Reviewing Whatever

We all have our flaws.  One of mine is reading too many self-help books.

Here are some books that might be able to teach you a thing or two -- at the very least, you should learn the areas in which I think I need help!

Books I've previously reviewed are linked to the appropriate post; in between are some quickie reviews, which are linked to Amazon.com through an affiliate link.

The Automatic Millionaire : A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich by David Bach -- The idea behind this one is pretty simple.  You've heard the old maxim, "Pay yourself first," right?  That's pretty much what this book is about.  Figure out how much you want to -- and can afford to -- save, and then have that amount automatically transferred to savings (or investment) on a regular basis.  You don't miss money you never see.
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell  -- This is a "Trust your gut" sort of book.  You know things, and frequently you know them before you realize that you know them. A great example kicks off the book, telling about a museum worker who was completely certain that a new statue was a fraud.  This worker was eventually proven right, but the telling details were so subtle that the only thing giving it away was that it "felt off."  And you can do stuff like that, too.

Everything twitter: From Novice to Expert

Fear Less: Real Truth About Risk, Safety, and Security in a Time of Terrorism by Gavin de Becker -- Here is another "Trust your gut" book, this one from the author of The Gift of Fear (see below).  When you're afraid of everything, your natural, protective sense of fear can't figure out what is a threat and what isn't.  If you spend your day watching disasters on a constant loop on the news, worrying, and telling yourself you have nothing to worry about, then when that creepy person in the dark parking lot at 2 AM sets off your warning sirens, you'll be in the habit of squelching that, too. And that's just not safe.


Gendertraps: Confronting Confrontophobia, Toxic Bosses, and Other Landmines at Work by Judith Briles -- Whether due to biology, social conditioning, or some combination of the two, men and women think, socialize, and negotiate differently.  This can cause miscommunications and even major obstacles in the workplace.  This book helps you deal with these situations.


Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen -- This is the definitive productivity blog.  One of these days I'm going to finally get my hands on a copy I can mark up, and then hopefully I'll be able to start implementing some of these techniques.  Highly recommended pretty much everywhere.


The Gift of Fear

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins -- An interesting breakdown of comparable companies, some of which made it big and others which fell apart, and where the pairs diverged in their tactics.  More interesting than I'm making it sound, actually.


Made to Stick

The Millionaire Next Door
 
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi -- A guide to networking, meeting people, making business contacts, and maintaining them.  Brilliant, but not easy.


Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz -- It's true: when I have too many choices, I freeze up because how can I possibly pick the best one, especially without examining each in depth.  On our honeymoon, if we walked down a street and Chris asked me where I wanted to eat, I'd almost panic -- everything looks so good, and every place we eat at is one more we'll never eat at, and if it's terrible not only will we never get that meal back, but it'll be entirely my fault for ruining our dinner... but if we had a list of five places recommended by our guidebook, it was easy.  Don't want pizza again, don't want to spend too much -- ooh, this place is known for its selection of local wines.  Decision made.

Project Everlasting: Two Bachelors Discover the Secrets of Americas Greatest Marriages by Mathew Boggs and Jason Miller -- I'm not entirely sure this counts as a self-help book, but it can definitely be used as one. Two guys wander the country looking for couples with very length marriages, and asking them what their secrets are.  Very sweet.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki -- This one is kind of controversial, since apparently the two dads are more metaphorical than the book makes out.  This doesn't make the advice bad, necessarily, but it means you might want to take this popular book with a couple grains of salt.

Six Thinking Hats: An Essential Approach to Business Management by Edward De Bono -- When it's difficult to make a decision, either on your own or in a committee, it's important to look at things from different angles.  The "hats" represent such factors as cold facts, fears, ambitions, and making sure everyone gets along.

Slow Reading 

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell -- Another good one.  Small but significant factors can turn a modest success into a wild one.

Wealth of Experience: Real Investors on What Works and What Doesn't by Andrew Clarke -- There's a big "you should know" here, as this book was published by my former employer.  It's pretty much what it sounds like: high-end investors talking about how they got to be, and stay, high-end investors.

