No offense, Mommy. Actually I don't think I can live up to the title as I have wonderful parents on all accounts. This was a fun read for a personal f...moreNo offense, Mommy. Actually I don't think I can live up to the title as I have wonderful parents on all accounts. This was a fun read for a personal finance book as the author's voice is zany and direct. He will call you out on human foibles. This book is definitely geared to a beginning investor as all the advice is in broad strokes. This would be a good book for a recent graduate. I laughed out loud when I noticed an error of information had a footnote on it. Being a nerdy librarian that checks this kind of stuff, I read the footnote where he talks directly to the reader and says he knows the information was incorrect and then puts the right info. I think he was just having fun with the reader.(less)
I loved this book. Meticulously researched and thoughtful- actually that is the description for introverts. I like that the book doesn't judge either...moreI loved this book. Meticulously researched and thoughtful- actually that is the description for introverts. I like that the book doesn't judge either personality but asserts our American culture is favoring the "extrovert ideal" The author hopes to raise attention to the value in admiring the contributions of both. Disclaimer: the author is a self-professed introvert.There is a great TED video by the author too. Honestly, I think I am an ambivert.(less)
I have always been fascinated with creative geniuses and the creative process. This book delves into the research of both. The book was well-crafted a...moreI have always been fascinated with creative geniuses and the creative process. This book delves into the research of both. The book was well-crafted and a quick read for a non-fiction book. This both business and academic fields can gain insight from the research. Now I want to go paint or write a book myself.(less)
Saw this book on someone's desk, and it reminded me of how I loved this when I read it in college. Of course, that was when I was an English major rea...moreSaw this book on someone's desk, and it reminded me of how I loved this when I read it in college. Of course, that was when I was an English major reading "only the greats" Even though this is a post modern work from a critical acclaimed Italian-American write, I find Endzone very accessible and clever. Even some high school guys would enjoy it.(less)
Fun read about an orphaned boy. The main character reminds me of a cross between Oliver Twist and Shakespeare's Prince Hal of the Henry plays. Many mi...moreFun read about an orphaned boy. The main character reminds me of a cross between Oliver Twist and Shakespeare's Prince Hal of the Henry plays. Many middle schoolers will love the original mischievous voice of Sage.(less)
This is a gripping tale in the traditions of American Literature. One critic noted, " Margo Crane, an unforgettable heroine made of equal parts Huck F...more This is a gripping tale in the traditions of American Literature. One critic noted, " Margo Crane, an unforgettable heroine made of equal parts Huck Finn, Annie Oakley,and Janie Crawford." I would add that the style also reminds me of a female Cormac McCarthy and on par with Joyce Carol Oates with its unwaivering truth about violence as lived by woman. This is not an easy read, but a powerful one.(less)
Loved this lush, rich novel. The critics and pundits noted parallels to The Great Gatsby are warranted and delightful. The book transports the reader...moreLoved this lush, rich novel. The critics and pundits noted parallels to The Great Gatsby are warranted and delightful. The book transports the reader back to the tail-end of Depression era. Any current book set in the Depression naturally correlates with the ethos and pathos of our current times and Towles handles this superbly. The narrator reminds me of Katherine Hepburn with a book fetish. While Nick Carraway in the Great Gatsby was a detached lingerer, Katey Kontent is more embedded in the story with a refreshing vigor. Her rise in class and stature seems honest and untainted, although not perfect. This is an instant classic in the American Lit cannon.(less)
Another tome in the tradition of creative non-fiction with extreme characters. If you like Sebastien Jungers, Jon Krakauer and books like Born to Run...moreAnother tome in the tradition of creative non-fiction with extreme characters. If you like Sebastien Jungers, Jon Krakauer and books like Born to Run this one will titillate as well.This book is cleverly crafted with chapters ranging from the physics of waves, monster storms with their shipwrecks, to extreme,big wave surf riders like Laird Hamilton. This book captures the shock and awe of the ocean. Even if you are not a water-worshiper, you will respect the intelligence of the research and the excitement of the characters and their antics. Hang 100.(less)
