Bibliophile II (2010 Books)
I believe the term is bibliophile...
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson (12/9/10)
A scintillating, disturbing thriller that is the first of a trilogy. I had seen this in so many stores but probably wouldn't have read it if not for my 30+ hours of flying to get back home from Brazil. I'm glad I picked it up because I spent hours reading it. Now I can't wait to read the next two! I tried watching the movie after I read the book, but it just wasn't as good as the movie I shot in my mind while reading the book.
Dawn of the Dreadfuls, Steve Hockensmith (11/21/10)
The second Quirk Classics book I've read. This one's entertaining too, but perhaps not as good as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
A Cup of Light, Nicole Munes (10/31/10)
Another action and romance-packed story set in China, but this time about ancient Chinese porcelain. Munes uses such great descriptions that she sucks you into this alternate universe. Just like in The Last Chinese Chef, she goes back and forth between the past and present and blends some romance into the mix. A little cheesy, but makes the book hard to put down.
The Last Chinese Chef, Nicole Munes (10/2/10)
Well-researched fictional romance and food novel. This book made me miss China, especially the food. Describes the philosophy and thought behind Chinese cooking, which I never really knew much about even while enjoying the food there. Together with Martin Yan's Chinese Cooking for Dummies, I've managed to create 4 dishes so far. From the very beginning, the story is compelling. I didn't want to put it down and, in fact, I didn't the second day I read it. I kept reading right on through to the end!
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
A gory twist on an awesome classic. I didn't realize at first that most of it was just Austen's Pride and Prejudice until I looked at the original. The added details about the unmentionables, ninja and other martial arts training, and brain eating are pretty awesome. Never in my lifetime would I have thought to combine the two, but it works seamlessly. I think this book's going to be turned into a movie -- should be awesome!
The Year of Living Biblically, A.J. Jacobs
The Cyclist's Manifesto, Robert Hurst (7/27/10)
A fascinating and humorous look at the history of bicycles and automobiles, and tons of reasons to start driving less. I never realized how much current modes of transportation borrow from the bicycle. I also never realized how much some people are so opposed to cycling. I am a little more nervous about commuter cycling, which I now do regularly at least twice a week, given the chances that I'll be hit, perhaps even fatally. I also recognize that Hawaii and the rest of the nation may never be as cycle-friendly as some European countries. Still, I feel good knowing that I'm doing a small part to lessen pollution and traffic, and I'm getting exercise while doing it. Plus, as Hurst describes, it's totally liberating to commute by bike.
The Coolest Race on Earth, John Hanc (7/18/10)
Interesting history of the marathon and the first marathon ever run in Antarctica (now there are two, maybe even more?). Details the author's journey to finding out about the marathon, deciding to do it, getting there by boat through the Drake Passage, and finally running the darn thing. Just goes to show how crazy and adventurous runners can be...
17 Hours to Glory, Mathias Muller (6/2010)
Inspiring stories of 17 Kona Ironman athletes, from winners to seemingly ordinary people turned Ironmen and Ironwomen. Even a story about a man who pushes his quadriplegic son to a 5:30 final mile of a marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking for 112 miles!!! That's just ridiculous. And extraordinary.
The Last American Man, Elizabeth Gilbert (6/2010)
A fascinating story based on a real mountain man who sets out on a quest to educate others on the outdoor lifestyle and living minimally off the natural environment. Inspired me to go camping and learn about the outdoors.
Best Efforts, Kenny Moore (6/2010)
One of the best running books I've read -- a compilation of some of the world's greatest runners, giving an in-depth look at their backgrounds and some short clips of their lives.
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall (4/3/2010)
This was a fascinating book. I'm obviously a little late in this, since Vibram Five Fingers have been flying off the shelves for a while now. McDougall makes a very compelling argument for barefoot or minimalistic running. I personally have tried running in just socks. It felt great on the grass, not so great on asphalt. It's tantalizingly sweet as a potential cure for runners plagued by injury, but I wonder whether the author is just doing the same thing as companies like Nike but in the opposite direction. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens to all these barefoot runners in 5-10 years to find out the truth. 'Til then, I'll work on my form and run on good grass when possible. This book certainly made me want to travel EVEN MORE, and I've been eating lots of Mexican food since cracking it open :)
Update: I got the Vibram Bikilas. See http://shaynahiga.blogspot.com/2010/06/bikila-trail-running.html and http://shaynahiga.blogspot.com/2010/06/post-script-on-bikila-trail-running.html.
Committed, Elizabeth Gilbert
Interesting tidbits on the history of marriage and some perspectives on marriage from other (non-American) cultures. Very quick read and highly recommended especially for gals who are nervous about getting married, considering not having kids, want some fodder to ponder, or all of the above. Eat, Pray, Love was good, but I have a feeling that certain ideas and stories I read in this book will stick with me longer.
The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan
Awesome insights into food. This book will definitely make you think a lot harder about what you're eating and where your food comes from. Made me glad I'm a vegetarian (well, mostly anyway :P).
