Book Nook Cafe discussion

Finished another book that fit a few prompts.

✔️ 12- A trilogy. Part of a trilogy. (You don't have to read all 3) The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World

✔️13- A book with an index
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World


✔️16- A book translated into English from another language.
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World
translated from German into English

✔️23 - Book about Nature/the environment
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World

Remarkable, Alias. I hope you found the book as full of info as i did. For me, learning about studies and forests in Europe was a pleasant experience.

While The School for Good Mothers wasn't a favorite of mine, see the Book Salon for my review, it did check off a few prompts.

✔️3- A book by an author you've never heard of before.
The School for Good Mothers-Jessamine Chan

✔️9-.A book recommended to you, whether you think you'll like it or not.- Could be a recommendation from a person, review you read, podcasts etc.
The School for Good Mothers
Rec from Jenna Bush Today Show book group selection

✔️10- A debut novel or book
The School for Good Mothers

✔️26 - Book about motherhood (or parenthood) fiction or nonfiction
The School for Good Mothers

Well done, Alias. Pretty good for a non-5 star book.

Wow ... four at once! If you learn something (new) from a book you weren't wow'ed by, it was worth it.

John wrote: "Wow ... four at once! If you learn something (new) from a book you weren't wow'ed by, it was worth it."

True.

We seem to be getting a ton of multiples on the challenge this year. I'm going to have to think about this next year.

You mean one book qualifying for multiple categories? There has to be some with 100 of them! Most of mine are going to be singles.

I don’t think that filling multiple prompts with one book is necessarily a bad thing. I picked a book for each prompt except the Bill Gates one and a few involving number of books read compared to other years. But then after I finished a book, I recorded every prompt that could be filled by it, leaving me with lots of books in some places, and only one or two in others. I have lots of YA books, for example, but will probably have only one written in the second person. Unless I run into another one along the way. I like it this way.

John wrote: "You mean one book qualifying for multiple categories? There has to be some with 100 of them! Most of mine are going to be singles."

I think I had more singles last year and did better on the challenge. Also I don't see myself filling some of these prompts. It's only April, so I'll see. I'll give it the old college try !

For the most part, this year it appears i am reading the book i selected first, then realizing it fits more than one prompt. This, despite the fact that when i began the search & filled out some prompts with my intended books, i doubled up a few. It turns out they were more place markers than actually workable.

One thought to consider is whether the challenge is to read a separate book for each prompt or if one's goal is to read books out of our usual range, perhaps while also accomplishing something else, such as removing some titles from one's TBR pile. OR, and i see this fun possibility more this year, see how many prompts are able to be used from one book. It's still possible to stretch our range, while clicking off other prompts.

Many variables, is my thought.

Checked off another prompt.

✔️31- A book published in 2023
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
Published March 28, 2023

Well done, particularly when it spoke to you.

Congrats on another prompt, Alias!

Thank you, James !

How did you like Outlive Alias? I have it on my TBR after listening to an interview on Rich Roll's podcast.

Lindsey wrote: "How did you like Outlive Alias? I have it on my TBR after listening to an interview on Rich Roll's podcast."

I reviewed the book in the Book Salon Thread. If you are a regular listening to his podcast or listening to him on other podcasts like Rich Roll, then you probably won't learn too much new. If you like, for example, Andrew Huberman's podcasts, you will like Attia's book as he can go real deep into some topics. To be honest, too deep for me at times. He admits he is a perfectionist and how this has caused him a lot of trouble. Though in the book and in his practice he seems to still push his clients to strive for the 2% healthiest of the population. That may turn many off that don't have his wealth or his drive. That said I've learned a lot about training in Zone 2. Though I do it using a heart rate monitor which uses 5 zones. I'm never really quite clear what Attia's zone 2 is. I am betting it's more intense than what I aim for. Still, it's all useful info.

Since you listened to him on Rich Roll (I've listened to that one, too) you will know he is all about exercise ( cardio and strength) and how critical it is if one desires not only to live longer but increase ones health span. I'm totally on board with that.

I also agree 100% with him that medicine as it is practiced is mostly waiting for disease to appear and treating it instead of being proactive and focusing on prevention.

I was disappointed in the chapter on nutrition. For example, I think there is a lot than can be done nutrition wise to help with ApoB without jumping right to take meds.

See this podcast by another Dr I follow, Gil Carvalho
~~ 3 actionable tips to lower ApoB!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18FF4...

Also the notes/links section at the back of the book are not indicated in the text as you are reading. You would just have to guess there is a note and check. The notes didn't even indicate page # just chapter. So basically the references are useless.

I also posted Dr. Chatterjee's interview with him in another thread. I thought that was terrific. Chatterjee, makes his guests talk to the average person and makes the guests explain medical and scientific terms.
Here is the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ItR...

I think the last chapter on mental health was very interesting as Attia discusses his own personal struggles. ( explosive anger, perfectionism, serious self hatred) I am sure it was very difficult for him to write that chapter. I hope that others will benefit from his insights.

