Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

In a string of power blackouts occurring in my island as an aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), having a good book is a huge advantage (yup, they don't need charging). I ran out of reserve books since I’ve finished all of them already, good thing my sister had a couple from her collection that I could choose from. I readily grabbed Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers out of convenience considering its size being handy and light. A fan of fiction, I’m often entertained by strange, dreamy, extraordinary stories so I don’t read non-fiction much aside from articles online and in journals and magazines. My sister have been recommending Gladwell to me a lot of times, however, it’s only at this moment that I got a hold of one of his writings. I’m glad I picked it because as soon as I read the introduction, I got hooked. 

I cannot agree more with all the reviews printed on the book-- Gladwell is a master storyteller, no question about it. Albeit the book being non-fiction, there's no part that I find dragging or boring. I'm astounded by how he's putting everything in order, giving factual details at the same time enthralling the reader as one advances from chapter to chapter. Outliers is a story of success or rather facts of success. This path (success) everyone wants to take is not merely a platter served to one person or another; it’s actually a series of opportunities, hard work, cultural backgrounds, so on and so forth. Success is not what we actually think it is, there’s a lot more in between that we hardly notice unless we’re really meticulous or plainly observant.

This phenomenal book is abundant of thought provoking and eye-opening data that every time I turn a page I melt into reflection time and again. I come to realizations that I wish to apply in my own endeavors. It’s a literary experience that offers entertainment, information, and insights. 

Find out Bill Gates' journey to becoming America’s wealthiest person. Know the Beatles’ secret of becoming the world’s most exceptional rock band. Discover how an airline that had too many air crash changed their reputation from unsafe to one of today’s leading airlines.

Outliers is too read-worthy that I’m left giddy when I reached the last page itching to acquire another Gladwell book. I’m sure I’ll be a happy reader when I finish the rest of his masterpieces just like how I am today when the last letter entered my brain. 

I’m saving for his other best sellers— The Tipping Point, Blink, What the Dog Saw, and David and Goliath. “Absotively” recommending Outliers to everyone. You wouldn’t want to put it down. I swear.

The Great Gatsby

I haven't finished the book but I'm no stranger to what will happen as the pages turn. I watched the 2013 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and it was fine. I know, I know... it was a bad idea. Anyway, I'll try to not let the film adaptation change my appreciation of the story.

Enough beating around the bush-- I'm not going to discuss the story, I'm going to talk about the copy I just bought last weekend. *Wink* 

The book sleeve

While checking out new book stocks at a local bookstore, this interesting copy of The Great Gatsby was sitting at a corner of a shelf hardly noticeable. Seems like it was waiting to be appreciated and bought by the right person (yep, that person turned out to be me!). Was torn between A Clash of Kings and this all-time favorite classic. The latter was in a sleeve and was sealed so I couldn't take a good look but I had a feeling it was a handsome book.  I only had a glimpse of the blue spine with the silver embossed title.  Felt unsure if I can buy a fancy copy like it somewhere else, at another time, or at that affordable price (less than PhP 400) so I thought it was a rare find. After a short deliberation, I decided to purchase Gatsby.
As soon as I withdrew the book from the sleeve, I had a pleasant surprise! It's elegantly hardbound with nicely printed flyleaf plus the page edges are silver. These lovely details charmed me just like how Daisy bewitched Gatsby. Ha! Really. Every time I read the book, I never miss sniffing the pages, feeling the smooth texture and running my fingers over the embossed letters of the cover. I'm so proud a beauty like this is added in my collection. Actually, it's the fanciest-looking book I own so far. It makes me want to get more of these printed delight-- hardbound and vintagey-- just the way I like it.  

The silver page edges are so Gatsby!

I'm off to continue reading this gorgeous book. Ta ta for now!

P.S. The publisher of this copy is Arcturus Publishing Limited. I'll be looking out for other classics from them.  Books like these beautify shelves-- perfect for collections. Bibliophile mode on.


"Life is much more successfully looked at from a single window." 
~F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby