Superfan: A Novel

Superfan: A Novel by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

A girl is having a rough time at her first year of college at the University of Texas. She doesn't fit in well, and has few extracurriculars other than a Zine. (But even there, she keeps putting off writing.) She finds solace in a boy band she loves. This band is an American band following the Kpop model. Even further, all but one members are Asian. The girl has her favorites and spends plenty of time online following the band. It is her solace from campus life. Then things seem to put up with an upperclassman boyfriend. Alas, they come tumbling down at a party. She learns the "boyfriend" has other girls. She gets drunk and nearly raped by the boyfriend's roommate. This makes things even worse. On a fan website, she becomes associated with a group that is super involved in the boys and "stalks" them wherever they go. She decides to write her zine article on the band. Her editor has connections that allow them to get behind the scenes. She shares a message with them from the stalker group. Later she is present when somebody injures one of the members (in an attempted assault of the manager.) This causes her to cut ties with the group. She eventually gets on with her life. A few years later, they see one of the band members as a soloist.

The story of the girl is interleaved with the experiences of the band members. They all have different reasons for joining. They work extremely hard, but they are also manipulated by management. A fake gay love affair between two members is staged to gain publicity. (This was also built up by the stalker group.) It shows the dark side of idols and fandoms.

The book had great potential as both a coming of age and fandom novel. However, it went a bit too much over the deep end towards the end.

The Reservation

The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman

John Grisham has made a reservation at a fine dining restaurant in a small college town. Everyone is already a little uptight, and then things get worse. A number of steaks are missing. It seems like an inside job and the manager is trying to get to the bottom of it. Then the dishwasher breaks requiring dishes to be washed by hand. As everyone goes through challenges, we learn more about the past history of the various employees. There are plenty of rough circumstances, but there are people that care for each other. At the last minute Grisham's group cancels the reservation. They discover it was due to bad online reviews (which appear to be part of a smear campaign.) Later a mysterious guy shows up right before closing time and has some conversation with the bartender. He thinks it may have been Grisham. The book ends with the manager granting one of the most loyal employees a big raise. (He has had mental and physical issues, and wants to use it for health care.) The book is loaded with actions, despite spending just one day in one location. You can't help but fall for the many different characters.

March: Pulitzer Prize Winner (A Novel)

March: Pulitzer Prize Winner (A Novel) by Geraldine Brooks

The book is set primarily during the time of the civil war. The lead is teacher and chaplain. They manage to interact with many historical figures at the time. (It does feel that they are just trying to have anyone possible appear.) The book is historical "fan fiction", exploring the life of the father in Little Women as he was off to war. He has various struggles as we tries to work with the system and maintain his moral values while away from home. There was nothing very special.

I Hope You Find What You're Looking For: A Novel

I Hope You Find What You're Looking For: A Novel by Bsrat Mezghebe

The narrator of the book sounded like a Nigerian (actually an American of Nigerian ancestry), yet the book was primarily about the Eritrean fight for independence. This is like having a German narration for a book on Britain. Sure, they might live relatively close, but they don't sound at all alike. This book primarily deals with a woman and her quest for identity and family and how that related to the fight for Eritrean independence and the lives of African immigrants in the US. There are seeds of an interesting story, that just couldn't surmount the wrong voice.

Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion

Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

This is a fairly long book that details a few key principles of persuasions. The concept are very well illustrated with examples from well known figures as well as individuals. Examples include people using these as well as having these used on them. The use includes time when both parties benefit as well as those when one party clearly achieves advantage. There are also "scam" uses that can be identified so that you don't fall victim. 

Many of the principles rely on variations of reciprocity. If you give somebody something, they often feel a need to give you something back. A free sample will often encourage somebody to buy something. Doing a favor to somebody will make them more likely to do something for you. Level-setting can be a variation on this. Giving somebody a lower priced option after starting higher gives them a sense of getting a favor from you. Sending cards or remembering other people helps make them more likely to do you a favor later.

