Tag: book (Page 1 of 2)

1000 Books to Read Before You Die

Is this looming list a bargain? – 1000 Books to Read Before You Die

December 4, 2022 /

How did I find 1000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List? I turned 40 this year.  Use this context as appropriate.  In 2008, I graduated with a degree in English Literature from a local university. I thought that I was well-read, and I was at the time. Then I stopped reading.  

What role does reading currently play in my life? I am in a career that only requires the ability to read and little further. Outside her many other favorable characteristics, my wife’s taste in books varies wildly from mine. The friends with whom I would chat on the topic now have families and responsibilities of their own.  My daughter?  In her third year, she enjoys a read, but we will stick with Dr. Suess for now. Reading in a collegiate setting was easy, but I had always relied on that guidance and support. With a severe lack of direction, I had to ask, “Where to start?”  I decided that trying anything would be a good start. 

That is where I found myself at the start of the last post.  Where did I get the inspiration to read The Uncommon Reader?  James Mustich.  Before the past two weeks, this name was unfamiliar. While experiencing this minor existential crisis, I dove down a Google rabbit hole.  Each search became increasingly desperate.  What books should everyone read? Are there pieces of great literature should everyone read?  What books should everyone read in this life?  What are 100 books to read before I die?  And there it was. 1000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List.

James has curated a list of 1000 books, each with its brief description and discussion.  He highlights other works by the authors or other works that readers might enjoy in tandem. In an interview with the author, he states that over 4000 books dot the pages of his book.  Although the list leans towards fiction, the suggestions come from many genres.  

For now, I am going to try this out.  The idea left me wondering what I would suggest to someone.  Most of my suggestions feel supremely obvious.  For that reason, I will leave the recommendations to the professionals, but I would enjoy hearing from you.  If you had to pick one book someone should read before they die, what is it?  Maybe I will find a couple of new ones in 1000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List.

Oh, and The Uncommon Reader? What a read! If you haven’t had the pleasure, take it. I just finished Twelfth Night as well.  I will be moving on to some Dickens for the holidays: A Christmas Carol. 

A Review – The Witch Hunter by Max Seeck

May 2, 2021 /

A woman has died under strange circumstances, and Sergeant Jessica Niemi is investigating.  The victim’s husband is the best-selling author of The Witch Hunt series, which only complicates the situation. Battling her past and a mounting body count, Jessica struggles to keep control. 

Writing Style

Seeck’s style is clinical and plot-driven in the best possible way. I would be hard-pressed to find unnecessary prose in this novel.  I would also describe it as evocative. Through his style, I found a female Finnish police sergeant relatable.

Did I put The Witch Hunter down?

I only stopped reading this one when I needed to sleep.  The material stuck with me even when I was not reading.

Who should be reading this?

This book contains violence, language, torture, sexual content, and depictions of rape. The scenes were explicit but not superfluous.

Would I recommend The Witch Hunter?

Without spoiling anything, I am going to have difficulty describing the ride that is this novel.  I was genuinely excited to turn every page.  The book evoked a range of emotions in me, namely intrigue, excitement, and terror. I cannot often say that a book genuinely creeped me out, but Seeck’s imagery did just that.  

If I had one criticism, I would point to the final chapters.  The excitement that built leading to these events was palpable, but my investment in the story fell apart at this point.  This disappointment was purely due to opinion and expectation.  I would not classify this as a “whodunit,” but elements of this book reflect that genre. I often finish these books feeling deflated.

Don’t let that stop you from checking out Max Seeck’s The Witch Hunter here.

A Review – My Dad is Amazing by Sabrina and Eunice Moyle

April 25, 2021 /

How is amazing is dad?  You are going to need to read the book, but the Moyle sisters have answers. They take us on a journey to find out how amazing dad is.

Art Style

Eunice’s pictures are colorful, playful, and entertaining.

Did I put it down?

No, and I think the better question is whether I picked it back up.  In a week of having the book, I have read this to my daughter at least four or five times.

Content

This a book for the very young crowd.  I see a focus on introducing vocabulary and comparisons.

Would I recommend My Dad is Amazing?

Without a doubt, I would, and this is the second book by the Moyle’s that we have bought. Our first was My Mom is Magical, and in the spirit of not leaving dad out, we bought this book. 

