Jenn Martinelli Blogging in Boston

Why you must read this book

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:03:03 EDT

Something someone said at work today reminded me of this book, and I now must officially recommend to all of you that you read it, as soon as possible:

I'm not really sure how to encourage you to read the book without giving away interesting information from the book itself, which I'd rather not do, because I want you to read it! I'll just say it contains amazing information about how the human mind works and an awful lot of what you learn in this book will surprise you.

Your emotional mind is much more in control than you are likely to think it is. And that's not even necessarily a bad thing. A lot of the time, it's a good thing.

There are a lot of interesting lessons about intelligence, empathy, and rational thinking. It will give you new insight into almost every decision you and the people you know make.

Read it and tell me what you think!

ETA: My bad, I should have linked to Rob's original post about this too. He started reading the book before me and finished it first. He couldn't help himself and had to tell me some of the stuff about it as he was reading it!

Going Gray

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:37:32 EST

I'm kind of obsessed with this book. I think it's because I'm already sick of dyeing my hair and I'm only 31! Of course, thanks to some awesome genetics, grays have been sneaking onto my head since I was a teenager.

I think if I really had a full head of nice silver or white hair I'd probably go with it, but I'm worried my natural sort of bland medium/dark ash brown hair + a ton of greys will just look messy and weird.

I've been considering switching from permanent dye to the kind that lasts for 4-6 weeks and slowly fades to see how it looks as it grows in.

Anyway, regardless of what I decide, I think this book looks really interesting. And check out the great group of before and after shots the author has on her site (that is, women before growing in their natural gray hair, and after - and even a few who have never dyed theirs).

Cat's Cradle

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:16:05 EST

By the way, I did finally read a Kurt Vonnegut book over the summer, specifically Cat's Cradle.

I am way overdue for talking about it here, but just was reminded when I saw how sorely lacking my "Books" category is.

Anyway, I loved the book. It's the first Vonnegut I've read so I'm sure I'd like others as well. I think I read somewhere that this was his thesis in school. In any case, if you haven't read it, I'd highly recommend it. It's really strange and in some parts hilarious, and also, as I gather all his books are, quite a commentary on society.

This makes me sad

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:21:28 EDT

This woman is on NPR right now talking about her book, Without a Map about what happened in the 60's when she was 16 and became pregnant and suffered through horrible disapproval from her entire community, including her own family and even her doctor. I can't believe she didn't go totally nuts or kill somebody.

Anyway, it sounds like she eventually made out OK but it sounds like a pretty shitty time, that's for sure.

Where was my brain till now?

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:03:00 EDT

So, reason a million that I need to get going on reading Kurt Vonnegut, check out what Rob Reed has to say. I really do have to blame my crappy high school in Ohio. Nobody I knew (there, I mean) was reading Vonnegut that I'm aware of, nobody recommended him to me, etc. Now I know other folks, certain of which are big readers, who have of course. Unfortunately for me, some of them were living on another continent and didn't clue me in.

Anyway, I really feel like a moron for being so clueless and I'm ordering my first book today from Amazon (it's half price there kids, so I couldn't make myself buy it in a store over the weekend.)