- After the first few chapters I was hooked. Chase's Black Rabbit Hall is an engaging novel with healthy touch of creepiness.
- There are two main narrators in the novel: Amber living in the late 1960s and Lorna in the modern day.
- I enjoyed the setting of a large and dated estate in the UK.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase
Friday, February 26, 2016
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
- Although this is a long read at 400+ pages, the novel's quick pace makes it a quick read.
- Sittenfeld re-imagines Pride and Prejudice in modern times. He is true to core nature of the original's main characters.
- The characters are somehow complex in their superficial preferences and values.
Booked by Kwame Alexander
- This is Alexander's follow-up to The Crossover. Booked is written in a similar fashion, but focuses on soccer instead of basketball.
- The main character deals with his parent's separation and the growing distance between his best friend and him.
- The focus on soccer includes the main character playing soccer and playing soccer video games.
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
- This novel is written as a memoir of Addie, the main character.
- The reader reads the stories told by the main character.
- Addie is incredibly likable.
- This novel is about growth and appreciating the best in the people in our lives.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Crucial Accountability by Patterson, Grenny, Maxfield, McMillan, and Switzler
- This book breaks down how accountability issues tend to develop.
- Problems with accountability tend to be either based in a lack of motivation or incapability to perform the task.
- The authors pattern out conversations and break them down to provide practical guidance.
- The book also addresses when accountability issues should be addressed. They also differentiate between accountability conversations and nagging.
- Overall, this is a guide to navigating touch interpersonal conversations about accountability.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson
- At first I found it difficult to listen to the audiobook narrated by the author. The voice I was hearing was Dwight. It took me a while to set Dwight aside and get to know Rainn Wilson.
- This memoir is engaging, funny, and surprisingly deep. Wilson discusses his personal spiritual journey and past reliance on drugs.
- As a fan of The Office, the section devoted to his time as Dwight was a highlight of the book for me.
Dodgers by Bill Beverly
- Beverly crafts a gritty and compelling tale involving travel, violence, and crime.
- The novel focuses on a mission four young men are given.
- Beverly questions the meaning of opportunity these four young men.
- While the subject matter is dark, this novel isn't grim.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Avenue of Spies by Alex Kershaw
- This book explores the activities and lives of an American doctor and his family in Paris during Nazi occupation.
- At first the book focused on descriptions of individuals. This portion of the book seemed to drag.
- However, as the book progressed the characters became compelling.
- This work is the product of Kershaw's detailed research. The research sources are seamlessly woven into the narrative.
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