The Book Worm Book Club

Jodi Picoult: My Sister's Keeper

2009-04-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

Hi guys,

We only have 3 weeks left in April (sorry for the late post), but you're welcome to join me in reading My Sister's Keeper if you want!

Here's the inside flap:
"Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate - a life and a role that she has never questioned… until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister - and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable… a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves. My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life… even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less?"

Benjamin Franklin: Question #1

2009-04-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

In introducing his life and biography Franklin states “that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first.” Do you think he took this advantage in writing about his life? Did he re-write his life in a better light? Is it possible to write an autobiography without doing this?

Benjamin Franklin: Question #2

2009-04-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

In justifying not being a vegetarian because he saw fish inside the fish he wanted to eat, Franklin said, “So convenient a thing is it to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for every thing one has a mind to do.” We know that he cheated on his wife a lot (who knows what else). Do you think he used this attitude to justify his actions throughout his life? (I just thought this saying was clever and showed his personality, so I wanted to quote it here.)

Benjamin Franklin: Question #3

2009-04-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

Franklin had some good connections: the governor helped him get his start; he met up with people in the printing industry in New York on the way to Philadelphia, etc. Considering all that Franklin accomplished in his life, was Franklin an unprecedented genius, or just in the right place at the right time? Are there people of equal caliber that we never hear of because they’re born in some obscure part of the world? Does such a thing as a “self-made man” exist, or is it all about who you know?

Benjamin Franklin: Question #4

2009-04-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

Upon his involvement in expanding the printing and circulation of paper money, Franklin states, “My friends there (in the House), who conceived I had been of some service, thought fit to reward me by employing me in printing the money; a very profitable job and a great help to me.” This sounds very similar to the pork barreling and large government contracts we so often hear complaints of. Is this something that has always happened? Is there anything in Franklin’s biography that would lead you to think that he would disagree with the way those contracts are awarded today?

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

2009-03-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

I stole the following intro to Benjamin Franklin from USHistory.org:

"Benjamin Franklin was the most famous American in his day. Wherever he went, crowds formed. People worldwide pictured Franklin when anyone said, "American."

The diversity that is the Internet may be epitomized by few people in history — Benjamin Franklin is one such person, commercially successful, ever concerned and involved with the public good, a great communicator, and a remarkable man of science and technology, finding practical effective solutions to real problems.

Trying to comprehend Benjamin Franklin's life and legacy is like trying to grab a shadow. Each time one tries to get a fix on the reflection, it darts away and grows even larger.

By turns pamphleteer, apprentice, printer, balladeer, inventor, philosopher, politician, soldier, firefighter, ambassador, family man, sage, delegate, signer, shopkeeper, bookseller, cartoonist, grandfather, anti-slavery agitator, Mason, and deist — he was all of the above and none of the above.

His great biographer Carl Van Doren called Franklin "a harmonious human multitude." As Franklin was an "electrician" also, we kept looking for a common current that defined him. From the time he was a teenager thinking about ways of education to the time he was an 83-year-old man agitating for abolition, the mainspring of the "human multitude" may well have been public service.

Each generation produces people who reshape their world. Benjamin Franklin was one such man."

If that's not enough to get you excited, what other books have we read where the whole text was online?

I have been wanting to read this for a while, I only hope it is as interesting to read as his life seems like it was.

Question 1

2009-02-25T14:57:00.000-08:00

The Economic Hit Man is an engaging story which is presented as a factual autobiography, but many of Perkin's critics have noted that his book reads like a Grisham novel, and is probably just as fanciful. What is your gut feeling? Were any parts too unbelievable?

On the flip-side, we also see corporations like Halliburton and Blackwater are in trouble with war crimes, and satellites intended to reduce our CO2 levels are falling from the sky. Will this be the book that finally substantiates the conspiracy theorists?

Question 2

2009-02-25T14:53:00.000-08:00

Since he wrote the book, Perkins formed a foundation in an attempt to do more than just write about the problem. Has reading the book motivated you to do something in reaction? either in countering or profiting from the alleged "American Imperialism" and its corporatocracy?
Any ideas on how to 'take the power back'?

Question 3

2009-02-25T14:41:00.000-08:00

Perkins' story revolves around private US companies undermining foreign governments, but Perkins clearly saves his harshest criticism for the US government, calling the CIA agents "the jackals." Is it disconcerting that in this story the US is the villain instead of the hero of the story?

Is this perspective helpful in understanding the reasoning behind terrorism and drug-trafficking?

Question 4

2009-02-25T14:39:00.000-08:00

This EHM theme has been very popular lately in Hollywood with movies like Syriana, Quantum Solace and the International. Does such publicity end up helping or hurting Perkins' cause? Does it popularize his story to the point of fiction?

Question 5

2009-02-25T14:35:00.000-08:00

The book sends a clear message - that we (the US) make up a fraction of the worlds population, but use the majority of its resources. However, the US also has a very strong anti-socialistic tendency, making it doubtful that we will change to the extent of "sharing the wealth."
So, how can we reconcile these two mentalities on a national or personal (Ward) level? Can we?

Confessions of an Economic Hitman

2009-01-27T17:41:00.000-08:00

From Wikipedia, here is a basic summary:

"Covertly recruited by the United States National Security Agency and on the payroll of an international consulting firm, he traveled the world—to Indonesia, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and other strategically important countries...Perkins reveals the hidden mechanics of imperial control behind some of the most dramatic events in recent history, such as the fall of the Shah of Iran, the death of Panamanian president Omar Torrijos, and the U.S. invasions of Panama and Iraq."

