Ryan's Reads 2011

Time for my annual "What did I read and what do I recommend" post. Its been another busy year with work, Sam, and another little one planned to come into our life, but I still found a little time to settle down with a book. This year I averaged a book a month, and I hope to at least keep that up next year. This year I didn't read any fiction. The books with a star by them are the ones I especially liked and recommend if you are looking for a great read. Here we go…

Religious/Religious History:

Parley P Pratt: The Aposle Paul of Mormonism
The book is a new scholarly biography on Parley P Prattt put out by Oxford Press. The book follows the LDS Apostle to Europe, South America, and throughout the US as he preached the gospel, tried to manage his family, and adapted to the turbulent events of Church leadership during 1830-1857. The book is fine, but doesn't seem to illuminate the subject as much as it could. He wrote an autobiography in the 1850's that is full of adventure, humor, and faith and I recommend starting there if you have interest in LDS history.

Return
*Is a book of spiritual teaching and advice by current LDS Apostle Robert D Hales. It's not rehashed conference talks and was really a great book. Cheyney and I would read a chapter a week for FHE this year. Elder Hales talks about his time as a fighter pilot, CEO of Gillet and other experiences to teach insights in living he has learned.

American Grace
A sociological study on contemporary religious identification and adherence in US. Per booklist "The authors complement their statistical analysis with colorful vignettes, humanizing their numbers with episodes from the lives of individual Protestants and Catholics, Jews and Mormons." Fun to look at what people of many faiths report they believe, how they practise, and what they think in general about other faiths, politics, and other issues.

The Mormon Menace
Is a history of Mormons in the South from 1850-1900. I had no idea the amount of persecution going on then in that area. Four Mormon Missionaries were killed, harassment and mobs were rampant, and Mormons were kicked out of many areas and states in the South including being completely removed from Georgia in the 1890's. Luckily college football and Chick-Fil-A were invented soon after that and the South became awesome.

US Politics/US/World History:

Capitalism and Freedom
Milton Friedman's book of libertarian economic philosophy written in the 1950's. A lot of his ideas were adopted and others seem way out in left field, but thought provoking. I don't agree with a lot about libertarianism, but there are some good ideas. This book is especially great if you are into Ron Paul.

Plain Honest Men
*A tic-toc history of the writing of the Constitution over a summer in Philadelphia. Contrary to some popular belief that making of the Constitution seemed messy and involved a lot of arm wringing and compromising between competing states. It seemed at times more of a truce than a defining political philosophy. The seeds of modern political disagreement were all there between differing factions as the document was created. Interesting tangential fact: In order to foster compromise no one involved in the convention from any of the states could talk about what was happening in the convention and they even went so far as to keep all the doors and windows closed all summer to maintain confidentiality. Hot hot hot!


Lords of Finance
*This book won a a Pulitzer in 2010 and is excellent. It's a look at the history of international finance leaders and their policies and interactions from the teens to the 1930's. I'm no economist and this did a great job of explaining complex ideas such as the gold standard, Keynesian economics, and ways of controlling a complex and variable economy. I felt smarter after reading this about so me issues that are in the news with current international finance concerns

The origins of political order
A big book of political philosophy by a a leading intellectual on the subject. I'd read "The End of History and the Last Man" while in grad school and was amazed by the insight and fortune telling of future history by that book. This book was more of a set up of history from the beginnings till 1750 and the follow up book is the one I am really looking forward to.

A paradise built in hell
A so-so history of how people react during mass traumatic events. The thesis-that altruism often trumps chaos is interesting, but the author uses mostly conjecture and focuses to much on self, injecting herself too often in to the subject. A little too breezy and magazine article like for my tastes.
Poisoning the Press
*This book is a lot of fun. Its a book about Richard Nixon and Jack Anderson an investigative reporter and how they battled in the 1950's and 1960's. I always heard Nixon was nuts, but man I had to skip some pages when Nixon was really being his vile self. I was born post Watergate and missed a lot of the History on this. Great read.

The Aquariums of Pyongyang
*When I was in grad school my friend Julian who worked at an international relations think tank used to get drunk and talk about North Korea and Cuba, and it was always pretty fascinating and got me interested in totalitarian states. Since then I've made an effort to watch Documentaries on North Korea, and picked up this book.This book is a memoir of a guy who was in a Korean Labor camp for about a decade. I kept on thinking as I read this, "I can't believe this has happened and is still happening." North Korea is fascinating, weird, and evil all at the same time. A great transporting book to learn about a place you can't go and are lucky you aren't a part of.

