LazyNeko
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The Power of HabitThe Power of Habit, BookWhy We Do What We Do in Life and Business
by Duhigg, CharlesBook - 2012Book, 2012
LazyNeko's rating:
Added Jun 07, 2012
Quotations
- Habits are not as simple as they appear. As I've tried to demonstrate throughout this book, habits-- even once they are rooted in our minds-- aren't destiny. We can choose our habits, once we know how.
LazyNeko's rating:
Added Jun 05, 2012
Comment:
Starts out as a good sci-fi adventure/mystery but the literal deus ex machina-- and it talks!-- ruins the very end. It's like the author couldn't think up a way to resolve the mystery.
Quotations
- Twenty years later, that was still central to me: the present is a comforting illusion, and although life persists, any one life is just a breath in the wind.
LazyNeko's rating:
Added Jun 04, 2012
Comment:
It starts out promisingly with bustling characters and creepy scenes of near death experiences. Then it suddenly veers into preposterous territory and I couldn't take the story seriously anymore.
Quotations
- "The perfect metaphor," he said, "looming up suddenly out of nowhere in the middle of your maiden voyage, unseen until it is nearly upon you, unavoidable even when you try to swerve, unexpected even though there have been warnings all along. Literature, literature is a warning," he said, and then waveringly, "'No, no, my dream was lengthened after life.' Shakespeare wrote that, trying to warn us of what's coming. 'I passed, methought, the melancholy flood, With that sour ferryman which poets write of, Unto the kingdom of perpetual night.'""The perfect metaphor," he said, "looming up suddenly out of nowhere in the middle of your maiden voyage, unseen until it is nearly upon you, unavoidable even when you try to swerve, unexpected even though there have been warnings all along.…
LazyNeko's rating:
Added Jun 02, 2012
Comment:
The idea of gene rippers and calorie men was intriguing, but it wasn't enough for me to get interested in the novel or the characters. Also, the use of foreign lingo was excessive.
Quotations
- "I would never participate in such blasphemy." Hagg scowls. "Food should come from the place of its origin, and stay there. It shouldn't spend its time crisscrossing the globe for the sake of profit. We went down that path once, and it brought us to ruin.""I would never participate in such blasphemy." Hagg scowls. "Food should come from the place of its origin, and stay there. It shouldn't spend its time crisscrossing the globe for the sake of profit. We went down that path once, and it brought us to…
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 27, 2012
Comment:
Points for creativity, Ian the cat, and the text shark art. Can't say I understood what happened in the story. It reminds me of the graphic novel "The Unwritten #4" where the main character chases after a conceptual whale.
Quotations
- The letters from the First Eric Sanderson stopped four days ago. Just like Clio's idea for a tattooed face on her big toe, Eric had ghost-projected the last whispers of himself into the future, bacon-sliced up into 300 envelopes and boxes. And finally the last one had arrived. A man lives so many different lengths of time. And each one has its own end.The letters from the First Eric Sanderson stopped four days ago. Just like Clio's idea for a tattooed face on her big toe, Eric had ghost-projected the last whispers of himself into the future, bacon-sliced up into 300 envelopes and boxes. And…
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 24, 2012
Comment:
The nature of the deep obsession with illusion and magic that drives the rivalry between the two magicians is spell-binding. It's so fascinating that I can forgive the author's departure into science-fiction toward the end. As good as the movie... but in a different way.The nature of the deep obsession with illusion and magic that drives the rivalry between the two magicians is spell-binding. It's so fascinating that I can forgive the author's departure into science-fiction toward the end. As good as the movie...…
Quotations
- Audiences know well that a magician will practise his illusions for years, and will rehearse each performance carefully, but few people realize the extent of the prestidigitator's wish to deceive, the way in which the apparent defiance of normal laws becomes an obsession which governs every moment of his life.Audiences know well that a magician will practise his illusions for years, and will rehearse each performance carefully, but few people realize the extent of the prestidigitator's wish to deceive, the way in which the apparent defiance of normal…
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 23, 2012
Comment:
Something to think about: a society kept in order by a constant state of shallow happiness where people are conditioned to be content with their class because they're incapable of understanding anything different. More a thinking exercise than a story.Something to think about: a society kept in order by a constant state of shallow happiness where people are conditioned to be content with their class because they're incapable of understanding anything different. More a thinking exercise than a…
Quotations
- "What you need," the Savage went on, "is something with tears for a change. Nothing costs enough here."
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 22, 2012
Comment:
The story feels somewhat incomplete, but the society-- devoid of color, emotion, and history-- sketched out by the author is thought-provoking. Are the inhabitants better off this way? Safer? Truly alive?
