Book Reviews I've read some great books these past couple months! Here's some quick summaries and grades.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain As an introvert myself, I loved this book. It was interesting and insightful, and helped equip me with practical knowledge and advice. Grade: A-
Instanbul by Orhan Pamuk This is a largely autobiographical book about the author's experiences growing up in Instanbul. Some of the early chapters were a little challenging for me because I am unfamiliar with this most famous of cities, but that last 3 chapters were 3 of the best I've read in a year or more. Grade: B-
Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer I read this book before learning about the Dillon quotes that the author fabricated. However, I absolutely loved the book even if I discard those quotes. I hope the rest is reliable because I am hoping to use what I learned in this book in everyday life. Very, very good. Grade: A-
Popular Crime by Bill James On the plus side, this book was mostly very interesting and very well written. On the downside, it was really, really long. Still worth reading if only for the Kennedy and Jonbenet chapters. Grade: B
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Good but not great. What's the fuss? Grade: C+
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love and the History of the Elements by Sam Kean Interesting at times and a little dry at other times. I learned some chemistry, which is remarkable considering that I've taken at least 3+ years of college level chemistry. Grade: B-
Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger An entertaining book about high school football and obsession in Texas. In hind sight, this book just makes me sad. Grade: C+