Review 287: Daily Observations: Thoreau on the Days of the Year

Daily Observations: Thoreau on the Days of the Year by Henry David Thoreau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Started reading February 04.  

Had to catch up to the days in the beginning, but by end of month was on track.

Daily entries by calendar date. I read each to match the day, more or less, and starting late. I expected a couple of the entries to mark the holiday, such as Christmas or even Independence day, but that wasn't the case. Some entries seemed like an odd choice.

I picked this up in October 2008. I enjoyed the way I read the book but would not have expected it would take me to 2021 until actually reading it through. I had a great year with reading it.

Overall an enjoyable experience to have throughout the year. I have a journal of his that I'd like to do the same, just read each day's entry as the year goes by. Decided not to do that for 2022, but maybe for 2023.

Review 286: The Secret Wife of Aaron Burr

The Secret Wife of Aaron Burr: A Riveting Untold Story of the American Revolution by Susan Holloway Scott
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars



I would not call it "Riveting" 

500 pages – longish book

Read somewhat quickly, from Dec.19 to 26.

Had time off work, so that helped.

roughly years: 1768-1829 

It was a very detailed account of a slave, that came from India, sold by her uncle for a pittance to a French lady to serve as a pet when she was around 8 years old. Briefly at a plantation in the Caribbean Islands she luckily was sold to a British officer who gave her to his wife where they lived in New Jersey. Mistress was a "good" master and here is the bulk of the book, with the American Revolution years. Aaron Burr does come into the book, later than one would expect.

The author notes how factual she tried to remain to history, with lots of fiction with our main character, except she did exist at least to the extent of giving Burr two children.

Review 285: Sea State: A Memoir

Sea State: A Memoir by Tabitha Lasley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Focus was on how she wrote this book, not the labors of the men in the North Sea. Yes, it says memoir but the premise was about the men working, instead we get relationships.

It does say memoir but the book blub talked about men who work in the North Sea on oil rigs. I expected more about the work, their labors. Instead we have a book about the author and her relationships, how she made the book, the interviews and such. She had a previous book but her flat was broken into, laptop stolen and no back-up. Starting over she ditched that boyfriend and moved to Scotland. (hmm...two books in a row See: The Sunlight Pilgrims). She ends up with a new boyfriend, although he's married and one of the first lads she interviews. There are bits of literary references thrown in to add flavor, I guess. Book didn't do it for me.

Review 284: The Sunlight Pilgrims

The Sunlight Pilgrims by Jenni Fagan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not a fan of the ending.

It's the near future, although in the book that makes it 2020. A cold freeze is happening all over the world. Dylan recently lost his family of mother and grandmother and the only home he knew a tiny art film house in London. He goes north to Scotland to find this tiny trailer his mother bought. The main character turns out to be this teen girl Stella, who transitioned from a boy last year. It's a small town, all her previous friends beat her up one day, except one, who actually kissed her not long ago. Yet he seems conflicted. Stella's mother and a couple other characters fill up the book, and the cold. It's hard to believe they are surviving at these extreme cold temperatures. The writing is lovely, but there are gaps. And I really didn't like the ending.

Review 283: Scientist: E. O. Wilson

Scientist: E. O. Wilson: A Life in Nature by Richard Rhodes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dec.29.2021 Edit: Sad to hear just a couple weeks after reading this biography that Edward O. Wilson passed away. He definitely had a well lived life, and changed our understanding on ants and more.

This is a good introduction to Edward O. Wilson’s work. Wilson was a highly productive, intelligent scientist whose initial focus was on the ant world. Later he expanded into other species, ecology and humans. When he wrote a textbook on sociobiology things got controversial. People started protesting him and his work, lecturing and attending conferences became difficult due to the protests and anger people directed at him.

The book covers some of his personal life, particularly growing up and a bit about his wife. Shortly after being engaged Wilson had an opportunity of exploration that he couldn’t pass up, so they parted and wrote each other letters, which many of the early chapters drew on.

There is too much in this man’s life to cover in detail at all phases, that would require a very long book, if not volumes. Wilson himself has written over 30 books, many bestsellers and several textbooks, and hundreds of scientific papers. This book feels like just the beginning of covering Wilson’s life. There is so much more to explore.

Thanks to DoubleDay Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 282: The Great Scot

The Great Scot: A Novel of Robert the Bruce, Scotland's Legendary Warrior King by Duncan A. Bruce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Historical novel written by a descendant of King Robert Bruce’s brother Sir Edward Bruce. It tells of the battles and important moments by a page, turned soldier, who was close to the King. This is the story of how Scotland became free, for a wee time.

The writing style is simple, although there are untranslated words, sentences in several languages such as Gaelic, Scots and French, perhaps a bit of Latin thrown in. At times there was too much summary, too cursory. The book is attempting to be accurate, and with lack of information from the 1300’s much has to be invented or glossed over. Yet some moments are fairly details, which makes the book a little uneven. Character development is flat as well. What you get instead is moments of battle and a lot of marching all around Scotland. Places are named, not described. There is a little more description when the narrator goes to France on a diplomatic mission.

Despite all the flaws, I still enjoyed the book.

Reminiscent of the book: In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. Covering 1293-1315.

Review 281: Appleseed

Appleseed by Matt Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is quite the tale, expansive and allegorical, incorporating ancient myths, fables and American folklore. The story is told in three timelines, three main viewpoints. One is the near future, one is of the past when America was being colonized, and the other is the far future. Every timeline deals with the world coming to an end, or vastly changed from what it currently is into something new and different.

In the past, as settlers conquer the wild, Chapman and his brother Nathaniel travel around planting apple tress for their future. Chapman is a faun, half-man, half-animal. Faun and apples are echoed through each story line.

In the far future a lonely C, a regenerated synthetic, reborn when the current body is too damaged and needs to be renewed. The current form C-433 looks mostly like a faun as well. This newest version stopped the exploring, instead found old books and is trying something different.

Then we have our near future, where the corporation Earth Trust is taking over while attempting to save the what is possible with the climate and species collapsing. People join as volunteers giving up everything, even their citizenship in exchange for shelter and food. This timeline is easier to connect to, closer to our current world and yet a bit fantastical as well. John is this focus here, he helped start Earth Trust, with Eury the head of the corporation, yet now thinks she’s gone too far. He has a plan to stop her.

This is a bit like fantasy and science fiction mixed with fables and ancient myths, perhaps some magic thrown in. The book has almost a feel of a trilogy contained within this one book.

Thanks to HarperCollins/ Custom House and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 280: That Summer

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I went into this book thinking it was an easy beach read, but instead found it tackles an important issue as part of the #MeToo movement.

There are two main women characters: Daisy, a married mom with a teenage girl living nearly the typical housewife life; and Diane who was raped as a teenager which affected her life dramatically. Diane’s story is about coming to terms with this. Daisy’s teenage girl, Beatrice had a voice as well, but not much and I felt was lacking in development, it needed more space, or none at all. I also felt like Daisy’s husband Hal needed more character development, as he was more of a caricature in this story, one-sided. Near the end we get a chapter for him, but it would have been a stronger book if his view was expanded. Or was the intention to portray him as this caricature? Which makes me thing of Daisy’s brother, I found his role not fully believable. I don’t want to get into details for spoiler reasons, but this character didn’t ring true to me.

The storyline was not linear and was extremely confusing, as there was back and forth in time, but not presented clearly. So, what I thought was happening simultaneously was not at all.

There was subterfuge on Diane’s part, which was never fully explained why. At first, I thought she was a con-person, or out to blackmail. Why this a major part of the story was, and still is, baffling.

Despite these faults the story I kept reading to find out how it would resolve and honestly, it wasn’t all that satisfying. The book felt like a good draft, but needed work, like the writing was rushed or something hurriedly done with.

I listened to the published audiobook. The narration was decent and kept me going.

Review 279: Obsessive Genius

Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie by Barbara Goldsmith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this biography, having very little knowledge of Marie Curie this book satisfied understanding some of her life. Born in 1867 as Marya Sklodowski she grew up in an occupied Poland. Her father was a scientist and teacher, but unable to practice due to the political situation, yet he strove to give the highest education possible to all his children, even the girls such as Marie. Without this foundation she never would have succeeded to becoming the first woman awarded the Nobel Prize, let alone twice.

Unfortunately, the death of her mother and older sister, within two weeks of each other, brought about a depressive state that would recur in Marie’s life particularly when faced with loss. Despite her emotional illness, and the prejudices against women, Curie was able to persevere and focus on her scientific work in radiology.

It isn't a long book and with all that she accomplished certainly much more can be written about her. The scientific details are thin, enough to understand the significance but without going into details that only scientists can truly grasp. If someone wants in depth science that Curie accomplished, this is not that book. For the basics of a biography, this was a good book.

Review 278: The Nature of Oaks

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees by Douglas W. Tallamy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A highly informative book about Oak trees. The book format followed the months, although skipped a couple, and started with October (as that was when Tallamy’s book writing began). Tallamy wrote with a bit of humor, which was nice, not often found in academic writings, and this one did cite references where appropriate.

Thoroughly enjoyed the focus on Oaks, yet Tallamy spread out to also the critters that live off the tree for food. When it got to the moths, wasps and other bug-types I found myself getting squeamish. Tallamy was comprehensive.

Tallamy seems to assume that everyone reading his book has a yard, could plant trees if they so choose. This view is coming from privilege. What about people who rent? Or those who own a condo, or some property but not allowed to plant? Even we who do not own land can enjoy trees. I wished for a little bit there, for those who don’t have the backyard daily connection, or at least an acknowledgement. Also, I would have liked a little on the fungus and problems of Oaks. California has been having problems with this for years, but no mention.

Now that I read the book, perhaps I can say that Oaks are my third favorite tree (behind Redwood and Pine).

Also want to add that I felt like I went through this book too quickly, not retaining enough information on oaks. Perhaps I'll revisit the book again. 

Review 277: Meantime

Meantime by Katharine Noel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nothing super special about this story. A marriage that falls apart mostly while he's in the hospital, almost died from an infection that went sepsis. His ex-girlfriend from high school had recently come into the picture...somewhat obvious what was going to happen.

I didn't take notes while reading, and read it within a week. A few months later and I barely remember the story. I was slightly bored while reading it and was just happy it was done and off my bookshelves and thrown into the giveaway to go box.  Reading some other reviews many say how weird or odd the book was, and I didn't get that sense. Just it was obvious the plot. It seemed the couple in question shouldn't have married anyway, more like a fluke they did since they were fairly different and he was not the type of person she usually went out with, yet they managed a married for a while. The dog and an ex-boyfriend of hers came into the picture as well.

Review 276: A Wild Idea

A Wild Idea: The True Story of Douglas Tompkins—The Greatest Conservationist by Jonathan Franklin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It’s hard not to like what Doug Tompkins has accomplished and his vision for an improved planet. Yet I don’t think I like the man, or at least the way he was portrayed here in this book. Tompkins comes off as arrogant, dismissive and perhaps a narcissist. He had two kids and was barely a father to them, yet it’s said in the book several times how much he loved them, and yes acknowledged he likely did not do enough to express that love to his kids. Really, who leaves his newborn baby and wife when they just started up a company, to go adventuring for six months? And this is way before cell phones!

Tompkins was smart, no doubt about that. He would dive deep into a topic until he knew it very well. He did this with design and ecology, among other topics. He started several very successful businesses: The North Face and Esprit. The Patagonia company is detailed in the book as well, as it was founded by a fellow climbing and adventure buddy.

Tompkins was an all or nothing guy. Once he decided to turn his attention to environmental causes, he sold out of his clothing company. He used that money to fund others, occasionally, but mostly he created his own non-profit and bought a lot of land in the interest of creating a huge park in the Patagonia region. Tompkins wanted to preserve the land. He clashed with the locals and government officials, even though his intentions were noble. It was his way or no way. He led a full life, that’s for certain, but perhaps it was at the cost of those close to him.

Thanks to HarperOne and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book. Although I had access to the eBook I ended up listening to the audio book version.

Review 275: Zachary’s Horses

Zachary’s Horses by Stan Krumm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A western! I got into the story. Somewhat fun.

It's (nearly) the wild west, but more subdued as this is Victoria, Vancouver Island soon to be part of Canada. The book has a western feel, the main character Zachary is hiding out from the law with a new name, but he didn't do what he's been accused of. Now he's married to a Chinese woman and run The Celestial hotel. The main focus of the book is a big horse race that Zachary is peripherally involved in, and his son's governess with her mysterious background.

This is book 2 in a series, and did not read the first. It may have improved enjoyment having read the first, but I don't feel like I missed anything terribly important without it.

Review 274: Holdout

Holdout by Jeffrey Kluger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Not quite the science fiction book I was expecting, had more politics thrown in, but it mostly kept my interest. 

This isn’t solely a science fiction book that takes place in space. Instead, it ties space, specifically the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth. Walli Beckworth, an American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts are on the ISS when a supply mission goes wrong. They narrowly avoid catastrophe, but the small impact created some problems especially for the three humans. The protocol is to abandon the space station and at the last minute Walli doesn’t board the shuttle stating she “Prefers not to.” Thus, begins her time as the “holdout” and the reason the world soon learns is to protest over the burning of the Amazon forests, destroying the ecosystem and native peoples of Brazil. Walli not only has the environmental concern in mind but also her niece who is more like a daughter, caught up in the middle of the fires as she is there as an aide worker. She asks the United States to intervene, which coincidentally a vote is scheduled just a few days away.

We have many viewpoints in this story, ranging from the presidents of Brazil and the United States, political figures, Russians, and of course, Walli and her niece. The politics and protests take up most of the book, but there are a few “space” moments when the space station is in peril and Walli has to do a space walk which she wasn’t trained for and is unheard of doing this all alone. Also, what happens when the Russian shut down part of their modules.

I didn’t feel very tied to Walli or her story, or really to any character in the novel. There were so many views presented that the story didn’t feel solid in any one way. I had hopes for more of a space story than a political one. This book has the feel like The Martian but it didn't reach quite that far, not enough character development of Walli and too much on the ground to balance out.

Thanks to Dutton/Penguin Group and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 273: Dare to Know

Dare to Know by James Kennedy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We have the unusual world of salesmen who can calculate using subject math the exact date of your death. This is told in first person, we follow this one guy, a salesperson, who’s better days are way behind him. The book is told mostly of looking back, and details get layered on, so specific moments and events take on more meaning as the book progresses.

It's a spiraling of despair and then into a hallucinogenic tale to where it is unclear what is reality or not. Death is the center of this book as is fairy tales, which leads one to suppose there will be the happily-ever-after, except this is a satire. It’s an odd one to be sure. A bit too magical realism for me, but for the right reader this will be a good book.

Review 272: Vanishing Edge

Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A mystery where one isn’t quite sure the person dead was killed or just an accident while out in the Sequoia National Park near Precipice Lake. The dead woman is an actress, and it looks like the husband did it, as he’s older, needs money; and his wife was with another man on this glamping camping trip. Special Agent Felicity Harland with the Investigative Services Bureau, a park FBI type agency, is called out to find out what happened. Harland teams up with park ranger, and ex-Navy Seal, Huxley while they investigate despite being not entirely sure this was a murder or accident.

I was drawn to the book due to the background being in nature, the camping, trees and woods, but really this is an investigative story. It’s well done, and you get the backstory of the main characters interspersed with the main story and feel connection to these characters. The ending sets up nicely for this being the first book in a series, although nothing indicates that is the case. A decent book for anyone who likes police procedural type books.

I listened to the audio book and found the narration well done. It is an excellent option for reading this book.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book and to Dreamscape Media for an advance audio book and NetGalley.

Review 271: Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America

Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America by Richard White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So happy to have finally finished this long, complicated book. I nearly quit reading several times, and did take a long pause here and there through the months, but glad to have persevered and finished reading it.

My rating reflects the convoluted writing style and poor organization of the book. While the topics and major points are made and deserve a full five stars.

This includes: the railroad building that occurred with a fever in the late 1800's were too soon, ahead of demand, extremely poorly done with extensive corruption, and decimated the environment along with the Native Peoples. The extent of the corruption mixed with politics and the economy is amazing. It brought several economic depressions, wiped out the huge buffalo herds and in the end, actually did some social good as well. Railroads were going to be a necessity, but it could have been done in a wholly different manner and the repercussions of this railroad building is still evident today.

I may write more fully my thoughts on this long book, but for now, my initial thoughts on completion just moments ago, will have to leave it here.

June 1, 2021 – Started Reading

June 2, 2021 – 

page 58

 

 8.24% "this will likely take a while....yet not as long as it looks, appendix begins at page 562."

June 4, 2021 – 

page 75

 

 10.65%

June 9, 2021 – 

page 126

 

 17.9%

June 14, 2021 – 

page 151

 

 21.45%

June 17, 2021 – 

page 188

 

 26.7% "on pause for a bit..."

August 2, 2021 – 

page 194

 

 27.56% "picked this back up. started to read it again, albeit slowly"

August 5, 2021 – 

page 220

 

 31.25%

August 6, 2021 – 

page 230

 

 32.67%

August 23, 2021 – 

page 256

 

 36.36%

August 27, 2021 – 

page 302

 

 42.9%

September 1, 2021 – 

page 343

 

 48.72%

September 20, 2021 – 

page 349

 

 49.57%

September 23, 2021 – 

page 441

 

 62.64%

October 19, 2021 – 

page 471

 

 66.9%

October 25, 2021 – 

page 481

 

 68.32%

October 27, 2021 – 

page 517

 

 73.44%

November 1, 2021 – 

page 555

 

 78.84%

November 2, 2021 – 

page 570

 

 80.97%

November 4, 2021 – 

page 591

 

 83.95%

November 8, 2021 – 

page 623

 

 88.49%

November 10, 2021 – 

page 658

 

 93.47% "hoping to finish tomorrow"

November 11, 2021 – Finished Reading

Review 270: The Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail: A Biography by Philip D'Anieri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The author was not attempting to be comprehensive about the Appalachian Trail, instead the focus is on some of the people that made the trail what it is; from the early conception to development, then the first hikers, particularly thru-hikers. One of the last chapters focused on Bill Bryson since his book (A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail) made a huge impact for the trail. It was a bestseller and many more people came out to hike the trail for themselves. The very last chapter dealt with the author's own experience hiking along the trail, although not a completion thru-hike.

My only experience with this trail is through Bill Bryson, as I live closer to the Pacific Crest Trail, actually have hiked a very small part of that one. And part of this book is missing some of the physical details of the trail. There are a few, but not many and it didn’t make me actually see the trail. Perhaps there are other books that provide more detail.

At times I felt like there was too much backstory to the person’s biography for the chapter, but this is what the author was attempting, biographies for a few of the important people associated with this trail.

Just as I finished this book I noticed in the news an announcement for the oldest person to hike the trail, M.J. Eberhart, an 83-year-old man. A nice coincidence with the timing.

P.S. another aspect I thought was missing was some info or biographies on the trail angels, those people who help out the thru-hikers. No, this was not a complete book.

Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Mariner Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 269: The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book was something I heard about a long while ago, while still in school. From what I remember it made a splash, was popular and became just intriguing to me. It was in the back of my mind to read it someday. Well, decades later now I finally did, and  I'm slightly disappointed.

 This was not my first book by Oliver Sacks and his later books are better written for a lay audience. This one felt like he wasn't sure who would read his book, so half jargon and half not and it doesn't quite work. Let alone the way the clinical tales are told. Also, I don't think the book aged well with some of the language used in the book are with words we don't generally use anymore.

Entirely too short clinical tales mostly just describe the odd symptoms. There are some with the attempt to find out what has gone wrong, and how to fix, but most are short and seem to just say – look at this odd thing that happened to someone. 

Review 268: Her Quiet Revolution

Her Quiet Revolution: A Novel of Martha Hughes Cannon: Frontier Doctor and First Female State Senator by Marianne Monson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was looking forward to reading this book, but had such difficulty with the way it was written,  I just can’t seem to get into it and continue the read.  

There is an innocence, for lack of a better word, that seeps throughout this book. (Perhaps simplicity is the better word.) I also found many grammar issues, which hopefully were fixed before publication, but were so glaring to me, that it was distracting. (Certainly my grammar isn’t perfect, but I seem to notice it more with other people’s writing.)

 

The story also had this assumption of deep knowledge of the Mormon religion. There were words and things that I didn’t quite understand what was going on. I suspect the book is written for a particular audience and I am not it. 

Unfortunately, with all these issues I had to stop reading around a quarter of the way in. The struggle was too much for me to get into the story of this woman who sounds like she was amazing. Hopefully this will work better for others.

Please note my rating is based only on the first 25% of the book and consider that with your evaluation.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book. 

Review 267: Songbirds

Songbirds by Christy Lefteri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A book inspired by real events, about the women who migrated from poorer countries to ones of wealth, where they work menial jobs and send the money home. Typically the women are leaving behind children and other family, but don’t see a future without a way to make money for education, to get ahead. So they make the unthinkable choice to leave the country, be a mom via internet, and send money home. 

This story is based in Cypress, told between to different voices, of Petra and Yannis. Occasionally between their chapters there is this foreboding interlude that describes among other things a decomposing rabbit. I could have done without that! 

Nisha is missing. She is Petra's maid and caregiver of her child, while Yannis is the tenant in the apartment above who loves Nisha, asked her marry to him the day she went missing.

Petra learns about Nisha while searching for her, realizing she never knew this woman despite her being so enmeshed in Petra's life for ten years. Petra also learns how hidden from life she was with her own child. Nisha came to help Petra shortly before she gave birth, just after her husband died. Petra lives in this perpetual mourning, a shadow of a life for ten years while Nisha raises her daughter.

 

The mystery is the propulsion for the story but it is Nisha and the other women on the island who are the gems of the book. Not entirely an easy read, but a good one.

Thanks to Ballentine and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Although I got an advance eBook copy, I ended up reading via audiobook. The narrator did an excellent job and would recommend this version as well.

Review 266: The Spirit Photographer

The Spirit Photographer by Jon Michael Varese
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review 265: The Hunt for Vulcan

The Hunt for Vulcan: . . . And How Albert Einstein Destroyed a Planet, Discovered Relativity, and Deciphered the Universe by Thomas Levenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review 264: Unwind

Unwind by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A dystopian world where a twisted solution to outlawing abortion, which would mean that between the ages of 13-18 the parents, or guardians, could elected to unwind the child. This means that teens become, not killed, but used for parts for other people, and all parts of their bodies. Someone has an issue with their eyes, well new eyes would come from an unwound. This has the solution of people being in good health, and the kids that don’t quite cut it, with behavior problems or whatever, then get parted out. The kids going to be unwound are told they are not dying, but living on in pieces with other people, so not to look at this as an end of life. Only those people growing up as a tithe to the church, who grow up knowing that at 13 they would become unwound as part of a spiritual offering look forward to this parted up way of being.

Naturally the story focuses on several kids that are told they are to be unwound. We follow their refusal, running away when given a small chance, and they take a tithe with them, who is not happy at this turn of events. There is an underground railroad that moves these kids who rebel to a place of safety, until it falls apart. 

It’s a fairly fast paced book, and I found it hard to put down, so read the book quickly. This is a gruesome premise and world, and this is the first in a series. This book sets up what would happen next fairly well. I listened to the audiobook which was well done narration.

Review 263: Mountains and Rivers Without End

Mountains and Rivers Without End by Gary Snyder
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars



Enjoyable poetry book. I could see myself returning to this, reading the poems again and again, getting something new with each reading. At first I felt distant from the text, but found in the back some background information on some of the poems. This helped, it grounded me further in, particularly those where my personal knowledge does not match Syder’s in regard to Japanese or Chinese culture and history. The poems I enjoyed the most conjured up imagery of the environment, mountains and trees, using specific language. And these were most since it is about mountains and rivers.

Review 262: The Spectacular

The Spectacular by Zoe Whittall
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

The book did not live up to its name. It did start out strong but the second half of the book somewhat lost it for me. The premise was about three generations of women striving for real freedom. But what does that mean? In this book it came down to children.

The youngest is Missy, a musician who starts off the book on tour and definitely does not want kids, wants the same freedom of the male counterparts in her band. The doctors won’t tie her tubes, claiming later in life she may change her mind. And in the later part of the book she does, well…she’s on the fence. One day, yes, another day maybe.

One issue that bothered me was the transformation Missy undergoes from the first part of the book to the second. It was a jump in time, but also in her character. We never get the growth, how did it come to be this way?

We don't have much of the oldest generation, the grandma of either parent. Her mother we have some, but it is mostly Missy’s story here, which wasn't very strong throughout.

I got the sense the writer had an agenda with this book, and that made for a weaker read. Perhaps the real freedom wasn't the question of children but sexuality? If so, this book missed the mark on that aspect as well.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 261: The Senator's Children

The Senator's Children by Nicholas Montemarano
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Silly me, I thought this book was going to be about a kidnapping, or some thriller, mystery or crime. Well, a social crime was committed, adultery and a child born out of that. It ruined the Senator’s chance at becoming president.

A book about a senator running for president in the early 1990s, gets into an affair, which ruins his election. A child is born of this affair. In 1984 his wife and son get into a car accident, the child dies. It propelled his election becoming a senator. The focus is more on Avery, the elicit child than Betsy, the one from marriage. 

The book is about the children, who are three, as well as the wife, Danielle. David Christie is the Senator. He has two children by his wife. When Betsy was young maybe four or five her mom has a car accident, and her brother Nick dies. Nick is a young teen or preteen. Later Danielle becomes sick with cancer, and this is while David is running for president. Somehow during this time he ends up having an affair. One wonders her motives, we never find them out, but she obviously did things in hopes of being caught. She ended up having someone take her picture with the Senator thus revealing the affair. 

Also want to note there were a few moments of oddness, I guess that’s what to call it, how a character dealt with things. Such as Betsy she would close her eyes tight and try to feel the light that would be her brother, a feeling would come over her. 

The time line isn't straight forward, but dates are given for each chapter. Fairly lukewarm about this book. Not what I expected.

PS: I read a reviewer say this book was modelled after John Edwards. I didn't realize this while reading.

Review 260: Environment

Environment by Rolf Halden
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This was a depressing book. The words used were particularly dire and full of doom. Extreme language. And yet very informative, particularly about chemicals invented and used, then subsequently banned, although not all. 

Is this the way to change behavior? I’m not sure people want to listen to just the negative side…what are the solutions? How do we improve?  There was barely a mention, a few sentences is all, and not nearly enough. 

We are the environment, it is us, not separate from. The plastics we love are now us as well. 

How do we move forward? Where do we go from here?

I waited entirely too long to read this book but I almost didn’t read it entirely due to the language, the negativity is seeping. Yes, we’ve done stupid things are a society, continue to do so, but also have done great things as well. There are solutions, people are working on this, I want to hear about some of that.

This book is in the Object Lessons series.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 259: Big Damn Hero - Firefly

Big Damn Hero by James Lovegrove
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed returning to Firefly and this universe. Makes me want to get the next one right away...but other books are needing to be read. Not a whole lot new for firefly fans, but still, it was kinda peachy.

I listened to the audio book which was a good way to return to this verse that was.

Review 258: Here We Are

Here We Are by Graham Swift
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This one didn't work for me very well.

The book was about a magician, his friend and his assistant turned fiancée. I kept hoping it would improve, but for me it didn't take, maybe it was the style of the book, not being linear, going back and forth. There were sections I did like, but not overall. 

Review 257: Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s amazing to think at how quickly this book was written. The book setting is during the Coronavirus pandemic that is still here with us, not yet under control worldwide. The book takes place at the beginning of the pandemic for the United States, March 2020. Admittedly it is a little strange reading about pandemic times when not quite done with it.

The main character, Diana and her boyfriend Finn are about to take a two-week trip to the Galapagos Islands, where Diana suspects a proposal will take place. But the pandemic strikes New York City hard. Finn is a doctor, well nearly, a resident surgeon, but all focus is shifted to the battleground as they live in New York city. Finn suggests Diana go on the vacation without him, as he can’t leave the country, the hospital needs him.

The book is about more than the virus, or about having your life upended and vacation plans changed. It’s also about learning something about oneself when having to take the moment to pause, at least if you’re not a hospital worker.

I enjoyed the book, despite our not being completely through this yet. It is more about the beginning stage, hopefully we are now at the ending stage.

If you can read about the pandemic, this is a good one to get.

Thanks to Ballantine Books/Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 256: Lessons from Plants

Lessons from Plants by Beronda L Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A highly informative and readable book that is scientific without becoming overly difficult. It is a good book for an entry into learning about how plants work, cooperatively and individually. The author also compares this to human systems, to ourselves, which was a fascinating way to learn the concepts.

While I listened to the audiobook, I did not have a problem with the narrator as other reviews mentioned. But I would suggest reading the print or eBook copy as well. My library bought copies of this book and there are nice line drawings with a quote between chapters.

If you want to learn more about how plants work, this would be a good book to help in that endeavor.

Review 255: Turbulence

Turbulence by David Szalay
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This is a short book made up of short stories. The stories are connected, slightly, and that was what drew me into reading this book. It is well written but like many short story collections, I wanted more.

The characters are drawn up quickly, you fall into their lives, then they are gone. Well, not entirely as each story has two main people in them, and you follow one of them to the next story with another person. They are connections.

Connections much like at airports when flying. In fact, each story starts with the airport codes from – to, and a third if there is a connection, as each is traveling to another location as well, Hong Kong is one of the most frequent.

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated quite well. But the airport codes were too quick for me to catch which cities are involved. In print that would be easier to deal with.

I enjoyed this, yet left wanting more.

Review 254: Buses Are a Comin'

Buses Are a Comin': Memoir of a Freedom Rider by Charles Person
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent book!

An amazing story! Charles Person was only 18 when he joined the first group of people in the Freedom rides challenging the segregation of buses, bus depots and restaurants in many states, from the South to Washington D.C. He was with a small group of people, black and white that would sit where there were generally not allowed. Of course, they encountered bigotry and hatred, but occasionally kindness as well. Person was awestruck that one of the men (Jim Peck) who joined them was not only white, but a rich man as well. He did not need to do this, where Person felt he must.

This was an engaging story, well, told. We hear how Person joined, you had to apply and he didn’t have much experience fighting for justice, but he had joined a protest that landed him in jail and solitary confinement for singing for freedom a bit too enthusiastically for the jailors. Once picked, he had to convince his parents he could go, as he needed a signature from one of them. This was his first year in college, and his family had their sights on him being one of the first to graduate, so it wasn’t an easy thing asking for a few weeks from college during finals.

Anyway, this review is turning into my telling of the story and it’s better left from the man himself. An excellent book!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Although I got an advance eBook copy, I ended up reading via audiobook. The narrator did an excellent job and would recommend this version as well.

Review 253: Office

Office by Sheila Liming
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Written just before the pandemic which has also changed the office. Unfortunate timing, as would be interesting to have thoughts on that aspect. Although the last chapters do talk about the end of the office, the pandemic just helped that along.

This is one of the better entries in Bloomsbury Academic’s Object Lessons series. The book is well organized and provides in-depth history and curiosities that are perfect for this type of series of books. Author Liming touches briefly on literature and film/television references.

We see the full cycle of the office here, with the early beginning and the looming sense of the end of the office. Although the book was written just before the pandemic, which sent most of the office workers to work from home, upending many assumptions of what a worker or manager could accomplish when not all in the same building. It is unfortunate timing and would be enlightening if Liming provided thoughts on this latest change in offices. Perhaps there will be an addendum or additional chapter added at some future date. Office part two.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 252: The Sky Above Us

The Sky Above Us by Natalie Lund
My rating: NOT RATED 

I can't get into this story, can't connect to these characters. It is a YA book, and my age is well beyond that, but I have plenty of YA books that I can connect to and enjoy. Still, I will admit the younger set may connect to this book where I could not.

There was one aspect in the story line that I was interested in, but that was relegated so much to the back that it wasn't enough to keep me interested.

No rating since I did not finish. Read about 40% of the book.


Thanks to Philomel Books/Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Additional tags: friends, death, suicide, past lives, twins, family, Young Adult, fiction

Review 251: A Summer Affair

A Summer Affair by Ivan Klíma
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



The book is about an affair and one man's seemingly inability to do anything than purse this one woman. Their conversations are overwrought. There is some play with the form of a novel, but honestly I could have done without reading this book.

Wasn’t too keen on this book. I may have enjoyed it more when I was in my 20s, when enamored with Czech writing. But it seemed like just an overwrought tale of an affair.

The main character, David Krempa is a biologist and completely focused on his work, attempting to find immortality. He is married with two small girls, but hardly pays them any attention he is so focused on work. Finally he was accepted to a prestigious position in England for a year to do lectures, now he has even more work in preparing teaching. 

David seems to barely tolerate his wife, and nearly fights her to do anything outside of his work. When the landlady ends up dead one of them must go to the funeral, and very reluctantly David does this as Camilla just can’t. He is late, it’s raining and he notices a very beautiful young woman opposite him who reminds him a bit of his mother, with her neck and hair. David offers her a ride, who accepts with her husband, although they live at different places. David is so taken by this young woman, Iva that he ends up unable to think of her. He does foolish things, and yes, ends up having an affair with her.

Review 250: Gin

Gin by Shonna Milliken Humphrey
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars



One of my favorite alcohol drinks is a Gin & Tonic with lime. 

This book is what I expected of Object Lessons series to be like. There is a history, a rumination, and exploration about the object in question and with a little author history, but not too much. Of course, now that I’ve read a few of these books I realize that was my idea, not necessarily the editors or publisher’s idea. Okay, I understand now, it is up to the author to take on the topic with nearly no limitations.

Yet, here we do have an investigation of gin, it’s beginnings and history, why it became popular in England, and why it continues to be popular and not just in England. How gin is made, types and flavors, and what cocktail drinks are popular with gin in it. We also have an exploration of gin appearing in books, movies, songs and other popular culture. And a fun section on gincindents, where embarrassing moments arise from consuming too much of that gin. For myself I loved reading the history of gin the most.

While enjoying the book’s topics there were times the writing style was awkward, and perhaps this was fixed before publication. I can only go by the copy I have, which is a pre-publication.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 249: Body of Stars

Body of Stars by Laura Maylene Walter
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Belabored at times. Repetitive.

Slowly as the chapters unfold, we come to the arc of the story contained in the book. This is a different world, one where only the females have marks on their bodies that can foretell the future, of not only themselves, but others in their family, such as a brother or father. Women’s bodies are examined, at least twice a year, perhaps once they are adults not so much, but it is an invasion, and particularly when the change happens.

Our main character Celeste finds an aspect of her future told on her body which she wants to stay hidden from her family as the future is grim. This becomes a belabored point in the story. And one she has nearly no control of keeping hidden.

There were moments when it seemed the narrator Celeste didn’t know herself. She would be surprised by herself, her actions or nonaction and what she said. It was odd reading these. As she became more confident that type of writing changed as well. Perhaps it was part of being a changeling, but it kept pulling me out of the story, finding the believability and suspension of belief difficult.

The book is about women’s control over their bodies, as they have very little. It is a world I would not want to live in, perhaps dystopian, but definitely patriarchal.

Thanks to Dutton-Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 248: Wicked Plants

Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Briony Morrow-Cribbs (Etchings)

Jonathon Rosen (Drawings)

This book is a good October read, and not only for the mention of the witch trials. Crazy illustrations, although not enough details of the plants.

Not a typical format where you must read from beginning to end (but I did). Instead it is a reference guide, a to z listing of some interesting and dangerous plants. It was interesting enough, and not super long. Got a bit repetitive at times. Occasionally had a short story of how the plant related in history, those were the interesting parts.

Crazy drawings through most of the book. 

Definitely one that is a better read in print than audio as you'd miss all the graphics. It did get a bit repetitive after a while. 

Review 247: Bewilderment

Bewilderment by Richard Powers
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars




I’ve read two other books by Richard Powers and this one is about half the size, if not even smaller. Like the other two, I’m surprised by the book. Sometimes the writing has a way of being a little quirky, perhaps a bit difficult to follow, but that settles after a while into the book.

Bewilderment had that quality as well, with the father Theo describing invented planets to his son Robin, which is written as if it exists, and they are visiting. As Theo is an astrobiologist it makes sense this is one of the nighttime stories told to Robbie. They both are grieving for they lost the third in the family, the mother and wife Alyssa. Robin has been diagnosed “on the spectrum,” has difficulties. Perhaps Robin’s main issue is he is “too sensitive” toward animals, much like his mom.
The species collapse means way too much to Robbie. And as the book progresses it is hard not to ache for him, trying to come to terms with what we all do, going about our day.

There is so much sadness in this tale, and yet joy as well. Robbie is certainly a delight, particularly after the neuro-treatments he starts to undergo. It calms him and he becomes so focused, he becomes smarter. Theo does all he can to keep up with his kid, trying not to make too many mistakes, which sometimes he cannot avoid.

Alyssa is put on a pedestal, being too perfect, which could happen when the person is no longer living. This attempt to have her still present is a constant in the book. There are few aspects that I had a little trouble with, it is a modern-day retelling of Flowers for Algernon. And when you forget about that, Powers brings it back up and reminds you. I could have done without that part. This is one book that will stay with you long after finishing reading.



Thanks to W.W. Norton and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 246: Once There Were Wolves

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this novel, despite it being somewhat dark. I didn’t expect a mystery, but that happened when a dead body shows up, maybe killed by a wolf, maybe a human.

Init Flynn is leading a rewilding effort in Scotland, bringing back wolves, which should also restore the forest. Her team is facing a community that is strongly against the wolves with the most vocal being a man who appears to abuse his wife. The dynamic of spousal abuse, of what it does to the victim is, one of the main components of this book. The story of the wolves is just the backdrop.
The author McConaghy shows her deft writing. I felt immersed in this story, as if it was true, despite that the story takes place in the near future, or some other timeline. The mystery unwinds, what happened in Init’s past, with her twin sister? How about Duncan’s past, the town sheriff who Init hooks up with? And of course that dead body, the man who abused his wife.

One other aspect that I liked about this book was the hope given for wild animals, that we could come back from the collapse of species failure. I will be looking out for what McConaghy writes next.


Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 245: The Guide

The Guide by Peter Heller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A continuation of the character Jack from Peter Heller’s previous book: The River. It’s not necessary to read the first book, maybe even better if you haven’t as there is information from the first book that is repeated. But if you did read the first book, you’ll want to read this one.

We find Jack sitting on a small cabin porch nearby a small river, creek really, where he will be a guide to the ultra-rich in their fishing adventure during their time at the Kingfisher Lodge. Jack thinks he could sit here and watch the stream for the rest of his life.

Well, quickly he finds things are a bit “fishy” and not all as they seem. Why the cameras, the fences, and neighbors that are so unfriendly they will either shoot at you or send a raving pack of dogs? Jack is assigned to Alison K, someone nearly perfect for him, except being too famous. She knows how to fish, how to settle and focus, something Jack appreciates. As we get further into the oddness of the compound, Alison wants to know just as much as Jack, what is this place really about? It doesn’t look like it’s fishing and the other cover story of being a detox place isn’t holding much water either.
It was surprising to find the pandemic and coronavirus as part of the plot points in the book. I almost wished it wouldn’t be there, but it did help to add to the tension at a pivotal moment.

I like Heller’s way of describing the setting, I felt myself there in the woods, hearing the birds and the water over the stones. Nearly smelled the pine.

One issue that really bothered me was we had Jack's point of view for nearly the entire book. But then we get moments, mostly near the end when it switches to Alison. A stronger book would have stuck with the one viewpoint. In any case, an improvement over the previous.


Thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.