People use "shortcuts" as clues to make quick decisions. High prices are often an indicator of quality and could encourage sales - especially if they are later discounted. Long lines also indicate something that is in demand. (This is one that marketers can often "game" by paying people to stand in line.) Expert appeals are also a common shortcut, even if the expert lacks expertise in the field. "TV Doctors" often pitch medical products - even while admitting they just play one on TV. A scientist's opinions are often valued by the public - even in fields outside their expertise.

Urgency can be used and abused. If it is the last item, you may be worried about the fear of missing out. (This is also an area that is often faked.)

People also like to be internally consistent. They have a desire to do something that is morally correct. Scammers can often take advantage of this to get people (especially elderly) to "correct" what seems to be a problem.

Group connection is another factor that can help persuade. In World War II, the Jews helped seek protection in Japan by appealing to their mutual history as "Asians". Salespeople will often do best when selling to people within their same group (whether it be ethnicity, religion, or even college attended.) Some salespeople are especially good at finding similarities to help sell. (This can also backfire if group is not quite right.) In one example, a door to door salesman would mention neighbors he sold to. He was able to further maximize by "matching". If he was selling to a couple, he would mention another couple. If he was selling to a housewife, he would just mention another housewife. This helped make the purchasers feel more willing to make the decision at the time.

The more commitments involved in a group, the greater the attachment. "Hazing" helps increase the ties to a group due to the work and challenge involved. Society now works at stopping hazing. However, this may just lead to it going underground or involving other ways to have this relationship.

The persuasion principles seem simple, but can be more complex in practice. The author gives many examples where he has fallen victim to persuasion tactics - even knowing that they exist. We may know various tactics, but it takes work to practice them authentically.

Pimsleur Korean Level 1 Lessons 16-20

Pimsleur Korean Level 1 Lessons 16-20 by Pimsleur

There is still a lot of "buying stuff", but it feels this is finally branching out into a little more useful Korean. It would be useful to just go through some general counting rather than have random numbers here and there.

The Island of Sea Women: A Novel

The Island of Sea Women: A Novel by Lisa See

Rural Jeju island in Korea had a somewhat matriarchal society. The women served as divers where they would skin dive to harvest sea creatures for food. They would do this even when the waters were cold. Men would stay home and watch he kids. The book tells the story of an old woman who is now gathering algae on the beach. She is created by some young children who would like to hear her story. The old woman had lived through the Japanese occupation and the American / Soviet partition. There were great atrocities and massacres committed on the island. Fellow Koreans in power would shoot their countrymen out of fear of ideological differences.  Americans would often turn a blind eye. They would even restore Japanese collaborators to power to the chagrin of the others.

Much of the book is flashbacks into the early life of the old lady. She had many challenges, including the deaths of her mother and the near-death of a friend while diving. She had befriended a daughter of Japanese collaborator and ended her friendship after she failed to help save her during a massacre. Only at the end does she learn that the children seeing her were descendents of that friend. The collaborator woman had struggled through her life with the grief of not being able to help her friend. 

The book deals with a quest for forgiveness as well as the struggles of historical cultures in the face of modernity. What culture should be preserved and how should it be maintained?

Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ

Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ by Dennis Schleicher

The author had an interesting childhood. His mother tended to get angry and then later calm down. They at first didn't go to church, then they started attended. Later his family would switch to "born again" church that he was not fond of. His relationship with them was significantly damaged by this experience. He later came out as gay and was beat up for it at school. He ended up telling this story on talk shows. He became a gay rights activist and worked in retail cosmetic related fields. He eventually left to do multi-level marketing sales for some company connected to Utah. He had been feeling the urge to return to a church, especially after his brother died of drug overdose. He did not think the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was accepting to gays. However, he met many members of the church that were fine with him how he was. He joined that church despite seeming contradictions with lgbt culture. He had struggles, but felt the love of the lord. There were some people that do or say things that seemed offensive, but often it was just a case of misunderstanding.

