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OK, this book review is going to be a bit different. This fulfills the Book Riot challenge for reading a book, watching the movie it is based on and comparing the two. So this is actually two reviews and will be longer (even longer? ha ha!) than my typical review:4. Awakenings, by Oliver Sacks. This completes my "read a book then watch the movie" fulfillment for the Book Riot challenge. I hadn't planned to use this one- I've actually seen the movie before (albeit some years ago). I was just on a science kick and had read Sacks' Musicophelia and really enjoyed it. But I really wanted to watch the movie again after reading this. I really wish I would have read the book first; usually I don't feel that strongly whether I read the novel or watch the movie first. But I picked up on so many details and so many lines from the movie that I missed the first time around because I'd read Awakenings.
For those not familiar with either, Oliver Sacks is a doctor who, in the 1960s, worked with Parkinson's patients as well as patients suffering from post-encephalitic syndrome. From 1917 to the 1920s, there was an epidemic of encephalitis lethargica, or "sleeping sickness." Those stricken by this generally rare disease would go on to develop Parkinsonian-like symptoms later in life. By the time Sacks saw them, the majority of them were in a frozen state, unable to communicate and generally immobile. Brief moments of a dim "awakening" were noted with some stimulus, but these were the smallest flashes of light. Sacks tried what was then an experimental drug L-Dopa, with varying degrees of success. In his book, Sacks chronicles the stories of many of his patients (including a couple of patients outside of Mount Carmel and a couple of patients who had actual Parkinsons). Many of his patients (who were given a pseudonym) were able to write down their feelings when they were locked inside their immobile, unresponsive bodies as well as their feelings as they took L-Dopa and other medications. The book I read is a 1990 update, which included more footnotes than the original (according to Sacks) plus offered an update on the patients and his feelings about the movie. All but one of the patients had died by 1990. The surviving patient, whom he identifies as Lillian T., actually makes a cameo in the movie; I *think* I spotted her but am not sure.
First off, about the book itself. I highly recommend it. Sacks' is a wonderful storyteller, and his narrative is generally conversational and easy to follow. He really makes an effort to portray his patients not just as clinical cases, but as real people. My one quibble was the copious amount of footnotes. Now, sometimes they had interesting information, but I felt they could have been worked into the narrative of the main part itself. Much of it just got too distracting. But this is minor. I loved reading his insights about the movie, which he seemed to be a fan of. He had especially high praise for Robert DeNiro, who portrayed Leonard, one of the patients (and there really was a "Leonard"; DeNiro's character was heavily based on the patient given that pseudonym). DeNiro's acting and portrayal of a post-encephalitic patient fooled Sacks himself, by his own admission. Sacks also marveled at Williams' talent for mimicry, at how well the actor got the mannerisms of the doctor (Williams' character Dr. Sayer is a fictional portrayal of Sacks himself).
There are many details, many lines that come straight from the pages of the book and from Sacks' notes. The demand for a steak. The feeling of being caught in a sort of time warp. In one patient's case, the despair of knowing his family had essentially fallen apart. The card game. Catching the ball. Sometimes the family's not-so-positive reactions (captured by Leonard's mother) All of these are details from various cases.
Really, I was stunned how true to the book the movie was, and Sacks while acknowledging that some liberties were taken with the facts, stated he was thrilled with how the movie got the feelings, the emotions right.
There were, of course, some differences. I can, for the most part, understand why the differences were made for the movie, which I enjoyed even more the second time around. One, as Sacks notes, there was no major "Awakening" one night of all the patients. The patients were all given L-Dopa at various time spanning at least a couple of months. However, Sacks said this moment captured the feeling of what it was like to watch a patient who had been unresponsive for decades walk, talk, eat, laugh and interact with the world. One minor detail also is why L-Dopa was started: It was, indeed, very expensive when the drug first came out but by 1969, the price had fallen enough to make a wide testing feasible. Again, minor point and the solidarity of the staff made for a great moment.
The only major difference I saw between the book and movie that bothered me a little were the reactions of the patients to L-Dopa, although I will confess I honestly don't know how they could have done this more honestly without making a four-hour movie or making it very confusing for the viewer. In the movie, L-Dopa is shown to wear off in a way (at least that is the impression I got), and all the patients eventually reverted back to their inert state. I was left with the impression the first time around was that L-Dopa was ultimately a failure. What actually happened is a heck of a lot more complicated. The truth is, the response to L-Dopa was all over the map. A couple of the patients responded extremely well to it, and were able to live out more or less normal lives. A few patients responded well at first, then developed other problems but with a dose adjustment managed to strike a medium between being catatonic and flying off the walls, having uncontrollable tics or other complications related to the drug. Some, after a period of "awakening" went on to develop complications that, even with adjustments, never entirely went away. These patients tended to develop a sensitivity to L-Dopa. Some developed coping mechanisms, but others were left to struggle with tics, uncontrolled movements, sleeplessness, emotional outbursts and more. And for a couple of patients there was no therapeutic benefit at all; Sacks described one of those cases as "catastrophic" and you could tell from his writing he really questioned himself and his tests after this sad case.
So I guess my final verdict is this: both the movie and the book are excellent. Do understand the movie, by necessity, does take some liberties with the facts (and it even advertises itself as a fictionalized version of events so there's no intentional ploy at dishonesty here). I do recommend, if possible, that people read the book first because there are so many details in the movie that come from real life.
Currently reading: Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley.
5. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. This fulfills the requirement in the 2016 Book Riot challenge for dystopian novel. This is a singularly unsettling and bizarre read. Some parts of it -- such as turning Henry Ford into a sort of deity -- may come across as odd and even a bit dated. Ford today is a chapter or two in a history book, but when the book was written he was still a larger-than-life presence. Parts of the book read like a movie script, especially the first few chapters. That adds to Brave New World's disquieting narrative. Huxley writes about a futuristic world, where humanity is grown in decanters and, depending on the chemical mix and constant conditioning, are born to be anywhere from the top-ranking Alphas to the primitive Epsilons. While there are individuals who don't quite fit in (Bernard Marx, one of the main characters, to name one), society generally ticks along pleasantly in an endless cycle of preassigned work, movies, music, sex, perfumes, consumerism and soma (a drug used to quiet feelings of unease). Things change for Marx, and to a degree, for society, when he visits a Savage reservation and brings back two people from there- a woman who had lived in the "utopia" but got separated during a visit on the reservation, and her son. The second part of the book largely concerns the son, John, who finds difficulty fitting into either the world of the Savage reservation, or the tightly controlled, conditioned and drugged city. There is a lengthy conversation between John (who is also called the Savage) and Mustapha Mond, the resident World Controller, that will elicit chills; the parallels between this fictional world and the real world of today are strongest here.6. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, by Oliver Sacks. I've been wanting to read this one for a while, and it did not disappoint. Sacks had a wonderful, warm narrative style as he tells the fascinating stories of his various patients. Some of the more fascinating include the gentleman depicted in the title. He really did, right before Sacks, mistake his wife's head for a hat. He had a curious and (seemingly progressive) neurological disorder that did a couple of things. One, he "blanked out" anything on his left side, and two, he could not identify faces (unless they had a striking feature) or even common items. For example, Sacks gave this man a glove and asked him what it was and what it was used for. The gentleman made many observations about the glove but could not name what it was or what it was used for. Another story that stands out is about identical twins who were severely mentally challenged - they could not actually do even rudimentary math. But they could "see" numbers, come up with prime numbers at 6, 7, 8 numerals and even beyond. There's also a story about two women who suddenly could hear music. This went beyond mere earworm and was so loud at times they could not hear someone talking to them. A small stroke was responsible for one case; I don't recall what the issue was with the other, but it, too cleared up. The stories here (and in his other book Musicophilia) bring to light just how much can go wrong with the human brain, and in so many bizarre ways. Really, it's a miracle things go right as often as they do, with everything that could go awry.
Currently reading: Helter Skelter, by by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry.
7. The Importance of Being 3, by Lindsay Ward. I am using this book for the "read a book that is less than 100 pages" criteria for the Book Riot challenge. This is a cute picture book, good for a parent to read to a preschooler (as the title suggests) Readers follow a trio of youngsters as they go about their day, counting the number of threes they spy. They draw triangles, count groups of three objects like pigs and kittens and even have some typical preschooler moments such as trying to learn to share. There are a couple of things suggested that I think might have been too advanced for a 3-year-old (listing the three primary colors and writing out A B C). But these are minor quibbles. All in all, there is a lot of energy and charm in this picture book.Currently reading: Helter Skelter (about a fourth of the way through; I think I'm going to count this towards my 500+ challenge)
8. Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends. I'm not sure where that book disappeared to (I'm sure it's around here somewhere), but this is one of many Thomas books. It's a hard cardboard with a puzzle. It introduces Thomas and some of his friends, and what they can do. I read this to my cousin's 2-year-old boy earlier this year. It's a cute book for Thomas fans, but admittedly is probably too advanced for a toddler. It seemed more suitable for 4 or 5, given the length of the book and vocabulary used. He lost interest about halfway through. Still, it's a book he will probably enjoy later. 9. Helter Skelter, by Vincent Bugliosi, with Curt Gentry. Wow. I know this is horribly cliche, but truth is stranger (and sometimes more frightening) than fiction. My thoughts as I was wrapping up this book (a 25th anniversary edition, with a followup addendum) is that if the Manson murders had never happened but someone had written this series of events as fiction, that author would get a terse note back from the publisher(s) telling said author to write something the readers would be able to believe. I really did not know much about the Manson murders before reading this; I knew Charles Manson orchestrated the murders of several people, including Sharon Tate, which his followers obeyed. I had no idea the scope of the murders, the number of confirmed murders and the number of suspected murders tied to Manson and his bizarre Family. And the reasoning behind the murders is just..."weird" doesn't do it justice.
Bugliosi, one of the prosecutors for the case (the lead prosecutor for much of it), details the goings on in the courtroom as well. I can only imagine how the antics of Manson and his Family would play out today's hyperconnected world. I also could't help but feel so sorry for the jury on this case, who had to endure seven months of testimony on both sides and nine months total on the case, most of it sequestered. The book itself, while a shade longer than 500 pages (that is the category I am using this book for in the Book Riot challenge), it reads fairly quickly. It is well-paced and while there is a good deal of detail in the court scenes, the story isn't bogged down. This is not an easy read, from an emotional level. The crimes committed and alleged are brutal and sadistic. I know I am going to need a light chaser following this.
Currently reading: Ukrainian Folk Tales, various authors.
10. Grounding the Cloud, by Todd Lyle. This is a short, easy to follow book aimed at businesses eyeing going into the technology cloud. I also heard Lyle's talk at the Hudson Library, and he covered verbally large parts of the book, so this book reinforced his talk. It's a short, quick read but covers the important information in a way a non-IT person can grasp.Each short chapter is followed by a bulleted synopsis of the high points. I recommend it for those wanting a read on the basics of cloud technology. 11. The Little World of Liz Climo, by Liz Climo. My lil sis gave me this charming book for my birthday. A lovely and different gift! Climo fills a book with amusing cartoons. The cartoons range from cute to light comedy to just a bit twisted. There is some mild language in a handful of the comics, but the main reason I consider this more geared to adults is that I don't think younger children would get half of the jokes or references. Overall, this collection made me smile.
