October Read/2

Title: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

Author: Robinson, Ken

Call Number: 153.9 R662E 2009

Subjects: Self-Actualization (psychology); Self-Realization; Creative Ability in Children; School failure

Number of Pages: 274

ISBN: 9780670020478

Book Description from amazon.com:

The Element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. When people arrive at the Element, they feel most themselves and most inspired and achieve at their highest levels. With a wry sense of humor, Ken Robinson looks at the conditions that enable us to find ourselves in the Element and those that stifle that possibility. Drawing on the stories of a wide range of people, including Paul McCartney, Matt Groening, Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, and Bart Conner, he shows that age and occupation are no barrier and that this is the essential strategy for transform­ing education, business, and communities in the twenty-first century.

A breakthrough book about talent, passion, and achievement from one of the world's leading thinkers on creativity and self-fulfillment.

My Read:

            There are eleven chapters in this book: The Element, Think Differently, Beyond Imagination, In the Zone, Finding Your Tribe, What Will They Think?, Do You Feel Lucky? Somebody Help Me, Is It Too Late? For Love or Money, and Making the Grade.

The paragraph on page 21, to me, is the essence of this book. And allow me to quote it here:

            “Being in their Element takes them beyond the ordinary experiences of enjoyment or happiness. We’re not simply talking about laughter, good times, sunsets, and parties. When people are in their Element, they connect with something fundamental to their sense of identity, purpose, and well-being. Being there provides a sense of self-revelation, of defining who they really are and what they’re really meant to be doing with their lives This is why many of the people in the book describe finding their Element as an epiphany (頓悟).”-page 21

            Another paragraph on page 161 is also impressive to me’ it’s about being lucky.

“Wiseman (psychologist Richard Wiseman, author of the book ‘The Luck Factor’) has identified four principles that characterize lucky people. Lucky people tend to maximize chance opportunities. They are especially adept at creating, noticing, and acting upon these opportunities when they arise. Second, they tend to be very effective at listening to their intuition, and do work (such as meditation) that is designed to boost their intuitive abilities. The third principle is that lucky people tend to expect to be lucky, creating a series of self-fulfilling prophecies because they go into the world anticipating a positive outcome. Last, lucky people have an attitude that allows them to turn bad luck to good. They don’t allow ill fortune to overwhelm them, and they move quickly to take control of the situation when it isn’t going well for them.”-page 161

            After reading this book and the other book “Finding Your Element” by Sir Ken Robinson I came to realize why most of people are not happy at work. For it would take positive emotions, full engagement, meaning and purpose to have happiness.  Happiness is not to be pursued; it would take the 3 aforementioned elements plus attitude and passion to the happiness path.

            At the workplace everyday is a day for self-growth and self-revelation. Serving the customers helps us to reflect on what we did, what we could do, and what we could be.

“Do you feel lucky?” “For love or money?” Only you know the answers.

October Read

Title: Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life

Author: Robinson, Ken

Call Number: 153.9 R662F 2013

Subjects: self-actualization (psychology); self-realization; creative ability in children

Number of Pages: 258

ISBN: 9780670022380

Book Description from amazon.com:

Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk video and groundbreaking book, The Element, introduced readers to a new concept of self-fulfillment through the convergence of natural talents and personal passions. The Element has inspired readers all over the world and has created for Robinson an intensely devoted following. Now comes the long-awaited companion, the practical guide that helps people find their own Element. Among the questions that this new book answers are:

• How do I find out what my talents and passions are?
• What if I love something I’m not good at?
• What if I’m good at something I don’t love?
• What if I can’t make a living from my Element?
• How do I do help my children find their Element?

     Finding Your Element comes at a critical time as concerns about the economy, education and the environment continue to grow. The need to connect to our personal talents and passions has never been greater.  As Robinson writes in his introduction, wherever you are, whatever you do, and no matter how old you are, if you’re searching for your Element, this book is for you.

My Read:

            The author uses questions to start almost every chapter except the first chapter and the last one. My assumption is those two are served as beginning and ending statement. Those questions, in my personal opinion, invite the readers to ponder upon the title of each chapter as readers leaf through the pages. Those questions served me well for my mind would be racing as I turned the pages asking myself trying to find answers of mine.

