Thursday, April 30, 2015

Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation by Bill Nye

Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of CreationUndeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation by Bill Nye

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book took me a long time to read. It wasn't difficult or boring, I just had a hard time getting into it. Nye is actually a very good storyteller, and I wouldn't mind going to see him talk in person. This book felt like a very long, extended version of a speech he might give on evolution. It didn't feel like there was anything new here (evolution itself is so old), rather it is an appeal for common-sense and rational thought. I don't feel like I learned much from reading this but I enjoy Nye's message anyway.

This review is based on a free e-galley from Netgalley.com.



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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington

Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and WonderThrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I've always liked reading the articles on the Huffington Post. That sums up my prior knowledge of Arianna Hufffington. I've never read any of her books, I don't think I've even read any articles by her, if there are any on the site. She always struck me as an intelligent woman, though, and I was curious to see what she had to say. I now have a new and deep sense of respect for this woman. I loved this book and found it to be insightful, intelligent, inspiring, and commonsensical. I've recently taken up meditation and I concur that it is a very wonderful and helpful practice. The appendices in this book also offer a great list of resources, I have already bookmarked several for future reference. I highly recommend this book for everyone.

This honest review is in exchange for a free copy received from Bloggingforbooks.org.



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Sunday, April 26, 2015

A Short History of the Vietnam War by Gordon Kerr

A Short History of the Vietnam WarA Short History of the Vietnam War by Gordon Kerr

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I wanted to read this book because my dad served in Vietnam and I thought it would be good for me to learn more about it. This was an incredibly depressing read. I knew I wasn't going to get any happy, feel-good vibes from learning about this moment in history, but I did not expect to feel (not just sad) so depressed. That aside, I did almost give up after reading about a third of this book just because it was so dense I was having a hard time absorbing all the information. This is a book I would have to read quite a few times to get a good handle on all the information that is relayed. I imagine not everyone would have this problem, it's just how I process. I feel like I've not said anything good about this book but that's not my intent. This was very well written and obviously thoroughly researched. I would trust Mr. Kerr to give me an excellent short history on anything he chooses to write about.

This honest review is in exchange for a free e-galley from Netgalley.com.



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Thursday, April 23, 2015

Einstein's Beach House: Stories by Jacob M Appel

Einstein's Beach House: StoriesEinstein's Beach House: Stories by Jacob M. Appel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second book I've read by this author and I really like his style. He has an interesting ability to make insane situations and unstable people seem more common and acceptable that you might normally think. I'm generally not a fan of short stories but I knew I had to check this out when I saw that one dealt with a depressed hedgehog. The whole collection is unique and whimsical while still being gritty and real. Highly recommended.

This honest review is in exchange for a free copy received from the author. Thank you!



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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy: A NovelThe Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy: A Novel by Rachel Joyce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I have to confess, I don't remember the Harold Fry book as well as I would like in order to be able to compare the two stories. I think I can say that I liked this book better though. It felt very sincere and real. Joyce is an excellent story-teller and she really knows how to build the drama to a climax. I'm not going to give anything away, but I think this book has the best ending out of any novel I have read in a long time. Well done!!

This honest review is in exchange for a free e-galley from Netgalley.com.



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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, The Power Behind Five English Thrones by Thomas Asbridge

The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, The Power Behind Five English ThronesThe Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, The Power Behind Five English Thrones by Thomas Asbridge

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a really interesting book. I'd never heard of William Marshal before and had only a passing knowledge of the time he lived in, so this was very educational. Most of what I've heard about King John and Richard the Lionheart has been garnered from Crusade tales and Robin Hood stories, so therefore of dubious authenticity. I have to be honest, I wasn't that excited to pick this book up. I thought it was going to be dense and a real chore but Asbridge is an enjoyable writer and the text was not difficult or dry. For non-fiction, this was a fun read. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in history. It starts with the Viking invasion of France and ends with the reign of Henry III. For fans of the movie Kingdom of Heaven, there is a section of this book that deals with the facts of the story that movie circumnavigated.

This honest review is in exchange for a free copy received from the publisher.



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Monday, April 13, 2015

The Given World by Marian Palaia

The Given WorldThe Given World by Marian Palaia

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book really did not grab me. The main character is a hot mess. Although she is interesting and complex, she's lost and not really able to tell her own story. This is balanced out a little bit by some alternating chapters that are told from the perspective of other characters who are trying to explain how they see the protagonist, but the author gives up using this narrative method about half way through. The subject was interesting but it didn't feel like it really went anywhere.


This honest review is in exchange for a free e-galley from Netgalley.com.



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Sunday, April 12, 2015

The Death of Caesar: The Story of History's Most Famous Assassination by Barry Strauss

The Death of Caesar: The Story of History’s Most Famous AssassinationThe Death of Caesar: The Story of History’s Most Famous Assassination by Barry Strauss

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book wasn't the most easy read but it was still pretty accessible. It seemed to jump around a bit and give you bits of stories instead of the whole thing but it was definitely a learning lesson for me. I didn't realize that most of what we accept as fact about Caesar's death is a lot of speculation. There are several different versions of all the events of this time, varying according the to particular politics of the writer. Most of what we believe to be true of the story comes from Shakespeare, and he was a famous embellisher. An interesting read. Mainly it taught me that I don't know everything I thought I knew.

This review is thanks to a free copy obtained from Goodreads First Reads.



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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose

The Witch of Painted Sorrows (The Daughters of La Lune #1)The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Not nearly as good as I was expecting. The writing is very beautiful, I must concede that, but the prose was lacking. The story itself is very long and felt like it just kind of meandered when it could have been more concise. This book would have been better if it had followed the form of sculpture and chipped away, leaving the essentials, instead of modeling after a painting, with layers and layers of pigment. I really don't think it needed to be as long as it was. The ending was abrupt and lacking as well. Disappointed.

This honest review is in exchange for a free e-galley from Netgalley.com.



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Sunday, April 5, 2015

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Buried GiantThe Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It's so nice when you have an author of extraordinary talent revive a tale that has managed to remain beloved in the hearts of so many for so long. Writers re-tell the Arthur story or variations of it all the time, and while many of them are fun, they pretty much all fall short of the magic that beats at the heart of the tale. This book pulses strong and true. While that doesn't tell you a lot about this book, I think that it is enough.



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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Married to a Perfect Stranger by Jane Ashford

Married to a Perfect StrangerMarried to a Perfect Stranger by Jane Ashford

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Honestly, this book felt a bit long at times. At least, it seemed longer than I am used to for books from this genre. That aside, it was an enjoyable story not smothered by an overabundance of smut. I couldn't ever really say there was "smut" in this book. There were seductions between a husband and wife but they were not overtly described and were very tastefully done. The plot was interesting and could easily be more thoroughly fleshed out in subsequent stories. I don't know if it is the author's plan to continue this story as a series but it could make for enjoyable reading if she chooses to do so.

This honest review is in exchange for a free e-galley from Netgalley.com



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