World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain

I have always admired Anthony Bourdain for his inspiring persona and engaging cooking shows. Therefore, I was eager to dive into a book released under his name. However, I was left disheartened to discover that it was not authored by Bourdain himself but rather by his assistant, Laurie. The book merely compiles locations he visited, along with restaurant suggestions and activities in each city, with little reference to Bourdain's own experiences. Much of the content seems to be directly lifted from online sources.

In my view, attributing this book to Anthony Bourdain is misleading, as it suggests readers are purchasing a narrative of his personal adventures rather than a random assortment of facts.

Here are some excerpts from the book:

• “The wheel, the internet, the pint glass, the electric guitar: these were all important inventions that made the world a better place to live in, but we must add another innovation — the pork chop bun.”
• “Respect for the natural world is fundamental to Bhutan’s spiritual identity. More than half the country is off-limits to development or timbering. A whopping 50 percent of Bhutan’s GDP comes from hydropower.”
• “If you’re going to a country, particularly in Southeast Asia, [where] you’ve never been before, it’s a very good idea to go to the market first, see what they’re selling, get an idea of what they’re good at, what the people are buying.”

How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur

Being a fan of The Good Place, I had high hopes for this book. The first half was engaging, filled with actionable insights and philosophical dilemmas. Unfortunately, the second half felt like a chore, as if watching paint dry would be more stimulating. The author's tone often came across as condescending, which detracted from the reading experience.

Notable quotes from the book include:

• “True happiness comes from remaining focused on the things we do, and doing them with no purpose other than to do them.”
• “The best thing about Aristotle’s ‘constant learning, constant trying, constant searching’ is what results from it: a mature yet still pliable person, brimming with experiences both old and new.”
• “Nature, habit, and teaching,’ says Aristotle, ‘are all needed.’ Because flourishing, you see, doesn’t just require us to identify and then acquire all of these virtues — it requires that we have every one in the exact right amount.”

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Although this book has a dedicated following, I found it rather tedious. The writing lacked the vitality needed to keep me engaged, and I frequently struggled to stay awake while reading. Perhaps one day I’ll revisit Brave New World, but for now, there are far more enjoyable options available.

Memorable quotes include:

• “Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly — they’ll go through anything.”
• “Chronic remorse, as all the moralists are agreed, is a most undesirable sentiment.”
• “Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery.”

How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport

After hearing rave reviews about this book, I approached it with enthusiasm, anticipating some remarkable study strategies. Unfortunately, I found it filled with unnecessary fluff and lacking consideration for individual learning styles. What works for one person may not be effective for another, leaving me disappointed.

Some quotes to ponder:

• “All the people I ever admired and respected led balanced lives — studying hard, partying hard, as well as being involved in activities and getting a decent amount of sleep each night.”
• “First things first: Always go to class! The importance of this rule cannot be overemphasized.”
• “Class attendance is so important. Not because learning is power, but because it saves you time.”

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