The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Tara Westover

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The Immortal Life Henrietta Lacks
The Immortal Life Henrietta Lacks

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Authors: Rebecca Skloot
Page count: 381
Publisher: Crown
Subjects: Non-Fiction, Autobiography
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1-4000-5217-2
Product Dimensions: Kindle eBook / Audiobook

100 Word Summary

This is about ethical arguments on tissue market. Due to illness, Henrietta Lacks, or HeLa in short, donated her cells for studies at Hopkins in 1951. Unexpectedly, HeLa cells were the only kind that produce indefinitely, creating much interest and medical breakthroughs. These cells are the most researched and tested in existence. Humanity has benefited from these medical advances made and this book is recognition of Henrietta Lacks’ great contribution. However, the dark truth of all these success is that these contributions are mostly stolen and Lacks family unaware of the possible remunerations or benefits they could have received.

(100 words)

Who should read:

Friends who are interested in the following topics, social-economic and medical reasearch. It is a book that explore and details the African community in the early days, the challenges and difficulties, the culture and thought process during such times.

Undoubtedly, friends who are in the medical field will have known HeLa cells. They will want to know more of its history and its origins. This book provides a third party view on HeLa’s life while she is alive, and the contributions achieved by HeLa cells

Who should NOT read:

In my view, i think it is a good medical history book for the medical and non-medical readers. If anyone is affected by such social and economical injustice dealt to certain ethnicity, then this book will not be suitable at all.

This book present facts and document the life of HeLa from a third party view.

Takeaway points:

If something is taken away without permission, it is considered an act of theft. Justifications may be made to cover this act, but nothing can change the fact that it is still an act of theft.

The only weakness in this argument is, if only the beneficiary is knowledgeable to protect herself in commercial terms so as to benefit together. Still, it is a remarkable discovery that brings a great change to mankind, and HeLa’s descendants subsequently.

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Educated: A Memoir – Tara Westover

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Authors: Tara Westover
Page count: 352
Publisher: Random House
Subjects: Non-Fiction, Autobiography
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0399590504
Product Dimensions: Kindle eBook / Audiobook

100 Word Summary

Set in the mountains of Idaho, the Westover family was well prepared for doomsday. Led by the father of the family, they stockpiled all necessities and equipped themselves with essential skills. In this way, the survivalist family could self-sustain and avoid any dependency on society, or the government. Thus being isolated from the mainstream, the children did not have any formal or proper education. With that, Tara had a strong thirst for knowledge and taught herself enough subjects to get herself into the Brigham Young University. This is her story of family loyalty, grief and struggle in her growing years.

(100 words)

Who should read:

Readers who want to look at the current society with a fresh preservative. This is especially so from the eyes of the uneducated. It is interesting to know in such time and age, there are still members of the society who are ignorant and stubborn of the improvements and advancements. Such ingrates (if you may allow me) are always doubting the government, rejecting any help or aid when it could really help them for good.

Who should NOT read:

For those who are expecting a fairy tale, sci-fi stories of either happy or sad ending, this is surely not for you. It is a real story of someone’s (Tara Westover) growing up years. An autobiography of the challenges and struggles that at times can be painful to read. It is especially painful for the educated ones to read the encounters of the Westover family members. Imagine being sick and being refused to see a doctor because of the fear that government will them brainwash and take control. Such irrationality is hard to accept for readers who are practical and realistic/

Takeaway points:

Education changes someone for the better. It gives proper logical reasoning and allows higher cognitive abilities. In this way, it solves much complexities. With that in mind, life can be better enjoyed and not wasted fearing unnecessarily or suspecting establishments with much self entertained controversies.

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Building Your Real Estate Riches – Ku Swee yong

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Author: Ku Swee Yong
Page count: 178 pages
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Business (5 Nov 2012)
Subjects: Finance
Language: English
ISBN-10: 981438206X
ISBN-13: 978-9814382069

Product Format: Free Kindle eBook / Other titles

100 Word Summary

Authored by Mr Ku the property expert, this book presents an essential guide for readers to amplify their investment gains. In a textbook style justified by facts and data, Mr Ku shares concise insights and practical perspectives for readers to navigate through the market. Differences in residential, commercial and industrial property, it outlines the pros and cons of each sector. Through the collection of articles published in major newspapers, this book addresses the current issues faced by investors. While the presented paradigms are in 2010s, these are timeless examples which are still applicable in the current and future contexts.