12. Ukrainian Folk Tales, by Irina Zheleznova. This is a lovely collection of short folk tales, many with beautiful illustrations. This was a book sent to me by a dear friend who lives in Ukraine. I was struck how many tales had parallels with stories that I grew up with. The Little Round Bun, for example, is similar to The Gingerbread Man. Another story (don't recall which one) had elements of Snow White. What was fascinating was the staple characters and scenarios. The stories are filled with devils, witches (including Baba Yaga), Sister Fox, wily wolves, and dangerous dragons. A couple I've heard before in different formats- the flying ship and the one with the glove. All in all, an enjoyable collection of stories. They are well-translated; there were only a few places where the translatons and ion felt a bit off, and nothing major. Also loved the illustrations within. I found it curious that the dragons and snakes were often depicted as green-skinned people.
13. Hedy's Folly, by Richard Rhodes. This one fulfills the Reading Riot challenge for a biography. Hedy Lamarr was well-known as a famous Hollywood actress and, for her time, regarded as the most beautiful woman. What is not as well known is that in her free time, she loved to invent. One of her inventions, which she worked with composer George Antheil, has impact even today: spread-spectrum radio. The technology was initially created for the World War II Allies' torpedoes. With the technology, torpedoes would not only be controlled by radio communication but the signal that controlled them would hop randomly from frequency to frequency - making the torpedoes' radio signal virtually impossible to jam. Lamarr used her knowledge of weaponry from her ex-husband and his contacts, and Antheil used his technical know-how from working with recording and with player pianos (I know that last one may sound odd; it just proves how the strangest knowledge can come in handy in the most unforeseeable ways). They were spurred into action after the torpedoing of two boats filled with children being spirited away from their war-torn countries. The book refers to Hedy but it's almost a split biography, with roughly equal pages dedicated to the movie start and Antheil. This is a quick read, and easy to follow. There's a good balance between setting the scene and time period and keeping the story moving.
Currently reading: Big Girls Do Cry, by April Kirkwood.
14. Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson. This one fits the middle school novel requirement for the Book Riot challenge. This is essentially Woodson's autobiography, told in free verse. It's beautifully written. Woodson (After Tupac and D Foster, and many other books) covers her life from a toddler in Ohio and a young child growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, and later in her years split between Greenville and Brooklyn, the latter city which would eventually become her home. She captures a childlike innocence with a story set in the middle of the Civil Rights movement. She shows the difficulties growing up in two areas, both of which present difficulties, but she doesn't dwell on the hardships. Instead, you see the closeness of her family, especially to her grandparents. You see her relationship with her mother, two older siblings and her younger brother. You see her curiosity as she seeks to find her way and find where she fits, and her thrill as her ability to tell stories and, later, write them come to fruition. This is an excellent book for preteen and younger teens- or any age. 15. Trashed, by Derf Backderf. This fulfills the graphic novel requirement for the Book Riot challenge. Backderf, best known for his graphic novel My Friend Dahmer. Here, Backderf tells a fictionalized story of his time serving as a garbageman. As expected, this story has a generous serving of Backderf's irreverent humor. However, there's also a good deal of compassion, such as when the garbage crew comes to a house that has obviously been foreclosed on. Throughout the story, Trashed gives information on how much garbage is generated in the United States, how it is stored, the anatomy of a landfill and even some history on garbage trucks. While the story is listed as a fictionalized story of Backderf's life behind a sanitation truck, I suspect there's more truth than fiction in many of the stories, which not only go over the perils and hardship of picking up garbage, but exposes the garbage in politics and even within people. There are a few four-letter words, but teachers in the higher grades shouldn't feel they need to hesitate to use this book as a teaching tool, and not just for ecology, either.
16. Big Girls Do Cry, by April Kirkwood. This was an interesting autobiography of a Youngstown woman who had a periodic affair with legendary singer Frankie Valli. She recalls her days as a child, going with her mother to Four Seasons concerts and meeting Valli afterwards. When she was older, she'd go back with him to his hotel room. Her infatuation and dreams of becoming the next Mrs. Frankie Valli would color her relationships with other men, none of which ended well. She reflects on her weaknesses and on imprinting, which she says can ruin any relationship. Kirkwood also goes into her background, growing up in blue-collar Youngstown, her up and down relationship with her troubled mother, and the more stable support of her aunt and grandmother. This is a quick read, about a colorful and fascinating life. Today, she works as a counselor and as a speaker on relationships.
Currently reading: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, by John le Carre.
16. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, by John le Carre. This one fulfills the challenge for the book published in the decade I was born. I misread it, thinking it had to be a book published in the YEAR I was born. There were plenty to choose from, even with that mistake. Still, I have to say, I was only meh about this book. Not my cup of tea. I found it rather boring and confusing. Too many characters, too many points that dragged and too many unexpected leaps back and forth in time. George Smiley was an interesting character- a man who seems plain and unassuming but who has more to him than you'd think. Also, a lot of the dialogue was really good. But it was too slow overall. My brain had already checked out of the story by the time the culprit was revealed. Currently reading: Life Expectancy, by Dean Koontz, and City of Veils, by Zoe Ferraris
18. Life Expenctancy, by Dean Koontz. Really enjoyed this novel. Koontz has this knack for making you laugh out loud one moment, then recoil in horror the next. He has this talent for these dark quips and strange twists. Those who like combining dark humor with a thriller will love this. In the story, Jimmy Tock is an unassuming pastry chef, with little self-confidence except when it comes to his culinary skills. But his birth is eventful to say the least. Part of it involves his grandfather, who dies the same day he is born, in the same hospital. Moments before dying, the grandfather makes several predictions about Jimmy, which are accurate. He also foresees five incredibly dark, tragic days in his grandson's life. The other eventful circumstances would involve too many spoilers, but let's just say they wind up impacting the rest of Jimmy's life in unexpected ways. 19. City of Veils, by Zoë Ferraris. This completes my Book Riot challenge for reading a story set in the Middle East. This is the second book in a series set in Saudi Arabia. The two central characters are Nayir Sharqi, a conservative desert guide, and forensic scientist Katya Hijazi. This unlikely duo again wind up working together on a case after a young woman is found horribly mutilated, and with her neck broken. After some digging, Katya discovers the dead woman was an aspiring filmmaker. One project included conversations with prostitutes and the condition of women's lives in general. This alone had caused conflicts. However, Leila also had been working on a far more contentious topic when she was killed. I had really enjoyed Finding Nouf, the first book, and this is an excellent encore. Ferraris paints a fascinating picture of Saudi Arabia - both the country's deep flaws and its beauty and variety of people and cultures (and views). The dead Leila is a fascinating character; without giving too much away, she has her shortcomings as well as her strengths. The rollercoaster relationship between the independent Katya and the deeply pious Nayir has been interesting to watch, and I'm glad the book didn't resolve things to tidily. There are actually several mysteries at work here, and I had no idea how things were going to resolve, and my guesses were generally wrong. Excellent mystery, all in all. I'll have to check out the other books in this series.
20. George, by Alex Gino. This fulfills the Book Riot challenge for reading a book about a person who is transgender. This is aimed at older grade school (third through sixth grade). I finished it in one day. The story centers on George. Everyone sees George as a boy, but George never saw herself that way. She keeps her thoughts hidden until her teacher announces her class will stage Charlotte's Web- and George really wants to play Charlotte. George's teacher reject the idea, but Kelly, George's best friend hatches a plan to make her dream come true - both in playing the role, and in having people see her the way she sees herself. This is a fairly balanced book; the outlook may be a good deal more rosy than in real life. But given that this book aims at education, understanding and promoting tolerance, I don't see this as a flaw.
Currently reading: Novel Without a Name, by by Dương Thu Hương, Nina McPherson (Translator), Phan Huy Đường (Translator).
21. Novel Without a Name, by Dương Thu Hương, Nina McPherson (Translator), Phan Huy Đường (Translator). A really powerful book set in Vietnam, during the final days of the Vietnam war. The story is told by Quan, a North Vietnamese soldier who joined the army at 18. Then, he was full of patriotism and ideals. Ten years later, his idealism has worn away and what he is fighting for far less clear, as he sees childhood friends killed, landscapes destroyed and people left destitute. The imagery and language is both beautiful and searing. The reader watches Quan as he tries to make a difference -- usually a futile effort-- and to understand what the purpose of the war really is. I kept thinking of Red Badge of Courage, a book I read in high school. I didn't care for the book then, but it has been on my re-read and "give another chance" list. Currently reading: Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow. This will fulfill the challenge requirement to read a book about politics. So far, loving this one but it's going to be a while before I finish. It's 800+ pages!
22. Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow. This one completes my challenge for reading a book about politics. WOW. What can I say that probably hasn’t been said already? It took me most of the summer to read this biography on one of our Founding Fathers, but it was worth it. I’ve heard the storytelling tone described as Dickensonian, especially in describing Hamilton’s early days in the British West Indies. This is apt. Of course, I became interested in Chernow’s biography when I became hooked on the Broadway musical Hamilton. The musical takes a lot of its inspiration, even some song titles, from this biography, and it was neat for me to read passages and think “OK, I recognize this scene,� or “so that’s the inspiration behind those particular lyrics!�
But back to the novel (I can digress forever on the musical, which I will be seeing very soon!). I really want to check out more of Chernow’s biographies now. I don’t recall the last time I was actually sad when I had finished the last page of a book; probably the seventh book of Harry Potter. I certainly don’t recall that ever happening with a nonfiction book. I tend to be drawn to nonfiction, and love to learn about history, but I was actually a bit blue when I finished this one. It was such a captivating read, on such a fascinating man living through a singularly epic time: the founding of a new country. Chernow has a great gift for not only storytelling, but connecting the dots. Actions early in Hamilton’s life have a deep impact on his thought process and actions later in life, and Chernow points that out without bludgeoning the reader.
I also loved his last chapter, which was dedicated to Elizabeth (Eliza) Hamilton. What an amazing woman, whose own legacy to continue her husband’s work and her own charitable causes cannot be overstated.
Chernow’s treatment of our Founding Father’s is fairly balanced; Hamilton especially is seen, warts and all. I am thinking of reading something on Thomas Jefferson; after reading this book I have to wonder (and I’m not the only one) why Jefferson is lionized so much. Jefferson was a smart man, but at best could be horribly myopic when it came to the future. He also was a walking mass of contradictions. At any rate, I felt Chernow was thorough without delving too much into minutia.
I know many people will feel daunted by the length (it’s 731 “reading� pages, with a lot of index, notes, etc. in the back). It is long, and it is a dense book. You can’t just fly through it. But again, it’s worth the read. It’s a well-told story about a fascinating person in this nation’s history, a person who, until the past couple years, never really got the spotlight he deserved. I mean, this man created our banking system, Wall Street, the coast guard and was one of George Washington’s most trusted advisors. He wrote copious amounts of reports, letters and pamphlets, in an era of the quill and scroll.