The book has a strong message, but does take a bit to get there. He does work in sales, so there does seem to be a bit sheen shielding what are deep felt feelings and passion. His is not a common or easy path. It does seem to go against common culture norms. However, it is not impossible. Catholic priests have been celibate for centuries. There have been many that have failed, but most strive to keep their vows. Celibacy goes smack in the face of modern culture, but represents an extra commitment. Religion continues to say "you have power over your life". The religious concept of repentance says you can control your behaviors to what you want, even if it is hard and involves many "failures". You could spend forever waiting for society or religion changing to meet your needs. Or you could just have faith and try to follow Christ, treating all changes as bonuses. (He sees some baby steps the LDS church has done to be more LGBT friendly.) Being gay and Mormon is not an easy path. Many on the lgbt side will declare the church homophobic and declare that it is better to seek life with a same-sex partner. In the church, there will be those that will encourage traditional family life and condemn same-sex relationships. It takes great strength and faith to straddle the two and live in a way that does not seem fulfilling by either side. In his story, "coming out as religious" seemed to be even more challenging than "coming out as gay".  It is a challenging path that will probably never be easy.

Psmith, Journalist

Psmith, Journalist by P. G. Wodehouse

Psmith ends up in New York. There, he helps take over a small periodical and turns it into a "popular" muckraking periodical. This helps them gain circulation, but the original owner is upset when he returns. There is plenty of British humor, but it can be a bit slow going.

Dominion: A Novel

Dominion: A Novel by Addie E. Citchens

The book begins with the correlated city and church and town in the Mississippi delta town of Dominion. Then it drifts into the lives of the characters. The current preacher is a key figure in the town. He has a number of sons, including Emanuel, commonly referred to as Wonderboy. He is the star on the football team, and seems to succeed at everything he does. The preacher's wife is often referred to as the "First Lady". She is an important figure in town, though she does occasionally have issues with alcohol. Wonderboy starts a relationship with a girl, Diamond who grew up in rougher surroundings. She lives with another family. She has not seen her brother in a while (as he hangs out on the street with the druggies.) The girl and the boy start a chaste relationship. They decide to consummate one day, and that is the beginning on the end. They decide to really have sex later. Wonderboy has violent outbursts and kills a guy and decides to leave town with Diamond. There, he is also a philanderer, including having a relationship with a white girl. He also attempts to commit suicide. Diamond still stands beside him. Wonderboy's behavior leads to the separation of his parents and to his father stepping down as preacher. She later learns that he had killed her brother and he eventually dies a violent death. The bad behavior of the gifted, but entitled son leaves a wave of destruction. It also is an opportunity for the women in the novel to assert their independence and not passively endure.

Early Riser: A Novel

Early Riser: A Novel by Jasper Fforde

There is a world where it gets very cold during the winter. Humans hibernate. They need to make sure they have enough food. Companies dominate part of it. There are dreams and other conditions. The protagonist thought a character from a painting disappeared. There are some rebels that try to live as "british" in the cold. I got lost in the book. It seems to have some criticism of big business influence and environmental destruction, but it goes on for too long.

The War on Prices: How Popular Misconceptions about Inflation, Prices, and Value Create Bad Policy

The War on Prices: How Popular Misconceptions about Inflation, Prices, and Value Create Bad Policy edited by Ryan A. Bourne

Prices are an indication of the marginal value that buyer and seller place on an exchange. They don't explicitly represent the value that went into creating something or even the worth of the object. Water is required to live, but is cheap. Prices help allocate resources to those who are willing to pay for them.

Prices of individual items go up and down to match the desires of buyers and sellers. Inflation is typically caused by changes in money supply and velocity. Price controls may cause mismatches in supply and demand and may not alter inflation. Consumers will respond to artificially low prices by consuming more. Producers will respond by producing less or reducing quality. This can lead to shortages and lead to everyone being worse off. (Though it could possibly lead to alternatives.) Artificial prices may often substitute one cost with anther. Instead of paying in money for something, people may need to pay in time by waiting in a long line or hunting for a hard to find item.