The Emperor of All Maladies
*A history of Cancer that won the Pulitzer recently. Fascinating stuff as the book takes you through history to see how treatments and medical knowledge develops and changes. It's very well written and engrossing for such a difficult topic.


Now it's your turn. What have you been reading, and what do you recommend?

Paraumbilical hernia

Who doesn't love a post that has HERNIA in the title?

Ryan has had a paraumbilical hernia for several months now. The downside of it was that it was slightly painful and it had a risk for infection. The upside was that he got out of moving families in and out of our ward with our church.

He went to the doctor who recommended surgery. I had the brilliant idea to wait until the baby was born so he could have more time off at home with our little Sam. Little did I know that I would be having surgery too (a C-section) and we would have similar restrictions with lifting and both be on pain medications. Luckily my mom would be coming to lend a hand to take care of me, the baby AND Ryan. We joked that we would have different sounding bells to let her know when we were ready for meds and lunch. She was game for anything as long as she got to be with Sam. Luckily for her, I healed quickly from the C-section.

My mom watched Sam while Ryan and I went to Duke Hospital for his out patient surgery. Ryan's main concern was getting his IV as he is very squeamish when it comes to needles. He did a great job and I got to kiss him in pre-op before he was wheeled away. As they were wheeling him off, the anesthesiologist gave him some medication "that was like Jack Daniels." Ryan said, "Well, I am Mormon and don't drink so this is the best I can get."

I waited patiently while he was in surgery. It was too small for it to be laproscopic but they did need to intubate him as the surgery was in the abdomen. He ended up with a few stitches and a new INNY belly button.

I came back to post-op room to see Ryan coming off the anesthesia. He was a HOOT. He was acting completely manic. He was yelling, "DUKE SUCKS. I know, I work here!" He was telling the nurse from Ohio State that she should have gone to BYU. He said, "What do you mean you don't know about BYU? It was #12 last year in football. Ty Detmer played for BYU."

When the docs made their rounds to see how Ryan was doing, I asked if he would be able to pick up the baby. They asked how big the baby was. Ryan said, "My baby is FAT. We need to put him on Adkins."

He was very entertaining. I wish I brought my video camera.

He has healed nicely and has returned to work.

Ukulele player

My husband has taken up a new hobby. He is a ukulele playin' man. I do think he was inspired by the islands of Fiji. It is pretty impressive how he has had no musical training before and has done a pretty good job figuring out the chords and songs. It is funny to hear him play Lady Gaga songs or a Taylor Swift song on the uke. He has even picked up Freebird!!!

My mom and dad came last week to visit and Ryan got my dad hooked on the uke. My dad learned to play it in one day and went and bought himself TWO ukuleles and wants another! I think he wants to start a band. I told him that I will play the cow bell.

Hopefully in posts to come, I can convince Ryan to grace you with a song.

Nine Book Recomendations From 09

This post is my favorite of the year, probably the longest, and lets be honest probably the least read or commented on. But it's mostly for me. I like to keep track on this blog of what I have read on the sidebar and I do a post at the end of the year recommending good books I've read.

I love to read. I usually read a few Mormon related books I order online, some History, and a lot of nonfiction . This year I read a lot of financial stuff to try to understand what is going on economically. I've grouped the genres of books I've read and put asterisks by the nine books I especially recommend (I put them in red as well).Here we go...

History/Biography:

19th Century
*********What Hath God Wrought*********
A wonderful history of America from 1814-1848 that won the Pulitzer a few years back. Conflict in government, the rise of political parties, wars, expansion, slavery, its all there and written in a fascinating way by a talented historian. It's thick and takes a while, but is well worth the effort. The author talks about how canals and telegraphs completely changed peoples way of life in this time period. Utopians and Mormons get a lot of pages in the book.
The Life of Andrew Jackson
A great biography by Remini that he also got a Pulitzer for. Good but only if your really into presidential history. Andrew Jackson is the only president under which their was no government debt (for a year.)

20th Century
*********Fordlandia*********
This book is a lot of fun. Henry Ford had a Utopian streak in him and decided to set up an ideal community based on his desire for work efficiency and hope to bring civilization to an area in the Amazon. It didn't go so well, but the story is fascinating
The Forgotten Man
A revisionist history of the great depression that tilts right, but not embarrassingly so. I think my favorite thing about this book is finding out who this Eccles guy was whose name is all over everything in Utah, and how his ideas still affect US financial policy.
*********Truman*********
I'll have to say this was my favorite read of the year. It's super thick but the author is so great. This book is over a thousand pages but doesn't feel like it. I came away with a lot of respect for the President who wasn't appreciated in his own day but is considered by many to be one of the better US Presidents. Truman's simple life and unlikely presidency is worth the time to explore. This author wrote the famous John Adams biography that was so popular a few years back.
*********Eisenhower Soldier and President*********
I had to read about Truman's successor. Ike was a great man in the tradition of George Washington. He led the efforts that saved Western Civilization, and that happened even before he became president. As a president he steered the middle ground between progressive and conservative.
Flannery
A biography of the great short story writer. Great for a devotee like myself but not as good as could be in showing the general reader how fantastic my favorite author really is.

Contemporary History/Politics
*********How Rome Fell*********
Great book that goes through history, talks about Gibbons work. I loved it after being in Greece and Turkey for a little last year. The author tries not to draw many comparisons to contemporary society and mostly questions those who have. I came away from it so glad I don't live during Roman times.
Unbowed
This is the book by the Nobel tree planting lady. She does great works but is a narcissist and it grated on me so I threw it down before I finished.
*********A Long Time Coming*********
A bunch of reporters from Newsweek recount the presidential election in Narrative form. Fascinating even for a news junkey. Palin, Mccain, Romney, Hillary. That was a heck of a battle. My Mom recommended this to me.
Liberty and Tyranny
A conservative Doctor I worked with dared me to read this and still be a Democrat. Interesting polemics. Liberty and Tyranny is an interesting if inaccurate way to frame American Government.

Economics/Finance:
Nudge
The idea of libertarian paternalism and how it can be utilized in public policy and finance.
The Ascent of Money
A history of financial expansion and downturns from the Renaissance onward
*********Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk*********
This is a great book that talks about how risk management lead to the modernization of the world and economy as we now know it. A great writer who makes a difficult subject fascinating to the layman.
While America Aged
About how demographics will negatively affect the economy, how social security will run out, and other depressing things.

Religion/Mormonism:
The Gathering of Zion:The Story of the Mormon Trail
My father-in-law gave me this. The story of the heroic Mormon pioneers as they journeyed to Utah. I especially enjoyed descriptions of being on the trail.
Joseph Smith, Jr.: Reappraisals After Two Centuries
A book of essays on Joseph Smith by academics. A few great articles but most of them seemed like people writing articles to help them get tenure and increase their CV.
On the Road with Joseph Smith
The author of Rough Stone Rolling talks about his Joseph Smith biography.
*********The Cost of Discipleship*********
This is just a classic. The author has a personal story of active faith that leads him to his death in Nazi Germany. In this theological work he preaches against "Cheap Grace," and lauds, active determined Discipleship to Christ and his Gospel. This was a reread but is still vibrant and great.
The Screwtape Letters
Reread this for a family book group. I enjoyed talking to the family about it.

Other Non Fiction:
Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History
The author won a Pulitzer a few decades back writing about a 17 th century midwife. here she writes essays on feminism and also about her famous quote. I have interests in feminist writing and theory so I enjoyed it.
Complications
A New Yorker writer who also happens to be a Surgeon on healthcare issues, hospitals, doctors and patients.
Outliers
A fun quick read that explores nature vs. nurture. Another New Yorker author. Fun to read this with family.
Ripped
A book by one of the Sound Opinions guys on NPR on the music industry and bands in this past decade. Great chapters on Radiohead and Arcade Fire.

Fiction:
Brave New World
I read this because it was a critique on Fordism and felt like so many people talk about it. I got about halfway through it. The author wrote this before Acid was invented, which could have fooled me.
*********The Lost Symbol*********
Pure bubble gum, formulaic, preachy at the end, but just a fun brainless quick read. If you like his other stuff you'll like this. I wont give away the surprise plot twist at the end, but I loved it and it caught me by surprise.

So you made it through my run down. Now lets hear your comments about what books you recommend that you have read this year.

He is LICENSED!

