Non-Fiction

Can I Say That?: How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real Good

Background

Published in 2023, Can I Say That?: How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real Good by Brenna Blain explores the role of doubt, difficult questions, and personal struggles in the context of Christian faith. Drawing from her own experiences with mental illness, same-sex attraction, and spiritual uncertainty, Blain encourages readers to bring their most challenging and uncomfortable questions into their relationship with God rather than hiding them. She emphasizes that faith does not require the absence of doubt but can coexist with it, suggesting that growth often comes through wrestling with what feels unsafe to ask.

Can I Say That
Can I Say That

My Thoughts

I really struggled with this book. Blain shares very raw and largely unfiltered thoughts about her life, which were very hard to relate to. I believe her intent was the exact opposite by trying to show her weaknesses to become approachable. However, she came off as entitled, ungrateful, and she just plain misses the point.

Much of what she says is good and works with my belief system. Christ does love us, and God is indeed good. However, Christ is not “madly in love with us,” nor is He “broken with us.” Perhaps the limitations of the English word “love” led to some confusion, but there were several points she didn’t quite get right. My main concern with her perspective is how she repeatedly blames God for her struggles. God isn’t a snowplow or helicopter parent whose role is to remove all hardship from our lives. This mortal experience is meant for learning and growth, which can’t happen if we are treated like spoiled children. We are commanded to love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Blain’s version of God is one who makes no demands, but I believe God loves us too much to expect so little from us.

She made a good attempt to pull it all together at the end, but it was only the last few paragraphs. I honestly hope she does a better job reaching people in her ministry.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

How to Let Things Go

Background

Published on November 12, 2024, How to Let Things Go: 99 Tips from a Zen Buddhist Monk to Relinquish Control and Free Yourself Up for What Matters by Shunmyo Masuno offers readers practical guidance on achieving a calmer, more focused life. Drawing from Zen Buddhist principles, the book presents 99 concise lessons that address modern challenges such as information overload and social media distractions. Masuno emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, embracing imperfection in relationships, and accepting that not everything is within our control. By adopting these practices, individuals can cultivate mental clarity and emotional well-being.

How to Let Things Go
How to Let Things Go

My Thoughts

This book was literally so good I had to go through it again. It was a short but highly applicable set of mantras and good ideas from someone who has thought about them for more than the usual 5-10 seconds. My favorites are “Be humble, be humble, be humble” and “stop with all the bragging”. There were a few that I can accept as good ideas, but I’m not quite ready to get rid of all my unused clothing. (Sometimes it gets cold and I need to match…)

Recommendation

Great read.

Life After Power

Background

Published in February 2024, “Life After Power: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House” by Jared Cohen examines the post-presidential lives of seven U.S. presidents: Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter, and George W. Bush. The book explores how each navigated life after leaving the Oval Office, highlighting endeavors such as Jefferson’s founding of the University of Virginia and Carter’s humanitarian work with The Carter Center. Cohen delves into their personal reinventions and the impact of their post-presidential activities on their legacies.

My Thoughts

I learned a great deal from this book as it knit together whole swaths of American history through the lives of the Presidents. Or more correctly, after the Presidency.

I love to delve into history and learn about the problems of the day. It puts so much in context and shows the human experience really doesn’t change that much. They had their problems just like we have ours today, which felt just as pressing and world shaking. Yet, most issues from years ago are simply forgotten. It reminds me of the week before Sept 11th 2001 and that the big headline that week was how Anne Heche thought she was God. Now my kids quite rightly say, “Ann who?”

Here are a few takeaways from the book.

  • Thomas Jefferson wanted to make a University and considered that his lasting legacy.
  • John Quincy Adams became much more influential in congress where he tirelessly fought for the end of slavery.
  • Grover Cleveland was known for his honesty and was re-elected during a time of corruption.
  • William Howard Taft never wanted to be president but wanted to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (He got his wish after a long wait.) He was also the beloved governor of the Philippines for a time.
  • Herbert Hoover was known as the great humanitarian and was beloved in Europe.
  • Jimmy Carter was surprisingly partisan. I knew about his humanitarian work, but didn’t know how bitter he and his wife were about being put out of the Whitehouse.
  • George W. Bush took office and all the Ws were removed from the keyboards from the Clinton administration. That struck me wrong. However, Bush became a painter and now expresses himself in paint without selling and donating his paintings.

Recommendation

Great book and I really enjoyed it.

Carson the Magnificent

Background

Published in 2024, “Carson the Magnificent” is a biography that delves into the life and career of Johnny Carson, the iconic host of “The Tonight Show” from 1962 to 1992. The book explores Carson’s journey to becoming a television legend, his influence on late-night entertainment, and his complex personal life, including his struggles with alcohol and multiple marriages. Drawing from extensive research and interviews, the biography offers an in-depth look at the man behind the public persona, highlighting both his professional achievements and personal challenges.​

Carson the Magnificent
Carson the Magnificent

My Thoughts

Like nearly every person of my generation, Johnny Carson was on the TV every weeknight. This is where I first saw so many comics and really start to understand who was who in Hollywood. My knowledge of Ed McMahon was his booming laugh and signature, “Heeeeeer’s Johnny!” which was always followed by the ever affable King of Late Night.

I didn’t know much about his growing up, his Navy career, his children, his troubles with drinking, and how alone he was in general. I did know about his divorces (mostly through other comedians like Eddie Murphy and the like). I also knew he considered himself a magician though I didn’t know to what level.

To me, Carson was a dependable easy smile after a long day. He has been missed.

Recommendation

Great book and I’m glad I read it.

Forging Wargamers

Background

​Published in 2022, “Forging Wargamers: A Framework for Professional Military Education,” edited by Sebastian J. Bae, is a compilation of essays addressing the development and enhancement of wargaming education within military contexts.The book examines the lack of standardized pathways for training wargame designers and participants, highlighting the challenges posed by an informal system of knowledge transfer. Contributors discuss integrating wargaming into pre-commissioning education, establishing competency models, and incorporating social science methodologies. The volume emphasizes the need for structured educational frameworks to cultivate proficient wargamers, aiming to ensure the discipline’s effectiveness as both an educational and analytical tool.

Forging Wargamers
Forging Wargamers

My Thoughts

I’ve been working on this book for about 4 months now. It isn’t what I’d call a page turner, but I was glad I finished it.

The book was published by Marine Corps University Press so I’ve met several of the contributors and knew of their work. It was written before the rise of AI and much of how we think of wargaming may be changing in the next few years. Wargaming will continue to be a great tool for education and may take on more emphasis as we struggle to integrate AI tools into learning opportunities.

Recommendation

A good snapshot of the time, but it may already be obsolete.

Maybe Everything is Okay

Background

Published in September 2024, “Maybe Everything Is Okay: A Parent’s Guide to Less Stress and Worry” by Allison Carmen introduces the “Maybe mindset,” a perspective designed to help parents manage the uncertainties of raising children. Building upon her previous work, “The Gift of Maybe,” Carmen offers strategies to reduce stress and embrace the unknown as a space filled with possibilities. This guide encourages parents to adopt a flexible approach, aiming to foster resilience and hope in both themselves and their children.

Maybe Everything is Okay
Maybe Everything is Okay

My Thoughts

The idea of framing everything with the word “maybe” is a decently sound method to minimize fear of the unknown. It aims to allow the mind to accept even a “bad” circumstance can end well. However, this is a hard sell to someone who is stuck in the victim or control mindset. It also didn’t speak much to creating other possibilities. However, I agree it is beneficial to keep an open mind to positive outcomes rather than stay mired in disappointment. If “maybe” get’s you there then I’m happy for you. Still, don’t forget that most emotions have their uses. Anger and disappointment have been very useful to me in terms of motivation to action and I’ve done some of my best work while emotionally upset.

When it comes to parenting, sometimes the best thing a kid needs to hear is, “no”. Ask any kid what it really means when their mom replies to a request with “maybe”. Maybe is not a word I would have gone with for this concept though it is descriptive. Perhaps, not necessarily, you never know, in shāʾ Allāh, or a host of others may have been a better fit. Maybe…

Recommendation

Not a bad read and some good reminders.

The 5 Resets

Background

Published on January 16, 2024, “The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience” by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar presents five actionable mindset shifts designed to help readers manage stress and prevent burnout. Dr. Nerurkar reframes stress as a natural biological response that, when properly managed, can enhance well-being. The book introduces the following five resets:​

  1. Get Clear on What Matters Most​
  2. Find Quiet in a Noisy World​
  3. Sync Your Brain and Your Body​
  4. Come Up for Air​
  5. Bring Your Best Self Forward​

Each reset is accompanied by three science-backed techniques, offering readers practical tools to recalibrate their relationship with stress and enhance resilience.

The 5 Resets
The 5 Resets

My Thoughts

This book was a good compilation of ideas and techniques to reframe, reset, rethink, and just make life a little easier. There were multiple times during my reading where I stopped and thought, “I should do that.” Fortunately, there were some that I have done and even some I’m still doing.

I find it is worth the time and effort to read one of these books every now and again. The motivation fades over time and it is easy to fall back into the same patterns.

Recommendation

Slow start but a good read.

Cher The Memoir Part One

Background

Published on November 19, 2024, “Cher: The Memoir, Part One” chronicles the early life of the iconic entertainer Cher, from her birth in 1946 up to the late 1970s. Born Cherilyn Sarkisian, she faced a tumultuous childhood marked by poverty and instability, including periods when her mother, Georgia, had to leave her in care due to financial hardships. The memoir delves into her rise to fame alongside Sonny Bono, detailing their partnership both on and off the stage, the creation of the hit “I Got You Babe,” and the complexities of their personal and professional relationship. Cher candidly discusses Sonny’s controlling behavior and infidelities, shedding light on the challenges she faced in asserting her independence.

Cher The Memoir Part One
Cher The Memoir Part One

My Thoughts

Whenever you are feeling bad about yourself or your childhood, grab a biography of someone famous and hold on for the ride. Cher is no exception to this rule. She had a messed up childhood, growing up, and adulthood. I just hope she gets a break in Part 2.

However, I didn’t know much about Cher from her early career. My memories of her were after the events covered, it isn’t a surprise that most of this was a surprise. I knew of Sonny and Cher but had never seen anything from them. I didn’t know about their troubles, her relationships after Sonny and really anything about her until the 80s.

I’m glad to hear she didn’t use drugs and seemed to want to do the right thing. I hope that persists as well in the next volume.

Recommendation

Not a bad read and I learned a lot.

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

Background

Published in 2018, “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” by Margareta Magnusson introduces the Swedish concept of “döstädning,” which involves decluttering one’s possessions to simplify life and alleviate the burden on loved ones after one’s passing. Drawing from personal experiences, Magnusson provides practical advice on determining which items to keep and which to discard, aiming to make the process uplifting rather than overwhelming. The book encourages readers to embrace minimalism, fostering thoughtful consideration of their belongings and the memories associated with them.

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

My Thoughts

I’ve enjoyed the ideas of minimalism and more particularly as we come to the later years. I have a great deal of stuff as I imagine most of us do. I had a birthday relatively recently and was asked what I wanted for it. That’s a hard question really. I am blessed with both inexpensive needs and enough funds to cover those moderate needs. Thus, I really don’t lack for anything and have no idea what I might want for my birthday. (Particularly since it would be purchased with my own funds.)

The flip side of that coin is I am happy with my stuff. Yes, it is always good to go through your things and I am a fan of the less is more mentality. Yet, I am someone who will keep those left over screws and bolts knowing there will be a time they will come in handy. This book does a great job of explaining how to get started and how to have the proper frame of mind to move forward.

I loved the idea of downsizing by giving things away to people you care about. I had my grandfathers hammer after he died, which meant a great deal to me. However, it would have meant much more to me if he had given it to me himself with a few stories about how it was used. I really have to look at why I’m keeping things and for what purpose. (The chances aren’t great, but it could happen.)

Recommendation

A good read and relatively quick

Dream the Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon

Background

Published in October 2024, “Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon” by Mirin Fader chronicles the journey of Hakeem Olajuwon from his early days in Lagos, Nigeria, to his influential career in the NBA. The biography delves into his time with the University of Houston’s “Phi Slama Jama,” his pivotal role in leading the Houston Rockets to two NBA championships, and the development of his signature move, the “Dream Shake.” It also explores how Olajuwon’s deep commitment to Islam shaped his approach to basketball and life, inspiring many within the Muslim community. The book further highlights his ongoing contributions as an international ambassador for the sport, including his work with NBA Africa and mentorship of current NBA stars.

Dream the Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon
Dream the Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon

My Thoughts

Growing up in Utah, we watched the Jazz play the Rockets and I very much knew who Hakeem (or at the time Akeem) Olajuwon was. Or at least from our limited perspective. My father would complaint about how “dirty” the other team was playing and would get upset with the calls. That was my understanding of right and wrong as a young person who had grown up hearing the moral of the story from He-Man GI-Joe and others. When I moved away, I was shocked to hear that our own Karl Malone was known as one of the most dirty players out there. The truth seems to be that it was a very physical game and everyone did it. Along with Olajuwon.

As with most things in life, there is much more to the story. Olajuwon was much more than the dirty player I saw on TV. His isn’t a perfect story, but it follows the archetypical hero’s journey in showing how he found himself, his faith, and his purpose.

Recommendation

If you are a fan, I’m sure you will love it. If not, it was still a good read.