Quotations
- "The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared."
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 22, 2012
Comment:
The world of 1Q84 is surreal and very, very weird. Still, that strangeness draws you in and at the heart of this long story, the deep love that draws the two main characters ever so slowly together keeps it interesting.
Quotations
- After you do something like that, the everyday look of things might seem to change a little. Things may look different to you than they did before. But don't let appearances fool you. There's always only one reality.
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 19, 2012
Comment:
The action stalls a bit while Tom Taylor spends his time reading his father's journals, which triggers flashbacks to an earlier age and more family secrets.
Quotations
- "...A million people, all dreaming the same dreams. Dreams that will still be there when they wake up. That's what I want to do, I think. Reach into people's minds, and paint dreams there."
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 18, 2012
Comment:
An inventive story about a boy raised by ghosts and supernatural guardians, kept safe inside a graveyard. It appears to be a creepy story about an unusual childhood, but it contains universal themes and lessons about growing up that applies to all of us.An inventive story about a boy raised by ghosts and supernatural guardians, kept safe inside a graveyard. It appears to be a creepy story about an unusual childhood, but it contains universal themes and lessons about growing up that applies to all…
Quotations
- "Because there are mysteries. Because there are things that people are forbidden to speak about. Because there are things they do not remember."
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 17, 2012
Comment:
Quick read that consists of interesting stories about creative people and how to encourage innovation. The author doesn't delve deeply into the subject or offer any kind of analysis on what he presents.
Quotations
- In fact, the only way to remain creative over time-- to not be undone by our expertise-- is to experiment with ignorance, to stare at things we don't fully understand.
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 17, 2012
Comment:
A perfectly bleak picture of the future where reality is whatever the controlling power says it is. The language that Orwell introduced in this book is so influential in our politics that it's worth reading to see how Orwell's ideas permeate our society today.A perfectly bleak picture of the future where reality is whatever the controlling power says it is. The language that Orwell introduced in this book is so influential in our politics that it's worth reading to see how Orwell's ideas permeate our…
Quotations
- "...History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right. I know, of course, that the past is falsified, but it would never be possible for me to prove it, even when I did the falsification myself. After the thing is done, no evidence remains. The only evidence is inside my own mind, and I don't know with any certainty that any other human being shares my memories...""...History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right. I know, of course, that the past is falsified, but it would never be possible for me to prove it, even when I did the falsification myself. After…
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 09, 2012
Comment:
The method by which peace is attained in this book is abhorrent and implausible. I simply don't buy it.
Quotations
- This was the question that had been in the back of Julian's mind from the time Marty first described the Twenty: maybe war is an inevitable product of human nature. Maybe to get rid of war, we have to become something other than human.
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 08, 2012
Comment:
Is common sense not a prerequisite for historians? Why lie to friends and allies when you have a common cause? The second book does tie up the loose ends of "Blackout" but through cheap fake-outs and more dragged-out scenes where the heroes lament about their sad situation. Ugh.Is common sense not a prerequisite for historians? Why lie to friends and allies when you have a common cause? The second book does tie up the loose ends of "Blackout" but through cheap fake-outs and more dragged-out scenes where the heroes lament…
Quotations
- You don't want to have anything to do with me, Polly wanted to scream at them. The continuum's going to vainly keep on trying to correct itself, and next time it will get me and all of you.
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 07, 2012
Comment:
It's essentially retread of all the previous time-travel stories and since it's part one of two, the story ends very abruptly. The various characters take an unnecessarily loooooooong time coming to a very obvious conclusion and I swear the time traveling laws get fuzzier and fuzzier with each book. Fingers crossed the second book makes up for this mishmash of a set-up.It's essentially retread of all the previous time-travel stories and since it's part one of two, the story ends very abruptly. The various characters take an unnecessarily loooooooong time coming to a very obvious conclusion and I swear the time…
Quotations
- Historians can't change history, Mike told himself, clenching his chattering teeth, waiting for the aspirin to take effect.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. NorrellJonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Book
by Clarke, SusannaBook - 2004Book, 2004
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 06, 2012
Comment:
Somewhere buried in all the dense text is a good story about two rival magicians, a mischievous fairy, and the source of English magic. Unfortunately, the pedantic style and the copious footnotes completely obscure it.
Quotations
- "The first shall pass his life alone; he shall be his own gaoler; The second shall tread lonely roads, the storm above his head, seeking a dark tower upon a high hillside..."