Who Should Read

From neophytes to professionals, this is a book suitable for anyone interested in the property market. Regardless of the reader’s knowledge, it is easy to read and to understand different models and market trend. With a better understanding of the property market in those thrilling days of yesteryear, it gives readers certain sense of direction and trend in the years to come.

Who Should Not Read

For readers who are totally not interested in property market, this book will be just a stack of foxed endpapers with printed English words. It requires tremendous effort to finish this book without any interest or curiosity in the property market.

Takeaway Points

Property market works on a willing buyer willing seller basis, pretty much similar to any other transacting markets. However, there are government and authoritarian regulations that makes it complicated, masking certain pitfalls or to demotivate certain trends. To deal better or to amplify gains, it is best to arm oneself with a certain degree of property market knowledge.

I am happy to have met the author himself and received a signed copy of this book. Honored and humbled by Mr Ku’s presence to have had a beer session with him at a German bistro that cool evening.

About the Author

With a background in banking and real estate, working for companies such as Société Générale, Savills Singapore and Far East Organization, Ku Swee Yong established boutique property brokerage and consultancy International Property Advisor Pte Ltd in 2010, servicing high net worth individuals. IPA aims to bridge the knowledge gap between the banking and real estate industries. In addition to his agency, he is co-founder of HugProperty.com and has published 4 books on the property market and is a regular market commentator on news outlets in Singapore. He is also an adjunct lecturer in the National University of Singapore’s Department of Real Estate.

Taken from: https://www.retalkasia.com/profiles/2017/07/03/get-know-ku-swee-yong-international-property-advisor-singapore/1499033459

If I Could Tell You Just One Thing… Encounters with Remarkable People and Their Most Valuable Advice- Richard Reed

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Authors: Richard Reed
Page count: 304 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books; Illustrated Edition (April 3, 2018)
Subjects: Self improvement books, Motivation , Ethics, Morality, Graduation gifts
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1452165157
ISBN-13: 978-1452165158

Product Format: Free Kindle eBook / Audiobook

100 Word Summary

From Hollywood greats like Judi Dench and Richard Curtis, to entrepreneurial legends like Richard Branson and Simon Cowell; from sports stars and TV personalities like Andy Murray and James Cordon to political activists and born survivors like Mandela’s Comrades and Katie Piper, Richard has picked some of the world’s most interesting brains to give a lesson in how to live, love, create and how to succeed. Overall, it is a good summary of wisdom from different people of success from various industries whose lives have been influenced by events, both fortunate and unfortunate.

Who Should Read

Personally i think for readers who are seeking inspiration or motivation in life to push through the next stage, this is a good short summary of the possible positivities in life. In addition, it brings readers around the world virtually, meeting a number of powerful and famous giants. A short quote or a simple line from these successful people enlighten readers almost immediately.

Who Should Not Read

As this is meant to be a short summary of interest perspectives from the giants, there will be little or at times, no elaboration of the little nugget advice given. The author will introduce and share the background of the person of interest, albeit not very detailed. Readers who are wanting to know more of certain particular interviewed person will be sorely disappointed, because it is after all meant to deliver in a concise manner.

Takeaway Points

Life is a journey, an exploration of things with certain expectations, as well as unexpectations. Each individual is unique, and because of this it is quite impossible to have the same fixed and fast formula for every one of us to succeed.

This book is not written with an aim to provide an instant success formula for all. It is meant to compile short interviews with successful people from various industries for readers to investigate and seek what works for themselves.

After reading this title which i found in an old bookshelf, my personal takeaway point is that we all have to be passionate in something and to work diligently with a clear goal in mind. Everyone’s goal will be unique, and this goal is something bigger than oneself usually. Work towards it while choosing the right decisions and actions along the way, and success will be achievable.

About the Author

Richard Reed is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and co-founder of Innocent Drinks, the Innocent Foundation, and Art Everywhere. He lives in the UK.

