Reflecting on some fun 2017 reading
2017 was the year my blood pressure grew tired of the sensationalism within the media and decided to tune into books. Oh yummy ‘ol books. A place to let thoughts sink.
Fun reading (food for the soul):
I’ve realized the only times I’m inspired to play with fun reading is when 1) I’m traveling abroad 2) sitting on flights and 3) when I’ve already read 3 non fun books that have almost shoved me off the deep end. For me fun reading is completely random. It starts because of a movie I watched or a reference from a show.
The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs:
Why I picked it up: I found Michael (my SO) completely entranced in this book. He finished it so fast, I knew I had to pick it up.
Robert Peace is a young black man growing up in East Orange, New Jersey. Peace ends up attending an Ivy League. The author is Peace’s first roommate at Yale. After Peace died, his roommate Jeff Hobbs spent years thoroughly interviewing everyone with whom Peace interacted with in life. He goes to his very beginnings, to his life throughout Yale and after. The author thoroughly took his time in understanding the narrative of every character and brings Peace’s past back to life.
I was extremely emotionally invested in this book, because even though I knew the ending, I was always certain he was going to avoid his ultimate fate.
My takeaway: Competitive schools, or rather all educational institutions, need to provide more resources to help transition kids from all sorts of backgrounds.
Turn Right At Machu Picchu by Mark Adams:
Why I picked it up: My sensei had recently completed a trip to Machu Picchu and gave me a copy.
Mark Adams is an extraordinary human being. At the ripe age of his early 40s, surrounded by news of old friends dying early deaths, he decided to embark on a journey to relive the steps of young Yale professor Hiram Bingham III whom “discovered” Macchu Picchu.
Throughout his steps, he journals how even with the comforts of modern day, the trip is nonetheless quite difficult.
My takeaway: If my eyes ever have the privilege to fall upon Machu Picchu it’ll be because I walked the train tracks behind the mountain to witness one of man’s greatest feats.
What Do You Care What Other People Think by Richard P. Feynman:
Why I picked it up: My sensei had bought me “Surely you’re joking, Mr. Feynman” and since then he’s made me a Feynman screaming fan. I’ve always love how certain people just follow their heart’s compass throughout life. (Yes, I’m a huge fan of Ayn Rand’s Howard Roarke.) Since then he’s gotten me another Feynman book. Though, it’s not as good as the “Surely you’re joking, Mr. Feynman” it was great to have had a chance to hear his voice again.
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My takeaway: We should really be less afraid of being who we really are. It’d be amazing to see what type of world it’d be. But alas, humans are social creatures, and acceptance of our communities may always come first for survival. How about, being a little less afraid!
The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman by Nancy Marie Brown:
Why I picked it up: I was preparing for a trip to Iceland and heard about it while watching “Bokeh” on Netflix. Essentially it’s about Gudrid the far traveler.
Brown takes an anthropological approach in understanding Gudrid’s past. Not only does she add several historical and archaelogical perspectives, but you also learn how amazing viking society was for woman, relative to its time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as it helped me understand the Icelandic landscape as well as its culture.
My takeaway: The vikings were practically like the Pilgrims. They migrated from Norway to Iceland, Iceland to Greenland, and finally from Greenland to Vinland (present day Americas) all in search for a better life. And all 400 years before Columbus “discovered” the Americas.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance:
Why I picked it up: As a political science major, I had spent a lot of time trying to understand 2017. The 2016 election to me, always meant America had to do some rather deep reflection.
J.D. Vance never wanted to become the “solution” for the Republican party. He simply wrote a memoir of his experiences growing up in Appalachia. Throughout his memoir (which is a very smooth and quick read) you’ll learn that having access to his grandma and her value of education was what helped shape his path.
My takeaway: Since the 1980s America has heavily reduce its investment in future generations. Hopefully the newer years will express the opposite.
daytripper by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá:
Why I picked it up: “It’s a graphic novel” my sensei says. “You mean it’s a picture book!”, I retort. I received it as a Christmas gift and had a hard time coming around to a graphic novel. I don’t know why, I just did. However, once I actually opened the first page, I couldn’t put it down and ate it in one day. This book had me tearing up.
daytripper is written by two Brazilian twin brothers. Every chapter ends with the main character Bras dying during critical points in his life. I really can’t do this book justice, do yourself a favor and please read it, it’ll only take 3 hours of your time.
My takeaway: Life is short. No, really I mean we don’t live forever. It always takes death to remind us of our morality. It’s easy to let the years go by and easier to take people for granted. Its people that make places what we call home. Take care of them.
Here’s my selection for 2018. Evicted so far…is AMAZING!
