Lovely War

Background

Published in 2019, Lovely War by Julie Berry intertwines the stories of four young people during World War I, as narrated by the Greek gods Aphrodite, Ares, Apollo, and Hades. The novel follows Hazel, a British pianist, and James, a soldier, whose budding romance is tested by the brutality of the front lines. Alongside them are Aubrey, a Black American soldier and jazz musician, and Colette, a Belgian singer who has lost her family to German attacks.

Lovely War
Lovely War

My Thoughts

This was another book my wife was reading and she suggested to me. I didn’t have high hopes as I’m not too big on romance novels. However, this one was surprisingly good. There wasn’t any “steamy” scenes or over the top moments, which have come to be tropes of the genre.

The choice of having the Greek Gods tell the story was a fun take on the traditional narrative. It also gave a fun counterpoint to the “mortal” plot while finally culminating in a nicely wrapped ending.

Recommendation

I would recommend this one.

Published in April 2024, The Opposite of Depression: What My Work with Suicidal Patients Has Taught Me about Life, Hope, and How to Flourish

Background

Published in April 2024, The Opposite of Depression: What My Work with Suicidal Patients Has Taught Me about Life, Hope, and How to Flourish by David M. Carreon, MD, explores the journey from mental distress to well-being. Drawing from his clinical experience and Christian faith, Carreon discusses the limitations of solely alleviating depressive symptoms and emphasizes the importance of adopting habits that promote overall flourishing. The book is structured into three sections: Mind, Body, and Soul. Each offering practical steps and insights aimed at guiding individuals toward a more fulfilling life.

The Opposite of Depression
The Opposite of Depression

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the book and the novelty of looking at what not to do to keep away from depression. I also enjoyed the Christian spin on the topic.

Recommendation

A good read. There weren’t any big epiphanies, but it was full of solid reminders.

Ozma of Oz

Background

Published in 1907, Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum is the third book in the Oz series and follows Dorothy Gale as she is swept overboard during a storm at sea and finds herself in the land of Ev. There, she meets a mechanical man named Tik-Tok and learns that the royal family of Ev has been imprisoned by the powerful Nome King. Dorothy reunites with her old friends from Oz, including the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, and joins forces with Princess Ozma, who has crossed the deadly desert with an army to help. Together, they confront the Nome King and navigate challenges of wit and courage in their attempt to free the captives and restore order to the kingdom of Ev.

Ozma of Oz
Ozma of Oz

My Thoughts

Again an interesting trip down children’s literature over a hundred years ago. Talking chickens, spiteful gnomes, and good old fashioned laziness. I also enjoyed Tik-Tok himself who may or may not be proud of his namesake today.

Recommendation

A quick but interesting read.

We Who Wrestle with God

Background

Published in 2024, We Who Wrestle with God by Jordan B. Peterson explores the psychological, literary, and theological significance of the Book of Genesis, particularly its early chapters. Drawing on his background in psychology and mythology, Peterson examines the biblical stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, and the Tower of Babel as archetypal narratives that shape human understanding of morality, identity, responsibility, and meaning. He interprets these ancient texts through a Jungian and existential lens, arguing that the struggle with God reflects humanity’s internal struggle to confront chaos, find order, and live truthfully. The book also revisits themes Peterson has addressed in his previous works, including individual transformation and the importance of tradition in modern life.

We Who Wrestle with God
We Who Wrestle with God

My Thoughts

I really enjoy Dr. Pererson’s writing. I believe he does an incredible job of linking ideas and examining things from the macro level, yet I find he can also be overly simplistic and generalize. This book uses the Old Testament as a source document, which is loaded with symbolism. Of course, any symbol can be interpreted in several ways. Dr. Peterson’s interpretation is a little too neat and tidy for me to fully accept at face value. However, any meaningful discussion would be impossible if we dived down every rabbit hole of nuance. It would just take far too long.

That said, I really enjoyed this book. So much so that I bought copies along with “12 Rules for Life” and “Beyond Order.” My son is working his way through the first book and it is making an impact.

Recommendation

Great book! These are very heavy concepts so spend some time thinking through some of the ideas.

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity

Background

Published in 2023, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, M.D., with Bill Gifford, presents a framework for living longer and healthier by shifting the focus from simply extending lifespan to improving “healthspan”—the years during which one is physically and cognitively capable. Drawing on his background in medicine and engineering, Attia critiques conventional approaches to treating chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s, arguing they are often reactive and too late to be effective. Instead, he proposes a proactive strategy called “Medicine 3.0,” emphasizing early intervention, personalized diagnostics, and lifestyle interventions such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, and emotional well-being. The book includes scientific explanations alongside Attia’s personal experiences to illustrate how individuals can take control of their long-term health outcomes.

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity

My Thoughts

Not much of this book came as revelatory. It goes into detail about health and wellness. All the concepts were pretty well accepted but it was enjoyable to have them all put together. It reminded me of the Monty Python quote, “Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations.”

The book may quibble with the “avoid eating fat,” but the rest is pretty much spot on. Eating better makes you feel better, moving more makes you feel better, getting good sleep makes you feel better, and not hating life makes you feel better. Not surprisingly, feeling better means you will live longer and enjoy life more.