According to his book, Perkins' function was to convince the political and financial leadership of underdeveloped countries to accept enormous development loans from institutions like the World Bank and USAID. Saddled with huge debts they could not hope to pay, these countries were forced to acquiesce to political pressure from the United States on a variety of issues. Perkins argues in his book that developing nations were effectively neutralized politically, had their wealth gaps driven wider and economies crippled in the long run. In this capacity Perkins recounts his meetings with some prominent individuals, including Graham Greene and Omar Torrijos. Perkins describes the role of an EHM as follows:

Economic hit men (EHMs) are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. They funnel money from the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other foreign "aid" organizations into the coffers of huge corporations and the pockets of a few wealthy families who control the planet's natural resources. Their tools included fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder. They play a game as old as empire, but one that has taken on new and terrifying dimensions during this time of globalization.

Here is a link to the author's website and life's work since leaving his EHM colleagues behind.

Trust me, this book reads like a John Grisham novel with a glimpse into a global history that most of us have never known.

Welcome Back!

2009-01-26T21:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to the book club! I hope everyone is as excited as I am to start reading more. To see the schedule for this year, refer to the side bar on the left. If you have not submitted a book but want to participate, feel free and we will add you on to the list. Also, if you decide to change your book, let me know at least a month before you are supposed to host, and I'll let everyone know. Happy reading!

Reading Lolita in Tehran Discussion

2008-11-02T11:41:00.001-08:00

I enjoyed this book for the most part, but sometimes it got a bit boring. I wasn’t expecting so much of it to be literary analysis. Maybe some of you are like James, who got a little bored and stopped after the first section of the book. Either way, if anyone wants to comment on something I haven't mentioned, feel free to.

Lolita in Tehran Question 1

2008-11-02T11:40:00.001-08:00

What did you learn about Iran from this book? What, if any of it surprised you?

Lolita in Tehran Question 2

2008-11-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

There were different attitudes toward the veil in Iran. Mashid wore it by choice for her religion, but resented its political enforcement. Nafisi suggested that the enforcement of the practice made her expression of faith meaningless. Do you agree?

Lolita in Tehran Question 3

2008-11-02T11:38:00.000-08:00

Nafisi and her magician both make the argument that Ayatollah Khomeini and "they" "did to us what we allowed [them] to do." How is that true? How is it not true?

Lolita in Tehran Question 4

2008-11-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

In pages 124-136 The Gatsby trial illustrates the thought process behind censoring in Iran. All of us censor media that we consider to be inappropriate, even if only on a personal level. How is our censoring process any different than the methods used in Iran? When, if ever, is censoring appropriate?

Lolita in Tehran Question 5

2008-11-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

The Islamic Republic enacted a number of laws that were extremely oppressive towards women, telling them what they can wear, who can accompany them in public, and how they can act around members of the opposite sex. As a result, men seemed to view women more and more as sexual objects, being aroused at the mere sight of hair or a naked toe. Why would the regime be so oppressive towards women and not towards men? Why were men not expected to live up to equally oppressive standards?

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books

2008-10-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

During my last semester at BYU I took a Women's Studies class that was absolutely amazing. The professor was a very intelligent and inspiring woman who I really admired. She split our class into groups and assigned us books to read and present to the rest of the class. When one of the other groups presented this book I thought it sounded really interesting and have been wanting to read it ever since.

Here is a review by Random House:

"For two years before she left Iran in 1997, Azar Nafisi gathered seven young women at her house every Thursday morning to read and discuss forbidden works of Western literature. They were all former students whom she had taught at university. Some came from conservative and religious families, others were progressive and secular; several had spent time in jail. They were shy and uncomfortable at first, unaccustomed to being asked to speak their minds, but soon they began to open up and to speak more freely, not only about the novels they were reading but also about themselves, their dreams and disappointments. Their stories intertwined with those they were reading—Pride and Prejudice, Washington Square, Daisy Miller and Lolita—their Lolita, as they imagined her in Tehran.

Nafisi’s account flashes back to the early days of the revolution, when she first started teaching at the University of Tehran amid the swirl of protests and demonstrations. In those frenetic days, the students took control of the university, expelled faculty members and purged the curriculum.

Azar Nafisi’s luminous tale offers a fascinating portrait of the Iran-Iraq war viewed from Tehran and gives us a rare glimpse, from the inside, of women’s lives in revolutionary Iran. It is a work of great passion and poetic beauty, written with a startlingly original voice."

I thought this book sounded insteresting is because it is an insider's perspective of what life was like in Iran (especially for women) during the Islamic Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, and in the Islamic Republic of Iran in general. I admit I don't know much about the the recent politics of the Middle Eastern countries, but I'm hoping that reading this book will add a little more understanding and perspective to the current situation in that part of the world.

Self Help Books

2008-10-01T19:23:00.001-07:00

So this was quite a bit more of a self-help book than I thought it would be. I wasn’t expecting so many introspective questions to ask ourselves and little worksheets and activities. I was actually pretty embarrassed about reading this one and tried not to let people see what I was reading. I feel bad for making others read it because it is a little embarrassing to read a self-help book. Do people think you need help if you’re reading one? Is it socially acceptable? Today people were joking about the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, which I haven’t read, as if everybody knew self-help books were a joke. Little did they know that I had one stashed in my backpack right under their very noses – of course, I was happy that they didn’t know.

