The Lost Hero is the continuation of the original Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series. This time there was an exchange of leadership between Camp Half-blood and the heretofore unknown Roman camp for demigods. Jason, Piper, and Leo take the lead as they fight against mother nature herself.
The Lost Hero
My Thoughts
Another enjoyable easy read from Rick Riordan. The book read a lot like spin off it is by giving us just enough of the old story to keep the fans interested and giving new characters to keep the new story ark going.
Inheritance is the 4th book in the Inheritance Cycle. It wraps up the tale of Eragon and the dragons.
Inheritance
My Thoughts
While still a good book and a must read for anyone who is going through the series, I thought it had everything wrapped up in too neat and tidy of a bow. I didn’t like that Arya became a rider AND the queen of the elves. Seriously, it should have been one or the other.
Recommendations
I had to get through it but I’m glad I didn’t quit.
Book three of the series of unfortunate events “The Wide Window” was written in 2000 following “The Reptile Room” and “The Bad Beginning“.
This time around Count Olaf dresses as “Captain Sham” who bullies the children’s new guardian into giving the kids over for adoption.
The Wide Window
My Thoughts
This book went by fast. The genre of “absurdest fiction”, which I’ve seen these books placed, isn’t something with which I have much experience. I like the style of the books and do enjoy them.
The Miserable Mill is book four in the Series of Unfortunate Events from Lemony Snicket. The book, released in 2004, details the events of the Baudelaire orphans as they are passed to another foster home. This time they are required to work at a wood mill while all the time being stalked by the dreaded Count Olaf.
The Miserable Mill
My Thoughts
Another interesting read. I have to admit, these books are fun to read and I want to watch the Netflix versions with my kids. Neil Patrick Harris would be a great Count Olaf. Of course, the books are pretty well patterned at this point. It’s just a matter of how ridiculous are the adults going to act and how quickly will Count Olaf show up.
Recommendations
It’s still worth reading these books in order. However, they are worth the read.
The Bad Beginning is just that. A bad beginning. It starts with a fire and 3 newly orphaned children. They inherited a fortune and one man is out to get it. Count Olaf.
Written in 1999, The Bad Beginning is the first book of the “Series of Unfortunate Events” which is now appearing on Netflix.
The Bad Beginning
My Thoughts
This story went down fast and was enjoyable. The plot is fairly transparent and it reads as an aid to children’s vocabulary.
It was also fun!
Recommendation
Read it for fun or read it to a child if you’ve forgotten how to have fun.
Blink is a book on the power of the unconscious mind and its impact on your everyday life. Published in 2005, Malcolm Gladwell teaches us that we can teach and even learn from that great machine in our heads.
Blink
My Thoughts
My thoughts is my normal convention but it seems a bit ironic here. As a psychology grad, I’ve learned a bit about priming and how we can be influenced by things we do not consciously perceive. That’s a bit of a terrifying thought when I stop to think about it.
We tend to think we are in control of most of our experiences. We aren’t. That’s hard on the pride. Still, there is a great deal we can influence and we are free to make choices. Our creator gave us that right. It stands to reason we should be as clear minded about what lay before us so we can make reasonable choices based on the information we are given.
All that said, it is a confounding principle to know that sometimes there is too much information. Too many choices are paralyzing and won’t let us move forward. It’s tempting to just flip a coin and call it a day… But that wouldn’t be very responsible would it?
Recommendation
It’s a bit of pop psychology that I think everyone would enjoy as long as they can keep things in perspective.
Brisingr is the 3rd book in the Inheritance Cycle following Eldest and Eragon. Written in 2008, we learn more about the nature of magic and of dragons. The war continues to go on and Galvatorix continues to reign supreme.
Brisingr
My Thoughts
Christopher Paolini has an easy way of writing which helps the story bring you along. At over eight hundred pages, the book seems daunting but it went by in the flash.
Recommendation
I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes these type of books.
Published in 2017, “Fck Love: One Shrink’s Sensible Advice for Finding a Lasting Relationship” is an exploration of romantic relationships, written by psychiatrist Dr. Michael I. Bennett and his daughter, comedy writer Sarah Bennett. The book challenges the fairy-tale narratives and unrealistic expectations fostered by popular culture, advocating instead for a more pragmatic approach to love. With sharp wit and candid insights, the Bennetts argue that finding a partner isn’t about soulmates, grand romantic gestures, or waiting for love to conquer all. Instead, they emphasize the importance of looking for realistic, compatible qualities in a partner, such as emotional maturity, responsibility, and genuine respect—qualities that lay the groundwork for a healthy, lasting relationship. “Fck Love” is less an indictment of love itself and more a call to arms for rational thinking and self-respect when navigating the often tumultuous waters of romance. This book details how to thoughtfully find a partner for life and not fall into the all too common traps of bad marriages.
F Love
My Thoughts
Mark Mason did such a good job on his book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck that I had to read something else of his. So I checked this book out. Of course, this is not the work of Mark Mason…
It was a great book though and rather timely. My daughter started dating this dude and I was filled with the normal angst of father (who’s only daughter is dating for the first time). I enjoyed the back and forth banter of the Bennett’s and their method of getting a point across. This book was full of good advice. (Nearly, all of which I didn’t take in my first marriage, but hope I’ve learned my lesson.)
Recommendation
A great book for those who are dating or considering dating. A must have book for those who are considering marriage. However, I would suggest you buy the actual book. The lists and multiple choice sections where hard in the audio format.
Former first lady Michelle Obama’s book about herself from birth through the White House. She details her childhood growing up in the South Side of Chicago, her time in college (Princeton and later Harvard) her work at a law firm (where she met her husband), their dating and early marriage, being a working mom, and then becoming the first lady.
Becoming
My Thoughts
I enjoy a look into people’s lives. Particularly if those people are not much like me. Mrs. Obama is not much like me. We both grew up poor but I didn’t go to Princeton or Harvard. I don’t feel my race has that much to do with who I am but I guess that’s the point…
Whatever the political feelings toward this book, Michelle Obama is a competent capable person who accomplished a lot in her life. As impressed as I am with her accomplishments, I’m most impressed with her mother and her ability to be the rock of the family and still stay out of the way of the limelight.
Recommendation
This book was very long and it felt like I had to plod through it. It was good to hear a few things I hadn’t before and was reminded of events I had all but forgotten. I’m mixed on the recommendation.
