Author: Pamela Logan
Genre: Non-Fiction (Travel)
Date Finished: Dec 14, 2009
This autobiographical book covers the author's travels through southern China, Tibet and Nepal in search of Khampas, a warrior tribe in Tibetan society. She searches through Yunnan, Sichuan, sneaks into Tibet and finally in Nepal where the Khampas had resistance camps for many years. Good read if you are interested in the regions in question.
Leaving Mother Lake: A Girlhood at the Edge of the World
Author: Yang Erche Namu & Christine Mathieu
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: Dec 8, 2009
In China there are considered to be 56 ethnic minorities. The Mosuo people are not even considered a distinct minority, lumped in with the Naxi in Yunnan and the Mongols in Sichuan. This is the story of a Mosuo woman who eventually leaves her mother's house (quite rare) and goes out in to China.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: Dec 8, 2009
In China there are considered to be 56 ethnic minorities. The Mosuo people are not even considered a distinct minority, lumped in with the Naxi in Yunnan and the Mongols in Sichuan. This is the story of a Mosuo woman who eventually leaves her mother's house (quite rare) and goes out in to China.
Bastard Tongues
Author: Derek Bickerton
Genre: Non-Fiction (Linguistics)
Date Finished: Nov 29, 2009
The author, a linguist, describes how he got started with linguistics and his career long work studying Creoles in different locations around the world, trying to discover insights into the mind.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Linguistics)
Date Finished: Nov 29, 2009
The author, a linguist, describes how he got started with linguistics and his career long work studying Creoles in different locations around the world, trying to discover insights into the mind.
Who Got Einstein's Office?
Author: Ed Regis
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: Nov 29, 2009
This is a great book about the history of the Institute for Advanced Study located in Princeton. It was started in the 1930's as a place where outstanding physical scientists could go and work, unhindered by teaching requirements, publishing schedules or other extraneous duties. Their job was to think. Einstein went there when he came to America, Kurt Godel worked there, Oppenheimer and many others. The book covers the Institute from conception to the 1980s I think, talking about the people who there and their work.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: Nov 29, 2009
This is a great book about the history of the Institute for Advanced Study located in Princeton. It was started in the 1930's as a place where outstanding physical scientists could go and work, unhindered by teaching requirements, publishing schedules or other extraneous duties. Their job was to think. Einstein went there when he came to America, Kurt Godel worked there, Oppenheimer and many others. The book covers the Institute from conception to the 1980s I think, talking about the people who there and their work.
Circle of Magic #1: Sandry's Book
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Date Finished: November 24, 2009
Four young wizards of unusual power come together.
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Date Finished: November 24, 2009
Four young wizards of unusual power come together.
"Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!" : adventures of a curious character
Author: Richard Phillips Feynman
Genre: Biography
Date Finished: Nov 2009
I've read this book before. A few times actually, long before I started writing this blog. Its full of such neat stories I like to re-read it every so often. A Nobel prize winning genius, when he writes this book he makes everything sound like it happened to him by accident, or simply through persistence. I was reminded of this book during a conversation with a friend at work last week. Seemed like time for a refresher. My favorite part has always been his antics as a lockpicker at Los Almos.
His constant curiosity, learning Spanish, to play the drums or learning to draw, is inspiring.
Genre: Biography
Date Finished: Nov 2009
I've read this book before. A few times actually, long before I started writing this blog. Its full of such neat stories I like to re-read it every so often. A Nobel prize winning genius, when he writes this book he makes everything sound like it happened to him by accident, or simply through persistence. I was reminded of this book during a conversation with a friend at work last week. Seemed like time for a refresher. My favorite part has always been his antics as a lockpicker at Los Almos.
His constant curiosity, learning Spanish, to play the drums or learning to draw, is inspiring.
Storey's illustrated guide to 96 horse breeds of North America
Author: Judith Dutson
Genre: Non-fiction
Date Finished: Nov 2009
This was a neat book. One to two pages about each breed which is covered in the book, color photos.
Genre: Non-fiction
Date Finished: Nov 2009
This was a neat book. One to two pages about each breed which is covered in the book, color photos.
Angels & Demons
Author: Dan Brown
Genre: Fiction (Action?)
Date Finished: November 2009
Although this was the second movie made, this was the first book written. I liked it. Robert Langdon is summoned from his peaceful bed to the CERN institute in Switzerland on an emergency, which is strange because Robert Langdon is a professor of symbology.
Genre: Fiction (Action?)