The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had by S. Wise Bauer -- The author notes that almost no one is self-educated anymore, then outlines tactics, and an immense reading llist, for anyone who wants to be.

What Should I Do with My Life?: The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question by Po Bronson -- Bronson was sort of asking this question himself as he put together this book, which collects the stories of people who have found their callings.  A good read even if it turns out not to be especially necessary, or helpful, for you.


Why Do I Love These People?

Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget

Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear by Frank Luntz -- Another one that's pretty much what it sounds like, this book talks about communication skills and how you can make sure what you mean is what you say is what people hear.  Probably not a bad one to read together with Gift of Fear, above.

 
Go forth and be a better person! Enjoy!

Aside for my real-life blogger friends: does anyone need a guest post any time soon?  Let me know.

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Slainte was a disappointment because of the food, but if we had just gone for drinks, it would have been great.

I don't review a lot of bars, because the real appeal is enjoying a beer with my friends. But I have reviewed some -- places with especially great selection or especially bad service, or restaurants whose drinks really impress.

Establishments I've previously reviewed are linked to the appropriate post; in between are some quickie reviews.

Boston Beer Works -- Click to read my previous review.

Cornwall's Restaurant -- Not much of a website, so I'll fill you in. You walk in, and there's a huge bar with a nice draft selection. To your right, a pool hall. To the back, dartboards and a bookshelf crammed with board games. Perfect for chilling with friends.

Crossroads Coffee -- No alcohol, but that doesn't mean you can't hang out over a nice beverage. Click to read my previous review.

Croxley's -- An international beer menu and 10-cent wing nights. The beers can get pricey, so practice moderation and enjoy your chicken.

Derek's -- Click to read my previous review.

Flanigan's Boat House -- Click to read my previous review.

Irish Pub -- No, really, that's the name of the pub. Limited selection of really nice house beers. The everyday menu is not all that remarkable (though there's nothing wrong with it), but their specials are great -- especially the $10 dinners. I got an amazing steak dinner for a Hamilton once!

Kelsey's -- Click to read my previous review.

Kildare's -- A fun experience, but pick your moments; I've been unimpressed with their dinner menu, and on Friday nights it's way too crowded to be fun enough to justify the cover charge. Stopping for a pint between crowds is nice, though, as there are lots of booths and corners for you and your friends to hide in.

Miller's Ale House -- One of Chris's favorites, with good, affordable food; good, affordable drinks; lots of specials; and tons of games on the big-screen TVs. Watch your moments here, too, as different crowds tend to come in waves. Definitely worth learning when the frat boys arrive, whether to attend or avoid.

Old Eagle Tavern -- Within walking distance of my parents' house, it's where I go at the end of an evening with friends. Says Dan: "Great food and beer selection. Reasonable prices. Manayunk atmosphere, Roxborough prices."

Slainte -- Click to read my previous review.

Smokeless Joe's -- Click to read my previous review.

Sunset Grill and Tap -- Click to read my previous review.

Wayne Gretzky's -- Click to read my previous review.


Go forth and drink responsibly -- and have fun!

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Maybe I'm a little bit of a beer snob. I really don't like mass-market beers. And I love microbrews -- and fake microbrews. And there's a lot to be said for brewery tours and tastings if you're looking for something to do in your hometown, or the town you're visiting.

So here is a round-up of some breweries I've toured and microbrews where I've dined.

Allentown Brew Works -- Tasty food, tasty beer, reasonable prices, and they're open on Sunday evenings after everyone else has closed.

Blue Point Brewery -- Chris got me into their Blueberry beer. After the brewery tour, try free samples of most of their beers and cheap samples of the rest -- and buy a jug of your favorites.

Boston Beer Works -- Click for my previous review.

Brooklyn Brewery -- Learn about the history of the brewery and the making of the beer, then settle in their tasting room to try different varieties, order in a pizza, and maybe pet one of the cats if they'll let you.

