Books I have read recently
I typically opt for novels in terms of recreation reading. Being transported somewhere else is usually what I’m looking for. Points of reference are also important to me. While I have an iPad and I occasionally use it for reading, I still love paper books. I’m a huge book cover fan so I don’t really agree with the saying “Don’t trust a book by its cover.” It’s all part of the seduction process for me. A bad book cover is such a wasted opportunity. In my teenage days in foggy SF, I fondly remember roaming through Green Apple Books admiring the bookcovers, especially Vintage paperbacks. Some of my favorite authors include Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster, Murakami, and Ishiguro. I record all of the books I’ve read on goodreads.
I just finished “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. I’ve encountered this book several times in bookstores and I couldn’t help but be a bit attracted by all the glowing statistics about it selling millions of copies and it being translated into 60 languages.
I didn’t like it. It’s simple, very new-agey, and too sentimental. I like simplicity but the book reduces the circumstances of life in a way that feels non-genuine. But, there is 1 quote from the book that I found memorable.
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
After I read this, I instantly thought of when I decided to start this company 5 years ago. Of course it was scary and it was a huge leap of faith. Without the amazing amount of support from our friends and family in helping us build this company, we really wouldn’t be here. Many of our Parsons classmates, who still remain our dear friends, introduced us to their networks, especially where they worked. Our families supported us…even though I suspect many of them don’t have a clue what we do. Our satisfied clients referred us to new clients. The only plan I had 5 years ago was to do good web/interactive work and make a buck or two to support ourselves. Where we are today has definitely exceeded my expectations. Thank you everybody and here’s to another 5 years!
I think the expression is “Don’t judge a book by its cover”! but then again, you’re from California…
my favorite quote is “at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie”