December Book Reviews

Earth Alone by Daniel Arenson
Most science fiction books that have aliens attacking the earth are set it space and involve lots of ships (think Star Wars).  This book focuses on a few young people that are drafted into an all-earth defense military, and it describes how they are impacted by basic training in a post-apocalyptic earth.  The book is pretty well written and the characters have some depth, but it isn't my favorite style -- I like stories about a hero driving a shiny ship, not kids struggle to survive each other in basic training.  Grade: B-

On Tennis by David Foster Wallace
(Note: I'm working through Bill Gates' recommended books that he read in 2016 and this book is from that list.)  A collection of 5 essays (I think most were written for Tennis Magazine) by one of the best writers ever.  Some essays were more personal, some were more historical (mostly Connors to Federer), and some were more focused on APT Tour players that were really good but relatively unknown.  All the essays were fantastic.  I enjoyed the book and it increased my appreciation of tennis.  Grade: B+

The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and our Energy Future by Gretchen Bakke
(Note: I'm working through Bill Gates' recommended books that he read in 2016 and this book is from that list.)  This comprehensive book examines the past, present, and future issues associated with the US electrical grid.  The book is extremely well researched and written.  It's interesting... at times the book paints a concerning and almost depressing picture of the future of the US electrical grid, but at other times is is somewhat optimistic.  I'm glad I read the book because most depressing thing would be to go into the future with zero knowledge.  Grade: B+

One Second After by William R. Forstchen
A book about a family living in a small town in North Carolina, and their experiences during a year following an electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) pulse (resulting from an upper atmospheric nuclear explosion) that knocks out the power grid and every electric device in the US.  Basically, all transportation and communication is destroyed and almost everyone dies.  The book is incredibly depressing and sad.  My guess is that the authors goal was to scare people into being more prepared for an EMP pulse.  Personally, I resent the fear-mongering and authors trying to manipulate my emotions in a depressing way.  Grade: F

November Book Reviews

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Probably the longest book I've ever read.  It is a story of a women that travels back in time 200 years in Scotland.  The characters have depth and are very interesting, but the story is too slow with too much violence.  Grade: C-

Departure by A.G. Riddle
I don't know what it is with me and time travel books, but this story has a group of plane passengers going 200 years into the future.  The book seeks to explore issues of technology and the impact of technological developments on people.  Good but not great.  Grade: B

The Hike by Drew Magary
Probably the strangest book I've read.  It is about a man that goes for a hike and enters a surreal world.  It is a more modern and more twisted Odyssey-type story. Read if you like strange stories, but skip it if they are not your thing.  Grade: B-