Category: Book

What is a library ?

According to the book The Black Swan, a library is a collection of unread books.

How true ?! I reckon no matter how big a library is, there are always more unread books than books already read. So next question is, why a library wants to “collect” so many unread books ? I think it is because no matter how knowedgable a reader is, there are always something he or she doesn’t know, and those knowledge are recorded in the unread books. Strange reason, I suppose.

What about my mini-library at home ? It’s a collection of a lot unread books as well, and then some unfinished books, and many books I read but forgot all the content inside already. But then again, once a librarian in school days, my job is not to read book … but to collect unread books 😎

Passion and Talent

While reading the book Supernatural, I spare some time to read a book recommending by my ex-colleague – “Chasing Daylight” by Eugene O’Kelly. This book is about what one shall do before too late. I cannot tell whether it is a good book yet as I am only half way through it. However in the earlier part of the book, there are a few paragraphs that put me in deep thought.

One day when I was 14, my mother, who for years had witnessed my passion for the sport, told me it was important to distinguish that from talent.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You may have the passion to be a great baseball player,” she said, “but not the talent.”
… She wanted me to hold onto my passion while also following a path where my talent could flower.

The whole idea struck me … I may have the passion to build the greatest web site or the best book cafe in the world; but what if I don’t have the talent to do it ?

Shall I drop the idea ? Or keep pursuing it ? Is there anything on earth that I have passion with and I have the talent to realize it ?

Serial reader

Similar to many book lovers, I am a serial reader (not serial killer). That is, if I read a good book then I will read all the books written by the same author. For example, all the books by Dan Brown (Angels and Demons is actually better than Da Vinci Code, from my point of view); all the “Babylon books” by Imogen Edwards-Jones (I learnt a lot industry knowledge from those books); books by Mitch Albom (Tuesday With Morrie etc. etc.) and books by Malcolm Gladwell (I think Tipping Point is a lot better than Blink).

Another author I followed for years is “archaeological investigative journalist” Graham Hancock, his books about the Pyramid, ancient civilizations and biblical stories are very very fascinating. Finally his newest book “Supernatural” is on sale in local bookstore and you know what, it’s only 700 pages !! Still, could not help but buy it straightaway … hmmm … lots of late night coming 😎

Book worm

Fashion Babylon A cook's tour.jpg The Starbucks Experience

So I just finished the 8th books in the hospital, and would like to recommend 3 of them. The first one is “Fashion Babylon”, from the same author of “Hotel Babylon” and “Air Babylon”. Thru this book, you will have a peek into the ins and outs of the fashion industry like how to copy ideas from previous designers, how to run a show and how the beautiful models live thru the days with drugs. A very interesting read.

The second one is “A Cook’s Tour” by Anthony Bourdain (who runs the show No Reservations in Discovery channel). Unlike other cooks who only enjoy good food and wine in luxury restaurants, Tony went to some very odd places to find some exotic cuisines and recorded those experience like a journalist. A very different tour book.

Lastly, the “Starbucks Experience” … I recommend the short stories or customers’ comments in the book about how Starbucks run their business – some are really touching. But I really hate that book as it really believes Starbucks is the best company in the world. A shoe-shining book.

A Bookworm’s Killer Application

Steve Jobs once said the killer application of the iPhone is making phone calls. It’s very very true, of course; but to me, my SmartPhone is more than making calls, checking emails and appointments.

One of the killer applications to me, as a bookworm, is to check whether a book worth buying … especially you find a book very interesting in a bookstore, but has no access to the Amazon.com to check the ratings and the “Internet price”.

Now with my Smartphone, all I need is to start the Internet Explorer in the phone, go to the Amazon mobile site and enter the book name …

Amazon Mobile Search

Find the right book, just in case there are books with similar name …

Amazon Mobile 2

Check the book cover to confirm it is the one you’re buying …

Check the cover image

And check the book details, ratings and Internet price … then decide to buy it or not.

Check the price and rating

Isn’t it great ?!