The Book Challenge discussion
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April's 2017 reading list
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3. The Duel, by Judith St. George. I personally think Ron Chernow's biography is the gold standard for information related to Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. However, for those wanting to find out more information on the nation's colorful and dynamic first treasury secretary and his rival Aaron Burr, but are daunted at the prospect of reading Chernow's 700+ page work, The Duel is an excellent alternative. Here, St. George concentrates solely on the startlingly similar lives Hamilton and Burr, whose place in history would be forever cemented by their infamous duel. I was able to finish this in one evening. It's well paced, and there is a nice bibliogrphy at the end. The Duel covers the basic highlights of the lives of the two men, and compares their similarities and notes how often their paths crossed, knowingly and unknowingly. All in all, a good read for either those wanting to find out more about Hamilton or Burr, or those needing a quick refresher.
4. Valley of the Shadow, by Ralph Peters. I'm using this one as my war category for the 2017 Book Riot challenge. Wasn't sure about this one at first; there are so many viewpoints this story is told from, which was a bit jarring in the beginning. But Peters is a master storyteller, and once I caught on to the various voices, I was quickly sucked into the story. Within a few chapters, I could generally identify whose point of view was being told without seeing the name. Now that is expert writing! Valley of the Shadow is a novelized take on the waning years of the Civil War, from the failed attempt of the Confederate army to seize Washington D.C. to the battles of Cedar Creek. As I mentioned, the story is told from many points of view, both Union and Confederate, and what is refreshing is that it is from historic figures that are not generally found in the history books or, if they are mentioned, are barely more than footnotes. There's the young and pious Confederate George Nichols, the foul-mouthed, foul-tempered Confederate General Jubal Early, the short but fiery Philip Sheridan, the level-headed "Rud" Hayes (who would go on to become the 19th president of the United States) and more. Many more. It's a lengthy read, but well worth it. Included are an explanation of military terms, plus several battle maps at the beginning of the chapters. Civil War and history buffs should check this one out.5. Reporting Vietnam, by Milton J. Bates. This will fulfill the category of reading a book that takes place more than 5,000 miles from here, for the 2017 Book Riot challenge. Reporting Vietnam is one of the harder books I've read, and not just because it is more than 800 pages. It's a compilation of stories, mostly from war correspondents covering the Vietnam War. This is actually volume 2 of a two-part series, and covers the end of the war and some of the aftermath. Some of the stories deal with the controversies on the homefront (of course May 4 at Kent State is covered) but the bulk of it are stories in Vietnam, from the cities to the front lines. Just about every view one can think of -- from President Lyndon B. Johnson to American officers to Vietnamese officers, to those fighting for North Vietnam, to the soldiers on the front line, to Vietnamese civilians, to those supporting the war, to those against the war effort. There's even a column from Sen. John McCain and his experience as a POW. Probably the most moving were the dispatches from Michael Kerr, who was embedded with one unit. The stories pull no punches, and offer a first-hand account of the despair, tragedy and controversy this war produced. For those researching this time period, Reporting Vietnam is an invaluable resource.
Currently reading: The Comeback, by Terry Pluto.
6. The Comeback, by Terry Pluto. I'm not much of a sports person but I do believe in trying to read on a variety of different topics. Terry Pluto is thorough, concise and easy to follow. I've read several of his books now and always look forward to reading his newest. This one was especially fun to read because it details an event I honestly never thought I'd see in my lifetime- a national championship trophy. The Cavs won it all, against incredible odds, in 2016. I wouldn't be surprised if there was already a movie script in the works. Pluto states he had been working on this novel for a while, and it must have been rewarding to end it the way he could. He starts with the departure of LeBron James (infamously known as The Decision). He goes through the struggles of the Cavs in the next four years, the return of James, the injury-plagued 2015 championship games and the sweet success of the 2016 victory. Pluto includes scores of interviews and articles from players, coaches and even has a chapter dedicated to fan's reactions during Game 7. I'm sure Cavs fans will want to get this book so they can relive the joy of breaking the 52-year drought of national championships with the sports trinity of pro football, baseball and basketball.Currently reading: Ella Minnow Pea, by Mark Dunn, and Kiss of the Spider Woman, by Manuel Puig.
7. Ella Minnow Pea, by Mark Dunn. This fulfills the Book Riot challenge to read a book about books. I'm sure most readers have heard of "The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over the Lazy Dog." This was the shortest sentence that uses all of the letters of the Roman alphabet at one time. The story takes place in a fictional land called Nollop, named for the (fictionalized) author of this sentence. Nollop has been elevated to near deity status, and the residents even have a statue of Nollop, along with the famous sentence, displayed prominently. The story is told through a series of letters from the Minnow family, their friends and other Nollopians. They pride themselves in their letter writing and commendable use of the English language (there were many times I had to use the dictionary). Trouble starts in Nollop when the tiles from the statue's sentence fall off. The Council proclaims that this is a sign from the Almighty Nollop to stop using the fallen letters, despite efforts to offer more mundane reasons for the demise of the tiles (such as the age of the statue and tiles). This causes all sorts of problems- burning books with the problematic letter(s), renaming people and items, and more. The consequences for violating the prohibitions are severe, up to exile. Problems snowball as more tiles fall and the village leaders get more militant. This book is chilling, especially given the current political climate. My only objection to this book is how it is described as a light-hearted look at the foibles of the town. I was physically shivering at points in the story. The story illustrates so clearly the dangers of eschewing science and logic, and embracing fanaticism. It shows the perils of not nipping idiotic notions in the bud, the grave risks of giving weight to the opinions of lunatics and the consequences of letting stupid, power-mad people rule unchecked. This should be required reading for everyone. Especially now.Kiss of the Spider Woman, by Manuel Puig. It was tough to decide which category to use this book for in the Book Riot challenge. It can fulfill the categories for a book set in Central or South America, written by a Central or South American author; a classic by an author of color; a LGBTQ+ romance novel; and a book wherein all point-of-view characters are people of color. It probably could fit under the frequently challenged category as well. I eventually just did an eenie meenie miney moe... and LGBTQ romance novel it is. I first became familiar with the story through the fantastic musical, which I saw several years ago. The story is set in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the 1970s, a turbulent time in that country. Much of the action takes place in a jail cell, and centers on the cell's occupants Molina and Valentin. Molina is in prison for corrupting a minor; Valentin is a political prisoner, with ties to revolutionaries who are trying to overthrow the government. Molina helps the two pass the time by colorfully narrating the various movies he has seen through the years. An interesting side note: at least two of the movies are real films, and the third movie he describes has elements from another real film. His stories make up much of the book. However, the reader soon finds out that Molina has been put in a tough position by the jail's Warden, who wants Molina to ferret out information on Valentin and his revolutionary friends in exchange for early parole. I loved Molina's narrations and watching him try to juggle his growing friendship with Valentin, while trying to keep the Warden happy. I am glad I saw the movie and know a cursory bit of Argentine history first, because I think large parts of this book would have been confusing otherwise. Also, while I rather liked the dialogue format of the book - different format, but it worked - there also were large parts of the book that were (very) stream of consciousness. I'm not a fan of stream of consciousness writing, and I found these sections difficult to follow and tie into the main story.
Currently reading: Before Night Falls, by Reinaldo Arenas.