Samuel Kerr has created a body of work that spans portraiture, print design, art direction, and brand identities for clients such as Coca-Cola, Gillette, and Paul Smith. He lives in the UK.

Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation

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Originally published: 19th Feb 2019
Authors: Ken Liu
Page count: 480
Publisher: Tor Books
Subjects: Science-Fiction
Language: English, Translated from Chinese
ISBN-10: 1250297664
ISBN-13: 978-1250297662
Product Dimensions: Kindle eBook / Audiobook
100 Word Summary

A series of short sci-fi stories translated into English from Chinese. Ken Liu presents (and translates) an anthology of sixteen short stories by fourteen Chinese science fiction writers, as well as three essays on the history and rise of Chinese science fiction. Personally, I find the stories to be concise and complete. It brings about the emotions as readers empathize the characters, the twist and turn in the stories. It is the unexpected twists as well as out of the norm developments that make these stories enjoyable, a short ride out of the world experience.

(95 words)

Stories include:
“Goodnight, Melancholy” by Xia Jia
“The Snow of Jinyang” by Zhang Ran
“Broken Stars” by Tang Fei
“Submarines” by Han Song
“Salinger and the Koreans” by Han Song
“Under a Dangling Sky” by Cheng Jingbo
“What Has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear” by Baoshu
“The New Year Train” by Hao Jingfang
“The Robot Who Liked to Tell Tall Tales” by Fei Dao
“Moonlight” by Liu Cixin
“The Restaurant at the End of the Universe: Laba Porridge” by Anna Wu
“The First Emperor’s Games” by Ma Boyong
“Reflection” by Gu Shi
“The Brain Box” by Regina Kanyu Wang
“Coming of the Light” by Chen Qiufan
“A History of Future Illnesses” by Chen Qiufan

Essays:
“A Brief Introduction to Chinese Science Fiction and Fandom,” by Regina Kanyu Wang,
“A New Continent for China Scholars: Chinese Science Fiction Studies” by Mingwei Song
“Science Fiction: Embarrassing No More” by Fei Dao

Who should read:

If you are interested in Chinese culture, Chinese habits and perspectives, these short stories help to see things in a different light. Though it is different from Western perspectives and preference, it is refreshing to read and get to know the other major culture on the other side of the world.

Who should NOT read:

On the contrary, if you are unfamiliar with any of the Chinese culture, this book will be extremely puzzling and confusing for you. A lot of hidden context and meanings that are not explained explicitly in the book. And if you were to google separately on the meanings and significance, you will lose the ‘reading momentum’ and may not enjoy this title as much.

Takeaway points:

Not many Chinese of sci-fi genres, then again, it could be of personal reading preference. It is promising and refreshing to read something that is not English.

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Trump: The Art of the Deal – by Donald J. Trump, Tony Schwartz

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Originally published: 6th October 2015
Authors: Donald J. Trump, Tony Schwartz
Page count: 384 pages (Paperback)
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Subjects: Biography
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399594493
ISBN-13: 978-0399594496
Product Dimensions: Kindle eBook / Audiobook

100 Word Book Review:

Trump narrates how he runs his organization, his life, the people he has to meet and chat with family and friends, as well as the clashes with enemies. All the while challenging conventional thinking, cutting great deals that are almost impossible. There are some unique insight and perspectives that opens up a different dimension on how deals are agreed upon. Nonetheless, the entire book captures only the wins but not the losses. Still, it is an excellent illustration of what professional salespeople must do. Salespeople must be negotiators, by definition. And Trump has achieved that over the years.

Who should read:

Well, I think if you are looking to understand Trump, this is a good book to start with. This book does give good insights into thinking, his logic and reasoning. It helps to understand why Trump calls off meeting or even agreed deals after hours of doing so.

Who should NOT read:

Certainly this book is not for those who are not a fan of Trump. Every word on the book will probably irk you much. Period.

Takeaway points:

It is an art to close a deal, no matter the size. While this book does give a few good pointers, I do feel it lacks of the realistic aspect. Then again, this is only my personal opinion.

About the Author

Tony Schwartz (born May 2, 1952) is an American journalist and business book author who ghost wrote Trump: The Art of the Deal.

