How to Make Love Like a Porn Star

I have to admit I didn't read the book. I did watch the movie though.

Ok just kidding, I'm going to check out the real books listed, just being a dork.

My Book Draft

Three Cups of Tea - Link to Amazon

I read this book about a year ago. I think it should actually be required reading for everyone, especially the large swath of people who think ALL Muslims are horrible people. I read the book and afterwards felt like the simple solution of educating the children in Afghanistan and Pakistan is ultimately the best defense against terrorism. Plus, his nonprofit organization that helps him build these schools is based out of Bozeman - a MT connection for Hamilton. Below is the synopsis from Amazon:

"Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers' hearts."

The Book Draft

The way I saw it presented in another forum was each person made a selection for their books and wrote a one paragraph reason for why it should be mandatory reading. I say we do a three round draft. There is no defined criteria except that it would be beneficial to our society. Once a post is made you can contribute additional comments and I would be curious if anyone else has read it.

My first pick would be "The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century" by Thomas L. Friedman. Friedman is an op-ed writer for the New York Times and has covered foreign policy, the White House and economics during his career and won two Pulitzer Prizes for his reporting. "The World is Flat" is one man's opinion on the direction of the global economy and a road map for how America can retain it's place as the world's leader. His insights into our strength's and weaknesses should be required reading for our next generation to help them better understand the challenges they will face in the future. Some of his prognostications may be debatable but there is no doubt that his ideas will spark thought and at least serve as a warning to our next generation that there is an entire world out there wanting the opportunities they have before them so they will need to fight for any success they will achieve.

In Defense of Food vs. Omnivore's Dilemma

Actually I think Omnivore's Dilemma was one of the best books I've ever read. Head to head I would recommend it over this book. In fact the author states as much. He said the Omnivore's Dilemma, which was voted one of the Top 5 Books of 2007, had one consistent complaint: "That it was full of problem but didn't offer any solution." --That's why he followed it up with In Defense of Food to give us an idea of what we can do. I bet if you read it, you would find a way to cut your dependence to processed corn. Hell look at the price of anything to do with corn is skyrocketing. We created our own monster --spent decades coming up with new ways to use excess corn until we created such a dependence on it --now we can't make enough of it.

The book report idea is good I think. I like it. What's the next step?

What did you think???

Hamilton you've read "Omnivore's Dilemma" how did this compare? I thought it was fascinating and as much as I want to change the way my family eats, it would be a real burden to eliminate the processed foods.

An interesting concept I saw on another blog, a book draft. It was tailored toward high school reading and what books should be read by high schoolers but they did a 3 round draft of the most influential books they'd read. I think it would be an interesting concept and would be curious to know what have been the best books you've read in the past 15 years.

Eating 'Healthier' -- Getting Fatter

I think the title of this chapter is self-explanatory.

How did we get to the point when 'Lucky Charms' became a health food --bragging about how high in fiber and low in fat it is, enhanced with minerals and vitamins.

Almost a bowl of salad isn't it?

Reading Update

It was quite humorous to me that I was reading this book while eating some type of cheese filled crackers on Delta Airlines, Holiday Inn breakfasts and a couple stops at Dunkin Donuts over the weekend.

At least Portland embraces a lot of the lifestyle changes the author talks about. I will definitely be hitting the farmer's markets a bit more this Spring - and asking them what type of fertilizer they are using.......off to purge the donuts out of my system.