9. Before Night Falls, by Reinaldo Arenas. This book, an autobiography, fulfills the category for reading a book by an immigrant or with a central immigration narrative. Arenas grew up in Cuba, but was (barely) able to immigrate to the United States in 1980 as part of the Mariel Boatlift. Arenas lived in Miami for a short time before moving to New York.He was an early supporter of Fidel Castro's revolution, but quickly became disenchanted with the Communist movement. It was heartbreaking to read about how he believed that one day Fidel Castro would be overthrown (Arenas died in 1990 at age 47 of an intentional overdose, three years after being diagnosed with AIDS.) Arenas describes, with raw honesty, his joining the Revolution, his growing realizations of how much worse things were becoming, his time in jail and his constant surveillance even after being released. He relates the grinding poverty, the hunger and the constant fear and persecution he and those around him experienced. It's astounding he was able to leave the country at all. He probably would have died in prison had it not been for the friendships he made with people in other countries, and the fact that his books had been published in France. It was fascinating to read how he was able to keep his writings hidden, and how he was able to smuggle a good deal of his work out of the country. It's an eye-opening account of life in Cuba under Castro's regime, and the stories Arenas tells are chilling.
One warning about this book: It's explicit. I mean, really explicit. Even at a young age (we're talking single digits here), Arenas had sexual exploits. To say Arenas was promiscuous would be an understatement. It's what he grew up with; the activities he engaged in at what most would consider an appallingly young age (not to mention just plain appalling) were the norm where he grew up. This realization was the only thing that kept me reading the book, otherwise I would have stopped early on. As it was, this one was a struggle to get through at times; it's borderline pornographic. At one point, Arenas said he probably had more than a thousand lovers, and I have no trouble believing that. I get the impression he didn't know the names of all of them, either. Yikes. I admit I would have trouble recommending this book due to this; it's a good read for those wanting to find out more about Cuba, from someone who saw and experienced the worst of what the Castro regime had to offer. But it's definitely not for the easily offended, and I think even those who consider themselves open-minded are going to struggle with some aspects of the explicit content.
10. Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess Book 1: Captain Raven and the All-Girl Pirate Crew by Jeremy Whitley, author, and Rosy Higgins and Ted Brandt, illustrations. I'm going to count this one as my all-ages comic for the Book Riot challenge; in a pinch, it could be used for a superhero story with a female lead (although we'd really be stretching the definition of superhero here). I get the impression from my background reading that this is a followup series to another graphic novel series, but ah well, this first installment stands well on its own. The story centers on Raven, whose father, the Pirate King, has been grooming her to one day take over the family business. However, due to the scheming of her two brothers, Raven gets cut out of the family business. She escapes captivity and sets about finding a pirate crew to staff her ship so she can seek vengeance on her conniving brothers. Raven winds up finding an eager crew of smart, tough and brave young women. I like this first installment. The story and the characters are a lot of fun. What's more, there aren't a lot of stories where all the main characters are female, particularly a story like this which has a more adult, sophisticated tone (there's nothing objectionable for younger readers, though, save for some blood). The dialogue is sharp and often quite funny. It was a bit jarring to have a sort of Pirates of the Caribbean-type world setting, with dashes of modern references (friend-zoned for example), and the bulk of the women are involved in a role-playing type game that feels like something you would see today. Still, since this is purely fantasy, it doesn't bother me too much. What's more important is the story, and how the author and illustrators have crafted the narrative and their characters. I love how each character has such a different background, ethnicity, race and skill set. This series has promise, might have to check out the rest of it.
Currently reading: A Shoot in Cleveland, by Les Roberts
(I thought I'd read all the Milan Jacovich stories but upon review I realized I somehow missed a couple)
11. A Shoot in Cleveland, by Les Roberts. I thought I had read all of the Milan Jacovich novels to date, but I recently discovered I missed a couple. Finishing this one starts my remedy of that. The fact that I can include it for my Book Riot challenge- for a novel set within 100 miles of where I live- is icing on the cake.This book follows The Cleveland Local, which has an ending that was life-altering for Milan. Milan is still trying to find his bearings when he is asked to take on what looks to be a fairly easy job: make sure a young star doesn't get into too much trouble when the movie he is headlining in works at various locations in the Cleveland area. Naturally this winds up being harder than Milan bargains for, and the young star, Darren Anderson, winds up dead. The dialogue, as always, is fantastic. It's comical watching Milan, who does not suffer fools and is not easily intimidated, try to put up with the Hollywood glitterati. Another thing about this novel (this series has a lot of continuity; I strongly suggest reading them in order) is that the reader really sees Milan's typically black and white view of things get shaken, particularly where Victor Gaimari, the nephew and heir apparent of the local mob, is concerned. I see in this installment a lot of the beginnings of Milan's subtle changes later on.Currently reading: Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck.
12. Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel. This meets the challenge for reading a novel set in central or South America. Really mixed views on this one. The positives are many. The writing is gorgeous, I love the style. Each chapter incorporates a recipe that is germane to the rest of the chapter. It reads like a folk tale or local legend, and you can see the colors and smell the cooking. The central character is Tita, who turns out to be the aunt of the person telling the story. Tita was born the youngest daughter to a controlling mother (and controlling is an understatement). She finds pleasure in cooking, but her talents in the kitchen go well beyond the tactile ingredients put in each dish. Her mother thwarts her desire to marry her sweetheart, and in between dishes and life events, the story follows the not-always-so-secret romance of Tita and Pedro. And here is where I have issues. Pedro shows himself to be a rash fool by accepting the mother's offer to marry Tita's older sister. Tita not only still pines for him, but even jeopardizes the new relationship that blossoms between her and a local doctor, who saves her life and treats her like a queen. I feel sorry for Tita, it's hard not to. Her domineering mother really screwed up her life. But, after finding a wonderful, generous man, Tita still carries on with the married Pedro. I guess this can be seen as something that probably happens in real life but all the same, I wanted to shake some sense into Tita. She is definitely human. Still, I do like how she finds her independence and her voice, and not just through her dishes.13. Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck. This fits into the category of reading a book that was published between 1900 and 1950. Really glad I could squeeze this in because it's been on my to-read list ever since I read the sequel, Sweet Thursday. Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors. Some of my favorite books of all time include The Pearl, The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck has a gritty, spare realism, and his themes remain topical even decades later. What I loved about Cannery Row (and Sweet Thursday), though, is the gentle humor. There were times and scenarios where I was laughing out loud. Much of the story is character-driven; the reader is introduced to the canning district in Monterey, California, and its motley collection of residents. There isn't much of a plot, and the story elements don't kick in until a good third of the way through the book. But the characters are so charming and so eclectic, it's still a fascinating (and fun) read. The biggest story is the efforts of Mack, a n'er do well with a good heart and (usually) good intentions and his other assorted friends attempting to do something nice for the gentle and altruistic Doc. The reader knows disaster is coming, but what happens and the events leading to the ill-fated event are still hilarious. The book is not a comic one - there are some more serious moments (including a couple that made me wince, particularly the implied fate of Frankie). But all in all, this was an enjoyable and quick read. Steinbeck turns these characters - most of them types who would be portrayed in a negative way in other stories- and shows their warmth and humanity, and I couldn't help liking them.
Currently reading: A House in the Sky, by Amanda Lindhout.
14 A House in the Sky, by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett. This meets the reading a travel memoir category in the Book Riot Challenge. Wow. This was tough to read emotionally, but it is incredibly well-written. Amanda, as a young adult, squirreled away money from working in restaurants and bars to raise funds to travel. Half of this story covers her growing up in a rather dysfunctional household to taking the plunge and start traveling to the places she had seen in travel magazines and National Geographic, her escapes when things became difficult. She saved up money and would travel for months, going to Europe, South America, Australia and finally Africa. Later, she would become a freelance photographer and writer. The second half of the book goes into her capture by Somali jihadists, along with her once-boyfriend Nigel. Amanda and Nigel were held prisoner for about a year and a half. What she and Nigel had to go through sent shivers down my spine. The descriptions of her being starved, of her torture and her rapes are not gratuitous but what is there chills the blood. Their eventual release and their reactions made me tear up. I can't imagine going through what they did. The story and background were well-told. However, as well as an engaging and insightful memoir, I do hope it also is studied by would-be world travelers as to what *not* to do when thinking of embarking on a journey to another country.
15. Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan, by Jeanette Winter. This was for the category of a book that has been banned or challenged. It was ranked by Time magazine as one of the top 10 challenged books in 2015. I can- and can't- understand why. Dr. Suess and Mo Willems this is not. Most children's books have a sweet, sunny and upbeat feel. This is somber reading for a young child, and I would recommend an adult read this with children in grade 2 or younger, depending on the maturity level of the child. The book is based on a true story. Nasreen's parents both disappear, and the little girl falls silent, worrying her grandmother. Grandmother sneaks Nasreen to a secret school for girls, defying the Taliban. There, slowly Nasreen finds her voice and her hope.16. Beautiful Creatures, by Kami Garcia (Author), Margaret Stohl (Author), and Cassandra Jean (Visual Art). I read this for the fantasy category in the Read Harder challenge. Actually, I think I read the novel already because by Chapter 4 I began to remember how the ending went. Weird I didn't record it but ah well, it was worth the reread in the manga version. This is a good story, and the illustrations are wonderful. My one complaint is sometimes the order of the dialogue is hard to follow. Other than that, I enjoyed it. In the story, Ethan, who has grown up in a small town, has his world changed with the appearance of Lena, the niece of the town eccentric (I love how the dog is named Boo). Ethan finds himself finding out about a world of magic and history he never knew existed as he helps Lena, who is approaching her 16th birthday. On her birthday, she will be bound to either the black magic or white. This is a good read for preteens and older.
Currently reading: Glow Kids, by Dr. Nicholas Kardaras and Journalism Next, by Mark Briggs.
17. Glow Kids, by Dr. Nicholas Kardaras. I finished this one for the book on technology category for the Read Harder challenge. This one has actually been on my want-to-read list for a while. I've seen it referenced a couple times in articles concerning education and problematic technology use for children. So I knew what type of message I would be reading. Also, I've seen with my own eyes the effect of people, especially younger people, being glued to their screens. I myself have tried to cut back at least one weekends. It's tough- guess where I am now, ha ha! Still, I was unprepared for the scope and depth of the issues presented here. Now, Kardaras makes clear from the start he is NOT anti-technology, and even indicates where it can be useful. What this book champions against is too much tech and the wrong tech too soon. And his own anecdotes on what he has seen in children and young adults (he's an addiction counselor) who struggle with gaming and technology addictions are unnerving. He not only cites his own observations, but quotes from numerous studies that outline the dangers of too much technology use. Kardaras goes into the history of "glowing screens" starting with television, the Etan Patz kidnapping and how that (plus other societal views) changed how children were brought up, how and why children get addicted and, perhaps best yet, solutions to the situation. There's a lot of ground covered in less than 300 pages. The writing style and organization make it easy to read and understand. Once in a while I wondered if the sarcasm and condemnation came off a bit harshly. For example, he criticized parents who carried their children's backpacks. OK, my thought was how old were the kids and how heavy were those backpacks. Every year before the start of school there are articles from orthopedic surgeons who caution against young children carrying too heavy a bag because it can cause back and neck problems. I once weighed my high school bag once after walking home from school, in ninth grade. It had all my books in it, and it weighed 25 pounds. That was without the folders and binders, which would have added another couple pounds. That was really heavier than I should have been carrying around school, much less carting over two miles from school to home (mind you, I also had back surgery two years before, plus other mild to moderate orthopedic issues.) I can easily imagine a pint-sized gradeschooler's bag weighing 15-20 pounds-far above what they should be carrying. But that's another topic for another day, and I'm really beginning to digress here. This is a small point in an otherwise well-written and researched book. I do hope parents and educators read it and take the messages to heart. There are reasons the American Academy of Pediatrics have set guidelines for technology use for children and teens (http://www.educationviews.org/danger-...).18. Fishing Tips and Takes, by C. William King. I read this for work; I'm not using for the book challenge but those in my neck of the woods who need a book for the book set 100 miles from your location could consider this one, especially if they are into fishing, fly fishing and local lore. King's book was fun to read; he relates his various fishing adventures in someone fictitious fashion, and his stories are amusing. I laughed out loud at his story regarding one of his trips when he saw a colony of bats. I liked it, too, because it brought back memories of me fishing with my dad when I was younger. Never went fly fishing. Admittedly, if you don't like the great outdoors and can't stand fishing, you might not enjoy this book. As well as his personal anecdotes, King sprinkles his short stories with many fishing tips and fly fishing pointers. But for those who do, this is a quick and fun read. King has a warm, personable tone to his writing. It put me in mind of listening to stories on a sprawling back porch on a summer evening.
Currently reading: Journalism Next, by Mark Briggs.
19. Journalism Next, by Mark Briggs. Overall I was impressed with this book, although in all honesty any journalist who isn't doing (or at least tried) two-thirds of these things is way behind the curve. There are a lot of good, sound suggestions for journalists for incorporating the various aspects of online applications such as video, podcast, blogging and social media. There's a lot packed in 300-some pages, but it is well-organized and never feels overwhelming. There are many websites, programs and apps Briggs recommends, ranging from free to more expensive but top-drawer. What impressed me is that while the book was published five years ago, the content still feels fresh and relevant. There were a couple times where I was thinking "eh, that doesn't apply now," but only a couple, and they were minor points. That's impressive for a book on technology, especially in a field that seems to change every month (some would say every week, and I won't argue against that). Only two complaints. The first is fairly minor- Briggs recommends that before doing a podcast or video, the journalist should warm his or her voice up, which YES, is wonderful advice. But then he goes on to say that the should warm up with a familiar song, such as the Star Spangled Banner. I cringed at this. No, don't use The Star Spangled Banner to warm up- you will hurt yourself. Take it from someone who has eight-plus years of classical vocal training. It's best to either sing on vowel sounds or, better yet, buzz up and down a few sets of scales that are easily in your vocal range.
The bigger issue is the overall tone that following these suggestions will help save the journalism industry. No, no they will not. This book is an excellent guide for journalists wishing to make the most of the online resources out there, yes. And don't get me wrong- shrinking newsholes, covering "fluff" for hitcounts, reporting mistakes and credibility issues are a big problem. But anyone who looks to this guide as a means of salvaging the industry will be disappointed. The biggest problem with the industry has little to do with the editors and reporters covering the news. It's that the profit model is deteriorating. Indeed, it is this implosion that is at least partially responsible for the troubles with news coverage.
This very issue is covered in the book I am reading now. No, didn't plan it that way, just serendipitous timing.