23. Little Shop of Horrors, by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman. This will complete my challenge for reading a play script. Since I’m handling props for an upcoming show, I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone. I’ve seen this play before a couple of times, so this was a fairly quick read. I still prefer the movie ending, but it’s a weird, wacky play with a lot of fun songs and memorable characters. The most known character, of course, is Audrey II, a carnivorous plant not just content with Miracle-Gro. No, Audrey II’s tastes are more sanguinary. At any rate, I was reading it from a props perspective, and it makes me appreciate how much is needed for a musical such as this.
24. Murder in Spokane, by Mark Fuhrman. If you can get past who the author is (and the infamous case he was a big part of is mentioned briefly a couple of times), this is actually a good read. It is a bit dated, but it’s an interesting perspective that reads like a whodunit at times. When several bodies of prostitutes start turning up in the mid and late 90s, the local law enforcement in Spokane (and other areas) find themselves looking at a serial killer case. Much of the story concerns the investigation (and what Fuhrman lists as the many, many mistakes made in said investigation). If Fuhrman’s statements can be taken at face value (a cursory check didn’t reveal anything contradictory) then there were a lot of appalling mistakes made by law enforcement, and perhaps as many as nine lives were needlessly lost. Leaving crime scenes overnight. Not following up on tips. Lack of communication and cooperation with other enforcement agencies. In the end, Robert Lee Yates is known to have killed at least 13 female prostitutes, most of them also drug addicts, and probably killed more. It’s sad because you see this a good deal with serial killer cases. With a few exceptions, the victims tend to be marginalized, so no one really notices � or cares � when they turn up dead. Indeed, I guess Fuhrman’s wife was talking to a Spokane resident, who flat out said who cared about a few drug-addicted prostitutes, and perhaps the killer was doing the area a favor. Ouch. I have to wonder if this was a part of the reason for the lackadaisical attitude on the part of law enforcement and the community when it came to these crimes. The Yates case reminds me of the more recent Anthony Sowell case here.
Currently reading: Speaking of Murder, by Les Roberts, and Hamilton, the Revolution, by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter.
25. Speaking of Murder, by Les Roberts, with Dan S. Kennedy. Another fun addition to the Milan Jacovich series. Roberts again teams up with Kennedy, this time to explore the world of public speaking and motivational seminars. In this story, Milan and Kevin O'Bannion are hired on as extra security at a convention for high-profile (and some not-so high profile) motivational speakers. Of course, it doesn't take long for one of them to wind up dead, and Milan and his lady friend Tobe Blaine, a homicide detective with the Cleveland police find no shortage of suspects. I have said it before, but I love the dynamic between Milan and Tobe, although I noticed some of the exchanges seemed sharper at times. I was especially happy to see the return of Victor Gaimari, the head of Cleveland's mob. He's a fun character, one you can't decide whether to love him or hate him, and you often wind up doing both in the same book. All in all, this was another excellent mystery, with great dialogue, some good laughs and excellent action. In addition, I had no idea whodunit until the end.26. Hamilton, the Revolution, by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter. I read about two-thirds of this before seeing Hamilton, and finished the rest on the car ride home. If you are a fan of the musical, or curious about it, or like a good behind-the-scenes book on the making of a musical, you must get this book. It's a lovely book, filled with gorgeous full color photos and tons of information on the play. The book is set up with headlines that read like something from Hamilton's era, and the chapters include interviews with the cast (the ensemble as well as the main cast) and the creative team behind this blockbuster show. It also includes Lin-Manuel's notes and pages of early drafts, costume concepts and more. In addition, the book includes the full libretto, with Lin-Manuel's side notes on certain lines and passages sprinkled liberally throughout. Those side notes were my favorite part, and offered a peek into the thought process in forming the lyrics of this work.
Currently reading: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany
27. Best of One Tank Trips, by Neil Zurcher. This was a fun book. Zurcher, who recently retired, is known in this area for his One Tank Trips feature, a segment where he would find fascinating and unusual destinations that could be done in a day. Most of his trips are in Ohio, but a few go out of state. Anyone looking for a good day trip that’s not too far from home should get this book, but even if someone doesn’t like to travel, Zurcher gives you a written tour of the many places listed. Some highlights include a ride-through wildlife park, a place where you can legally drag-race in the family car; an Amish hardware story that only sells non-electric tools, appliances and toys; and the only World War II submarine still in original condition. In addition, this travel veteran shares tips on what to do before venturing out, and gives some of his own anecdotes on his adventures (and even a couple misadventures; one of his final stories had me laughing so hard I had to put the book down for a moment). 28. True Tales from the Buckeye State, by Linda Lehmann Masek. Another book readers may want to consider if they are looking for interesting trips, or even just interesting facts, about Ohio. Masek shares stories about some of the fascinating attractions around Ohio, as well as her own experiences in the buckeye state. Masek goes into the stories of the traffic light, the sea serpent of Lake Erie and the Cat Museum in Alliance. In addition, she also includes a collection of her own poetry, plus information on other interesting historic tidbits not connected to Ohio. These last inclusions were a bit puzzling given the title of the book but were informative.
29. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. This was disappointing. Three-quarters of it was� OK. A bit rough around the edges, especially the beginning, but I did note that the book was branded as a rehearsal copy, which means that it probably wasn’t the final, polished draft. Also, I realize that you can only get so much reading a script. A play was meant to be seen, not just read. So, for the first three-quarters I was willing to give this script some leeway. I noticed a couple minor inconsistencies, but for most of the book I was enjoying the trip back to the Harry Potter universe. The action concerns Harry Potter’s son, Albus Severus, who tries to set right a terrible event from Harry’s past, but unwittingly creates far more problems. The premise is good, for the most part. Not sure I like Ron’s portrayal as a bit of a dolt- he could be smart in canon. But otherwise, it felt like a good, working draft, something with potential. Then- we get to the final one-quarter, where a revelation about a character takes this work from “needs polish but generally pretty good� to REALLY bad fanfic territory. I just lost all enjoyment after this reveal. Not sure I could stomach even watching it on stage now. A pity, because it had such potential.
