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Non-Fiction
- The Hidden Connections by Fritjof Capra (Non-Fiction) NR
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman (Non-Fiction)** -- A good clinical discussion on the inter relationship
between the brain, emotions, and intelligence.
- Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman (Non-Fiction) NR
- Open World: The Truth About Globalisztion by Philippe Legrain (Non-Fiction)**** -- An excellent level headed
look at Globalisation.
- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson (Non-Fiction)*** -- A very good, easy to read summary
of the theories behind the forming of the earth and the evolution of man.
- Stupid White Men by Michael Moore (Non-Fiction)** -- Moore has some good points, but as usual, he greatly exaggerates
things to "prove" his position. For example he sites that 75% of the possible voting population didn't vote for George
Bush, which is true. What he doesn't say is that 75% of the possible voting population didn't vote for Ale Gore, which
is also true.
- Globalization and Its Discontents by Joseph E. Stiglitz (Non-Fiction) *** -- A must read to understand
the impact of US international policy on the third world. It also helps explain why many people are upset about Globalization.
- The Big Questions: How Philosophy Can Change Your Life by Lou Marinoff (Non-Fiction)***
- Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell (Non-Fiction)**** -- An excellent book on intuition.
Fiction
- Baggage by Emily Barr (Fiction)*** -- A novel about a woman in Australia whose past comes back to haunt her.
- Prey by Michael Crichton (Fiction)**** -- Excellent
- Timeline by Michael Crichton (Sci-Fiction)*** -- Good read, very fast paced
- A Case of Need by Jeffery Hudson aka. Michael Crichton (Fiction) NR
- Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (Fiction)**** -- Excellent light hearted read.
- The King of Torts by John Grisham (Fiction)** -- Classic Grisham, but not at good as The Firm
- Celestine Prophecy, The by James Redfield (Spiritual Fiction)** -- Worth the read, interesting idea but poorly
written
- The Cloning of Joanna May by Fay Weldon (Fiction)** -- science vs. ethics
- Doom Fox by Iceberg Slim (Fiction)* -- LA ghetto life after WWII
- The Beach by Alex Garland (Fiction)** -- a must read if traveling in Thailand
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel (Fiction)**** -- excellent story and beautiful writing.
- Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian (Historical Fiction)*** -- An easy read
- Post Captain by Patrick O'Brian (Historical Fiction)*** -- More of the same and entertaining
- Friday by Robert A. Heinlein (Sci-Fiction)*** -- a look at racism in the future from the perspective of a genetically
engineered woman.
- Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein (Sci-Fiction)*** -- A fun read. Written in 1961, it is interesting
to see how Heinlein's concept of technology in the future matches today.
- The Infinite Plan by Isabel Allende (Fiction)*** -- A classic Allende story about struggles of life.
- Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (Fiction)** -- An interesting story about a young English woman that comes
to India to explore her family's past.
- Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (Fantasy)*** -- Pratchett has a wonderful and playful way with words. His
books are funny, easy to read, and good for all ages. I think of them as a bit of mental candy good for a long plane
ride. This story is about breaking of traditional male and female roles on the Diskworld.
- Mort by Terry Pratchett (Fantasy)*** -- In line with the rest of his novels, this one is about a young man who
became Death's apprentice.
- How to Be Good by Nick Hornby (Fiction)** -- About the struggles of married life between a Doctor and her husband
when he starts giving it all away in the name of charity.
- High Society by Ben Elton (Fiction)*** -- An excellent fasted paced book about the proliferation of drugs
in socity. It show how the "war on drugs" has forced a segment of the population to exist below the social safety net.
- The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (Fiction) **** -- A beautiful story about a girl growing up in south during
the racial tensions of the 1960s.
- Robot Dreams by Isaac Asimov (Sci-Fiction) ** -- A collection of short stories about robots mixed with a few
stories about humanity.
- Prelude to Foundation by Isaac Asimov (Sci-Fiction) *** -- The "first" novel in the Foundation series.
- I Robot by Isaac Asimov (Sci-Fiction) *** -- The first in the Robot series. Nothing like the movie.
I first read this book when I was a teenager. It was fun to read it again.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Fiction) **** -- A great book worth reading.
A murder mystery from the perspective of an autistic child.
- Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World: A Novel
by Haruki Murakami (Sci-Fiction) *** -- A bit strange
and fun book about the life a human cryptographer.
- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Fiction) **** -- A very good book. I was captured from the
first few pages.
Biography
- Ratpack: Confidential by Shawn Levey (Biography)** -- More than you would ever want to know about Frank Sinatra
- Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before by Tony Horwitz (Biography)*** -- A good informative
read.
- Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor (Autobiography)**** -- An excellent book about
Jordan seen through the eyes of Queen Noor. A must read if you are at all interested in the Middle East or US world
relations.
Business / Management
- Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box by Arbinger Institute (Management)**** -- This book uses
a story to show how self deception can impact our working life and interpersonal relationships.
- The Innovator's Solution by Clayton M. Christensen, Michael E. Raynor (Strategy)**** -- An excellent book on the
forces of the marketplace. It explains why some companies get pushed out of the very market they once dominated.
They also give some sound advice on thinking about the product/consumer relationship.
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki, Sharon L. Lechter (Personal Finance)*** -- A good look at personal finances
and the pit falls of think that getting a good job and working hard will bring a secure future.
- Die Broke: A Radical Four-Part Financial Plan by Stephen Pollan, Mark Levine (Personal Finance)*** -- An excellent
way to let go of the stresses of your career.
- Your Coach (in a Book) : Mastering the Trickiest Leadership, Business, and Career Challenges You Will Ever Face
by Robert Hargrove, Michel Renaud (Leadership) **** -- One of the best books on leadership I have read. It should be
on your must read list. The points brought up in the book apply not only to leadership, but to being in charge of your
own life. It is really a book about taking control of your life.
- Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and
Renée Mauborgne (Strategy)**** -- Another must read book about creating new markets. A great companion to The Innovator’s
Solution.
- Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz (Personal
Networking) **** -- An excellent book on the imporatnce of people connections.
Personal Growth
- Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers (Non-Fiction)*** -- Excellent book
- Magic Words:101 Ways to Talk Your Way Through Life's Challenges by Howard Kaminsky and Alexandra Penney (Non-Fiction)
*** -- A collection of useful phrases to use in common life situations. My favorite is "Why do you ask?"
Which is used when someone asks a question that is non of their business.
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (Personal Growth)*** -- A discussion on living in the present with the intent
to experience each moment without the weight of the past or the expectations of the future.
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