It is offical. Ryan is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). After getting a master's in social work, licensing requires 2 years of weekly supervision, biannual evaluations, lots of paperwork, and a few other hoops through which to jump. There are so many perks to being married to a social worker like his effective communication, great social skills, reflectiveness, and ease at handling difficult situations. I am so proud of Ryan and his hard work. Not only has he achieved this but has done it while working at the state psych hospital, no less. Kudos, babe.

RED and WHITE

By popular demand (well, only 3 demands actually), I have convinced Ryan to let me take a picture of his leg. You will have to use your imagination for his chest but it is even WORSE!

31 flavors and then some

Ryan turns 31 on the 31st of March.

I can go on and on about how much I love this guy. I was hoping that for the comments you will help me tell him a favorite memory or a reason you think he is great.

1. He is the world's greatest BYU fan.
2. He is ranked #2 at online Tetris in all of North Carolina.
3. Even with my toddler-like temper tantrums, he will ride my moods out and always stay calm, cool, and collected.
4. He is not materialistic and only asked for variety of soap, new razors, and contact solution for his birthday.
5. He is a connoisseur of good food and an excellent chef. I will never go hungry.

Some favorite memories.

My first time watching him karaoke. I never thought a white guy from Sandy, Utah would know all the words to M&M. He knows all the old school rapers and their songs. I was like "who is this guy," but it made me love him even more.

This is acutally not my memory, but hearing about it sure made me laugh. Renee, you can relive this one if you want. After a run and asking to borrow a shower, Ryan chased Renee around her L.A. apartment in his whitey tighties. Just when you think he is a pretty straight laced guy, he will do something like this that catches you off guard and has you rolling on the floor with laughter.

I got to travel to Fiji with Ryan and meet people from his mission. Everyone remembered him almost 10 years later. He was so adored that a lady named her son after him. She got teary because this was the first time her son, Ryan, would get to meet his namesake. It sure is something when you see others adore your husband so much that they want their son to grow up to be like him.

Happy Birthday RYAN!!!

Where Ryan spent his birthday 2 years ago. Taveuni, Fiji Islands

Love Letter

I am going to share some intimacies from our marriage but first I need to give you a little back ground knowledge. When I went to Las Vegas for a long weekend, I was a little apprehensive to leave Ryan and wanted to make sure he knew I would miss him. I wrote him a sweet note explaining how much he meant to me, put pillows under a made bed (to act as my body), drew a picture my face with my eyes closed and put it at the top (so he wouldn't miss me). I also bought him a present he has been coveting since camping Memorial Day weekend.... a Bocce ball set.

So, Ryan has left for SLC this last week and felt he needed to return the favor. Right before he left he got out a piece of paper and pen and asked ME to help HIM write HIS love note to ME.

Ryan: How should I start it?
Me: With all my nicknames
(he made up new nicknames for me on the spot like Monkey Head and Sleepy Girl)
Ryan: Then what?
Me: Tell me that you dont want to be away from me and that you will miss me.
(Ryan writes exactly that)
Ryan: Then what?
Me: Tell me you will buy me things when you are gone and that you have enclosed money.
Ryan: Oh, it is coming to me now...
(At this point Sarah McLaughlin's Will You Remember Me is playing in the background)

Yep, you guessed it. He wrote out the lyrics-
"I will remember you. Dont let your life pass you by. I'm so tired, I cant sleep. I will remember you."

He ended the love note with a P.S. I have enclosed 1000 imaginary dollars.

Gosh, I love that guy. He knows just when and how to make me laugh.

This is just to say...

Yesterday, I was frantically searching our freezer for the yummy tamales that I bought from Trader Joe's. I bought two packages (one for me and one for Ryan) for us to take for lunch. Normally Ryan is so considerate, but apparently not with tamales; he ate them both. I made a little pouting scene about how I would have no lunch and how I was looking forward to a yummy tamale. To finish my dramatic interpretation of a spoiled brat wife, I stomped out the door.

Upon my return from work were two packages of tamales, flowers and a poem. It was a "This is just to say" poem. You may have heard of this type of poem. It was featured on This American Life. It is a way of asking forgiveness without ever saying your sorry. Ryan did a fabulous job of utilizing it.

This is Just to Say
by Ryan Lindgren

I have eaten
the tamales
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for lunch.

Forgive me.
They were delicious,
so warm
and so Mexican.