I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars.

Great job, Alias ... impressive!

Thanks, John !

I'll check the Book Salon Thred - Thank you!

I did enjoy their recent podcast episode, but do read a lot in this same vein. There's a long wait through the library so it will give me time to decide. Thanks for sharing!

Lindsey wrote: "I'll check the Book Salon Thred - Thank you!

I did enjoy their recent podcast episode, but do read a lot in this same vein. There's a long wait through the library so it will give me time to decid..."

You're welcome.

Updating my completed prompts.

A Street Car Named Desire filled a few for me.
✔️1- A book adapted to the big screen.
A Street Car Named Desire
✔️32- A play
A Street Car Named Desire
✔️39- A book published before you were born
A Street Car Named Desire (1947)

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
✔️31- A book published in 2023
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
✔️69- A health, diet, exercise, fitness or wellness book
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity

Five prompts fulfilled from two books—great job!

Thanks, deb.

Great job!

As John has already said, Great job, Alias!

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "As John has already said, Great job, Alias!"

Thanks !

Finished another prompt. This book won the Pulitzer this year.

✔️44- Pulitzer Prize winning book
Trust ---- Rate 2/5

Two stars ... whoa!

LOL... It just wasn't for me, John. It took me two weeks to read this book. I never looked forward to picking it up.

I went into my reasons a bit more in the Book Salon. My main issue was the books structure. It's in four parts: a novel, an autobiography, a memoir, and a private diary. I found it convoluted. The book opens with a novel within the novel. Though the structure of the book isn't quite clear until you are well into the book. Then when you read the other sections, you realize the characters in the novel section are based on people with different names in other sections of the book. Is anyone a reliable narrator ? I didn't really care. Maybe due to the structure of the book.

I was looking forward to reading the book. It's about the 1929 crash and business. It sounded like it would be my type of book. Therefore the 2/5 rating. It didn't meet my expectations.

Alias Reader wrote: "LOL... It just wasn't for me, John. It took me two weeks to read this book. I never looked forward to picking it up.

I went into my reasons a bit more in the Book Salon. My main issue was the bo..."

I've been looking forward to reading that book, Alias. Thanks for the review. Now, I'm not sure If I want to spend time with it since my reading time is so limited. Sorry it didn't work for you.

Kiki, if you can get it from the library, do give it a shot.
It won a Pulitzer and also many reviews were positive.
It just wasn't for me.

Alias Reader wrote: "Kiki, if you can get it from the library, due give it a shot.
It won a Pulitzer and also many reviews were positive.
It just wasn't for me."

I might read it, Alias, but I've moved it down on my list of TBR books.

Same here. I liked his earlier novel, about the old west, In the Distance but it was fairly linear and mostly followed one character. Prior to non-pro reviews I’ve read, i was eager to try it but it’s been a mixed bag of reviews.

Congratulations, Alias, on completing this tough book and, therefore, prompt.

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: I might read it, Alias, but I've moved it down on my list of TBR books."

Yikes ! Sorry for the bad typo -- do not due.--- I don't know where my brain was.

😘

I knocked off two more prompts with this very interesting book.

✔️63- A book you knew nothing about beforehand. However something caught your attention. Cover, blurb, title. Tell us why.
The Mitford Affair Rate 4/5
I knew nothing about the Mitfords, so it was a revelation to read about this bizarre family

✔️98- historical fiction
The Mitford Affair Rate 4/5

Good job! Probably as useful as a biography.

It always leads me to wonder why an author opts for fiction when presenting such bios. I’m sure there are leagal, as well as creative reasons. Regardless, nice work, Alias.

Alias Reader wrote: "I knocked off two more prompts with this very interesting book...."

Congratulations, Alias!

madrano wrote: "It always leads me to wonder why an author opts for fiction when presenting such bios. I’m sure there are leagal, as well as creative reasons. Regardless, nice work, Alias."

My guess is with historical fiction is you can create dialogue. A straight bio you wouldn't be able to do that.

True, Alias. Sometimes it’s that dialogue that ends up stating things which lead me to doubt many facts given, too. But enjoyable to read, of course.

✔️78- book with maps or photographs in it
Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime

The book contained photos.

Alias Reader wrote: "✔️78- book with maps or photographs in it
Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime The book contained photos."

I enjoyed your comments on this book in the "What Books Did You Get From The Library, Bookstore, or Online" thread, Alias - and congrats on another prompt!

Good work, Alias.

Thank you.

James wrote: "I enjoyed your comments on this book in the "What Books Did You Get From The Library, Bookstore, or Online" thread, Alias - and congrats on another prompt!
..."

Thank you.

Also sorry I posted my review in the wrong thread. It belonged in the Book Salon. I guess I need another cup of coffee before I'm allowed near a keyboard ! :)

I hear that!

Filled prompt:
✔️87- Book about or set in, the state or country you live in
Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty- U.S.

Nice choice, Alias! Congratulations on filling the prompt.

Congrats! 👍