Books

Sometimes the Naughty List is Fun

12.10.11

“If you’re in a jam and suddenly realize that my name has vanished from your shopping list… something from your house is fine, preferably if it’s used. Who wouldn’t want mind a little pre-loved bath gel or lotion, or soap that you’ve found a little too fragrant for your tastes. Shampoo that’s not for you, pour some sugar on me! I understand that you’ve merely pretested it to make sure it lives up to the standards you set for giving gifts. I totally understand that. Kind of like when people would taste food for kings to make sure it’s not poisoned, except in this case, you spit a little back on the plate is all. That’s all. Just a little spit. What’s a little spit in a heartfelt Christmas gift? So little that you almost can’t tell it’s hardly there at all. Hardly. I would also love little sample...

Radically Too Long

09.13.10

“Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins — or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be. There it is, the opening line from Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals . I was so excited to read this book. When it finally came from the library I couldn’t open the cover fast enough. What was it in this book that impressed Hillary Clinton and influenced President Barack Obama? This book took me over one month to read. It’s 200 pages and reading...

REWORK – I Call it K.I.S.S.

07.07.10

I’m a small business owner who is always searching for ways to make my company more efficient, effective and prosperous. In my quest for knowledge I read REWORK by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. To sum-up the book, I would use the old acronym K.I.S.S. – keep it simple stupid. The best advice I took from the book: Planning is guessing. Make decisions right before you take action. Workaholics are stupid. They waste your time and cause more harm than good. Send people home at 5. Don’t ask for money from other people. It’s their money and therefore, they control your business. Do a few simple things and do it well. Don’t worry about the competition, worry about yourself. Learn to love “no.” Saying “yes” can put you into a position you really don’t want to be in. Make a product/service that is good at-home, not just in-store....

The Murder of King Tut

12.04.09

James Patterson calls The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill the Child King – A Nonfiction Thriller. Why did he decide to go the nonfiction route? Patterson claims to have always been curious about the short life of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamen. He wanted to try to solve the mystery surrounding Tut’s death with actual facts. But did he? Patterson presents his thesis stating King Tutankhamen was murdered by his half-sister and wife Ankhesenpaaten, his vizier Ay and his general Horemheb. Patterson believes Tut was murdered because of the power grab desired by these three individuals. Tut and Ankhesenpaaten had two still-born children with no male heir to the throne leaving Ankesenpaaten, Ay and Horemheb to reign after Tut. Patterson wrote the novel in three distinctive parts all interwoven with one another. These short, easy-to-read chapters breeze between Tut’s life and death, the discovery of Tut’s tomb...