Quick. Gripping. Really enjoyable. I fired through this thing in a few days, and when I wasn't with the book, my mind kept going back to it. A murder Quick. Gripping. Really enjoyable. I fired through this thing in a few days, and when I wasn't with the book, my mind kept going back to it. A murder mystery in reverse, with a time (travel) loop, and revelations that are unexpected, yet realistic. It won't be nearly as good on a second read-through, but the first time was really fun. (And I'm glad to see the person I know and love who is a sucker for time travel books has already read this one.)...more
A religious book, focusing on gifts of the spirit, and how not only should we seek after them, and develop what we have, but we likely have gifts not A religious book, focusing on gifts of the spirit, and how not only should we seek after them, and develop what we have, but we likely have gifts not explicitly spelled out in the scriptures. This was a rather short book, and could use some contemplation after some of the chapters. I loved the examples from The Book of Mormon (and admit to using two of them in recent lessons)....more
This was more a mini biography of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, mixed with the author's theory of how these fourThis was more a mini biography of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, mixed with the author's theory of how these four men helped form the American colonies into a united nation (when as colonies, their only united goal was to separate from England). It was interesting, but far from the best I've read about Washington and Hamilton. Ron Chernow's books on those two are unmatched, in my opinion. Interesting, but also veering from the point at times....more
An easy fantasy series to start into. It's fast-moving, and I could use some more details, but that's also part of the enjoyment of the book. As the cAn easy fantasy series to start into. It's fast-moving, and I could use some more details, but that's also part of the enjoyment of the book. As the characters shift through a few forms of London, each has its own set of characteristics, and ways which magic works. This is easy fantasy to enjoy, and will surely bring me back for the two others in this series. There's some gory violence, but if you're a fantasy fan, this should be an easy one to pick up....more
I only decided to read this because I've seen the movie adaptation. The book and the movie are rather well aligned. It tells the story of Kaya, and heI only decided to read this because I've seen the movie adaptation. The book and the movie are rather well aligned. It tells the story of Kaya, and her growth from young girl to adulthood, dealing with abandonment, loneliness, ridicule, and the difficulties of people who take advantage of her. She's smart, and determined. The story is well-written, and easy to enjoy. (It's also a little excessively graphic at times.)...more
I read this for a book club at work. The book was chosen by the group. I went into it without any real thoughts of myself as a perfectionist, but walkI read this for a book club at work. The book was chosen by the group. I went into it without any real thoughts of myself as a perfectionist, but walked away with so many great insights to my perfectionist tendencies, and how to both harness and address some of the strengths and downfalls that those tendencies include. Going in, I also thought the book would be super dry, based purely on the cover. It wasn't at all. I'd happy read this again to discuss with others....more
This gave me the best insight yet of the war in the Pacific theater. It dragged on for quite a while, and gave insights that were impossible to know (This gave me the best insight yet of the war in the Pacific theater. It dragged on for quite a while, and gave insights that were impossible to know (like the thoughts of random people as they died). Despite that, the perspective of the Japanese leadership never felt more clear than in this book. I still don't understand (nor do I anticipate ever understanding) the Japanese version of honor. What an atrocious war the whole thing was, and the descriptions of the immediate effects of the two bombs were appropriately graphic. Regardless, I'm not sure I can recommend this book to anybody except WWII enthusiasts....more
I really liked the "stick completely to actual records" approach of this book. I know Erik Larson does that with some version of that in his other booI really liked the "stick completely to actual records" approach of this book. I know Erik Larson does that with some version of that in his other books, but this one felt even more by-the-book. WWII was nasty, and what England had to deal with, due to its proximity to the European theater, was as well. Despite how many books on WWII I've read, I found this really insightful and engaging. Churchill himself still seems bizarre in a variety of ways, and also fascinating and worthy of more in-depth reading (like Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts, which I really enjoyed). Despite the very by-the-book approach of this book, it didn't drag, and felt very fluid. Well done....more
A Swedish combo of Forrest Gump and The Power of One. Obviously implausible, yet entertaining. Like other stories, I enjoyed the weaving in of the proA Swedish combo of Forrest Gump and The Power of One. Obviously implausible, yet entertaining. Like other stories, I enjoyed the weaving in of the protagonist's past while telling the present story. Good times....more
Appropriately titled, well-written, and engaging. Seemingly a good man, with good intentions, open to divine intervention, who married well, and contiAppropriately titled, well-written, and engaging. Seemingly a good man, with good intentions, open to divine intervention, who married well, and continues to serve despite the tolls of life....more
This is a very focused book on the topic of thinking, being open to new ideas, and being aware of what you don't know. From a professional developmentThis is a very focused book on the topic of thinking, being open to new ideas, and being aware of what you don't know. From a professional development standpoint, this is my favorite book we've read as part of our work book club in a while....more
McCullough once again was able to make me care about something I didn't care about before. The context for the building of the bridge was fascinating.McCullough once again was able to make me care about something I didn't care about before. The context for the building of the bridge was fascinating. The significance of the bridge for the city, and the immigrants was amazing. This was a great book.
