Mini Reviews: Wrapping Up 2013

2013 has ended and I still have a few books that need to be reviewed. In an effort to catch-up and start fresh this year I’m posting some quick thoughts in the form of mini-reviews.

Quiet by Susan Cain

Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Random House Audio | January 2012
Format: Audio CD | 10½ hours | Rating: 4 stars

Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so.

This was very enlightening. I had no idea that, by definition, so many people are introverts. In a world filled with reality TV, social media and ‘selfie’ photos, people push themselves to be more outgoing in order to fit in a society, both business and social, that rewards extroverts.

Filled with research studies and examples of real life people, the author did a nice job of creating an interesting and compelling narrative. While extroverts may get more notice, introverts do their share of contributing to society. Individuals such as Steve Wozniak and Eleanor Roosevelt are two that come to mind but there were many more examples.

This was chosen by my bookclub for our December read. I never thought of myself as introverted but as I was reading I fit a lot of the characteristics. A fascinating subject which resulted in a lively discussion.

Audio production: Nicely narrated by Kathe Mazur in a smooth, calming tone.

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Brief Encounters with Che Guevara by Ben Fountain

Genre: Short Stories
Publisher: Harper Audio | October 2013 (orig. 2006)
Format: Audio CD | 7½ hours | Rating: 2½ stars

The well-meaning protagonists of Brief Encounters with Che Guevara are caught—to both disastrous and hilarious effect—in the maelstrom of political and social upheaval surrounding them. Ben Fountain’s prize-winning debut speaks to the intimate connection between the foreign, the familiar, and the inescapably human.

I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately it didn’t work for me – probably because I chose a book by its cover rather than the subject matter. Yes, the birds swayed me, however only one of the short stories was about birds and it was one of the two stories I liked. In Near Extinct Birds of the Central Cordillera, a student on a ornithological research trip is captured as a spy. I enjoyed the dark humor and the clever twist to the ending. The other was Reve Haitien, where an outsider befriends the locals by playing chess and ends up involved in smuggled art and diamonds with disastrous results.

All of the stories take place in third world countries filled with rebels, militants and the poor. They were well-written but I had a difficult time engaging and relating to most of them. Don’t let me dissuade anyone from reading this – judging from the majority of the reviews, this collection was well-received.

Audio production: Believable accents and excellent narration by Christian Baskous.

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Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell

Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio | Nov 2013 (orig. 2003)
Format: Audio CD | 7½ hours | Rating: 3 stars

Procrastination. Disorganization. Distractability. Millions of adults have long considered these the hallmarks of a lack of self-discipline. But for many, these and other problems in school, at work and in social relationships are actually symptoms of an inborn neurological problem: ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder.

The author uses examples and case studies of both adults and children to illustrate the different forms of attention deficit disorder. Many of the patients suffered for years before receiving a correct diagnosis and treatment resulting in a life-changing transformation.

I have long suspected someone near and dear to me of having ADD – easily distracted, forgetful, and leaving notes is a must – and I wanted advice and a better understanding of the problem. Most of the case studies were of adults looking back on their childhood and finally knowing why they respond they way they do plus some general suggestions on how to live with ADD.

An interesting read for anyone desiring a better understanding of ADD and how the brain works.

Audio production: John McDonough does a nice job narrating in a slow, deliberate manner reminiscent of a classroom lecture and fitting the tone of the subject material.

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Who Owns the Future by Jaron Lanier

Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio | August 2013
Format: Audio CD | 12 hours | Rating: 4 stars

Lanier asserts that the rise of digital networks led our economy into recession and decimated the middle class. Now, as technology flattens more and more industries – from media to medicine to manufacturing – we are facing even greater challenges to employment and personal wealth.

The author certainly knows his stuff in this well-researched look at our economy, digital information, technology and what it means for the future. He contends that the current thinking that “information should be free” isn’t going to work in the long run. Power will end up concentrated in the hands of a few and a better solution is a system of micro payments. Today’s wealthy companies hire few workers yet make a lot of money by having free access to our information (ie Facebook or Google). How much are we giving up to get something for free?

The book gets a bit rambling at times and some of the ideas can be a little difficult to follow, but I still found the material interesting and thought-provoking. I listened in my car over a span of several weeks as this was the kind of book you could easily start and stop.

Audio production: Excellent narration and pacing by Pete Simoneilli in a voice that is pleasant and easy to listen to.

Short Review Format

Sometimes I just don’t have a lot to say about a book, even those I like, but I still want to post a review.

What do you think of the shorter format?
Does it have enough information about the book?

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Review copies of Driven to Distraction, Brief Encounters with Che Guevera and Who Owns the Future provided by the publisher.
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