Looking for a Good Read?

After years of assigned readings that have consumed my life, I had forgotten how much I enjoy a good book. In the past couple of weeks, these have been some of my good reads:

These Is My Words

Diary of a settler in Arizona, and good insight into life on the American frontier. Plenty of lawlessness, heartbreak, Indians, and joy from family. Good development of the main character (as it should be, being her diary), which makes it easy to relate to her and her life story.

As an aside - and tribute to my fascination with Latin American politics - I believe that this book gives a lot of insight into what occurs currently in frontier areas around the world. The situation with a new insurgent group in Paraguay (EPP) serves as a good example.

The Help

This book was thought-provoking for me. Hailing from a pretty non-diverse state in terms of ethnicity, I have never been faced with issues regarding discrimination. It could be that I never found myself in these situations, or that I have been oblivious or ignorant of them (as are some characters in this book).

I strive to treat all people equally. However, I recognize that my lack of experience among some demographics may influence my behavior in that I become ultra-sensitive in trying not to offend. For example, in church we sat next to a gentleman of another race and I noticed that although it would have been more comfortable for Kenz to scoot her chair closer to mine (and away from this individual) to lay her head on my shoulder, I did not suggest it because I did not want the gesture to be misinterpreted. I don't believe that hypersensitivity is the solution - I believe it achieves the opposite - but being cognisant and aware of our behavior so that we treat all people with respect could be the answer.

SUPER Freakonomics

Entertaining read with a lot of interesting, but perhaps useless information. I think it's always fun to read analyses of human behavior and how we use instruments to attempt to measure, quantify, or predict it.

The Hunger Games

It's a mix of The Giver, 1984, and Lord of the Flies (this last I have been told since I have never read Lord of the Flies). It's Big Brother at his worst. I think the end could have been developed more effectively for a more dramatic way to "stick it to the man." But, I have to give it to the author, she knows how to write a compelling story.

How to Win Friends and Influence People

I found this in a box of books we have, and it goes to show that sometimes what is common sense is not so common. Everything in this book makes sense, but few of us practice it because emotions get in the way and make us behave irrationally. I think it's a good reminder of how we should treat others, but many of his suggested practices could easily be ruined by insincerity.

And I'm currently working on these two:

Blink

So far the examples and studies have been fun and fascinating, and I look forward to learning more about the assessments and decisions we make without conducting an in-depth analysis.

Who Really Cares

I've been meaning to get to this one for at least a year now. I have liked it so far, but have been a little turned off by the politics that have already presented themselves. But, in all fairness, it looks like an objective study done by an independent voter, who happens to be the current President of AEI.

Anyway, I would recommend any of these books and we're looking for new reads for the future. I know for sure that Catching Fire is on the list, as well as 1984 and maybe some Spanish literature or history of the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile.

Any other suggestions?