Date Finished: November 2009
Although this was the second movie made, this was the first book written. I liked it. Robert Langdon is summoned from his peaceful bed to the CERN institute in Switzerland on an emergency, which is strange because Robert Langdon is a professor of symbology.
Practical Common Lisp
Author: Peter Seibel
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
I haven't actually finished this book yet, so I'm not sure it counts. However, since it is about learning to program in Lisp, it could take a significant amount of time to finish.
Weirdly I've had it in my mind for many years to go back and re-learn Lisp some time. At SFU, CMPT 201 was taught in Lisp, and it seemed neat somehow, but when the course ended, I went off and programmed VB, C++, C and Java instead.
Over the years I kept hearing about Lisp, about how it (like Smalltalk) was a kind of special language, years ahead of it's time. Of course, there are articles by Paul Graham, Eric Raymond and others about how effective and special Lisp is. However, nearly every programmer says that about the language they know. The Tibetan Buddhists call it self cherishing, the idea we each hold that we are a unique, special individual, and by extension the things we do and know are also unique and special.
However, it was really this article that convinced me to try a new language. And an impractical language at that. I mean, learning Groovy, Ruby, C# or VB would have potential benefits for my career. However, learning Lisp, that would be purely for fun.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
I haven't actually finished this book yet, so I'm not sure it counts. However, since it is about learning to program in Lisp, it could take a significant amount of time to finish.
Weirdly I've had it in my mind for many years to go back and re-learn Lisp some time. At SFU, CMPT 201 was taught in Lisp, and it seemed neat somehow, but when the course ended, I went off and programmed VB, C++, C and Java instead.
Over the years I kept hearing about Lisp, about how it (like Smalltalk) was a kind of special language, years ahead of it's time. Of course, there are articles by Paul Graham, Eric Raymond and others about how effective and special Lisp is. However, nearly every programmer says that about the language they know. The Tibetan Buddhists call it self cherishing, the idea we each hold that we are a unique, special individual, and by extension the things we do and know are also unique and special.
However, it was really this article that convinced me to try a new language. And an impractical language at that. I mean, learning Groovy, Ruby, C# or VB would have potential benefits for my career. However, learning Lisp, that would be purely for fun.
Kindred in Death
Author: JD Robb
Genre: Sci-Fiction Detective
Date Finished: Tuesday September 10, 2009
The vicious murder of a police captain's 16 year old daughter ends Eve's weekend early and she pulls the crew back into the thick of things. In the background, Louise is getting married.
Eve and Sommerset are barely even insulting each other any more. Are they mellowed?
Genre: Sci-Fiction Detective
Date Finished: Tuesday September 10, 2009
The vicious murder of a police captain's 16 year old daughter ends Eve's weekend early and she pulls the crew back into the thick of things. In the background, Louise is getting married.
Eve and Sommerset are barely even insulting each other any more. Are they mellowed?
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy) - Young Adult
Date Finished: November 2009
The third book about Alanna of Trebond, following In the Hand of the Goddess. She has finished her training and she is a full fledged knight, off to experience 'adventures', somewhere. Not here. She's sure she can find 'adventure' somewhere.
Instead she gets adopted into a desert tribe, displaces their shaman, becomes a magic teacher. If only she could get untangled from all these attachments so she could go off and find some adventure, somewhere.
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy) - Young Adult
Date Finished: November 2009
The third book about Alanna of Trebond, following In the Hand of the Goddess. She has finished her training and she is a full fledged knight, off to experience 'adventures', somewhere. Not here. She's sure she can find 'adventure' somewhere.
Instead she gets adopted into a desert tribe, displaces their shaman, becomes a magic teacher. If only she could get untangled from all these attachments so she could go off and find some adventure, somewhere.
Bloodhound
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: Saturday, Oct 31, 2009
This is the second book about Beka Cooper, following Terrier (which I know I've ready, and recently, but doesn't seem to be in my list.)
Beka is a full fledged Dog now, guardian of Law in Corus' streets. She's having a little trouble settling on a partner now. When the Dogs in Corus stumble on a counterfeiting ring, Beka and Clary Goodwin go looking for the source of bad money, before the country's economy is ruined.
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: Saturday, Oct 31, 2009
This is the second book about Beka Cooper, following Terrier (which I know I've ready, and recently, but doesn't seem to be in my list.)
Beka is a full fledged Dog now, guardian of Law in Corus' streets. She's having a little trouble settling on a partner now. When the Dogs in Corus stumble on a counterfeiting ring, Beka and Clary Goodwin go looking for the source of bad money, before the country's economy is ruined.
