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-
Saturday, February 18, 2017
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-
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
October Book Reviews
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I would describe this book as "The Hunger Games" meets "Game of Thrones." Good but not great story, but the hero is fun to cheer for throughout. Grade: C+
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
Mr. Coben is a great story teller and writer, and this book was full of twists and turns that I loved. Unfortunately, I hated the ending. Grade: B-
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
A MUST READ. Top 5 of all time. I don't think anyone reads this blog, so I'll be direct here: Bridger, reading this book will help you to better understand your father, grandfathers, and great grandfathers. You come from a long line of Oves. Grade: A++
I would describe this book as "The Hunger Games" meets "Game of Thrones." Good but not great story, but the hero is fun to cheer for throughout. Grade: C+
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
Mr. Coben is a great story teller and writer, and this book was full of twists and turns that I loved. Unfortunately, I hated the ending. Grade: B-
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
A MUST READ. Top 5 of all time. I don't think anyone reads this blog, so I'll be direct here: Bridger, reading this book will help you to better understand your father, grandfathers, and great grandfathers. You come from a long line of Oves. Grade: A++
Thursday, October 6, 2016
More September Book Reviews
King of Thieves: Star Rogue Series by Evan Currie
This book and series represent a spin-off of the Odyssey One series by Evan Currie. The book was entertaining but I found it relatively predictable -- maybe because I've read too many books by Evan Currie in the last 6 months. The book also lacked a hero that you could really cheer for like the Odyssey One books. If you love Mr. Currie's other books, you'll enjoy this one. Otherwise, skip it. Grade: B-
Constitution: Book One of the Legacy Fleet Trilogy by Nice Webb
This book is very stereotypical Sci-Fi. There is, of course, a space ship with a captain that we can love. There is also an impossibly huge threat to Earth. The only problem with this book, I hate cheering for really old space ships. Grade: C
Tier One by Andrews and Wilson
An entertaining book that falls between a spy novel and a special forces novel. The hero is a likable character and the story is reasonably entertaining. It was a little to graphic for me, however. Grade: C-
Teaching and Learning STEP: A Practical Guide by Felder and Brent
A book that discusses every issue associated with teaching science and engineering courses at the college level, and its written by a chemical engineer and his wife. It contains so many suggestions and guidance that it can help everyone to teach better and improve student learning. If you teach science or engineering at a college or university, I think this book is a must read. Grade: A
This book and series represent a spin-off of the Odyssey One series by Evan Currie. The book was entertaining but I found it relatively predictable -- maybe because I've read too many books by Evan Currie in the last 6 months. The book also lacked a hero that you could really cheer for like the Odyssey One books. If you love Mr. Currie's other books, you'll enjoy this one. Otherwise, skip it. Grade: B-
Constitution: Book One of the Legacy Fleet Trilogy by Nice Webb
This book is very stereotypical Sci-Fi. There is, of course, a space ship with a captain that we can love. There is also an impossibly huge threat to Earth. The only problem with this book, I hate cheering for really old space ships. Grade: C
Tier One by Andrews and Wilson
An entertaining book that falls between a spy novel and a special forces novel. The hero is a likable character and the story is reasonably entertaining. It was a little to graphic for me, however. Grade: C-
Teaching and Learning STEP: A Practical Guide by Felder and Brent
A book that discusses every issue associated with teaching science and engineering courses at the college level, and its written by a chemical engineer and his wife. It contains so many suggestions and guidance that it can help everyone to teach better and improve student learning. If you teach science or engineering at a college or university, I think this book is a must read. Grade: A
Friday, September 16, 2016
September Book Reviews
Odyssey One: Homeworld (book 3/5) by Evan Currie
This book is really half of a story. Basically, as the title implies, this is the book where the bad guys find and attack the earth. I hated the ending to this book. It really wasn't an ending. It felt like I was 6 years old and watching the Empire Strikes Back again. I hated that ending too. This book really should have been combined with the next book in the series to make a single book. Grade: F--
Odyssey One: Out of the Black (book 4/5) by Evan Currie
Mr. Currie has a real knack for writing inspiring speeches and uplifting paragraphs. This is the book where the people of Earth rise 'out of the black' against the bad guys. The best book in the series. Grade: A+
Odyssey One: Warrior King (book 5/5) by Evan Currie
This is a good but not great book relative to the rest of this series. It didn't feel like the final book of the series, but the story line might be shifting to the Star Rogue series. Grade: B-
Seinfeldia:How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything by Jennifer Armstrong
An interesting look into the 1990's TV show Seinfeld and its impact on society. A well written and well researched book. I always enjoyed Seinfeld even though it wasn't my favorite show in the 1990's (I somehow enjoyed Friends more), but this book will help me to appreciate the re-runs more. Grade: B+
This book is really half of a story. Basically, as the title implies, this is the book where the bad guys find and attack the earth. I hated the ending to this book. It really wasn't an ending. It felt like I was 6 years old and watching the Empire Strikes Back again. I hated that ending too. This book really should have been combined with the next book in the series to make a single book. Grade: F--
Odyssey One: Out of the Black (book 4/5) by Evan Currie
Mr. Currie has a real knack for writing inspiring speeches and uplifting paragraphs. This is the book where the people of Earth rise 'out of the black' against the bad guys. The best book in the series. Grade: A+
Odyssey One: Warrior King (book 5/5) by Evan Currie
This is a good but not great book relative to the rest of this series. It didn't feel like the final book of the series, but the story line might be shifting to the Star Rogue series. Grade: B-
Seinfeldia:How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything by Jennifer Armstrong
An interesting look into the 1990's TV show Seinfeld and its impact on society. A well written and well researched book. I always enjoyed Seinfeld even though it wasn't my favorite show in the 1990's (I somehow enjoyed Friends more), but this book will help me to appreciate the re-runs more. Grade: B+
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