30. Get Smart, by Christopher Sergel. This is a stage adaptation based on the series created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, and was the show I was supposed to be in. For those not familiar with the television series, the story lines revolve around secret agent Maxwell Smart, who tends to be more lucky than smart. Smart and Agent 99 work for Control, which always has to attempt to thwart the evil of KAOS. Those familiar with the series will see a lot of the classic lines and moments in this stage adaptation, and the script does an excellent job capturing the spirit of this hilarious series.
31. The Hudson Library and Historical Society. This was a photo book of the Hudson Library and Historical Society. My feelings were mixed. On one hand, the photos are lovely, and capture the beauty of what is considered to be a gem in this area. But I also felt there were missed opportunities as well. There was no cutline information to go with the photos, and no statistics or information about the library as it was depicted in this relatively recent publication. 50 years from now, few if anyone will remember who was pictured, and what the context was.
Currently reading: The Midwife’s Tale, by Sam Thomas, and The Agency: A Spy in the House, by Y.S. Lee.
I can knock off three more items off the Book Riot challenge in this round, leaving me with four left to go (one more is in process). Yeah, doubt I'll make 50 books and I'll be right under the wire with the Book Riot challenge, but given how this summer/early fall fell out... oh well :/32. The Agency, by Y.S. Lee. This book meets the requirement for reading the first book in a series by an author of color. The first installment, A Spy in the House, introduces the reader to Mary Quinn, a young woman who was saved from certain death and placed into a select boarding school as a child. When Quinn turns 17, she is told that the school is a front for a network of spies -- trained women who infiltrate society to uncover criminal activity. Quinn eagerly joins their ranks and finds herself in the household of a wealthy merchant whom the Agency suspects has been committing insurance fraud. The story is told both from Mary's point of view and James, who has his own reasons for keeping an eye on the merchant's family. Wasn't sure I'd like that approach initially, but Lee pulled it off. What I really liked was the double mystery. Not only does Mary (and the reader) have to piece together what is happening with the ships, but Mary also is on a hunt to discover her own roots. This was a fun, enjoyable read, although some elements require a suspension of belief (the author does stress this is more fiction than historical fiction). Also, admittedly, I guessed whodunit about halfway through the book. I'm curious about the other books in the series now.
33. The Midwife's Tale, by Sam Thomas. This book meets the requirement for reading a historical fiction novel set before 1900. The first installment of this mystery series is set in 1644 in the city of York, towards the end of England's civil war. the central character, Bridget Hodgson,is a genteel widow who serves as one of the city's midwives. Her status as a gentlewoman and a respected midwife allows her to live a fairly comfortable lifestyle despite the civil war that threatens to tear apart the city - both from within and outside. But Hodgson soon finds herself embroiled in another dilemma: Esther, one of her closest friends, is accused of murdering her husband and faces death by burning. Bridget doesn't feel Esther is capable of such an act and begins to take matters into her own hands, with the help of her new servant Martha Hawkins, a young woman with her own share of secrets. This was, all in all, a well-researched novel with a good deal of period detail and a great mystery.I had no idea who the guilty party was until the reveal. More importantly, Bridget is one of the most intriguing heroines I've ever seen. She is a woman of honor and charitable, but she does have her shortcomings and prejudices.Bridget can be generous, but can also be rather cruel to those she thinks have sinned. Even when a young woman is "in trouble" through no fault of her own, her general feeling is one of pity... but.... Bridget is certainly a product of her time, but I wonder if she will slowly soften her rigid code, especially with Martha.
34. We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This book meets the requirements for reading a nonfiction book on feminist themes. Adichie has written a quick, insightful book on why feminism should not be considered a bad word. Unfortunately, all too often the word feminism has negative connotations. She relates her experiences with misogyny - both subtle and overt- during her years growing up in Nigeria, and living here in the United States. The language of marginalizing women can easily be overlooked because it is so ingrained in society, and the author points out examples of this. Adichie also points out how stereotypes hurt not only women, but men as well. When men are expected and required to act in what can be equally restricting ways, a man's real personality can be lost to the alter of misguided social mores.
35. To Kill a Mockingbird, adapted by Christopher Sergel. This adaptation will be staged by one of our local theaters early next year, and I'm co-designing props for it. So, I thought I'd check out the script for research purposes. I'm also re-reading the novel (I read it in grade school). I believe another theater did this particular adaptation a few years ago as well. It's a good adaptation of this classic novel. Sergel gets the important elements in while keeping the play at a manageable length. True, much has been cut; there's no schoolroom scenes, the items found in the knothole of the tree have been pared down to two and many secondary characters were either cut or combined. But given that the novel is more than 300 pages, that is to be expected. The important development elements and the themes are intact. What's interesting is that while the action in the novel is seen through Scout's eyes, the play is more of an omniscient view. The occasional narrator is actually the Finch's good-hearted neighbor Miss Maudie, who succinctly ties up any loose ends and parses out bits of important information. Looking forward to working on this production!
