eR Books and more

This is a place where I post my reflections on what I have read recently.

[erbooks]

“Why we sleep” by Matthew Walker.

368 pages about sleep. 16 chapters which - if only You decide to act upon the information given to You be the Author - can change the way You live.

This book is not only an extensive source of knowledge about human biology in the context of our sleep, as well as an astute review on sleep patterns of contemporary societies but more than anything - a comprehensive guideline on how to improve our lives only by doing nothing - well the Author would definitely scold me for that particular remark since he claims (and clearly knows what he is talking about) sleep is so much more than simply doing nothing. 

From this book, the reader can learn how significant the impact of sleep is on our bodies, what happens to us when we do not take enough time to sleep, how it impacts our effectiveness, our immune system and so much more. The Author also describes several medical/scientific experiments that were conducted to increase our knowledge about sleep.

The Author is a scholar though, and university professor and You can feel it while reading this book. Although written in an approachable way, the book may sometimes overwhelm the reader with vast biological and chemical remarks.

If You are interested in the ways human body works or desperate to improve your sleep habits - please be sure to read this one ASAP.

Also - it’s one of these books I would never consider reading without encouragement so big thanks to #Gates Notes for recommending it. It was totally worth the time spent reading it.

Rating: 8/10

R.

[erbooks]

“12 rules for life” by Jordan B. Peterson

I’ve been planning to read “12 rules for life” by Jordan B. Peterson for a while now. For one thing because of the author himself who became widely recognizable due to his allegedly controversial opinions on gender equality, social structure, and other current issues which I personally found surprisingly stimulating and thought-provoking. 

For this reason, I was looking forward to reading this book, which as the author himself indicated, was supposed to be much more approachable than his previous release - Maps of meaning.

“12 rules for life” is a collection of - unsurprisingly - 12 rules one should follow to enjoy meaningful and hopefully happy being. Tell the truth or at least don’t lie,  be precise in your speech or do not bother children when they are skateboarding are a few suggestions the author gives us. But these recommendations are only an excuse for broader digressions on culture, religion, and society. Mr. Peterson frequently refers to the bible as well as other culturally significant benchmarks to prove his point or to illustrate what he is trying to explain. 

This multidimensionality and broad perspective on discussed matters are surely advantages of this book. Although what really makes it special is the blunt directness in which the author points out habits and traits that make us miserable and doomed to failure - and how frighteningly accurately the reader can relate to all of this.

It nevertheless needs to be said that cultural and historical references however enjoyable and informative, tend to stray the author from the current subject (or at least the reader may have such an impression until Mr. Peterson wraps things up at the end of the chapter). For this reason, it is challenging sometimes to follow the author’s train of thoughts.

All things considered, this book is definitely worth recommending to everyone interested in making a change in their lives and having a chance for better tomorrow.

Rating: 7.5/10

R.