Anthropology

Book Name : Anthropology
Author : Dan Rhodes

What is it about : A collection of short passages, each no longer than, perhaps a hundred words but all on the subject of Love. Generally written from the a man's or a boyfriend's point of view that love sucks, love hurts, love pains, love kills, love gratifies, love humours, love maddens, love emboldens, love embarrasses, love purifies, love ruins ...

Some thoughts after having read the book : A gem of a little book but big on the ideas of Luv. After reading each passage, I would be left, without exceptions, with a wry smile on my face and a knowing nod in agreeing, understanding and enjoying the different aspects of this "ancient" subject and felt thoroughly entertained and humoured by the author.

Would I recommend this book to you : Try to read a passage each day and think of it like a Far Side (Gary Larson) cartoon in one of those, turn-a-page-each-day calendars, then you would start your day with a wry smile and a humourous mood.

Little Hands Clapping

Book Name : Little Hands Clapping
Author : Dan Rhodes

What is it about : The after-hours happenings in a unique museum where the caretaker participated in a sinister conspiracy with a local doctor. The unraveling of their dark scheme came about when the doctor's beloved hound choked up a massive male organ during a run in the park and both the doctor and the caretaker met their fateful ends.

Some thoughts after having read the book : The plot sounded sinister enough, but the story was written with such emotional detachment, morbid humour, compassion and apathy even, that such sickening subject as cannibalism was made to look "necessary", "understandable" and seemingly no-big-deal. A slice of baby-love gone sour was thrown in with good measures when the girl involved almost ended up on the doctor's dinner plate. The story was peopled by such wonderfully odd characters that would already make interesting reading, a spider crunching museum caretaker to start off with. By the way, the interrogation of a Frau Klopflock by the local policeman produced one the many highlights and laugh-out-loud set-pieces I had ever read; the subsequent scene involving the same policeman chasing after the butt-naked doctor would complete the most hilarious twenty pages of any book !

Would I recommend this book to you : A resounding Yes ! The book ticked all the right boxes - police chase, dark plots, sickening humour, lively conversations from colorful characters and the unique story would be a like a breath of fresh air to any jaded reader.

Simplicity

Book Name : Simplicity
Author : Edward De Bono

What is it about : The expert on Thinking Clearly presented the what, how, why and when on the subject of Simplicity. Philosophy for Life, working manuals for corporations, teaching materials for kindergartens and a DIY self-help course all rolled in one neat book. The details were presented in a simple fashion (or he would have shot himself in the foot), with an all-but-simple message - how many of us make hard work of our simple lives and how to go about simplifying the concepts, targets, processes and results.

Some thoughts after having read the book : I had been a great admirer of the Author since reading his book : Lateral Thinking. The Author's style of presentation and clarity of thoughts and objectives gave the readers meaningful handle bars to latch on, to easily turn words into practice. The book was peppered with numerous day to day examples on how to make your life, company and thinking processes simpler. His humour in quoting these examples and his turn of phrases always hit the mark, to enlighten the readers by illuminating blind corners in our daily lives.

Would I recommend this book to you : Overwhelmingly Yes ! We all should keep this book on our book shelves under the category "Books to turn to for solving problems quickly". I would particularly recommend turning to this book whenever fork roads or confusion arose and you needed a clear voice. Read the book every other month to become better organised and comb out the cobwebs in your muddy thinking.