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson (12/9/10)
A scintillating, disturbing thriller that is the first of a trilogy. I had seen this in so many stores but probably wouldn't have read it if not for my 30+ hours of flying to get back home from Brazil. I'm glad I picked it up because I spent hours reading it. Now I can't wait to read the next two! I tried watching the movie after I read the book, but it just wasn't as good as the movie I shot in my mind while reading the book.
Dawn of the Dreadfuls, Steve Hockensmith (11/21/10)
The second Quirk Classics book I've read. This one's entertaining too, but perhaps not as good as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
A Cup of Light, Nicole Munes (10/31/10)
Another action and romance-packed story set in China, but this time about ancient Chinese porcelain. Munes uses such great descriptions that she sucks you into this alternate universe. Just like in The Last Chinese Chef, she goes back and forth between the past and present and blends some romance into the mix. A little cheesy, but makes the book hard to put down.
The Last Chinese Chef, Nicole Munes (10/2/10)
Well-researched fictional romance and food novel. This book made me miss China, especially the food. Describes the philosophy and thought behind Chinese cooking, which I never really knew much about even while enjoying the food there. Together with Martin Yan's Chinese Cooking for Dummies, I've managed to create 4 dishes so far. From the very beginning, the story is compelling. I didn't want to put it down and, in fact, I didn't the second day I read it. I kept reading right on through to the end!
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
A gory twist on an awesome classic. I didn't realize at first that most of it was just Austen's Pride and Prejudice until I looked at the original. The added details about the unmentionables, ninja and other martial arts training, and brain eating are pretty awesome. Never in my lifetime would I have thought to combine the two, but it works seamlessly. I think this book's going to be turned into a movie -- should be awesome!
The Year of Living Biblically, A.J. Jacobs
The Cyclist's Manifesto, Robert Hurst (7/27/10)
A fascinating and humorous look at the history of bicycles and automobiles, and tons of reasons to start driving less. I never realized how much current modes of transportation borrow from the bicycle. I also never realized how much some people are so opposed to cycling. I am a little more nervous about commuter cycling, which I now do regularly at least twice a week, given the chances that I'll be hit, perhaps even fatally. I also recognize that Hawaii and the rest of the nation may never be as cycle-friendly as some European countries. Still, I feel good knowing that I'm doing a small part to lessen pollution and traffic, and I'm getting exercise while doing it. Plus, as Hurst describes, it's totally liberating to commute by bike.
The Coolest Race on Earth, John Hanc (7/18/10)
Interesting history of the marathon and the first marathon ever run in Antarctica (now there are two, maybe even more?). Details the author's journey to finding out about the marathon, deciding to do it, getting there by boat through the Drake Passage, and finally running the darn thing. Just goes to show how crazy and adventurous runners can be...
17 Hours to Glory, Mathias Muller (6/2010)
Inspiring stories of 17 Kona Ironman athletes, from winners to seemingly ordinary people turned Ironmen and Ironwomen. Even a story about a man who pushes his quadriplegic son to a 5:30 final mile of a marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking for 112 miles!!! That's just ridiculous. And extraordinary.
The Last American Man, Elizabeth Gilbert (6/2010)
A fascinating story based on a real mountain man who sets out on a quest to educate others on the outdoor lifestyle and living minimally off the natural environment. Inspired me to go camping and learn about the outdoors.
Best Efforts, Kenny Moore (6/2010)
One of the best running books I've read -- a compilation of some of the world's greatest runners, giving an in-depth look at their backgrounds and some short clips of their lives.
Born to Run, Christopher McDougall (4/3/2010)
This was a fascinating book. I'm obviously a little late in this, since Vibram Five Fingers have been flying off the shelves for a while now. McDougall makes a very compelling argument for barefoot or minimalistic running. I personally have tried running in just socks. It felt great on the grass, not so great on asphalt. It's tantalizingly sweet as a potential cure for runners plagued by injury, but I wonder whether the author is just doing the same thing as companies like Nike but in the opposite direction. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens to all these barefoot runners in 5-10 years to find out the truth. 'Til then, I'll work on my form and run on good grass when possible. This book certainly made me want to travel EVEN MORE, and I've been eating lots of Mexican food since cracking it open :)
Update: I got the Vibram Bikilas. See http://shaynahiga.blogspot.com/2010/06/bikila-trail-running.html and http://shaynahiga.blogspot.com/2010/06/post-script-on-bikila-trail-running.html.
Committed, Elizabeth Gilbert
Interesting tidbits on the history of marriage and some perspectives on marriage from other (non-American) cultures. Very quick read and highly recommended especially for gals who are nervous about getting married, considering not having kids, want some fodder to ponder, or all of the above. Eat, Pray, Love was good, but I have a feeling that certain ideas and stories I read in this book will stick with me longer.
The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan
Awesome insights into food. This book will definitely make you think a lot harder about what you're eating and where your food comes from. Made me glad I'm a vegetarian (well, mostly anyway :P).
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