This was a book I picked up in an airport bookstore, and as those books go, it was pretty good. The chapters are short and make it easy to pick up (anThis was a book I picked up in an airport bookstore, and as those books go, it was pretty good. The chapters are short and make it easy to pick up (and put down). I probably could have finished it faster had work not done work things and went crazy. I enjoyed most of the stories. Some of the stories were too over the top, even being forewarned that the stories would be over the top. I don't know that I learned much new, except that it may actually help to tip the maître d'. It does reinforce that the restaurant is hard as fuck and to be nice and tip your servers. ...more
I really dug this book! Granted, I'm a huge JRPG fan, and I loved the backstories of the creators and some of the games I'd undervalued or entirely miI really dug this book! Granted, I'm a huge JRPG fan, and I loved the backstories of the creators and some of the games I'd undervalued or entirely missed. ...more
This book was recommended to me by Chris Hollister, who is part of the Trivial Warfare podcast and also an avid board gamer. This book dedicates each This book was recommended to me by Chris Hollister, who is part of the Trivial Warfare podcast and also an avid board gamer. This book dedicates each chapter to a topic related to board games, starting with really old games like chess and backgammon and ending with games like Trivial Pursuit and Settlers of Catan. The author took an odd side-step also into using games to train AI, as evidenced by computers learning Go and Chess and beating masters of those games.I liked some of the facts I learned in the book, such as "The Game of Life", in a previous iteration, had a square where your character committed suicide. The history of evolution of chess was pretty interesting, too. And Trivial Pursuit surprised me, honestly. The story of Scrabble I'd read before and Monopoly...well, the back story is a bit more interesting than the game itself.
If you enjoy playing board games, I definitely recommend this one....more
When I was in college and grad school, I played soccer. I ran, training for marathons and triathlons. I swam. I did Tang Soo Do. I hurt my ankle on JuWhen I was in college and grad school, I played soccer. I ran, training for marathons and triathlons. I swam. I did Tang Soo Do. I hurt my ankle on July 3, 2001 playing soccer (went up for a head ball and came down on the outside of my foot). The last run I ever went on was in May or June 2003. I had ankle surgery in 2002 to fix torn ligaments and it was one of my first real runs trying to get back to "normal". I had pain in the back of my ankle, behind my ankle bone, so I called my doctor, who referred me to a "better" doctor. It turned out that the tendons used to fix my ligaments tore and after 2 more failed surgeries, I was referred to another "even better" doctor who fused my ankle. I miss running. The closest I can do now is get on the elliptical, which I've had an on-and-off affair with since. Before covid, I was working out 6 days a week. 2 of those were lifting, the other 4 were just elliptical at the gym. When covid hit, I bought an elliptical and set it up in my basement.
It turns out Peter Sagal and I have a lot in common, more so than I'd have thought. We've both been hit by cars, we've both torn tendons, we've both broken our backs. I enjoyed listening to his words of wisdom while working on the Virtual Running Club Get to Sesame Street challenge. I'm doing the 100 and the 500, so I'm seeing a lot of my elliptical. I felt a little guilty listening to the book when I got to the section where he talked about why he doesn't run with headphones. But even then, I get his point. When I get on the elliptical or go for a walk, it's in part to think. So I usually listen to things where it's ok to be distracted (ok, or work calls. I've done a lot of work calls on the elliptical. My job is so glamorous...). I mostly wasn't distracted listening to this book, but found myself thinking about it when listening to other books or podcasts. I have to look back through to find one of the books he mentioned. I think it'll be another good listen.