            The following is the chapter titles in the book:

Chapter One: Finding Your Element

Chapter Two: What Are You good At?

Chapter Three: How Do You Know?

Chapter Four: What Do You Love?

Chapter Five: What Makes You Happy?

Chapter Six: What’s Your Attitude?

Chapter Seven: Where Are You Now?

Chapter Eight: Where’s Your Tribe?

Chapter Nine: What’s Next?

Chapter Ten: Living a Life of Passion And Purpose

            According to the book, there are about just 20 % of the population who could claim they are happy. So when one reads the chapter five titled “What Makes You Happy?” one might wonder what. And here is what the author states 3 elements in happiness: position emotions, full engagement, meaning and purpose. Asked if I agree then my answer is a firm YES. Being positive enables a person to find bright side of any situation. Fully engaged allows a person to zero in on tasks and jobs; one’s attention and focus are clear and set. Living a life of meaning and purpose broadens a person’s perspective and makes personal affairs, good as well as bad, become small and trivial.

            After reading this book, I found another book called “The Element.” It’s the first book about finding the element By Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D. Both books invite readers to reflect their own lives and find the paths for self-actualization.

            Good luck!

           

           

September Read

Title: The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism
Author: Cabane, Olivia Fox
Call Number: 158.2 C112C 2012
Subject: charisma (personality trait)
Number of Pages: 264
ISBN: 9781591844563
Book Description from amazon.com:

      What if charisma could be taught?

 

The charisma myth is the idea that charisma is a fundamental, inborn quality—you either have it (Bill Clinton, Steve Jobs, Oprah) or you don’t. But that’s simply not true, as Olivia Fox Cabane reveals. Charismatic behaviors can be learned and perfected by anyone.

 

Drawing on techniques she originally developed for Harvard and MIT, Cabane breaks charisma down into its components. Becoming more charismatic doesn’t mean transforming your fundamental personality. It’s about adopting a series of specific practices that fit in with the personality you already have.

 

The Charisma Myth shows you how to become more influential, more persuasive, and more inspiring.

My Read:

     There was a time rush and limit for me to finish this good book; it's a library book and there was a list of requests. But I did finish the book.

     From my recall, there are 3 elements in charisma: power, warmth, and presence. It takes power to be charismatic for you have to hold something useful and helpful needed for others. They could look up at you and seek assistance. Warmth radiates friendliness and kindness. When others seek help they feel they are welcome. Without presence, your existence would go unnoticed. A charismatic person has wonderful listening skills and their empathetic trait allows the other parties feel they are heard and taken care of.

     As I am composing this review a thought came to me. A charismatic person might not be the main course a person is having and enjoying at the table. The enjoyment and enlightenment might come from the right seasonings. When we have great time savoring a dish we usually appreciate the visible materials in the plate. It's the right seasonings that highlight the food and the taste on our tasting buds. It's just a after thought of mine.

     It's kind of nature vs nurture when we deal with charisma. According to the author it's a skill anyone could learn and excel at. It's another book that piques my curiosity about people and their behaviors. Mindset dominates and it is organic. Good read and good luck to those who gonna read the book.

October Read/Lydia

Title: George Washington Carver --The Life of Great American Agriculturist

Author: Linda McMurry Edwards

ISBN: 0-8239-6633-X

George Washington Carver was an African American born in Missouri during the Civil War. His mother was slaves and belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Carver. In 1865, the Civil War ended and slavery was abolished. Mr. and Mrs. Carver had no child and decided to adopt George and his older brother after the death of George’s mother.

As a child, George Washington Carver was small and weak but curious and intelligent. Unlike his older brother, he usually helped Mrs. Carver with cooking, cleaning and housework indoor. George was interested in nature, especially with plants. He wanted to know everything about nature. Mr. and Mrs. Carver were white but opposed to slavery and treated George and his brother as a family. They sent George to Neosho, Missouri to attend a school for African American when George turned 12 years old. After that time, he moved to several places, kept studying and worked hard.

