Category Archives: Books & Reviews

1Q84

Posted on July 5, 2014 by sinyaw

If I buy the paper version of this book, it would be about 1,000 pages, or slightly over 3 inches thick. (Harry Potter 7 is nearly 800 pages.) But it was an (e)library loan, so I did not notice. I … Continue reading →

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Divergent Trilogy

Posted on May 23, 2014 by sinyaw

Teenagers are hormonal, cruel, and irrational. They tend to make bad decision in a rush. Got that. Pains come with bodily injuries. We got that too. It is not cool when your friends were killed. OK. In this future world, … Continue reading →

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The Demise of Pluto

Posted on April 29, 2014 by sinyaw

The planet, not the cartoon dog. Kid actually took Mike Brown’s class and learned about the drama first-handedly. Years after she told me the story, I bumped into this book. Could it be nerdy and boring? I smiled, laughed, and … Continue reading →

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Foundation Trilogy

Posted on April 9, 2014 by sinyaw

I cannot believe that I never read Foundation Trilogy. I have been an Asimov fan forever and read many of his works. Well, they were indeed master pieces. For historical references, Asimov originally wrote the Foundation Trilogy as “Foundation“, “Foundation … Continue reading →

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Starbucked

Posted on March 2, 2014 by sinyaw

Professor Samuel Cate Prescott, (picture from MIT) published the “Report of an Investigation of Coffee” in 1927 and definitively described how to brew the perfect cup of coffee in 3 simple steps: Use one tablespoon of freshly ground coffee for … Continue reading →

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Rancho San Antonio

Posted on February 19, 2014 by sinyaw

January 25th, 2014 This is probably the favorite hiking destination for those in Silicon Valley. It is also where Kid chooses to run up to the vista point on Saturdays, that weekend with her old Dad. Start at the trail … Continue reading →

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David and Goliath

Posted on February 14, 2014 by sinyaw

I think I have read every book Malcolm Gladwell has written, starting with Tipping Point. I remembered enjoying What the Dog Saw, but also thinking he was running out of good ideas. David and Goliath was probably 50% too long. … Continue reading →

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Earphones, Saga Continues

Posted on January 24, 2014 by sinyaw

Loyal readers knew my obsession with earphones. In addition to delivering good sound. I learned that I have two requirements that are hard to meet with the same product. I need a pair for running, on treadmill or on the … Continue reading →

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Books of Mortals

Posted on January 13, 2014 by sinyaw

In the year 2065, or so, the first world Sovereign unleashed a retrovirus, called the Legion, that would remove all primary emotions, except for fear, for those infected. Since retrovirus changes the genes of the host, generations that were born … Continue reading →

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Retrovirus

Posted on December 22, 2013 by sinyaw

Three consecutive fictions I read had retrovirus as a key element of the plot. Seriously!?! I did not know before I started them. In Inferno, the genius villain used the retrovirus to render a third of the human population infertile. … Continue reading →

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