The comparisons are delightful.  They haven’t put boundaries on what dad can be.  I appreciated that it was also different from the previous edition.

Check out the book here.

A Review – Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

April 11, 2021 /

In Greenlights, Matthew McConaughey tells us the story of his greenlights: his youthful misadventures, his globe-trekking, and his Hollywood experience.  With each exploit, he redefines what “livin’” is for the reader.

Writing Style

McConaughey wrote the book from his journals, but the presentation conveys a stream of consciousness.  I could hear his voice in my head.  Familiarity with his film work may cause this, but the style is natural and directed.

Did I put it down?

Yes, I read this book in small sections.  McConaughey packs a lot of material into a small package.  I did not want to miss anything.

Who should be reading this?

Anyone from the young adult range and older could pull something from this book.  Besides a bit of violence, language, and brief sexual content, the material is tame.

Would I recommend Greenlights?

I absolutely would and with more enthusiasm than I originally started the book.  I gained more insight from this book than I expected.  Even the small excerpts and poems that filled the margins of the book were entertaining and added value.  I felt personally challenged to reexamine my choice through a new lens.

Check out the book here.

A Review – Mighty Moms by Joan Holub

March 28, 2021 /

What can moms do? Just about anything.  Holub’s book illustrates different occupations and moms’ hard work in a fun, playful style. From firetrucks to mail trucks, Mighty Moms shows the little trucks learning how to grow up to be just like mom.

Art Style

Joyce Wan’s illustrations were entertaining.  While simple, the pictures drew the eye to them easily with bright colors.

Did I put it down?

Mighty Moms was a quick read. I often judge kids’ books by how much I enjoy reading them aloud.  My fifteen-month-old sat through the entire book.  I think that says more.

Content

The audience here is very young.  I enjoy seeing multiple things happening here.  Almost every page introduces a new color while using some fun rhymes.  The onomatopoetic nature of the text makes it fun to read aloud as well.

Would I recommend Mighty Moms?

Yes, I would.  This title reminded me of a Llama Llama collection that I bought for my daughter. The layout and style were very similar. The cardboard pages, although not indestructible, will stand up to some abuse, such as my daughter trying to teeth on them. 

Check out the book here.

A Review – 101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die by Ian Buxton

March 14, 2021 /

No story here.  Buxton is providing the layman a beginner’s guide to the world of whiskies. From Bourbon to Scotch, Buxton outlines accessible whiskies at multiple prices. For each whiskey, he delivers a brief history and description of the distillery.

Writing Style

The writing style says whiskey textbook.  Buxton is accurate and thorough.

Did I put it down?

For me, this book serves as a reference. Do I want to try something new this week?  I go here as a resource.

Who should be reading this?

Those who can enjoy a drink will be the target audience here.

Would I recommend 101 Whiskeys to Try Before You Die?

You should consider a couple of factors here.   Are you set in your ways?  Do you like whiskey? 

For the longest time, a bottle of Jack Daniels did the job. I wasn’t even much of a whiskey fan.  Beyond this, I knew nothing about whisky. Whiskey is a rabbit hole.  The stories, history, and process are rich.  I will credit this work with allowing me to be more adventurous.  I am currently sipping Tullamore Dew, which I may have never tried were it not for Buxton’s book. 

So without being too obtuse, yes, I enjoyed the utility of this book.  Keep in mind, Buxton does update his editions often. 

Check out the book here.

A Review- The Price of Time by Tim Tigner

February 28, 2021 /

A group of researchers has discovered the modern “Fountain of Youth.” The decisions they make could change both their lives and the landscape of the world.

Writing Style

The continuity felt a bit jumbled near the start of the book.  Beyond this, Tigner’s writing was tight and visual. His prose is not wasteful.

Did I put it down?

Tigner’s book felt like dessert.  I enjoyed it, but only in small portions.

Content

Tigner has some extremely violent scenes in this book, and descriptions of torture would top this list.  We also see some brief sexuality.

Would I recommend The Price of Time?

