"Why Smart People Do the Same Dumb Things," by Dr. Rosalie K. Tatsuguchi (Watermark Publishing, $16.95)
Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes getting caught in a vicious circle of bad decisions is easier than we think. Using Buddhist principles and psychology, Rosalie K. Tatsuguchi shows readers how to identify their own "personal paradigms" and provides easy, measurable steps to making wiser decisions.
Case studies and stories of real people in situations we can all relate to provide examples of how using Eastern philosophies and Western science can make problem-solving easier.
The best part is how the author explains these ideas from a local perspective, making "Why Smart People Do the Same Dumb Things" unlike any other mainstream self-help book. One example is the idea of "reverse batchi," or creating good karma with positive thoughts and actions.
Even if you rarely find yourself in the center of drama, it doesn’t hurt to pick up a few affirmative techniques for those everyday challenges.
"Native Paths to Volunteer Trails: Hiking and Trail Building on O‘ahu," by Stuart M. Ball Jr. (University of Hawaii Press, $21.99)
Hawaii has seen its share of hiking guidebooks useful to both visitors and locals alike.
Oahu has many trails, all of them unique in experience and varied in the skill level required to make the trek. But do you ever wonder how these well-worn paths came to be? Who walked them and why? This new book by Stuart M. Ball Jr., author of "The Hikers Guide to O‘ahu," explores the history behind the island’s popular trails. Essentially it’s a hiking guidebook with extended features — like having a "director’s commentary" for local trails.
From routes created by the ancient Hawaiians and sugar plantation owners, through trails formed by the military and conservation groups, to paths cleared by volunteer clubs as recently as 1998, 50 trails are included, most open to the public.
Since the book is about history, it is arranged by organization instead of location. Full-page black-and-white photos add visual context to the names behind the paths that crisscross our mountains and valleys — favorites like Maunawili Trail, built by Hawaii Sierra Club volunteers in 1991.
This is the perfect read for history buffs who like to go adventuring on the weekend.
"A Chant of Love and Lamentation," by Brian Reeves (Amazon, $15.99; also e-book)
A finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards, this self-published novel by Brian Reeves paints a grim picture of Hawaii in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on a Waikiki hotel. The attack is a far-fetched and convenient impetus to the central conflict. It’s an interesting look at what Oahu might be like in an economic and political collapse. Ripe for social turnover, Reeves’ version is of an environment of struggle and homelessness.
The book centers on three characters: a misguided would-be revolutionist, a bitter transplant who loses it all and the reluctant son of the man who would be Hawaii’s king. Although they are similarly dissatisfied, each plays a unique role in the outcome.
Reeves is a dynamic writer with a style that lends itself to some beautiful rhetoric, so it’s obvious why he was a finalist. He does an excellent job of building suspense and conveying emotions, although the book is a little heavy on monologues and feels didactic in many ways.
Overall, the intriguing premise and solid writing make this a thrilling piece of fiction and a thought-provoking read.
Misty-Lynn Sanico writes for the literary website HawaiiReads.com.