In the Hand of the Goddess
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: Oct 29, 2009
Second book in the series The Song of the Lioness, following Alanna: The First Adventure. Alanna works as a page for Jonathan, finally passing her Trial and becoming a full knight.
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: Oct 29, 2009
Second book in the series The Song of the Lioness, following Alanna: The First Adventure. Alanna works as a page for Jonathan, finally passing her Trial and becoming a full knight.
Icebound Land
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
This is the third book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, following The Burning Bridge. Will and Evelyn are taken away to Skandia. Meanwhile, Halt conspires to pursue.
Genre: Fantasy
This is the third book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, following The Burning Bridge. Will and Evelyn are taken away to Skandia. Meanwhile, Halt conspires to pursue.
Alanna: The First Adventure
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: Oct 26, 2009
First book in the series The Song of the Lioness. Alanna leaves home and disguises herself as a boy to pursue her dream of becoming a knight.
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: Oct 26, 2009
First book in the series The Song of the Lioness. Alanna leaves home and disguises herself as a boy to pursue her dream of becoming a knight.
The Siege of Macindaw
Author: John Flanagan
Date Finished: Oct 2009
Sixth book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, following Sourcerer in the North. Will lays siege to the tower where Alyss is held.
Date Finished: Oct 2009
Sixth book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, following Sourcerer in the North. Will lays siege to the tower where Alyss is held.
The Merlot Murders
Author: Ellen Crosby
Date: Oct 2009
Kind of a neat mystery type novel about and amateur detective. She pretty much stumbles on to the final solution. The more unusual aspect of this book the the context of wine country.
Date: Oct 2009
Kind of a neat mystery type novel about and amateur detective. She pretty much stumbles on to the final solution. The more unusual aspect of this book the the context of wine country.
The Sorcerer in the North
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: August 2009
Fifth book of the Ranger's Apprentice, following Battle for Skandia. Will has graduated, and is a full Ranger now. He's sent north to investigate rumors of a sorcerer.
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: August 2009
Fifth book of the Ranger's Apprentice, following Battle for Skandia. Will has graduated, and is a full Ranger now. He's sent north to investigate rumors of a sorcerer.
The Battle for Skandia
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: August 2009
Fourth book in the Ranger's Apprentice, following Buring Bridge. Will and Evanlyn have escaped their captors to the mountains. Evanlyn is captured, the rescued. Halt and Horace arrive and, with Will, they help the Skandian's resist the invading Temujai.
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: August 2009
Fourth book in the Ranger's Apprentice, following Buring Bridge. Will and Evanlyn have escaped their captors to the mountains. Evanlyn is captured, the rescued. Halt and Horace arrive and, with Will, they help the Skandian's resist the invading Temujai.
The Burning Bridge
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: August 2009
The second book of the Ranger's Apprentice series. Will, the Ranger's apprentice and his friend Horace travel through the kingdom and end up preventing the advance of Morgarath's army.
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: August 2009
The second book of the Ranger's Apprentice series. Will, the Ranger's apprentice and his friend Horace travel through the kingdom and end up preventing the advance of Morgarath's army.
The Ruins of Gorlan
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: August 2009
The adventure begins. This is the first book of the Ranger's Apprentice Series. The orphan Will is chosen to be the apprentice of Halt, the mysterious ranger that serves his region
Genre: Fantasy
Date Finished: August 2009
The adventure begins. This is the first book of the Ranger's Apprentice Series. The orphan Will is chosen to be the apprentice of Halt, the mysterious ranger that serves his region
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
Author: John Taylor Gatto
Genre: Non-Fiction (Eduction)
Date Finished: Aug 14, 2009
A commentary by a New York public school teacher of 30 years experience on the failures of the North American public education system.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Eduction)
Date Finished: Aug 14, 2009
A commentary by a New York public school teacher of 30 years experience on the failures of the North American public education system.
The Sweet Life in Paris
Author: David Lebovitz
Genre: Non-Fiction (Travel)
Date Finished: August 1, 2009
The American author writes about his experiences moving to and living in Paris, the cultural differences he negotiated. The chapters are mixed in with recipes, as he seems to write cookbooks for a living. The writing is very blog like in nature.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Travel)
Date Finished: August 1, 2009
The American author writes about his experiences moving to and living in Paris, the cultural differences he negotiated. The chapters are mixed in with recipes, as he seems to write cookbooks for a living. The writing is very blog like in nature.
Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China
Author: Jen Lin-Liu
Genre: Non-Fiction (Travel)
Date Finished: July 13, 2009
The author covers her journey of studying cooking in China as she goes to cooking school, then apprentices in a few different restaurants. Interspersed through the book are recipies she aquired at different places, but the book is more about her personal experiences and the lives of the chefs who work in China than it is a recipe book. All in all, a very interesting book.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Travel)
Date Finished: July 13, 2009
The author covers her journey of studying cooking in China as she goes to cooking school, then apprentices in a few different restaurants. Interspersed through the book are recipies she aquired at different places, but the book is more about her personal experiences and the lives of the chefs who work in China than it is a recipe book. All in all, a very interesting book.
In the Land of Invented Languages
Author: Arika Okrent
Genre: Linguistics
Date Finished: July 11, 2009
Somewhat interesting. The author covers the phenomenon invented languages (better known as constructed languages) such as Esperanto, Lojban and Klingon.
Genre: Linguistics
Date Finished: July 11, 2009
Somewhat interesting. The author covers the phenomenon invented languages (better known as constructed languages) such as Esperanto, Lojban and Klingon.
Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition
Author: Stephen D. Krashen
Genre: Linguistics - Second Language Acquisition
This book focuses on comprehensible input as the main focus for learning a second language.
Genre: Linguistics - Second Language Acquisition
This book focuses on comprehensible input as the main focus for learning a second language.
Factory Girls
Author: Leslie Chang
Genre: Non-Fiction (China)
This was an interesting book, worth the read. The author follows the lives of a few of the factory girls in China, girls who migrate from the countryside to the cities of China in search of better jobs.
Genre: Non-Fiction (China)
This was an interesting book, worth the read. The author follows the lives of a few of the factory girls in China, girls who migrate from the countryside to the cities of China in search of better jobs.
Light at the Edge of the World
Author: Wade Davis
Genre: Non-fiction
Date Finished: July 2009
This is a great book. Written by an ethno-biologist is covers disappearing and endangered cultures and their languages around the world.
Genre: Non-fiction
Date Finished: July 2009
This is a great book. Written by an ethno-biologist is covers disappearing and endangered cultures and their languages around the world.
One Thousand Languages
Date Finished: July 3, 2009
Genre: Non-Fiction (Language)
This book has articles on individual languages describing where they are spoken, major speakers, speaker population and some unique characteristics of the language. The article length varies depending on the popularity of the language. English, Mandarin and Hindi all have two pages each, some of the languages will fewer speakers only have a paragraph or two. It is a pretty interesting book.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Language)
This book has articles on individual languages describing where they are spoken, major speakers, speaker population and some unique characteristics of the language. The article length varies depending on the popularity of the language. English, Mandarin and Hindi all have two pages each, some of the languages will fewer speakers only have a paragraph or two. It is a pretty interesting book.
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
Author: Rolf Potts
Genre: Non-Fiction (Travel)
Date Finished: June 20, 2009
Interesting. One of the better travel books I've ever read.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Travel)
Date Finished: June 20, 2009
Interesting. One of the better travel books I've ever read.
The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master
Author: Andrew Hunt and David Thomas
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
Date Finished: June 2009
This is is a great book for a practicing programmer. It provides tips and information on a wide variety of topics from career management (You Knowledge Portfolio) to responsibility (take responsiblity, finishing what you start).
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
Date Finished: June 2009
This is is a great book for a practicing programmer. It provides tips and information on a wide variety of topics from career management (You Knowledge Portfolio) to responsibility (take responsiblity, finishing what you start).
Embracing the Wide Sky
Author: Daniel Tammet
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: March 23, 2009
Daniel Tammet is a high functioning autistic who's ability to communicate provides insight into autistic people see the world.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: March 23, 2009
Daniel Tammet is a high functioning autistic who's ability to communicate provides insight into autistic people see the world.
Opportunities In Foreign Language Careers
Author: Wilga M. Rivers
Genre: Non-Fiction
Covers a variety careers that are available to second language learned. The major point the author tries to make is hat you should have an area of expertise to go along with your second language.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Covers a variety careers that are available to second language learned. The major point the author tries to make is hat you should have an area of expertise to go along with your second language.
Living in a Foreign Language
Author: Michael Tucker
Genre: non-Fiction
Former TV star writes about how he moved to Italy for part of the year. There isn't much foreign language involved so I'm not sure where he got the title from.
Genre: non-Fiction
Former TV star writes about how he moved to Italy for part of the year. There isn't much foreign language involved so I'm not sure where he got the title from.
My Job Went to India: 52 Ways to Save Your Job
Author: Chad Fowler
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
Date Finished: March 2009
This book is pretty mistitled. In fact, in its second edition, it was retitled The Passionate Programmer, which seems much more appropriate.