Currently reading: The Death and Life of American Journalism, by Robert W. McChesney
20. The Death and Life of American Journalism, by Robert W. McChesney and John Nichols. This is a must-read for journalists and anyone wanting to save the field and restore it to its Fourth Estate watchdog status. The authors take a thorough look as to what is wrong with newspapers (really, all for-profit generalized mass media but the focus is on the newspaper), where things went wrong and, most importantly, how to bring them back. As to what is wrong, several of the problems McChesney and Nichols point to are issues I've brought up for years. A big problem is that the for-profit, commercial model is falling apart and cannot (and should not) be resurrected. The authors have a greater body of history and research than I do, and show that this model, started about 150 years ago, has been problematic from the start, although only now are the wheels starting to come off. McChesney and Nichols lay out why commercially-run media was a problematic situation, and why technology will not salvage it. But the sections I liked best were the solutions. This is the first book I've read on the subject that actually presents real-world and workable solutions, as opposed to pipe dreams. Essentially the solution is to go back to what our Founders had wanted and spoke for (the authors cite many examples): a heavily subsidized news media. The concept of the L3C corporate status- a fairly new status right now only recognized in a few states- seems especially tailor-made for media. It would allow media to remain for-profit under stringent guidelines. The L3C is for a low-profit entity with a social benefit. The company could could qualify for subsidies and could even apply for grants while still making a profit, as long as its social message is clear. I hope this avenue is explored and takes root. The consequences of remaining at the status quo would be dire, as the authors also illustrate. There are many citations, graphs and charts to back up what the authors say. Now, the big issue of course is will anyone listen. The cynic in me is doubtful. I hope I am proven wrong. McChesney and Nichols provide the tools and ideas- now they just have to be acted upon.21. A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry. This one fills the Book Riot challenge for reading a classic by a person of color. This one almost felt like a cheat; I've seen this twice, plus I've also not only seen Clybourne Park, a 2010 spinoff of Raisin, I was in charge of props for a second, local production. Still, there's always value in reading a script for a show you've seen, and the forward was worth the read in and of itself. I came to appreciate the humanity of the piece, which stands the test of time because it is such a human story. The play focuses on the Younger family: three generations living in a run-down apartment in Chicago. Their lives change when the matriarch receives a $10,000 check, which brings out the best and worst in all of them. The audience learns of their dreams, hopes and fears, set in a backdrop of discrimination, which shows when Lena decides to take some of the money to purchase a home in a white neighborhood. All in all, it's a great play that deserves the classic title. A pity Hansberry died so young. She was quite prolific in her 34 years; I can't help wonder how much more she could have done if she had longer. Still, grateful to what she was able to do. A Raisin in the Sun is a gem.
22. Boxers, by Gene Luen Yang. This fulfills the Book Riot challenge for a book about a person of color who goes on a spiritual journey. This graphic novel relates the Boxer Rebellion as a legend, told through the eyes of Little Bao, the youngest brother who winds up leading a rebellion against the foreign invaders who seek to carve up and colonize China. He and his soldiers channel the legendary gods and figures in their culture as they fight. The art is beautifully drawn, and the story nicely developed. Little Bao especially is well done; he grows through the story, and makes his share of mistakes. I admit I don't know a lot about the Boxer Rebellion so I was rather startled by the ending. I did a bit of follow-up reading on this rebellion, but it was interesting getting a Chinese take on the event. 23. Ms. Marvel, by editors Sana Amanat and Stephen Wacker, writer G. Willow Wilson and artist Adrian Alphona. This fulfills the Book Riot challenge category for reading a superhero comic with a female lead. I really liked this one! Kamala Khan is the daughter of parents who immigrated from Pakistan. Their household is a conservative, traditional one, but Kamala, a teenager, is questioning her future. She loves the adventures she sees in comics but is shocked one evening to find herself turn into a superhero. Kamala finds it tough to adjust to her new powers and reality, and struggles to weigh her parents wishes and concerns for her with her wishing to go out and help people and, ultimately, find her own identity. This is Marvel's first Muslim superhero, and the religion and culture make up an important part of Kamala. Still, her struggles at growing up, of wanting to know how she fits in, is something every preteen and teen will relate to. What I like is that her parents are real people. Her mother is overprotective but she's not a caricature. She has good reason. And I just love the father, who often has to play peacemaker between the rebellious Kamala and her traditional mother. The illustrations are beautifully done, rich and vivid.
24. Changing Planes, by Ursula Le Guin, illustrated by Eric Beddows. This fulfills the Book Riot challenge category for reading a collection of short stories by a female author. This...was strange. I'm still on the fence as to whether I liked this collection or not. The idea certainly is an interesting one- Le Guin writes a series of related short stories about various other worlds, or planes, which can only be accessed through a certain level of stress and aggravation, most notably the type one experiences at an airport. The first chapter covers how this was discovered, and the following chapters go into the various worlds. The stories read more like allegories- you have a world where people are constantly fighting, you have a world where the rich are the spectators and the commoners are more like celebrities. You have another world where growing wings is a curse. The best stories are the ones where the author (much of this is written in the first person) is interviewing one of the residents on any one of the worlds. There are some stories which merely relate the history and describe the inhabitants, which, if nothing else, are descriptive and imaginative, but also made me think "OK, this is interesting...I guess... but why should I care??" I admit skimming some chapters towards the end because my interest really started to lag. Le Guin especially seems to be fond of birdlike people- there are at least three stories/worlds where people have avian attributes. The illustrations are interesting, not sure they add much, except parents who might be checking out the book may want to be aware that some images are not exactly suitable for younger children.
Currently reading: Infamous Scribblers, by Eric Burns.
25. Some Assembly Required, by Arin Andrews. This fulfills the challenge for reading a YA or middle grade book by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+. This is a moving autobiography by a young man who describes growing up feeling alienated by his own body, even from an early age, and his journey into transitioning from female to male. I would recommend this for high school age, either for those who may be experiencing the same conflicts, or those whose friends or family is transgender. I know it answered many of my questions; I only know a handful of people who are transgender (at least that I know of), and only two of them tolerably well. This is not something I, as someone who is comfortable being female, can relate to, but I'm glad I picked up this book because I think I can understand my friends' struggles at least a little better. There's laughter, there's sadness, there's many coming-of-age situations that anyone - transgender or cisgender (until this book I had no idea what that meant) - can relate to. I'm sure this is a book that will be challenged a good deal in libraries, particularly school libraries, for the main topic and for the frank talk about the surgeries and other sex-related issues. This is an important book, however, so I hope the challenges are met with a firm resistance.26. Infamous Scribblers, by Eric Burns. I've long held that with the Internet giving everyone the equivalent of a cheap printing press, we have not seen a decay in news coverage and journalism. Rather, the internet hit the reset button, and everything old is new again. This book solidifies this view. Despair of the talking heads, pundits, half-truths and outright likes now? We have nothing on our Founding Fathers. Not saying we don't need to improve but the amount of vitriol that blazed from the first Colonial-era newspapers made my jaw drop at times. There was no such thing as fair, balanced reporting- indeed, the first newspaper editors wore their opinions and leanings like a badge of honor. Several, including Samuel Adams and James Callender, were not above making up their own truths for what they saw as the greater good. After the Revolutionary War, most (if not all) papers were either firm Federalist supporters or staunch Republican. This is a longer book but the pages flew by. It is both educational and entertaining. You will never see the Founding Fathers the same way. Burns portrays them here, their many warts and all. History buffs should definitely find a copy.
Currently reading: Still slowly working my way through The Hamilton Papers. Also have several books waiting for me at the library.
27. The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill. What a treat of a novel! I finished it in about a week, drinking in the story as greedily as the young protagonist drank in the moon as a baby. I knew I'd enjoy it when I recalled that Barnhill had also written The Witch's Boy, which I also liked. This novel is even better. The world created in this novel is so well fleshed-out and so magical, and the characters are wonderfully done. Even the two villains have their sympathetic moments (and considering the horrendous actions that the two villains are culpable of, that's quite a feat). In the story, Xan, an elderly witch, has taken to rescuing babies abandoned near a village where she lives. One year, however, she accidentally feeds one child moonlight, which enmagicks the infant girl. Xan decides to raise the young child herself, with the help of an ancient swamp monster and a tiny dragon. The girl's powers become enormous, and, in an effort to protect the little girl, Luna, the witch casts a spell- which winds up having unintended consequences. Meanwhile, a young man from that village starts questioning the policy of sacrificing an infant to the witch in the wood, and eventually declares that he will kill the witch. The converging paths lead to a multitude of discoveries for many characters. I loved the character of Xan, especially. She's powerful but has her own weaknesses- but those weaknesses stem from her love of her friends and especially for Luna, and from her good, kind heart. It's hard to miss the lesson about blindly following orders and the consequences of not questioning - and reaching out. However, the reader isn't beat over the head with this. All in all, a great read for preteens and up.28. Inch By Inch, the Garden Song, by David Mallett, pictures by Ora Eitan. My mom found this book for me. I have always been fond of this song since I learned it in grade school, and this picture book, with it's simple and colorful illustrations, is quite charming. The illustrations fit in with the lyrics of this song, popularized by John Denver. The illustrations feel lighthearted and whimsical, almost abstract in their simplicity. For those who do not know this song, the music score is included in the back page. I can see a parent singing this song as he or she turned the pages.
29. Freedom Over Me, by Ashley Bryan. Wow, what a powerful book. The author used old sales records and plantation documents to create this story. One in particular, from an estate sale in 1828, serves as the backbone of this story- actually, a series of connected stories. From a few words, Bryan creates a picture of what these long-ago slaves might have thought, dreamed of and hoped for. Each person gets two pages- the first, which outlines the facts about their lives, includes a simple portrait placed over clippings of news articles, slave sales and other cold, unfeeling print. The next page, which goes over the person's dreams and aspirations, jump with color and texture. This picture book is beautifully done; I think a younger child can appreciate the stories, and an older child the sadness. Yes, the book made me feel rather sad. What Bryan offers about these 11 people who worked as slaves is mostly conjecture. All we really know are their names, ages and how much they were deemed to be worth by an appraiser. They were listed in the same columns as the cattle, the horse and other property. We will never truly know who these people really are, because back then they were regarded as property. Still, Bryan's work is a nice, touching tribute, giving humanity to those who had no voice in their futures.
Currently reading: Mary McGrory, the First Queen of Journalism, by John Norris, and Scythe, by Neal Shusterman.
30. Scythe, by Neal Shusterman. Wow. Just finished this one this evening. Where do I even begin? Ok, I start with this: Shusterman's novel is amazing. I admit I was a little skeptical of the premise at first, but my reservations were quickly addressed. The premise seems simple on the surface. Humanity has conquered death. There's no more disease. No more pain. Nanotech has taken care of all that ugliness and mess. Still, there's one little problem: population control. To keep humans from overwhelming the planet's resources, select individuals called Scythes, are trained and tasked with randomly keeping the population in check. Scythes are seen almost as gods, with their ability to not just take life, but to grant temporary immunity from being gleaned. It looks good on the surface, at least at first. However, as two apprentice Scythes find out, immortality and the high ideals set by the first Scythes have not eliminated petty politics and power grabs in the current day. Much of the story concentrates on the teen apprentices, Citra and Rowan, who were chosen by a senior Scythe as potential candidates. Neither teen wants to be a Scythe but find themselves drawn into this strange, elite society. There are a lot of twists and turns; just when I think I know where the story is going, I'm surprised. I'd save this for high school and older because the story's premise is rather disturbing, and there's a segment towards the end that is just blood-curdling. But Shusterman has created an intriguing world with fantastic characters. I'm glad this is going to be a series and can hardly wait for the next book. Also, kudos for the cover design. The simple colors and the optical illusion is just perfect for this story. Currently reading: Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism, by John Norris, and The Revenge of Analog, by David Sax.
31. The Revenge of Analog, by David Sax. A lot of food for thought is packed into these pages. I wasn't sure what to make of the book at first, especially with the first chapters dealing with the reemergence of vinyl records and hardcopy books. I knew there was a niche market for vinyl that has emerged in recent years, although I didn't know the market was as large as it was. Many points about the benefits of analog, or really about balancing the real world with the digital world, I've read before, although Sax's points about why it's so easy to gain a monopoly in the technological realm and why it is hard to truly break into the field, and the shortcomings of digital (the shallow, non-immersive aspects) were things I never considered, particularly the former. In short, I have to agree with most of the author's points, and indeed have heard many of them voiced elsewhere. However, I am not sure I see a world where the interest and market for items such as vinyl records, physical books and film for movies and photography will be more than a passing phase. True, I myself prefer holding an actual book, and I have read a couple of books on my tablet. It's a long-entrenched habit. But I never quite understood the fascination with vinyl outside of nostalgia, and film versus digital images? Let's see- film uses toxic chemicals, needs a ton of space to process and if you screw up, it's tough to fix. Also, the shots you can get are extremely finite. I know the author brings up a point that finite choices are actually better, I can only agree with that to a certain degree. Digital, on the other hand, is easier to edit, you can check your shots right then and there, you can take hundreds, even thousands of pictures and the space required is your camera and your computer. And no toxic, smelly chemicals. I cannot ever imagine going back to costly, limiting film. Also, I've never heard of Moleskine so sorry, it's not that ubiquitous, and I just cannot fathom spending that much on a flippin' pad of paper. Yikes! The takeaway I got though is that digital has a place, but the real world and physical also will always have a place. I agree with this, to a large degree (the vinyl and film issues notwithstanding). But another takeaway is that, reading between the lines I fear that analog copies are going to become the realm of the silver spoon set - those with the bankroll and space to keep those hardcovers, vinyl records and more. The serfs and peons will have to be content with a largely digital life due to technology's portability and cheapness. As wages continue to stagnate and jobs disappear in the post jobs economy, I think this next decade will be the last one where home ownership with a single family will be seen as the norm; you already see a trend with the 30-somethings eschewing homes for apartments and rentals. Micro-homes, apartments and self-driving RVs will become the abodes of choice as people are forced to move frequently for a paycheck and career opportunities. People forced to move frequently are not going to want to schlep around a lot of stuff. You already see this with Millenials deep-sixing Great-Aunt Edna's china cabinet and refusing to take grandma's antique silver table set. The younger generations are turning away from physical stuff that eats up precious room. Space will be a crucial commodity, carefully rationed and considered. So, again, I don't necessarily disagree with the author's points, and he has numbers and figures to back up this recent analog revolution. And, again, I've seen many of his points about digital versus analog, particularly in education and in Silicon Valley, elsewhere. I just believe that this revolution of tangible versus tech will be short-lived, one final hurrah before digital takes over. Sensible will outweigh sensibility for all but the got-bucks crowd, as it pretty much always has.
Currently reading: Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism, by John Norris (almost done, I expect I'll be finished by the end of this coming week), and The Passion of Dolssa, by Julie Berry (about a third of the way through).
32. Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism, by John Norris. An enjoyable read about a pioneer in the news business. When Mary McGrory, a Boston Irish Catholic, started covering politics (after many years of trying to crack into that beat), she frequently was the only reporter who was a woman. Her sex, however, was not the only thing that made her stand out. Her writing style captured the moment and the people involved, and her observations were unflinching. I think one of the more amusing thoughts shared about her was how she was a nice person until she got behind a typewriter. But you have to give the late Ms. McGrory credit: she was almost never wrong in her assessment of someone (she only truly regretted one column/advocation in her entire career. That's pretty darn good for a career that spanned more than 40 years. Also, on the topic in question, she was not the only person who got suckered. She often surmised a politician's true character before the rest of the world did. Her career is not the only focus in the author's book. You get a feel for the decades of news she covers. Also, McGrory was passionate about charitable causes, helping out regularly with a local orphanage. The book includes many quotes and anecdotes from McGrory, her colleagues and those she wrote about. It's a balanced book; Ms. McGrory had her human foibles, like any of us. All in all, this is an excellent read, and an informative one. It never gets dry- the pages and chapters zipped past. 33. The Passion of Dolssa, by Julie Berry. This was an amazing, artfully woven story. Berry mixes in a bit of history with her cast of memorable characters (the author's notes were fascinating and worth checking out). The beginning starts off a little slow, but after the first couple chapters the story picks up speed and the next thing I knew I was sucked in. Besides the research that went into the realistic setting, I also was impressed with the various twists and turns in the plot. Just when I thought I knew where things were going, surprise! One of the biggest surprises, towards the end, actually made me gasp out loud. The story itself centers around Botille and her two sisters, three young women whom, after a life of begging and petty crime, have managed to carve themselves a fairly respectable living in a provincial seaside town. One day, Botille is asked by the wealthy matron of the town to go find the matron's two nephews, whom she wants to inherit her estates since she has no surviving children. On the way back, Botille finds a starving maiden lying unconcsious off the road. She spirits the young woman, Dolssa, home to live with her sisters. Dolssa, she quickly finds out, is wanted by the church for heresy. Representatives from the church, led by a young, ambitious monk, are not soon far behind. But the town is thrown into a quandry when the sweet Dolssa turns out to have divine gifts for healing. The ending is heartbreaking and should serve as a powerful lesson about following leaders blindly. An added note- another feature I liked about the story is Dolssa herself. Unlike most saintly figures in stories, she is a good person, but she does have her shortcomings (mostly as a result of her sheltered upbringing and her noble background). She, too, learns and grows as a character. This was refreshing.
Currently reading: On the Burning Deck, by Tom Jones. Also have several books waiting for me at the library.
34. The Book of Unknown Americans, by Cristina Henriquez. This fulfills the challenge requirement for reading a book whose points of view are all from people of color. This story is told through several points of view, although the primary focus is on Alma Rivera, mother of Maribel, and Mayor, the younger son of the Toro family. The other points of view come mostly from the neighbors. The Rivera family have left their families and lives behind in Mexico to move to Delaware so Maribel can attend a special-needs school. Maribel sustained a catastrophic head injury due to an accident, and while both her parents yearn for their home town, they feel the opportunities in the United States can better help their daughter. Mayor, whose family has lived in Delaware for some time, falls for Maribel, and he comes to see himself as her protector after she is accosted by the local bully. They grow close, and Maribel starts regaining her memories and ability to do everyday tasks. Then tragedy hits. I am not a fan of spoilers, so I'll leave it at that. The stories all mesh well. The people here are all so real- they have their faults, their dreams, their biases. One smaller, but no less poignant tragedy, is to read a story from a neighbor whom the others have rudely gossiped about or have dismissed. We are all guilty of that, but it makes it no less sad. This should be required reading in the high schools. It shows so well the value of empathy without beating the reader of the head with it. There is some mild language and innuendo (two of the focal points are teens.) Currently reading: On A Burning Deck, by Tom Jones, and The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova (Vol. 1), with Judith Hemschemeyer (Translator) and Roberta Reeder (Editor).
35. On A Burning Deck: The Road to Akron, by Tom Jones. I received a proof copy through work. This book fulfills the requirement for reading a book from a micropress (this is self-published). It is Vol. 1 of (I believe) 2. The author interviewed his grandparents about their experiences growing up in rural Kentucky and in migrating to Akron to take advantage of the plethora of rubber factory jobs. The result is a fascinating glimpse of history seldom, if ever seen: life from the point of view of the not-so famous. Tom Jones combines historical notes and news clippings with transcripts from his interviews with his grandparents, particularly Haskell Jones. The latter, who would serve as police chief and on city council, had an incredibly sharp memory. The resulting book is a treasure for anyone wanting to learn more about Akron's rubber age. More than half of the first volume deals more with Kentucky; I imagine the second book will deal more with the family history in the Akron area. The second part of the book gets a bit disjointed at times but this is an engaging read. Pouring over the transcripts gives a taste of actually listening to Haskell, and it's easy to envision listening to him on a porch, lemonade in hand. And what an interesting, eventful life both he and his wife Florence led! I'm glad the author and the foresight to get these wonderful accounts. I hope I can get the second book too, which is supposed to come out at the end of the year.Currently reading: The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova (Vol. 1), with Judith Hemschemeyer (Translator) and Roberta Reeder (Editor)
36. The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova, by Anna Akhmatova, Judith Hemschemeyer (Translator), Roberta Reeder (Editor). This fulfills the challenge for reading a collection of poetry in translation on a theme other than love.There are love poems in this anthology (and I probably should mention here that what I wrote was merely Vol. 1 of the collection), but many poems are Akhmatova's reflections on her growing up during the Russian Revolution, her distaste for Communism and her faith. To call Akhmatova prolific would be indulging in understatement. Her writing is spare; she uses many allegories in her writing but I found it fairly easy to follow. The forwards by Hemschemeyer and Reeder are definitely worth the time to read for better understanding. My Russian is crude at best; I could pick up a word here and there but am in no position to judge the quality of the translations. Still, from the descriptions of Akhmatova's writing style and from what (very) little I could glean from the Russian, the translations seemed to translate the spirit of this Russian icon well. I usually don't read end notes, but these, too, are worth checking out. This was a challenging read, but I'm glad I selected this book as my final one needed for this year's Book Riot Read Harder challenge.37. Faith Ed, by by Linda K. Wertheimer. Wertheimer took several years and crossed the country to tackle a sticky issue: teaching religion in the nation's public schools. By teaching, I mean teaching religion in the context of world and national history, and the impact of religion on the shaping of history. This is an issue many districts shy from, and understandably. Aside from abuse or embezzlement, few topics will generate more bad press - deservedly or not- than religion in the classroom, particularly Islam. She illustrates the controversies that have arisen when something goes awry or, more frequently, there is a misunderstanding that gets blown up. But her book also illustrates why, even though its a challenging subject, it is more critical than ever to objectively teach about at least the main world religions. A common theme I saw is that the students, for the most part, got it. It's the adults that need work. But understanding and finding commonalities rather than harping on the differences is the first step in maintaining peace. Kudos to Wertheimer for taking on such a subject, and presenting it in a level way.
Currently reading: In the President's Secret Service, by Ronald Kessler, and The Art and Politics of Thomas Nast, by Morton Keller.
38.In The President's Secret Service, by Ronald Kessler. This was a fascinating read, but fair warning: might want to have a fluffy comic chaser afterwards, or some episodes of West Wing on hand for later. This will pretty much destroy your faith in the country's leadership. Kessler relates the lives of the past presidents and their immediate families through the eyes of the people sworn to protect them: the Secret Service. What is revealed is frequently less than flattering. There are a few bright moments (George H.W. Bush's cookie hunt was cute and made me chuckle) but they are rare. I think the most shocking stories were about Carter. Kessler also goes into the history of the Secret Service (there's a lot of irony surrounding its start), and its significant present day problems. This book was published in 2009, so I had held out hope that perhaps some of the issues had been resolved. After reading about how the Secret Service was tapped out financially, that was probably wishful thinking. So, yes, I do recommend this book but prepare to be outraged, for more than a few reasons.39. The Art and Politics of Thomas Nast, by Morton Keller. The Tammany Tiger. The image of the Republican Elephant and Democratic Donkey. The modern depiction of Santa Claus. The lady Columbia. Pioneering political cartoonist Thomas Nast either created or popularized these and other figures we recognize today. Keller's book organizes Nast's large body of work by time period, which mostly covered the Civil War through the end of Grant's presidency. Through this chronology, the reader sees the changes in Nast's works and his views of the world: at first highly idealistic, then more nuanced and even contradictory. What amazed me was the amount of detail in Nast's works; even when he is skewering someone, there's beauty in them. Keller does a commendable job setting up the history, or many details would go unnoticed, or would leave the reader scratching his or her head. History buffs and those interested in political cartoons should certainly check this out.
40. Library of Souls, by Ransom Riggs. The third and *sigh* last book in the Peculiar Children series by Riggs. The good news: It's a fantastic finale. The bad news: It's the final book. Drat. What a ride, though. In this final installment, Jacob, Emma and Addison are trying to find their friends, who were kidnapped by the sinister Caul in the previous book. In the process, Jacob discovers another peculiar gift, one that unnerves him. Through the story, Jacob comes to realize that even in the Peculiar world, reality and legend sometimes intertwine in unexpected ways. This book is well-paced and the ending (since there had to be an ending) most satisfactory. Loved the symbolism (such as with Sharon), and the third book also introduces an intriguing character in Bentham. I'm going to leave things there, since I do try to avoid spoilers. Fans of the previous two books will not be disappointed.
Currently reading: Half the Sky, by by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.
41. Idiot America, by Charles P. Pierce. I have mixed feelings on this one. One one hand, it seems well researched, and many of his points I've seen verified elsewhere. Several of his stories I've seen in other stories. Pierce also is good at connecting the dots for readers- his research allowed me to make my own connections, explaining many phenomenon that had perplexed me. The chapter on talk radio I found especially enlightening. It's an easy and quick read, but some readers might be put off by the caustic tone and name calling. I think the name calling especially weakens his arguments. Still, it is thought-provoking (if a bit depressing at times to read). It's bleak reading- would have liked to have seen something on how to address the issues brought up. How do we get the United States give up its prideful anti-intellectualism? Warnings and pointing out the problem is all very well, but ... now, how to fix this?42. Rejected Princesses, by Jason Porath. This is one of two books that I've read since tracking my reading lists (which I've done for about 12 years now) where I thought to myself 'I MUST own this!' Yes, I ordered my own copy already. Rejected Princesses may be my favorite book of the year. It's good on so many levels. Porath's book is a collection of short stories (and I do mean short, most are a just a couple of pages) on the many, many women worldwide who made an impact. There are a handful of women from myths and a few women are are pretty well-known (such as Harriet Tubman, Nellie Bly and Ida B. Wells), but most are far lesser known. The time period spans from ancient times to the 21st century, and the nationalities are from all over the globe: Vietnam. Ghana. Nigeria. France. Mexico. Spain. Algeria. Russia. Italy. The United States. China. Japan. Korea. Bolivia. Brazil. And many more. There are 100 stories in all, organized from the tamest story to the most disturbing. The author rates each story for maturity level, from 1 (G-rated and safe) to 5 (save this for older teens and adults), and provides warnings on content. That is one thing I would warn parents about. I'd say the first third is perfectly fine for just about any age- they are tame and upbeat, and the women's character pretty clear cut. The stories get more controversial by the middle. I'd say with the second 1/3 of the book, read the stories to older kids. The last third should really be reserved for 12 and older (the author himself suggests leaving the 4 and 5 rated stories for 18 and older), because they deal with some controversial issues and controversial women (the stories on Jezebel and Elizabeth Bathory were a different take from anything I'd ever read, and I suspect the portrayal of the former may set some noses out of joint.) The book is not gratuitous, but it doesn't sugarcoat what many of these women went through - or what they did- either. I'd highly recommend this for high schools, teens and adults. As a writer, it's a treasure trove for play and story ideas on little-known figures in history. The book also is illustrated; love the illustrations, and the author did something I seldom see done- include a bit of information about most of the illustrations and why they were done the way they were.
43. Half the Sky, by by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Just finished this one tonight. This is another contestant for my favorite book of the year. Here, Kristof and Wudunn offer a thorough look at the issues that women in developing worlds face, such as lack of education, lack of power, high mortality and injury due to pregnancy and birth. But they also detail the success stories. What is different, though, is that while there are plenty of successes to cheer, the authors also cover programs that failed, and other programs that had mixed results. They also go into why some organizations and efforts succeed, while others flounder and sputter. There are no rose-colored glasses here. The subject of forced prostitution and human trafficking are especially daunting to tackle. But with effort, the authors show it can be done. The book also includes information on where people can donate (the book is from 2009, so some double checking may be needed). All in all, this was just a powerful book that will move you to cry one moment, and cheer the next.
Currently reading: The Hamilton Papers (need to get back to this, I'm bound and determined to finish- almost there!)
44. The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. I heard this is a good book for not only learning the stratagems of war but for doing business (which, let's face it, is an awful lot like a battle). That is accurate. Sun Tzu outlines not only the ideal times and circumstances to fight, but when to stay the course and even when to withdraw and try again another time. My favorite quote: All warfare is based on deception.45. Who Tells Your Story? by Valerie Estelle Frankel. Rather meh about this one. This book covers the Broadway hit Hamilton, my favorite musical of all time. It includes a lot of the interviews from various sources, television specials and more. But its 90 percent interviews, little author opinion and interpretation, which is what I've been expecting. If you've seen the PBS special, read the Hamiltome, read Chernow's biography, and seen the interviews with the actors, you will get little new from this. Parts of the book were a bit confusing, and it needed one more time with an editor. For example, in one paragraph the author is talking about how Angelica is berating Hamilton for his affair (late in Act II), the next paragraph is about how Eliza is comforting him (in Act I). I caught at least one error, and a couple other things that seemed suspect but I can't verify. I did like the last 20 pages or so, when the talk was about details on the hip-hop influences, much of that I did not know.
Currently reading: The News About the News, by Leonard Downie Jr., and Likeable Social Media, by Dave Kerpen.
46. The News About the News, by Leonard Downie Jr. and Robert G. Kaiser. Really enjoyed this history lesson on both newspapers and television news. It's a bit dated (AOL is described as an internet upstart),but that is to be expected on a book like this, which is essentially a snapshot of the news industry in the early 2000s (September 11 is mentioned frequently, both for the coverage and for its potential as a turning point for the industry. Alas...). I really appreciated the insights on the news industry for television, a topic I'm not familiar with. It'swell-researched, with many interviews from a variety of news professionals. The authors clearly outline what went wrong and how, from a news standpoint, the industry could get back on track. The solution is only a partial one- again, this was written before the Internet became as ubiquitous as it is. Essentially, it calls for going back to journalistic standards of reporting what is news, not necessarily what will generate the most clicks. The pitfalls of the later are well outlined (for example, the perception that violent crime is rampant). Despite it's dated nature, I'd recommend this to anyone in the industry, or anyone curious about the news industry.47. Likable Social Media, by Dave Kerpen. Probably the best book I've read on the power of social media. What I like is the information geared both for non-profits as well as for-profits. Generally, books of this nature tend to be aimed at businesses. Sometimes it reads like an ad for Facebook, but given that this social media juggernaut has nearly a fifth of the planet's population using it, I guess that is to be expected. Kerpen's book is a quick, easy read, with a step-by-step processes in each chapter. There are plenty of anecdotes for situations handled well, and a few where things were handled poorly, and he explains the whys in both cases. This is a good read for anyone wanting to utilize social media to his or her utmost advantage.
48. Losing Our Minds, by Deborah L. Ruf. I knew something about the process of testing a child for giftedness (a friend from college has a daughter who was tested), but I had no idea how much was involved in identifying giftedness, and the levels of giftedness. I found this book insightful for my job in covering education. Ruf interviews several families of gifted children at each level, as well as points out the challenges families could face (not to mention schools- how do you educate a first-grader who is already capable of doing middle school and high school-level academics, for example?) On possible solution is offered: since there are generally 3-4 classrooms per grade level already, sort students by ability within each classroom. I can see the pros and cons with this. Ruf also mentioned something that leads to more questions: the seeming connection between finding gifted students and family wealth. Generally, more students are found in more affluent schools than poorer ones. Is it because wealth has an impact on IQ? Is it because giftedness is going undetected in less wealthy, affluent areas? I suspect the answer is a combination of the two.
49. The Hamilton Papers. YES! I have been reading this one off and on since the beginning of the year, so I consider this a big accomplishment. I'm glad I bought it, and glad I read it. It includes many of the documents mentioned in the Tony-award winning musical "Hamilton." It includes The Hurricane Letter, Farmer Refuted, The Federalist Papers, the letters between Burr and Hamilton that lead to the duel, and Hamilton's last letter to his wife Eliza. Yes, I cried reading that last one. The Federalist Papers took some time to get through. I'm really glad I read them; I think studying them should be a class in high school. I'm glad I read Chernow's biography on Hamilton last year, though, because a lot of what was then current-day references would have gone over my head (Hamilton gets more than a few digs on then New York Gov. George Clinton; the two men detested each other). But this was tough reading; you are talking about three of the greatest minds of the era. A pity Madison and Hamilton had such a falling out, for they complimented each other well: Hamilton's fiery prose, and Madison's more measured, point by point arguments. They would have been unstoppable on a debate team. What amazes me is the detail covered in these essays. If there were any stones left unturned, any argument left untouched, I couldn't find it. I'd love to see a class on this, perhaps with an annotated version to explain some of the historical references (and allusions to myths) contained within. It's tough reading, but worthwhile.
50. Women in Science, by Rachel Ignotofsky. Mixed feelings on this one. I did like the individual stories, and the variety of different sciences represented. The illustrations are cute, too. However, I've never been a huge fan of the scattered text style, and that, plus the small font size, made this a bit challenging to read. The illustrations and brevity of the stories would suggest a book aimed at earlier grade school (2-4 grade), but the font size and the stories themselves suggest older grade school. Still, this is a good source book if you can get past the irritating format, and a good springboard for students looking for someone different to do a report on.
51. Grace Anna Sings, by Angela Ray Rodgers. This book was recently published, written by a mother with a little girl (the eponymous Grace Anna) with the same medical condition that I have: Conradi Hunermann Syndrome. I knew about three-quarters of the stories already since I follow this family on social media, but I'm glad I purchased the book. I read it in one day. It's well-written and honest, but with an upbeat, positive tone. I had two thoughts reading this: wow, am I lucky my Conradi's isn't nearly as severe (I've had one semi-major surgical procedure; I've always considered my asthma more limiting than my short stature, my nemesis Top Shelf notwithstanding). But there were a lot of moments where I was thinking "yes, this is me as well!" (hatred for loud noises, a love for singing, singing at a young age, hearing difficulties at times, a stubborn streak- just ask my mother!). The book doesn't just focus on Grace Anna- it includes the whole family. It's an honest look, as I said, about a family's struggles and triumphs with a child with serious medical needs, but also goes into other tragedies and obstacles the family faced and overcame. I know it's cliche, but yes, I laughed, I cried and ultimately glad I bought this (Merry Christmas to me!) I'm probably a bit biased, since I already knew the family (online) and share a rare medical condition with Grace Anna, but ah well. I enjoyed it.
Currently Reading: Persuasion, by Jane Austen, and Don't Think of an Elephant, by George Lakoff.
52. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay, by J. K. Rowling. I really enjoyed the movie, so I was eager to get my hands on this. Glad I did. It was a nice refresher on the film, and also had details that were cut from the final theatrical release. It also clarified a couple lines I (and I know others) had trouble understanding in the movie. A nice resource for Harry Potter fans.53. Girls Think of Everything, by Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. This is a good book for older grade school, and a nice "springboard" book for students looking to do a report on a famous inventor. This book has short stories about the many inventions from inventors who were women and girls (one of the last stories is about a 12-yer-old who becme the youngest owner of a patent holder in the U.S.) The stories are brief and concentrate on the process of how the inventions came to be. What is emphasized is the amount of time, trial and error it often took. There's also a one-page summary on the process of getting a patent filed, plus information someone can use for more information. In addition, there's also a timeline of inventions and the women who came up with them (not all are mentioned in the book). A really nice resource for libraries, school libraries, and parents with budding inventors and scientists. My personal favorite story is about how chocolate chip cookies were invented. Was debating whether to tell more than this, but... no, read the story.
Currently reading: Persuasion, by Jane Austen, and Don't Think of an Elephant, by George Lakoff.
54. Don't Think of an Elephant, by George Lakoff. This was an interesting and informative read about framing debates. It was clearly aimed at the progressive/liberal, which is fine. I am kind of curious of anyone with a more conservative worldview read this, and what they think. At any rate, there are some good tips about constructive dialogue and debate on a variety of topics. It's a quick, conversational read and easy to follow. I plan to recommend it to friends.55. Persuasion, by Jane Austen. I was meh on Sense and Sensibility and Emma, but loved Pride and Prejudice, so I figured I'd give this novel, Austen's last, a try. My verdict? Meh. Guess I'll never be a big Austen fan. Anne Elliot is the heroine- modest, astute and the general confidante for many of the other less adjusted characters in the story. Indeed, she borders on Mary Sue. Her one eventual regret is turning down a marriage proposal from Wentworth, a young naval officer, on the advice of her sister. Wentworth does not easily fit into the Elliots' perceived social circles and the military are only just becoming recognized as those worthy of esteem due to the recent war. Not much of a spoiler alert, but the two eventually reconcile. The most interesting part about this story was Anne's conversation with a friend about another particular beau. Otherwise, as I said, meh.
56. Silver Lake Park, by Mary McClure. This is a story, if you will, told through numerous archival pictures about the former Silver Lake Park, which used to be where Silver Lake Village is now. I just loved this book; I had heard, of course, about what was described as the Coney Island of the West, and knew that it was a big destination point. But I didn't realize just how big this park was, and what an impact it made in its 40-some years of existence. There's a nice beginning chapter which gives a good rundown of the park's history, then the rest of the book is photographs with lengthy cutlines delving into more detail. It was started by the Lodge family, and in its heyday had a beach, boat rides, swimming lessons, cabins, tents, a roller rink, a bowling alley, an air field, a roller coaster, a carousel, an aquarium, bear pits, other animals and, most notably, a huge dance hall. A side note on the bear pits- I guess they were so successful in breeding black bears- a rarity at that time- the Smithsonian featured them in an article, documenting what they did. Alas, all good things come to an end, and scant evidence remains of this park now (this, too, is covered in the final chapter). The combination of trains suddenly stopping passenger excursion in favor of freight coupled with the first World War did it in within a few short years. I really recommend this to anyone interested in history, park history, or local history.
Currently reading (probably my first book for next year): AsiaTown Cleveland, by Alan F Dutka (about a third of the way through- so far I'm really liking this one!)
2. The Dark Crystal, by A.C.H. Smith. This fulfills the category for reading a book I've read before (could also be used for fantasy). The Dark Crystal is a novelization of the Jim Henson movie. The movie was one of my favorites as a child; heck, it's still a favorite. I read the novel either in late grade school or middle school and was able to find it again on Amazon a couple years ago. It expands on the world of the movie and adds details, such as the names of the individual UrRu and Skeksis. Fans of the movie may want to get their hands on this, if they haven't already. It really helps flesh out the character of Jen, the Gelfling protagonist who was raised by the UrRu after his family was killed by the sinister Skeksis and their Garthim warriors. It adds details such as words in the various languages used, particularly the Skeksis. At least one scene (the funeral of the Skeksis emperor), which was cut from the main release, is included here. I enjoyed it as much now as I did then, perhaps even more.
Currently reading: Valley of the Shadow, by Ralph Peters (for the war novel category), and The Hamilton Papers: Original Documents from the Broadway Musical (because I'm a complete Hamilton addict).