My seven favorite books of the year

If I have something that I am addicted is to read. As well as I am a binge-watching, I am also a binge-reading. I am that kind of guy that loves receive and buy books. So, I am an addicted, and rarely I can pass a month without buying any books. Consequently, during this year as every other year, I read many good books. For instance, this year I read the entire collection of Harry Potter and almost the whole series of A song of ice and fire (Game of Thrones), among others. However, I would not like to use this article to talk about this sort of book (fiction), but about books that taught me something important, and that had some kind of impact in my life. Therefore, following is my list of best books that I read in 2016. I would like to suggest you to read all of them, because this seven books are amazing.

1- OUTLIERS - The story of success (Malcolm Gladwell)

Think about a book which I kicked off reading without great spectation, nevertheless, during four days reading I enjoyed and learned a lot. Gladwell is questioning the success of the outliers, that kind of people whom are outstanding in something, for instance athletes, billionaires, geniuses, rock stars and more. He shows us that there are some circumstances that can contribute for the success as the date of birth, as well as an extra effort against some opportunities. Therefore, the success depends on less in IQ or hereditary characteristics than in extraordinary opportunities plus a harder effort to achieve the goals. Thus, the book is formed with a series of cases and examples, and can contribute much to change our form to think the success. Incredible.

2- MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING (Viktor E. Frankl)

This is an old book that I never had the opportunity to read before. And the book is marvelous. Viktor wrote the book after experienced some years in Nazi death camps. Although the grievous part of the book showing a distressful life, he learned how to survive and have motivation against awful situations, and developed a psychological theory called logotherapy, which is presented within the book. The essence is assisting the patient to find meaning in his life. Thus, if you have the chance to read it, worth each page.

3- THE FOUR AGREEMENTS (Don Miguel Ruiz)

Although some people can perceive the book as a religious book, it is based on in one ancient civilization called Toltec, and presents four wisdom principles of life. The principles are very simple and powerful, and can change the life of who follows it. The first is take care with the words you have used. The second is not take anything personally. The third is not make assumptions prematurely. Then, the forth is always do your best. Even though its principle seems simple, I learned much reading the book, and I really believe that people who follow it can achieve a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

4- BUY.OLOGY (Martin Lindstrom)

It could not lack a book about consumer behavior. As I am a specialist, I have read many books about this subject, however this book is different from others I read before. The book is about the contribution of the neuroscience studying how people buy and why. Although some surprises in the conclusions of the book, its essence has stablished proximities with the older theories of consumer behavior. Furthermore, correlations with religion, brands, rituals and consumer behavior are one of the more interesting part of the book. As a first step the book is very good.

5- A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME (Stephen Hawking)

Although I am not a specialist in physics, and to be more exact I do not understand much about it, even so I enjoyed the book. I can not say that I understood the entire book, however I learned a lot about the universe, the laws of physics, the picture and expansion of the universe, the black holes, the elementary and advanced theories, the working of time, and of course, how a genius scientist as Hawking thinks the universe and the existence of God. Particularly, I disagree with him about God, on the other hand, I can not say that I have now new evidences and ideas to think about. Therefore, A brief history of time is a tough book, with hard questions to reflect, but that offers the opportunity to learn the universe under the sight of the science. At least interesting.

6- THE OPPOSABLE MIND (Roger Martin)

The book is about innovation, more specifically about thinking differently. Roger presents us his particular form to put the expression "think out of the box" in practice. In this new approach is necessary consider more saliences, blow up the causalities considered, work in parts visualizing the whole, and surely, searching for creative solutions instead of accepting trade-offs. Moreover, the author presents manners to enlarge our personal knowledge system, exploring our stance, tools, and experiences. So, its content makes the book a guide to reflect and to study accurately.

7- WHEN NIETZSCHE WEPT (Irvin D. Yalom)

This is the unique book in the list that is a fiction. More precisely, Irvin blends fact and fiction, atmosphere and suspense, to unfold an unforgettable story about the redemptive power of friendship. Furthermore, the characters in the book are the famous Nietzsche with suicidal tendencies, and Josef Breuer, one of the founding fathers of psychoanalysis with Freud, and the new method to heal. The mix of fantasy and reality make the book awesome. Its content generated a novel of obsession.

Therefore, this is my last list of the year with my seven favorite books. I hope you have enjoyed. I wish to you a fantastic 2017. Best regards! See you next year...

5 important facts for me in 2016

This is another tough list to do. Evidently during an entire year many facts succeed, and the duty to choose only five is difficult. So, I am not choosing based on importance in a general sense, but according to the significance that they have to me. Thus, let's go sorting out what was important.

1- MY DAUGHTER READING AND WRITING:

The fact can seem simple, but during this year my daughter developed the ability to read and write completely. Last year she could read some sentences and write few words, but with the improvement this year, with only six years old, she can read books and write completely accurate. Of course we have the pleasure to buy books and games for her develop more the skill. The interesting fact is that she loves earn books and educative games. Then, of course that I and my wife are loving it, and that this conquer was one of the most important facts that we lived in 2016. For you my daughter, we are so proud!!!

2- WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS AGAIN:

Last year I wrote about my team (Palmeiras) when we won the Brasil's Cup. In 2016 we have won the National Championship, and we are now more ahead as the bigger champions in Brasil. This year we won our ninth National Championship, and with our other three Brasil's Cup, we have now twelve national titles. The award was awesome to a team which was the better attack, defense, more disciplined, beating records in the second part of the championship, among other conquers. Furthermore, the championship was still more special this year, because we were doing without the title since 1994. Now, we are the best again, as well as the biggest champions in Brasil. I am proud to be at stadium in absolutely all the games at home in 2016. Do you want me justifying why is it fact very important for me? If you want, my answer is: Palmeiras is my life.

3- ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE:

The third more important happening this year was my definitive improvement in my english as my second language. As some people know I am an autodidact student that never studied english at school. The whole knowledge that I have is a flowering coming from my efforts, and I am proud about it. Thus, during these last two years I have improved considerably, and in 2016 the aftermath was fantastic. Since the beginning of the year I just can see like my english abilities have enlarged, and nowadays I think to be easy to do tasks as read books in english, talk fluently with natives, watch movies, series, news and games in english, write like I am doing now, among other things. It is interesting as nowadays the things in english around me seem normal things, as result of the language changing as my second language. So, my english is one among my five best facts of the year.

4- I HAVE BEEN DOING STRIKE:

Interesting put this fact into my five facts of the year. However, this is the reality. I am having problems in my university. I am a professor, and our university (UNIFIEO) has had some economical problems, and we professors and clerks have also been living troubles, because we are not receiving our payments accurately. Unfortunately, I am without my payments since August, and we did not have another alternative if not be in strike. So, we have been in strike now for more than a month, doing manifestations and protests, struggling to receive our rights. Why is it a fact much important? Because I am learning a lot with it. Moreover, when you are living moments of difficulty, it can be a good time to grow up more and change some things within your life. In fact, even though some psychological troubles, I can see some introspective advantages and learnings in it, as I need toil witty to achieve my goals. So, as I am a God man and as I have faith, then I believe in 2017, and I believe that the whole circumstances can be better after the new years' day.

5- LEARNING WITH HUMAN BEINGS AFTER THE TRAGEDY:

The fact was a tragedy, and surely was not important to happen. The crash of the Chapecoense's airplane was awful. The significative facts happened after the tragedy, because proved to me as human beings can be worth. In fact, the solidarity showed on the whole planet was marvelous. The world joined hands to act in prol of the Chapecó city, the families of the victims and the Chapecoense club. Although all the tragedy, the acts as the honors from Atletico Nacional fans, the same club giving up the awards of the championship, the world weeping for the victims, and for instance, organized fans from rival clubs whom commonly show some violence when reunited, singing together was awesome. Even though if I try, I can not put all the facts here, one conclusion is important; there are human beings in this world and they are greater than we can imagine. Many learnings from one infortune fact. When this sort of thing happens, I can think if perhaps is necessary bad events succeed to human beings, for them remember as they are good. Sad but true.

In conclusion, these five facts were important for me in 2016, and helped me to learn, to amuse and to improve my life. It is all for now. Until the next week with the last list of the year. Best regards.

The 5 best series from 2016

My list today is about series. However, it is a list about series from 2016 which I watched this year and I consider good choices. As I said before, I am a binge-watching, mainly when we are considering series. My intention is not to show up my list from all times. Nonetheless, if you want to read about my general list of series of all times in Netflix, you can find it here: http://rodrigodeusdara.blogspot.com.br/2016/07/top-20-from-netflix.html.
Although during the year some new episodes from older series were launched, I am considering here only new series. Furthermore, I am not only considering series from Netflix, but also from others.
Thus, let's go see my list of favorite series from this year.

1- THE CROWN:

The series is about the early reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom who inherit the crown from her father. The story is based on real facts involving the childhood and adulthood of the queen, as well as the intrigues among important staffs from the realm.
Something interesting within the story is like Elizabeth needed to learn govern and negotiate, for instance with the prime minister (Winston Crurchill) and other more. In addiction, we can perceive clearly, how much importance and tradition concern the United Kingdom and the realm. Likely, we will have more episodes in the future. Until there, we can appreciate an awesome story on our screens this year.
I am looking forward to the next chapters.

