30 Day Reading Challenge Update (Day 6 to Day 9)

Check out the updates fr my 30 Day Reading Challenge:


Reading Challenge Day 6: Winston M. Estes' Another Part of the House
URL: http://sanityhunter.blogspot.com/2013/05/reading-challenge-day-6-winston-m-estes.html

Reading Challenge Day 7: Sylvia Louise Engdahl's Enchantress from the Stars
URL: http://sanityhunter.blogspot.com/2013/05/reading-challenge-day-7-sylvia-louise.html

Reading Challenge Day 8: E. L. James' Fifty Shades of Grey
URL: http://sanityhunter.blogspot.com/2013/05/reading-challenge-day-8-e-l-james-fifty.html

Reading Challenge Day 9: Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
URL: http://sanityhunter.blogspot.com/2013/05/reading-challenge-day-9-robert-fulghums.html

30 Day Reading Challenge Update (Day 2 to Day 5)

Check out my latest entries from the 30 day reading challenge:

Reading Challenge Day 2: Books Read More Than 3 Times
URL: http://sanityhunter.blogspot.com/2013/05/reading-challenge-day-2-books-read-more.html 

Reading Challenge Day 3: The Odd Thomas Series 
URL: http://sanityhunter.blogspot.com/2013/05/reading-challenge-day-3-odd-thomas.html 

Reading Challenge Day 4: Brother Odd of The Odd Thomas Series
URL: http://sanityhunter.blogspot.com/2013/05/reading-challenge-day-4-brother-odd-of.html 

Reading Challenge Day 5: Bob Ong's ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! 
URL: http://sanityhunter.blogspot.com/2013/05/reading-challenge-day-5-bob-ongs.html

Book Review: American Gods by Neil Gaiman

One question that has always intrigued me is what happens to demonic beings when immigrants move from their homelands. Irish-Americans remember the fairies, Norwegian-Americans the nisser, [...] but only in relation to events remembered in the Old Country. When I once asked why such demons are not seen in America, my informants giggled confusedly and said, 'They're scared to pass the ocen, it's too far.'

- Richard Dorson

There is no better way to start a review on American Gods than state the quote written at the start of Neil Gaiman's bestselling novel.

Synopsis: Shadow dreamed of nothing but leaving prison and starting a new life. But the day before his release, his wife and best friend are killed in an accident. On the plane home to the funeral, he meets Mr. Wednesday — a beguiling stranger who seems to know everything about him. A trickster and rogue, Mr. Wednesday offers Shadow a job as his bodyguard. With nowhere left to go, Shadow accepts, and soon learns that his role in Mr. Wednesday's schemes will be far more dangerous and dark than he could have ever imagined. For beneath the placid surface of everyday life a war is being fought — and the prize is the very soul of America.[Source: Powell's books online ]

The novel starts in such a low tone that I had to drag myself to read the first few chapters, but it's just right that it sets the mood for what the main character is experiencing. Though when Shadow starts to accompany Wednesday, everything turns interesting and very intriguing. As every charpter of the first part passes through, you get to see yourself getting more and more immersed in a world where the impossible becomes possible while, at the same time, the boundless is bound by the limits of the modern world.

The second part of the book, we get a taste of how our world would work like, reminding us that despite all of the possibilities, we still live in the same world that we had been before. Also, this is my favorite part of all the four parts since it helps us understand more about Shadow, what kind of person he really is and not a shallow person as presented on the first part.

The third and the last parts will be just a breeze, since one cannot stop reading or even put the book down. Revelations come after another until the ultimate sacrifice and secret is revealed.

If you are to think of the concept of the book, one thinks its impossible to be written, much less for it to be believable. But Gaiman is just amazing. He has made a feat that no modern writer would be able to do (yes, I dare say that, Stephen King). He makes this world of the gods very real, that one may even consider that it exist in our world. As I've said before, he uses magic to create a place where the impossible becomes very possible yet is still bound by the rules of the modern world.

American Gods is a must read, whether you're a Neil Gaiman fan or not. Five stars out of five!

Enchantress from the Stars

I had always loved reading great books and novels, much more with science fictions. And adding a futuristic theme would make me drool to death. lol!

Kidding aside, for me, sci-fi is more appealing than other genres like fantasy or drama, because your imagination would really bring you on the world where these exist. That is why I love science fiction novels. That is the same reason why I am writing today about one of the novels I like the most.

And the novel I chose to feature is Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl.

Enchantress from the Stars

by Sylvia Louise Engdahl

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Firebird (February 24, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142500372
ISBN-13: 978-0142500378
Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces

Plot Summary on the cover:
The Federation Anthropological Service would never officially have allowed Elana to be on this mission to the medieval planet Andrecia. If Youngling peoples found out that a supremely advanced and enlightened society like the Federation existed, it would irreparably damage their evolution. Stowing away aboard her father's ship, Elana suddenly becomes the key to a dangerous plan to turn back the invasion of Andrecia by an aggressive, space-faring Youngling civilization. How can she possibly help the Andrecians, who still believe in magic and superstition, against a force armed with advanced technology -- without revealing her alien powers?

Apprentice medical officer Jarel wishes that the planet the Imperial Exploration Corps has chosen to colonize didn't have a "humanoid" population already living on it. The invaders don't consider the Andrecians to be human, and Jarel has seen the atrocious treatment the natives get from his people. How can he make a difference, when he alone regrets the destruction that his people bring?

Georyn, youngest son of a poor Andrecian woodcutter, knows only that there is a terrible dragon on the other side of the enchanted forest, and he is prepared to do whatever it takes to defeat it. In his mind, Elana is the Enchantress from the Stars who has come to test him, to prove he is worthy of defeating the dragon and its powerful minions. Despite both Elana's and Jarel's inner turmoil, Georyn's burden is by far the heaviest. Ultimately, he must pit his innocent faith in the magic of his Enchantress from the Stars against foes who have come from a world beyond his comprehension.

About the Author:
Sylvia Louise Engdahl is the author of six novels published between 1970 and 1981 of which Enchantress from the Stars was the first. It was awarded a Newbery Honor in 1971 and the Phoenix Award in 1990. Ms. Engdahl currently resides in Eugene, Oregon, and she encourages you to visit her Website at sylviaengdahl.com

Reviews:
"A beautifully rendered novel with high intelligence, captivating character, and cosmic soul. In many ways, Sylvia Engdahl's writings are the logical successors to Heinlein's derring-do tales of gifted individuals making a difference in human exploration of other worlds. But Engdahl's pace is more leisurely, reflective, and the tapestry she weaves may well outlast Heinlein's.... Although Elana is young, this is a novel for adults of all ages." -Paul Levinson, Amazon.com

"...An original and charming exercise of one of fiction’s finest prerogatives, getting into other skins and seeing through (literally) alien eyes... Girls who like their fantasy realistic, or an aspect of magic to their realism, should enjoy this one." -Ursula LeGuin, New York Times Book Review

"An involved and provocative science fiction story for thoughtful readers." -Booklist

For more reviews and information, check pages on the official site of Sylvia Louise Engdahl about Enchantress from the Stars and Reviews.

My Thoughts:
The best book I have ever read. Not only it is entertaining, the author has conveyed what she wants to share and the message of hope and humanity to its readers.

With regard on the style of writing, I liked how well it was written, in which we are given three different perspectives. Elana's tale is told by her and is the very center of the main plot, is delivered in a very science-fiction manner. Jared's tale focuses more on humanity and conscience. Finally, Georyn's tale is written in a fairy tale like fashion.

If you have time, go grab a copy. I recommend this book!

Mind Children: The Future of Robot and Human Intelligence

Is it possible that the robots in the future would develop artificial intelligence? Sounds like it only exists in the movies, ey. But judging from the development of technological innovations right now, this is very much possible.

While surfing the net, I found this very interesting book. Here are the details provided at Amazon:

Mind Children: The Future of Robot and Human Intelligence

by Hans Moravec

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harvard University Press (January 2, 1990)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0674576187
ISBN-13: 978-0674576186
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces

The book tackles on the great possibilities of the future machines and the chances that robots can indeed develop intelligence.

Product Description by Kirkus Reviews
"A dizzying display of intellect and wild imaginings by Moravec, a world-class roboticist who has himself developed clever beasts . . . Undeniably, Moravec comes across as a highly knowledgeable and creative talent--which is just what the field needs."

Read the following reviews.

One would be making a mistake to let Mind Children recede unopened into a guiltless oblivion. It's a tonic book, thought-provoking on every page. And it reminds us that, in our accelerating, headlong era, the future presses so close upon us that those who ignore it inhabit not the present but the past.
-Brad Leithauser (New Yorker)

A comprehensive and highly readable survey of the state of the art in robotics.
-M. Mitchell Waldrop (New York Times Book Review)

Moravec, by his own admission, is an intellectual joyrider, and riding his runaway trains of thought is an exhilarating experience...This is an intellectual party that shouldn't be pooped, no matter how much it may disturb the neighbours and encourage over-indulgence.
-Hans Moravec (Guardian)

If you have time, go ahead and check it out. Let me borrow, okay, lolz!

The Human Side of Information Technology Management (Book)

I was actually surfing the World Wide Web when I stumbled upon one item, a book by Edward J. Szewczak and Mehdi Khosrow-Pour. It is entitled as "The Human Side of Information Technology Management" and I felt like sharing this information because I do think that it is very rare that a book would tackle on management strategies with the focus on information technology.

Here are the details of the book as provided by Amazon:

The Human Side of Information Technology Management

by Edward J. Szewczak and Mehdi Khosrow-Pour
Hardcover: 388 pages
Publisher: Idea Group Publishing (March 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1878289330
ISBN-13: 978-1878289339
Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds



Product Description by the Publisher:
The influence of information technology (IT) is being felt throughout modern organizations from the senior management level to line management to various clerical and support-group levels. As IT has grown in sophistication along a broad range of technical aspects and features, organizational personnel have witnessed changes in organizational life and ways of doing business that have transformed their thinking about what it means to contribute effectively and efficiently to the well-being of their organizations. It has influenced organizational decision-making, has altered organizational structures and cultures, has reshaped organizational communication and learning, has changed management thinking about organizational design, and has raised ethical issues that must be confronted daily in the workplace. People's responses to IT have influenced the nature of managerial work and the quality of work life. This readings text is a collection of scholarly papers dealing with issues concerning the "people" aspects of IT. It is intended to help managers and students of IT to better understand how the human side of IT is as important as the technical side of IT. Indeed, some may argue today that in the context of organizational life, the human side of IT is more important than the technical side of IT for successful organizational functioning, especially in the implementation of IT. These papers were originally presented at the Information Resources Management Association International Conference held in San Antonio, Texas during May 22-25, 1994. The papers were revised and expanded especially for this volume, and serve as individual chapters in the book.

About the Authors:
Edward J. Szewczak is a professor and Chair of the MCIS Department at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. He received a Ph.D. in MIS from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985. His information systems research has been published in Data Base, European Journal of Operational Research, Information & Management, Information Resources Management Journal, Journal of Management Systems, Journal of Microcomputer Systems Management, Journal of MIS, Omega, and Simulation & Games as well as in a number of readings texts and scholarly conference proceedings. He has also co-edited two books of readings entitled Management Impacts of Information Technology: Perspectives on Organizational Change(1991) and Growth :The Human Side of Information Technology Management (1996), and Measuring Information Technology Investment Payoff: A Contemporary Approach (1999) published by Idea Group Publishing of Hershey, PA. He is currently an associate editor of the Information Resources Management Journal.

Mehdi Khosrowpour is currently an Associate Professor of Information Systems at Penn State Harrisburg. He is the editor-in-charge of the Information Resources Management Journal, the annals of Cases on Information Technology Application and Management in Organizations and Information Management and consulting editor of the Information Technology Newsletter. In addition, he also serves on the editorial review boards of six other international information systems journals and has authored/edited 10 books and more than 30 articles published in various scholarly and professional journals.

I have not read the book yet, but if given a chance, I will. I will buy it if I found a copy(buying online is not an option here in my place). If you have a copy and you are willing to lend it to me, the better, lol! But seriously, The Human Side of Information Technology Management seems to be very interesting.