Published in June of 2013, “The Boys in the Boat,” by Daniel James Brown, recounts the inspiring true story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar rowing team and their quest for gold at the Berlin Olympics. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the narrative follows the lives of the young men from diverse backgrounds who overcame immense personal and collective hardships. Through their determination, teamwork, and the guidance of their visionary coach, they triumphed against the odds, culminating in an electrifying race that captured the world’s attention and remains a testament to the power of perseverance and unity.
The Boys in the Boat
My Thoughts
I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie. Now that I have, I don’t know I need to see it. This story was not quite what I was expecting. I enjoy a good sock-Hilter-in-the-jaw type books as much as anyone. However, I just wasn’t expecting it. Nor was the focus on Joe throughout most of the book. I regret there wasn’t much character development for the rest of the boys.
Published in 2007, “The Name of the Wind” is a fantasy novel by Patrick Rothfuss, first published in March 2007. It is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicle series, which narrates the story of Kvothe, an adventurer and musician recounting his life’s story to a chronicler over three days. In this first installment, Kvothe shares his early childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, and his daring acceptance into a legendary school of magic. The novel is known for its deep character development, detailed world-building, and the intricate interplay of truth and myth as Kvothe describes his transformation from a precocious youth into a figure of mythic renown.
The Name of the Wind
My Thoughts
It took me a while to get into the book, but it was worth it. Rothfuss created an interesting world where technology is edging out magic. Where normal people are trying to live with their superstitions and understandable anxieties when the unexplainable occurs. Moreover, he created a character that a reader can both root for and identify with. There is much more story to go and I’m excited for the next book in the series.
Recommendation
Hold on through the first part. It gets better once the innkeeper’s life story begins.
Published in 2011, “Body Confidence” by Mark Macdonald offers a comprehensive guide to achieving optimal health and fitness through a balanced approach to nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle habits. The book introduces the “Venice Nutrition Program,” which emphasizes stabilizing blood sugar levels to maintain energy, burn fat, and build lean muscle. Macdonald provides practical advice, meal plans, and workout routines, aiming to empower readers to take control of their bodies and develop lasting confidence. The focus is on creating sustainable habits rather than quick fixes, promoting a holistic and personalized path to wellness.
Body Confidence
My Thoughts
I’ve been looking for a good motivational book for a while and this one was not what I wanted. However, his idea does have some appeal in that the usual-body-technobabble made some sense. I liked his whole life approach and emphasis on not shaming. I liked that he supports an incremental build and understands it takes time to change. I didn’t like the idea of eating several times a day, but it’s the foundation of everything he is trying to preach. It is what it is.
For my personal journey, I’ve found as I’ve read these books that my opinions are fairly well solidified when it comes to health and nutrition. (I’m just looking for the motivation to do it.) By that measurement this book would only receive partial credit.
Recommendation
If you are looking to join another diet, this one may be right for you. If not, skip it.
Published in Feb 2016, “Calamity: Heroes Will Rise,” is the conclusion to Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners trilogy. The story follows David Charleston and the Reckoners as they continue their fight against the oppressive Epics, superhumans with extraordinary powers and corrupt intentions. In a desperate bid to bring down the ultimate Epic, Calamity, David grapples with new revelations about the source of the Epics’ powers and the possibility of redemption for those consumed by them.
Calamity: Heroes will Rise
My Thoughts
This book was a fitting conclusion to the series and was just as good as the rest. Sanderson does a great job of keeping the reader on edge and still manages to give a surprise ending. There are still a number of unanswered questions regarding the Epics and the door is wide open to continue on with the series. However, we are now several years later on and it doesn’t look like there will be much more work on it.
Published in November of 2018, “Skyward” by Brandon Sanderson, follows the journey of Spensa, a young girl living on the planet Detritus, who dreams of becoming a pilot like her father. Her world is under constant attack by mysterious aliens known as the Krell, causing the people to live under military rule just to survive. Despite societal prejudices against her family due to her father and her own personal challenges, Spensa strives to prove her worth and uncover the truth about her father’s past.
Skyward
My Thoughts
Another book by Sanderson that took a minuted to get going, but I really enjoyed it. I was home sick while I was reading this book and loved that I could just devour it. It kept my full attention for hours and I’m looking forward to the sequel.
That said, “Spin” is a little overpowered and somewhat reminiscent of “Bella” Swan from Twilight. We don’t get much of a description of her other that she was small with brown hair (and eats rats). However, just like “Bella”, she has some unexplained secret powers that save the day in the end. Regardless, her character was much less brooding and more fun than Twilight. She went through the standard hero’s journey and actually grew through the story. Her spunk and resilience were tempered with her eventual acceptance of her humanity and finding comradery.
Published in Jan of 2015, “Firefight” “Firefight” is a science fiction novel by Brandon Sanderson and is the second book in the Reckoners series. We follow the protagonist David Charleston as he continues his battle against the Epics, superpowered individuals who have subjugated Earth. In this installment, David travels to the city of Babilar (formerly Manhattan) to confront a powerful Epic named Regalia. As he delves deeper into the mysterious workings of the Epics’ powers, David grapples with his feelings for Megan, an Epic whose abilities and intentions remain unclear. “Firefight” blends action, mystery, and romance, expanding the Reckoners’ universe and exploring themes of power, redemption, and identity.
Firefight
My Thoughts
Extremely readable and a great sequel. It had all the trimmings; more character development, a continuing story, the same tone and pacing, inside jokes from the first novel, and (of course), exposition. Much like producer Joss Whedon, Sanderson isn’t afraid to break a few eggs in his characters as well. Scattered through the book are some pretty expected graphic deaths of people the reader has learned to know and love. Honestly, I had a hard time putting this one down.
Recommendation
Great book. I’m excited to get to the next one in the series.
Published in 2023, “Yumi and the Nightmare Painter,” is a fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson. Set on the planet Komashi, the story follows Yumi, a spirit-calling yoki-hijo, and Nikaro, a nightmare painter. The duo must work together after swapping bodies to uncover the secrets behind a world controlled by a memory-erasing Father Machine. Narrated by Hoid, this third book in the Cosmere universe’s “Secret Projects” campaign blends mystery, adventure, and magic.
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
My Thoughts
The start was a little rough as the reader bounces back and forth from Yumi to the Nightmare Painter. Both worlds follow different sets of issues and seemly even basic physics and it took a while to parse it out since they were so foreign to our own concepts. However, the story pulls together and just keeps getting better and better. I loved the ending.
Published in 2004, “New Spring” is a fantasy novel by Robert Jordan serving as a prequel to his acclaimed Wheel of Time series. The book explores the early years of two central characters, Lan Mandragoran and Moiraine Damodred, starting with the events of the Aiel War and leading up to Moiraine becoming an Aes Sedai. The story kicks off with a prophecy about the birth of the Dragon Reborn and follows Moiraine and her friend Siuan as they begin their dangerous quest to locate the newborn dragon.
New Spring
My Thoughts
I enjoyed the Wheel of Time series and have been interested in this book for a bit. Particularly, since the the release of the Wheel of Time series on Netflix. I was very bothered by a few things in the series which I took as gratuitous or without precedence. This continued to needle at me, in particular the sexual relationship between Moiraine and Siuan.
However, the build up between Lan and Moiraine was fun. To see Moiraine as both childish and petty was enjoyable and was well within the character arc. However, Lan continued to be Lan, just as hard as he ever was. It’s difficult not to like the guy, but I was hoping for more of a glimpse of his youthful imperfections. Perhaps his woman troubles will have to do.
Recommendation
A fun book. However, I would recommend you read the series before this prequel. I don’t know I would be a fan of some of the characters without having the rest of the story already in my mind.
Published in 2015, “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be” by Frank Bruni challenges the notion that attending an elite college is the only path to success and happiness. Bruni argues that students should prioritize finding a college where they can thrive academically and personally rather than focusing solely on prestigious institutions. Drawing on research and interviews with students and professionals, Bruni advocates for a more holistic approach to college admissions and highlights the achievements of individuals who have found fulfillment outside of the Ivy League.
Where You Go In Not Who You’ll Be
My Thoughts
This book was heavily aligned with my personal beliefs about higher education and what “where you go” says about your potential and character. I have a saying that “nothing decreases your respect for a degree more than earning it.” I didn’t walk for my undergrad but I do remember looking down the line of people in my graduate program and thinking that each one of them had the same degree I had. Since I worked with them, I knew who didn’t do the work, who didn’t know the content, and who wouldn’t have graduated if they didn’t ride the coattails of their group, which only received top marks because someone else did all the work. Of course, this is a microcosm of the greater system, but it illustrates the college experience can vary even at the same institution. Imagine the variance of experiences across all the world’s centers of learning.
I also remember talking to a young lady who just finished her BS from Harvard. I was suitably impressive and I asked her what it was in. “German” was her excited reply. Having studied German in high school and a bit in college, I started speaking to her in German. Long story short, I didn’t speak much German. She didn’t understand much German (admitted it was me speaking it), but her level seemed to be about a first year student. Yet, she had a BS from Harvard. I was pretty disappointed in Harvard and that has colored my thoughts on the subject ever since.
Where you go does matter, but not for the reasons you might think. Go to Harvard if you want to study business or law and cost isn’t a factor. Those connections may mean something to you down the line. However, find the school that speaks to your wants and needs. I was very happy with my education from a state school and I feel it has served me well.
Recommendation
Given the soaring costs of tuition and the growing ubiquity of college educated people, this message needs to be heard.
Published in 2023, “Romney: A Reckoning” is a biography of former Presidential nominee Mitt Romney written by McKay Coppins. Romney has been both the darling of the GOP as the lead Republican and fell out of favor as he questioned the Republican party for standing behind President Trump through thick and thin. The book takes the reader through the beginnings of the Romney fortune, his upbringing, and through his years in politics through 2023.
Romney: A Reckoning
My Thoughts
The book cast Mitt Romney as someone who put principle over preference and as a man of honor and integrity. I was no fan of Mitt Romney through the presidential election as I believed he was not the person to represent my religion. Similar to Harry Reid, I had a hard time seeing eye to eye with these men and felt they shouldn’t be the standard bearers. Also, I didn’t see President Obama as someone that could be beaten. He was too well loved and the country simply couldn’t vote against him. (I do agree with Romney’s opinion that President Obama was out of his depth, but was just to arrogant to understand it.)
The ongoing feud with President Trump was interesting to see from Romney’s perspective. I’m inclined to believe the narrative as truth is a relative term for President Trump. He was a terrible President and was an embarrassment to our country. In fact that he is the front runner again is simply terrifying. I’m just as impressed with President Biden and I honestly fear for our nation in the coming years.