Carver entered Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa as an art major in 1890. He was an excellent student in art, but his professor recommended to study agriculture for his specialty and future. Next year, Carver transferred to Iowa State to study agriculture. In 1896, Carver received a master’s degree in agriculture and accepted a job at Tuskegee Institute which founded by Booker T. Washington in Macon County, Alabama. Booker T. Washington believed that anyone who worked hard would succeed. He thought that success would eventually win African Americans not only respect but also rights from whites. He told black southerners to focus on receiving education and buying land rather than fighting for political rights.

While Carver worked at Tuskegee Institute, he tried to help poor black southerners. He experimented and developed natural fertilizers and taught farmers how to use natural resources to meet their needs. Also he studied several crops like sweet potatos, beans, and peanuts for black southerners in nutrition deficiency to explain how to plant them successfully. In 1916, he published one of his most famous bulletins, “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing It for Human Consumption”. That’s why he was called the “Peanut Man”.

Carver agreed with the idea that most black men and women who were able to get a college education despite difficulties believe they should share their fortune. He didn’t fight or insist on human rights for African American but he worked and studied hard all his life for better lives of poor black southerners.

September Read/Ruby

Title:Haunted Castle On Hallows Eve

Author: Osborne, Mary Pope  

      Halloween was coming up, Jack and Annie were talking about what costumes should be wore this year. And then, a raven swooped down to the ground and glided into the autumn sky and headed toward the Frog Creek Woods quickly. Jack and Annie followed the giant black bird and climbed inside the magic tree house. A huge yellow leaf fluttered through the open window, it's an invitation from Merlin, and the invitation took them to get there immediately.

      The magician, Merlin, wanted Jack and Annie to bring order to a duke's castle, and sent them a helper and guide from the magic world to complete the mission. Does " Bring order to the castle" mean Merlin wanted them to do chores such as mop the floors or washed the dishes? Of course not. In fact, old Maggie who used to work in the castle, she went there as usual two weeks ago, but she said the castle was all haunted with ghosts and scared out of her wits. A flock of large black birds was flying low in the dark gray sky, the village kids screamed, one woman picked up a handful of stones and threw them at the ravens. A stone struck on of the ravens, it fell to the ground. Annie dashed to the fallen bird and knelt beside it. She talked to the bird in her own language and set its free into the sky.

        Three of them went towards to the castle , but the castle was still and silent. No candles burned, no guards stood, no archers patrolled. they went into the castle, climbed around and around the twisting stairway, looked around a lot of rooms to find out if anything was out of order. Finally they found a kid's room, the spinning wheel was spinning thread, but no one was touching it; the wooden chess pieces were moving on the chessboard, but no one was sitting there; the bone was hanging in the sky, but no one was holding it. It is because of after Arthur became king, Merlin gave the Diamond of Destiny to a noble family of Camelot, as long as the family kept the diamond safe, they would have good fortune. But the family let the diamond got stolen, so now they've all turned into ghosts. If Jack and  Annie could found out who stole the diamond, and took it to the castle, then everything in the castle would be returned to normal. 

       They got the answer from the invisible ghost girl, she showed them the words in the mirror dust that The Raven King did it. So they changed into ravens, and flew up to the mountain nest, Jack and Annie got the diamond back to the castle successfully, let everything returned to order.

September Read/Lydia

Magic Tree House #35 : Night of the New Magicians
Autor : Mary Pope Osborne
ISBN : 978-0-375-83036-5
Pages : 144

The magic tree house could take Jack and Annie to any time and place in history. The tree house belonged to Morgan le Fey a magical librarian from the legendary realm of Camelot. Jack and Annie got a mission from the magician Merlin in this book. They had to find the four magicians and learn their secrets at the Paris World’s Fair in 1889.
The four new magicians are: the Magician of Sound- his voice can be heard for a thousand miles, the Magician of Light- his fires glow but they do not burn, the Magician of the Invisible- he battles deadly enemies no one can see, the Magician of Iron- he bends the metals of earth and triumphs over the wind.
Jack and Annie were sent to Paris World’s Fair, where was thousands of exhibits from over the world. At first Jack and Annie searched for real magicians but they realized before long the magicians are inventors, who are all famous for doing great things in science or other field. Jack and Annie found out the Magician of Sound was Alexander Graham Bell, who invented telephone, the Magician of Light was Thomas Alva Edison, who invented light bulb, the Magician of the Invisible was Louis Pasteur, who discovered and investigated microbes, and the Magician of Iron was Gustave Eiffel, who built Eiffel Tower.
Jack and Annie finally met the four magicians on the top of the Eiffel Tower. Jack and Annie asked the four magicians their secrets of magic. Gustave Eiffel, the Magician of Iron, said “I have a taste for adventure and a love of work and responsibility.” Louis Pasteur, the Magician of the Invisible, said “Chance favors the prepared mind.” Thomas Alva Edison, the Magician of Light, said “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Alexander Graham Bell, the Magician of Sound, said “When one door closes, another door opens.”
Jack and Annie learned from their secrets: if you want to reach your goal, you have to love adventure and responsibility. You have to study and be prepared so luck will favor you. You have to work really hard, because genius is ninety-nine percent perspiration and only one percent inspiration. You should never lose hope because when one door closes, another one opens, and you don’t want to miss it. Jack and Annie told Merlin their secrets of magic and promised that they will remember and live in each of these secrets.

