The Dragon Reborn

Background

Making us wait an entire 9 months for the next infusion of the “Wheel of Time” series, Robert Jordan released “The Dragon Reborn” in August of 1991. This follows several groups of our protagonists and finally reunites them fulfilling the prophecy of the the Dragon Reborn.

The Dragon Reborn
The Dragon Reborn

My Thoughts

Again a good book but I found the conversations between the women to be a little off. They seem pretty petty and emotional which makes me think the author was hen-pecked by a controlling mother or wife. Maybe I’m off about that…

Anyway, the build up was good but the climax was a bit of a let down. Also, I didn’t like Matt in this book at all. I believe this is the last book I finished in the series when I was younger. If memory serves, the next book is even slower and they introduce more people who didn’t seem to have a place in the story. We will see.

Recommendation

Not the best book in the series but it does continue the story.

The Smallest Lights in the Universe

Background

Decorated planetary scientist Sara Seager wrote this biography about the time in her life between the death of her first husband and the marriage of her 2nd. She details the journey of discovering planets orbiting other stars and the advances and awards she had been given along the way.

The Smallest Lights in the Universe
The Smallest Lights in the Universe

My Thoughts

I almost threw this book down more than once. I found the author to be self absorbed, selfish, and completely disconnected from reality. I felt great pity for her first husband for having to deal with her crap for the rest of his life and worse for the wife of the man she became interested in later on. I’m not sure why I kept reading.

I’m very interested in planetary science and the possibilities of worlds outside of our own. I liked that part of the book. However, her plight didn’t resonate with me at all. At the end of the book, she makes the announcement that she found out she was autistic. That ticked me off even more because it came across as a justification for her actions.

Recommendation

I’d skip this one.

The Great Hunt

Background

Released a mere 11 months after The Eye of the World, the 2nd book of the Wheel of Time series “The Great Hunt” came out in November of 1990. This book continues the journey of Rand and his companions to fight against the dark one.

The Great Hunt
The Great Hunt

My Thoughts

I love the difference the span of years make from the first time I read this book to today. Book 2 gives so much more depth to the characters and makes everyone seem a bit more human. I believe Jordan did a good job in letting his characters grow into the roles they need to play.

Recommendation

Great book.

The Eye of the World

Background

Robert Jordan published The Eye of the World in January of 1990. It is the story of some urban teens who suddenly find themselves in the midst of adventure. This is a world of swords and magic where light fights dark and most people just want to be left to themselves.

The Eye of the World
The Eye of the World

My Thoughts

I remember when this book came out and somehow I remember getting a hold of it very early on. I was still in junior high at the time so I don’t know how I got it. However, I do remember not being able to wait for the next one to come out. In particular, I remember trying to keep the flame in my mind and isolating myself from the outside world. (It didn’t quite work out like I intended.)

Recommendation

Great book. I’m enjoying going through it again.

The Martian

Background

Andy Weir’s original book published in 2011 and made into a movie shortly thereafter. It follows an unfortunate astronaut who is stranded on Mars and does his best to survive.

The Martian
The Martian

My Thoughts

With no offense to Matt Damon, the book was indeed better than the movie. There is so much more detail in the book and I really enjoyed it. I was very taken into the character and pulled into the drama of surviving against all odds.

Recommendation

Great book! There was a reason it took the world by storm and became a movie so quickly.

The Year 1000

Background

Published in April of 2020, “The Year 1000” is a non-fiction book written by historian Robert Lacey and archaeologist Danny Danziger that explores what life was like in England at the dawn of the second millennium. The book takes a fascinating look at the daily life, culture, and beliefs of the people living in England in the year 1000, based on a wide range of sources including archaeological evidence, historical records, and contemporary writings. The authors examine everything from diet and fashion to religion and politics, painting a vivid picture of a world that was simultaneously vastly different and surprisingly familiar to our own.

The Year 1000
The Year 1000

My Thoughts

This book almost seems to be written as a counter to “The Year 1000: What Life Was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium, An Englishman’s World” as it deals with the entire world and not just the Western European perspective.

Great book! I really enjoyed learning about how the connections were being made all over the world. It was really enlightening to be shown how people connected and traded at a time I tend to think of as a dark spot in history.

Recommendation

Great book and worth the read.

Madeleine Albright

Background

Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st-Century Memoir is the biography of Madeleine Albright who was the first female Secretary of State under President Clinton.

Hell and Other Destinations
Hell and Other Destinations

My Thoughts

I’m always interested in people who have lived interesting lives and that certainly applies to Madeleine Albright. As an immigrant from Eastern Europe, she certainly had some interest in the world outside of the United States.

I enjoyed hearing about her journey and how she thought others perceived her. I even enjoyed hearing about her pins and feel like I’m part of the insider crowd by knowing about them. The book was well written and I feel it did a good job representing her personality and beliefs. (For all I know about them.)

In general, I’m not really a fan of hers when it comes to politics. The world is a complex place and it is imperative we understand other countries. I believe she does a good job of that. However, I don’t share her optimize that most people in power will work for the good of everyone. It is sad commentary but people in power rarely want to give it up and do destructive things when they are faced with the possibility.

Recommendation

As hers is a name to know, I recommend the book.

The Turn of the Key

Background

Published in August 2019, “The Turn of the Key” is a suspense novel about a nanny’s new job and how it went so very wrong.

The Turn of the Key
The Turn of the Key

My Thoughts

Really, suspense isn’t my genre of books but I enjoyed it none-the-less. It was well written and kept my attention. I felt like the subject matter was forced at times and the ending didn’t make any sense at all. In fairness, it didn’t see it coming… I had a hard time identifying with the characters though there is always something about being set in Scotland which makes me happy.

Recommendation

I won’t be reading it again but it wasn’t bad.

Don’t Burn this Book

Background

Published in April of 2020, “Don’t Burn this Book” is the story of how a gay-Jewish-liberal crossed into “Classical Liberalism”.

Don't Burn this Book
Don’t Burn this Book

My Thoughts

Another book I really didn’t know what it was about until I started reading it. I was pleased with the read. It served to reinforce a lot of my existing stereotypes of both liberals and conservatives and had the added bonus of reminding me that I had stereotypes. The irony of the book trying to teach critical thinking while stroking my ego didn’t go unnoticed.

I certainly agree that the media is far too political. I go out of my way to find some news source that just gives the news without just spitting out their tribal loyalty. (I don’t know that really exists.)

Dave gave some well reasoned arguments and I like he had the guts to stand up for what he thinks is right. He also had a lot of praise for Dr. Jordan Peterson who I have followed for some time now. Both of which, I liked…

Recommendation

Great read and worth the time.

Relationship Goals

Background

Published in April of 2020, “Relationship Goals” is advice on marriage, dating, and all the things that go with it from Michael Todd (and a little from his wife.)

Relationship Goals
Relationship Goals

My Thoughts

I really liked this book. Michael is unashamedly Christian and actually quotes the Bible! For real! The actual Bible… It wasn’t the King James version but it was close enough for me. I get fairly impatient with people who reference the Bible when they obviously have no idea what it says or what they are talking about.

Anyway, I found his advice both spot on and needed for today. This was the best put argument for the law of chastity that I have seen in a long time.

Recommendation

Love it! Great book.