Some things to read

I’ve had time to read a few books. I think that it has been nine months since I last wrote about my reading list, so it has had time to pile up a bit. In addition to the books listed here, I’ve read a number of fictional books, but there are too many to list. 🙂

Billions of Entrepreneurs: How China and India Are Reshaping Their Futures-and Yours, by Tarun Khanna
-Less about entrepreneurship, more about comparing, contrasting, explaining the cultures, politics, business strategies, and infrastructures of China and India, using case studies and personal experience.

What Mad Pursuit: A Personal View of Scientific Discovery, by Francis Crick
-More of a commentary on the scientific process, it can be a slow read but it is a small book.

I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith
-Written in 1948, I immediately thought that this book could have been set in the modern day. I loved the style of writing, which was descriptive. Written as the personal journal of a 17 year old girl, it was made into a movie (which I have not seen).

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America, by Erik Larson
-If you love Chicago, this is a book you will want to read. It is the story of the creation of the 1893 World’s Fair, as well as a serial killer who lived in Chicago at the same time as the Fair.

The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss
-Beautiful, poetic writing, with a great plot twist at the end.

The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
-A heartbreaking work of fiction about betrayal and forgiveness.

Gluten-free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back…and How You Can Too, by Shauna James Ahern
-This book actually made me want to cook more. I got into Shauna’s writing by reading her blog, and her descriptions of food are amazing. Even if you can eat food with gluten in it, this is a valuable book to read in order to understand how people with gluten intolerance have to deal with food in American society.

Eat, Pray, Love One: Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert
-Kind of an interesting story, but the author is self-absorbed. I know that this book was a best-seller, but I’ve never been the “find yourself” type, and so books like this generally annoy me.

Baha’i books:

Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Báb, by Nader Saiedi (still reading)
–(from Baha’i Bookstore) “Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the author examines the Báb’s major works in multifaceted context, explaining the unique theological system, mystical worldview, and interpretive principles they embody as well as the rhetorical and symbolic uses of language through which the Báb radically transforms traditional concepts and at times reverses their meanings.”
I have always loved the Writings of the Báb and stories associated with Him, so when I heard about this book while serving in Haifa, I knew I had to read it.  I can’t wait to finish it.

Zikrullah Khadem, Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God With Love, by Javidukht Khadem
-I had the blessing of growing up near Mrs. Khadem (who passed away over a year ago), and to read this book was a wonderful glimpse into their lives together, and allowed me to know a little bit more about Mr. Khadem, Hand of the Cause of God. Their children also include some stories and thoughts at the end of the book.

The Advent of Divine Justice, by Shoghi Effendi
-The Guardian wrote this letter to the American Baha’is to discuss its challenges and opportunities.  A must read, especially for Baha’is living in the USA.