The Displaced

The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives

Edited by Viet Thanh Nguyen

When an RA alum informed me that his book is now in print, I needed to add it to my list.  Just finished reading The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Life, edited by Viet Thanh Nguyen.  There are twenty short stories presented by refugees from around the world.  The RA alum, Joseph Azam, writes about coming from Afghanistan and having to struggle with how he chose his name when becoming an American citizen.  Thank you for sharing your personal challenges emigrating and the struggle of being placed in an American education system, a system that does not do a good job of training teachers how to welcome all and ensure that the other classmates understand it is perfectly fine being from another country.  In fact, school should be a place where we share the journey of immigrants and understand the rich cultures and various beliefs of students who may not look like us, speak the same language, or eat the same food. They too should be treated with respect.  Reading the various stories, the same themes emerged: bullying, bringing attention to difference in look/skin tone, accent, and heritage.  Have we not gotten better as a country?  Weren’t we all immigrants at one point in time?  We are at a very precarious time in our country’s history, and yes, history does tend to repeat itself.  The Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe are included based on the lineage of the authors.  This is a book that ALL higher education professionals should read as it underlines the trauma that many of the students coming to our campuses are coping with.  It is our job to ensure we create places of safety and comfort.  We are in a complex world and need to find ways to heal and strengthen those who are considered ‘outsiders’ by many of the people in this country.  Thanks to Joe and the other nineteen authors who braved their experience and were willing to share with us.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong

Finished a classic historical Chinese novel called Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong (or at least that’s to whom they attribute the book).  The book is believed to be written in the 1300s, is set in 170 AD, and concludes with the reunification of the country.  I only read volume 1 of 3, which was not an easy task as it is very long and has an immense number of characters and storylines.  The main story follows the leadership of the dynasty that includes military battles, power-play within the leadership, and family turmoil. In many respects, while very different, it had a feel of Game of Thrones with intrigue and battles at every chapter.  Not easy to write a one paragraph review, but I will say that, given its depth and impact on Chinese literature, it’s easy to understand why this is one of the most widely read historical novels in China. You’ll need a few weeks of commitment to get through volume one – no idea how long to add for the last two volumes.

Never Split the Difference

Never Split the Difference

by Chris Voss

Finished a great “skills enhancement” book by Chris Voss called Never Split the Difference.  Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, takes the lessons he learned through his education and fifteen years on the job to teach the common reader how to enhance success when attempting to purchase a car, rent an apartment, deal with a difficult client or even a terrorist who wants to blow up an airplane.  Voss takes from real life situations, such as bank robberies and hostage situations, and teaches college students how they can improve the outcome.  The techniques are shared in detailed step-by-step instructions throughout each chapter.  As an added bonus, the appendix includes a negotiation “cheat-sheet” to create before your next negotiation.  Some of the basic concepts include: how to really listen (have at least 4 people listening to what is being said and look for opportunities where you might be able to negotiate); never say “NO”, instead rephrase with “thanks” and explain why that won’t work; don’t make it personal; use how and why questions; never settle for the middle; don’t use the word ‘fair’; introduce the term ‘that’s right’ into the conversation; and know before going into a financial conversation what your bottom line will be.  Voss is clearly very talented, and this basic and simple approach is well worth your time to read it.  I plan on getting a copy to keep close to me when I need to negotiate in the future.

Memories of Peking: South Side Stories

Memories of Peking: South Side Stories

by Lin Haiyin

Sometimes you find that wonderful book that makes all the ‘not great’ books worth reading.  Thanks to the RA who suggested Memories of Peking – South Side Stories by Lin Haiyin.  The book is a series of short stories that follow the timeline of issues facing the author at age six.  It is a series of childhood memories capturing her early days living in an urban center facing loneliness, distinguishing ‘good’ from ‘bad’, and reflecting on the people who have brief but meaningful impacts in her life.  It is a book that brings me back to my own childhood, recall the few ‘characters’ who I still think about today, and made me appreciate the aspects that make me unique.  Whether it be the local butcher, Ralph (whom I met in 2^nd grade before he moved away), or the substitute teacher who smiled and approved of the work I did, these were the people who provided touch points to my youth.  You will find the stories sad, touching, and they will make you yearn for more.  I can see why this remains a classic in Chinese culture.  A great book to go back in time and appreciate those who helped us get where we are, but also to help us reflect on people who shaped our ‘arc of life’.  It is a very quick read – six short stories, all interconnected, with a very sad ending.

The Innovators

The Innovators 

by Walter Isaacson

Finished a good book that provides the history of the digital revolution, written by the author of the biography on Steve Jobs.  The book, The Innovators, by Walter Isaacson, starts with the history of thinkers who studied systems of math equations that can answer questions on productivity and artificial intelligence.  Isaacson begins the story with Lord Byron’s daughter, Ada Lovelace, who publishes notes on the Analytical Engine that Babbage created in 1847.  At the turn of the twentieth century and through the World Wars, the author presents the pre-history of the computer and all of the people who drew upon the last person’s work.  Isaacson presents the lessons of the digital revolution, the progress that happened because of collaboration, and how each person built upon existing knowledge.  The book chapters include the following: how programming for computers was needed to fulfill what computers could do; the role of the transistor and the microchip; roll-out of video games; the internet; the personal computer; the software war; online communities; and, finally, the world wide web.  Isaacson includes timelines of the inventions and pictures of all of the players in the development of the digital world.  This is a must-read for any computer science or math major.  It is a foundational book that helps explain where we are today.  I liked how Isaacson gives the personal stories of the key players, their families and educational backgrounds.  It is also great to read that NYU had some part in the story, from Richard Courant (math genius) to our own Clay Shirkey (Associate Provost).  I enjoyed gaining this perspective and being reminded that collaboration leads to progress.