--- In 2019 I visited New York for the first time. I made a point of walking the bridge. I cried as I walked across the bridge, thinking of those people who made a similar walk, but to a new beginning. I have artwork of this bridge hanging in my home. This book made a lasting impression on me....more
This was interesting. Malcolm had a rough upbringing, and then essentially was a hustler on the streets doing any and everything to make a buck, get aThis was interesting. Malcolm had a rough upbringing, and then essentially was a hustler on the streets doing any and everything to make a buck, get ahead, and gratify himself. During a stint in prison, he found religion and education, and became a totally new man. I feel that his anger at history was justified. To put things very lightly - some of his opinions were strong, and some of his stances were drastic. Some points were belabored and hard to make through. I'd be interested to hear what he'd have to say about how things have progressed in the nearly sixty years since his murder. Surely he'd still be disappointed, but what further thoughts would he have? I can't pretend to fully understand the historical or current plight of others. But books like this help shed some light on a perspective. "One day, may we all meet together in the light of understanding." - well said, Malcolm.
The audio performance by Laurence Fishburne on Audible is very well done....more
A great YA series, which I also enjoyed. Sometimes the end of Sanderson's books or series feel a little rushed. Although aspects of this one did, it aA great YA series, which I also enjoyed. Sometimes the end of Sanderson's books or series feel a little rushed. Although aspects of this one did, it also felt a little better paced. Comprehensively throughout the series I wish I could visualize some of the descriptions of dogfights a bit better. I also think if you're going to read this series, it's TOTALLY worth your time to read the novellas - they add details to some rather major aspects that would otherwise feel completely passed over. I can appreciate this ending the series from Sanderson's perspective, but I'll happily gobble up any additional novellas that are written....more
I liked this one - but as far as these novellas go, I think it was my least favorite. It's told from the perspective of the flight leader. I don't minI liked this one - but as far as these novellas go, I think it was my least favorite. It's told from the perspective of the flight leader. I don't mind him as a character, despite his more stringent ways. I enjoyed the additional background and events that were happening here in the series. All of this said, I don't think I was fully gripped by this book....more
I'd like to rate this one higher, since it feels like it adds SO MUCH context to the series. But that has more to do with my enjoyment of the book in I'd like to rate this one higher, since it feels like it adds SO MUCH context to the series. But that has more to do with my enjoyment of the book in the series, not necessarily for the book as a book. Yes, it's a novella that was added after the fact, but this book shares so many details I doubt they could really cover in the main part of the series. With the novella format, some things are skipped over a little too easily. Some things are hasty. But I loved this addition to the series....more
Paced and written as a novella, this book is great in that very format. It's not vital to read these to enjoy the main storyline of the series, but grPaced and written as a novella, this book is great in that very format. It's not vital to read these to enjoy the main storyline of the series, but great for adding context to some of the characters from the main series (and maybe fill in some colorful details). I'm glad I revisited the second book right before this, since this book starts before that book even finishes. I would strongly discourage anybody reading (or listening to) this book without having done so as well to the prior books....more
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