must-read list for people approaching their Medicare years

10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make by Danielle Kunkle Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make" is a huge jumpstart to a needed working knowledge of Medicare and how to make the right choices in signing up and maintaining an ongoing plan that works best for you. Approaching it from the angle of avoiding common mistakes is a great way to present the information in an interesting and relevant way. I would put this on the must-read list for people approaching their Medicare years.

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enlightening and interesting

How to Watch TV News: Revised Edition by Neil Postman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having read "Amusing Ourselves to Death" i looked forward to this guide to the TV news. This book presents the nuts and bolts of the TV news business, and shares details about how TV news works and what is presented. Most thinking people are generally already aware of the overall picture presented in this book, but reading the details behind the TV news we consume is very interesting. The details presented here help explain the "why" of what we already "know" about TV news. For those who have not given it much thought, this book is an accessible and concise summary of what all viewers and consumers of TV news should be aware of, and keep in mind on some level as they watch and consume. "How to Watch TV News" is both enlightening and interesting, and should probably be read by all news consumers.

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a journey though Europe in Bill Bryson's way

Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book, albeit dated (1990 vintage) delivers a journey though much of Europe in Bill Bryson's irreverent, hilarious, often times politically incorrect way of story telling. It is fun to join the ride. Of course with the fun is included many interesting facts and figures about the places visited. This book was a great time, and another reason i want to go back to Italy ASAP :)

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more relevant now than ever before

Watchmen by Alan Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Watchmen is more relevant now than ever before. Excellent writing and illustration that could qualify as prophecy! Really excellent.

Excellent resource to help understand the story:

https://youtu.be/wJmg0uc3CjY 

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powerful story that inspires consideration and thought

The Actual Star by Monica Byrne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, there is so much to say about this book. It leaves me thinking about all manner of things, and wanting to go back re-read to look for ones I missed. The tale spans 2000 years, following three timelines, each a thousand years apart from the closest. The middle timeline is set about 10 years ago, so is contemporary to our time. Much like "The Girl in the Road", "The Actual Star" introduced me to places, culture and peoples I am not familiar with. Also like tGitR, the writing immediately dives into the deep end and pulls the reader in head first. New terms, languages, technologies, and cultures are encountered from the very beginning, with only hints from context and conversation to help the reader parse the narrative (and a MUCH appreciated glossary!). This is a great technique, which is a lot like William Gibson's narrative style! As each of the three threads progress, we learn of the connections between them, and gain insight into the interrelationships between history, legend, myth, religion, philosophy, politics, sociology, ecology, and so many more aspects of our world. This is a powerful story that inspires consideration and thought about many questions that need be reckoned with as a society and a species. I hope to get a chance to re-read at some point to further unpack and process this powerful story.

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creative and edgy, captivating

The Girl in the Road by Monica Byrne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The Girl in the Road" is two tales, one of a girl and the other of a young woman, each on their respective personal journey and quest, eventually converging into one. It is set in the near future, mid to late 21st century. The inevitable results of 20th and early 21st century politics, economics, and environmental policy are playing out, and help set the context for this story. The plot is fast moving and the reader is pulled rather abruptly (in the style of William Gibson) into the context and jargon of new technology and worldviews. The protagonists of the story's two threads are painted with fine detail and intimacy giving the reader both cause and person to pull for. The two journeys eventually converge unexpectedly to bridge the gap in culture, experience, time and space, and create a single concluding thread. This story is creative and edgy, and told in a captivating way to fully engage the reader through the final chapter and epilogue. I am excited to have discovered this local author, and will be seeking out her other works, specifically "The Actual Star", which was released recently.

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rich yet dark, too coded and obscure

Beloved by Toni Morrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Reading "Beloved" seemed so familiar, and then it dawned on me that the story telling and themes are very much like Faulkner (see my review of "The Sound and the Fury")
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26197314-the-sound-and-the-fury

But alas, I am apparently missing the requisite skills and/or knowledge to read tales like this. "Beloved" is a rich yet dark story, but the telling of it is too coded and obscure for a reader of my experience or knowledge to fully unpack. I can however see that it is clearly of the same genre and stature as Faulkner, which speaks highly of it among literary scholars but doesn't do much for me the average reader. Again, i am left wishing that the narrative and meaning of the story was more accessible so that i could experience it in full.


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a narrative every American should read or hear

The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Blood of Emmett Till" is a narrative every American should read or hear. It conveys the story of the lynching of 14 year old Emmett Till in 1955 Mississippi. The event is told in all its horrid detail. But to fully flesh out the expanse of it, the author brilliantly presents background events and people, the resulting aftermath, and most importantly, the significance and movement that was created and powered by the memory of Emmett Till and how he died. The book is backed by thorough and exhaustive research, 62 of the 300+ pages are devoted references and footnotes, covering background, history, and resulting events, into the 21st century. This is real history that should be taught, and acted upon. There is no healing without first acknowledging the disease and then seeking the cure. This is an important and excellent work of research. Thank you Mr. Tyson.

https://documentarystudies.duke.edu/p...

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The Case for Reparations

The Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This article is a great look at the issue of reparations. Knowing nothing about them going in, i feel like i have a much better idea of the major concepts that support some form of reparations due.

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moving and beautifully written

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Between the World and Me" is one of the most moving and beautifully written books I've ever read. The book, a letter from the author to his son, insightfully and clearly lays out what it is to be Black in America. The wisdom conveyed in this letter is of the highest order and pulls back the veil which so poorly conceals what America truly is. The Dream that has infected us all, and which we so sorely need to awaken from. This is one of the best books i've ever read, and i cannot recommend it highly enough. Please find a copy and read it. I want to get an audio copy to hear it again in Mr. Coates own voice. I am in awe.

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well researched and footnoted, a valuable source

The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America by Carol Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The Second" brings a fresh perspective to the endemic racism in the U.S. by looking at the problem in the context of the 2nd Amendment. Historical insight into the amendment itself, as well as how it was applied over the history of this nation, shows that it is not at all what it seems on the surface. The right to bear arms, like most of the other "rights" we have as citizens, does not apply to everyone. Sadly, this amendment is only one of the many many aspects of the overt and blatant inequality that has been part of this nation from the beginning, and is still tragically affecting large numbers of Americans even as we enter the 21st century. It is a problem that needs to be solved, but also one that we have had from the very beginning. This book is well researched and footnoted, a valuable source, and especially appropriate during Black History Month.

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travel richness

Here, There, Elsewhere: Stories from the Road by William Least Heat-Moon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In "Here, There, Elsewhere", William Least Heat-Moon takes us along on a rich collection on journeys in the format of short journalistic articles. He brings his depth of spirit and discovery to each of the places he takes us, helping us to experience the many dimensions each place embodies. Morning in Manarola holds a special place among this collection, and we are looking forward to going back there. It has been too long since i last read William Least Heat-Moon, and i'm looking forward to continuing his classic travel trilogy with "PrairyErth" later this year.

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rich story telling

Horseman, Pass By by Larry McMurtry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having seen the film "Hud" recently, I wanted to experience the story on which it was based. I just completed reading McMurtry's travel book entitled "Roads" and had an idea of the setting for this story. "Horseman, Pass By" is a richly layered and textured story of life on a ranch in central Texas, near the fictional town of Thalia, which based on the town where McMurtry grew up. The characters are 3D and real, their conversations feel authentic, especially compared to my similar rural early years in the Ozarks of Missouri. The personal dynamics between the family members, ranch hands and towns folk all feel as if they were real. The descriptions of the country and landscape are as picturesque as words can make them. The story is told by the teenage grandson of the family patriarch. Step-parents and siblings add to the complication of the relationships and color of the story. Based on my rich experience with this book and the film, I want to read the remaining two books that complete what is informally known as the Thalia Trilogy, the last of which is "The Last Picture Show", which was made into another excellent film. McMurtry's writing and story telling is warm and rich, which makes for a great reading experience.

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trips of the road-warrior variety

Roads: Driving America's Great Highways by Larry McMurtry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having heard of Mr. McMurtry of Lonesome Dove fame, and being quite fond of travel log books i've read, i was looking forward to this book. In it, the author makes many cross country trips of the road-warrior variety, deliberately picking the Interstate highways on which to drive. This struck me as an unusual way to experience the country, but i hung in there. The descriptions of places are rather macro and superficial, as expected, traveling Interstate highways as opposed to the "Blue Highways" of William Least Heat-Moon. Intermixed with the travel are bits of history, wit, and cynicism not unlike that of Bill Bryson. But i think what Mr. McMurtry adds to this type of narrative is his deep appreciation of books and authors. Hardly a place is traversed that some famous book(s) and author(s) are noted, often with some history linked to them. My favorite part of the book was the next to the last chapter where he reminisces about the back roads of his Depression era childhood in Texas, and how as a child he asked "where" the paved highway near their ranch "went". The answer is revealed in the the last chapter, which is a really special way to end the journey. The mode of travel presented is not inspirational, at least not to me, but this is a nice overview of Mr. McMurtry's travels.

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nice guide to one of our favorite roads

Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway: A Guide to America's Most Scenic Drive by J. Scott Graham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is a nice general guide to getting the most from your drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of our favorite roads. The book covers a wide range of topics related to the Parkway and is a great resource.

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more details in the second reading

Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My second trip through the amazing epic saga. Lots of great developments in Winter's Heart, and many more details seen in the second reading. It helps to know where things are headed. Great book and series!

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You really want to read this story. Really

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading the graphic novel version of this story, i have been looking forward to reading this original novel version. It did not disappoint in the least. This is probably my favorite of all the Neil Gaiman that i have read. The Graveyard Book is creative and brilliant. And it is as heartwarming as a graveyard could possibly be. I will not say anything else about the tale except that you really want to read this story. Really. Excellent!!!

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Dr. Ehrman at his best

Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium by Bart D. Ehrman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Despite being one of Bart Ehrman's first "trade" books published, "Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium" is Dr. Ehrman at his best. The book is excellently written, thoroughly referenced, and is fascinating, informative and engaging from start to finish. The first part of the book lays the groundwork for the ancient sources which are available to be used, and how to weigh them for authenticity of origin and content. What then follows is the meat of the book, an exploration of the human / earthly life of the person known as Jesus of Nazareth in first century Palestine, from his birth to his death. On every step of this way, Dr. Ehrman goes back and uses the sources he has shown to be reliable and authentic (at least in as much as an ancient document can be). What is really amazing is that the portrait of Jesus differs in many significant ways from that portrayed by most Xian churches and denominations. And once again, I am fascinated at how many people who claim to be followers of Jesus don't know the critical facts about who he was and the times in which he lived. This book is a must-read if you care anything about this man who is called Jesus.

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wild and outrageous story!

The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All by Josh Ritter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read and loved "Bright's Passage" by Josh Ritter, which is serious and excellent historical fiction, "The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All" took me off guard. But once i was in, it was a wild and crazy, emotional and moving, ride from start to finish. It is about lumbering (ie. lumberjacks and very large trees in the Northwest region of the US) in the early 1900's. The tale is narrated by ninety-something year old Weldon Applegate recollecting his memories of when he was a 13 year old boy, coming of age in the company of lumberjacks. The story frequently switches the time line, back and forth between 13 y.o. Weldon, an older Weldon, and "present day" ninety-something Weldon. Bringing in the viewpoints of a 13 y.o. boy makes the story larger than life, with some events and characters taking on supernatural status. Even after finishing the story, i'm left wondering what literally happened, and what happened in the mind of the teen Weldon. The wild and outrageous story line reminds me of some of the more famous Vonnegut stories ("Slaughterhouse Five" and "Cat's Cradle"), as well as Heller's "Catch-22". This is a great read that i'm probably going to re-read just so i pick up what i may have missed in the first go around. Another great, albeit different book from Josh Ritter!!

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a powerful story

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Salvage the Bones is a powerful story. It is about struggles, both small and large, both overwhelming and overcome, about family, about love and loss. But mostly, it's about living and life, in all its grit and grime, joy and sorrow. As with Sing, Unburied, Sing, we experience many aspects of being poor in the rural south. The story was difficult to read (not because of the writing, but because of the content) but at the same time compelling, inviting the reader to participate in the struggle, to overcome, or just to survive.

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