The negative impacts of price controls can be far reaching. During World War II, the US implemented wage controls. To get around these, workers offered fringe benefits, such as health insurance. This became the de facto way that health care is obtained in the US and results in a complicated system that exists today and is very difficult to disentangle.

People also are not stupid. Is there a "pink" tax requiring women to pay more than men for the same products? If it were truly so, women would just buy the men's version. However, the female products are often different in ways that females value more. The "gender wage gap" is also explained by forces. (After all, what company wouldn't want to employ as many people as possible for a fraction of the cost?) Early career men and women in the same profession tend to earn the same. However, women tend to gravitate to less risky and less remunerated careers. They are also more likely to take time off for childbirth and child rearing. They are more likely to value flexible work schedules. (Increasing maternity leave for women can make this even worse, by encouraging them to take more time off, thus limiting experience. Perhaps more paternity leave is the answer?) 

The book looks at many other examples. The general theme is that meddling with prices will impact the economy and will often have unforeseen consequences. People are quick to adapt to find new loopholes in a regulatory environment. The more more friction there is in pricing, the slower the economy will adapt. It reminds me of an interesting analysis of the German industry. Labor has a seat at the board and influences actions of the company. This makes it very friendly to existing workers. However, this also makes it difficult for pivots to electric cars and other significant changes. Will they have much of a role in the future industry?

What is the best way to regulate a market? Is allowing uber-wealthy a necessary cost of doing business? How do we appropriately set markets for externalities (like emissions, deforestation, etc.)? The current regime of regulating the response to regulations doesn't help.

Isles of the Emberdark: A Cosmere Novel Secret Projects, Book 5

Isles of the Emberdark: A Cosmere Novel Secret Projects, Book 5 by Brandon Sanderson

A young dragon leads a crew of misfits. She works to help encourage her crew to work together and be happy. She slowly learns how to be a good leader. There are significant areas of trust that need to be overcome. They have struggles as they encounter various other beings in space. The book is a bit long (but shorter than many other Cosmere books.) It stands along well and has some interesting stories that relies more on science fiction than fantasy.

Red Side Story: Shades of Grey, Book 2

Red Side Story: Shades of Grey, Book 2 by Jasper Fforde

There is a world of different colors. Some colors are "better" than others. There are strong human-rights overtones with a dry British sense of humor. The actual story is very well forgettable.

The Constant Rabbit: A Novel

The Constant Rabbit: A Novel by Jasper Fforde

In an alternate Britain, animals have anthropomorphized and been given rights similar to humans. Things are complicated. Rabbits are treated poorly. They are criticized as indistinguishable sex-crazed beings that rapidly reproduce. The protagonist has a genetic variation that allows him to identify individual rabbits. He works as a "spotter". However, he also had a past friendship with a rabbit. If this were known he would be in trouble with his job (due to the anti-rabbit politics.) Foxes have key roles in government and are part of the force pushing to move rabbits out to an isolated colony. The protagonist rekindles the friendship with the bunny and discovers more about the bunny underground. He sees a fox attempt to kill a rabbit and kills the fox. He is brought to trial. His use of self-defense as rationale is rebuffed because the fox was allowed to act like and animal (rather than a human) when attempting to kill a rabbit. He was able to get off when his attorney said he was justified as being on a fox hunt. 

The book has obvious parallels to race and immigration. The animals are somewhat integrated into the new society, but still treated different from humans. They live split lives as animals and "people". Some organizations want to have nothing to do with some of these animals that are so different.

In the end, the rabbits feel they have had enough. They stop being anthropomorphized and go back to just being animals. The protagonist still sees his rabbit friend as a regular yard bunny.  Does this advocate immigrants going back home? Or just living with their old culture? Or is it just an interesting story?

The Correspondent: A Novel

The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans

Sybil Van Antwerp is a retired womens loves to communicate by writing letters. This novel is a collection of letters she was written and the responses she has received. She had previously worked as an a attorney. During that time, as a woman, she thought it best to continue clerking for a judge for most of her career. Early in the novel, the judge dies and the woman rekindles some relationships. One includes the son of a man that she did not want to show mercy to, despite the man's spouse's appeals. Sybil had just suffered the death of one of her children and was not in a condition to show mercy. (Even worse, the child died in a diving accident where she was present but not paying attention.) After seeing a newspaper article about Sybil, the man wrote some seemingly anonymous negative messages to her and even came to her her house and cut off her flowers. She had guessed who he was, and wrote a letter to him in. They shared stories and she apologized and they became friends.

There are many other anecdotes where she turned seemingly negative communications to positive. Sometimes this would involve switching communication means. (For example, she had some negative letters with the new head of the University English Department. However, they hit it off well after meeting in person.) The book falls in the "feel good" genre. Even the negative things end up turning out good. While the letters are chronological, we learn a lot about her past in the communications she shares. She has struggles with relationship with her children, as well as with various senior suitors. Her eyesight is gradually fading away. The final letters are shorter and partially filled by her new partner. (He had lived nearby and they gradually built up a strong relationship.) Her death feels somewhat sudden, but it fits well in the life of a now blind woman that we know only by her letters.

Travel Talk Korean

Travel Talk Korean by Penton Overseas

I recognized some of the Korean here from other Korean language audiobooks. Alas, this one was lacking. There is little time to repeat the phrases. The organization is lacking. Many sections are just "common phrases" again. The voice and tone are both somewhat muted. There are much better 1 hour introductions to Korean out there.

Masters of the Game: A Conversational History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players

Masters of the Game: A Conversational History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players by Sam Smith and Phil Jackson 

This book discusses the 75 best basketball players with a back and forth between writer Sam Smith and coach Phil Jackson. The stories discuss the key players as well as tangents related to them. Some of the "not quite the great" make appearances as well as the key players. Some players won multiple championships, while others were great without a championship. The two have seen many of the players in person and have some interesting commentary. Smith had started watching the Nicks as a young kid in New York and spent a long career as a sports writer. Jackson had experience as player coach and executive. They both have intimate knowledge of the came with plenty of first and second hand  commentary.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter: A Cosmere Novel

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter: A Cosmere Novel by Brandon Sanderson

There is a nightmare painter and a girl from another world. They discover what things are like on this world. One world is more "magical" while the one they are visiting is technology based. They discover some of the odd things like fashion in the tech world. It is an interesting fish out of water story. Then some of the Cosmere and shards parts get brought in. There is also discovery that the lead never made it to the school he wanted it. Book feels like it goes o a bit too long.

Reawakening: The Side Step Trilogy, Book 2

Reawakening: The Side Step Trilogy, Book 2 by Orson Scott Card

A couple (Laz and Ivy) wake up and try to find their purpose. They are clones of an elite scientist and his assistant. They have their past memories and try to discover their purpose of being revived as clones. The scientist has the ability to "sidestep" to different time streams. The assistant has the ability to identify time portals. In their life as clones they have developed a romantic relationship. (However, it is not until the end that the original join together. They had connected, but felt reluctant due to age and business relationship.) 

In the story, they try to figure out their purpose. They meet with some of their other clones. There is also a mysterious message from a portal. One of their attempts to open a portal leads to some people going in and destroying a school. They send an army back in the portal to crush these people.. They also run into their children. They have some bizarre powers to appear and disappear. The son has a habbit of showing up naked and intimidating. Laz punches him as he is materializing which results in all sorts of internal damage. They then find an appropriate time stream that allows him to be healed, but still remember his bad behavior so that he reforms. In the end they discover the original Laz has traveled in time and feels "stuck". He eventually connects with the real Ivy and they can live happily ever after. 

The book has a number of streams that seem only tangentially connected. The premise is a bit like Mickey7, but explores some different areas of time travel and multiverse.

