Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel

(World War Z style narrative x .9 plot speed)

- Zombies

+ Alien technology

------------------------------

Pretty awesome read

Black Earth by Timothy Snyder

• Detailed, but readable.  
• A significant portion of the work focuses on Poland's role in the Holocaust.  
• Snyder thoroughly explains Hitler's view of the world through the lens of race and inevitable racial conflict.
• This books demonstrates what it means for a group of people to be without citizenship or a state. Using examples, Snyder demonstrates how Jewish populations without the protections of a government were substantially more vulnerable to the Nazi Final Solution.

The One Minute Manager by Blanchard and Johnson

• The audiobook reads like a telling of a story with an all-knowing narrator.
• The reader listens as the main character bumbles around learning of the magical powers of the one-minute manager.
• This title feels like it was set in the 1950s.  Evidence of this includes the role of women in the book, language used, and the author's conception of human motivations.
• Oddly, all the characters in or seeking management roles are men.

Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin

• This was an enthralling read given the intriguing subject matter.
• Having listened to the audiobook read by Meryl Streep it is hard to imagine what the experience of reading the print book would be like. 
• The novel incorporates events from the bible and retells them through Mary's eyes.
• Overall, the great text and outstanding narrator makes this a fantastic read.

Grit to Great by Kaplan Thaler and Koval

• The authors identify guts, resilience, initiative, and tenacity as the keys to grit.
• The short guide details how success requires more than talent alone.
• Suggestions from the authors include: become an over-preparer, go the extra 30 minutes, make yourself uncomfortable, and embrace plan b.
• One of the topics that caught my eye was the discussion of rejection.  The authors advocate that if you are not rejected you are not asking for enough.  At first sight, this does make sense.  However, the text ignores the social implications of making huge requests, which are especially problematic for women.
• Overall, this is an enjoyable and brief read that encourages readers to strengthen themselves.

Summer Secrets by Jane Green

• This novel occupies the space where Nicholas Sparks and Nora Roberts intersect.
• The characters are flawed, but still *good* people.
• Love is immediate and absolute.

A Load of Hooey by Bob Odenkirk

• It wasn't until a few months ago when I was totally sucked into Better Call Saul that I learned about Bob Odenkirk.  In this research I disocvered he was the comic mastermind behind my favorite SNL skit, Down By the River featuring Chris Farley.  
• The collection of essays and short stories explores the underbelly of society.  It isn't dark, but it brings to light popular assumptions.
• I enjoyed Odenkirk's narration of the audiobook.
• The essay that is most memorable to me is the imaged obituary for the creator of Mad Libs.