Crazy Rich Asians

This is a novel about Rachel who is an American born Asian and by income she is one of the 99%.  She is invited by her boyfriend, Nicholas on a trip to Singapore and into a world of the super excessive rich.  I dare to venture that you've never encountered wealth like what is in this novel.

In Star Wars Luke tries to convince Han Solo to rescue the Princess -
Luke: She's rich.
Han Solo: [interested] Rich?
Luke: Rich, powerful. Listen, if you were to rescue her, the reward would be...
Han Solo: What?
Luke: Well, more wealth than you can imagine!
Han Solo: I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit.

I always thought I could imagine quite a bit too.  I don't think even Han Solo has imagined riches like what's described in this book, or he might have held out for an advance before marching into the depths of the Death Star.

My first reaction to the mega rich world of Singapore was like Rachel's - fascination, amazement, wonder.  It seems fun and exciting and definitely alluring.  But as the story continues it becomes obvious that money does not buy happiness, and in fact appears to attract meanness and misery.  Rachel is welcomed by Nicholas' family and friends, briefly.  Then she is treated as an outsider rather than embraced not only because she is not mega rich but also because she is an American born Asian.  Both points segregate her from everyone but Nicholas.  They are deeply in love.  Unfortunately Nicholas is mostly oblivious to Rachel's Crazy Rich Asian experience.

Nicholas and Rachel are in Singapore for the wedding of Nicholas' best friend.  What an excuse for way over the top parties and shopping excursions.  You'll meet some very colorful characters.  Some you'll synpathize with, some you'll despise, but all will entertain.  And there is a twist to Rachel's story that is a surprise, and interesting to follow to its conclusion.

You'll enjoy this trip to a very foreign country, the land of the mega rich.  Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.

Deja vu all over again!

He was a 15 time All Star baseball catcher, and I'm a fan of Yogi Berra's odd sayings that contain an almost zen wisdom upon reflection.  In his book he relates baseball wisdom to everyday life.  See my recommendation at http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/08/recommended-reads-book-highlights-words-wisdom-yogi-berra/

Not So Easy Getting Out of the Easy

New recommendation for Ruta Sepetys novel Out of the Easy at http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/08/recommended-reads-out-of-the-easy-a-gripping-tale-with-characters-youll-care-about/

The Joy of Hate

Have you heard Greg Gutfeld on Fox News channel?  Well this is one of his books and he writes just like he speaks.  This book is a healthy exercise in Freedom of Speech.  Yes, that very important American right that means I have to support your right to say something that I don't agree with.

Many readers will be exercising support of that right when reading this book.  Other readers will cheer that the author has the courage to say some of the things he says.

His comments are well thought out, and presented with an entertaining wit.  He tackles all the timely issues, shying away from nothing.  Some examples include Gay rights, Victims (aren't we all), Media Bias, the 1%, Celebrity Hypocrites, and the coined "Tolerati".

The Tolerati exude tolerance, but only for those certain sanctioned groups and emotional causes.  Venting at non sanctioned views or groups is encouraged and makes the Tolerati feel good and cool.

I love some of the inconsistencies that the author points out.  Just one small example that I find humorous is the 1% raging against the crimes of capitalism in their designer shoes and tweeting about it on their ipads.

The author concludes with a little advice including -

Discern the difference between real injustice and trumped up baloney.  Don't waste your time on baloney.

Lighten up, and grow a thicker skin.

There's no joy in hate.  It's just not worth it.  Get out of the outrage pool and into the party.


This book makes you wish for people who can engage in "meaningful dialog" - that's probably a banned phrase from the author, but we are starved for intelligent debate.

Duke Ellington

New Recommended Read at http://myedmondsnews.com/2013/08/recommended-reads-the-life-and-times-of-jazz-great-duke-ellington/
and take the 'A' train

Is College Worth It?

When the former Secretary of Education writes a book questioning the worth of a college education today, I'm intrigued.  He and his co-author present dynamic, well thought out suggestions for improvement.  He also strongly believes in caveat emptor (let the buyer beware), and offers valuable tools and information that students and parents can arm themselves with when they make decisions about schools, careers and loans.

If you're in the market, I recommend arming yourself with this book.

$50,000 debt / $120,000 debt from Ohio Northern U. / $70,000 debt Bowling Green U.

53% of full time students took out student loans in 2007-2008

Average debt load per student upon graduation is $23,300

25% owe more than $28,000

10% owe more than $54,000

Those in their 30s owe more than any other age group, on average $28,500.  Followed by those in their 40’s, on average $26,000.  More than 15% still paying back at age 50.

 

Student loans can’t be discharged in bankruptcy

And graduates are facing a weak job market with heavy debt.  So are those who don't finish college, but have already incurred heavy debt - the percentage of students who don't finish within 6 years is growing.  What are the marketable careers today?
 