Currently reading: To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and Private Doubt, Public Dilemma: Religion and Science Since Jefferson and Darwin, By Keith Stewart Thomson
36. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. This is actually a reread; I read this in grade school (although I may have read an abridged version, I don't recall). I've been wanting to reread this one for a while now, and this year seemed to be a good time to do just that, since I'm co-props designer for an upcoming staged version of this story (see my previous blog post). I remember really enjoying the adventures of Scout Finch as a child, especially her finding the little treasures in the knothole. As an adult, I picked up on a lot more. I've complained about this before but all too often the word "classic" is overused. Too many so-called "classics" are mind-numbing, pretentious garbage. But this is a novel that richly deserves the name of classic. It's well-written, with memorable and all-too human characters with their own strengths and weaknesses. The story is filtered through young Scout's eyes, and most of the action takes place during the year where her father Atticus Finch is defending a black man from a rape charge, in Depression-era fictional small town in Alabama. Scout is a smart, somewhat rebellious child who gets frustrated with her older, supposedly boring father. But her views slowly change as that summer teachers her about just how strong and how noble Atticus is. By the end of the book, her maturation is evident. This beautifully-written book is a must-read, and it pains me that there are school districts who are mulling the banning of this great work. 37. Private Doubt, Public Dilemma: Religion and Science Since Jefferson and Darwin, By Keith Stewart Thomson. This completes my reading challenge about reading a book on religion. It may be a stretch for this category - it wasn't quite what I expected - but ah well. Thomson is surprisingly even-handed in discussing the issues that came up with the publication of Darwin's Origin of Species, plus even some of the debates that came up even in the early 1800s, with the Age of Enlightenment. It's a tough issue to balance, since revolution versus creationism are n many ways such polar opposite ideas. My reaction to the book itself is mixed. It's well researched and balanced, but much of it is also boring. Up until the last few chapters I was ready to pan it completely as being as dry as toast. Much of it reads like an academic textbook. The first chapter is especially dull, and had it not been so late in the year, I probably would have given up on it after the first chapter. But then the last few chapters - which concentrates more on the debates between Darwin and those who supported his theories, those who took a different tack to his theory to wed it to religious belief, those who argued against it for scientific reasons and those who opposed it because it does seem to clash with dogma. This part was more interesting. Still, not sure I can really recommend this book because you have to schlep through so much to get to a couple of good chapters. The appendix was somewhat interesting. I guess if you are reading up on the debates of revolution, by all means this is a good source. But if you are looking for a nice, educational read to engage your brain in quieter moments, this may prove to be more of an insomnia cure.
Currently reading: The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah (for the Audie Book award winner category in the Book Riot challenge), and Will Write for Food, by Dianne Jacob (for the food memoir category).
38. The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah. I listened to this on CD; it was an Audie award-winner for fiction in 2016. Wow. Holy crap, this was good. The whole story left me breathless, and the reader Polly Stone captures each individual character to a degree I've heard few other readers accomplish. Fair warning- have tissues on hand, especially towards the end; just when you think things are going to wrap up there are a couple of tear-your-heart-out surprises at the end. But, as painful as these (and other developments) were, they were honest and one dealt with a huge issue where there just were no winners, only losers. The story is set in France and spans from the start of World War II to the end of the war, with some chapters placed in America in 1995. The book's first chapter starts in 1995, with an elderly woman about to move into an assisted living center. She is going through her things, including an old trunk. The reader (or listener) doesn't know who this woman is for certain, and her identity doesn't come out until the very end. This made for a nice little mystery, and I admit I initially guessed wrong. Much of the story is set in France during the second World War, and follows the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle. Vianne lives in a quiet village with her husband and her daughter, and is content with her life and surroundings. The quiet, even timid, woman's life is turned upside down when her husband leaves and the Nazis come in, with officers staying under her roof. Vianne had never been one to take charge but now is constantly forced to choose to stand up for her principles and feeding her daughter and herself. Meanwhile, the much younger and idealistic Isabelle joins the Free France movement, and her escapades eventually become legendary -- and puts her in the Nazi government's crosshairs. Each of the sisters is wonderfully fleshed out; they both have their flaws but they also have their own nobility and growth. As readers today, we are more inclined to sympathize with Isabelle's fears and premonitions about the war- she would wind up being more prescient than her older sister. But we have the benefit of hindsight. Also, you see examples of why Vianne would get frustrated with her younger sibling. Their father, too, plays a pivotal role. He's deeply flawed but sympathetic, and in the end redeems himself. Vianne is possibly the most interesting and would be the subject of the most discussion. Many of the things she does would be considered controversial, but I see her as the Everyperson. I think, for better or worse, most of us would be Viannes, especially the Vianne early in the story, and not the more resolute Isabelle. Then again, that may not be entirely fair because Vianne is not just weighing her needs but the needs of her little girl. All in all, a great story. There are many fictional books set in World War II but this gives that pivotal era a look through a fresh perspective.
39. My Schizophrenic Life, by Sandra Yuen MacKay. This fulfills the challenge for reading a book that has a main character with a mental illness. This "main character" is actually an autobiography penned by MacKay, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teen. She pulls no punches; MacKay is honest about her struggles and shortcomings in dealing with her illness, and the difficulty of her recovery and managing her life. The reader, through her eyes, gets a glimpse of what schizophrenia is like and why it is such a difficult illness to treat. MacKay freely admits she was not always a model patient. But MacKay was able to work through not just schizophrenia but her own inherent insecurities to become an author, a public speaker and an artist. This is a human story, from a point of view that is often not heard. IT might not be the most polished of narratives but I think that's part of its charm and honesty. All in all, it's an insightful and quick read.
Currently reading: Will Write for Food, by Dianne Jacob.
