Monday, February 29, 2016

Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase


  • 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.

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.