International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity by Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki, and Steve Smith
2016/364pgs

The title should give it away. Yes, it’s another book for my graduate work. If one is interested in the theories that IR works in, this is the bible.

Happy Reading,

Lopaka

Animal Farm by George Orwell
1945/141pgs

Another Orwell classic and I would say a must read. This is a well known anti communist satire. If you understand the early Soviet Union and the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky after Lenin’s death…reading this novel causes you to place the characters in their proper roles. Seeing what happened to those that supported the Soviet Revolution only to see it slowly change from what the dream truly was is the direction of the novel. The main characters are easy to assign into their human counterparts…

Old Major is Lenin
Napoleon is Stalin
Snowball is Trotsky
Mr. Jones is the Czar
the rest of the Animals are the common people.

While reading the story, I’m sure I’m not the only one wanted Napoleon turned into bacon. Squealer being the voice of the government and manipulating worlds to get the other Animals to fall in line with Napoleon’s wishes, just made me laugh because his name fitted his role perfectly.
This is about government and what happens when people get corrupt with power and others are unwilling to stop them.

I would definitely recommend this novel. It is a fast read, I finished it in four hours. However, if you are hoping Napoleon gets turned into bacon….he doesn’t. It would have felt good though…

Enjoy the coffee and a good book!

Lopaka

Pet Sematary by Stephen King
1984/465pgs

Not as gripping the cold clawed hands of It. It doesn’t hold you close and whisper creepy tales like The Shining. Pet Sematary does something that none of the other King books made me do (so far)…say WTF and look up if he ever stated what happened after the end of the book.

This one tugs at your heart strings if you are a parent, the death of a child. King was inspired by a near death experience of his son and the “What If’s” built the background of Pet Sematary. King cleavery builds the story up with the daughter Eileen’s nightmares that really foreshadow events to come. Events for many pages build to what you are hoping to not happen in the great climb to the climatic moment. Gages (the son) actions don’t surprise the reader when you understand, this is King telling the story, so no holds barred baby!

However, the part that truly made the skin crawl was the end. The WTF moment that also shouldn’t shock anyone since, yes, this is King telling the story.

This isn’t as scary as It. However, what will tear at you and the fear that much of us have….Kings look at death with in the family.

Enjoy the coffee…

Lopaka

The European Union: Readings on the theory and practice of European integration by Nelson, B. F., & Stubb, A. (Eds.)
2014/403pgs

Another reading for my graduates degree. Yes, that’s three books for one class. This one was the roughest of the three. Although, the direction of it is interesting, it can be very very difficult to get through. It is simply about policies and views from leaders and other politicians on the good, bad, and ugly of the EU. Who liked it and who didn’t. Why does it seem like Germany and France really run things.

Also, after reading this, one truly gets a better understanding on why England never really joined the EU “all in”.

An interesting read when it comes to political theory, although, some of the articles chosen makes one reach for a razor blade screaming, please just conclude your theory and stop droning on!

Happy Reading,

Lopaka

Markets and Moral Regulation: Cultural Change in the European Union by Paulette Kurzer
2001/210pgs

Another class required reading, however, unlike many other textbooks, this one has a different view on what the EU has done for cultures. It examines how policies within the EU has change long held cultures or is possibility changing national identities within the next generations.

The author looks at the Drug policies in the Netherlands, the ban on abortion in Ireland, and the Alcohol identity of Nordic nations. It examines the before the EU policies, exemptions, and where the culture is moving today. It is very fascinating to see nations evolve with the creation of the EU.

If one is fascinated with how the EU has impacted a few cultures, this is an interesting read.

Happy Reading,

Lopaka

The European Union: Politics and Policies by Jonathan Olsen and John McCormick
2017/378pgs

How does the European Union work? How is the Bureaucracy crafted? What is the power of the Parliament? What power does the European Court of Justice truly have?

This is a text book that breaks down how the EU works. Also, a little of the history of the EU and how it was shaped to what it is today.

This was a required reading for my Graduate degree.

I would recommend if someone is very interested in how the EU works.

Happy Reading,

Lopaka

Carrie by Stephen King
1974/248pg

The book that started Kings reign over our fears. Although, it’s not scary today as it would have been, it’s still enjoyable to read. Not fear like “It”, more of makes your ass move in your chair when you think of treatment of others.

This is the infamous story of Carrie White and the two incidents that cause her to use her unknown but ungodly power to get revenge on those who laughed at her.

The method that Stephen King tells the story is through a narration and also reading reports, interviews, and even books excerpts from after the incident is already complete and still studied.

Grab a good cup of coffee and enjoy a good book!

Lopaka

Citizens’ Media Against Armed Conflict: Disrupting Violence In Columbia by Clemencia Rodriquez 2011/265pg (reading)

What a wonderful easy and sometimes inspiring read! Although not a fast paced book, this a breakdown of how media has greatly assisted Citizen populations in Columbia during the many years of Gorilla/Military/Paramilitary violence.

One chapter that truly made the hair on the back of my neck stand was Chapter 2 and the Communications Collective and how they inspired youth and adults to create programs for the radio of their own design. The lessons that many youth learned that is still talk about 10 years later is inspiring.

Another great story is how a teacher changed the boys from drawing penises in the girls bathrooms to writing love poems and forever altered how boys and girls interact and also communicate.

This is not a fast read, but very inspiring and shows how imagination, inspiration, and finally determination can change not only the spirit but the moral of society from the power of Media even in times for great conflict.

Although it was required read for my Graduates class, I would still recommend it because some of the stories are very inspiring.

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a novel!

Lopaka