The test of whether you really liked a book is if you reread it (and how many times)…the rest is spin….
Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Bed of Procrustes
To pat myself on my back, I’ve been pretty happy with the rhythm this blog has hit over the past few months. I have also been happy with my “reviews”, even though they bounce around all over the place. However, I’ve had a nagging feeling that I ought to provide a minimal modicum of direct commentary on the these objects that springboard my ramblings.
After years of reading reviews on Boardgamegeek and elsewhere, I believe that numerical rating systems are universally overwrought and contrived. After reading Taleb’s aphorism, I’ve been trying to end my notes with a blunt factual comment about what I did with the work during and after consumption.
Aside from immediately rereading a book, I can think of no higher complement for BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habit than to say I ran off and bought my own physical copy. However, it’s been three months since the book arrived, and I haven’t cracked it open.
Conversely, one must wonder how much I actually liked George Valliant’s Aging Well, since I immediately returned it to the library after completing my notes on that book. Then again, I’ve mentioned some of his key concepts in recent conversations.
I’ve been slipping in such comments in recent reviews, but I’ve decided to force this feature by adding a postscript at the end of each of my “notes” for the months of May and June. Who knows after that. As always this blog is a work in progress, thanks for joining along for the ride.