What I Read During My Restful Summer in 2022

Introduction

Summertime has always been one of my favorite times of the year. There’s something about not having to deal with all the responsibilities that come with work and school that makes me feel relaxed and rejuvenated simultaneously. With all the time I have to concentrate on myself and enjoy time with friends and family, I feel like I’m taking a break from all my worries and concerns. During the summer, I went to Alaska with my family. One week of our trip was spent on a boat, and this was the best way to experience Alaska. The boat is called M/V Catalyst. If you are interested in visiting Alaska, I highly recommend their tour and service. On the ship, there was no internet access, so I was able to escape social media and current events completely. It has been a while since I read without being interrupted. Have a look at what I’ve been reading over the summer.

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte

As I explored how to use the app Notion, I came across this book, Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte. The focus is on knowledge management, capturing and storing your ideas for later access. It was beneficial for organizing my thoughts and learning several tips for managing information. As a teacher, curriculum coordinator, and learner, I encounter many great ideas on social media and websites. Too much information coming in daily is hard to store. Often I forget where I saw something I was looking for earlier. According to a study cited by the New York Times, we consume the equivalent of 174 daily newspapers today, five times more than we did in 1986.

What is building a second brain? Building a second brain can be described as a methodology. It’s about how to make use of modern technology tools, such as Google Calendar, Evernote, Notion, Apple Notes, etc., and networks to expand our memory and our intellect by systematically storing, organizing, and remembering the ideas, inspirations, insights, and connections we’ve gathered over time.

Tiago listed four superpowers of a second brain:
1. making our ideas concrete;
2. revealing new associations between ideas;
3. incubating our ideas over time;
4. sharpening our unique perspectives.

I learn about the P.A.R.A. method for organizing information. The acronym stands for Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives. It is important to manage the information we gather in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed and lost. I will not go into detail about how to use the P.A.R.A. method.

“There is a parallel between PARA and how kitchens are organized. Everything in a kitchen is designed and organized to support an outcome —preparing a meal as efficiently as possible. The archives are like the freezer —items are in cold storage until they are needed, which could be far into the future. Resources are like the pantry—available for use in any meal you make, but neatly tucked away out of sight in the meantime. Areas are like the fridge—items that you plan on using relatively soon, and that you want to check on more frequently. Projects are like the pots and pans cooking on the stove—the items you are actively preparing right now. Each kind of food is organized according to how accessible it needs to be for you to make the meals you want to eat.”

(Forte)

Crying H Mart by Michelle Zauner

My sister-in-law recommended Crying H Mart by Michelle Zauner to me. While reading this memoir about the author’s Korean-American upbringing and her mother’s death from cancer, I felt connected to the author in many ways. Korean and Taiwanese mothers’ parenting styles had some similarities. Despite hardships, pain, and hurt feelings, there is a deep connection between food and the love between a mother and her child. It is a story about family relationships and how healing can still take place even when hurt and pain are experienced from different perspectives. Crying H Mark took me back to my relationships with members of my own family. I haven’t been able to visit my family for almost three years now because of Covid quarantine restrictions and other plans. We always bonded over food whenever I visited my family in Taiwan. There’s nothing like my mom’s cooking or sharing stories and memories with my siblings over Taiwanese street food. This memoir is about mother-daughter relationships, grief, and forgiveness. The power of food is described as a way of bringing people together. One is also reminded not to take the family for granted.

“Food was how my mother expressed her love. No matter how critical or cruel she could seem—constantly pushing me to meet her intractable expectations—I could always feel her affection radiating from the lunches she packed and the meals she prepared for me just the way I liked them.“

(Zauner)

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

A Thousand Splendid Suns was Hosseini’s second novel, following The Kite Runner. It tells the story of two women in Afghanistan who suffer under the Taliban regime. I cried while reading this book. Whenever I wondered if things could get any worse, they did. Hosseini makes it clear that there is no easy way out for Mariam and Laila and that even with a happy ending, life will still be hard. While heartbreaking at times, the book is an excellent read because it does not shy away from difficult topics such as domestic violence and mental illness. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about women’s life in Afghanistan cultures or what life can be like under oppressive regimes.

“Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting.”

(Hosseini)

Two Trees Make a Forest by Jessica Lee

We hiked a lot in Alaska. It was awe-inspiring to be in a natural setting, surrounded by forests. During our trip to Alaska, the naturalist was very knowledgeable. She knew everything about the forest, including the rocks! Every living thing has a story to tell. Our naturalist on our trip inspired me to learn more about the forests and history of Taiwan. “75 percent of the land is on a slog, and nearly 60 percent is covered in forest.” (Lee) I started reading Two Trees Makes a Forest by Jessica Lee. The author tells her journey back to her roots as she explores Taiwan’s past, present, and future through its disappearing forests. The book is written with a simplicity that captures not only my attention but also my imagination. I liked how the author described her hikes with details that helped paint a picture in my mind. The author weaves family stories with geographical elements throughout the book. After reading this book, I gained a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s history.

“”Islands transfix us, their mythologies tied as much to their isolation as to imagination.

(Lee)

The Non-Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams

Anyone who is interested in designing things will benefit from reading The Non-Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams. The author makes it clear that “This book is written for all the people who need to design things, but have no background or formal training in design.” It is written in a straightforward and approachable style. C.R.A.P. stands for Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity, the four basic principles of design. Williams provides step-by-step explanations on how to use these principles when creating an attractive layout. There are also examples at the end of each chapter. Each chapter ends with some questions so you can test your knowledge before moving on to the next chapter. This book is worth reading if you’re looking for pointers on making your designs “invite reading rather than snoring”.

“Once you can name something, you’re conscious of it. You have power over it. You’re in control. You own it.”

(Williams)

Alaska!

Here are some beautiful views of Alaska!