ReadCamp Phnom Penh, June 2024
We met for a book meet after a gap of several years. Thanks to all the people who joined us. Special thanks to HS for arranging the venue. These are the books we discussed. There is a Goodreads.com link after the description.
Cambodia by Sebastian Strangiu. A comprehensive look at the modern history of Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge, detailing the social, political, and economic challenges the country has faced. Anirudh noted the significant cultural changes in Cambodia, especially post-2017, and how the book provides a thorough understanding of these transitions. Goodreads
In the Dragon's Shadow by Sebastian Strangiu. Explores China's expanding influence in Southeast Asia, examining historical and contemporary relationships between China and its neighbouring countries. Anirudh appreciated the book for its historical anecdotes and insights into how China’s relations with Southeast Asian countries have evolved over time. Goodreads. YouTube video featuring the author
South China Sea by Bill Hayton. Investigates the geopolitical tensions surrounding the South China Sea, focusing on historical claims, international law, and the strategic interests of various nations. Anirudh liked the detailed explanation of the historical and modern conflicts in the South China Sea, which he found enlightening and important for understanding current geopolitical dynamics. Goodreads. YouTube video featuring the author
Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking. Explores the Danish concept of hygge, which emphasises cosiness, comfort, and wellbeing through simple pleasures and mindfulness in daily life. Yuka appreciated the book's practical advice on creating a cozy and comforting environment, which she found inspiring and easy to incorporate into daily life. We contrasted this concept with the Japanese concept of Ikigai which combines passion, mission, vocation, and profession to find purpose and joy in life, and discussed the book “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles”. Goodreads. Youtube interview featuring the author talking about Hygge
The Gift of Imperfection by Brené Brown. Encourages embracing vulnerabilities and imperfection as a path to wholehearted living, drawing from Brené Brown's extensive research on shame, authenticity, and resilience. Yuka found the book transformative, especially the idea that striving for perfection can be detrimental and that embracing vulnerability can lead to a more fulfilling life. Goodreads. YouTube program featuring the author talking about Imperfection.
The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Our youngest participant, SC, shared two classic stories that were impactful for her. The first one “The Little Princess” is a classic story about a young girl named Sara who faces adversity with dignity and kindness after being left destitute by her father's death. Goodreads
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. SC’s second pick is a story about the transformation of the lead character, who is visited by three ghosts that help him rediscover the spirit of Christmas and the importance of compassion and generosity. Goodreads
Dollargut Dream Department Store by Lee Mi-ye. Kolneath introduced a Korean translated book that delves into the concept of purchasing dreams and explores the lives of various characters through a fantastical narrative. Kolneath found the book to be a mix of sci-fi and fantasy, offering both a stimulating and comforting reading experience. Goodreads
Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke. The book explores the concept of quitting as a valuable and deliberate choice. It provides insights into identifying unproductive ventures and making informed decisions to pursue more promising opportunities. Kolneath recommended the book to people who are at critical junctions in their professional or personal lives. It offers practical advice on making difficult decisions and underscores the significance of prioritizing long-term success and overall well-being. Goodreads. YouTube video featuring the author talking about the book.
Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang. A historical biography of Empress Dowager Cixi, who ruled China from behind the curtain during the late Qing dynasty and played a crucial role in modernising the country. The book challenges traditional narratives, portraying Cixi as a reformer who helped transition China into the modern era. Kolneath appreciated the book for shedding light on Cixi's significant but often overlooked contributions to China's modernisation. The book provides a more nuanced portrayal of the empress’s legacy, despite some critics arguing that the author might be too favourable towards Cixi. Goodreads
Welcome to the Hyunamdong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum. A novel about a woman in her mid-30s who leaves her successful career and ends her marriage to open a bookshop in the Hyunamdong neighbourhood. The story explores themes of self-discovery, community, and the healing power of books, as the protagonist rebuilds her life and finds new purpose through her bookstore. Kolneath was drawn to the novel's depiction of the process of opening a bookstore and the lives of the people connected to it. Goodreads
Shadows of the Apt series by Adrian Tchaikovsky. A fantasy series exploring themes of war, politics, and power dynamics in a world where each group of people have a specific insect-like feature. We also discussed “Children of Time” and “Dogs of War,” both by the same author. Lauren enjoys the author for his rich world-building and refreshing character arcs, noting Tchaikovsky's avoidance of sexualizing female characters. Goodreads
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari. The book addresses the most pressing issues facing humanity today, from technology and politics to existential questions, offering ideas and reflections on how to navigate the challenges of the 21st century. Kounila found the book’s lessons to be timely, providing insights into navigating the complexity. Goodreads
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. A well known (and never out of date) guide to improving social skills, building relationships, and becoming more influential by understanding and respecting others' perspectives. HS, who is interested in understanding interpersonal relationships, found the book’s advice on social skills and relationship-building to be practical and ethical, making it a standout among self-improvement books. Goodreads
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. A reflection on finding purpose and meaning in life, based on the author's experiences as a Holocaust survivor and his development of Logotherapy. Fahim was deeply moved by Frankl’s insights into finding meaning through suffering, finding the book inspirational and transformative. Goodreads
We also discussed some reading hacks, such as how fiction can provide cultural and socio-economic context to a place. Reading fiction set in a country or city we are visiting can offer a deeper understanding of the locale and provide common talking points with locals. Anirudh shared tips on bulk shipping books from the US and highlighted the book binding service offered by print shops, which allows you to create a good-looking physical book from an e-book. A participant also discussed the Libgen site that hosts books and articles. We discussed the legality and the usability of the site.
We will meet again on Sunday 14 July at 10:30 AM. Please email me at caravan@posteo.net if you are keen to join.