Quote Originally Posted by Joeking View Post
Smile or Die by Barbara Ehrenreich

Short Description: Explores the tyranny of positive thinking, and offers a history of how it came to be the dominant mode in the USA. This book argues that the insistence on being cheerful actually leads to a lonely focus inwards, a blaming of oneself for any misfortunes, and thus to political apathy. It reveals the dark side of the 'have a nice day' nation.
Interesting. I could definitely see this. You know statistically speaking suicide rates spike in the Spring? It's thought to be because it's difficult to watch rebirth all around you when you're inwardly unhappy. Cheerful people used to piss me off once upon a time. Now they just drain the life out of me and make me sad. I may need to read this.

Quote Originally Posted by Joeking View Post
Animal Farm by George Orwell

Short Description : Mr Jones of Manor Farm is so lazy that one day he forgets to feed his livestock. The ensuing rebellion under the leadership of the pigs Napoleon and Wellington leads to the animals taking over the farm. Vowing to eliminate the terrible inequities of the farmyard. But as time passes, the ideals of the rebellion are corrupted, then forgotten.
I had to read this back in 8th grade English. Kind of a satire of Pre-World War II Starlin-era Russia. Unfortunately, the symbolism and its social impact was totally lost on a class full of 13 year olds.

Quote Originally Posted by _C-a-e-r-i-t-h_ View Post
Game of Thrones - and all the rest of A Song of Ice and Fire
HBO has turned this into an amazing series. Just watched the season 1 finale last night. I'm hooked.