San Antonio Public Library discussion

Tell us about a Non Fiction book that you have read and what you liked/disliked about it.

Two non-fiction books that stand out the most are 12 Rules of Life by Jordan Peterson and The Truth: An Uncomfortable Book About Relationships by Neil Strauss.

I like to listen to Joe Rogan and he had Jordan Peterson multiple times on his podcast. I loved the way Peterson spoke and how rich the conversations were between Rogan and Peterson. Well, I loved the book so much that after checking it out multiple times at the library, I finally bought a copy for myself to highlight and tab. This is a book that answers "What are the most valuable things everyone should know." The book was insightful and practical. It definitely promotes healthy living.

The Truth is a book I was dying to read. Five years ago Mark Maron had Neil Strauss on his WTF podcast and I was enthralled. This book goes into Neil's self sabotaging personality, struggling to commit to relationships. His girlfriend gives him an ultimatum which catapults Neil into a journey of self discovery, and how relationships work. The book is fun, intriguing, and difficult to put down. Neil Strauss is also known as the pickup artist, and author of The Game.

The Truth sounds interesting. I'm always fascinated with relationships and the dynamics between people, their chemistry, whether people are attracted to each other because of similar backgrounds or is it more?

I've been reading a lot of memoirs lately.. not deliberately they just happen to fall into my lap. :)
Educated by Tara Westover. Such an intense read with physical and emotional abuse.. Tara has to choose between her family and/or choosing herself.

Just started on The Body Papers by Grace Talusan, another memoir.

I recently finished Gilgamesh: The Life of a Poem by Michael Schmidt. I think it's an extremely interesting book as it examines every possible aspect of the Ancient poem Gilgamesh. It examines multiple translations, and has a cool part at the end where it presents just how different each translators take on the same passage is. I also found it interesting how he talked to 70 poets about the work and the different perspectives they had on it. I had never considered the fact that since it was found much later than the works of Homer it is more malleable. For example many poets felt they could reinterpret it or "claim a piece of it" in a way it is impossible to do with the Aeneid, the Odyssey or the Metamorphoses. He mentions a lot of interesting ways people have done this from Star Trek Next Generation, Bohuslav Martinu's choral masterpiece, Phillip Terry's translation of it into globish ( a language designed for business transactions) and Andrea Brady's reworking of Gilgamesh as a response to the Gulf War. The discussions of a feminist and LGBTQQIA readings were very interesting and honestly could have been longer if you ask me. I would really love a follow up that discusses these two perspectives and others in greater detail. It could have been organized a bit better if you ask me, but I found it a fun little discussion of one of my all time favorites.

I recently read Declutter Your Life by Kevin Garnett I think it was. Pretty good read, covering more than just decluttering one's house, helps you get a better balance in life as well!

It's an old one, but Richard Dawkins' "Magic of Reality" was a great primer addressing various scientific theories, and the evidence that supports them. I still reference his analogy for evolution as looking at a series of family photos, stretching back thousands of generations.

The Magic of Reality sounds fascinating Mark. I've added it to my goodreads list of books to read. I love that it's illustrated as well!

For a long time, I'd try to slip in a science book every few novels, just to clear my pallette. I know Magic of Reality had a kids version, too. Sadly, the book reviews I did at my old library all got deleted, or I'd dig up what I said about them.

Can't believe I forgot about this gem! A couple of years ago I read Dealing with People You Can't Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst. I've been an assistant manager for 3 years and each year something new arises and I have to find solutions to those problems. I read this book based on a recommendation and it gave me great insight on how to reduce communication barriers and use tactics for a positive outcome.

The book outlines 10 personality types, their traits and tactics to work with those people. After reading this, I recommended this title to friends moving up to managerial positions. Even if you are not in a managerial position reading this gives you better perspective dealing with, haha, difficult people :)

Managing to Change the World by Alison Green is an excellent book on advice for managing employees. Alison Green is the creator of Askamanager.org which has a broad range of topics for employees and employers.

I have read Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design by Stephen C. Meyer; Signs of Intelligence: Understanding Intelligent Design by William A. Dembski; The Design Revolution: Answering the Toughest Questions about Intelligent Design; Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth? Why Much of What We Teach About Evolution Is Wrong by Jonathan Wells and Darwin on Trial by Phillip E. Johnson, all of which give compelling evidence for the existence of an omniscient creator who designed the universe, the earth, and everything.