Iron Hill Brewery -- They have several locations and some great food, and there's typically a real nice dinner special on Sunday nights. Every location I've been to has parking issues, though, so arrive a bit early to look for a spot.

John Harvard's Brew House -- They have good beer and great food. There used to be several locations in the Philadelphia area, but it's probably for the best that there's not anymore -- I could easily get addicted to their lobster bisque. And then there's the burgers and wings and specialty steaks...

Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant -- The food is hit-or-miss and the beer is a matter of taste, but it's quite pleasant to sip a sampler while overlooking the Manayunk Canal.

Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery -- A tiny bit pricey for dinner, but if you get there while happy Hour is still on, you can fill up on half-price appetizers and inexpensive beers. The King of Prussia location has a brew called Billy Penn's Curse that I love.

Sam Adams Brewery Tour -- A really nice tour, and great tastings -- typically, samples of the Boston Lager, a seasonal, and a specialty brew. The suggested donation of $2 goes toward charity; you get to keep your tasting glass, which costs $2 in the gift shop anyway.

Stoudt's Brewing Company -- If you're lucky, like we were, your tour will be given by Ed Stoudt himself. The man has some very strong opinions about beer. We didn't stay for dinner, but we did snack at the oyster bar, which was very nice.

Steam Whistle Brewing -- A tour and tasting at this Canadian brewery takes place in a historical building in Toronto. They collect, sterilize, and reuse their heavy-duty bottles. Good times.


So, go forth and drink responsibly, and if you're underage or driving, just enjoy the good food.

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Tapas. I love tapas. Chris loves Tapas. You know this.

Here is a round-up of some tapas places we've been to, linked to the appropriate post.

Cafe Buenos Aires

Fressen

Tapas y Tintos

Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant

Enjoy!

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Cover of Westing GameDid you make it through my list of depressing books? If you did, I bet you could use a pick-me-up. I know I could.

Here are some lighter, more pleasant books I've picked out to help put a smile back on your face.

Books I've previously reviewed are linked to the appropriate post; in between are some quickie reviews.

1776

The Daring Book for Girls -- The female answer to The Dangerous Book for Boys touches on crafts and cooking, but also has great instructions for games, survival skills round-ups, and stories of real-life princesses who could wipe the floor with Cinderella. If you're a dude, hide the cover and get over yourself; it's fun, useful reading for all.

Gods Behaving Badly: A Novel -- The classical gods are living in London. Their powers are waning and they're bored. Their lives finally get interesting again when two mortals inadvertantly get sucked into their drama. A beach read.

Going Postal

Good Omens

Grayson -- A champion swimmer finds a baby gray whale who had been seperated from his mother. She manages to swim alongside him until the mother can be found. Short and sweet.

Little Evils (Sluggy Freelance)

Making Money

Offbeat Bride

Practical Demonkeeping -- An immortal everyman teams up with a Djinn to hunt down and capture a demon. A quick, fun read.

Project Everlasting: Two Bachelors Discover the Secrets of Americas Greatest Marriages -- Nonfiction. Two bachelors see marriages falling apart around them, and inspired by one author's grandparents, decide to roam the country in an RV and find out the secrets to long-lasting marriage. This book presentd their findings. Very uplifting.

Skipping Towards Gomorrah

The Tales of Beedle the Bard -- This companion to the Harry Potter series tells some fairy tales from the wizarding world. A few minor points stuck out to me (Hermione Granger seems too much of a prescriptivist to translate a singular personal pronoun, gender unknown, as "they"; she strikes me as the "he or she" type), but overall it's a cute book, well-suited for kids who are disappointed the series is complete, or who maybe aren't quite old enough for the last few books.

The Westing Game -- The heirs of the late recluse Sam Westing have absolutely nothing in common. They're an ethnically, socioeconomically diverse group with personalities that vary as much within families as between them. But they all have a shot at the estate of their "Uncle Sam" -- if they can figure out which of them killed him. Lots of fun.