In July 2016, Schwartz was the subject of an article in The New Yorker in which he described Donald Trump, who was running for President of the United States at the time, in unfavorable terms. Schwartz said he came to regret writing The Art of the Deal. Schwartz repeated his criticism on Good Morning America, saying he “put lipstick on a pig”, and again on Real Time with Bill Maher.

Ready Player One: A Novel

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Originally published: 16th Aug 2011
Authors: Ernest Cline
Page count: 374pages (Paperback)
Publisher: Crown Publishers
Subjects: Sci-Fi
Language: English
ISBN-10: 030788743X
ISBN-13: 9780307887436
Product Dimensions: Kindle eBook / Audiobook

100 Word Book Review:

Wade Watts, along with other global players, dedicated his life studying hidden puzzles. These puzzles are in the virtual world, and it is based on the creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. Individuals and teams, everyone is using all ways to win the final prize. In this narrative story, as the race drags on Wade needs to win in order to stay alive. At the end of the day, Wade needs to face the real world that he tried to turn away from.

Who should read:

Anyone who has a passion in gaming will enjoy this book thoroughly. From the hardware specifications, to the software requirements, this book is peppered with many IT lingos, concepts and terms. Common terms include, ‘experience points’, ‘level up’, ‘high score’. If you are a gamer, you will find these terms very familiar.

Who should NOT read:

If you are looking for romance, or something close to real life, please stay away from this book. It is not entirely according to the typical boy meets girl and fall in love while they go on dates. It is a complete story of how Wade overcome the game and life challenges. Surely it is not a romance story as that is not the focus.

Takeaway points:

Overall as a gamer myself, I find this book very appealing and comfortable to read. I finished it in one seating, immersed in the literary world that the book has described vividly. At times it brings me back to my younger days when I was gaming delirious, a little similar to the character (Wade) in the book.

About the Author

Ernest Cline is an internationally best-selling novelist, screenwriter, father, and full-time geek. He is the author of the novels Ready Player One and Armada and co-screenwriter of the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg. His books have been published in over fifty countries and have spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers list. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his family, a time-traveling DeLorean, and a large collection of classic video games.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz – Heather Morris

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Originally published: 11 January 2018
Authors: Heather Morris
Page count: 288 pages (Paperback)
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (September 4, 2018)
Subjects: Romance/History
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062797158
ISBN-13: 978-0062797155
Product Dimensions: Kindle eBook / Audiobook

100 Word Book Review:

Based on a true story, a powerful evocation of everyday horrors of life as a concentration camp prisoner. In the worst circumstances, there is no excuse for pessimism. In the test of extremes, being positive is still a choice. And even in hell, love can be found. The unspoken horrors of what humans are capable of reveal the unbreakable strength of what the human body can endure, physically and emotionally. This illuminates humanity greatest strength: Hope. Towards the end even with liberation, there are myriad of aftereffects and scars that will be etched and cast forever in this lifetime, permanently.

 

Who should read:

What is true love? To answer this question, reading this book might be a good start to it. While it will not give the full complete answer to the question, it captures the essential fundamental definition of love. Anyone in mood to read a love story, this is a good short book that is based on actual events.

No doubt it is a positive ending, the book gives a comprehensive coverage after the story ends. In this way, readers get to know what happens after that. It somewhats give a closure, a full picture of what happens after in the real. Unlike other romance stories, this is the real love story that brings tears and smiles.

 

Who should NOT read:

Perhaps the survivors of concentration camps or anyone who is not in the mood for romance stories in rough times. Not forgetting the faint hearts who cannot stand reading the gruelsome human experiments in camps. It is horrifying and shocking, almost like reading the proof of a living hell. It is painful, and hard to accept that humans as sentinels, can bring themselves to perform such cruel acts according to one’s volition.

 

Takeaway points:

Love is simple, love is sweet. It is what one can do for the other, in good and bad times. Love is not fair, never fair, and it is not a transaction of this for that, or to have a partner at someone’s beck or call. It is an eternal promise to each other, to pamper and care mutually, to converse casually in daily events, to have mutual support and rapport even in the simplest thing that one does not agree at all.

Where can we find love? In all places, in all ways. Which in this case, it is in the concentration camp, where it is almost the last place where love can be found. Yet, Lale and Gita proved us wrong. Love was found.

Personally, I really love this book, and I am glad that I picked this title. It reminded of my happier days. A good and easy book to read when I was travelling alone.

 

About the Author

Heather Morris is an Australian writer and social work administrator. For several years, while working in a large public hospital in Melbourne, she studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in the US.

In 2003, Heather was introduced to an elderly man who ‘might just have a story worth telling’. The day she met Lale Sokolov changed both their lives, as their friendship grew and he embarked on a journey on self-scrutiny, entrusting the innermost details of his life during the Holocaust to her. Heather originally wrote Lale’s story as a screenplay – which ranked high in international competitions – before reshaping it into her debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

When Breath Becomes Air

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Originally published: January 12, 2016
Authors: Paul Kalanithi (Author), Abraham Verghese (Foreword)
Page count: 231 pages (Paperback)
Publisher: Random House; 1 edition (January 12, 2016)
Subjects: Biography
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0812988418
ISBN-13: 978-0812988413
Product Dimensions: Kindle eBook available

100 Word Book Review:

A doleful recount of Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon’s last surviving years, the sudden transition of role from being a doctor treating the dying, to becoming the dying patient himself. As he wrote, “by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life” into a neurosurgeon at Stanford working in the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality. In the face of death, Paul went about the preparations, reflecting on choices, goals, his infant daughter and the continuity after his departure.

Who should read:

If you are looking for a deeper meaning of life, a serious view on the perpetual continuity in the face of death, reading this book may help to align your goals and seek what your answer to your question may be. It is a very practical book exploring the last days and months of a dying patient, who happens to be a doctor too.

Overall it is a good book exploring the feelings, emotions and the process of being sick, the pratical roles of doctor and patient. It is sad, yet beautiful. Bittersweet.

Who should NOT read:

On the contrary, if you are looking for some happy ending, some ‘everything is awesome regardless so’ theme of biography, do not try this book. It is sombre and serious in general even though the author has written in light humor, looking at daily things from amusing perspectives.

Takeaway points:

Life is simple, life is short for some. Sometimes things that are fated to be. No science, religion or philosophy can alter the course of fate. If it is meant to be, it is meant to be. Regardless how science have advanced and may cure the most deadly disease, it is a little beyond what even the best doctor can do.

About the Author

PAUL KALANITHI was a neurosurgeon and writer. He graduated from Stanford with a B.A. and M.A. in English literature and a B.A. in human biology. He earned an M.Phil in the history and philosophy of science and medicine from Cambridge and graduated cum laude from the Yale School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. He returned to Stanford to complete his residency training in neurological surgery and a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience, and received the American Academy of Neurological Surgery’s highest award for resident research. He died in March 2015. He is survived by his family, including his wife Lucy, and their daughter Elizabeth Acadia.

Bird Box: A Novel Kindle Edition

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Bird Box: A Novel

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Originally published: May 13, 2014
Authors: Josh Malerman
Page count: 305 pages (Kindle)
Publisher: Ecco; Reprint edition
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0007529872
ISBN-13: 978-0-00-752987-2
Product Dimensions: Kindle

100 Word Book Review:

Imagine one day ‘something’ terrible appears out of nowhere and wiped out almost everybody. No one knows how this ‘something’ spreads or how it kills, much less how to prevent it. One glance and the victim falls into suicidal behaviour instantly, desperately seeking to end life. There is no vaccination, no cure, nor understanding of its transmission. Over time, some survivors learnt to live and avoid the plague. Malorie and her 2 young children need to relocate and reach the community which has promised them safety and food. Can she cross the white water river safely while being blinded-folded?

Who should read:

Readers who are seeking adventure and science-fiction fantasy. This kindle editon provides exactly just that. Though the novel tries to be as realistic as possible, it is rather unrealistic to be doing obstacle course while being blind-folded. Or perhaps with years of training, it is possible to do so?

Who should NOT read:

For those who are expecting some explainations or visual image of that ‘something’ will be sorely disappointed.

Takeaway points:

Both exciting and daunting to know that something formless and shapeless can cause so much damage to humanity. If this was to be based on true events, it is highly likely human population will be reduced by 80%. I kid you not!