White Sand 3

Background

Published in June 2019, White Sand Volume III concludes the graphic novel trilogy adapted from Brandon Sanderson’s unpublished prose novel. The story follows Kenton, one of the last remaining Sand Masters, as he tries to stabilize the Diem, the governing body of the Sand Masters, while navigating growing political unrest on the desert world of Taldain. In this final volume, Kenton must contend with assassination attempts, betrayals among allies, and deepening conflicts between the Daysiders and Darksiders. As the rival factions escalate their power struggles, Kenton is forced to choose between tradition and innovation in order to save his people and redefine the legacy of the Sand Masters. This installment also reveals more about the broader Cosmere universe, connecting White Sand to Sanderson’s larger mythos.

White Sand 3
White Sand 3

My Thoughts

I was a little disappointed by the outcome here. There was still a general lack of interesting movement in the story and it ended up wrapping in a neat tidy bow. We learned more about the properties of the sand and it seemed Kriss was about to crack it wide open, but that story arc didn’t really go anywhere. Oh, well. This medium just isn’t for me. There is still much to be told and I could see Sanderson doing more with it in the future.

Recommendation

It was OK.

White Sand 2

Background

Published in 2018, White Sand Volume II continues the story of Kenton, a powerful yet untrained sand master who has survived an attack that wiped out most of his order. As political forces converge and new enemies arise, Kenton must navigate distrust among allies and power struggles within the Diem while learning to control his abilities. Meanwhile, Khriss, an outsider with her own motivations, digs deeper into the mysteries of the planet Taldain and the secrets surrounding the sand mastery. Their paths intersect as a greater conspiracy unfolds, setting the stage for deeper revelations in the larger Cosmere universe.

White Sand 2
White Sand 2

My Thoughts

While graphic novels really aren’t my thing, I wanted to read all of Brandon Sanderson’s works. This is part 2 of the 3 part series. The type of investiture here is through the sun charged sand which can be controlled by the Sandmasters. As the planet is tidally locked around its sun, there is a day-side and a night-side. Night-siders see the control of sand to be blasphemous and the day-sider are simply too blind to their own politics to care. This makes a good setup for a hero’s journey to right the wrongs and fight against anyone standing in the way. Such is the case with this series. However, this installment had the same feeling as Episode 1 – A Phantom Menace. Lots of potential and remarkable amount legalistic non-action. It’s ok though, we are setting the stage for something better. Right?

Recommendation

It was ok.

101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think

Background

Published in 2016, 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest is a collection of short essays that explore themes related to self-awareness, emotional intelligence, personal growth, and mental habits. Drawing on psychological insights and philosophical ideas, the essays encourage readers to examine their thought patterns, confront uncomfortable truths, and reframe how they approach challenges and relationships. The book compiles content originally written for various online platforms and is organized in a non-linear way, allowing readers to engage with the material in any order.

101 Essays that will Change the way You Think
101 Essays that will Change the way You Think

My Thoughts

This collection of essays varied in quality, but overall I enjoyed and agreed with the majority of what was said. I liked it so much that I listened to it twice.

Recommendation

Somewhat sporadic but worth the time.

Arcanum Unbounded

Background

Published in 2016, “Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection” by Brandon Sanderson is an anthology of nine novellas and short stories set within the shared universe of the Cosmere. The collection includes works from several of Sanderson’s distinct series—Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, Elantris, White Sand, and others—each introduced with background and planetary information that ties them into the larger cosmere mythology. The stories expand on minor characters, present key events not covered in the main novels, and provide additional context that enriches the worldbuilding across series. While the pieces can often be read independently, they are interconnected by recurring themes, worldbuilding elements, and a few shared characters that move across worlds.

Arcanum Unbounded
Arcanum Unbounded

My Thoughts

This was a must read, but I’m glad I read it well after most of the books as there are many spoilers and explanations. It also included several stories I had already read; The Hope of Elantris, The Emperor’s Soul, Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, and Edgedancer. I enjoyed them again through this collection and caught a lot more this time around.

The Eleventh Metal, Allomancer Jack and the Pits of Eltania, White Sand, and Sixth of Dusk were all new to me. That just leaves White Sands 2 and 3 to go before I have read his entire collection. (To this point that is.)

Recommendation

Fun read. However, be sure to read Elantris, The Mistborn Series, and the first two books in the Stormlight Archive before you read it.

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.

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

Background

Published in 2013, Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell by Brandon Sanderson is a novella set in the dangerous world of Threnody, where spirits known as shades violently attack those who break specific taboos. The story follows Silence Montane, an innkeeper and bounty hunter who secretly kills outlaws to claim their rewards. As her simple way stop inn is in forest haunted by vengeful shades, she must protect her family while still making a living.

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

My Thoughts

Honestly, my intro doesn’t do the book justice. It was a great read and worth the time and effort, which really wasn’t that much. At a mere 75 pages long, this book is a brochure by Sanderson’s usual standard. However, it was a great short story!

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.