“Higher education is not under-funded.  It is under-accountable.”

Barack Obama said in 2012, “We are putting colleges on notice.  You can’t assume that you’ll just jack up tuition every single year.  If you can’t stop tuition from going up, then the funding you get from taxpayers each year will go down.  We should push colleges to do better.  We should hold them accountable if they don’t.”

Marco Rubio and Ron Wyden introduced the Know Before You Go Act in the Senate. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to update reporting requirements for institutions of higher education and provide for more accurate and complete data on student retention, graduation, and earnings outcomes at all levels of postsecondary enrollment.

 This has been stuck in congressional committee since May.  Here's the link to more information - contact your congress people to get this bill out of committee and passed!  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s915

Is College Worth It?

By William Bennett and David Wilezol



 

 

The Amateurs - It's Nothing Like Leisurely Kayaking

Just finished David Halberstam's The Amateurs profiling the lives of several scullers and their coach in the 1980's.  This is an interesting "crew" of men who manned 6-man, doubles, and single skulls.

It was very interesting how rich Seattle and UW history is in the sculling sport.  The book included pictures of workouts and trials and competitions including victory at the 1984 Olympics.

Paul Enquist and Brad Lewis celebrate Olympic Gold medal victory in double sculls 1984.

Scullers exercised 600 hours a year and practiced, hands on oars 475 hours a year.  Races in comparison totaled about 130 minutes a year.  Few sports had as great a disparity between the time committed in practice and time actually spent in game or race conditions.  Note that a scull is only 12 inches across, and even the slightest mistake or shift of weight can flip it.

The people competing in rowing at this level did so with a demonic passion.  No overt financial reward at the end, or covert financial reward.  Almost always the children of the upper middle class, privileged, affluent, a group that did not readily seek hardship.  But the descriptions of the physical work outs sound brutal.

At one point the UW crew was so rough it was known in the sport as “Lurch, Wobble, and Gobble”.  This exposes the argument in this sport whether style is more important than power and endurance.

The book includes fun stories about rivalry between Harvard and Yale crews.  And also fun anecdotes about California sculler Brad Lewis, the outsider who broke into the Easterners ranks.

Very interesting, well written book, although unlike a scull race it tends to drag a little in the reading toward the end.

Books About Pitching, and I'm Not Talking Baseball

I delivered a Toastmaster's speech today. The test for speech number 7 is "Research".  Well, the internet is great, but when I research my first stop is always books.  The subject of my speech, titled "Perfect Pitch", is how to give a pitch to sell or promote yourself, a person, an idea, a company, a project.

Happy pitching!  Baseball season's not over yet . . . .


Here's the great books I used to research -

Career Distinction, Stand Out by Building Your Brand by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson

You, Inc. The Art of Selling Yourself by Harry Beckwith and Christine Clifford Beckwith

In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters

How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen, AAR

It’s Your Business: 183 Essential Tips That Will Transform Your Small Business by J.J. Ramberg, host of MSNBC “Your Business”

Book Recommendation

Beautiful sunny day in Seattle again!  But football pre-season is in the air this week.  In celebration of that, a recommendation of Drew Brees book - Coming Back Stronger at this link: http://myedmondsnews.com/category/columns/recommended-reads/

New Recommended Read Coming

I just finished writing my "recommended read" review for this week.  An inspiring and entertaining read about football and about life.  Can't wait for preseason to begin this week.  And looking forward to when this recommendation is published at http://myedmondsnews.com/category/columns/recommended-reads/

A day without reading . . .

Super fun kayaking with friends today!  Really enjoyed that!  Tonite I'm off to a party.  No time for reading today.  Oh no.  A day without reading is like dinner without dessert.  Back to the books tomorrow.

Hooray for the weekend!  That means more time to read.  There was so much traffic driving home from work today, but I had my audio book playing Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.  No possibility of road rage while an interesting story is being told.  Delayed in traffic?  Great!  That means I can hear another chapter.

What do you think about audio books?

I just finished my volunteer shift at the library shelving books people have donated for sale.  Book recycling from reader to reader at a dollar a book.  It's great, and today I made 2 fabulous sequel book finds.  Susan MacNeal's Princess Elizabeth's Spy and Jeffrey Archer's The Sins of the Father.  Is today Christmas?!

When shelving the books I noticed as usual that the mysteries and the romances go the fastest.

And my true confession - I don't put out the Dean Koontz books.  Other volunteers can offer those but I leave them back in the inventory.  He is a really super writer.  His descriptions are so visual and chilling he gives me nightmares.  I don't want to inflict nightmares on unsuspecting buyers.

Do you read Dean Koontz?  Does he give you nightmares?