The UnwrittenThe Unwritten, Graphic Novel4, Leviathan
by Carey, MikeGraphic Novel - 2011Graphic Novel, 2011
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 04, 2012
Comment:
You can't fail to be entertained when there's a giant white whale that drives the story, right? This volume feels more like set-up... hopefully for something good.
Quotations
- "Some symbols become more real than what they stand for. Like they're part of a truth that's beyond the regular kind of truth."
The UnwrittenThe Unwritten, Graphic Novel3, Ddead Man's Knock
by Carey, MikeGraphic Novel - 2011Graphic Novel, 2011
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 04, 2012
Comment:
More references that makes having a Lit degree useful, shots at crap fantasy series, and a cool choose-your-own-adventure section with Lizzie Hexam. This series is so much fun.
Quotations
- "That most times, the truth is like a close-up conjuring trick. You can look straight at something and think you're seeing the truth of it. But really, you're seeing what someone else wants you to see."
The UnwrittenThe Unwritten, Graphic Novel2, Inside Man
by Carey, MikeGraphic Novel - 2010Graphic Novel, 2010
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 03, 2012
Comment:
This volume delves more into the mythology of who or what Tom Taylor is and the dark side of confusing fantasy and reality. It's neat how the authors incorporate modern mass media into the story.
Quotations
- When a book is read, an irrevocable thing happens-- a murder, followed by an imposture. The story in the mind murders the story on the page, and takes its place.
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 03, 2012
Comment:
"Fire Watch" was interesting mostly because it's the start of the time-travel Oxford stories. As for the other short stories, I read a few of them, glanced at the others... meh.
Quotations
- The past is beyond saving. Surely that was the lesson the history department sent me all this way to learn. Well, fine, I've learned it. Can I go home now?
LazyNeko's rating:
Added May 03, 2012
Comment:
The love story element is appealing, but everything involving the circus and the secondary characters appear to be thrown together haphazardly and in the end, the abrupt little chapters don't add up to a whole. The competition between the magicians starts out interesting but then completely fizzles into cliché. Disappointing.The love story element is appealing, but everything involving the circus and the secondary characters appear to be thrown together haphazardly and in the end, the abrupt little chapters don't add up to a whole. The competition between the magicians…
Quotations
- "How can I excel at a game when you refuse to tell me the rules?"
The Moon Is A Harsh MistressThe Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, Book
by Heinlein, Robert A.Book - 1996Book, 1996
LazyNeko's rating:
Added Apr 29, 2012
Comment:
This is more like a how to start a revolution with two guys, a hot girl, and an omniscient AI computer named Mike than a good story. Because of Mike, there wasn't any feeling of real tension risk. Plus, the weird Luna dialect the narrator had, which for some reason had a lot of Russian sprinkled all through it, made it hard to read.This is more like a how to start a revolution with two guys, a hot girl, and an omniscient AI computer named Mike than a good story. Because of Mike, there wasn't any feeling of real tension risk. Plus, the weird Luna dialect the narrator had, which…
Quotations
- "Oh, 'tanstaafl.' Means 'There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.' And isn't," I added, pointing to a FREE LUNCH sign across room, "or these drinks would cost half as much. Was reminding her that anything free costs twice as much in long run or turns out worthless.""Oh, 'tanstaafl.' Means 'There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.' And isn't," I added, pointing to a FREE LUNCH sign across room, "or these drinks would cost half as much. Was reminding her that anything free costs twice as much in long run or…
Added Apr 27, 2012
Comment:
The Victorian age and all the murder mystery and romance and comedy of manners tropes are all very entertaining, but the overall treatment of time-travel was too silly and very jarring after it was treated so seriously in "Doomsday Book". Recognized many of the very obvious (too obvious!) Victorian literature shout-outs.The Victorian age and all the murder mystery and romance and comedy of manners tropes are all very entertaining, but the overall treatment of time-travel was too silly and very jarring after it was treated so seriously in "Doomsday Book". Recognized…
Quotations
- History was indeed controlled by blind forces, as well as character and courage and treachery and love. And accident and random chance. And stray bullets and telegrams and tips. And cats.
LazyNeko's rating:
Added Apr 26, 2012
Comment:
The detective teamed with robot element was fun, but the detective seemed to suck at his job with his constant, wild accusations. Lucky his partner was a robot-- no human would have tolerated that treatment! I found R. Daneel (the robot) was the more interesting detective.The detective teamed with robot element was fun, but the detective seemed to suck at his job with his constant, wild accusations. Lucky his partner was a robot-- no human would have tolerated that treatment! I found R. Daneel (the robot) was the…
Quotations
- "There are degrees of justice, Elijah. When the lesser is incompatable [sic] with the greater, the lesser must give way."
Comment: