The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
A Native American boy named Junior chronicles (and illustrates) his life on "the rez" and his new life at a mostly white high school. I wish I'd read this book when I was younger. At times hilarious and at other times, emotionally poignant. It really touched my soul. :)
Maid to Order in Hong Kong: Stories of Migrant Workers by Nicole Constable
An interesting (and non-fictional) look into the lives and struggles of Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong.
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
It was reminiscent of The Phantom Tollbooth but maybe not taking it as far. I feel that Tollbooth managed to hit some resonating truths, and while Haroun did as well, it had more emphasis on the hero's journey: Haroun is the son of a storyteller, and when the storyteller's stories dry up, he travels to the Sea of Stories to fix it. I also really liked its subtle nod towards politics.
I think this book could be marketed to children so I'm wondering why it isn't/wasn't...
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis
This book infuriated me, in a good way. I've probably heard the economic crisis explained to me several times now. This book takes a closer look at that crisis by following three groups of people who bet that the subprime mortgage products that was making Wall Street money would blow up in their faces. Previously, I had found some of the terms (like credit default swaps and CDOs) confusing. I was horrified to discover that the same people who lived and breathed these terms, made fortunes from them, and eventually destroyed the economy through them didn't understand them either.
Lewis' writing itself is engaging and about as clear as you're ever going to find. Excellent book on the crisis. (I'm planning to read more books on the topic. See below.)
Next: 13 Bankers: The Wall Street Takeover and the Next Financial Meltdown by Simon Johnson and James Kwak
(Rest of My Reading List)
