Friday, November 11, 2005

Never One To Settle With Achieving the Bare Minimum

I recently finished reading a sting of non-fiction books and as I reflect back on what I've read, I think I may be on a memoir kick!


Blink : The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

First up was Blink for my Book Club. We usually read fiction but I am so glad that this book was selected! Blink is about how we make decisions within the first two seconds of looking at something. The book campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Gladwell builds his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior. I'd highly recommend this reading to anyone!


A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Never one to resist the lure of Oprah, I quickly picked up this book after she announced it as her book club selection. It is captivating, heartwrenching and sickening. The book describes James Frey's stint in rehab, one that saved his life. He's never gone back to using drugs and alcohol. I think this book should be recommended reading for all pre-teens because after reading this, I don't know why someone would want to do drugs.



What Remains : A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by Carole Radziwill

What Remains is Carole Radziwill's story of her time with Anthony Radziwill, John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessett. It is a heartbreaking story of cancer, fate and sudden deaths. This book gave me the ugly cry and made me sob with compassion for what fate has dealt Carole Radziwill. Again, I'd highly recommend this book. It is a sad tale but one you need to hear.