Nine Ways to Cross a River

Nine Ways to Cross a River by Akiko Busch read just like a river. It was slow and dragging to the start, had some good pulls in the middle and slowed down at the end. Overall, I was glad I read it because it reminded me of the beauty of nature, especially the kind I am so unfamiliar with, rivers. However, the process of reading this book was almost painfully slow at times. Busch has an interesting writing style and can write well, but sometimes she writes in a way that just puts you to sleep. In the end, I did find quite a few sentences and parts throughout the book that stood out to me.

"one objective of traveling with another person is to have them there to...disparage and otherwise diminish your fears." p.30

This quote reminded me of my time in Venezuela, and how I went bungee jumping because my friend Maggie convinced me it would be worth it. Guess what, it was.

"To have an expertise in anything may require a small distance." p. 36

"beauty without clarity" p. 52

I thought this phrase was one of the best ways to describe some of the most beautiful things in the world.

"There are limitations to everything we do in life." p. 82

"'the loss of the sense of self separate from the world around it is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of union with the environment.'" p. 109

"great art is simply clear thinking about mixed feelings." p. 119

"there are times when a straight line is impractical and ineffective" p, 155

"the most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." p. 184 (Einstein)

"We are after the same thing, trying...to find some place on this earth that makes us feel as though we belong there...some sense of give in the earth and rock that will allow us to pass through." p. 185

A "Crash Course" on the Auto Industry

Before reading Crash Course, I had no clue what car was made by General Motors. Okay, I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I know after finishing the book. I decided at the beginning of this year I would read more business literature. As an aspiring marketer, business publications would serve as an extra educational experience while I continue my long and draining job search.

I was excited to read this book because I felt I missed the big picture of what happened in the automobile industry in 2009. Cars are not a hobby of mine, so I understood the government provided some aide, but I didn't understand the logistics behind it all. While this book was a bit dry at times, it was helpful in understanding the full picture of the auto industry and how it collapsed.

Oddly enough, my favorite part has nothing to do with cars. On page 49, Ingrassia recalls a meeting that a few junior GM executives had with chairman Thomas A. Murphy. This meeting fell on Ash Wednesday. Murphy was a devout Catholic and was wearing the ritual ashes on his forehead. One of the young executives "dipped his finger into a nearby ashtray, dabbed a smudge on his own forehead, and...walked in to meet the boss. Years later he would be come an executive vice president of the company." Just genius.