2- STRANGER THINGS:

I remember when this series was launched I watched it in only two days. Moreover, when the last chapter wrapped up I was feeling sad because it would be necessary an entire year to wait unto the next episodes. Truly, now there is less time to wait with 2017 arriving.
It is tough to define this series, because you can find here a mix of science fiction, mystery, drama, and terror. The story is about a boy who disappear, and move all the family and the city within an odd supernatural experiment from the government. Moreover, they must confront terrifying forces and mysterious adventures to take him back.
If you love suspense either you will love it or you will be eager with the next episodes when the last chapter end up. I can not see other form if not enjoying it.

3- DIVORCE:

I do not know why, but this series pass to be very interesting when you go watching it. Whereas a family is changing the course of life with a emergent divorce, you are following a couple with the problems about betrayal, commitment, caring of children and happenings in general. It is interesting to see as this series can portrait the live of the married couples that fall out of love. It is a reality lived for a big deal of people around the world.
Regardless the bad situation portrayed here, we can have a good time watching this funny and hilarious story with two different human beings in essence, but that seem to love each other beyond the troubles.

4- THE GET DOWN:

The series seems to represent a lot in a historic context, because present important changes in the city of New York during 1977. The scenario is Bronx living with big social and economical problems, during the rise up of hip-hop and the fall of disco music. Furthermore, the story is about people living there during this time, and having to survive in this chaotic situation, the rivalry among gangs, the dispute with spray bottles, and most important, the hip-hop manifestation and the growth of the groups supporting this sort of music.

Therefore all the ingredients presented converge to a wonderful story, fantastic scenarios and a plot that can grab your attention during the whole series. Even though some people do not appreciate hip-hop, it still worth to be watched because "The Get Down" goes beyond the music. It is a cultural and temporal art.

5- GLITCH:

This Australian series was the toughest choose, because I had others to consider. Why it here then? Firstly, because I love stories about resurrection and the mystery involving it. See other series in: http://rodrigodeusdara.blogspot.com.br/2015/06/resurrection.html. Secondly, because even though some people can disagree, this is a good production with good actors - consider that the actors are from Australia and not from Hollywood. And finally, because when I began watching it, I was not waiting big surprises, but step by step I was being convinced about the plot and the series in a general sense. So, I am now looking forward to the new episodes. 

Thus, these are my five new favorite series from 2016. All of them will carry on soon. As I ever said, I am looking forward to the new episodes, and excited with new possibilities in 2017. I love series. Therefore, God bless new productions. Best regards!

5 expressive movies for me this year

Going on with my lists, I would like to present today, my list of movies. I am not talking necessarily neither about movies launched this year nor the best films of my life, but on films that I watched in 2016, and that have been eloquent in some sense. Like I said before I am a binge-watching. Although I have been spending more time watching series than movies, I would like to list here five movies that changed something in my life this year. Thus, in this list you will not find movies with science fiction, action, and this sort of thing. On the other hand, the movies here have some kind of dramatic meaning, even with films with some glee and entertainment.
Follows the list:

1- 12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013):

Based on a true story, this movie is wonderful. Although it is a film to weep unconditionally, we can learn a lot with the happenings. In the story, a free black man goes to another city to do a work, and is kidnapped and sold as a slave. Before it he had a fantastic life, now he has been treated like a trash. So, Solomon needs to overcome the humiliations to survive and work as a slave during 12 years. Therefore, we have in this movie a sad but true story, a dramatical but real life of a man who can shows us worthy example of how struggle to survive and return to homeland.

2- ME BEFORE YOU (2016):

I watched this movie at theater, and I confess that I cried in the end. The story is based on a book that talks about a romantic relationship between a caregiver and a man whom she takes care of. Although this is a emotional story with romance, this is also a story about life and the meaning of love. Furthermore, it is a story to debate about the right to live or to choose do not live more. I do not want to unveil the secret of the movie here, then you will need to watch to understand what I am talking about. One thing I am almost utterly sure is that, it is almost impossible do not weep in the final part of the movie.

3- LITTLE BOY (2015):

It is possible that this choice will not pleasure all of you, but I liked this movie. Why? In my point of view, this is a simple story, with a childlike boy, and a unpretentious priest. Despite all this simplest constitutions, we find in this story, according with a innocent mind, how to believe. Moreover, we can learn with this little boy how to have hope and faith, and moreover, how much love is necessary for a little boy to maintain brighting the light of expectation, for the returning of his father from the war. 