There was one section I really appreciated. "Perhaps you would like to start running. You never have tried before, or you did and you hated it, and now you wonder how to begin moving in a way that will keep you going. Get up. Start. Go. Move. Take a rusty first step, like the Tin Man. You will squeak. Go." (page 34 of the Kindle edition, per my phone)...more
In fall 2002, I was going into my second year of graduate school at the University of Maryland. 2001 was a bad year in that area. Besides 9/11 which sIn fall 2002, I was going into my second year of graduate school at the University of Maryland. 2001 was a bad year in that area. Besides 9/11 which should be obvious, later in September, a tornado hit the area. I happened to be in that tornado. Like, if you look at the pictures, I was within 100 yards of that building that was demolished. Right near where the two girls died. I was in my family's van at the time. Then there were the anthrax mailings. I was a hasher and we had to stop using flour to mark the trail. Right when everybody was starting to calm down, after the first 9/11 anniversary in 2002, there was a sniper duo in the DC area, frequenting areas that I frequented and where my family frequented. The 6th shooting in Maryland, happened on a Thursday night. When I went to a soccer game at Jessup Blair park just north of the DC line, I saw a newspaper with the front page showing where the shooting had been. It was literally across the street from where I was playing soccer. Upon reflection, I think I understand why my panic attacks came back then...
I was interested in this book because I was curious how the snipers were tracked down. I didn't realize that it was written and narrated by some of the FBI officials who were involved in the actual investigation. It also has quotes/narration from some of the victims or their families. The story is fascinating, though is rather critical of Montgomery County (Maryland) Police Chief Moose. I wonder what a book written from his perspective would be like. I was engrossed from the start. I also didn't realize what a bigger story had gone on, crossing the country and with even more shootings and death.
I'm not usually a fan of true crime, but this was fascinating. If you have any interest in what happened with the snipers, I definitely recommend this book....more
I'm not crying, you're crying. Ok, there was only crying at the end of the book. I started the book on Kindle, where it was a quick pick up and read aI'm not crying, you're crying. Ok, there was only crying at the end of the book. I started the book on Kindle, where it was a quick pick up and read a little bit book, but in order to be able to read more, I bought the audiobook because it has WhisperSync for Voice and I ended up listening to the last half or so. Ken Jennings does most of the narration (at least for what I listened to), except for a few chapters. I finished the book while on the elliptical and the last chapter (narrated by Alex) is where he discusses his decision to stop further treatments.
This book was really enjoyable, especially if you're a fan of Jeopardy. Each chapter is a little vignette about his life or Jeopardy or a contestant on Jeopardy. It's also deeper, touching on topics of depression and illness and pain. I found it hard to keep back tears at times. RIP, Alex Trebek. ...more
I have no idea what the author was trying to convey. Every time she made a point, she made a counterpoint. I am pretty confident that there are ways tI have no idea what the author was trying to convey. Every time she made a point, she made a counterpoint. I am pretty confident that there are ways that male and female brains are different. My mom has actually given clear examples. Does that mean that women are inferior and can't do hard science? Probably not, given who I am and what I do for a living. But this book had interesting references to studies but no point....more
I think I was (am?) a federal criminal. But it was a probation before judgement so maybe not? I really don't know and this book didn't make it clearerI think I was (am?) a federal criminal. But it was a probation before judgement so maybe not? I really don't know and this book didn't make it clearer. But it was interesting and funny and I learned some things. I will definitely have to avoid getting onto a ship before it's docked. Apparently. Who knew?
Thanks to work, I devoured this (pun intended). I didn't like it quite as much as I did Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in DisguiseThanks to work, I devoured this (pun intended). I didn't like it quite as much as I did Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise but it was still enjoyable. I never subscribed to Gourmet, but my mom was a long-time subscriber. I remember looking through her issues. When I started cooking on my own, I would use their recipes (from epicurious -- I didn't know the insanity behind THAT decision, either!). It was interesting to see the history of the magazine and how Reichl changed it..and what was working against her. Definitely recommend, even if not 5 stars....more
In a thread in the Sword & Laser group, a member mentioned how good this book was and how it might be made into a movie (thanks, Trike!). He's absolutIn a thread in the Sword & Laser group, a member mentioned how good this book was and how it might be made into a movie (thanks, Trike!). He's absolutely right. I devoured this and was fascinated not only on the experience as a NYT food critic but as a person forced to have multiple personalities--and finding herself through those personalities. I have to agree with Trike...this would be a great movie, kind of in the same vein as Julie & Julia. If you like great food, you'll probably like this book....more
This was a fascinating book about some of the women code breakers in World War II and the history of code breaking in the USA in general. I liked readThis was a fascinating book about some of the women code breakers in World War II and the history of code breaking in the USA in general. I liked reading the stories of the women and the work they did, but I have to hedge slightly on the review because I would regularly get confused as to who was who. The book introduces various women, then switches to another code type (theater of the war) and time, then eventually comes back to most of the women introduced. I found it hard to remember who some of the women were, when there were a few long chapters between "visits" with them. I think if the book had been split into theaters of the war or focused on women and told a complete story before moving onto another, it would have been easier for me to follow. That said, I've had this problem with other books, too (Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America is one of those books), so it might just be me.
