READING THROUGH 2020

Now that I am retired hope to read more fiction books for enjoyment.  But I still enjoy understanding how the world works.  These are the books I enjoyed this past year.  Most of these books were recommendations or suggestions from others and in one sense I am just passing them on with a little push of my own.

FICTION
  

"Beartown" (2017) written by Fredrik Backman, best known for "A Man Called Ove."   It was recommended by Chris of the Hamilton Library who made it sound like something I had to read, even though I am not a hockey fan.  Check my review:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/06/beartown.html  It goes into a wide range of social and business connections in a small town revolving around their prospective champion junior hockey team.

 

 

 

 

"Pride and Prejudice" (1812) by Jane Austen with the classic love story about Mr Darcy and Elizabeth which to me is about a colossal need for an icebreaker.  All romances are based on misunderstandings.  It is unnerving how Austen is able to get inside the heads of her characters.  Her focus is on marriage for money.  Snobbery is common, except with her leading characters.

"City of Thieves" (2008) by David Benioff was recommended by Fareed Zakaria--had written Game of Thrones   based on recollections of a Grandfather who had lived through the Leningrad siege of WW II

The Library closed and I had to look for alternatives.  The library was offering ebooks which I had read before, but due to technical problems gave it up.  Now it seems convenient.

"The Woman in The Window" (2018) by A.J. Finn  Is easy to read as it is m mostly in short paragraphs.  At first it seemed about a person with mental health issues and I wasn't sure if it would be worth while reading it.  There are surprises, a lot of them in that people are not what they seem, including the narrator with mental health issues. 

"Less" (2017) by Andrew San Greer another fiction recommendation by Fareed Zakaria  Quotes for all writers (including bloggers?)  "Boredom is the only real tragedy for a writer; everything else is material"  contrasted in same paragraph, "Boredom is essential for writers; it is the only time they get to write."

"Moon Of the Crusted Snow" (2018) by Waubgeshig Rice was  Hamilton Reads pick  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/hamilton-reads-2020-moon-over-crusted.html  As part of the package the library offered a live online conversation with Waubgeshig and Cherie Dimaline, the author of "Marrow Thieves" (2017) which I read for the Canada Reads program.

 
 

 

 

 

 

"Circling the Sun" (2015) by Paula McLean,  fictional account of Beryl Markham

"The Tatooist of Auschwitz" (20180)by Heather Morris based on a true story including photos of the real people.

"The Fishers of Paradise"(2012)) by Rachel Preston.  I learned about this while walking along the Bayfront Trail on a plaque that stated that there used to be houses along Cootes Paradise and about the book.  It was an interesting story with a ficionalised account of how the houses had been disposed of.   A pleasure reading about streets and buildings I am familiar with.


NON FICTION
  

Michelle Obama's book was long anticipated and worth the wait.  "Becoming' (2020) demonstrates a woman who supported her husband while wishing he didn't get involved with politics.  To her the family was top priority, but as an intelligent, caring person she helped make the world a better place.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/becoming-by-michelle-obama.html

 

 

 

"The Great Leveler" (2017) deals with inequality.  Walter Schiedel  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/the-great-leveler-violence-and.html

"Talking to Strangers" (2019) by Malcolm Gladwell  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/talking-to-strangers.html

"Black Berry /sweet Juice" (2001) by Lawrence Hill  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/black-berry-sweet-juice.html

"The Education of an Idealist" (2019)  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/the-education-of-idealist.html

"They know everything about you." (2015) by Robert Scheer  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/03/they-know-everything-about-you.html

Funny You Don't Look Autistic" (2019) ebook by Michael McCreary  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/funny-you-dont-look-autistic.html

"My Journey" by Olivia Chow(2014)  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/olivia-chow-biography.html

"The Elephant Company" (2014) by Vicki Croke   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/05/the-noble-elephant.html 

"Trust: Twenty Ways to Build a Better Country" (2018).  Written by David Johnston, a former Governor General of Canada.   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/05/trust-crucial-foundation-for-democrarcy.html

Trust is the key necessity in interacting.






 

 

 

"A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves Home" (2019) by Jason De Pare, is about migrant workers starting with a Filipino family that the author interacted with stating in 1986.    http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/07/a-good-provider-is-one-who-leaves.html

"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" (2011)  by Rebecca Skloot  I was able to see a DVD as well as read the book.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/08/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks.html

"Tough Love" (2020)  by Susan Rice who had been maligned by the right wing and media.  There are a lot of political books out, but this one does not only give interesting information, but also an intelligent perspective. Read more:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/12/susan-rice-tough-love.html

Read about last year's selections:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/books-i-remember-from-2019.html

Books I remember from 2019

I read a lot, some people would say too much, but I would say not enough.  The books listed were discovered by reading other people's lists, hearing about it on radio or tv. or reading in a newspaper or magazine, a personal recommendation or sometimes even just wandering around the library.  If any of my selections catch your fancy my efforts have been worth while.  If not, I hope you move onto some other more inspiring list.

Fiction

"Washington Black"  (2018) by Esi Edugyan tells the story of an 11 year old black boy in Barbados who is taken in hand by inventor and abolitionist.  He travels around America with many adventures and revelations.  A thought provoking book.  







"Hypnotist" (2011) by Lars Kepler which is really a pseudonym of a Swedish husband and wife team.  I have found Scandinavian mystery writers to tell the most compelling stories and this is no exception.


"One Brother Shy" (2017) by Terry Fallis  winner of two Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour + one Canada Reads  He often writes about things he is familiar. I had forgotten that he is an identical twin and he has concocted an amusing train of events starting in the ever familiar Canadian capital Ottawa, but moving onto London and Moscow with lots of local references.  As an engineer his characters tend to gravitate around modern technology.  A new concept for me was "social license" which refers to the fact that having legal permission to do something doesn't mean that society approves.  You will laugh and be drawn into the narrative.


"Albatross"(2019) also by Terry Fallis presents the dilemma of should one do what they want or do what they are good at.  As usual very humorous and thought provoking.

James A Michener  has long been a favored novelist and this year I uncovered two unread books. "Reccessional"  was about a seniors building with lots of information (and some philosophy) and an interesting story.  "The Novel" was a fictional account of the process of writing a book that included editor, publicist, critic.  Some interesting insights--also set where Michener grew up among the Amish. (where some of my ancestors lived).

I had vowed never to read David Langercrantz, but I weakened "The Girl in the Spider's Web" (2014)   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/08/guilty-pleasure-lisa-salander-and.html  

"The Children Act" (2014) by Ian McEwan.  Always has a deeper meaning forcing you to pay more attention.

"Mansfield Park" (1811) One wonders how she could understand psychology, but in all her books she delves into the mind of her characters.  Jane Austen

"Warlight" (2018) by Michael Ondaatje set in post war England.  Children are protected from those who might want revenge on their parents.  Recommended by reliable Facebook friend, Vijayakumar Mk Nair.

"The Deserter" (2019) by Nelson DeMille was the latest in a long line of enjoyable books, but this one was co-written with his son, Alex who is an experienced screen writer.  I find his books easy to read, although there is a lot of detail that lends credibility.  One interest to me was the setting of Venezuela.  A few years back my job put me in contact with some people from Venezuela including someone who worked engineering projects in Venezuela.  They were very critical of the government and I confess I thought they were being snobby and elitist.  Will also own up to my bias.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/05/tribute-to-nelson-demille-real-writer-i.html   In a conversation with a proud aunt, Nelson told her that she should not read certain sections (sexual) that he had to put in because they were expected.  His sense of humor comes through as much from unspoken thoughts as from dialogue.   The main character is always someone who breaks rules, is obssessed with sex and alcohol.  In this latest he presents criticisms of a secretive bureaucracy. Enjoyable reading that holds attention.

