August 27, 2017, Sunday evening -- Reading Al Franken

At a coffee shop in the Mission District

He is reading Al Franken, Giant of the Senate, by Al Franken. Earlier this month he saw Al Franken speak at the Nourse Theater, as part of City Arts and Lectures and got the book.

His favorite author is the ancient Greek poet, Sappho. 

Something good he read recently was Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body, by Roxane Gay.

August 14, 2017, Monday evening -- Reading Christopher Moore

Next to a mural by Jon Weiss and Precita Eyes muralists

He is reading The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, by Christopher Moore. He got it for his birthday.

His favorite book is Geek Love, by Katherine Dunn. Whenever he sees it at a thrift store he buys it, reads it, and gives it to a friend. Another favorite author of his is Mark Z. Danielewski, who wrote House of Leaves.

August 6, 2017, Sunday morning -- Reading Victor E. Frankl

Walking down a quiet street in the Mission District

He is reading Man's Search for Meaning, by Victor E. Frankl. The author describes his time in four different Nazi concentration camps, what it takes to survive, cope, and find meaning.

He enjoys reading books about psychology and plans on getting a Ph.D. in the subject. His favorite book is Discourses, which is the recorded teachings of the Greek philosopher, Epictetus, who was born around 50 A.D.

 

July 22, 2017, Saturday afternoon -- Reading a Chinese author

At a laundromat not far from San Francisco State University
I hadn't been in this neighborhood for a while because I no longer work at SFSU. Walking through the streets, I realized I missed how quiet and peaceful this part of town is.

He is reading a book written in Chinese. I asked him what the title was and he said that it would be difficult to translate it into English. I asked him what it was about and he said he didn't know yet. If anyone reading this blog speaks Chinese, and has read this book, maybe you could comment.

He doesn't have a favorite Chinese book, but his favorite books in English are the Harry Potter books, by J.K. Rowling. He read them when he first started reading in English. Lately, though, when he reads in English he reads about finance or psychology. In psychology he recently read a book about how to understand body language.