After 10 months of school or years of uninterrupted work routine, staying and “getting to know” every nook and cranny of the house seems to be a good idea. But there will come a time when you’ll get bored. That’s the cue that one has to catch up on reading. There are so many books but so little time so now that there’s time, make the most out of it.
Here are some recommended titles to make that vacation productive without having to go out.
1. On Acting by Sir Laurence Olivier
Most of the contents of the book delve on the outstanding actor’s life, well, as an actor. He narrates how he started in the business and how he felt about taking that journey to becoming the great actor’s actor. Olivier talked about the stories behind his greatest performances and how he prepared for them. Among his favorite characters include Richard III, Henry V, Shylock, and of course, Hamlet. The good thing about the book is that Olivier would give advice without being preachy or authoritative. He gives lucid details which would make a reader feel that he/she is with the actor when the scene is happening. It is also filled with emotions, anticipation, frustration, and most of the time, triumph. As the book’s blurb says, this book should be in every actor’s shelf.
2. Einstein’s Wife: Work and Marriage in the Lives of Five Great Twentieth-Century Women by Andrea Gabor
This is sort of a compact biography of five influential women who, one way or another helped their husbands advance in their career. While their lives were colorful, there were sad moments too. For one, Mileva Maric (Albert Einstein's first wife) endured so much of the genius’ shortcomings but she chose to stand by him. But the book ended on a high note with American judge Sandra Day O’Connor’s (who recently retired) life in the judiciary and a wife to her loving husband. This book is truly inspiring and a book that can be read over and over. Other personalities featured in the book are artist Lee Krasner, architect Denise Scott Brown, and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Maria Goeppert Mayer.
3. The Powers That Be by David Halberstam
If you’re the reader who likes history at its best, this one’s the book to devour. The two-inch thick book with almost 6 points font size is so rich in detail about America’s news and media organizations. There is so much drama, conspiracy, and power-grabbing that would make the reader think he/she is reading fiction. This is no fiction. Halberstam used his journalistic skill in doing the research for the book which took years. The book is quite long but every minute is worth it.
4. Milosevic: A Biography by Adam Lebor
Anyone who is fascinated by the post-USSR history will definitely love this book. Although, the book tells of the complicated life of Slobodan Milosevic and his family, there are snippets of other countries’ role in freeing Yugoslavia. This also mirrors the chaos happening in the Middle East today. Milosevic is depicted in the book, which is mostly based on interviews, as a loner but a dedicated family man. There are interviews of his wife and a significant part also deals with his son’s tumultuous life. The climax of the book is when Milosevic’s power began to crumble. The drama and the action are sometimes overwhelming that the reader can almost feel Yugoslav’s pain, frustration, and anger.
5. The Decline and Fall of the House of Windsor by Donald Spoto
Who is not fascinated with the life of the British royalties? While Donald Spoto decided to dwell more on scandals, this is still a fascinating read because of the colorful characters and juicy details. The author started with the rise of Queen Victoria to power and ends with the turbulent life of Princess Diana. While the Britain’s monarch is already an open book, this read can help you while away time.
6. Work Would be Great If It Weren’t for the People by Ronna Lichtenberg
This book is not about any personality or celebrity but that ordinary person that lingers in the office: corporate insect (page 65). Lichtenberg’s wacky portrayals of those who make employees lives miserable will elicit a smile and oftentimes a laugh. There will be moments when you would think, it sounds like it’s him…or the situation is so familiar. You’ll also learn some new terms such as memologist (page 43) or that person who likes to write memos for no reason at all; there is also someone who has a blame-avoiding personality (page 117). The book, while more on advice and real life situations, is outright hilarious. It’s a must read to those who are just a year away from joining the corporate world to prepare them for real life.
Prepare that favorite spot in the house and start reading. Reading can bring you to other worlds and get a glimpse of other people’s lives.
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