Looking for the next adolescent book to make ripples like the Hunger Games? I bet that Glow is the next series in that vein. While geared towards teen...moreLooking for the next adolescent book to make ripples like the Hunger Games? I bet that Glow is the next series in that vein. While geared towards teenagers this book is enjoyable to adults. The dystopian society theme that is alluring in teens books is present with an ingenious twist. This book while set in the future is a parallelism to the Puritan age of the past. I like that this allusion to history is actually subtle in the book. As all power struggles are necessary in books with the dystopian themes, I especially like to exploration into gender power differentials. While more recent adolescent lit has strong female characters this book goes beyond with questions about breeding and body rights without judgment or preaching. These seemingly controversial topics are handled in a way that is not graphic or blatant so an English teacher could teacher it alongside The Scarlet Letter or The Crucible. Students and teenage won't be able to put this down. It could be a great bridge book to the classics.(less)
This book upends common myths about nurturing and raising a child. This book is a good survey of current research on parenting that gets underplay in...moreThis book upends common myths about nurturing and raising a child. This book is a good survey of current research on parenting that gets underplay in our society. Dr. Spock and innate mothering- look for the counter on these ideas. As an educator, I had read about the dangers of certain types of praise so I direct readers to go right the the source that these writers reference- Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck. All parents should read this. Educators will benefit too. You don't have to agree, but it definitely makes you rethink some common ideas about child-rearing.(less)
This book does a great jobs of culling through relevant, current research about human social interactions and relaying it in an easy, readable narrati...moreThis book does a great jobs of culling through relevant, current research about human social interactions and relaying it in an easy, readable narrative. The book is structured on a human life span so the reader can easily relate to the science embedded within the story. This is a great survey of information for the reader that does not want to read separate books on topics like infant-parent connection, adolescent social-development, love, relationships, family, and aging. For more depth on any one area covered in the book go to the notes at the back of the book.(less)
I have been mulling around with ideas about balance in the digital world. This author eloquently captures ideas that I have been thinking about. The f...moreI have been mulling around with ideas about balance in the digital world. This author eloquently captures ideas that I have been thinking about. The first part of the book captures the dilemma of our current state with technology- a "maximalist approach"( more tech means better). Powers makes a strong counterargument to that approach. The middle sections chronicles the history of tech development and culture's relationship to it. He draws relevant parallels to today. The last section gives practical strategies to balance the overconnected, constantly plugged-in society of today. I can sense that I will continue to reference this work in the future.(less)
Is this a Grimm fairytale or a grim detective novel? Either way it was a hard book to put down. Set in Ireland, the main character is a detective that...moreIs this a Grimm fairytale or a grim detective novel? Either way it was a hard book to put down. Set in Ireland, the main character is a detective that has suffered a major trauma in childhood. The current case he is working may have ties to his "unsolved" childhood case, but he does not disclose his conflict of interest.There are lots of interesting plot twists.(less)
The teen years are gruesome- all those hormonal and emotional changes. But they are much more gruesome if you found out that your parents neglected to...moreThe teen years are gruesome- all those hormonal and emotional changes. But they are much more gruesome if you found out that your parents neglected to tell you that your a vampire.This book is a witty satire on family life and teen vampire books at the same time. Feeling out of wack and a misfit is amplified if you have lived your life in the world of humans when, in fact, you are a vampire. I can't tell if this book is poking fun at suburbia or Twilight or both, but it is quirky and funny even if you do not read vampire, werewolf, or zombie books. I really enjoyed it.(less)
As a native Floridian, I enjoy getting back to the swampy state. This book is both the real and surreal Florida. The focus is on a family living "off...moreAs a native Floridian, I enjoy getting back to the swampy state. This book is both the real and surreal Florida. The focus is on a family living "off the grid" in the natural swamp lands of Florida. Homage is paid to the mom and pop tourist attractions of yesteryear. There is a subversive stab at the overcommericialization and overdevelopment of Florida. The Bigtree family runs an alligator-wrestling tourist attraction that is going bankrupt. The new theme park is World of Darkness, a sappy version of Dante's Inferno. I can't help but think that this is a stab at Disney World and the other theme parks that sprinkle throughout Florida now.I loved one of the narrators. Ava is like a grittier Floridian version of the the iconic character Scout.(less)
The narrative voice is authentic. I feel as I have been transported to the past- many of the characters and situations remind me of the stories my mot...moreThe narrative voice is authentic. I feel as I have been transported to the past- many of the characters and situations remind me of the stories my mother shared with me about her childhood(less)
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