I have read a few self-help books in the past and wanted to get everyone’s take on self-help books as a genre before we dive into this specific little gem. I actually read the book “The Secret”. (Not recommended – my dad is really weird and gifted both the book and the audio-book to all of his children, with STRONG encouragement to read it.) I also recently read “The Automatic Millionaire”, so apparently I like self-help books. What do you all think of this type of book in general? Do you like to read them? Is it embarrassing to read them? Do we actually become better people if we do read them?

7 Habits: Question #2

2008-10-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

Being LDS and knowing that the author was LDS also, it was easy to see A LOT of gospel/church related ideas/principles woven throughout the book. If the author was not LDS do you think you would identify these as such? Do you think that you would find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with him more or less if you didn’t know you shared the same faith as him (if you had a different paradigm)?

7 Habits: Question #3

2008-10-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

Is there a particular habit that really resonated with you as needing to be implemented in your life? Were there any that you thought were really stupid?

7 Habits: Question #4

2008-10-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Can we pretend we’re in a group therapy circle for a second? What does it take to get us to retain and implement good advice? Who wants to share their success story from doing anything that they learned in this book? Does anybody have any other thoughts/comments on the book?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

2008-09-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm still a little bit embarrassed to be picking this book. But isn't the whole point of the bookclub to get us to read what we otherwise wouldn't read? I have mostly heard about this book and all of its contents from my mission president - I think everything he ever taught us stemmed from this book. And seeing as how last week marked five years from returning from that experience, I think it is only fitting that I finally get around to reading one of the books I put in my "to read" list five years ago. Most of us have probably heard a lot of what this book has to offer and rolled our eyes at somebody or just been annoyed because people are rehashing what they read in a book. Well, now we get to read it first hand.

Apparently, the book has sold 15 million copies, so whether you're Mormon or not, you've probably heard about this book. I even had a co-worker (not LDS) telling me he was reading it with his kids and really liked it. I could only say that I had skated in front of the author's house in Provo, but didn't know too much more about it. So I'm excited to read this one and finally check it off my list.

And if anyone is feeling disgruntled about reading this one, here is a quick summary I found online.

Audacity of Hope, Question 1

2008-08-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

Obama discusses significant events that helped shape his political viewpoint. What were yours? Would you say that your political views are similar to your parents’?

Audacity of Hope, Question 2

2008-08-11T21:48:00.000-07:00

I liked the reminder in Ch. 3 (pg. 90-100) that the Constitution was a struggle to create and that the Founding Fathers strongly disagreed. What do you see as the role of the constitution? Is it a living, evolving document, or one that must be adhered to exactly?

Audacity of Hope, Question 3

2008-08-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

The bulk of the book lays out Obama’s policy issues—health care, abortion, education, etc. The National Journal ranked Obama the most liberal Senator in 2007. After reading about his policy positions, you think that’s the case?

Audacity of Hope, Question 4

2008-08-11T21:45:00.001-07:00

Obama reflects on Rev. Wright’s sermon: “Having the audacity to believe despite all the evidence to the contrary that we could restore a sense of community to a nation torn by conflict; the gall to believe that despite personal setbacks, the loss of a job or an illness in the family or a childhood mired in poverty, we had some control—and therefore responsibility—over our own fate. It was that audacity, I though, that joined us as one people.” Is it audacious to hope? How do you find hope?

Audacity of Hope, Question 5

2008-08-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

As the world’s biggest celebrity, as John McCain's recent commercial calls him, does Obama hold the “it” factor for you, or is he just putting on a show with no substance? Explain.

Audacity of Hope, Question 6

2008-08-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

What other comments do you have for the group about The Audacity of Hope or Barack Obama in general? How has your opinion of Obama changed during the course of the book?

The Alchemist Question #8

2008-07-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

Santiago says, "I could not have found God in the seminary..."
Where are places you have found God? How did you know?

The Alchemist Question #7

2008-07-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some quotes that I personally found really powerful. Please either comment on these, or add your own.

"Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how otyher people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own."

"'What's the world's greatest lie?' the boy asked, completely surprised. 'It's this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate.'"

"People fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises."

The Alchemist Question #6

2008-07-18T16:57:00.000-07:00

Santiago is referred to as "the boy" throughout the entire book, but at the beginning of the book he gets a shave, and throughout the book he owns his own business, falls in love, etc. Is Santiago ever a man in this story, and if so when do you think he becomes or defines himself as a man. If you think that he is always a boy, why do you think that?

The Alchemist Question #5

2008-07-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

If this story is a religious allegory, which it is often compared to, who/what would Melckizedek be?

The Alchemist Question #4

2008-07-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

As a Reading Teacher I am constantly explaining to students WHY it is important to read. I help them understand this with a reading method that asks the reader to relate the literature or text to themself, the world around them, or something else they have read. By doing this the reading becomes meaningful. Most of us do this without even thinking, but if you have ever read a book that you couldn't finish it's probably because you couldn't relate to it at all. Pick one or all of these areas to relate something in the book to something that you thought while reading. (For example, in the previous question I connected a talk I heard to my reading).

The Alchemist Question #3

2008-07-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read this talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, I would highly suggest it after reading this book. It is titled, "Good, Better, Best." How do the things of this talk relate to the story and how can you relate it to you?

The Alchemist Question #2

2008-07-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

What is this overall story trying to tell the reader? (I want you to know that at different times in my life I have understood and related to various different morals).

The Alchemist Question #1

2008-07-18T16:47:00.001-07:00

The Alchemist is full of "signs" that Santiago pays attention to for direction. Which of these signs do you think are the most life altering to his personal myth and why?

