I read books 1-3 in Alaska during my favorite summer ever, and this re-read is really taking me back to my hammock on our front porch. Good times!
This time I plan on reading the entire series. Gotta fill the gap in my heart now that the show is ending.

Read this whole book yesterday, and it was the perfect travel day read. I was entertained the whole time, mostly because it was all so new to me! A fun inside look into one of the most competitive cultures on the planet.

Abortion can be such a polarizing topic, but this book was not! I thought the author was very nice to people on both sides of “the life line.” This book was about a 50 pages longer than it needed to be. Focuses mostly on addressing spiritual concerns, but also mentions some of the misleading “pro-choice” language. Not sure I would recommend it, but the overall story isn‘t bad.

Don‘t judge a book by its cover (or its inflammatory subtitle). Ben keeps it factual and brings attention to historical trends to make his point. My favorite chapters were “Anti-Patriotic Bullies” and “Secular Bullies.” For those interested, this book would probably be a good introduction to conservative objections to liberal ideology.

I‘m leaving for Ethiopia tomorrow!

This is my go-to travel reference book. Really handy for checking out highlights near places you‘re visiting and planning itineraries. I‘d love to see Lalibela, but I think work will mostly keep me in Addis Ababa.

Loved it. I‘m a sucker for a large cast with entangled stories. In books with many characters, it‘s sometimes difficult to identify with each, but Steinbeck just gets straight to the essence of the person so that you immediately feel familiar with them. I appreciate that this book took the succinct Cain and Abel parable and expanded it into this messy retelling. I finally think I know what critics mean when they call this novel “ambitious.”

The characters of Abra and Lee both exceeded my expectations. The moment between them in the kitchen was touching. I didn‘t know I wanted it until it was happening!

“In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved. Indeed, most of their vices are attempted short cuts to love. . .”

Steinbeck‘s short commentary chapters are profound. I‘ve been missing out on a good writer and great thinker!

“My father said she was a strong woman, and I believe a strong woman may be stronger than a man, particularly if she happens to have love in her heart. I guess a loving woman is almost indestructible.”

“He loved a celebration of the human soul. Such things were like a personal triumph to him.”

“There are no ugly questions except those clothed in condescension.”

“No crime of commission was ever attributed to him, and his crimes of omission were only misdemeanors.”

I can live on a line like this for 2-3 weeks.

Just finished this reread and I‘m excited to discuss further with @scale-shark .Eragon is no longer a noob, and he‘s makin a ton of difficult-to-deliver promises to prove it! I love him for it. This book finally delivers on all the build up at which ‘Eldest‘ hinted. I also loved that we got some Saphira-narrated chapters. As always, needs more Arya-oriented plot. #BFLS

A good quick read. Engaging story, but wasn‘t very enjoyable for me. The lawsuit was very stressful and hit a little too close to home (but hey that‘s good writing). Also I was constantly wondering why Enzo was so excited to be human all while noting flaws of humans. I got a little resolution on that front during his thoughts in the final chapters! I cried a lot and this book was emotionally draining for me. #BFLS

Re-reading alongside @scale-shark who hasn‘t read the Inheritance Cycle yet. I think this is the first high fantasy series that I read. A straightforward good vs. evil story. I enjoyed the chapters following Roran much more than I did the first time! Also loved the complete intro to the dwarf and elven cultures as well as the explanation of the rules of magic. Paolini describes chronic pain accurately, which is surprising for a young author. #BFLS

“And finally, thank you, dear reader. It is the possibility of our minds touching that makes writing a worthwhile endeavor at all.”

This preface made me feel so loved??

Strong take on immortality: “It‘s a myth that we must die to retain our humanity. . . We stop being human at the moment we give in to death.”

“The truth is not delicate and it does not suffer from denial—the truth only dies when true stories are untold.”

Reviewing this while my foreign exchange roommates from China and Hong Kong throw an early Chinese New Year Party. How fitting! Liu is for sure a skilled writer, evident in the way he switches between narration styles. This book was FRESH. I felt like I was getting exposed to new content and ideas I hadn‘t considered before (or even thought to consider). Didn‘t ~love~ all the stories, but it deserves a pick for ‘The Man Who Ended History‘. #BFLS

“It's the choosing that's important, isn't it?"

When I get overwhelmed by the amount of things on my to-do list, I am going to try to think of this exchange. It‘s too easy to forgot that all our little daily choices are privileges.

Read this book for school in 5th grade, and I remember being disappointed. After this reread I think I know why! The concept is engaging and the sentiment is there, but the ending of this novel feels rushed/lazy and takes on a magical feeling, which seems inconsistent with the preestablished style. Nevertheless, worth the read!

“When it comes to making money, North Korea is an utter waste of time. South Korea‘s economy is 38 times larger than the North‘s; its international trade volume is 224 times larger.”

The inevitable collapse of the Kim regime will end a humanitarian crisis but accentuates the current economic chaos. Who is responsible for paying the bills?

“North Korea‘s political prison camps have existed twice as long as Stalin‘s Soviet gulags and twelves Times as long as the Nazi concentration camps.”

A gut-wrenching story retold in a news report style. Definitely worth the read as it publicizes some of the atrocities of the North Korean regime. I think it should be noted, however, that Shin has significantly modified his story a couple times over the years. The first edit is noted in the book, and the second occurred in 2015, after publication. None of his versions (true or not) distract from the horrors of the NK political prisoner camps.