On What Matters: Volume Three

On What Matters: Volume Three by Derek Parfit

The philosophy in the book is interesting, but the writing is tedious. There is a huge summary at the start that goes into great detail. The actual work is only slightly more in depth than the summary. Much of it is in response to responses of other philosophers. I felt like I was eavesdropping on some private conversations. Much of the work discusses ethical situations and the practical applications. People are reluctant to cause harm to somebody even if it reduces harm to more people. However, people tend to be ok performing an action that has a side effect of harm. These ethics can lead to greater overall harm. (As an example, nuking 100,000 people would be considered worse than a demonstration of a powerful nuclear bomb - even if that bomb would result in 300,000 people dying of nuclear fallout.) Similarly a longer episode of military bombing is preferable to direct civilian bombing - even if more civilians die in the military bombing. People end up not being fully rational. 

Other arguments get into the weeds of philosophy, such as what it means to refer to something. There is also discussions of effective altruism and efficient desire to donate to charities. Philosophy proves out some of the strange contradictions in humans.

Malinche: Una Novela

Malinche: Una Novela by Laura Esquivel

Since this was in Spanish, I found I had to listen to at 1.5 speed instead of my usual 3x. The book is ostensibly historical realism. It focuses on Malinche, a native Mexican who served as a guide and spouse of conquistador Hernan Cortes. She was part of a neighboring group that had no love for the Aztec leaders. However, in this story, she feels she is brought along for the ride. She is concerned that Cortes has took things too far as he has conquered Mexico for the Spaniards. This is primarily a vehicle for a tapestry of magical realism. There is plenty of great imagery, but not a lot of historically accurate details.

Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing

Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Molly Gebrian

This book applies neuroscience to music. Some of the research experiments cited started with sports, but are applicable to music. Practicing mentally can just be as valuable as practicing physically. Imagining your hands in the proper position can develop your brain just as well as actually practicing. 

Practicing the right way is also important. It is good to practice starting at various points in the piece. It is also important to practice the "hard parts" correctly multiple times. Generally, you should practice doing the right thing multiple times in a row. Playing the right thing 10 times in a row gets it stored properly. Just going through a bunch of easy parts doesn't house. Practicing properly can be more important than practicing a lot.

Nonviolent Communication: Create Your Life, Your Relationships, and Your World in Harmony with Your Values

Nonviolent Communication: Create Your Life, Your Relationships, and Your World in Harmony with Your Values by Marshall Rosenberg PhD

How do you communicate without resorting to attacks and various forms of violence? Some parts are straightforward. Instead of making demands, allow for gifts. Don't obligate people to do things they don't want to do. Instead, allow them to give gifts. It is also important to try to understand what somebody is really asking for. People will often express their desires in what they want other people to do. However, the real need is something below that. Why do they want people to act in a certain way? What are the needs they are trying to fulfill? Understanding these underlying needs will help to solve the problems in a nonviolent way. Getting to this place in the communication is the challenge, but also where the reward lies.

Chinese Characters across Asia: How the Chinese Script Came to Write Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese

Chinese Characters across Asia: How the Chinese Script Came to Write Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese by Zev Handel

For the most part, Chinese characters represent individual things such as objects or actions. In theory this would enable them to be understood across multiple languages. In some sense they can. Japan users Kanji to represent ideas that would be understood by those that know Chinese. Korea and Vietnam had also used Chinese characters for some communication. Ancient Chinese was primarily a literary language that would be used to communicate ideas and not necessarily one spoken by normal people. The pictographs were intelligible, shared ideas. However, they were just part of the language. Everyday speech also has some indication of sounds and grammatical structure. Ancient Chinese was similar to Latin in that it could communicate ideas across languages, but could not display the vernacular spoken language. Modern Chinese has adopted from ancient Chinese to write modern Mandarin. Japanese has incorporated Hirigana (and Katakana) with the characters for Japanese. Vietnamese and Korean have pivoted away from the characters altogether, adopting their own alphabet or a Latin letters for writing. The book has been adapted from an academic work for a general audience and still has some of its academic feel while covering the topic generally.