The World of Jeeves

You Suck: A Love Story -- An average guy is turned into a vampire by his girlfriend, and the two of them have misadventures in dealing with a set of his-hers-and-theirs obstacles: his idiot friends, her ancient sire, and their new teenaged minion. Lots of fun.


So, go read one, have a laugh or a pleasant thought, and enjoy!

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I mentioned in a previous review that I'd read quite a few depressing books for book club.  Well, it's not just book club. 

Below is a round-up of some depressing books for days when you just want to wallow.  Books I've previously reviewed are linked to the appropriate post; in between are some quickie reviews.

You didn't think I only read one book a month, did you?!

9-11 Artists Respond

Angela's Ashes -- This book ticked off Ireland.  We know the young boy in the bad neighborhood with the troubled family eventually grows up and makes good, but when you read this book you have your doubts.  Doesn't quite live up to the hype, but still very good.

Birds Without Wings

Gilead -- A widowed minister remarries in old age and has a child with his much-younger second wife.  He then meanders through the book, contemplating his impending death and everything he wants his son to know.  Touching if you can get through it.

The Giver -- In a time and place where everything is the same, one person in the community must hold all of mankind's memories, to keep the leaders of the community from making bad decisions based on ignorance.  Jonas, at 12, has been chosen to fill this role.  Dark, thought-provoking, and a surprisingly quick read.

The Good Earth -- A poor man starts a family, manages to accumulate land a bit at a time, and finally gets rich.  Mo' money, mo' problems, anyone?  Another award-winner, and decently informative.

The Knitting Circle -- A woman experiences tragedy and her marriage starts to fall apart because of it.  She's convinced to join a knitting group, and learns that every member of the group has been through something horrific in one way or another.  Not just the little everyday hard stuff we all deal with, but, like, gang rape.  I'm not exaggerating.  Very chick-lit, if that's your thing.

Linden Hills -- Once upon a time, a community was founded for upwardly-mobile African-American families.  But generations of corrupt landlords and status-hungry tenants have turned this prestigious neighborhood into something vaguely resembling Dante's vision of Hell.  I read this for a
Theology class; we kind of focused on that metaphor.

Maus I and Maus II

The Memory Keeper's Daughter -- A doctor and his wife have twins.  One twin has Down's Syndrome.  Rather than raising the child, the doctor sends a nurse to take her a group home, and tells his wife their daughter died.  This pretty much ruins the life of all involved, with the exception of the daughter and, eventually, the nurse.  Addresses issues we might not think about.

Night -- What is it ab out the nature of God -- or the nature of Man -- that allowed young Elie to survive the Holocaust when so many others did not?  One of those books everyone should read.

Parable of the Sower -- A young woman with intriguing ideas about religion has to make her way across California with a destitute band of survivors after her gated community is destroyed.  Not an optimistic view of our future, but a great read.  Likewise its sequel, Parable of the Talents, in which all of the heroine's plans are destroyed and we lose a little sympathy with her.

The Road -- After the world as we know it ends, a father and his young son try to escape nuclear winter and find enough clean food and water to survive.  And excellent book, but not one to inspire optimism.

Silence -- Jesuit priests go to Japan to spread the gospel and find out what happened to one of their own who has gone missing.  It doesn't end well.  A fantastic translation, I'm told.

The Silent Woman

The Sparrow -- Oh, those wacky Jesuits are at it again.  This time, they travel to a planet where intelligent life has been discovered.  We learn on the first page that only one of them has survived, and he has been through hell.  I don't exaggerate. Actually one of my favorites, but hardly light and fluffy.

A Thread of Grace

Watchmen -- Sorry, but as awesome as this graphic novel is -- and it is, trust me -- it is not cheerful.  At all.  Don't tell me you saw the movie so you don't need to read the book.  It doesn't work that way.





So.  That ought to do it.  You go ahead and get all depressed, while I see what I can find to cheer us up.  Enjoy!

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