July Read/5

Title: The Skin Collector

Author: Deaver, Jeffery

Call Number: F

Number of Pages: 434

ISBN: 9781455517138

Book Description (from the flap of inside jacket):

            In his classic thriller, The Bone Collector, Jeffery Deaver introduced readers to Lincoln Rhyme-the nation’s most renowned investigator and forensic detective.

            Now, a new killer is on the loose: a criminal inspired by the Bone Collector. And Rhyme must untangle the twisted web of clues before the killer targets more victims-or rhyme himself.

            The killer’s methods are terrifying. He stalks the basements and underground passageways of New York City. He tattoos his victims’ flesh with cryptic messages, using a tattoo gun loaded with poison, resulting in an agonizing, painful death.

            When a connection is made to the Bone Collector-the serial killer who terrorized New York more than a decade ago-Lincoln rhyme and Amelia Sachs are immediately drawn into the case.

            Rhyme, Sachs, and the NYPD must race against time to answer the many questions the investigation uncovers: Whom will the killer attack next? What is the message behind the victims’ tattoos? Does the killer’s own inkling-a fanged centipede sporting a woman’s face-hold any significance? And what is his ultimate mission?

            As time runs out, Rhyme discovers that the past has returned to haunt him in the most troubling way imaginable…

My Read:

            This is another good read of the Lincoln Rhyme series: the eleventh in the series featuring Lincoln Rhyme-a retired captain who became quadriplegic at a crime scene collecting evidence. The fascinating part about Lincoln Rhyme is his ability to predict and anticipate the killer’s next target based on the evidence gathered from the crime scene.

            In The Skin Collector, there were scenes that gave readers clues on who the killer might be. For instance, why a helping tattoo artist became target when the only people knew about his existence and assistance was the forensic teams and Lincoln’s living-in aide? The only one person who came to visit Lincoln on the day the artist came to visit was Seth. Seth was the boyfriend of Pam who was rescued by Lincoln and Sachs years ago when Pam was a small girl. If readers paid enough attention with query mind and followed their own instinct then the answer of the possible killer was not too far-fetched.

            The part I found familiar in any thriller’s book is the abusive past in a killer’s childhood. And I found one in The Skin Collector. This finding intrigues me and it introduces me to the fields of true crimes, human behavior, psychology, psychiatry, and human brain.

            In The Skin Collector, the killer used poison to torture and murdered his victims. Almost all of the poison came from plants except one from fugu fish; all poisons came from the nature. This use of poison reminds me of another renowned British author-Agatha Christie.

            Relationships are important to human. In The Skin Collector the relationship between Amelia Sachs and Lincoln Rhyme is a cool one to me. Deprived of physical contacts and limited body interaction, their love and care for each other are reserved and so of science with coolness. It is another kind of romance indeed.

Reference: Lincoln Rhyme series

1. The Bone Collector (1997)
2. The Coffin Dancer (1998)
3. The Empty Chair (2000)
4. The Stone Monkey (2002)
5. The Vanished Man (2003)
6. The Twelfth Card (2005)
7. The Cold Moon (2006) (includes a brief appearance by Kathryn Dance
8. Broken Window (2008)
9. The Burning Wire (2010)
10. The Kill Room (2013)
11. The Skin Collector (2014)