Scott Berkun

Best things of 2009

Went through my list of stuff acquired this year. Turns out I read a lot of books.

Here’s the best (purchasable) things I found in 2009:

Thoughtless acts, by Jane Fulton Suri – This is a great book for any design, or creative thinkers out there. Published in 2005, I read it back then, put it a stack of books, and only rediscovered it this year. It’s a collection of photos of objects redesigned by ordinary people to serve purposes beyond what the designer expected. (Nice article with many photo examples here)

Brain Rules – I’ve read many of the ‘neuroscience for general audience’ books out there, and this is hands down the strongest, best written, most applicable and best supported of the bunch. This book was a strong influence on Confessions, as the book emphasizes learning, improving brain function, and how our bodies and brains work best in harmony with each other, all points made in various ways in Confessions.

LogicComix – I have a degree in Logic, which is practically worthless, but studying logic had all sorts of hugely important side effects, including discovering the work of Bertrand Russell, who is likely my favorite philosopher of all time. This unusual telling of his life story in comic book form sounds like a bizzare idea for a book, and it is, but it makes for a surprsingly entertaining and moving read.

The Book of Genesis by Crumb -  I’m not religious in any organized sense, but I do love the study of theology and read various sorts of scripture or scripture like things now and then. Crumb is a famous alternative comic craftsman, and the juxtoposition of his less than traditional history and drawing style, with the unabridged book of Genesis made for a great experience. I read it in two sitings.

The Road, By Cormac McCarthy – This book changed me. Not entirely sure how yet, but definitely in profound ways. I read it in one day, and couldn’t stop thinking about it for a week. I even went to see the movie, which, like the book, was amazing, horrible, life-altering, disturbing, humbling and epic all at once. I plan to write a longer review, but it’s easily the best novel I’ve read in the last few years. Last novel I read that in the same ball park of potency was Life of Pi. The Road puts the E in EPIC. Working on a separate post about The Road. Stay tuned.

Them Crooked Vultures – This is a supergroup effort that doesn’t suck. It’s Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), Joshua Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin). It’s a straight ahead hard rock effort, but there’s so much attitude, sass, funk, and generally mean, but lovingly mean, music here that I found it full of life, energy and positive vibe.

Woody Guthrie – The best of the war years.  On the other end of the musical spectrum,  I dig folk music, and I never tire of hearing Guthrie sing his stuff. This remastered edition has all sorts of early folk classics I’d heard before (Hey lolly, Going down the road) but never by him.  I’ve written about Guthrie briefly before – definitely one of my heroes for more than one reason.

In other news, two of my favorite films are now available on Netflix streaming: The Seventh Seal and The Seven Samurai.  Apparently  i like moves with sevens in them.

• Posted Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 4:15 pm


• in books | 8 Comments » |