The Alchemist Questions

2008-07-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late questions...too much to explain the reasons.

The Audacity of Hope

2008-07-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hi all... Thanks for being flexible about the book change, but I was a little Eat, Pray, Loved out!

I've been interested in reading this book for a while. And since Obama has a good chance of becoming our next president, I thought it would be a good time to dive in and learn a bit more about him.

Obama writes, “As the child of a black man and a white woman, someone born in the racial melting pot of Hawaii, with a sister who’s half-Indonesian but usually mistaken for Mexican or Puerto Rican, and a brother-in-law and niece of Chinese descent, with some blood relatives who resemble Margaret Thatcher and others who could pass for Bernie Mac, so that family get-togethers take on the appearance of a UN General Assembly meeting, I’ve never had the option of restricting my loyalties on the basis of race, or measuring my worth on the basis of tribe.”

It'll be interesting to see if/how reading this book makes a difference in how we vote come November. I'm excited to talk with you all about it next month. Enjoy! ~Taylor

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

2008-06-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

Similarly to Hillery, I wanted to pick a really light read. The Alchemist is a perfect summer read because it's sort and simple. Seriously, very simple. Good readers could finish it in an afternoon. The translation from Portugese to English makes the vocabulary in the book easy...I can't say that for all of the previous books we've read.

I will be honest, I have read this book before. In fact, I believe I have read this book about 4 times. But, I want you all to know that this book is INCREDIBLY inspiring and every time I read it the story is different for me. I have noticed that as books are chosen, it is painfully obvious who the book host is. We are all choosing something we find interesting, personally, as well as asking others to read about topics we think they should know and learn about. I don't really know what this book says about me. You should all know that I was an English Teaching major and now teach Reading. I teach because I feel very strongly that the only things we can leave behind are moments where we inspired others to be more than they are.

With all that said, this book is a simple read but has a depth to it that is really limitless. While we may have thoughts and opinions that dovetail one another, this book truly asks you to see yourself and where you are going. It even refers to itself as a "modern day parable." I hope you like it, and questions will be posted soon. Enjoy!

Yummy....

2008-06-13T19:06:00.002-07:00

Hope ya'll enjoyed the book. Since the main character of this book is candy, these questions will be less thought-provoking than past selections. Sorry if you were in the mood for pondering! And James the Bames - keep the Pipeline Freak dream alive!

Question #1

2008-06-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

At the back of the book, Almond has a name-that-candy-bar quiz. This one is a little tougher and a true test of your candy knowledge. http://food.aol.com/play-with-your-food/candy-bar-id-quiz. I got 8 out of 20. How'd you do?

Question #2

2008-06-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

Almond misses the Caravelle bar. I'm not a big candy person, but I miss these chocolate-graham cracker-marshmallow cookies that you heated in the microwave to create a delicious indoor s'more. (The name espacpes me. The last time I had one was 1993.) Which junk food of yesteryear would you like to bring back?

Question #3

2008-06-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

Almond talks about the downfall of the "little guy" in the candy business. Do you think the rise of Hershey's and Mars has lessened the quality of America's candy?

Question #4

2008-06-13T18:41:00.001-07:00

Toward the beginning of the book, Almond lists the candy goods currently inside his house. Right now, I'm looking at a tube of strawberry Creme Savers, two Tootsie Rolls Pops, and two mini Snickers. What is in your house/apartment at the moment?

Question #5

2008-06-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big candy eater. But by the end of the book I had consumed 5 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and an entire Pay Day bar. If I know Blair like I think I do, I bet she had a few pounds of semi-sweet chocolate chips. What was your diet like while reading?

Question #6

2008-06-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

Idaho has the Idaho Spud. North Carolina has the Goo Goo Cluster. I currently reside in San Antonio, Texas. Our local pride and joy of the candy bar world is the Big One. It's a bar of some marshmallowy substance, topped with peanuts, and covered in chocolate. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is on the wrapper. What the specialty bar where you guys live?

Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America

2008-05-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

"Picture a magical, sugar-fueled road trip with Willy Wonka behind the wheel and David Sedaris riding shotgun, complete with chocolate-stained roadmaps and the colorful confetti of spent candy wrappers flying in your cocoa powder dust."

I like ice cream more than I care to admit. My husband and I once traveled 3 hours for an all-you-can-eat ice cream fair. Is it just me, or should Ben and Jerry change the label on the back of their cartons from 4 to 1? For anybody else who loves something more than you should, find solace in Steve Almond.

Almond is an unabashed, aptly named candy freak. This guy loves candy more than I love ice cream. We accompany him on a trek across the country to discover what happened to some of his beloved candies of yesteryear (do Goo Goo Clusters or Idaho Spuds ring a bell?) Even though you may not all crave candy, you will admire and even relate to Almond's passion.

Compared to recent Book Worm Club selections, this is a lightweight. Perfect in time for some fun summer reading, right? I garauntee at least a few laughs and a craving for a piece of chocolate.

Black Swan Questions:

2008-05-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

I hope you were able to enjoy and get something out of The Black Swan. It was a book I discovered inadvertently and never would have read, but I think it has been healthy for me to read an insightful book far outside the reach of my own interests and field of study. Personally, one of the things I liked about this book was its applicability. I am not very interested in economics, in general, but many of Taleb’s ideas about history, social studies, physics, etc. were interesting and applied to my particular world view and even field of study. So here is to reading outside of the box!

Like I mentioned before, there are too many ideas expressed in this book to cover all of them, so my questions will only be a cursory and random sampling. Feel free to ask your own questions for discussion, or your own ideas which relate to the book.

I tried attaching a couple of articles that I thought related quite nicely, but it didn't work. Instead of that, why don't you make a comment below if you want to read one (or more) of them, and I will email the ones you want to you!
Hugh Nibley, “Zeal Without Knowledge.”
Hugh Nibley, “Work We Must, but the Lunch Is Free.”
Hugh Nibley, “Leaders to Managers: The Fatal Shift.”
Hugh Nibley, “Educating the Saints.”
Hugh Nibley, “Mediocre Meditations on the Media.”
Hugh Nibley, "The Day of the Amateur"

Question 1

2008-05-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

In chapter 1 (p. 12-14) Taleb talks about how the diary was the most influential book for him philosophically--“a training program in the dynamics of uncertainty”. He realized that there was a difference between the before and after in recounting history, and he warned of the ‘narrative fallacy’ (p. 62ff.) Why is it that a diary is far more accurate in depicting history (or is it)? Is history lost in the recounting of it? Or by summarizing it?

Question 2

2008-05-12T17:50:00.000-07:00

History runs forward (p. 268). Taleb explains: “What I am talking about is opacity, incompleteness of information, the invisibility of the generator of the world. History does not reveal its mind to us---we need to guess what’s inside of it.” How is Taleb’s view of history different from most historians (or is it)? How do you envision/depict history - is it a way of ‘explaining things’ or is it more Socratic (i.e. bringing up questions that may not have a good answer)?

Question 3

2008-05-12T17:49:00.002-07:00

In the prologue (xxii-xxiv) Taleb gives the story about the legislator who imposed locks on cockpit doors. He asks: “Who is more valuable, the politician who avoids a war or the one who starts a new one (and is lucky enough to win)?” How does this explain/represent American values, policies, rewards, etc. (or does it)? Can/should we change this?

Question 4

2008-05-12T17:49:00.001-07:00

Does Taleb’s approach to history change/confirm your personal views of, say, American/world history, Church history (LDS or other), Environmental history, Nutritional history, Political history (at home and abroad), or whatever history you deal with on a daily basis?

Question 5

2008-05-12T17:48:00.001-07:00

In chapter 4 (p. 40ff.) Taleb talks about the story of the turkey, which was certain that it was safe (until Thanksgiving day). Taleb uses this story to criticize science (i.e. the scientific method), or ‘naïve empiricism’ but does he provide a realistic alternative? Will ‘negative empiricism’ (p. 56) be able to supplant it? Does this change your personal view of the present/future, based on past experience?

Question 6

2008-05-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

Does Taleb's claim that the professionals don't know what is happening distress you? - Do you believe it? Does it change the way you think of how things in society run? We put a lot of trust in these 'specialists' and 'professionals' - what is the danger in relying on them? What is the alternative to relying on them?

Question 7

2008-05-12T17:46:00.000-07:00

On pages 119-121 (among other places) Taleb talks specifically about the easy answer--the cosmetic because, and gives an important critique on the educational system. What are the pros and cons to the ‘because’ approach? Should we instead teach how to deal with the ‘I don’t know’? Has this made you reflect on your education, or how you will teach?

Question 8

2008-05-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

On p. 79-80 & 87-90 Taleb talks about “The Pull of the Sensational,” which I think ties into his statements about the media (how it actually limits what you know). He gives 3 examples: the Italian toddler, Central park, and motorcycle riding--all of which illustrate how ‘the sensational’ may be used to distract us. If you’ll permit me, I would like to make a reference to Orwell’s 1984 here. In his negative utopia, Orwell describes the elaborate methods of the party to control the minds of the people with telescreens and editing the past to make Big Brother’s predictions correct. Now, years past the real 1984, we see that all of this was completely unnecessary. All the people need is to be distracted. Pull their attention elsewhere. So my question is: Do you think there is a way to overcome this natural instinct (of following narrative/being decoyed)? If so, how have you been able to do this in your lives (with regard to politics, education, health, environment, religion, etc.)?

Question 9

2008-05-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

Did reading this book help you identify any Black Swans in your own proximity? Were there any ideas that have stuck with you? Any that you will use in your own work/study/religion/FHE?

On to The Black Swan. . .

2008-04-15T17:33:00.001-07:00

Let me be honest with you. . . up until about an hour ago I still wasn’t sure whether I should actually go through with this (i.e. keeping the Black Swan, or changing it to something else). Don’t get me wrong, I found this book very interesting, creative and thought-provoking (three great qualities I look for in a book), but it is also a difficult read.

If you are envisioning a dark/mysterious story about an aquatic fowl, you might want to sit this one out.

For those of you who like to know what they are reading before they read it, here is what the dust-jacket says:

"A Black Swan is a highly improbably event with three principal characteristics: It is inpredictable; it carries a massive impact; and, after the fact, we concoct an explanation that makes it appear less random, and more predictable, than it was. The astonishing success of Google was a black swan; so was 9/11. For Nassim Nicholas Taleb, black swans underlie almost everything about our world, from the rise of religions to events in our own personal lives.

Why do we not acknowledge the phenomenon of black swans until after they occur? Part of the answer, according to Taleb, is that humans are hardwired to learn specifics when they should be focused on generalities. We concentrate on things we already know and time and time again fail to take into consideration what we don't know. We are, therefore, unable to truly estimate opportunities, too vulnerable to the impulse to simplify, narrate, and categorize, and not open enough to rewarding those who can imagine the "impossible."

For years, Taleb has studied how we fool ourselves into thinking we know more than we actually do. We restrict our thinking to the irrelevant and inconsequential, while large events continue to surprise us and shape our world. Now, in this revelatory book, Taleb explains everything we know about what we don't know. He offers surprisingly simple tricks for dealing with black swans and benefiting from them.

Elegant, startling, and universal in its applications, The Black Swan will change the way you look at the world. Taleb is a vastly entertaining writer, with wit, irreverence, and unusual stories to tell. He has a polymathic command of subjects ranging from cognitive science to business to probability theory. The Black Swan is a landmark book--itself a black swan."

About the Author:

"Nassim Nicholas Taleb has devoted his life to immersing himself in problems of luck, uncertainty, probability, and knowledge. Part literary essayist, part empiricist, part no-nonsense mathematical trader, he is currently taking a break by serving as the Dean's Professor in the Sciences of Uncertainty at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His last book, the bestseller Fooled by Randomness, has been published in twenty languages. Taleb lives mostly in New York."

You can also find out more about The Black Swan here on Wikipedia. Or just type 'black swan taleb' and you should find it.

I don’t know how many of you have read much of Hugh Nibley, but Taleb reminds me of him for two reasons: first (a good thing) he is someone who sees things that the majority of us miss and has interesting ways of bringing it to our attention, and second (not so good) he can often leave you behind in the dust. I often envisioned myself reading this like a child trying to fit a square block in a circle hole. Anyway, with both characters (Nibley and Taleb), you can tell they have a giant gourd and are doing their best to communicate with us lower life forms.

So don’t feel bad if you have to go back a few times to make sure you are following, and use the glossary in the back--it is pretty helpful. On the positive side, if you like new, creative ideas and a change in your point of view, you will soon get used to the jargon and jump from idea to idea with interest and anticipation.

Lastly, there are a 'googolplex' ideas that Taleb conveys that we could talk about, but in order for me to get more out of the questions I will ask, I thought it might be fun to think of these topics in advance while you are reading. At the least, these ideas will give you something to look for in your reading and may make the book more applicable. The greatest challenge (by greatest I mean best, coolest, etc.), in my mind, is making the deep, abstract ideas in this book applicable in your own life (somehow), if you can find a way to apply these ideas, make a note and share it with us at the end!

Ideas to look for & discuss:

The problem with ‘because’
Your / America’s cultural history
Your view of the past & the future (or mind maps)
Social injustice & unfairness
Knowledge vs. Information, and their limitations
The fallacy of ‘professionals’, experts and other empty titles.
The problem of Induction
Steps to a higher form of life
Factoring in the Black Swans of life
How to apply this random book?

P.S. If you are having trouble finding this book, I saw it last on Amazon for just $16.

Oh, yeah, and if you have questions or just want to complain, I will be here, just leave a comment and we can talk about it!

One more thing...

2008-04-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

I hope you all got something from the book and had a good experience reading it. I had a hard time coming up with specific questions because there are so many specific moments and lines that warrant discussion. What did the key symbolize? What did digging up the coffin accomplish? What's the deal with all the something and nothing spaces that the grandparents have? Why is the story of the sixth borough in there? On page 324 Oskar is in bed and his mom is looking over him. It says, "I don't believe in God, but I believe that things are extremely complicated, and her looking over me was as complicated as anything ever could be. But it was also incredibly simple. In my only life, she was my mom, and I was her son." Wow. I feel like this book is full of moments like this. Please find them and point out the moments that mean a lot to you or were especially powerful. I hope you all loved this book as much as I love it...

Question #1--Extremely Loud...

2008-04-11T14:15:00.001-07:00

What did you think of Foer's style? Did the pictures and other visual techniques affect your reading of the novel? How? Do you have a favorite technique or picture that he used? Why do you think the doorknob recurs?

Question #2--Extremely Loud...

2008-04-11T14:14:00.001-07:00

How did you feel about the characters in the book? Were they relatable? Especially Oskar and his grandmother are very unique individuals (remember how Oskar only wears white and always has his tambourine?). How was this important to the story?

Question #3--Extremely Loud...

2008-04-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

How did the grandparents' story complement Oskar's story, or did it? Did the stories fit together? Why do you think Foer chose to tell both stories and not just one? How did it contribute to the overall message and themes?

Question #4--Extremely Loud...

2008-04-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

As readers we do not get a clear picture of most of the relationships in the book until the very end, primarily because we see nearly everything from either Oskar's or the grandfather's point of view. This seems especially true of Oskar's relationship with his mother. What do you think Foer was trying to say about relationships?

Question #5--Extremely Loud...

2008-04-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

What is the overall message and feeling you took away from the book? What does it all mean?

Question #6--Extremely Loud...

2008-04-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

This book impacted me pretty strongly--I felt really strange afterwards. Sad and happy and very thoughtful. How did you feel when you finished? Also feel free to use this space to share any other questions, thoughts, or feelings you have.

2008-03-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

"Foer can place his reader's hand on the heart of human experienc, the transcendent beauty of human connections. Read, you can feel the life beating." --Philadelphia Inquirer

Jonathan Safran Foer's first novel, Everything Is Illuminated, won numerous awards and was made into a really great movie (if anyone wants to check it out). Since I'm struggling to know exactly what to say, I'm copying and pasting something from a different website.

"Meet Oskar Schell, an inventor, Francophile, tambourine player, Shakespearean actor, jeweler, pacifist. He is nine years old. And he is on an urgent, secret search through the five boroughs of New York. His mission is to find the lock that fits a mysterious key belonging to his father, who died in the attack on the World Trade Center. An inspired creation, Oskar is alternately endearing, exasperating, and hilarious as he careens from Central Park to Coney Island to Harlem on his search. Along the way he is always dreaming up inventions to keep those he loves safe from harm. What about a birdseed shirt to let you fly away? What if you could actually hear everyone's heartbeat? His goal is hopeful, but the past speaks a loud warning in stories of those who've lost loved ones before. As Oskar roams New York, he encounters a motley assortment of characters who are all survivors in their own way. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close boldly approaches history and tragedy with humor, tenderness, and awe."

Just a warning. Foer's style is contemporary post-modernism, which means it might take some getting used to. He employs unusual techniques to amplify the power of his story. If you flip through the pages of the book you'll see blank pages, pictures, uneven spacing, and different type settings that are intended to make the experience of reading the prose more interactive--to immerse the reader entirely. Foer is an incredible writer, so immerse yourselves and enjoy.

Silent Spring Question #1

2008-03-11T17:43:00.001-07:00

While this book was written in 1962, it seems that we are still facing some of the issues it addresses in a real way. Sam found this article yesterday. What do you think about it?

Silent Spring Question #2

2008-03-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

Carson poses this question herself (pg.99): Can any civilization wage relentless war on life without destroying itself?

Silent Spring Question #3

2008-03-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

I feel like this might be a stupid question, but I am going to ask it anyway. In both "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "Silent Spring" there is discussion of the fact that we are often not actually paying the full price of commodities (whether for food or for pest control, etc.) because all of the various monetary impacts of those services are not calculated. Is it practical to think that we can even determine a "true," so-to-speak, price for such commodities? Does it actually matter because we end up paying the actual price in the end anyway? If we don't pay it, who does?

Silent Spring Question #4

2008-03-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

As an American culture, we seem to be obsessed with solving problems chemically (pest control, losing weight, curing illness, growing and making food, etc.) instead of naturally. Does this ring true to you? If so, why do you think we are like this? If not, explain.

Silent Spring Question #5

2008-03-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

Do you have any statements about the book or questions you would like to pose for the group?

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

2008-02-18T09:27:00.002-08:00

For as long as I can remember, I have seen a copy of Silent Spring on my parent's bookshelf. Sam and I sort of use their house as a long-distance, long-term library, and during our most recent mass book collection, Silent Spring ended up in the pile.
Silent Spring was written by Rachel Carson, an established natural history writer, and published in 1962. It is widely credited with starting what we now think of as the environmental movement in the U.S. Her book also helped in the banning of dangerous agricultural chemicals, which she documented were causing negative effects on the natural world. It is listed in the top ten (#5) best non-fiction books by the Modern Library.
As you know, we live in Portland, a city that seems to be deeply caught up in the "green" movement right now. There are tons of farmer's markets, Prius', ecological NGOs, and pricey organic grocery stores. While I am fully in support of the premise in which environmentalism is based on, as of late I feel like being "green" has become a trendy, elitist status symbol. I chose to read Silent Spring, not only because it is considered a nonfiction classic, but also because I thought it might be interesting to get back to the roots of a current national craze.

Change of Schedule

2008-02-17T14:37:00.001-08:00

Hi Friends,
Due to some technical difficulties, we will have an adjustment in the book club reading schedule. We are going to be bumping up the March book to February (Silent Spring by Rachel Carson), and moving a few other things around (Loren, can you host in March?). Please refer to the sidebar for all of the exact schedule changes. I really, really hope this doesn't mess anyone up. I will be posting more info on Silent Spring as soon as possible, hopefully in the next day or so.
Gracias,
Blair

Intro to discussing "The Omnivore's Dilemma"

2008-02-10T07:46:00.002-08:00

Well, it doesn't appear (as yet) that this is the chattiest book club so I thought I'd lend my two cents before posting my questions. Right now I'm in graduate school and two of my classes have been online. One of the course requirements is to participate in a discussion board with the stipulations that you must give one primary response to each question and 2 secondary responses to other people's postings. It makes for a really lively and interactive learning experience. So I guess I'm suggesting that we all try to respond to all of the questions, then respond to everyone else’s postings so we get a dialogue that resembles a discussion we might have if we weren't communicating electronically. I know we all joined the book club because we like to read, and discuss the books we are reading...

And on to the questions! I hope you all enjoyed the book, I tried to limit my discussion questions but found it hard to do so...

Question 1

2008-02-10T07:46:00.001-08:00

Having read the book, how would you define "the omnivores dilemma?" and do you consider yourself as an omnivore with a dilemma? Why/why not?

Question 2

2008-02-10T07:45:00.004-08:00

Pollan starts and ends the book discussing America's lack of a single culinary tradition (see pages 5, 296-303). What do you think are the dangers of living in a society without a single culinary tradition? He names several... Are there any benefits?

Question 3

2008-02-10T07:45:00.003-08:00

Unfortunately, we as humans have an "elastic appetite" with a capacity to eat well beyond what our bodies actually require to sustain life -- so "when food is abundant and cheap, people will eat more of it and get fat." p. 102 Do you buy into the conspiracy theory that our government is intentionally making its nation sick? After all "we subsidize high-fructose corn syrup...but not carrots...guaranteeing that the cheapest calories in the supermarket will continue to be the unhealthiest." p. 108

What are some other explanations for a food environment that supports “industrial eating?”

Question 4

2008-02-10T07:45:00.001-08:00

During the chapters on industrial organic, we learned some background information on what “free range chicken” actually means and the consequences of producing organic lettuce on a national scale. What’s your take on mass-produced organic food? Is it any better than conventionally produced non-organic food? (It certainly is more expensive!) And if it is better… ‘better for what?’

Question 5

2008-02-10T07:44:00.002-08:00

What are the pros and cons of eating locally? Pollan states that “for local food chains to succeed, people will have to relearn what it means to eat according to the seasons.” We have become “accustomed to a year-round supply of fresh meats, many of which we forget were once eaten as seasonally as tomatoes or sweet corn…” p. 253

How feasible would it be for you to eat seasonally? This ties in really nicely to D&C 89. Any thoughts?

Question 6

2008-02-10T07:44:00.001-08:00

Throughout the book, Pollan makes a case for the importance of knowing where your food comes from (i.e. become a vegetarian, remain in a state of ignorance of how our meat is slaughtered, or take a hard look at how your food is produced- then make a decision as to whether or not you can in good conscious eat it.) The premise of his mission to hunt and gather his own food is to eat a meal “in full consciousness of what [is] involved.” p. 281. On the flip-side, Pollan claims that “our food system depends on consumers’ not knowing much about it beyond the price disclosed by the checkout scanner.” p.245 Does this make you feel morally compelled to identify where your food is coming from? Do you feel the need to clear your consciousness by knowing “what it is we’re eating. Where it came from. How it found its way to our table. And what, in a true accounting, it really cost.” p. 411

Question 7

2008-02-10T07:12:00.000-08:00

Has this book changed the way you eat? According to Pollan, the amount of disposable income Americans spend on food is down to 1/5 suggesting “that there are many of us who could afford to spend more on food if we chose to.” He asks, “Is the unwillingness to pay more for food really a matter of affordability or priority?” p. 243

In the end, is what we put into our bodies as important to us as it should be and should we be more willing to sacrifice to change our food habits?

Omnivore's Dilemma

2008-01-14T06:25:00.000-08:00

Most of you know that I'm a Registered Dietitian by profession, but I just plain love food! I love to eat it, I love to read about it, I love to cook it or bake it, I love to talk about it, I love to look for it, shop for it...you get the idea. And to be honest, I get sick and tired of hearing about the "obesity epidemic." We've become so weight obsessed that we forget that our food choices have implications beyond weight. So, being a self-proclaimed "foodie", "Omnivore's Dilemma" was a logical book choice for me. Besides, it's been sitting on my book shelf for several months, unopened.

Michael Pollan, the author, is a prolific writer and professor of environmental journalism at UC Berkley. He has no formal background in nutrition but has written several books on the topic (the most recent being "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto") as well as countless articles and received quite a few awards for his work.

In his book "Omnivore's Dilemma" Pollan explores the question "What should we have for dinner?" To answer this question, "he follows four meals, each derived through a different food-production system, from their origins to the plate. Along the way, Pollan examines the ethical, political, and ecological factors that are intertwined in the industrial, large-scale organic, small-scale organic, and personal (hunted-gathered) food chains, while describing the environmental and health consequences that result from our food choices within these chains." He illustrates how much power we hold with our food choices, and why the foods we eat have consequence beyond our waistlines....

He's an excellent writer and speaker, so this book should prove to be an interesting read that will make each of us think a bit more before making our next food purchase...

The List!

2008-01-13T22:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the much-anticipated book club schedule:

January: Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan (Marci Anderson)
February: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Margaret Jensen)
March: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (Blair Skidmore)
April: The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Adam Anderson)
May: Candy Freak by Steve Almond (Hillery Ray)
June: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer (Loren Thomas)
July: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (Taylor Simmons)
August: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey (Sam Skidmore)

Please also refer to the list on the side bar . . . it will be updated as more people want to host. Also, look at the post right before this one so that you know what to do when it is your turn to host. I'll try to send you an email to remind you when it is your month!

Directions for the Host

2008-01-13T21:17:00.000-08:00

If it is the month for your book, here is what to do:

1.) Make sure you have accepted your invitation to author the blog through gmail.
2.) On the 15th of the month, go to blogger.com and sign in with your gmail address.
3.) Click on "new post."
4.) Introduce your book however you want . . . why you chose it, why you think it is important, something interesting about the author, etc. Add pictures or whatever you want!
5.) Click on "publish post" and it will be posted to the blog for everyone to read.
6.) On the 10th or so of the following month, go back to blogger and write any questions or thoughts or themes that you would like to discuss, post it, and wait for everyone to comment.

I hope that this is straightforward enough and that I am not being too bossy. Please let me know if you have any questions about how to use the blog. Tomorrow the fun begins!

Join the book club!

2008-01-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,
Sam and I decided that it would be so fun to re-initiate the good ol' Book Worm Book Club, but as we are all over the country now, maybe a blog would be the method. Here is how it works: if you want to participate, send me your gmail (it has to be) email address and I will include you on the list of people who can publish on the blog. We will each pick a book to submit to the lineup (email that to me too) and then draw the order of the books to read. When it is your month you will post any questions or discussion points for your book and everyone can post comments. One more thing: If your book is next and you didn't post a comment for the previous book, then your selection gets bumped to the end of the list. This is to ensure that you are actually reading the books. How does this sound? We thought that we could start the first book in January. Let me know if you have any other suggestions or think something should be changed. I am so excited to get started!
Cheers,
Blair