A Man Called Ove, Frederik Backman

 

A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman

Started: 5/28/2023
Completed: 5/31/2023
Recommendation: Recommended
Recommended By: My wife

Review:

This book is not about character development.  It isn't really about a particular plot or plot line.  I would think of it as more of a character study.  So, what happens when a man of characters faces X, Y, or Z issue/problem?  As one might expect, Backman shows that a man does his best to stay true to his principles.  That Ove is OCD, anti-social, and is clearly confused about the objective value of a Saab are truly incidentals.  I have a feeling that this book will stick with me and while I cannot imagine saying, "What would Ove do?"  I can imagine that I will spend time thinking about Ove when it is quiet, when I am considering one approach or another for carpentry, and when I think about my wife.  That isn't so bad.

It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism, Bernie Sanders

 

It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism by Bernie Sanders

Started: 5/23/2023
Completed: 5/28/2023
Recommendation: Highly recommended
Recommended By:  Nobody

Review:

Bernie has a number of good points--particularly about the need for Democrats to focus on the working class.  I find myself highly aligned with Bernie Sanders and my only issue with this book is the repetition.  This is useful in a political speech and probably a necessary part of debate prep.  It is a little bit boring in a book.

The Covenant of Water, Abraham Verghese

 

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese is a book I picked up because I enjoyed Cutting for Stone

Started: 5/10/2023

Completed: 5/23/2023

Recommendation: Mild Recommendation

Recommended By: Nobody

Words for which I sought  help:

mendacious -- not telling the truth

Review:

I will never read this book again.  It is extremely well written and for that alone it deserves recommendation.  This tale of woe and sorrow occasionally highlights on brief moments of joy, but it is first and foremost a tale of loss.  In one sense, that is true of any multi-generational story because the loss of some of the characters is built into the very nature of the book.  I was prepared for that.  As I review this book in my mind, I cannot find a point where everything started to be better.  That is fine for people who want a "tear jerker" or some tale wrapped in everyday life revealing the simple sorrow that is intractable in most people's lives.  I am not that person.  I have come to realize that Verghese is much better at clarifying, amplifying, and immersing in grief than finding joy.  I do not anticipate picking up another novel by this gifted author.

Victory of Eagles, Naomi Novik

 

Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik is the next book in the Temerairi series.

Started: 5/7/2023
Completed: 5/10/2023
Recommendation: Mild Recommendation
Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

I did not enjoy this book.  It is gloomy.  It receives a recommendation solely because it is part of the series and I assume that the book is needed to move the series forward.  Were it stand alone, I would not recommend it and if I ever come to read the series again, I am relatively certain I would skip it.  That view may change based on future books in the series, but it would take some serious dependencies that I simply do not currently understand to encourage me to read it again.

Against The Grain, James C. Scott

 

Against The Grain:  A deep history of the earliest states by James C. Scott is a book I've wanted to read for a long time, but had a hard time finding an affordable copy.  Eventually I bought an audio version as it was cheaper than the printed version.

Started: 11/27/2022
Completed: 5/9/2023
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

Generally, ancient historians have looked at the formation of cities as coincident with the creation of civilization.  Scott argues that this is a function of written histories being tied to cities.  Thus, the history is known to us from the perspective of the city dwellers.  This leaves non-city developers ("barbarians") as the uncivilized whether they were or not.  It also means that the fall of a city is equated to a fall into barbarism.  Surely, this is not accurate.  Scott argues that "barbarism" (largely a hunter/gather/raid type of organization) is a form of civilization and that if not at least half, a significant part of governance of any city area was done by the barbarians.  He further argued that the barbarians were both healthier and lived longer (particularly women) perhaps due to their varied diet.

This book makes compelling arguments and suggests that the whole concept of city making is about reducing as many people as possible to peasants and extracting their wealth (through work).  Very interesting argument that may not apply in modern society, but, then again, if it were possible, it might (see the Taliban).

A Fire Endless, Rebecca Ross

 

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross is the second book in the Elements of Cadence Duology

Started: 4/30/2023

Completed: 5/7/2023

Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Recommended By: A follow on from having read A River Enchanted.

Review:

I really like it when magic has a cost and a consequence--ala LeGuin.  This book has that and it carries a good story making it a great story.  The characters develop and change.  The entire environment changes.  It is a lush story telling environment and it is even better with the accent that comes along for the ride in the audio book.  Really enjoyed it!

The Battle for Your Brain, Nita Farahany

 

The Battle for Your Brain:  Defending the right to think freely in the age of neurotechnology by Nita A. Farahany

Started: 4/30/2023
Completed: DNF
Recommendation: Not Recommended
Recommended By: Not sure

Review:

This book really has one idea:  Mental processes are subject to privacy.  The rest feels like different ways in which that could happen.  I got through 1/4 of the book and heard the same idea repeated in various formats and mildly changing nuances.  It is a good idea, but it is not a book length idea.  It is a couple of pages of a bill.  I cannot recommend this book.