4- ZOOTOPIA (2016):

Cartoon? Here? Yes, because this is a distinct cartoon which give us a lot of lessons to reflect. If you watched the movie you can go along with me, and salient that we can compare our society with the characters of it. Policemen, public clerks, mayor, thieves, and many more. It is like a real city. Whereas it is a cartoon, of course the characters are fantasistic, however we also can use it metaphorically to understand our society and the happenings nowadays. Whether you have children and like this kind of movie (cartoons), you should watch it with them, because you will have a good time together, as well as many important examples to reflect and criticize together. Thus, worth the time spent. 

 5- THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING (2016):

First of all, this is a funny film. Second, centralizes also in a serious issue, with a boy suffering from muscular dystrophy. Finally, it is simple, and perhaps this is the reason to cause impact.

Think about singular things as a hug, a grin, a look, a handshake, or still, stand up during few seconds. When we watch this movie we can notice small acts as big acts. Moreover, the friendship is something that grows up step by step in this heart touching story.

I confess I was not waiting much from this movie in the beginning, but I had a surprisingly sensation when I ended up. Therefore, I believe that is worthier than the critics have been pointing.

Thus, this is my movies list for this year. I also watched other good movies as "A matter of faith", "23 blast", and more, but these 5 above are my preferred. Unto the next week.

5 bands/musicians that I found out in 2016

Continuing my list about things that have changed my life in 2016, I would like to talk about music. Of course that music is something relative from one person to other. I really know that it is possible that you do not like my sort of music, and that you perhaps like a different kind of music than I do. If you do not enjoy rock and roll, hard rock and heavy metal, maybe this list is not for you. I suggest for you that do not like this sort of music, read this text and try to experiment these bands/musicians, because these musics are really good.
I would like to salient that this list do not represent my favorite bands, as for instance Metallica, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Stratovarius, Epica, Halloween, and many more. Instead of that, this list is about bands and musicians that I found out in 2016, and that I liked much, and now, I believe to be important to share with all of you.
One last observation: two of them are heavier, two of the others are hard rock, and the last a musician that I consider a combination between rock and hard rock.

1- TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION:

This is my best discovery in 2016. If you like heavy music and are not familiar with its (THC) music, hurry up and listen to the songs. From the first time I had contact with the music I fell in love. The instruments are working with the coalition as the name said, and in addition, the vocal is impressive. The content of the song is about Texas issues, girls, streptease, wars, and others. It's heavy on the ears.

2- HALESTORM:

I confess that I discovered this band only in the last Rock in Rio. Nonetheless, I did not give a lot of attention, because in that moment I was most concerned with more famous bands. In the middle of this year, I had a deeply contact with some musics from this band, and this time, my mind accepted strongly the sound. The vocalist is as we love say, spectacular. Impressive as she may sing with a powerful and singular voice. Although some critics have said that this band does not have a heavy music, and that they deserve less respect than the more famous bands, I disagree. Thus, I go along with the fans, and now, Halestorm has gained my respect.

3- BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION:

Join two spectacular musicians: Glenn Hughes (ex-Sabbath, ex-Deep Purple, and others) and Jason Bonham (awesome guitar and singer), and put them with other two good musicians. They form a marvelous band. They are like a mix from hard rock, country, jazz, blues and more. Moreover, you can find two different voices singing, and all the musics are impressive. The group remember another amazing super band called Chickenfoot. Thus, Black Country Communion worth each minute.

4- ORIANTHI PANAGARIS:

Orianth is an ex-Alice Cooper guitar player who seems as a doll, nevertheless she is an awesome singer and guitar. This year I had a pleasure to go to a show from Sambora with Orianthi, and I had an incredible surprise with this girl. Even that she seems like a barbie with a guitar, she is far away from that. She is beautiful, it is truth, but she is better as a guitar player and a singer. If you ask about the music, it is not heavy. Seems more like a soft hard rock, but I do not know why, nonetheless, worth to listen, and likely you will be addicted.

5- AIRBOURNE:

Though this band is older than I thought, I discovered this year. They were formed in 2003, and if you think that ACDC is wrapping up the career, you still can have a good band to heir the crown. It is impressive as the vocal is seemed. Although they are not ACDC, if you never heard before, you need do it to figure out what I am saying. Perhaps with the Australian band ending up the career we can enjoy a little more time with Airbourne remembering us them.

Well, this is my list from this year about music. I could list here more bands and musicians, but I believe that this list is a good one to represent new tidings in my life from 2016. Unto the next list. See you soon.