This Week's Finds

Last week I got a bunch of books, and was really busy. And this week I don't work at the library, so I'm kind of splitting it as This Week's and Last Week's finds. I apologize in advance for the long post.

Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton

I read this years ago and loved it. The story is parallel with part of the Beowulf story. After buying this copy at a local thrift shop for $2, I found another copy buried under a stack of books at my house. The additional copy (in better condition) is going to the library, since they don't have it yet.

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard P. Feynman

A great, semi-autobiographical piece about the great American physicist that worked on the Manhattan Project in the 1940s. He was a great and curious mind that was always searching for answers. Now I can keep this paperback, and give my dad's copy back.

Masterpieces of Surprise compiled by James L. Monahan

A paperback anthology (with a rather curious cover) from 1966 that collects stories with twists and surprises from some of the greatest authors. Includes Saki, Frank Stockton, Anton Chekov, Washington Irving, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Jack London, just to name a few.

Son of Heaven: Imperial Arts of China by Robert L. Thorp

A very large and detailed collection of photos by the Chinese Overseas Archaeological Exhibition Corporation. Awesome pictures of various pieces of art, from stone to silk. Published in 1988 by Son of Heaven Press in Seattle.

Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso

Written in 1990 by Tenzin Gyatso (the real name of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet) that talks about his escape from China decades ago. I'm am really interested in reading this one for sure!

How To Paint Like the Old Masters by Joseph Sheppard

This book is a little warped and was a little dirty when it was donated. The library wasn't interested, so I took it home. It shows the basic processes from sketch to finished painting, using techniques that are centuries-old.

Let Go!: Theory and Practice of Detachment According to Zen by Hubert Benoit

When I saw this title I immediately thought of the song Let Go--first of A Static Lullaby's version, then Frou Frou's, but I like both of them equally. These two weeks' finds seem to be very Oriental-themed.

The Joyous Cosmology: Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness by Alan W. Watts

Seems to be about the use of "mystic drugs" (I'm assuming peyote and similar compounds) and transforming the human consciousness. The author wrote about his own experiments with the drugs. Awesome. Oh, and filled with black-and-white photos of natural forms for "enhancement." Written in 1962. Figures.

Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken

Written in 2007, the books describes the massive movement that has started to right the wrongs we have done to each other as humans, as well as the environment. Basically, sounds like the balance to everything bad on the news today.