Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
A very interesting and funny memoir by Trevor Noah, current host of the Daily Show, about growing up in South Africa. The title is a reference to the fact that his mom was black and his dad was white (a Swiss/German ex-pat) and for them to have sex was illegal under apartheid. I loved the book and thought his mom sounded like an amazing person. Highly recommended. Grade: A
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
I might be biased because Mark Sullivan is a local author, living in Bozeman, Montana, but I thought this was a fascinating and interesting story of a young, Italian man, Pino Lella, during World War 2. Pino survived an incredible number of harrowing experiences, and he faced some incredibly difficult decisions during the war. We all need to know and understand history so we can learn from it. Grade: A-
I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong
Microorganisms are all around us and inside of us. They have more of an impact on our health and well-being than most of us realize. This book is about the incredible interactions between microbes and other living things. Fascinating and highly recommended. Grade: A
Friday, July 7, 2017
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Book Reviews: The Red Rising Trilogy
The Red Rising Trilogy, much like the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, is really one long story spread across three books. You can read none of them or all of them, but you cannot read one or two of them. I thought the trilogy was exceptional, second only to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy from those I've read. The books are emotionally moving -- at times I was exhilarated, angry, crushed, elated, moved, appalled, etc. Pick an emotion, and I probably felt it, strongly, at some point while reading these books. They are part social commentary, and they are part inspirational. One way to describe them is to take one part "The Hunger Games", one part "Game of Thrones", and one part "Star Wars (episode IV - VI)" and mix. The overall trilogy gets a grade of A, but a few notes before closing:
- The first book was very good. It felt overly violent, but maybe that was necessary (I'm skeptical). Grade: B+
- The second book had the single worst ending of any book I've ever read. Whoever made the tragic mistake of not moving the last 2 or 3 chapters to the start of book 3 should never be allowed to make such a decision again. Grade: F-----
- The third book saved the trilogy. Grade: A+
- Obviously, the third book's grade counts more than the others.
- The books are written first person, from the point of the protagonist, Darrow of Lycos. However, it is a limited first person view because the reader does not always know what Darrow is thinking/doing. This writing style is very effective for raising the emotional level of the books. In retrospect, I found it both frustrating and interesting.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
March Book Reviews
Brain Web by Douglas E. Richards
The second book in the Nick Hall Series follows the ongoing story of a character (Nick Hall) that can read minds and has an internet implant in his head. Another enjoyable story from Douglas Richards. Grade: B-
The Frackers by Gregory Zuckerman
A fascinating book about the rise in hydraulic fracturing, horizontal drilling and the people and technologies that led to a resurgence in U.S. oil and natural gas production from dense rock (shale). Very well written and extremely interesting. The book does not directly address the environmental questions, but it does focus on some interesting and real people. A near must read. Grade: A-
From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
A story setting in Italy during World War 2. The main characters are a Jewish woman and a priest, and they are in love. Very moving and you are going to learn some (more) history. Highly recommended. Grade: A-
Brilliance by Marcus Sakey
This is a fictional story about what happens when some people are born with incredible abilities or 'brilliance'. The story is enjoyable, but the book also raises some fascinating questions that I cannot get out of my head. Grade: B+
Written in Fire by Marcus Sakey
The third book in the Brilliance Trilogy. Probably the best book in the trilogy, but otherwise forgettable. Grade: B+
The second book in the Nick Hall Series follows the ongoing story of a character (Nick Hall) that can read minds and has an internet implant in his head. Another enjoyable story from Douglas Richards. Grade: B-
The Frackers by Gregory Zuckerman
A fascinating book about the rise in hydraulic fracturing, horizontal drilling and the people and technologies that led to a resurgence in U.S. oil and natural gas production from dense rock (shale). Very well written and extremely interesting. The book does not directly address the environmental questions, but it does focus on some interesting and real people. A near must read. Grade: A-
From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
A story setting in Italy during World War 2. The main characters are a Jewish woman and a priest, and they are in love. Very moving and you are going to learn some (more) history. Highly recommended. Grade: A-
Brilliance by Marcus Sakey
This is a fictional story about what happens when some people are born with incredible abilities or 'brilliance'. The story is enjoyable, but the book also raises some fascinating questions that I cannot get out of my head. Grade: B+
Written in Fire by Marcus Sakey
The third book in the Brilliance Trilogy. Probably the best book in the trilogy, but otherwise forgettable. Grade: B+
Saturday, February 18, 2017
February Book Reviews
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
An interesting memoir from someone that grew up in a hillbilly family from Kentucky and Ohio. He talks about the challenges that he and his family faced and then he expands to discuss the wider challenges faced by individuals in those communities. It was an interesting book that I would recommend, and, based on its best seller status, everyone else is recommending it also. Grade: B+