In the tradition of The Pragmatic Programmer, this book consists of many tips which stand alone. You can pick your way through, piece by piece, taking value where you find it. There are many memorable stories with ideas of gaining, retaining and increasing your technical proficiency, as well as making yourself more effective at your job (which may have nothing to do with technical proficiency.)
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computers)
Date Finished: March 2009
This book is pretty mistitled. In fact, in its second edition, it was retitled The Passionate Programmer, which seems much more appropriate.
In the tradition of The Pragmatic Programmer, this book consists of many tips which stand alone. You can pick your way through, piece by piece, taking value where you find it. There are many memorable stories with ideas of gaining, retaining and increasing your technical proficiency, as well as making yourself more effective at your job (which may have nothing to do with technical proficiency.)
Brisingr
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Third book of the Inheritance series. Eragon gets a new sword.
Genre: Fantasy
Third book of the Inheritance series. Eragon gets a new sword.
Climbing: Training for Peak Performance
Author: Clyde Soles
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: January 31, 2009
This book outlines training methods, common injuries, recovery patterns, myths and facts. Very good book. Another good book on training for climbing is Conditioning for Climbers : The Complete Exercise Guide for Rock Climbers
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: January 31, 2009
This book outlines training methods, common injuries, recovery patterns, myths and facts. Very good book. Another good book on training for climbing is Conditioning for Climbers : The Complete Exercise Guide for Rock Climbers
The Way People Live: Life in Ancient China
Author: Amy Allison
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction
This book is a pretty light read, I think I picked it up from the children's section at the library. It goes briefly over various aspects of life in ancient China. Quite a nice read.
Genre: Historical Non-Fiction
This book is a pretty light read, I think I picked it up from the children's section at the library. It goes briefly over various aspects of life in ancient China. Quite a nice read.
Three in Death
Author: J.D. Robb
Genre: Fiction (Romance/Science Fiction)
Date Finished: January 2009
A book of three short stories of the on-going adventures of Eve and Roarke.
Genre: Fiction (Romance/Science Fiction)
Date Finished: January 2009
A book of three short stories of the on-going adventures of Eve and Roarke.
Cisco IOS In a Netshell
Author: James Boney
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computer Networking)
Date Finished: January 2009
Another success by O'Reilly. What an outstanding publisher. Not an introduction to the Cisco IOS, so much as a summary. Easy to read and understand.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Computer Networking)
Date Finished: January 2009
Another success by O'Reilly. What an outstanding publisher. Not an introduction to the Cisco IOS, so much as a summary. Easy to read and understand.
Raising a Bilingual Child
Author: Barbara Zurer Pearson, Ph.D.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: January 10, 2009
This was a wonderful book that is full of case studies of people who raised bilingual children or were raised bilingual. She talks about a couple different methods and even compares them.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: January 10, 2009
This was a wonderful book that is full of case studies of people who raised bilingual children or were raised bilingual. She talks about a couple different methods and even compares them.
The Sound of Paper
Author: Julia Cameron
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: January 11, 2009
I'm a big fan of The Artist's Way by the same author. I have read a couple of her other books, Finding Water and How to Avoid Making Art but nothing other than The Artist's Way has really worked for me. This book is no different. It seemed like a lot of chapters talking about being blocked.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Date Finished: January 11, 2009
I'm a big fan of The Artist's Way by the same author. I have read a couple of her other books, Finding Water and How to Avoid Making Art but nothing other than The Artist's Way has really worked for me. This book is no different. It seemed like a lot of chapters talking about being blocked.
Talking Hands
Author: Margalit Fox
Genre: Non-Fiction (Linguistics)
You know, this book was so good, I went back and read it again.
Genre: Non-Fiction (Linguistics)
You know, this book was so good, I went back and read it again.
Remember When
Author: Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb
Genre: Fiction - Romance/Science Fiction
Date Finished: January 2009
Although Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb are the same person, I've never read any of the books penned under her real name (Nora Roberts). I am a fan of the on going series with Roarke and Eve though, so I read the second half of this book, which is a mystery with Eve.
This is the one where the 50 year old diamond heist is solved and the diamonds finally recovered.
Genre: Fiction - Romance/Science Fiction
Date Finished: January 2009
Although Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb are the same person, I've never read any of the books penned under her real name (Nora Roberts). I am a fan of the on going series with Roarke and Eve though, so I read the second half of this book, which is a mystery with Eve.
This is the one where the 50 year old diamond heist is solved and the diamonds finally recovered.
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