Monthly Archives: September 2020

September 27, 2020 · 6:45 pm

The North Pole Challenge by Kevin George

The North Pole Challenge is a good enough book. It’s a bit slow and is clearly mostly just build up for the rest of the series. It ends on a complete cliffhanger right down to the very end being … I do not like books that do that. I feel like the author is trying to force me to continue the series if I want to know the rest of the final thought. Some of the characters are likable and I am curious about several things, but I doubt I will continue with the series.

3 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2020: 53
Pages Read in 2020: 14,962
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September 20, 2020 · 6:25 pm

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

I’m not sure just what I was expecting when I started reading Slaughterhouse-Five but it definitely wasn’t what the book is. I found the tone a bit jarring, which was good given the themes, and a bit sarcastic as well, which I enjoyed. It took a while to get used to the back and forth randomness. It’s not a style of writing I particularly enjoy, but it fit the themes as well. It’s pretty short so it reads fast. Vonnegut’s commentary on life and war and people throughout this book gives you a lot to think about. While I didn’t love it, I’m still glad I read it and do recommend others read it.

3 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2020: 52
Pages Read in 2020: 14,644
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September 13, 2020 · 9:05 pm

Dante’s Path by David Meredith

Dante’s Path is the third book in the Aaru series. It picks up right where the second one left off. There are so many storylines in this series and the author is amazing at weaving them together and not losing any of the threads. The characters, including the minor characters are very well fleshed out and I actually care about what happens to many of them. The end tied up a few things, but also set up even more. I’m looking forward to the fourth book now! If you liked the first two Aaru books, you’ll love this third one.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2020: 51
Pages Read in 2020: 14,413
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Filed under Reason: Asked by the Author, Reason: I Like the Author, Reason: I Like the Series, Science Fiction

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September 11, 2020 · 1:46 pm

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The author does an amazing job of weaving the story of the Holy Grail into a thriller. It sucks you in with over a hundred short chapters that make you want to keep reading at the end of each one. I did not even sort of guess who The Teacher was before the big reveal. That was quite the surprise. If you like thrillers, this book reads pretty fast for the length and is a good one.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2020: 50
Pages Read in 2020: 13,934
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September 10, 2020 · 9:44 am

Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos M N Eire

Born and raised in Havana, the author was still a boy when Fidel Castro came to power. He, at age 11 along with many other Cuban children, left his parents and went to the US hoping that his parents would soon follow and they would be reunited. The book is filled with his thoughts and memories of growing up. How things changed at the Revolution. How much fun and trouble little rich kids could get into. His descriptions of Havana paint a very clear picture. It’s a lot of stream of consciousness writing, bringing you right with him into his memories. If you enjoy learning about the displaced or reading memoirs, Waiting for Snow in Havana is a great choice.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2020: 49
Pages Read in 2020: 13,438
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September 9, 2020 · 11:35 am

Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim by Leah Vernon

Leah Vernon lives her life authentically and is comfortable with her whole self just as she is. This wasn’t always the case. Even when talking about difficult things, she still has a trace of humor behind her storytelling. Her writing is very engaging. Her story is unusual, and quite interesting. If you like memoirs, you will enjoy Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2020: 48
Pages Read in 2020: 13,038
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