Non Fiction

"The Fifth Risk" (2018) by Michael Lewis was the first book completed in 2019  It is a book about Donald Trump (many were to follow) focusing on the transition and priorities.  They were unprepared for governing perhaps because it was unexpected.  As usual Lewis is apt at pinpointing causes of major problems. http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/01/the-fifth-risk-latest-from-michael-lewis.html

"Identity" (2018) by Francis Fukuyama helped clarify an issue prominent reading about politics.  Although I say clarify it also leads to questions.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/03/identity-new-force-in-modern-politics.html one of my more popular blogs.

"Educated" (2018) by Tara Westover highly recommended was not at all what I expected.  I imagined someone against all odds educating herself in fits and starts.  There is an element of that, but more so she lives though an unusual family dynamic that in some manner is the really crucial core of her education.  Breaking away from an unhealthy dysfunctional family to strive for rationality.







"Dark Sky Rising" (2019) by Henry Louis Gates Jr.  was written for young people, but is very useful to a better understanding of Reconstruction after the American Civil War.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/dark-sky-rising_18.html

"The Death of Truth" (2018) by Michiko Kakutani is one of many books on Donald Trump focusing on the importance of truth.  Good perspective.

"Farsighted" (2018) by Steven Johnson discusses the process of making complex decisions.  One example is the assassination of Osama bin Laden.  Also uses Charles Darwin with a couple of difficult decisions.  He thinks ahead to mankind's future decisions.

"The Attention Merchants" (2016 ) by Tim Wu is about the evolution of getting your attention mainly for the purposes of advertising.  From print to the inter-net.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/05/advertising-is-all-about-attention-have.html

"The 100 Year Marathon" (2015) by Michael Pillsbury is about Chinese intention to overcome humiliation.  They are portrayed as very duplicitous and determined.  One personal note was how the Chinese forced re-writing the script for "Gravity, " a movie I enjoyed.  The fictional explosion that precipitated the dilemma of the story was attributed to the Russians when in reality the Chinese are the only ones to have engineered an outer space explosion.  The rescue at the end was credited to the Chinese, when in fact only the Russians had the capability.  It seems Hollywood wanted the big audience in China.


"Becoming " (2019)  someone that caught my favorable attention during the initial presidential campaign.  Her life has been very interesting.  Supported by her family Michelle has overcome all sorts of barriers and has many worthy accomplishments on her own.  A very worthy First Lady and hopefully not finished her public service.

Dying of Whiteness (2019) by Jonathan M. Metzel  Heard about on a radio interview.  Hits at how the wealthy can subvert ordinary voters on social issues with racism a key factor.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/dying-of-whiteness.html

"House of Trump House of Putin" (2018) by Craig Unger provides interesting background about Trump's many links with Russian gangsters and Russian govt.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/house-of-trump-house-of-putin.htm

"Let Her Fly," (2018) by Ziauddin Yousafzai a book was promoted at the Hamilton Public Library with a visit from her father.  I ended up buying the book and consider it one of my most memorable experiences of the year.  Read more:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/let-her-fly.html


"The Future is Asian"  (2019) by Parag Khanna gives a worldview that is different, but possibly more accurate than what I am surrounded with.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/07/the-future-is-asia.html

"Don't Label Me" from Irshad Manji (2019) is an interesting book about identity. Irshad has overcome her fear of dogs.    http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/08/dont-label-me-is-for-everyone_11.html

Jared Diamond's, "Upheavel"  (2019) was one of the best of the year.  It was a case study set in six countries he has been connected to that illustrate changes and challenges in today;s world.    He uses a personal crisis with national crisis.  His insights are always worth considering.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/08/jared-diamond-examines-national-crises.html






"Supercooperators" (2011) by Martin A. Nowalk was a scientist demonstrating the role of co-operation plays with evolution.  the emphasis has usually been on the survival of the fittest meaning the most competitive individual or species.  We would not have achieved what we consider civilization if we did not develop the ability to co-operate.
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/11/the-only-thing-that-will-redeem-mankind.html