Why We Sleep

Why We Sleep

by Matthew Walker, PhD

Thanks to an alum (Beau) for sending me this recommendation.  A good book to read when thinking about what influences productivity in staff.  I plan on using some of what I learned when I meet with the RAs in the coming month.  The book, Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, is a scientific review on the power gained through sleep.  Walker is a PhD heading the sleep study center at UC Berkeley.  The book is broken into four parts: Definition of sleep and its impacts; the benefits of sleep; how we dream and what it means; and the bad effects of sleeping pills, lights at night and what we are learning from data collected from his studies.  Walker ends his book with twelve relatively simple steps to enhance your sleeping:

Stick to a schedule, exercise early in the day, avoid caffeine, avoid alcohol before bed, avoid

large meals before bed, avoid medicines that delay/disrupt sleep, don’t take napes after 3pm,

relax before bed, take a hot bath before bed, have a dark room/cool room/gadget free room,

have the right sunlight exposure and don’t lie awake in bed!

All great suggestions.  Walker also raises criticism (with data to back him up) on medical residents working too much in their role, and also the use of sleeping pills, which could kill you!  Helpful hints, good data, and a quick scientific read.  Good book.

You are a Badass

You are a Badass - How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

by Jen Sincero

Finished another RA Favorite book, a self-help read called You are a Badass by Jen Sincero.  The author attempts to shock the reader with jolting language early on, suggesting the reader needs to be “a new you!” through gaining a swagger.  I found the book, by this self-described life-coach, to have almost all of the ‘tried-and-true’ ideas utilized by coaches but with flare for the dramatic.  The book is broken into five parts with numerous chapters in each section.  I found the flow disjointed and felt it needed an easier breakdown to get the quick lessons that were being presented.  Her chapters opened with a brief quote from different famous authors.  Many of her philosophies were what I have read by numerous other “get your life together NOW” authors.  While it appeared she was going to present a new approach, I didn’t really find any.  Additionally, her prose was long-winded and the stories were drawn from her own experience with limited features to cement the ideas into the reader’s mind.  You can tell I didn’t find this to be the most helpful of “self-help” books, though her list of resources in the back had many of those I do enjoy.  If you are looking for a more memorable book for helping you move forward, try Barbara Sher’s I Could Do Anything, If I Only Knew How. I’d pass on this one.

Musicophilia

Musicophilia

by Oliver Sacks

I very much enjoy reading books written by NYU professors, and this one was no different.  Oliver Sacks, who gained notoriety as a neurologist, researcher, and educator, produces an important read in his book Musicophilia.  The book is his study on the impact of music on the human brain.  Sacks presents a series of real-life case studies of injuries (person hit by lightning), people with seizures, Alzheimer patients, and others who have experienced significant brain trauma. He investigates what happens when music is introduced into their lives. Some of the people he interviews are inspired to play music, such as the person who was hit by lightning (who becomes a pianist at the age of forty-two), while some of the people he follows have the opposite experience and can’t even hear music anymore.  In the book, he examines many neurological phenomenon, sharing his learning of the various, strange issues society deal with today.  In 2017, Dr. Sacks passed away, leaving significant data for future neurologists to take the impact of music on the brain to the next level.  A really inspiring and thought-provoking read.  Brilliant physician who did such important work.

Grace - a Memoir

Grace - a Memoir

by Grace Coddington

Finished another RA Favorite book, and yes, the 2019-20 RAs really enjoy memoirs!  We find this one in Grace Coddington’s Grace – a Memoir.  At age 17, she submitted pictures into a Vogue competition for young models, and she won!  After a very successful career as a model, at the age of 26, she is in a life-threatening accident in which she loses a child.  She is told by a friend that she should transition into working in the fashion business.  Her first job was at British Vogue, which leads her to New York working for Calvin Klein, and then eventually back to her love, fashion and Vogue New York, where she works for “the devil wears Prada” Anna Wintour.  The story is compelling, and the best part is the pictures that capture the photo shoots that started her modeling career.  Coddington shares her loves, loves lost, family obstacles, and the successes that she has been able to achieve in the fashion business.  Loved the illustrations that captured her moments of life as well.  The visuals, in some respects, not only enhance the book but are the highlight of the book.  Loved the pictures of her shoot with Mike Tyson and all of the connections she had with the monarchy in England and the stars/famous musicians of our era (Mick Jagger, with whom she had a make-out session!).  Worth picking up!  Especially for those who love the fashion industry!

Winesburg, Ohio

Winesburg, Ohio

by Sherwood Anderson

I felt like I was reading a 1900s version of the various community members written about by Chaucer but updated to the day of this author, Sherwood Anderson, in his book Winesburg, Ohio. The central protagonist of the story is George Willard. He shares periods of his life from childhood until his sudden departure from Winesburg in addition to stories of those who lived in his hometown. The book has twenty-two short stories. Each story gives an in-depth look into the various members of the fictional Winesburg community.  Each story shares the characters’ struggles, past and present, including loneliness, poverty, lack of connection, hidden identities, and isolation in such a small community.  There is a richness in each of the characters and it reminds me of how our own communities today have the same cast of characters all around us.  Anderson was ahead of his time, but he received a great deal of negative feedback on his stories based on a perceived sexual overtone of the characters in attempting to find love and connection.