I don’t know if anyone else does this, but every once in a while I go on a nonfiction binge. I usually prefer to read just one novel at a time, but I tend to read nonfiction a little less intensely than I do fiction, if that makes any sense. I suppose because it doesn’t bother me to pick up a nonfiction book and read a chapter or two, and then set it aside, I can usually juggle three or four books at a time.

Anyway, this week I “binged” on some nonfiction, and I’ve been enjoying all of it, so I thought I’d pass it along.

The Definitive Book of Body Language (Allan and Barbara Pease) — A friend of mine told me I needed to read this book. This is a great, non-technical guide to developing the ability to read people’s body language, and just as importantly, to understand the effect of your own body language. Lot of stuff about gorillas and chimpanzees in here too. And funny pictures of Prince Charles.

The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need (Andrew Tobias) — I don’t have much to invest, but I decided I should learn about investing before I have a lot of extra dough. There are a few different basic guides to investing out there, but this is the best combination of explanation and advice I’ve come across. Tobias writes in a conversational style that demystifies the confusing world of finance and investing.

Why Does My Dog Act That Way? (Stanley Coren) — I don’t even have a dog (yet), and I’m enjoying this book. This is not really a nuts-and-bolts dog training manual, but the in-depth explanations of dog psychology and the historical pursuit of the “superdog” make for a more interesting read I think. And you learn about the Army putting puppies in the freezer (don’t worry, the puppies lived).

God Save the Fan (Will Leitch) — ESPN brought nonstop sports coverage to the masses, but as Deadspin.com editor Will Leitch writes in this book, its near-monopoly on sports media has had some unfortunate consequences. Leitch exposes some of the stories ESPN doesn’t want you know about, and calls for sports fans to reject the dumbing-down of sports coverage. If you’re tired of Chris Berman’s endless nicknames or find yourself muting the TV when Stephen A. Smith starts yelling at you, you’ll find this book entertaining.

I would like to thank the Heirloom Antique Club of Jackson for asking me to be the speaker for their February meeting. They were very nice to come to the DotCom building and sit there and listen to me talk about book collecting. Of course, they might have come for the refreshments, those ladies brought some great snacks! I hope that I explained all the ins and outs and if anyone has anymore questions please come in or call me at Lemuria and I will be happy to try and answer them.

If anyone is interested in book collecting I thought I would list the ways that dealers define a book’s condition:

1. Mint-like new

2. Very Fine-almost like new, but used more frequently by conservative dealers.

3. Fine-showing no defects, probably meaning the book has been read.

4. Very Good-a book with flaws (for example, price clipped dust jacket or small closed tears).

5. Good-a book with unappealing flaws (for example, a remainder marked copy); usually only acceptable to collectors until a better copy is found.

6. Poor-serves only out-of-print material purpose.

If you are interested in collecting first editions a great way to start a library is to join Lemuria’s First Edition Club. Check out the list of FEC selections since 1993 on the website.

A few weeks ago, John passed me an advance copy of Bernhard Schlink’s novel Homecoming and mentioned that I might enjoy it. I had a couple books already in my stack at home, but John’s recommendations have proved fairly reliable, so I gave it a shot.

I was pleasantly surprised by Schlink’s writing (and the translation work by Michael Henry Heim from the original German). The prose is natural and seldom sounds out of place in the English translation. Schlink is excellent at describing moments of common experience that generally go unnoticed.

My favorite part of the novel, however, is the layered construction of the story — most importantly the protagonist exploring his family history through a novel published by his grandparents. Schlink weaves this theme of the ideas and beliefs that are encased in fiction throughout the story; you find yourself discovering the theme in moments of the story, instead of feeling as though the story is being dictated by the theme. The protagonist also returns again and again to the issue of inherited familial guilt, and wrestles with his inability to either deny or make amends for his ancestral evil.

This is a good read. Homecoming is going to stay on my bookshelf, and I am looking forward to picking up Schlink’s first novel, The Reader, which was an Oprah Book Club selection.

Successful Aging

John W. Rowe M.D. and Robert L. Kahn

Random House (1999)

By reading Successful Aging in short sittings, it helped me to focus daily on my health awareness. Hopefully, I continue to change some of my habits for healthier ones and live to be a happy old man. One of the best features in this books is the presentation of the most comprehensive study on aging in the U.S. done by the MacArthur Foundation. The down to earth presentation of these results really helped to bring about an awareness of my choices in addition to giving me methods for improvement.

We can’t fight the clock. What you choose to do in the mean time is up to you.

Psychotherapy without the Self:

A Buddhist Perspective

by Mark Epstein

Mark Epstein has been on the forefront of the effort to introduce Buddhist psychology to the west. This collection of essays span more than 20 years.

Epstein studies Buddha, Freud and Winnicott to explain different relationships of the mind. I especially enjoyed commentaries on creativity and unintegration: Focusing on “good enough ego coverage” when urges are relaxed and the mind and heart are open. Thinking about associating the relaxation experiences after intercourse or the unburdened mind of the artist or musician while creating opened me up to understanding unintegration as the foundation of creativity. These ideas thought about in the context of new base core narcissistic drives was eye opening for me.

By associating Buddha’s egolessness teaching and Freud’s oceanic feeling concept, I began to grasp how these two great thinkers are alike. And how there understandings can help me be more creative in everyday life.

This essay collection is thought provoking and eye opening. I found reading an one essay in a sitting was enough and rereading at times before moving onward was equally satisfying.