"The Nasty Bits" by Anthony Bourdain

This was my first time reading a book written by Anthony Bourdain. For years I have been a fan of his television programs and was very excited to read his style of humor on paper. This is a book of short stories of all varieties. We get to see his experiences in Brazil, Vietnam, Singapore, as well as meet a fictional character trying to save a failing restaurant. All in all, though it took nearly a year to finish it, I found the book enjoyable. That said, not as enjoyable as the live programming I've come to appreciate.

"I Declare" by Joel Osteen

This was part two of a Christmas gift. I found the daily declarations as inspirational as his "You Can, You Will", which I read simultaneously. The specific statements the reader is guided to announce to the world are exciting, optimistic and self-fulfilling. As someone who seeks meditative releases in my life this book provided a short but concentrated thesis to start the morning and that simple concept to focus on through the day. Exactly what I was looking for. One can easily see the benefits of the declarations permeate their daily habits and manifest in the course of the 31 days. Reading these declarations will be a commonplace meditation for me from here on out.

"Gumption" by Nick Offerman

My friend who lent me this book warned me it was a somewhat verbose tribute to several of the author's heroes. That is quite accurate. Whereas I hoped to gain insights into American icons I felt more of a voyeur in the author's love affairs with the respective accomplishments of each subject. The author may very well have been striving for precisely that. Having read a number of presidential biographies and historically accurate takes on important moments in our nation's past (i.e. "team of rivals") I desired more flesh and less fellatio. Nick Offerman is someone I truly admire. I will still pick up another tome by him, I was just unfulfilled by this one.

"You Can, You Will" by Joel Osteen

This book was inspirational. I don't know how much credit I can give it for laying out a pathway to success but the sheer encouragement and motivational benefits of it make it a worthwhile read. It is firmly seated in a Christian theology so for those of a non judeo-Christian religion it may not be as resonant. Not only will I read this book again, I would give it as a gift.