I enjoyed learning the history, and learning of these women as people as opposed to just learning about the work they did. It's a shame that there isn't more attention on them and their accomplishments. I finished this book while in Chicago, which was well-timed because the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry has an exhibit of a German U-boat which discusses, in part, the role the women played....more
From the podcast of the same name, an illustrated edition of "stupid things we've done in history in the name of 'medicine'".
I bought the book but actFrom the podcast of the same name, an illustrated edition of "stupid things we've done in history in the name of 'medicine'".
I bought the book but actually listened to most of it, which was kind of like listening to a long version of the podcast. But I checked out the book for the fantastic pictures....more
I guess I don't read too many biographies/autobiographies, because I had to create a shelf for them. I actually only decided to read this because I waI guess I don't read too many biographies/autobiographies, because I had to create a shelf for them. I actually only decided to read this because I was going to see her on the tour for the book (I went on the 25th of November and it was fantastic). I was excited to see that the audiobook was narrated by Mrs. Obama, so that was how I consumed most of it.
I enjoyed it. While the tone of the book was generally positive (as most of these are), there were a few parts in the book where it didn't "all work out" as she'd hoped. But that's part of the narrative - rolling with the punches and putting your feet in the direction that you want to go. The book had very happy moments and some moments where I swear the room was dusty. I wish it could have ended on a more positive note. The book is chronological, though it's not specifically reliving the outcome of the 2016 election that got me down. There were other difficult times, times that seemed to get worse and worse, towards the end of the Obama administration.
Mrs. Obama reminds me a bit of my 7th grade reading teacher. She was another strong African-American woman, who always admonished us to stand up for our names and be proud of who we were. Somehow, I think they would have gotten along....more
If Jim Lovell was the hero of Lovell & Kluger's Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, then astronaut Frank Borman was the hero of this book. ThIf Jim Lovell was the hero of Lovell & Kluger's Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, then astronaut Frank Borman was the hero of this book. This book has a similar feel to Apollo 13, but where 13 was known as a triumph of engineering over adversity, 8 was generally seen as a successful stepping stone to the moon. Prior to reading this book, I didn't realize that so many things had gone wrong on Apollo 8. I also really dug some of the other history in the book - stuff I hadn't known.
I think THE definitive way to read this book is to listen to the audio. The narrator was pretty good, but more amazing was the interview with Frank Borman at the end and the actual mission audio after that.
I really want an audiobook of Apollo 13 in this way, too....more
It's hard to say I "liked" this book when the topic was so awful. This book shows how completely dysfunctional the US Food and Drug Administration is It's hard to say I "liked" this book when the topic was so awful. This book shows how completely dysfunctional the US Food and Drug Administration is and how it got that way. It shows in gory detail why many of the things that we (patients and even most doctors) believe are "safe" because they're FDA approved are in fact under-regulated, under-tested, and issues go under-reported. It tells this horror story using an example of an actual case where a guy got a vagus nerve stimulator implanted and the near-death experience that he had. Further, one of the implants that was used on me is called out by name (which wasn't exactly a surprise, since I know there is a class-action lawsuit related to its use), which is never comforting. There was a good section of a chapter devoted to it. Long and short, medical implants don't require much to get an FDA seal of approval and issues with implants don't have to be reported in any meaningful, useful, or possibly truthful way. Drugs are only slightly better, due to the fact that the regulations for them was passed in the 50's or so.
