Books for Ben's Birthday (and for my own pleasure, too)

Just got back from a little walk to Haight street where I picked up a tee shirt and some books for Ben's birthday (which is tomorrow). I've also made him a collage and last week I bought him a new ceramic mug from a store called Super Tokyo. In addition to the gifts I purchased, I also splurged on a paperback for myself called Yoga for People Who Can't Be Bothered to Do It by Geoff Dyer. I'll have to admit, the title got me to reach for the book from its shelf, but after thumbing through some of the pages and reading some of the blurbs like "In mordantly funny and thought-provoking prose, the author... describes a life most of us would love to live-- and how that life frustrates and aggravates him." Sounds amazing, right? Anyway, it seems like it'll be right up my alley, so I bought it. I hope it's good.



It's not about yoga, it's about being irritable (sound like someone you know?) :) I'll let you know what I thought after I'm done with the book!




What I Didn't Learn in Business School, How Strategy Works in the Real World by Jay B. Barney and Trish Gorman Clifford. I bought this novel for Ben because I think he'll enjoy it and also be able to apply some of the lessons from the book to his business in real life. The reviews of the book were very positive and came from the likes of CEOs, Chairpersons, and Senior Advisors to multinational corporations. Because it's a novel and has a story I thought it would be a bit more fun that just a business instruction manual. Hopefully he likes it!




Cats are Weird and More Observations by Jeffrey Brown. I love comics and illustration and Jeffrey Brown, author of Clumsy and Be A Man has been one of my favorite comic artists since I was in high-school. ben and I both have an affinity for kitties so I thought he would enjoy this little book about cats doing crazy things. Cats are weird, as when our little Sookie chases her imaginary playmates, but that's part of their charm.

Do you think books are a good birthday gift? Books are very personal and it can be difficult to pick out the right book for someone else. I know that I have received books as gifts before and thought to myself "Why would she choose this book for me?" because a book is a commitment. But I have a feeling that Ben will enjoy these books. And if he doesn't, then I will read them. haha!