One of the two pieces of furniture to which I am attached (the other being an oversized upholstered green armchair appropriately named my thinking chair). As you can see, this majestic book shelf is currently multitasking as storage, a dresser, and a school desk in addition to its primary purpose. I hope one day it can just hold books in a home library.

Peep HP on the top left.

An unrequited love story mismatched with a happily-ever-after ending. This novel starts as a love story and ends as a love story. In between, it‘s pitiful and occasionally unsettling. A good read for someone who appreciates beautiful writing, though I could tell some ideas would have been more artistic in the original Spanish. I liked the harsh reflections on aging, which stand in stark contrast to the overly romanticized pursuit of affection.

“There is no medicine better than a good diagnosis.” -Dr. Juvenal Urbino

This book is just so quotable. Do your own digging!

succinct & colorful

Top-notch research from Jason Fagone! I appreciated the references and notes. This book took Elizebeth and William Friedman‘s story (already engaging) and revealed it masterfully. Well-balanced between their technical careers and private life. Much like Elizebeth, this book is not fussy. Some authors get caught up in emphasizing ‘firsts‘ for women, but Fagone did history justice without distracting from the achievements of the individual.

Updated my public library card today! The warmhearted librarian cleared $6 of charges on my account from 2003. I‘ve been using school libraries since 2nd grade and then mooching off my mom‘s account when I‘m home, pero no más! (Necesito practicar mi español para un poco de Gabriel García Márquez.)

Entitlement is a problem. I dub 2k19 the year of internal locus of control.

A short audio book that got me through my Christmas travels to Kentucky and back. Audio books with lots of characters can sometimes be difficult to follow, but this one was exceptionally well done! Emilia Fox, the narrator, varied her voice for each character which was delightfully entertaining. Also, this book was the closest I‘ve come to correctly guessing an Agatha Christie plot, so I‘m an official sleuth now.

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. Recommendation from my dad (Patty McP). Seemed quite reductionist for such complicated topics. Also had a bit of an issue with the amalgam of fact and fiction (up to the reader to figure out which is which). I have a different outlook on life (and death) than Broks, and there were very few hot takes that made me ponder.

Charming. A light-hearted read on a heavy day.
Thank you to @scale-shark for the book! Only a true connoisseur recommends children‘s books.
#BFLS

My mamacita is a Business Lady with a capital B. She‘s also a reliable mentor with a real knack for helping people help themselves. When I go to her office, I‘m always impressed with how much her employees and bosses trust her to look out for their best interests.

On my first day of my first full-time job she gave me (almost verbatim) this very same advice. She finished with “Make yourself indispensable!”

Maybe the only wholesome book written by a political figure. Dana Perino tells us about her family history, meeting her husband, and her road to becoming the White House Press Secretary. Along the way, she drops helpful advice for young professionals and shares anecdotes about her time in 43‘s administration. I thought it was an enjoyable read; she‘s definitely someone I admire.

Pictured is an image from the book‘s photo album. Made me emotional!

“Name one thing.”
The last few chapters redeemed this novel, starting with this particular line. I‘ve had a similar sentiment before, and it was a relief to see it in words.

Today is my friend Holden‘s birthday, and I just finished this book about his namesake, Holden Caulfield. I loved Holden‘s character. While confused and lost, he seemed above all good-hearted. I know this novel is widely interpreted as an iconic case of teenage rebellion, but I think some of the big themes, like loss and connection, apply to everyone.
Also enjoyed the style. I love an unreliable narrator and some good one-liners!

Do you love crying for 200 pages straight? Then boy do I have the book for you! The Nightingale follows 2 very different sisters through their years in occupied France. Another one of those books that makes me infinitely grateful I haven‘t experienced war.

“Dogs are great. Bad dogs, if you can really call them that, are perhaps the greatest of them all.”

Another old picture from my sister. Matlock, while technically a bad dog, always did his best. I hope he knows we thought he was a good boy.

“It's just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn't it? It makes our relationships with people seem as boring as a bowl of oatmeal.”

My sister sent me an old picture of our dog, Bear, this morning. He‘s wagging his tail, as always. I hope he‘s having a good time in Heaven!

I expected this book to be more about HRC‘s presidential campaign than outside factors. The book is inconsistently cited and gets a bit conspiratorial, particularly regarding Russian collusion. I disagree with HRC on most matters of policy (and on opinion of flavor blasted goldfish), but this book did provide valuable insight into her experience and values.

Finished rereading the Harry Potter series with the Between Friends Literary Society (#BFLS). It‘s better every time. I have a lot of feelings about these books, but in summary, “Harry, you wonderful boy, you brave, brave man.”

“‘By jove, you‘re right,‘ said Peter, ‘and look there —and there. It‘s trees all round. And this wet stuff is snow. Why, I do believe we‘ve got into Lucy‘s wood after all.‘”

A comprehensive and logically presented case detailing 7 criminal charges. Shapiro provides reliable references for each claim throughout the book. If you‘re looking for conspiracy theories, move along! I‘d recommend this book to anyone who is wary of expanding government. As Shapiro puts it, “Consolidated government means consolidated power; consolidated power means consolidated corruption.”