Alias Reader’s Comments (group member since Oct 29, 2008)

Alias Reader’s comments from the Book Nook Cafe group.

Re: Ryan Holiday
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Interesting that the Joan Didion book we had discussed was one he recommended...the one published by ???? after she died.
..."

:)

Yes, he said something like, if you read her other books, this helps explain a lot.

I also subscribe to his monthly newsletter where he recommends books.
https://ryanholiday.net/reading-list/

Denise wrote: "I must have good eye insurance. I’ve been getting that peripheral vision test every year since I was 10 and got my first glasses. I have no eye health issues surgeries other than the normal just be..."

It can be part of a standard routine exam to detect potential problems.

Bella (Kiki) wrote: "madrano wrote: "#533
I've had the flashing light test, I think because I've had three eye surgeries on each eye. I'm not quite sure why I had it. They just do a lot of tests when I go for a check up, and the flashing light test is one of them..."

A visual field tests is used to test your peripheral vision and spot possible blind spots. It's often used if one has glaucoma, diabetes or other possible illness.

Sorry about losing your post, deb. Been there, done that. :(

Well done on the books and prompts !

eBook on sale $2

Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Spy by Larry Loftis

madrano wrote:

One presumes that if i knew Arabic, Hebrew or Urdu, for example, which are read right to left, i would read in a backward "F". (Now i wonder if there is a letter in those languages which is written as our backward F. But that's me, straying from the topic.)"

Not to belabor the point. I just wanted to note that there are tests done when they do these reading studies.

I know two people who had various medical issues. Not part of a reading study. They had to put on special glasses that I guess are connected to a computer and they monitor where the eye is looking. I think both had to walk down a hall with the glasses on and various other tasks. One had to do this during an exam and the other had this in a PT evaluation. Both were not correctly focusing their eyes. Both are better now.

If one ever had a visual fields eye exam, they tell you to look straight ahead and press a button when you see a white flash. If you start looking around and not straight ahead the computer will tell you, look straight ahead !

Anyway, I thought it was interesting that one can think they are looking straight ahead and they are not.

Denise wrote: "Available for $2.99: The Convenience Store by the Sea"

Thanks for the heads up, Denise. The reviews are a bit mixed. It sounds like a good cozy Asian fiction read.

madrano wrote: When MLK gave that speech on Vietnam, he became an enemy to a number of white politicians and leaders. "

The opening of the podcast noted many major newspaper slammed him for this speech.

#31 Denise wrote: "Finished a bonus prompt:

📚35- A banned (or challenged) book F/NF
The Bell Jar

Banned for: sexuality, profanity, and rejection of traditional "women's roles""

Wow! In 2026 we are still hung up on "traditional women's roles" :(

#535 Barbara wrote:
In my review, I wrote "Some people seem to be so blinkered and obtuse that you'd expect them to wander into traffic or fall off a balcony. That's how Dr. Michael Farrar struck me when I read this book." and "COME ON!! At this point I figure that Farrar is TSTL - too stupid to live."..."

:)

I've not read the book. I guess it is sometimes hard to believe someone you know and love is capable of such things.

Welcome, Prerna ! Thank you for joining our group. Just jump right on in the many threads we have. We look forward to getting to know you.

* I'm getting the Pink You Can't Post box. Sorry if I don't respond right away.


#524 madrano wrote:

i remembered a chapter she wrote on reading more print books. Her stats, which were before eBooks were as popular as they are now, seemed wrong-headed. It covered tests which said folks reading on their machines tend to read in an "F" shape, meaning fully reading the first part, then less, until they are finally just scanning.

While i feel this is true about reading online articles, such as Wiki pages, i cannot say i've heard of anyone reading eBooks that way. Any thoughts on that, Alias? Possibly it didn't bother you the way it did me."

I can't say it bothered me. I did find it interesting. Though I think I read about this pattern in other books that I've read on reading. Possible in a book by Malcolm Gladwell or Adam M. Grant. Maybe if I read it in a paper book and not eBooks I would remember ! LOL

According to Google AI, this is true. (Yes, before people complain about my use of Google, I know Google isn't 100% but it's the best resource I have right now)

~~~~ I asked do people read eBooks in a F pattern:
"Yes, people often read eBooks and online articles with an F-shaped pattern (scanning horizontally across the top, then down the left side in shorter horizontal bursts) because digital text encourages skimming for key info, though focused readers can read linearly, especially in physical books or lengthy eBooks where they're highly motivated; the F-pattern helps users efficiently find relevant content quickly. "

~~~~I asked do people read eBooks skim more than paper books"
"Yes, many people read ebooks and often skim them more than paper books due to digital distractions and the non-linear nature of screens, favoring convenience, portability, and features like adjustable text, though studies show physical books can boost deeper comprehension and memory, with some readers preferring print for focused, immersive reading while using ebooks for quick, accessible content. "

~~~ I asked do people read more deeply paper books or eBooks"

"Yes, research consistently shows people tend to read more deeply and comprehend better from paper books than ebooks, with print fostering better recall, focus, and memory mapping, while digital screens encourage skimming and distraction, a phenomenon sometimes called "screen inferiority effect". Physical books provide tactile cues and a sense of spatial progress (turning pages), creating better mental indexes for information, whereas digital formats often lead to cognitive overload and less immersive reading."