"12 Rules for Life" (2018) by Jordan Peterson gave some guidance based on experience, psychology and philosophy.  As always there is good advice, some of which either reinforces some habits or even adopt.  For a history of my experiences with rules:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/an-antidote-to-chaos-series-of-rules.html

"Growing Pains" (2018) by Gwynne Dyer.  I am fortunate to read him in my local paper, but many of you may have easy access to him in one over hundred papers around the world. Gives the best insight into global politics as anyone.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/growing-pains-as-seen-by-gwynne-dyer.html

To see my best reads from 2018:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/12/my-favorite-books-of-2018.html

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is a well deserved celebrity in her own right.  I remember seeing her for the first time on a tv interview and and being impressed with her thoughtful answers.  It is disturbing that so many ignorant people have found trivial things to criticize with a racist undertone.

She describes her upbringing in Chicago with parents determined to steer her towards a better future.  Her parents were family oriented each with a network of aunts, uncles and cousins.  Her father worked for the city and despite having MS never missed a shift in 26 years.  Her mother made the conscious decision to stay at home, but was active with the PTA.  Knowing her parents had little money Michelle deliberately didn't tell them about a school trip to France, but they found out and made the necessary sacrifices so she could go.

At one gathering at about the age of 10 she was accused  of "talking like a white."  She was conscious that she and her brother Craig spoke differently than many of their cousins.  At home there was encouragement to use proper diction and refer to dictionaries and encyclopedias.  As an adult there was an awareness that language and race confused many people.

Qualifying for a magnet school opened up doors.  Early bus rides. helped reinforce discipline  Befriended daughter of Jesse Jackson who later sang at her wedding.

Her brother Craig won an athletic scholarship to Princeton and later gave up a corporate career to coach university basketball.  She wanted to go to university on the east coast and Princeton seemed logical and she was accepted.  Later she studied law at Harvard.

She met Obama through work and although he was older he was under her at the law firm.  She asked her brother to evaluate Obama, but as both loved basketball this test was easily passed.  At this time she was living with her parents as she was heavily in debt.  After her marriage they both lived with her parents.

After marriage Barrack was increasingly getting involved in politics which created stress in the family as he was away from home.  She worked and was able to get meaningful tasks making good money while her mother took care of the children.

Several decisions meant risks and increasing responsibilities for her husband.  She felt he could do good things, but separations led to arguments.  At one point they went to counseling which helped.  The big decision was to run for president where he would be disadvantaged by the entrenchment of Hilary Clinton.  At the beginning Clinton was polling very good with blacks, but once Barrack proved he could be a winner after Iowa the blacks supported him and helped carry him to White House.

Once in the White House, ironically Barrack was able to spend more time with his family.  Michelle recounts some of the politics of the 8 years, but for her, keeping her two daughters living as normal as possible was her main focus.  She did get involved with a few First Lady projects and joined up with Jill Biden to help support veterans.  The event that effected her the most was the Newtown School massacre.

Towards the end of the book she looked forward to getting out of the limelight.  I have heard a few pundits suggest she should run for president (and I would agree), but to squelch such efforts she very strongly stated she was not interested at all.  One of my hopes would be for Barrack to be appointed to the Supreme Court.

Reading her book one gets an insight into what a politician's wife and a First Lady has to put up with.  There are not many inside secrets about policies, although some little bits about living in the White House and traveling with the President or on any trips related to her position of First Lady.  When Donald Trump promulgated the birther movement Michelle resented his endangering her family.  She set a good standard for her position which many appreciate, but there are still many that resent  a black family in the White House.  If they were open minded enough to read this book their outlook likely would change (maybe).