An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff
A fascinating story of a women that becomes friends with a homeless black child in New York City. The book cover's both Laura's story and the challenges faced by homeless children. Extraordinarily moving and inspiring. Grade: A-
Thank You for Being Late by Thomas L. Friedman
Friedman is a great author that has previously written seminal books on globalization (The World is Flat) and the middle East (The Lexus and the Olive Branch). This book looks at the impact of 40 years of accelerating change in technology, global warming, and markets, and then looks at how that accelerating change is impacting people. It is a phenomenal book. It felt, at times, like Friedman was trying to capture all that he had learned over his career in a single book. Personally, I wish he had left the last two chapters out because they felt off-topic and disconnected from the rest of the book, but it was otherwise nearly perfect. Grade: A-
An interesting memoir from someone that grew up in a hillbilly family from Kentucky and Ohio. He talks about the challenges that he and his family faced and then he expands to discuss the wider challenges faced by individuals in those communities. It was an interesting book that I would recommend, and, based on its best seller status, everyone else is recommending it also. Grade: B+
An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff
A fascinating story of a women that becomes friends with a homeless black child in New York City. The book cover's both Laura's story and the challenges faced by homeless children. Extraordinarily moving and inspiring. Grade: A-
Thank You for Being Late by Thomas L. Friedman
Friedman is a great author that has previously written seminal books on globalization (The World is Flat) and the middle East (The Lexus and the Olive Branch). This book looks at the impact of 40 years of accelerating change in technology, global warming, and markets, and then looks at how that accelerating change is impacting people. It is a phenomenal book. It felt, at times, like Friedman was trying to capture all that he had learned over his career in a single book. Personally, I wish he had left the last two chapters out because they felt off-topic and disconnected from the rest of the book, but it was otherwise nearly perfect. Grade: A-
Sunday, January 8, 2017
January Book Reviews
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
An extremely enjoyable story. The story builds upon an idea from quantum mechanics research that the probabilistic behavior predicted by the equations of quantum mechanics can be explained by a multiverse -- or multiple universes that are generated for all possible outcomes of a probabilistic event. Well, in Dark Matter, some characters are able to move from one universe (say our universe) to another, nearly identical parallel universe that branched off sometime in the past so it is somewhat different. Doesn't seem plausible, but it makes for an entertaining and interesting story. Grade: A-
Quantum Lens by Douglas E. Richards
I don't know what it is with me and quantum mechanics-based fiction this month, but this story is also extremely enjoyable and is based on the quantum mechanics idea of a zero-point field. The zero-point field is related to the spontaneous appearance and rapid disappearance of a particle and an anti-particle and the energy related to this event. In this story, a few select individuals are able to exploit energy from the zero-point field to gain 'super-hero'-like powers. There are some great twists and turns in this interesting and pretty well researched book. Grade: A-
The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukerjee
This book looks at the history of human's search for the mechanism for heredity, the discovery of genes, the development of recombinant DNA technology, the human genome project, and many other related developments. The author is a master at weaving anecdotes, personal stories, and other historical events to help the reader stay interested and engaged. Very interesting and highly recommended. Grade: A
An extremely enjoyable story. The story builds upon an idea from quantum mechanics research that the probabilistic behavior predicted by the equations of quantum mechanics can be explained by a multiverse -- or multiple universes that are generated for all possible outcomes of a probabilistic event. Well, in Dark Matter, some characters are able to move from one universe (say our universe) to another, nearly identical parallel universe that branched off sometime in the past so it is somewhat different. Doesn't seem plausible, but it makes for an entertaining and interesting story. Grade: A-
Quantum Lens by Douglas E. Richards
I don't know what it is with me and quantum mechanics-based fiction this month, but this story is also extremely enjoyable and is based on the quantum mechanics idea of a zero-point field. The zero-point field is related to the spontaneous appearance and rapid disappearance of a particle and an anti-particle and the energy related to this event. In this story, a few select individuals are able to exploit energy from the zero-point field to gain 'super-hero'-like powers. There are some great twists and turns in this interesting and pretty well researched book. Grade: A-
The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukerjee
This book looks at the history of human's search for the mechanism for heredity, the discovery of genes, the development of recombinant DNA technology, the human genome project, and many other related developments. The author is a master at weaving anecdotes, personal stories, and other historical events to help the reader stay interested and engaged. Very interesting and highly recommended. Grade: A
Saturday, December 31, 2016
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
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
Saturday, December 3, 2016
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-
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-
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