STATUS

I don't know how I got to be "on pace" with my reading challenge... I started the year so far ahead! I just finished book 20/50, which means I have no more wiggle room to spare and need to actually put in some effort if I intend to meet the goal. Truthfully, I had hoped to exceed 50 books this year, but in the past, I tend to lose ground in the summer/fall. I think I've fallen behind because I've been reading a lot of books from friends-which I enjoy doing-but haven't picked up as many of my own choices. I don't normally read so many pop novels, and like a blockbuster film, they are fun and entertaining in the moment, but leave you feeling like you've basically done little more than just waste some time, in retrospect. If I'm wasting time reading, I might as well be wasting time watching TV.... it's easier.

Hopefully June will be a lot more impressive than my last few months!

 

THE HUSBAND'S SECRET

Link to purchase from Amazon

TITLE: The Husband's Secret
AUTHOR: Liane Moriarty
PUBLISHER: Berkley Books, hardcover 416 pages
PUBLICATION DATE: July 30, 2013
GENRE: Literature and Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Domestic Life


As of this moment, The Husband's Secret has 18,200 reviews on Amazon, over 15k of which are positive. Although I admittedly don't always pay attention to those numbers, I have never noticed a book with that many reviews, so many of which are overwhelmingly positive. I can't remember exactly how I stumbled across it, but with that kind of a response on Amazon (and well over 300k ratings on Goodreads), I figured this would definitely be worth a read.



things that i liked:

• Moriarty-an Australian author who I have never come across before-is an exceptional writer. She makes domestic living both interesting and entertaining. She has a great sense of humor but can maintain the proper level of seriousness to make the story hit the correct mark. Overall the wasn't an "exciting" who-dun-it read, but she keeps you turning the pages, regardless. 
• Characters were pretty exceptional-not much else to say about that, other than I found something to appreciate with each person she introduced. Love or hate them, they're all exactly right. 
• The most important part of this book is the epilogue-more on that to follow...

things that i didn't like (SPOILERS-SKIP TO CONCLUSION IF YOU PLAN TO READ THIS BOOK):

• This wasn't the thriller/suspense/mystery I thought it would be. The murderer is revealed way way way too soon, which is necessary for the story Moriarty wishes to tell, but makes the second half (or so) of the book feel utterly pointless. I only finished because I thought there would be an interesting twist, and there wasn't. I'm glad she writes well, otherwise this would've been a colossal disappointment, probably on par with the Nicola Yoon novels I've torn to pieces previously (sorry, but I'm not sorry). Although I [kind of] understand why she did what she did, I do think she could've worked the plot around and at least kept us guessing a LITTLE longer. Either way, I wouldn't say this "ruined" the book, but it did take the story from a potential 5/5 star rating down to a 3/5. 
• One character-the principal of the school-is totally sketchy and suspicious, but nothing becomes of her. I think that Moriarty is giving us just a little dose of "normal" domestic living (because in reality there ARE  those randomly strange people in our lives that aren't guilty of anything other than being weird), this character does feel like a confusing afterthought. I don't understand the purpose of the lengths she went to describe her and her quirks, as she lends nothing to the story. She's a good character and I thought she'd pop back up as having a link to something somewhere, but she didn't... she was just different. Still not sure what happened, there.

conclusion:

This is a pretty good book, because of the epilogue. Without sharing too much, I will say that-if you want to read this one-you absolutely cannot afford to skip the last couple of pages. I usually enjoy epilogues as you often "need" that extra push to finish the story, but a lot of them are sort of blah or generally boring/disappointing. In this case, the epilogue makes the story. Moriarty basically uses chaos theory to connect unforeseen dots and makes points that otherwise would've gone completely unnoticed and unappreciated in the original story. I loved this explanation, and would've absolutely hated the book without it. Ironically, the last 2.5-3 pages are the only thing making the previous 416 worthwhile. I just hate that there was a good chance I would've missed it completely if I had quit where I wanted to...

SOOOOOO.... no, I don't understand the extensive praise this book received. Maybe her other novels are way better and this one rode the waves or picked up a draft from them because her fan base is very supportive? I'm not really sure. Maybe her ideal reader is someone who identifies better with the characters? At any rate, I did add a couple more of her novels to my wish list and will probably eventually read them, because even with the things I didn't like about this book, I didn't hate it-I just expected so much more. 

Will I recommend this book? Probably not. Although it wasn't a long read for me, I kind of feel like the time I did spend on this one could've been used to read a handful of others that I haven't gotten to yet. I've actually told two different people all about it (emphasizing the epilogue, because that was the good part), but truthfully told them that they'd probably not appreciate the waste of time. That being said-obviously there are hordes of readers around the world that loved it, so if you're curious, you might as well go for it! 

3/5 stars-good but not great.

Into The Water

Link to purchase from Amazon

Title: Into the Water
Author: Paula Hawkins
Publisher: Riverhead Books, hardcover (400 pages)
Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Genre: Mystery, Thriller and Suspense, Literature and Fiction


I was SO excited to read this book... I've had it preordered since I found out about it (maybe half a year ago), and I was a little disappointed that it ended up being a really busy week when it finally got here. I didn't really get into it until Friday night, and once I started there was no putting it down. That's about the quickest I've read 400 pages since The Girl on the Train (although I think that one was a bit shorter, technically).

Being that The Girl on the Train was Hawkins' first book, I-along with everyone else who enjoyed it so much-wondered if she'd be a one-hit-wonder. Was the first one a fluke? Did she get lucky? Can she please please please do it again?

So let me just say, that I actually didn't love The Girl on the Train... the story didn't captivate me, but Hawkins' writing did. Knowing that she was capable of that level of writing, I went into this second piece of her work with high hopes.

And... I was NOT disappointed!

This story follows the lives of the members of a community that live around a river that runs through their town. We begin right after [another] woman is found dead at the bottom of the river this summer. There are a myriad of characters to follow, as the plot and history of the town unfold. Hawkins deals with body image issues, broken families, feminism, rape, abuse of power, mental illness, and probably more that I'm not remembering. Each of her characters has a deep and complicated past that she manages to weave together to tell her story, and she does it really well.

things that i liked:

• Hawkins tells a really good story; something about her writing (even when I don't care much for the story), really really has the ability to keep me turning those pages. She is very simple in style, but she pulls me in and keeps me there from start to finish.
• In both of her books, Hawkins has a plethora of characters. Some of them more interesting than others, all of them carry incredible depth in a surprising way; you would think that, with her style being so simple, Hawkins would lose some of her characters along the way. It seems like there's a lot of room for error with each chapter being only a couple of pages in length, but she manages to tie everyone together seamlessly, and by the end, you don't doubt her at all. 
• Short chapters seem childish, but Hawkins moves from one character to the next so quickly that you actually have to think harder than ever to keep up with her. I love that she forces you to pay attention by demanding you engage your memory at every turn; if you lose track you'll never catch up! It keeps me involved with the characters and I love this style of writing.

things that i did not like:

• Her stories haven't stunned me, yet. The Girl on the Train was pretty good, but it definitely wasn't the best book I've ever read... and the same goes for Into the Water. They're more than tolerable, I mean, I don't HATE them, but I think that more than anything, Hawkins wins because she writes well. I hope that she writes more and more, because I think that one day she'll manage to tell an amazing story, and she'll do it well. 

So, I wasn't disappointed. This was a good read, and Hawkins proved that her first efforts were legitimate and that she is here to stay. Like I said above, I'm looking forward to what she'll do next, because I think that she will really knock one out of the park at some point. Her ability to use SO MANY CHARACTERS and do it SO VERY WELL, is soooo impressive. 

I have maybe three different friends who are excited to read this one, so I'll pass it on with enthusiasm... I think people will like it, even though, like I said, the story is subpar. She pulls us in, regardless. Four stars!!  

Status report

So, it's the last day of April, and I have finished 18 books. No, I haven't blogged about each and every one that I've read (although that was my original goal)... some books just don't seem to be worth the time and effort, I'm sorry. I also just forgot one or two and will try to go back and review them at some point, but once I've moved on I find it very easy to not look back... 

That being said, on my reading goal I am exactly on pace, which is impressive only because I inadvertently read nothing through both February and March (biggest excuse: an intense playoff push for my favorite hockey team, which did NOT result in a playoff run... fortunately, for me =P).  Usually I'll take a week or two off, a month at the most, but after losing almost a solid two months I did have to consciously get my head together in April. It's always interesting to evaluate the areas of your life that sap the majority of your resources... as it turns out, sleep, work, and hockey eat up most of mine... it could be worse. 

The one thing that I hate about New Year's Resolutions-or any goals that are set, particularly with time tables-it makes the year feel so much faster! Here we are, five months into 2017, and I feel like I've done nothing more than read 18 books... which seems incredibly insignificant, in the big scheme of things. 

So that's pretty much the situation. I think that from here on out, I'll probably dedicate one large post to group together all of the books that feel like they aren't worth the effort of an entire post of their own. And now if you'll excuse me, the one single advantage of not having a team in the playoffs is that you can enjoy the best of hockey without feeling anxious or uptight. I'm gonna go do that...  

The Reason I Jump

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

Link to purchase from Amazon

Title: The Reason I Jump
Author: Naoki Higashida
Publisher: Knopf Canada, Hardcover
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Genre: Memoir, Biography, Parenting and Relationships, Health, Fitness and Dieting, Special Needs


Written in a Q&A style, with a handful short stories also included, this was a really great read! It's a very short book and easy/quick read, but still manages to pack a punch. If you didn't get it from the extended title, this is the behind the scenes look into the mind of a child with autism. Naoki Higashida writes the book at 13 years of age using a unique method that his therapist/instructors have developed to help this child who is unable to speak due to his disability.

There isn't a whole lot to say about this book, other than it is a productive read for essentially anyone. Although there seem to be endless varieties of learning disabilities on the spectrum, and a plethora of different symptom combinations on top of that, this memoir does answer a lot of the questions that parents/families/teachers etc always have concerning their child who cannot adequately communicate their thoughts and feelings (for example, why autistic kids often jump). Higashida comes across as incredibly intelligent, which is a good reminder of the level of maturity that often resides in the mind of special needs kids... at one point, he begs people not to talk to him like he's a child.

So yes, I would recommend this book to anyone. There isn't much to it, but in the interest of understanding and being well-informed, this one is very useful. Four stars only because it did feel somewhat incomplete (but an entire 5 stars to the final short story at the end of the book!).  

Quite: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Link to purchase from Amazon

Title: Quite: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Author: Susan Cain
Publisher: Broadway Books, paperback 368 pages
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Genre: Psychology and Counseling, Creativity and Genius, Behavioral Science, Relationships


There are exactly three books that I can say I have and always will recommend to basically anyone who can read: Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, Outliers: The Story of Success, and now Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.

With over 4,400 five star ratings (and only 600 "critical" reviews) on Amazon.com, my expectations going into this book were pretty high. I can't remember exactly how I got my hands on this one, but I'm pretty sure this was an Amazon recommendation for me based on other books I've purchased through them (cheers, Amazon, you nailed it!). I blew through the first half of the book in the first sitting (maybe two hours?), not because it is an easy read, but because every point introduced is thought-provoking, interesting, and very well presented. Susan Cain has a very fluid writing style that is easy to follow, and more than anything, the topic is captivating.

Admittedly, as the poster child for introversion, I did connect with this book on a personal level. Coming across someone or something that you can actually closely relate to is always refreshing, and although I've never actually walked in someone else's shoes, I feel like finding these connections is a rarity for me and is possibly more difficult for me than it is for other people (in particular, extroverts!). If I created a list of all of the things that I enjoy (or hate), it wouldn't be difficult to see why I feel this way.

So, things that I liked about this book:  

1) Cain debunks misconceptions (for example, there is a difference between being "shy" and being "introverted"-as an introverted person who would not consider myself to be shy, this was refreshing).
2) She explores the biology and the genetics of introversion (super interesting material that I have yet to come across elsewhere).
3) There are a lot of cultural implications when it comes to introverts/extroverts and how they play together in the world (at the office, in relationships, etc)-Cain provides history and sociology lessons while simultaneously giving useful tips and advice to people on both ends of the spectrum on how to cooperate with each other and find the best ways to maximize the benefits of different personality types.
4) Although I only perused the portions on parenting because I don't have children, Cain does offer advice on how to relate to an introverted child (haven't read it, but she also has a book that focuses on children Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverted Kids).
5) Seriously, this is a condensed list.. I literally loved everything about this book.


The one thing that I think other people may dislike about this book:

The only negative or critical thing that I can say about this book is that-thinking about it from the perspective of an extroverted person-Cain has the potential to come off as a little self-righteous or conceited, or maybe just anti-extrovert. For an introverted person, this book is a breath of fresh air! We can relate to it and feel far more validated and comfortable with those God-given traits that normally make us stick out like a sore thumb. I have recommended this book to several people, and up until this point only my fellow introverts have read it (and loved it!), but my next victim is a highly extroverted friend/coworker... I am anxious to see how she perceives the tone of the book. If you read to completion, you will see that Cain does consistently stress the importance of finding and working towards a healthy balance. More than once she points out the fact that-although it is important for extroverts to begin to pay more attention to their introverted counterparts-the introverts really couldn't do it alone.


I haven't written about the other two on my list of books that I always recommend (Elon Musk, Outliers, and Quiet), but I do intend to at some point. The three do have some things in common; they are all non-fiction, most obviously. They are also all VERY well written in a conversational, informative, and easy-to-follow manner. And most importantly, out of all the reading that I do (excluding the Bible), these three are the books that have had the most impact on me and my perception of the world and people around me. Elon Musk (among other things) was a friendly and necessary reminder that there is a lot to look forward to in the future of America and the world. Outliers was an informative look at the multiple factors that play in the story of success or failure (note: some people find this book to be sort of a bummer about how you can be talented and work hard but never meet your true potential; I took away a more positive note on how the people that ARE successful always did work hard and perhaps also had natural talent... this was mostly just super informative and interesting, though-it blew my mind!). And then Quiet-the book that more or less explains ME.

So yes, I HIGHLY recommend all three of these books. I want people everywhere to read Quiet in particular because I feel like it sheds light on an extremely important issue that we will all face, but has thus far been successfully ignored or blown over as far as I can tell. Selfishly, I want everyone I know to read the book so that they'll understand why I prefer to stay home and read a book over going out and "having fun". I cannot stress enough how meaningful it feels to be validated on a genetic level.

FIVE STARS, and probably the best book I've read this year. 

Everything, Everything

Everything, Everything

Link to purchase from Amazon

Title: Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Publisher: Delacorte Press, Hardcover 335 pages
Publication Date: September 1, 2015 
Genre: Teen and Young Adult, Contemporary Fiction

Let me preface this by saying that the following makes a little more sense if you've already read my review of THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR.

THINGS THAT I LIKED: 

• Nicola Yoon is still a pretty good author. I don't like the stories that she tells, but I can't say that she doesn't tell them well. As I said in my previous review of her work, I desperately want to enjoy Yoon, but she doesn't make it easy. 
• This is another fun(ish) and very quick read. 

THINGS THAT I DID NOT LIKE:

• This story is just too silly. You want to like it, because the characters are struggling and you want them to win... but it's impossible.  
• Teenage sex is a no-no; in reality it happens, I know, but to tell a story where two teenagers end up running off to Hawaii to enjoy what is essentially a honeymoon together... come on, now. It isn't realistic, and to spuriously glamorize it makes me feel so uncomfortable. You can tell the story just as well without the fornication, so why include it? It's like excessive swearing (which this book did not include, by the way)-profanity is acceptable and there is a time and place for it, but to validate the overactive potty-mouth just seems irresponsible. I don't mean to be a stick in the mud, but I also don't care if that's how you view my opinion on the matter; I want to support literature that pushes the reader and challenges the minds of all who consume it. Sinking to the level of  "sex sells" assumes that your reader has limited self-respect and is not completely in touch with the realistic side of society. 
• Without giving away the actual ending, let me say that I did not really appreciate it. There was a "twist" that was pretty good, but then the last chapter takes it a little too far (for me).
• There are quite a few more, but I honestly don't want to waste any more time than I need to on this book.

Once again, Yoon has me all uptight. I was hoping this book would be as good as other reviews that I've read on it, but it was a pretty colossal disappointment. The one good thing was that this was an insanely quick read (as in literally a couple of hours), so I didn't waste a lot of time on it and it was, admittedly, a nice break from some of the heavier stuff I've currently got my nose stuffed in. I had a lot of thoughts that I don't even feel like organizing... I'd rather just close the book and allow it to serve a higher purpose of dust collection. But without going into a lot of detail, I did want to share a few reasons I didn't like this book/improvements I would've made:

Please don't underestimate your reader. I know that I am not technically included in the target audience on this one, but I usually read books with the intention of sharing them with others who might enjoy them... I can't do that if you have no respect for your audience. I have read many a children's book (JACK) that I have found both thought provoking and also age appropriate, so let's be fair and acknowledge that it is completely possible to write a relevant story without exploiting your audience's "weak spot", so to speak. Please assume that we can follow complex thought processes (which I believe this author is capable of producing!), that we can keep up with your use of challenging vocabulary words (either by knowing them or being willing to learn them), and that we can enjoy entertainment that isn't littered with sex, drugs, profanity, etc. Some authors can't rise to the occasion, and neither can some readers... but when there's potential to be great, please don't sell us all short. 

So... NO, I won't be recommending this one. Frankly, there are so many other young adult novels that have a lot to offer, and this one really has nothing I'd care to endorse**. I can find basically no redeeming factors, EXCEPT that I do still enjoy Yoon's writing style... and that's just a personal preference, not something that I'd guess other people would likely relate to. 

I wish that this review were a little more cohesive, but I really didn't even want to write it. Sorrynotsorry! 

**I don't have that high of an opinion of myself that I assume that people care about my thoughts on anything, but the reality is that I have a lot of friends and coworkers who ask for book recommendations all of the time (this is why I buy most of my books--so that I can easily pass them around). A lot of my coworkers have teenagers that need books/recommendations for various reasons, so I keep up with young adult literature partially for that reason. I also just generally enjoy it...

STATUS UPDATE

So... it's after 11pm, February 11, 2017.

Of note: I usually find myself in bed before 9pm.

42 days into 2017, and I've just finished my ninth book of the year. I also finished my ninth review, which wouldn't be impressive except that there is a part of me that fully expects to give up the writing and stick to the reading. Although I really enjoy writing, it saps up much of the time that I used to devote to reading, which is something else that I much enjoy.

Anyway, to break down what I've read so far:

-3/12 biography/autobiography/memoirs
-1 historical fiction
-4 random pop fiction/children's books/new york times bestsellers, etc
-1/12 random work of non-fiction
-0/12 pre-releases, although one of the books that I read HAD been pre-released at some point last year. I haven't read or really even started either of the two that I have received for the months of January and February, partially because I have been temporarily separated from my Kindle... oops.

I have picked up and started in on several books this last week or two, so although I haven't been finishing a lot, I am making progress.

9 down, 41 to go. If there were any way for me to quit my job and devote those 40+ hours a week to reading, I would, but alas! That's not happening.

I feel like there was a specific reason I had wanted to write this progress report, but right now I can't think of what that could possibly have been. I do remember that I had decided (somewhere along the way) to do a monthly (or so) status update to keep track of my progress. Maybe in the future I'll put more effort into making this worth reading.   =)

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR

THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR

Link to purchase from Amazon



Title: The Sun is Also A Star
Author: Nicola Yoon
Publisher: Delecorte Press, 384 pages
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
Genre: Teens, Literature and Fiction, Contemporary


Immigration... it's the topic of debate, as of late. When I purchased this book, I didn't realize that the story was about an illegal immigrant facing deportation. Had I known, I likely wouldn't have picked it up. To be fair, it's right there in the description on the inside cover-I really could have known. But I'm pretty sure this book was suggested by either a friend or possibly by Amazon; it got great reviews, so I gave it a go.

That being said, I didn't give this book 3 stars simply because it deals with an issue that I really do NOT care to discuss. Illegal immigration is a major problem in America right now, and it is one of the issues that threatens to tear us apart at the seams, partially because people on both sides of the debate feel so incredibly passionate about it.

No, I gave this book 3 stars because it's silly.

THINGS THAT I LIKED:

• The story puts a face to the idea of illegal immigration. It reminds us that not all illegals are here to abuse the system and take advantage of the resources provided by those of us who live and work here legally; some immigrants were just children who were victims of unfortunate circumstances. 
• It's a cutsie kind of a story that is a quick and easy read.

THINGS THAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

• This whole story revolves around two 17 year old kids falling desperately in love over the course of just a few hours... it's a highly unlikely situation, and it just feels silly at times.

There are more to add to both the things I did and did not like sections, but I think it'll be easier to just include them in my overall summary. 

Yes, I found this book pretty frustrating. I don't believe in love at first sight. Although I am sure it is POSSIBLE, it is not something that I can wrap my mind around, so any time that I read these sorts of stories in which two humans just FALL in love in MERE SECONDS, I just find it unbelievable and sort of laughable. That's my personal experience, but it's likely the main reason I didn't love this book. I think that it is perfectly possible to fall into lust with someone, and later, if one would be so lucky, to see that lust turn into love, but that's not how this story pans out.

There is a point in the book in which a character talks about "koi no yokan", which is apparently a Japanese phrase that describes a love at "second" sight, as opposed to first sight. It is the concept that you may meet someone and know that you will eventually fall in love with them, even if you fail to do so from the immediate beginning... THIS, was one of my favorite moments in the book, and I truly wish it could've been more the focus. Love at second sight seems far more plausible, though that comes from someone who has yet to fall in love at all. You should be taking everything that I say about love with a grain of salt, by the way.

(I realize that I am rambling and that it has yet to make sense or tie into the book-this one was difficult for me.)

Natasha is a 17 year old Jamaican immigrant who faces deportation by the end of the day. She is skipping her last day of school in America to try and find a way to stay.

Daniel is the 17 year old son of Korean immigrants who is supposed to be going to a Yale entrance interview so that he can pursue his parents' dreams of him becoming a doctor and living the ever so elusive "American Dream". 

The two meet by chance, and spend the rest of the day falling irresistibly in love with each other. By the end of the book we feel as though they have spent their entire 17 years together, but in reality it has been only a few hours.

I DO LIKE that the author spends time giving us the back stories for almost every character involved. It's always a lot more fun to see why characters behave the way that they do. Yoon also does a good job of showing us just how coincidental everything is, which is fun, interesting, and entertaining. Although this book felt mostly like a waste of time, I have now ordered another of hers Everything, Everything, simply because I found her style so thorough. I think that Yoon is an extremely talented writer, I'm just hoping that Everything, Everything is a more plausible story. Even if it isn't, I feel like there is a part of me that will enjoy it.

I don't think I will be recommending this book. I will read Everything, Everything, and I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope that it is good, because I desperately want to love this author. Yoon is a great storyteller, but I need her to tell a great story. My fingers are crossed, but in the meantime, I'd hate for you to waste your time on this book. 

3/5 stars. I kept hoping for something to make this story more believable. She got 3 stars only because she has great writing style and ability. But if I wanted to read something so fantastical, I would've just picked up Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings... what I needed here was an unbelievable love story that is also completely possible. I was disappointed. 

Detour from Normal

Link to purchase from Amazon



Title: Detour from Normal
Author:  Ken Dickson
Publisher: CreateSpace, Kindle Edition 324 pages
Publication Date: December 9, 2013
Genre: Biographies and Memoirs, Psychology



This book is the story of how a perfectly normal and healthy, middle-aged man, goes from living an average life, to being a dangerously manic patient overnight. Dickson tells his own story as it begins with a bout of diverticulitis, and ends with a court appearance to fight for his own right to refuse psychiatric treatment. This is a medical horror story that you probably haven't heard before; typically when we think of medical malpractice or negligence in the United States, the images of an incorrect limb being amputated by mistake, or a life-threatening infection caused by unwashed hands usually come to mind. Never have I heard a story in which the psychedelic side effects from drugs used during surgery completely ruin a man's life... this was a first, and that is part of what makes it very interesting.



Things that I liked:

• I always enjoy a good page-turner!
• I've worked in the medical field for a few years, and I've often wondered about some of our "special" (i.e., crazy) patients. This memoir gives a pretty unique look into the mind of someone who went manic basically overnight after having an adverse reaction to one or more of the medications he was given during an emergency surgery. I feel like this sort of thing or other similar reactions to the trauma that a medical emergency can place on the body may be happening a lot more than we realize (or would care to acknowledge), so in a way it gives me a little more incentive to be gracious with some of our high anxiety and needier patients. Understanding where a person comes from is always a major step in the process of being empathetic and able to genuinely care for an individual who isn't particularly easy to deal with. It actually even softened my heart towards those who have ANY mental disability (including addiction and substance abuse), simply because it gives you a glimpse into what could be going on inside of their minds. It reminds you that they often have complex thoughts and feelings, and even when they seem to be losing their minds, there is also a lot of potential for sound and legitimate thought processes to be going on that perhaps only they would understand. It would be terribly frustrating to have formed a completely cohesive thought that no one else in the world can follow!
• Ken Dickson does a great job of telling his story. This is a fundamentally interesting narrative, regardless of who tells it, but something about the way that he writes is very captivating. I think that more than anything it's the reality of what's going on that really hooks you. Aside from a few chapters that went a little too deep into his personal manic world that he creates (there's just a little too much detail that lacks relevance), this book has you really anxious to get to the end and see what happens to this incredibly unfortunate individual. The inclusion of diary entries by his wife also really lend themselves to the intrigue. 
• In the final section of the book, Dickson offers a few follow-up chapters that sort of make sense out of everything that has happened up to that point. He gives some good insight that would be especially helpful to anyone experiencing this kind of sudden psychological change in a family member or friend. As I said above, knowing what goes through a person's mind can be the key to understanding how to tolerate their behavior, as well as lend yourself to their healing process. He gives good advice on how to catch the warning signs and prevent the worst possible scenarios from playing out. 

Things I didn't like:

• The only thing that I felt was "missing" in the book was the perspective of Dickson's children. They are mentioned a few times, but we never see their reaction to the completely bizarre situation. In reality, these kids lost their dad for the better part of a year, and he was considered to be unstable and dangerous for a long time. A sudden change in behavior like this would be a little traumatizing, so I'm surprised that he doesn't mention them or how they responded in any more detail.
• Parts of the story did feel contrived. I don't mean that in the worst way, just that some portions felt extremely natural and honest and real, and others felt like he forced the point a bit for the drama it would draw. I choose to believe that this was all told as close as possible to reality, but there's a part of me that thinks Dickson's memory (or lack thereof) would be pretty well contorted after all that he went through. Something about the overall ambience of the book lacks authenticity, simply because it seems too far-fetched to believe that he could truly remember that much and in such great detail, but who knows?! Perhaps this is PRECISELY how it happened.  

Would I recommend this book? Yes, and I have! To anyone interested in psychology, this is definitely a productive read. It would also be beneficial for others who work in various practices of healthcare, or those who have friends/relatives with a psychological diagnoses. Aside from those would would "need" it, it's just a pretty good book for anyone who enjoys reading/true stories/harrowing tales. 

On a scale of 1-5, I give this book 4 stars ONLY because it did leave me wondering how faithful his memory could possibly be on a few occasions. As I said before, I am choosing not to be a cynic on this one. I believe that-even if not 100% accurate-this story is the complete truth as Dickson remembers it, and that any detours from reality were unintentional and not in any way an effort to pad the story. 

Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk

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Title: Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk
Author: Liesl Shurtliff
Publisher: Yearling, 304 pages
Publication Date: April 14, 2015
Genre: Children's Books, Action and Adventure, Fairy Tales


Things that I liked:

• This is a really great children's book; it has action and adventure, the characters are all relatable and child friendly, the protagonists are little and have to deal with a world that is much too large for them, and the children are brave, smart and resourceful, and manage to save the entire kingdom.
• Unlike some children's books, this one isn't written on a level that only a child would understand (I picked up one of those recently... not a pleasant experience). This book uses some challenging vocabulary words without going overboard, and it's the kind of literature that demands that the reader pay attention while still managing to remain pleasant and fun. There is some humor (the kind that all people can appreciate, but kids will actually really enjoy).
• This book is the second in a series of three (so far), which makes it that much more fun. Rump is the first of the series (loved it! have not reviewed it, though), and Red is the third (I have the paperback pre-ordered, so I'll get to that one at some point this year). Because this is an ongoing series (this book seems to have paved the way for at least one or two more beyond the three that are already out), the characters interact with each other and the plot just continues to thicken as you go.

Things that I didn't like:

• Basically nothing. This was a cute and fun read, and I am neither a child nor a parent... I just enjoyed it. This is a book that I think would be beneficial for kids, IN ADDITION to being fun. Some kiddie books these days accomplish only the "fun" aspects, and they sacrifice the value of good, well-written literature to do so. I'm glad that this series does not! So NOTHING, there was nothing that I didn't like!

As the title of the book implies, this is a different version of the familiar fairy tale that we all know about Jack and the beanstalk. The other books in the series, Rump and Red, tell the other ("true") stories of Rumpelstiltskin and Red Riding Hood. As I mentioned above, the stories are set in a fairy tale land that is both much alike the ones we've heard and read about in other literature, but with new spins that are fun and very creative. The characters are relatable and there are a lot of good lessons to be learned from your protagonists (and the villains, as well). 

Jack is kind of a trouble maker, but he steps up to the plate and does what he needs to do to bring his family home safely. He is generally annoyed by his sister, but gives her credit and recognizes her as equal when he realizes she is more than just an obnoxious little sister. He is willing to listen to others and do whatever it takes to fix the problems he faces. He is scared at times, but he stands up to his fears, and isn't necessarily reckless in the process. Basically, Jack is the ideal character for kids to read about. He has his flaws, but more important than probably anything else, Jack is able to put others and their needs above of his own. 

Is this a book I would recommend? Absolutely! I already intend to buy it for a couple of kids that I know who will probably enjoy it, and I'll definitely keep a copy handy for my potential future spawn. It's also a book that would be a lot of fun to read aloud as a family.

On a scale of 1-5: 5! 

Faster than Lightning: My Autobiography

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Title: Faster than Lightning: My Autobiography
Author: Usain Bolt
Publisher: HarperSport, 291 pages
Publication Date: September 12, 2013
Genre: Autobiography


Things that I liked:

• Usain Bolt is hilarious
• Usain Bolt is incredibly talented
• Usain Bolt manages to be both arrogant and humble
• This was a really fun book to read

Things that I didn't like:

• I only wish this book had been written after the 2016 Rio olympic games. Obviously Bolt didn't know that his winnings would continue, but it would've been a little more powerful and satisfying had it included the triple crown of hat tricks that he did accomplish... he's amazing, btw.

So if you aren't familiar with the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, you have no idea what you're getting into. If, on the other hand, you've watched any of the track and field events at the last three (well, four, technically) olympic games, you've probably seen the famous Bolt pose at some point. Not only is he the fastest man in the world, he's also one of the funniest. He has a lot of personality that you see during competition (he approaches each race with a nonchalant and playful attitude), and every bit of his personality comes through this book, which was so much fun. I was a little worried that a ghost writer would take over and diminish the Bolt flair, but that really didn't happen. You can't help but read the book in his voice.

Is this a book that I would recommend? Yep! No doubt, many of my friends and family would really enjoy this book. As I've said, Bolt is just really funny, and the way he tells his story is so entertaining. It's an interesting experience to follow the journey of the fastest man in the world.

On a scale of 1-5, five stars, all the way. 

One of these days I'll have a less than stellar book to review, I imagine, but so far this year has been all winners! Just to clarify-I do NOT love every book that I read. This streak is bound to end, but hopefully not too soon.... 

When Breath Becomes Air

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Title: When Breath Becomes Air
Author: Paul Kalanithi
Publisher: Random House, 208 pages
Publication Date: January 12, 2016
Genre: Memoir, Autobiography

GOOD. READ.

Things that I liked:

• Short, but powerful
• Very well-written and flows exactly how you'd want it to
• Amazing (and true) story
• Even if it hadn't ended tragically, this would still be a good read. Sometimes the tragedy makes the book, and in this case it adds to it but the story stands well on its own

Things that I didn't like:

• Well... it has a very sad ending

It's no secret that the author of this memoir dies at the end of the book... they put it right there in the forward. Kalanithi is a neurosurgeon who is JUST finishing his residency when he is diagnosed with cancer. He is young and completely full of promise, and just like that, everything is gone. It's a terribly tragic story that moves you in ways that you cannot forget. This is a painful reminder that nothing in life is promised, not even for neurosurgeons who have their entire careers in front of them. One of the most moving aspects of the story is watching a young and confident neurosurgeon become a weak and scared patient. 

Is this a book that I would recommend? Yes. This would be a great biography, like I said, even without the tragic ending. Kalanithi's telling of his childhood and struggles through school and residency (and personal life) are interesting to read and stand just fine on their own. I can't think of anyone who WOULDN'T like this book.

Five stars.

Triptych (Will Trent, #1)

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Title: Triptych (Will Trent, #1)

Author: Karin Slaughter

Publisher: Delacorte Press, 393 pages

Publication Date: August 15, 2006

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Things that I liked:

• This is probably the third Karin Slaughter book I've read, and I do enjoy her style. She tells a good story, and in her "Will Trent" series, you follow the same detective/cops in the Atlanta area. You already know your setting and protagonists, you just need to meet the bad guys (who are often mixed up with prostitutes and live in a particular problem spot in the ghetto). I actually read a different Will Trent novel before this one (this is #1), but it didn't pose a significant problem.
• Slaughter has ongoing themes, which (at least up to this point), makes her fun to read. I like the familiarity and evolution of her stories and characters. I don't know if one day it'll become boring and overdone, but so far it gives me something to look forward to in her books.
• You get a lot of characters, but at no point are you lost or confused. 
• The stories are always really interesting! She writes a decent mystery.

Things that I don't like:

• To no fault of her own, this is pop-fiction. It isn't deep or life-changing, she doesn't give you much to ponder, and in general a lot of the stories are a little too predictable. That being said, I like to take this genre for what it is. In my "about me" post, I mention that I like to mix easier and lighter books in with my non-fiction/heavier reads. This book is great as a palate cleanser to keep you occupied without stealing every last ounce of your brain power and emotional energy. 

Basically, this is a story about a serial killer and his eventual capture. Slaughter takes us back and forth from the past to present, eventually tying the strings of the story together. The story isn't terribly obvious and you aren't able to see the ending from too early on (although it does become predictable at a point). Overall, this is a pretty fun read for anyone who enjoys the mystery/thriller/suspense genres. 

Would I recommend this book? Sure, I have and I probably will again. I know a lot of people who are into this sort of story, and I'm sure they'll enjoy this one as much as any other.

On a scale of 1-5, I'd give this a solid 4. I'm interested to read more from Slaughter because she seems like she improves with each novel. 

Salt to the Sea

Link to buy on Amazon

Title: Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books, 400 pages
Publication Date: February 2, 2016
Genre: Historical Fiction

Let me start by saying I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!

Things that I loved:

• So. Beautifully. Written.
• As a work of historical fiction, this is based on a true story, one which I had never previously heard, and the actual true story was mind boggling.
• WWII--not something that I love, obviously, but some of the most impactful and moving stories have come from it. 
• The characters are each extremely interesting and although it takes you a minute to see where things are headed, once you get there---WOW. 
• This book calls attention to an important moment in history that has literally gone unheard of. If you want to enjoy the book for what it is, I suggest you read it without doing any research into the true story until after you've finished so as not to spoil the ending, but this is an important read that I imagine will be required at some point in the near future. 

Things that I didn't like: this category is unnecessary, actually! Literally can't think of one thing I didn't like. I read this book really fast (it was good!) so it took me a minute to be able to keep track of the characters, but that is no one's fault but my own. My one suggestion to readers would be to read the hardcopy (this is a preference thing, obviously, but with ebooks I find it difficult to remember/keep track of the chapters, and in this book each chapter changes perspective from character to character, and there were moments where I was a little lost. Again though, my fault/preference.). 

I don't want to ruin the whole experience by spilling the story, but to briefly summarize it, the book follows refugees of the war on their quest to safety. They fight the winter cold, they struggle through racial tensions, they run from those who intend to kill them. The war brings them together while simultaneously tearing them apart. This book is a beautiful marriage of stellar storytelling ability paired with a life-changing event in history. 

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? yes yes yes yes yes, to everyone, yes.

FIVE STARS. This is basically as close to perfect as I can remember reading.

The Things We Wish Were True

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Title: The Things We Wish Were True
Author: Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing, 290 pages
Publication Date: September 1, 2016
Genre: Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Second book of the year was also pretty good... that means I'm 2/2 for 2017 so far!

Things that I liked:

• The characters were pretty relatable and familiar, the author does a good job of making you feel at home in this neighborhood in the south, even if this isn't where or how you grew up
• Based at the beginning of summer, this is kind of a cozy read that makes you feel that summer-happy warm feeling inside; the characters spend copious amounts of time at the neighborhood pool together and do all of the things that make one long to go back to a childhood summer. Being that I read this during the first week of January, it was a welcome setting.
• "They ran out the same gate through which they'd entered, forgetting that spider ever existed. Later I would think about that spider, wondering what its message to us might have been and how it might have made a difference if we had all paid attention." This is the final sentence of the first chapter of the book, and in context, it is a simple yet profound thought to start the story. This is likely the reason I continued to read (and at the pace that I did), and although the entire book wasn't stuffed full of mind-blowing moments, the author earned my respect and garnered my attention from the get-go. 

Things that I didn't like:

• Honestly, there isn't much to list here. There were a few moments that felt over the top and not as natural or realistic as the rest of the book. A couple of the characters do things that one just doesn't find believable. Although these types of people can and do exist in real life, they aren't likely to all land in the same neighborhood at the same time.... it just felt like some nuggets of the story could've been toned down, slightly adjusted to be more plausible, or left out altogether. Again, this wasn't the overarching theme and I wasn't altogether disappointed, just a note to say that there are imperfections that I noticed but wasn't deterred by.

This book is basically a glimpse into the lives of several families living in your average suburban neighborhood. You have all of the usual personalities: there's the nosy empty-nester who is always available to help her neighbors, but does seem to be a little too involved in matters that aren't actually her business; there's the poor family that doesn't necessarily belong; the broken family that is going through the nasty divorce; the "perfect" family, the new family, etc, etc. Each character is relatable in a different way, and Whalen does a good job of showing us who they are and what makes them tick.

Because the majority of the neighbors have lived in such close proximity for so long, there is obviously a constant thread of neighborly drama that unfolds throughout the book. As I mentioned above, there are pieces that feel contrived and a little too far-fetched, BUT, with maybe just another hundred or so pages, I feel like she could've cleaned this up and made it all work. The ending of the book is great and fulfilling, but in retrospect there were parts that I feel like were left hanging and could've used a little more closure.

Is this a book I would recommend? Yes! The one thing that I dislike about ebooks is that you can't hand it to a friend and tell them to read it... more than once I have re-purchased a hard copy of a book for that reason, and I won't be surprised if I eventually buy this one for someone. I did really enjoy it! Whalen tells a great story, and I have her other books on my to-read list. 

On a scale of 1-5, this is probably TECHNICALLY (in my opinion) a 4.5. I'll round it up to a five because it was a good read, even with some of the exaggerated aspects. Hopefully I'll be able to read Whalen again soon, I'm really wondering if she is a one-hit-wonder or if she is actually going to be a favorite of mine. 

UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World, by Michele Borba

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Title: UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me
World
Author: Michele Borba
Publisher: Touchstone Hardcover, 288 pages
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Genre: Psychology, Parenting and Relationships, Education and Teaching


For my first read of the year, this one wasn't too shabby!

Things that I liked:

• The overall topic and resulting discussion
• The author's style and apparent knowledge and experience 
• This was an easy read, but didn't lack quality 
• Although I am not a parent, I was still able to learn a few things that will be applicable both now and in my future as a potential parent and also a coworker/employee/potential employer, etc.

The thing I did not like:

• Basically, the one and only thing that I didn't like about this book was that I was expecting research and commentary on the topic of WHY empathetic children succeed in our all-about-me world. It's right there in the title, after all... instead of showing the rewards of raising an empathetic child, this book just focused on the importance of doing so. It was valuable, to be sure, just not exactly in the ways I expected. 

So overall, yes, this was a good and productive read. As a parenting book, Borba is very successful. At the end of each chapter is a guide to help put into the practice the points that she's stressed, and her methods do seem sensible (again, as a non-parent I obviously haven't personally tried anything suggested in the book, but neither would I be opposed to doing so).

Would I recommend this book? Sure! Likely to new parents or psychology enthusiasts. 

On a scale of 1-5, I'd give this book 3/5 stars. Although I did enjoy it and feel a like it was definitely worth the read, the title was pretty misleading. As I said before, I'd be really interested to read a book about the positive affects of raising a child to be empathetic. I do feel like empathy is invaluable, and I honestly hope that this book reaches the masses. 

(First review down!)

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME

NAME: 

Julia

AGE:

Changes daily, so don't worry about it

FAVORITE ANIMAL:

Irrelevant, but Brahms (my pug-dog)

HOBBIES?

Not really, but I read a lot (often while watching hockey, I enjoy that as well)

WHY TARADIDDLE?

Because it's a funny word.

Also because I am pretentious and I enjoy spewing my opinion like an active volcano; like it or not, here it comes.

While that (^^) is not ENTIRELY true (I don't literally force my opinions on those in my path like molten lava, flowing and flowing and flowing until I've destroyed all that is beautiful and good in my world), that IS what I would LIKE to do, at times. Lesson: do not ask me questions that you do not want answers to... one day, I may answer honestly.

WHY AM I BLOGGING?

One thing that I want more than a lot of other things in this life is to be continuously learning until the day that I die. I want to be the kind of old person that is capable of adapting to whatever the world throws at me with ease, and one of the ways I intend to keep my brain relevant is to be a reading machine. In my (admittedly limited) experience, a well-read person has a vast and often working knowledge of an eclectic variety of topics, and seems to be well in touch with the emotions and feelings of the people around them (invaluable!). 

Keeping a public blog is one way to force myself a) to keep reading b) to actually pay attention to what I am reading, and c) to write something cohesive that I wouldn't be ashamed of should an employer or other random person that I know were to stumble across it without my knowledge. 

WHAT AM I BLOGGING?

BOOKS! 

I currently read an average of 50 books a year. I typically read 1-3 a week, and then either miss weeks entirely due to lifestyle interferences, or skip some intentionally when I need a break.

I will read basically anything, although in the last couple of years I have started to discover just how valuable biographies are. Generally speaking, non-fiction is more interesting to me these days, but it also has a tendency to be heavier material that requires either more time to finish, or more time to recover. Either way, after reading non-fiction, I usually follow-up with several pop-fiction and/or children's books to cleanse the palate (yes, I do love children's books; many of them are EXTREMELY well-written, they can be way deeper than you'd expect, and they are more light-hearted and innocent than adult material... again, a genre that has more value than I had initially perceived). 

Here is my reading plan for 2017 (in writing, so that I'll be more motivated to stick to it):

-12 biographies

-12 works of non-fiction on a variety of topics

-12 pre-releases (those that are offered to Amazon Prime members at the beginning of each month-they can be completely random and are usually debut novels from new authors)

-I have a friend that usually lends me a few mystery novels every month... so approximately 24 of those

-any and all books that are recommended by friends and family

-a myriad of other books that I have already eyed and/or pre-ordered that are being released this year or last (I try to wait for paperbacks, but sometimes I really can't...). These include some pop-fiction, some historical fiction, some children's books, New York Times Bestsellers... just, whatever. 

Obviously, this list has the potential to be well beyond my average of 50 a year. The priority items are the biographies and non-fiction; those are important to me, and I've already read 3/24 (as of Jan. 28th). I also prioritize recommendations and books that people lend me. The one thing that'll almost certainly go undone is the 12 Amazon First books... those are ebooks and are hit or miss for a number of reasons. 

One thing you will see very little of (if any), is the classics. In middle and high school, I read a ton of classics. I enjoyed most of them and I imagine they made a world of difference in my ability to comprehend and ultimately form cohesive opinions and thought processes, but the fact of the matter is that I've already read the major favorites. While I would like to eventually read ALL of the classic novels of all time, I just do not care to do much of that now. I am currently reading (very slowly) one or two classics and I may eventually blog those, but otherwise, don't hold your breath.

SUMMATION:

This blog is largely egocentric; it's a way for me to track my progress and challenge myself to consume and then produce more words than I have in a long time. There were a lot of books read and reports generated in those student years... and there's a part of me that misses the thrill of a due date-that dash to the finish line induced adrenaline rush is the best motivation I've met. As far as I can figure, a book review will take me no less than 30 minutes to complete (and will likely take much longer to be publish-ready); I don't know how my schedule for this is going to work yet, but once I've gotten the hang of things, I'd like to go back and review some of the books that I've read over the last few years. We'll see how it goes. 

CONCLUSION:

By now you've likely picked up on the fact that I can be a wee bit long-winded. As I've said, I don't have an exact procedure in place for writing reviews. I've never done this and I imagine it'll take a few rounds to get into a rhythm, but I hope to eventually become concise and efficient so that a review will be helpful and informative without being overwhelmingly verbose. Comments and opinions are always welcome, discussion is certainly encouraged... my intention is to give an honest opinion of the work, and I'll probably do a rating system of sorts. More than anything I imagine this project will evolve greatly over time, so constructive criticism is also invited. 

Thank you for reading... if you actually made it all the way to the end, you can color me impressed. Hopefully this blog won't ACTUALLY define the word taradiddle, but if it does, consider yourself warned!