BLINK
by Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell is a genius at making a book about psychology understandable to the layman and read like a gripping novel. I was enthralled throughout and found the following particularly interesting:
1. How human emotions and facial expressions are equal partners – the one does not necessarily follow the other. In other words, if you concentrate on making a miserable face, pretty soon you will start feeling miserable. Another good reason to put a smile on our faces no matter what!
2. Invariably our instincts make better judgements with less information.
3. Too many rules and too much structure stifle creativity and can result in disaster, particularly in a war situation where lives are at stake.
ADAM’S CURSEby Brian Sykes
For me this book read like a thriller and horror story rolled into one. I found it extremely gripping and fascinating, although I’m sure many of Sykes’ conclusions are theoretical and controversial. Even so, I feel I learned a little more about genetics, enough to know that it is too complex for anyone to have all the answers.
This book has changed my view of the human species and what drives us and I will never be able to think about the “battle of the sexes” in quite the same way ever again.
For me this book read like a thriller and horror story rolled into one. I found it extremely gripping and fascinating, although I’m sure many of Sykes’ conclusions are theoretical and controversial. Even so, I feel I learned a little more about genetics, enough to know that it is too complex for anyone to have all the answers.
This book has changed my view of the human species and what drives us and I will never be able to think about the “battle of the sexes” in quite the same way ever again.
BREATH
by Tim Winton
Coming of age story about two boys living on the edge, encouraged by two older mentors to be increasingly reckless in a bid to be anything but ordinary.
Very sad story illustrating how adults can unwittingly and carelessly damage a young psyche by exposing it to too much too early.
Coming of age story about two boys living on the edge, encouraged by two older mentors to be increasingly reckless in a bid to be anything but ordinary.
Very sad story illustrating how adults can unwittingly and carelessly damage a young psyche by exposing it to too much too early.
WAYS OF STAYING
by Kevin Bloom
This book was not what I was expecting – what I understood (or misunderstood) from the title. Instead I found it a stark, journalistic account of the realities of South African life, which raised more questions than answers. Some of it is painful to read but it is extremely up-to-date and relevant. Perhaps not a book to read before bedtime but very thought-provoking and well worth the effort nevertheless.
Reviews by Heather.
