What’s on my bookshelf? as a serial reader, I have to admit, I am also a serial book buyer. In this section you will see some (pushing forward to all) of the books in my private collection. Please send in recommendations of books you have read and would like to recommend.
Miyamoto Musashi, The book of five rings
The samurai that invented two sword fighting and never lost a battle. Is it possible never to lose? And if so how? It took Musashi the better part of his life to figure out the answer to this question, all you have to do is read his centuries old book.
Michael Bulgakov, The master and margarita
Yes, I know, I said none fiction books only.. But this book is an exception. Maybe this book is the reason I am hardly ever reading fiction. Once you read The master and margarita, all other books are just plain boring. It’s not just that the story is out of this world in its “out of the box thinking”; it’s also the fact that the story behind the story, how the book was written and published deserves a book of its own. Bulgakov (the author) had an odd relationship with Stalin and Russia in general. Half of the book was published, became an underground hit, while the second half of the book was lost. It took some 70 years before readers could read the whole thing start to end..
Timothy Ferriss, The four hour workweek
Mr. Ferriss will probably not be remembered for his literary genius, but you have to admit, it is a catchy title for a book. Easily found in any business section of any bookshop at any airport around the world, it is usually read by those who push 80 hours work weeks. Is it possible?? is it possible to actually work only 4 hours a week and complete everything on your agenda and task list?, well guess what..
Gary Klein, Sources of Power
Still in the pipeline, haven’t had the chance to read this book yet. But.. I did purchase it at Kramer’s (Washington D.C) which is by far one of my favorite bookstores in the world and it was recommended to me by Flaura K who is by far one of the most intelligent persons (in this world) so it’s got to be worth a read.
Haruki Murakami, What I talk about when I talk about running
Far better known for his fiction (Norwegian wood etc.) it turns out Mr. Murakami has some other interests aside from writing as well. Running, it turns out, is one of his real passions. He has been running for the last 25 years something like six miles each day with the occasional annual marathon thrown in. If you are a regular runner (like me) than you must know the real challenge is not so much running further or faster, but simply sticking to the plan and running on a regular basis. What I talk about when I talk abour running does a pretty good job at setting all your Chakras in place so you are motivated for your next run..
Jostein Gaarder, Sophie’s world
Philosophy is a big deal for me. I mean, you know.. why are we here? or as the Japanese would say, why is the moon reflected in the pond (not how, you physics enthusiasts, why) There are many good books out there running through all of the famous names – this book kind of an oldy (its been around for a while) and takes more of a narrative approach to explaining who said what and why in the history of trying to figure out what our purpose in life is (if there is a purpose..).
Mark H. McCormick, What they don’t teach you at Harvard Business School
Here’s an interesting one for you, in a business world constantly pushing for innovation, differentiation and edge, what value does an “old” business book hold? The world has changed dramatically since this book was written, but has business changed? are old lessons still valid? on the flip side, all of the new titles out there who’s teachings haven’t been challenged yet – are they valid? Every time I walk into a second hand store and look at the business books of yesterday I wonder..
Che Guevara, The motorcycle diaries
When reading this book, there is a certain suspense in the air.. two young Argentinians traveling across South America on their motorcycle.. but we know better. One of them is about to become a legend. So as you read through the pages, the dirt roads, the broken motorcycle and the accidental meetings with strangers.. you can’t just help but wait for the moment in which this young doctor will turn revolutionary. Is that how life works? is it one critical event which defines who we are or are we evolving over time? there are at least three journeys in this book.. writer, history and reader.. safe travels!
Trevor Corson, The story of Sushi
Two possible outcomes after reading this book.. you will run into the nearest Sushi restaurant shouting “Omakase” with all of your might, or you will never set foot in another Sushi parlor in your life. The “story” is somewhat corny, but the knowledge Mr. Corson has on fish, food, and how they come together is fascinating. It also introduced me to a whole new type of books, books about food which are not books about how to cook food, just how to enjoy it..
Roberto Bolano, The Savage Detectives
I know, I know, I said no non fiction.. but there is just something about South American writers which makes books so readable.. Still in the pipeline, so can’t give you much aside from the fact that FFTTP (First Flip Through the Pages) captured my eye and imagination.. more to come soon..
Eugen Herrigel, Zen in the art of archery
In a world in which any knowledge can be purchased for a price, it is unique to be told by a teacher he does not want to teach you for any price.. Mr. Herrigel keen on learning the wisdom of Zen took the long (but right) course. Shoot arrows for years on end, until the bow, arrow, target and shooter become one. Value of lesson? priceless. So who can put a price tag on such a course? All it takes is plenty of free time and perseverance..
Larry McMurtry, Books
Finally, a book about books. But not so much about book reading (even though Mr. McMurtry is a very well read man), but rather the love of owning books. With a personal library of over 20,000 books and a history of book trading, Mr. McMurtry knows his books. Is it content and literary excelence that make a book valuable or the fact that it is inscribed and has its original cover? a great read for book lovers.. those who like to read and those who like to own..
Daniel C Esty and Andrew S Winston
A lemon. The only uptake, when there is a new buzz in town, be quick to write a book about it.. people will buy. The only gold made here is by the quick writers who made it fast enough to the printing press.
Mark Yost, The 200-MPH billboard
Car racing is a big business. Maybe the biggest business. With a dedicated clan of followers exceeding that of other popular sports such as NBA, NFL and NHL it’s a fascinating lesson to learn on how this business was set up and how it runs. There isn’t that much out there about these unique and privately owned businesses (NASCAR, Forumula 1) so getting an insiders view on the wheeling and dealing of car racing is not easy. This book covers some angles, but is far from telling the whole story.
Bobby Robson, Farewell but not goodbye
To the horror of my UK friend with me at the time, I did purchase this book. Still in the pipeline, so I am not certain what caused his jaw to drop.. It may be that he was a fan of another club or it may be that just like any other Brit, the name Robby Robson tends to stir strong emotions.
Keith Dugdale & David Lambert, Smarter selling
A good friend of mine once described to me the art of buying – shedding some light on the difficulty of selling. He described waiting for a late flight in an airport, walking in and out of all the stores at the terminal. He had plenty of time on his hands, and a wallet full of credit cards. Did he buy anything? no. Next he boarded a 5 hour flight. During the flight he browsed through those gadget magazines left in the seat pocket. Did he buy anything? no. After landing for his connecting flight.. well you get the point. When in comes to products and services, most of us have most of what we will ever need, and some of what we will never use. So selling to a well fed audience is a big challenge. Will smarter selling help you seal your next deal?..
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
If you ever had to read one book in your life, this is a fair candidate. An endless wisdom embodied in beautiful poetry. Many translations to choose from, choose well. Aside from the “story”, yet another great story behind the story. A contemparery of Conficious, Lao Tzu was disregarded. After fleeing on his ox to die, an angry emperor sends out a message to stop Lao Tzu and ensure he writes down all of his wisdom before he and it disappear (on an ox). A world of wisdom written at a border station in ancient China, and we have the benefit of enjoying it. Isn’t life great?
Peter Fischli, David Weiss, Will happiness find me?
I got this book at an exhibition at the Modern Tate Gallery in London, one of my favorite places on this planet. It features a list of endless questions, from the very important to the not so.. If you are about to take a long vacation, a long flight or just hitting forty and need some key questions answered.. this book if for you: is my brain a poorly furnished apartment? should I make myself available for research? are we losing control? should I switch over to the invisble world? One warning.. answers not included.
Primo Levi, If this is a man and The truce
By far and large one of the most important books ever written. An unsetling account of life in the death camp of Auschwitz. Two parts to this book. Arriving to Auschwitz and surviving. Returning from Auschwitz home. Words can be written, stories can be told, yet nothing can explain why, how, and what took place in this hell on earth. A truce? can a survivor reach truce with his past? Read about this important writer’s personal life to learn more.
Tony Thompson, Reefer Men
Are criminals enterpraneurs? They think out of the box, some get to run big operations, they manage people, sometimes on a global scale.. and yes, there is that issue of breaking the law.. The group in this true story smuggled drugs into the US for some 30 years before ending on the right side of the bars. But until then.. what innovation.. what business management.. what an entrepreneurial spirit..
Caloz Ruiz Zafon, The shadow of the wind
Yet another non fiction that managed to sneak into my well guarded fiction library.. But what a read!! the plot twists and turns, make sure you are sitting in a comfortable chair before you start reading as you will not get up until the last page..