40. Will Write for Food, by Dianne Jacob. This was for the food memoir category. I admit this one is a bit of a stretch for this category; Jacob's book is more a guide on writing a food memoir. Or blog. Or cookbook. Or any food-related publication. Or write reviews. This is a must for anyone wanting to do any writing connected with the culinary world. This book is even a good resource for those who want to write, even if their interest is not in food (I'm about as non-foodie as you get, but even I had some good takeaways from this). Jacob falls back not only on her years of writing experience, but quotes heavily from other food writers (including Cleveland's own Laura Taxel, of Cleveland Ethnic Eats). This book is well organized and easy to follow, and while it is a how-to guide, it's never dry. Really, my only recommendations are that, if there are plans for another revised version, is to add a section on how to handle trolls, troublemakers and flame wars in blogs and social media, and how to best promote yourself via social media. Otherwise, this is quite thorough. There's plenty of recommendations for blogs, writing resources, cookbooks, how to get published, and more. There are even writing exercises throughout.
1. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After, by Steve Hockensmith. Now, I accidentally ordered this book, thinking this was the original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I didn't even realize there was a sequel (much less a prequel). Thankfully for me, this book stands on its own pretty well. I do recommend reading Pride and Prejudice first; personally I'm not a huge fan of Jane Austen's novels (and I've also never understood the fascination with zombies), but I did enjoy this story. This book combines Austenish barbs on Victorian mores mixed in with zombies, ninjas and all sorts of fisticuffs. The body count is higher than in a Shakespearean tragedy, and there is plenty of blood. But the gore mixed with the prudery and class-consciousness of the era (for example, it is impolite to say the word "zombie") make for many hilarious scenes. I really want to check out the other two books in this series, and the other books like it.
In this story, newlyweds Darcy and Elizabeth find their idyllic, zombie-fighting world turned upside-down when Darcy is bitten by a young "unmentionable" ( one of the preferred term for zombies). Elizabeth, her father and her sisters are sent on a quest to London to find the man who supposedly has a cure for this strange and horrible plague that has gripped the country.
This book fulfilled the category for horror novel.
2. Physics of the Future, by Michio Kaku. I may have some quibbles with this book - mostly because I think it paints an overall too-rosy picture of the technological advances out there. But all in all, I would recommend it because it not only opened my eyes to how much we've progressed, and how much technology is out there already, but it makes you think. In Physics of the Future, Kaku goes into the technology that is either just waiting in the wings, or technology that will probably be here in 100 years. Kaku stresses that the inventions and technology he mentions are not just pipe dreams and fabrications from an active imagination, but devices and methods either in existence or being explored in the here and now. He talks to hundreds of scientists and has even witnessed astonishing marvels not quite in the mainstream yet. Imagine taking a pill with medical nanobots that can repair damaged cell tissue and eradicate cancer. Or cars that can drive themselves. Or microbots that can be sent to moons or habitable worlds to construct bases and terraform the surface. Incredible powers such as X-ray vision and telekinesis are not out of the realm of real world, and neither is near-immortality. Of course, nothing is gained without a cost, and at times I wondered if Kaku stresses the gains, with only a cursory mention of the possible costs. For example, longer life and immortality sound good- but what about overpopulation? What about an economy that is already hemorrhaging jobs and natural resources? That's just one example. I seem to remember reading a couple of things where I thought "say, that's not right!" However, I don't have the book handy and I don't recall what those items were, so it must have been minor. I also was a bit miffed that Kaku mentioned Watson and Crick's discovery of the double helix structure in DNA without mentioning Rosalind Franklin, whose photography and own research would have made their own research virtually impossible. Still, I will acknowledge that writing a book with all the possibilities, and all the possible pitfalls, would make for an unwieldy book. As I said, the appeal to me was its opening up ideas and introducing technologies I had no inkling existed, and how it makes one think. This would be a fun book discussion book.
This book fulfilled the category for a science novel.
3. Black Holes and Baby Universes, by Stephen Hawking. I wasn't sure what to expect from writings by Stephen Hawking, who is one of the most intelligent men of our age. I felt a bit daunted (my understanding of physics is rudimentary at best), but decided to plunge ahead with this book, which fulfills the collection of essays requirement for the Book Riot. I admit, there was one chapter (I think the third one) where he concentrates on a lot of physics material, that went clear over my head. But otherwise, I was able to grasp, at least on a general level, his ideas and observations. What astounded me is how down-to-earth Hawking's tone was, how accessible. Hawking has a very dry, even self-depreciating sense of humor, and I chuckled more than once over his wry observations. This book is a a collection of essays and speeches, plus the transcript of a radio interview. I do find it a bit ironic is that he states that he would never allow a movie to be made of himself or his family, given the Academy-award winning "Theory of Everything." These essays are at least two decades old; I did wonder how much has changed and how much he would change the essays now. I also wonder what he thought of the movie. But I digress. This was another interesting read, not just for learning about the world and physics, but getting a peek at Hawking himself.
Currently reading: Awakenings, by Oliver Sacks. I will use this one as my "read a book, watch the movie its based on and compare the two" category. I wasn't going to at first (I've actually already seen the movie, which stars the late Robin Williams). But I really want to rewatch the movie now that I am about 2/3 done with the book. It has been a while since I have seen it, and my overall impression is that the book is VERY different from the movie- at least according to what I think I remember from the movie. I will wait to do a thorough comparison after a rewatch just in case my memory is faulty.
Also, one of the Book Riot requirements was to read a book to someone. I read a few pages from his Thomas the Tank Engine Board book to my cousin's 2-year-old son. I think I got through three, maybe four of the 10 pages before he lost interest. Ah well, maybe another time, with another book (admittedly, the book was too advanced for a toddler). But by consensus of my peers, I'm counting this one towards the challenge (although I do hope I can try again, just for the sake of it).
Four complete, fifth underway...