Gwynne Dyer

Last nite was a special unexpected treat for me.  Gwynne Dyer is my favourite newspaper columnist and I don't say that as an isolated newspaper reader.  I enjoy the columnists for the New York Times and Washington Post amongst others, but Gwynne has impressed me the most.  Somehow he appeared at my local library, Hamilton Public Library.  He did not disappoint.

Trying to figure out what makes him different, the library CEO explained his interest came from noticing the mainstream news did not cover the developing world in any depth, except Gwynne Dyer did.  Although he has a very strong military background (has taught at military colleges and traveled more than most) he has an awareness of political dynamics that is well beyond most.  That also means he understands human dynamics.  The first of the so-called political pundits who recognized the seriousness of climate change.  As a fellow Canadian he realized that although the Western world was dominant it wasn't the only factor in the global affairs.

The topic was Donald Trump, a subject that seems to be on everyone's mind.  Gwynne admitted several times he didn't like him and originally, back in November thought Americans could not be that dumb.  Based in London he also thought the Brits would not be dumb enough to exit the EU.   After interviewing countless people he has evolved his thinking to the point that he thinks Donald Trump might be the wake up call needed.

One difference he explained was that immigration was a  bigger issue in Britain as they were not as used to immigrants unlike United States (and Canada) where most of us are at best a few generations from immigrants ourselves.  Ironically where immigrants are well established in the big cities there was not a strong backlash against them, but in other areas they were one of the key factors.

In America a more serious problem was jobs.  He said official stats are misleading, the true unemployment is much higher in the United States.  The problem is not only one of finance, but also of humiliation.  It is easy to blame outsourcing and immigrants, but Gwynne maintains by far the bigger factor is automation and it will continue to get worse.  Unless something is done he sees anger deciding elections.  The anger could result in someone worse than Donald Trump who he sees like a canary in the coal mine.  One bit of humour (of many instances) was that in twenty years something like 50% of jobs will fall to automation.  He suggested that pole dancing would not.

One possible solution to the dilemma is a universal basic income.  The world is not ready just yet.  He related an experience in Switzerland where the attempt through a referendum failed, was explained as a necessary first step.  He thinks that since the election more people are talking about universal basic income.

His speech was relatively short, but the question period was very interesting.  He handled it brilliantly, giving people a chance to speak their mind.  Korea, Syria were covered with realistic answers.  One of the organizers had to help close the questions or I suspect he would have carried on.

One guest recalled  a talk given at Sir Wilfred Laurier University around 1996 and asked if he had changed his mind.  First he joked that he thought he had had everyone at that talk killed.  He admitted that he might have changed a bit, but that most of his core beliefs are the same

Another guest asked about how inequality is increasing and he foresees that mankind will revert to what most of its history with dictators ruling over the poor masses.  Gwyne reverted back to hunter-gatherer days when there was much more equality, but then when mankind got civilized  more decisions were made top down, because there was relatively poor communication.  The great salvation today is that  there is mass communication.

On another question he commented that the right contained some smart rich people (the ones who earned their money, not those who inherited it) who could easily see that for them to be rich they need customers and they need to avoid a revolution.   One of the big concerns about Universal basic income is if those receiving it will be motivated to do the still necessary work.  He mentioned that  Hamilton is one of three Ontario cities  that will experiment among poor and will help determine a future course.

Gwynne felt that one of the best hopes for the future was international alliances.  One factor with the formation of the EU was to avoid future wars among the European powers and it worked with many other benefits.  Recent developments have restored some of his faith after the Brexit  and Trump disasters.  The United Nations has also been successful in avoiding wars between the big powers.

He also suggested we should encourage Michelle Obama to run for president in 2020.

I met some good friends, Rob and  Sue and learned we have something in common.  Gwynne's column is the first thing they look for in the local paper.

If you are not accessible to one of the 100 or so newspapers around the world that carry his twice weekly columns you can check him out at his webiste:  http://gwynnedyer.com

Inspired by this meeting I read one of his books and for some further insight you can read my review,
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/06/war-as-explained-by-gwynne-dyer.html