January 30, 2018

A brilliant exploration of the depth and breadth of what it means to be human

The Wayward BusThe Wayward Bus by John Steinbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A handful of strangers, thrown together for 24 hours by chance circumstances, discover themselves and each other as none of them imagined possible. The bus on which they are traveling breaks down, not once, but twice, creating a dynamic mixing of events and personalities, which probe and reveal some of the deepest aspects of who they are, who they want to be, and why. A brilliant exploration of the depth and breadth of what it means to be human, both alone, and in a chance community formed by fate. Steinbeck remains one of my favorite and most respected authors for the realism and depth with which he paints his characters. This is a great story of life's real journey, covering so much of what life is about.

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January 27, 2018

some pretty wild tales

Norse MythologyNorse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Norse Mythology is a creative and enjoyable retelling of exactly what the title says, Norse Mythology. I picked it up because it was by Neil Gaiman, not knowing how accurate the title was. After reading it, it reminded me that some of the first mythology that caught the interest of the young C.S. Lewis was that of the Norse. These are some pretty wild tales, retold by an excellent author. Well worth the read to get a taste of the myths included in this collection.

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January 23, 2018

a wonderful tribute

The Greatest Story Ever Told—So Far: Why Are We Here?The Greatest Story Ever Told—So Far: Why Are We Here? by Lawrence M. Krauss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having worked as an Electrical Engineer, analyzing semiconductor physics and designing analog integrated circuits, i thought i knew a decent amount about atomic physics and quantum theory. After reading this brilliantly written book, however, i now realize i know next to nothing. This story is truly a great story, a wonderful tribute to the brilliant and tenaciously hard working physicists, mathematicians, scientists and engineers and their astounding discoveries as they probe and poke at the very nature of matter, energy, of life as we know it, and life as we never even imagined it to be. Despite my graduate degree in applied physics (Electrical Engineering) specifically semiconductor circuits and design, technically speaking, i was lost after the first few chapters. But even as completely over my head the subject matter of this book is, the way that Dr. Krauss presents this amazing and ongoing tale is both engaging and accessible, even without understanding the esoteric field of science it is about. This is a worthy tribute to the fantastic intellects who worked together to help us understand our world, and our very existence better. A great book!!!

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January 13, 2018

a great story!

La Belle Sauvage (The Book of Dust, #1)La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

OMG, what a great story! La Belle Sauvage is another wonderfully written tale by Philip Pullman. It is fast moving, immediately engaging, with rich characters and deep and moving themes and plot. I found it hard to put down, anticipating each new chapter. I am excited that this is the first of another trilogy by Philip Pullman, and i'm looking forward for this story to continue.

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January 9, 2018

worst book i'll read in 2018?

ArtemisArtemis by Andy Weir
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

After reading and loving "The Martian", i guess my expectations for this book were too high. "Artemis" is a mediocre story, with some cool science facts sprinkled in, told in a "voice" similar to the narrator of "The Martian" - except it is a different protagonist. It did not work for me. This will probably be in the running for the worst book i'll read in 2018. My advice is read "The Martian" again, and skip this one altogether.

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January 1, 2018

why i read books

Sing, Unburied, SingSing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sing, Unburied, Sing is a wonderful story. I don't even know how to describe it other than it connects me with what it means to be human, both good and bad, on so many levels - which is one of the main reasons i read books - to experience life through others that i cannot experience first hand. This story is rich and deep and shares the best and the worst of what it means to be human, as a person of color, in Mississippi; both today and in the past. If you get a chance, read this book, you will be richer for it. Looking forward to Salvage the Bones.

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