October Read

Title: Thoughts Without A Thinker
Author: Epstein, Mark M.D.
Call Number: 616.8914 E64T 1995
Book Description from amazon.com:

The line between psychology and spirituality has blurred, as clinicians, their patients, and religious seekers explore new perspectives on the self. A landmark contribution to the field of psychoanalysis,Thoughts Without a Thinker describes the unique psychological contributions offered by the teachings of Buddhism. Drawing upon his own experiences as a psychotherapist and meditator, New York-based psychiatrist Mark Epstein lays out the path to meditation-inspired healing, and offers a revolutionary new understanding of what constitutes a healthy emotional life.

My Read:

The concept of "emptiness" is not easy to understand. At page 90, the author listed two well-known poems of Shen-Hsiu and Hui-Neng allowing readers to "see" what emptiness "looks" like.

"The body is the Bodhi tree,

 The mind is like a clear mirror standing.

 Take care to wipe it all the time,

 Allow no grain of dust to cling."---Shen-Hsiu

"The Bodhi is not a tree,

 The clear mirror is nowhere standing.

 Fundamentally not one thing exist;

 Where then is a grain of dust to cling?"---Hui-Neng

September Read 2018

Title: Magnesium
Author: Blashfield, Jean F.
Call Number: J 546.392 B644M 2002
Book Description from amazon.com:
Presents the basic concepts of magnesium, a chemical element found in the Earth's crust used in making spacecraft and cars; present in the human body it helps activate enzymes that metabolize carbohydrates.
My Read:
It's a children's nonfiction book. Though it's for kids the knowledge stated in the book is good enough to glean basic information about the element "magnesium." 

August Read 2018/2

Title: Perseverance
Author: Hague, Tim
Call Number: 616.83309 H147P 2018
Book Description from amazon.com:
An inspiring story of beating the odds and learning to overcome--no matter what life hands you.

After starting a family and flourishing in his career, Tim Hague was struck by misfortune. The irritating tremor in his foot turned out to be early onset Parkinson's disease. He was only 46 years old. But what seemed to be an end became a new beginning. Just three years later, Hague won the inaugural The Amazing Race Canada (with his son, Tim Jr., as his teammate). His remarkable life story shows that perseverance is not just a matter of willpower: it is a skill that can be learned and honed. 
     And perseverance is the theme of his life. From the day he was born, Hague has gone from one struggle to another. Yet, remarkably, he doesn't have a trace of self-pity. In fact, he feels blessed. From his tough start in life as an unwanted mixed-race baby born in Texas in 1964, to his eventual move to the unforgiving climate of Winnipeg, Canada, to start a family under difficult circumstances, and his continuing battle with Parkinson's--Hague's life is a roadmap of perseverance. 
    Parkinson's has forced him to retire early from the work he loves as a registered nurse. But as a healthcare professional, and now suffering from a challenging disease himself, Hague discusses living with Parkinson's like no one else could. He now works with charities to help promote Parkinson's awareness and his "Live Your Best" message. Drawing on his experience winning The Amazing Race, and referencing cutting-edge research and studies, Hague weaves a moving story of failure and success, outlining the elements of his philosophy that anyone can apply to their own lives, including:

  *  The nature of luck: Luck comes to those who keep trying until the end--never stop until the race is over.
  *  Find community: As a nurse, a husband and father, and a man living with Parkinson's, Hague knows better than most that we all need to ask for help sometimes, and that's a good thing.
  *  Accept limits: By focusing on what we can do, we accomplish more than we ever thought possible.
  *  Cease striving: We think of striving as a positive attribute, but all we end up doing is banging our heads against the wall. Have goals, but have fun. Do not create anxiety out of nothing and maintain perspective.
  *  Live Your Best: No such thing as giving 110%--can only do your best. 

Inspirational and entertaining, Hague's message is both simple and profound: perseverance isn't just something a person has, or a trait we admire in others. Hague's book, like his life, is a guide to how we can all learn to persevere in the face of daily struggles--or even life-changing illness.

August Read 2018

Title: Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life And Maybe the World
Author: McRaven, William H.
Call Number: 158.1 M174M 2017
Book Description from amazon:
On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better.

Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments.
My Read:
It's all about self-discipline.

July Read 2018

Title: Get Out of Your Own Way at Work..and Help Others Do the Same
Author: Goulston, Mark
Call Number: 158.1 G699G 2005
Book Description from amazon.com:
Shares practical recommendations for employees and managers on how to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors that can compromise career advancement and satisfaction, in a guide that addresses forty self-defeating actions including fear of change, failure to delegate, and expecting too much.

June Read 2018

Title: Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone
Author: Goulston, Mark
Call Number: 650.13 G699J 2010
Book Description from amazon.com:

Foreword by Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone and Who's Got Your Back The first make-or-break step in persuading anyone to do any thing is getting them to hear you out. Whether the person is a harried colleague, a stressed-out client, or an insecure spouse, things will go from bad to worse if you can't break through emotional barricades. Drawing on his experience as a psychiatrist, business consultant, and coach, and backed by the latest scientific research, author Mark Goulston shares simple but powerful techniques readers can use to really get through to people-whether they're coworkers, friends, strangers, or enemies. Just Listen reveals how to: * Make a powerful and positive first impression * Listen effectively * Make even a total stranger-a potential client, perhaps-feel "felt" * Talk an angry or aggressive person away from an instinctual, unproductive reaction and toward a more rational mindset * Achieve buy-in, the linchpin of all persuasion, negotiation, sales, and more Getting through is a fine art but a critical one. With the help of this groundbreaking book readers will be able to turn the "impossible" and "unreachable" people in their lives into allies, devoted customers, loyal colleagues, and lifetime friends.

May Read 2018

Title: Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life
Author: Herman, Amy E.
Call Number: 152.14 H551V 2016
Book Description from amazon.com:
How could looking at Monet’s water lily paintings help save a company millions? How can noticing people’s footwear foil a terrorist attack? How can your choice of adjective win an argument, calm your children, or catch a thief?

In her celebrated seminar, The Art of Perception, art historian Amy Herman has trained experts from many fields to perceive and communicate better. By showing people how to look closely at images, she helps them hone their “visual intelligence,” a set of skills we all possess but few of us know how to use effectively. She has spent more than a decade teaching doctors to observe patients instead of their charts, helping police officers separate facts from opinions when investigating a crime, and training professionals from the FBI, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, and the military to recognize the most pertinent and useful information. Her lessons highlight far more than the physical objects you may be missing; they teach you how to recognize the talents, opportunities, and dangers that surround you every day. 
My Read:
     "Remember in your quest for the big picture not to lose sight of the small details. 
Don't be afraid of complexity, and don't rush to judgment. Step back and take things apart one layer at a time the way you would a complicated work of art. Start at ground zero. Prioritize by importance. Make sure you've considered all of the data possible. Did you miss a mahogany table?
Always ask questions, especially of yourself. No matter how "obvious" it seems to you, state what you see, because it's possible that no one else will see it. Don't forget the basics; say that one scene is a photo and one is a painting. to crystallize your communication, assume that the person you are communicating with can't see what you're seeing at all. Ask yourself, "Was I as clear as possible? did I ask the right questions to elicit the answers I need?"
Make sure you are only dealing in objective facts. Describe what you see without letting your emotions and assumptions block your perception. Don't divorce yourself from your experience, but be conscious of it and how it might affect you so it doesn't lead you toward faulty assumptions."--page 277
     The author advises to ask 1)what do I know?, 2) what don't I know?, and 3) what do I need to know?
Also to find answers of who, what, where, and when.
It's a good read.