Unless it's an emergency or a truly last resort, based on this book and until or unless things change, I'd avoid getting any implants......more
Full disclosure, my friend Tim co-wrote this book. And I already know that Tim's writing style is one I like. I enjoyed the book, though it's probablyFull disclosure, my friend Tim co-wrote this book. And I already know that Tim's writing style is one I like. I enjoyed the book, though it's probably more like 3.5 for me than a full 4, rounded it up for Tim. ;)
I know nothing about The Wolf of Wall Street, but as it turns out, this guy worked for the firm that the movie is about (and now I want to see said movie). I always assumed that the movie was about the 2008 stupidity, not the early 00's stupidity. I was sucked into the book. Every time I tried to put it down, I realized that I wanted to know what was going to happen to Ray next, what insanity the brokers were doing. I ended up devouring the book. I'm looking forward to reading the next one, about I guess his time in jail?...more
I am clearly not the intended audience for this book. In it, the guy who lead the EDL (Entry, Descent, and Landing) team for Mars Science Laboratory tI am clearly not the intended audience for this book. In it, the guy who lead the EDL (Entry, Descent, and Landing) team for Mars Science Laboratory talks about becoming an aerospace engineer, his early career at JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and his eventual role as EDL lead for MSL. I think it's intended to be some sort of "inspirational" story about doing things that seem impossible and facing team challenges, but it didn't come off that way to me.
Maybe I'm jaded. I work in the space industry (though on the commercial side, not science side) and face similar challenges (design doesn't work, trying to get pieces worked by individual team members to come together, making mission ops decisions at the "last minute") but on a much quicker and cheaper scale. My job is similar to the role he describes, but I do it for a spacecraft platform, the backbone that supports the commercial payload. I didn't need all of his deep explanations of the process of design, test, and ops, and though some of the problems they ran into are interesting, they're the same types of problems we all run into in this industry.
The book needed a better editor or support writer. The flow of the space stuff was interesting enough, but I don't know that anybody needs to know of his high school days or his courtship of his first wife. Nor did it seem really relevant that he re-married and was expecting another child when MSL launched. If the idea is about how to lead, then these side stories were just human interest...and were distinctly uninteresting (more so in light of how it seems he doesn't talk about women). More annoying to me was the tone of the book. If you read it and don't understand how the design (etc) process works, you might think that MSL was entirely successful thanks to Steltzner. Never does he talk about the spacecraft that carried it to Mars NOR THE F'N ROVER DOING THE ACTUAL SCIENCE. Yes, if the "space crane" hadn't worked, the mission would have failed, but that could be said for the launch vehicle, the transit spacecraft, or the rover itself, too. Though he talks about his (male members of) his team, he makes it seem like he did everything (and maybe as a manager/lead engineer, he had final say, but really a good lead engineer knows who to go to for each task and has enough of a "jack of all trades" capability to call BS or to allow a design to proceed).
Worst of all, throughout the book there was a distinct lack of discussion of female team members. Steltzner goes on and on describing team members, often devoting paragraphs to them. He said perhaps 2 lines about women, and one of those lines was to use phrases that in my neck of the woods are what men say when they feel that a woman's a b**ch. It's an attitude I see a lot in the industry, especially from my male colleagues who are 10 years or more older than I am. One of the women he didn't mention much was the lead engineer for the entire project...way more important overall than he was. Yet he didn't mention many women (2 or 3, excluding his wives) and never in any good detail. This leads me to think that either JPL doesn't have a lot of women (something I suspect isn't true) or that Steltzner needs to retire because he doesn't see them as equal members of the team (something I've seen over and over again in my job...from customers and coworkers alike, men of a certain age...).
So unless you have a burning desire to glimpse how space missions are designed, feel free to skip this. That a (male) coworker recommended it to me makes me wonder about said coworker.......more
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