~~~ I asked have high schools and colleges switched back to paper books from eBooks

"While many schools still use eBooks for cost/convenience, there's a growing push for print due to digital distractions, better retention with physical books, and eye strain, with some educators preferring traditional texts for deep research; however, a full switch back is unlikely as schools balance digital benefits with traditional learning needs, though hybrid models are common. "


I know for a fact that I do not skim eBooks any more than I would paper. Which is very seldom. Often I am following along with audio. I also do something that I've read if you are reading for speed, which I am not, you should not enunciate the words. I'm in no rush or feel the need to read hundreds of books. I rather read less books with more understanding.

Perhaps it is the nature of the books I tend to read. If I am just consuming for entertainment, I know I will read a book more quickly. When reading non fiction I will pause and consider what I just read, make a note, highlight, look up a word, do a quick online search or watch a video on the topic before continuing on.

If the books and authors Hwang Bo-reum discusses are any indication, she reads more serous books and not just for entertainment. So that may be why she prefers paper. I think as an author she also has a different goal perhaps than the average reader.

Newspaper, magazine or online articles I probably skim or read in the said F pattern. I'm not sure. I know I do not read them like I do a book.

I've read many studies that say you do not take in the info as well in an eBook versus paper. Why that should be if one is reading every word I don't know. The brain is a curious thing! I've read articles that said some high schools and colleges that transitioned to eTextbooks are switching back to paper as students were not taking in the info as well. (See google search above)

I wonder if the fact that Hwang Bo-reum read and discussed many philosophy books if that was a turn off for you and maybe you skimmed those parts or book recommendations. That is not a criticism. We all have different areas of interest. I know that philosophy is not a field of interest for you.

The other day I made a list of the titles that she mentioned that I was interested in. I listed about 40 books or authors. Some probably are not in English or available from my library. One author she mentioned that I know was already on my TBR that I've not read is Primo Levi. Have you read any of his books and if so can or would you recommend any ?

Anyway, if I can come away with one or two authors or books from that list I will be happy.

As I noted in my original review, one thing that struck me was the theme of loneliness, depression and anxiety that Hwang Bo-reum mentions frequently. Did you find that intersting also? It seems a constant theme in the few Asian books I read. It has me curious if this is a cultural thing or an aspect of the society/government that promotes this dissatisfaction. Perhaps it's just a coincidence and the books I've read are not representative of Asian books or culture at all. Perhaps English books tend to not be as introspective or at least not the ones I've read. I'll have to read more to see. :) Any thoughts on this ?

Anyway, sorry for the long reply. Feel free to skim or F read when I ramble on . LOL :)

Denise wrote: "The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath

I finished this last night and I really liked it. I think I read it in two sittings, with like 175 pages of it just yesterday.

his semi-aut..."

Solid review, Denise !

Good Morning American - January 2026 book club selection.

Skylark
by
Paula McLain

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK! The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time.

This book was just published January 6th. The author is a a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

Here is an author interview.

Author Eric Lichtblau talks about his new book “American Reich”

Author Eric Lichtblau says “American Reich” takes a look at the resurgence of hatred and white supremacy in Southern California’s Orange County.
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/vi...


American Reich: A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis, and a New Age of Hate by Eric Lichtblau

I was listening to the Democracy Now podcast. They played his Vietnam speech. It was excellent and very much relevant to today.

Here is the podcast.

MLK Day Special: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in His Own Words
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCm31...

madrano wrote: "Her vivacity never leaves one thinking she's older than 21! LOL!"

I love that she also is spending her money on helping people and promoting reading. I wish more millionaire would do the same.

Lindsey wrote:

Side Note: Johann Hari is the author of Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention— and How to Think Deeply Again, which I highly recommend. I gave it 5 stars..."

Thank you for the reminder, Lindsey. I have to make note of it in my TBR notebook .

It is a complicated situation. The U.S. seems to have had explosion of obesity around the 1970s. So there is more at play here, IMO, and that is what also needs to be addressed.

madrano wrote:
"Btw, Bella, in your last post about this, i noted you were against doctors pushing the shots on the patients. While not universal, obviously, in every case i personally know, it was the patient asking the doc about it, then getting the 'script.."

I would note that even if your doctor gives you a script, your insurance may not pay for it. The criteria are difficult to meet. For some once they lose weight, the insurance company will stop paying for it. The cost is prohibitive for many unless they have insurance.

A neighbor of mine is in this situation. She needs knee replacements and her doctor wants her to lose some weight first. But her insurance company refused to pay for the drugs as she didn't meet their requirements.