

by Eric Weiner

Such a fantastic book! I really didn’t want it to end. Weiner travels the world attempting to dissect what it is that makes people happy (or in some cases unhappy).

I’m interested in visiting some of the places that he mentions. I can attest to Iceland being a wonderful country, as he states in the book.

fascinating and interesting (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:09:29 GMT

The World Without Us

by Alan Weisman

This book is very easy to read, however it’s something you won’t soon forget. It contains many of the things that interest me (urban planning, abandoned places, and nature). It is very detailed and clearly explained, but it does leave the reader questioning their fate. You can only hope humanity is intelligent enough to change the things they can.

It would make a perfect book for a book club.

This is one of my favorite books.

A story about "My Spy: Memoir of a CIA Wife"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:40:10 GMT

My Spy: Memoir of a CIA Wife

by Bina C. Kiyonaga

Bina Cady Kiyonaga writes a beautiful tale of being the wife of a man in the CIA.

As a somewhat unlikely match, Kiyonaga takes the reader through the journey of her marriage and the adventure of work related travels- from Hawaii to South America.

She does a great job of creating a personal memoir, while giving background history on events that affected her life through the late 1970s.

The final pages are quite touching and a perfect ending to an interesting book.

A story about "Love Always, Petra"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:28:00 GMT

Love Always, Petra

by Petra Nemcova

This was an interesting glimpse into the life of a model, who survived a horrible natural disaster and lost the love of her life. Sometimes it was a little too much information.

The book is a quick read, however there were parts that seemed almost juvenile. It was interesting to read about her culture and upbringing in the Czech Republic, particularly the bits about life in a communist country, when she was a child.

She does a nice job explaining the kindness of the Thai people and the devastation of the area. I wanted her to fight more to see the love of her life or find out what happened to him, however this was a place where the answers only come with time. She focuses a lot on energies, directed both internally and to others. This is part of the reason she believes she healed so fast.

I really felt for her ex Donaes, who seemed to get left in the dust after a 4 year relationship. I cannot imagine what she went through with all of the traumatic events.

A story about "Julia's Mother: Life Lessons in the Pediatric E R"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:02:12 GMT

Julia's Mother: Life Lessons in the Pediatric E R

by William Bonadio

This is an honest book written by a children’s ER doctor. I appreciated his realness and ability to show his emotion, as well as his philosophies on what it means to be a doctor.

Dr. Bonadio is a sensitive man that spends a fair amount of time considering the bond that parents have with their children. Many of these stories you hope for happy endings, however you are often left dangling (as is Dr. Bonadio), because he shares these brief encounters that simply don’t give all of the answers.

I find it very admirable that he was able to be so open. It takes a lot of courage and selflessness to be a forgotten hero, or to take the blame when things go awry.

The first story of Julia resounds through the book. The descriptions made me feel as if I was right there in the ER. Her mother and Dr. Bonadio share a connection, if only for a few fleeting moments.

I walk away from this book thinking about Julia, her mother, and the doctor. It’s a fascinating web that intertwines humanity and the strength and help that we are able to give one another.

Why I recommend "Absolutely Faking It"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:15:11 GMT

Absolutely Faking It

by Tiana Templeman

This is a light hearted tale of an Australian couple that wins accommodations at many of the world’s finest hotels. The problem is they are quite low on cash and struggle to fit in to this new society. They deal with things such as whether or not to tell other hotel patrons they are staying free, how to avoid tipping, and where to wash clothes.

My only complaint was not seeing photos! – This book made me want to go online and search to see what the hotels looked like and to see images from their trip.

Why I recommend "Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 15:47:49 GMT

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior

by Temple Grandin

This is a delightful book packed with a lot of information. Grandin does a good job of explaining how she views animals and thus, how they view the world. She does this by comparing the autistic brain to that of an animal in some regards. She goes into great detail particularly with cows, horses, dogs, and cats.

Thanks to her autism she is very insightful and able to give readers a glimpse into her life and decisions she makes to help animals. She is also credited with creating humane slaughter houses, although her favorite animals are cows.

This isn’t a book that’s easily digested in one sitting, however it is a terrific collection of stories and accounts categorized into topics.

This book is an inspiration that does a great job of demonstrating just how much people can learn from animals and how selective bredding for certain traits adversely affects others.

A story about "Born On A Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:25:07 GMT

Born On A Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant

by Daniel Tammet

This is a tale of the life of Daniel Tammet. It is interesting how he relays his feelings of growing up with Asperger’s Syndrome, a highly functioning form of autism.

He explains how he thinks in visual imagery and how numbers are second nature to him. I was very fascinated by the ease he has of learning languages (yes, he speaks 10 fluently).

While there are many aspects of his mind that other people would appreciate having, there are also aspects that people take forgranted such as social norms that Tammet struggles with.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when he talks about love. He is so intriguing!

A story about "Early Bird: A Memoir of Premature Retirement"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:34:35 GMT

Early Bird: A Memoir of Premature Retirement

by Rodney Rothman

This is an interesting take on elderly and retirement. Rothman is a former writer for David Letterman and he decides he wants to see what the fuss is about retirement.

He moves to Florida to live in Century Village – a retirement community and attempts to fit in. Along the way he meets some interesting characters and learns a lot about life, people, and how age doesn’t change people.

A story about "Blood Brother : 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:28:14 GMT

Blood Brother : 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty

by Anne Bird

This is the tragic story of many families ripped apart by murder. Peterson appears to be a handsome and charismatic man with a dark side. His sister slowly comes to discover this throughout the book.

I’m not sure what is so intriging about this story – the young couple in love, the ‘golden boy’ not being as perfect as he seems, the mystery of it all, or some combination of all of these things.

This is a fascinating tale with dramatic twists and turns. If this case interested you this is a quick read. I still wish I knew what really happened that day and why this young mother to be and her baby had to die.

A story about "Breakfast with Tiffany: An Uncle's Memoir"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:29:03 GMT

Breakfast with Tiffany: An Uncle's Memoir

by Edwin John Wintle

This is a sweet memoir of a gay man who takes over as parent for his niece Tiffany. Wintle is very open and honest, which I admire and appreciated. This is a great book for someone who is thrown into the role of parent or simply likes a tale of an unlikely couple learning from each other.

A story about "One Small Boat: The Story of a Little Girl, Lost Then Found"

nobody@allconsuming.net (raschema) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:57:41 GMT

One Small Boat: The Story of a Little Girl, Lost Then Found

by Kathy Harrison

It’s a nice little tale of what it is like to be a foster parent… to fall in love with some children and feel empathy for others as they search to feel loved and secure.

This is a quick read that makes you consider reform in social systems and the struggles so many children face simply trying to get by in a world they didn’t ask to come to.