This is really more historical fiction than ghost story, though it is that also. The true horror of World War I is made visceral in a way that makes gThis is really more historical fiction than ghost story, though it is that also. The true horror of World War I is made visceral in a way that makes ghosts kind of beside the point. Laura, a frontline nurse is sent home, injured, to Halifax just in time for a war related explosion to kill her parents. Her brother Freddy is still at the front and Laura is determined to return and discover what has happened to him. In alternating chapters the reader discovers the horrors Freddy endures.
This was really quite enthralling. The main character is based on a midwife in 1770 who actually existed. She becomes embroiled in a rape trial that hThis was really quite enthralling. The main character is based on a midwife in 1770 who actually existed. She becomes embroiled in a rape trial that has consequences for everyone even peripherally involved with the case. Loved the characters, loved the writing. Loved the book....more
This explains so much about how the US has ended up more and more segregated by color and class and why there is no affordable housing anywhere! Also,This explains so much about how the US has ended up more and more segregated by color and class and why there is no affordable housing anywhere! Also, what can be done about it. For readers of THE COLOR OF LAW and THE DEATH AND LIFE OF GREAT AMERICAN CITIES. Extremely readable....more
The heroic story of how Marvel Entertainment rose from the ashes of bankruptcy, mortgaged their superheroes, and fought off the misogyny, greed, and tThe heroic story of how Marvel Entertainment rose from the ashes of bankruptcy, mortgaged their superheroes, and fought off the misogyny, greed, and toy-obsession of their overlords to create the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What a story!...more
A warm, witty, insightful book on living a creative life by a man who started out with no clear path in mind. He ends up doing high end renovations foA warm, witty, insightful book on living a creative life by a man who started out with no clear path in mind. He ends up doing high end renovations for clueless billionaires. Loved it!...more
WOW! This was an amazing read as a mystery, as an examination of the power of the internet for good and evil, as an indictment of our legal system, asWOW! This was an amazing read as a mystery, as an examination of the power of the internet for good and evil, as an indictment of our legal system, as a wrenching look at the crippling expectations put on girls and women by society, as . . ....more
Rocket Boys meets The Martian in this hilarious, profane and empowering story of American ingenuity. A failed backwoods astronaut sidesteps NASA when Rocket Boys meets The Martian in this hilarious, profane and empowering story of American ingenuity. A failed backwoods astronaut sidesteps NASA when his second cousin once removed is marooned on the now abandoned International Space Station. He is not gonna sit around and wait for his cousin to die. He is gonna build his own damn rocket and go get him. Loved it!...more
Temple Grandin knows more about the need for neurodiversity than anyone. As a visual thinker she struggled through our verbal-thinker oriented school Temple Grandin knows more about the need for neurodiversity than anyone. As a visual thinker she struggled through our verbal-thinker oriented school system. Many thinkers of all sorts give up when faced with insurmountable obstacles like algebra. Grandin makes the case that the greatest inventions and innovations come from collaborations of visual and verbal thinkers working together. Yet our educational system seems designed to reward test-takers over risk-takers. America's lack of innovation these days may well be due to the bias against those who think differently. Brilliant book!...more
Under the guise of "time management", Burkeman opens our eyes to the fact that time is immutable. It cannot be stretched, saved, managed, or wasted. TUnder the guise of "time management", Burkeman opens our eyes to the fact that time is immutable. It cannot be stretched, saved, managed, or wasted. Time is eternal, but we mortals are finite. If you live to be 80 you have roughly 4,000 weeks. Accept it. Embrace it. And stop worrying about how you are going to get everything done in the time allotted. You can't. You don't have to. Read this and discover life! I loved it!...more
I will happily follow Michael Pollan down any rabbit hole he chooses to go down. His strength is in making his journey personal. The story of each of I will happily follow Michael Pollan down any rabbit hole he chooses to go down. His strength is in making his journey personal. The story of each of these three mind-altering plants is fascinating, but what makes the book so compelling is the first person narrative of Pollan's discoveries and experimentation. Especially his experimentation.
Opium, caffeine, and mescaline have all impacted humans for centuries. Pollan's discoveries of how bizarre and illogical American laws regarding these substances are fascinating and horrifying in equal measure. For instance: it is legal to grow poppies UNLESS you know you could make opium from them. Not that you planned to do so, but that you knew it was possible.
This third volume in the Wayfarers series focuses on the Exodan fleet: the humans who left Earth after nearly destroying it. The fleet is a closed sysThis third volume in the Wayfarers series focuses on the Exodan fleet: the humans who left Earth after nearly destroying it. The fleet is a closed system where everything is recycled (including human cadavers) and nothing is ever wasted. But that will not be enough to keep the ancient ships from wearing out and the young people from moving away. Could change be a good thing? Great characters and plenty to think about....more
It is not that hard to put your life in order so that family and friends can concentrate on grieving instead of cursing if you should meet an untimelyIt is not that hard to put your life in order so that family and friends can concentrate on grieving instead of cursing if you should meet an untimely end. Or even a timely end. Written in a breezy, accessible style it is good advice. You might even want to pass a copy along to someone else who has been pretending that nothing bad will ever happen....more
CODE BREAKER is less a biography of Jennifer Doudna than it is a gripping history of the race from the discovery of the double helix to the CRISPR-casCODE BREAKER is less a biography of Jennifer Doudna than it is a gripping history of the race from the discovery of the double helix to the CRISPR-cas9 revolution. Doudna is fascinating and gene-editing is mind-boggling (if occasionally a bit too nerdy even for me) but Isaacson also spends quite a bit of time considering the ethical and moral implications of the technology. Much of the book is focused on the challenge of balancing scientific sharing and patenting discoveries. Luckily for us all, sharing wins the day in these pandemic times. Great read filled with vivid characters....more
This was a pure pleasure to read. With the exception of the Murderbot books, I haven't had this much fun with sci fi in ages. Character-driven, but noThis was a pure pleasure to read. With the exception of the Murderbot books, I haven't had this much fun with sci fi in ages. Character-driven, but not lacking in sci fi wonder or excitement. ...more
Something strange is happening at Slough House. Someone is disappearing the banished spooks, from the records and from life. Jackson Lamb is not aboutSomething strange is happening at Slough House. Someone is disappearing the banished spooks, from the records and from life. Jackson Lamb is not about to let that pass even if the first couple of dead spies are ex-slow horses. Always a wild ride. ...more
Johnson gives Longmire a bit of a break after the intensity of recent books. NEXT TO LAST STAND has a much lower body count than LAND OF WOLVES and alJohnson gives Longmire a bit of a break after the intensity of recent books. NEXT TO LAST STAND has a much lower body count than LAND OF WOLVES and allows the reader to enjoy the characters while puzzling out a clever mystery. It was a nice break....more
There are always two; a mother and a daughter. They are the Kibsu and for 99 generations they have lived for one goal to "take them to the stars." TheThere are always two; a mother and a daughter. They are the Kibsu and for 99 generations they have lived for one goal to "take them to the stars." They pass through history nudging, encouraging, hinting, helping scientists from Babylon to Werner Von Braun. Whatever it takes. They will survive and continue their work no matter how many people have to die. But there are others equally committed to stopping them.
Sci fi and history intertwine in this dark, compulsive thriller. Loved it!...more
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