I recently read “The Short List� by David Ackert, just days before starting a new role in tech consulting sales—a timely and invaluable read. Perfect I recently read “The Short List� by David Ackert, just days before starting a new role in tech consulting sales—a timely and invaluable read. Perfect for professionals in tech, consulting, or business development roles, this book delivers actionable insights for anyone aspiring to excel in these fields. It was absolutely worth the time investment.
Ackert strikes a balance that many sales books miss—neither too brief to leave gaps, nor overly drawn out and repetitive. “The Short List� lands squarely in the Goldilocks zone: just right.
Structured with precision, the book provides practical guidance that’s immediately applicable. A standout feature is the emphasis on prioritizing key relationships—the titular "short list"—to maximize career impact. Ackert reinforces this with exercises, available both in the book and online (), that make it easy to put lessons into practice.
Ackert’s background as a Hollywood actor turned business development expert adds a unique perspective. He’s an engaging narrator, ably translating the written material to audio.
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. These opinions are my own....more
“The Big Empty� is a satisfying addition to Robert Crais’s Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series. Despite having only read 8 of the 20 books in the series prev“The Big Empty� is a satisfying addition to Robert Crais’s Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series. Despite having only read 8 of the 20 books in the series previously, I found it accessible and engaging, with the dynamic between Cole and Pike remaining strong and believable.
The tone and style are consistent with previous books, making it easy for both long-time fans and new readers to enjoy. While I prefer the Pike-centric books, this Elvis-focused entry is still a solid read.
Luke Daniels narrates the audiobook version. His performance is generally good, particularly for Elvis Cole’s wisecracking character. However, his gravelly-voiced Joe Pike feels miscast, similar to Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal and independent opinion....more
I had high hopes for illustrator Fred Fordham’s interpretation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s classic fantasy tale justice and he completely exceeded my wildeI had high hopes for illustrator Fred Fordham’s interpretation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s classic fantasy tale justice and he completely exceeded my wildest expectations.
Gorgeously illustrated and masterfully adapted from prose to graphic novel, A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel is perfect for YA and adult readers alike.
I will be adding other Fred Fordham graphic novel adaptations to my reading queue.
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal and independent opinion. ...more
Thanks to the superhero movie phenomenon of the new millennium, characters from Marvel and DC Comics have become household naI Was a Teenage Bloodshot
Thanks to the superhero movie phenomenon of the new millennium, characters from Marvel and DC Comics have become household names. However, during the comic book investment boom of the 1990s, new publishers like Valiant Comics emerged with their own unique universes.
Outside of the Big Two (Marvel and DC), no one else has created such a fully realized, cohesive shared universe as Valiant did in the 1990s. Their world was populated by teenaged mutants (known as psiots in Valiant speak), super-soldiers, and vigilantes.
I’ll never forget picking up my copy of Bloodshot #1, sporting its quintessentially '90s chromium cover, and diving into the story of Angelo Mortalli—a former mafia hitman turned gun- and sword-toting antihero.
Since then, a lot has changed in the Valiant universe. The books and characters I loved have been rebooted so many times that, while they remain familiar, they’re quite different from what I remember. Fred Van Lente’s YA prose novel, *Bloodshot*, introduces yet another iteration of the character—Ray Garrison—and offers a fresh take on this iconic antihero.
The premise of Van Lente’s novel can best be described as Jason Bourne meets X-Men. If that sounds intriguing to you, you’re in for an enjoyable ride.
Like Jason Bourne, Ray Garrison—the titular Bloodshot—has no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he can do what he does. The explanation lies in nanites: millions of tiny computers coursing through his blood that grant him incredible regenerative abilities, limited shape-shifting (he can alter his appearance), technopathy (the ability to communicate with and control machines), enhanced speed, strength, and more.
Programmed by Project Rising Spirit to be the perfect killing machine, Ray rebels against his creators after awakening to a new sense of self. No longer willing to follow orders, he bands together with young psiots—the very people he was once tasked with hunting—to fight for their freedom. Together, they face off against both Bloodshot’s former handlers and Toyo Harada’s Harbinger Foundation.
As the novel progresses, Ray’s journey shifts from being a programmed weapon to something deeper. He becomes less Jason Bourne and more like Pinocchio or a character from Blade Runner, questioning his humanity and longing to be a “real boy.� This thematic depth adds emotional resonance to the action-packed narrative.
Van Lente includes several clever nods to Valiant’s history that longtime fans will appreciate: - Several villains are named after Bloodshot’s original creative team—Don Perlin, Kevin VanHook, and Bob Layton. - There’s a reference to Jeff Lemire (likely acknowledging his contributions to Bloodshot’s modern stories). - A subtle nod to the *Armorines* series is also tucked into the narrative.
These Easter eggs are a nice touch for those familiar with Valiant lore but don’t detract from the story for newcomers.
Van Lente delivers on his promise of blending frenetic superhero action with teenage angst. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. Ray’s internal struggle adds emotional weight to the high-octane battles, making this more than just another action-packed YA novel.
This was my first time listening to narrator Jeff Fouhey, and I found his performance solid. He captures both the intensity of the action scenes and the vulnerability in Ray’s quieter moments effectively.
Overall, Bloodshot is an entertaining read that reimagines one of Valiant’s most iconic characters for a younger audience while still honoring the franchise’s roots. It’s not quite the Bloodshot I grew up with—and that’s okay! Van Lente has crafted something fresh yet familiar that fans of YA fiction will enjoy.
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️s
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal and independent opinion.
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