Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
Thinking Inside the Box by Adrienne Raphel
Why I have it: spotted during Nonfiction November.
Summary: The history of the crossword puzzle, and an examination of its popularity – why has it become a fixture of breakfast tables and commutes, given rise to competitive crossword tournaments, and even been the theme of a cruise?
I’m thinking: No – interesting but I think I prefer doing crosswords rather than reading about them.
You May Also Like by Tom Vanderbilt
Why I have it: spotted during Nonfiction November.
Summary: Everyone knows their favorite color and the foods they most enjoy. Everyone has favourite songs, movies and television shows. But what does it really mean when we like something? How do we decide what’s good? Vanderbilt delves into psychology, marketing, and neuroscience to answer these complex and fascinating questions.
I’m thinking: Yes
Why the Germans Do it Better by John Kampfner
Why I have it: spotted on Lizzy’s Goodreads shelf.
Summary: Kampfner considers how Germany’s modern history – half of which has been a tale of horror, war and dictatorship, and half of which has been ‘atonement, stability, and maturity’ – has shaped the country.
I’m thinking: Yes (ignore the presumptuous and, I suspect, poorly chosen title).
I like the sound of all three – especially the crossword book. We have a book of cryptic crosswords permanently on our dining table. It is a fab way to do something together, away from screens. Reading about them sounds great too!
Despite my enjoyment of crosswords (I’m not a devotee but I go through phases of doing them), I have never got the hang of cryptic!
I couldn’t get them for ages. But I persevered by looking up an answer and trying to work out the link between it and the clue. It’s been very satisfying to feel that process of learning.
Keen to read Why the Germans Do It Better
Apparently it’s written very much from a British v German perspective, hence the ‘do it better’ but I think British culture aligns enough with Aus to be relevant.
They certainly do technical education better at which we British are lamentably bad. Might you review it if you read it?
Yes, will absolutely review it when I read it.
I’ll let you read Why Germans .. But I’ve always admired their stance since the War – to discuss, to own the problem and to apologise. Makes good psychological sense. Economically, Germany (and Japan) were helped post War to reasonable middle class prosperity by the Americans and that has made them both valuable democratic allies.
One day the British, and yes the Japanese, might have such an honest discussion about the terrible damage wrought by their empires.
I find the sense of National shame and need for atonement in Germany fascinating. I first witnessed it in the 80s when I was an exchange student, and it is the reason I keep going back.
I contrast their approach with the current attitude toward indigenous Australian history…
You May Also Like sounds especially interesting.
You May Also Like gets my vote – sounds really interesting.
All three sound great! I love crosswords and work in marketing. No personal connection to the German one but still sounds interesting
If it was my choice I’d opt to keep You May Also Like. It would make a good companion read to one of my favourite non fiction books – The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
I might have to get the “Why the Germans do it better” book. I don’t read nice comments about my country often. Might have to do with the fact that I like history.
I also like “The Tipping Point”. Good non-fiction.