Recommendation

Great book

The Land of Oz

Background

Published in 1904, The Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum is the second book in the Oz series and serves as both a sequel and a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story introduces Tip, a young boy who escapes from the witch Mombi and embarks on a journey with his magically animated creation Jack Pumpkinhead. Along the way, Tip and his companions, including the Sawhorse and the Woggle-Bug, encounter General Jinjur’s army, which has overthrown the Scarecrow, now ruler of the Emerald City. As the group sets out to restore order, they discover secrets about Tip’s true identity and witness the return of Glinda the Good.

The Land of Oz
The Land of Oz

My Thoughts

This was an interesting read. So much of the content was completely unfamiliar so I really don’t have much to compare it to. It is over a century old and intended for children so I’m not quite the target demographic. However, it was an interesting imaginative story.

Recommendation

A relatively quick read and worth my attention.

King Solomon’s Mines

Background

Published in 1885, King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard follows the journey of British adventurer Allan Quatermain, who is hired to lead a dangerous expedition into unexplored regions of Africa in search of Sir Henry Curtis’s lost brother. The group pursues a legendary treasure said to be hidden in the ancient mines of King Solomon, encountering harsh deserts, hostile terrain, and tribal conflicts along the way. As they venture deeper into the unknown, the party confronts both physical dangers and moral dilemmas, navigating themes of colonialism, greed, loyalty, and survival.

King Solomon's Mines
King Solomon’s Mines

My Thoughts

I didn’t expect much regarding the racial undertone of the book but I believe it came off better than expected. The African people’s were presented better than I would have thought for the time period of publication. They weren’t treated like savages or anyone taking issue with what they were doing and with whom. They still weren’t treated well, but they were presented as real 3-dimensional people, which was a pleasant surprise.

The story itself was hard to get into at the first but became more compelling as it progressed.

Recommendation

There was a slow start but it became an enjoyable read.

Looking Backward

Background

Published in 2002, Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy was originally published in 1888. The novel follows Julian West, a wealthy Bostonian who falls into a hypnotic sleep in 1887 and wakes up in the year 2000 to find a radically transformed society. In this future, the United States has evolved into a socialist utopia where private enterprise has been replaced by a centrally planned economy, and wealth and goods are distributed equally. Through West’s experiences and conversations with his new hosts, Bellamy critiques the social and economic inequalities of the 19th century and presents his vision for a more cooperative and equitable future.

Looking Backward
Looking Backward

My Thoughts

Honestly, I have no idea why this came up in my reading lists, but it was an interesting read. The fun part was to find the gaping holes in the logic and the rhetoric of this socialist quasi-manifesto. It was particularly interesting to see how the aliments of the late 1800s would be corrected from a naive utopian vision. I wonder how many people read this and honestly thought, “That’s a great idea!”

The economy has no meaning, and everyone eats, wears, and does pretty much the same thing. All are pressed into military service. All enter the workforce at 21 and retire at 45 where they can thereafter live a life of leisure. The US is still at odds with the rest of the world and simply uses a fairly simple IOU system to handle issues or trade imbalance other governments. Women’s roles are unequal at best and mate-selection is used as both a carrot and stick in this ideal world.

Recommendation

This book gives a good account of how a teenager may handle society government. If you enjoy that, this book is for you.

Food Rules an Eater’s Manual

Background

Published in 2009, Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan presents a set of straightforward guidelines aimed at helping people make better food choices in a modern environment filled with processed foods and conflicting dietary advice. Drawing on both traditional wisdom and contemporary nutrition science, Pollan organizes the book into three main principles: “Eat food,” “Mostly plants,” and “Not too much.” He distills these concepts into 64 concise rules, such as “Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food” and “Avoid food products containing ingredients that no ordinary human would keep in the pantry.” The book is designed to be easy to reference and implement, promoting mindful and intentional eating without complex restrictions or calorie counting.

Food Rules an Eater's Manual
Food Rules an Eater’s Manual

My Thoughts

A relatively quick and appropriate read on eating. Micheal Pollan has written several decent books on the subject, but this one is meant to be pithy and stick with the reader. It was personally inspiring and had me slowing down to enjoy my food. (At least for a while.)

Recommendation

A good read with some good reminders.

The Wizard of Oz

Background

Published in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum tells the story of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is swept away by a cyclone to the magical land of Oz. There, she embarks on a journey to find the Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City, hoping he can help her return home. Along the way, she befriends a Scarecrow seeking a brain, a Tin Woodman longing for a heart, and a Cowardly Lion in search of courage. Together, they face challenges, including the Wicked Witch of the West, and ultimately discover that the qualities they desire are already within them.

The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz

My Thoughts

Very much not the film adaptation with Judy Garland. This version comes with a map of Oz, silver slippers, strange denizens, and the flying monkeys are controlled by a magic cap with three wishes. This version came with a short history of Frank Baum and his various pseudonyms. He failed at pretty much everything, to include military school, but did pretty well as a writer. I also found out there are several of these books dealing with Oz. I will have to look into those going forward.

Recommendation

Definitely, worth the read.