Yes, I would, but with a caveat.  Tigner’s book asks the question,” Would anyone know if someone discovered the Fountain of Youth?” The series of events that answer this question border on ludicrous in the most enjoyable way.  A suspension of disbelief is required. To say much more would ruin the plot. I cannot imagine a world where these events could happen, but I suppose a person who worked in Soviet Counterintelligence knows better than me anyway. 

Check the book out here.

A Review- Superman, Volume 1: Son of Superman by Peter J. Tomasi et al.

February 7, 2021 /

As a displaced Clark lays this universe’s Superman to rest, he looks to the fate of his own family.  His young son Jonathan is struggling with controlling his powers.  As the Kents adapt, a ghost of Krypton detects a member of the House of El and his son. 

Art Style

The colors certainly grab the eye.  The red and blue tend to do this.  They are vibrant, but the tone is appropriate throughout. I especially enjoyed the sections with Jon using his powers.  The portrayal is raw and wild.  Superman has a particular style, and I found that with this first volume.

Did I put it down?

No, but I did pace myself. A reader could devour this book in one sitting. With this genre, returning to admire the artwork enhances the experience.  I almost always find something that I missed.

Content

A couple of moments struck me as particularly brutal for a Superman story. One of these highlights the dangers of Jon using his new powers unchecked.  Beyond these, we are talking about generic comic-book violence.

Would I recommend Son of Superman?

I absolutely would. I had set down Superman during the “New 52” era because I found the early story convoluted and lacking directions.  Other quality titles only highlighted these failures at the time.   I have been looking for any excuse to return to this title, as I have enjoyed Superman since I was a child.  I fully intend to continue delving into this title.

Tomasi and Gleason set an immediate direction for Supes here. This story is not about the baddies. Here, Superman is building a family and finding his role in this world. He isn’t just an alien to our world, but our universe as well.  While filling the previous Superman’s boots, Clark builds trust with Jon, and Lois finds her place surrounded by two superpowered beings.

A Review- The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty, and War

January 31, 2021 /

By John “Chick” Donahue & J.T. Molloy

In 1967, the war was raging in Vietnam.  Public opinion in the US had turned against not only the military but also the troops.  Protests broke out across the country and specifically in New York City.  George “Colonel” Lynch, a bartender in New York, wanted to show his support.  Inspired by the Colonel’s idea, “Chick” Donahue embarked on his new mission.  He was going to deliver beer to neighborhood guys in Vietnam.

Writing Style

The pacing of this novel was almost frantic.  I would compare the book to a movie like Forrest Gump in that sense. We skip from one unbelievable series of events to the next. Being driven by the narrative, we do miss out on the setting.  The writer even references other media such as Full Metal Jacket to expound.

Did I put it down?

 I read the entire novel in one sitting. The pacing affected this. The voice was also conversational and made for an easy read.

Who should be reading this?

The setting is the Vietnam War.  Although the perspective is unique, the content is not.  The horror you find in any war novel is here as well.  Violence and language are prevalent throughout the entire story.

Would I recommend The Greatest Beer Run Ever?

Yes, I would. As I said earlier, the book reminded me very much of Forrest Gump, which I have always enjoyed. The difference is that this time the story is true.  By the end, I needed to pace myself.  In a way, I was searching. I found myself looking for character growth.  

Donohue’s mission neared insanity. He was reminded of this regularly throughout the story.  I never quite felt that revelation for “Chick,” at least not until the very end.  I don’t want that to take away from the story or what he did.   In some ways, what he did defines honor and friendship.

A Review- The Best of Me by David Sedaris

January 24, 2021 /

Normally, I would discuss the plot here. With this being a collection of stories and essays, I will change tactics slightly. If you have never read Sedaris, The Best of Me is a collection of work spanning his career. 

I was introduced to Sedaris with Me Talk Pretty One Day in 2007. The work was assigned for a course in non-fiction during my time at University. I still recommend that book to anyone looking for something humorous or engaging.  I am always disappointed that I have yet to read any of his other works. 

When I began this review blog, I made a goal to read this collection.  I do not regret that decision.

Writing Style

I recognize the Sedaris that I remember from Me Talk Pretty One Day. He has always been frank and unforgiving, but I find more sentimentality there now. The newer stories were even more poignant and relatable. He writes from a completely different set of life experiences.  Somehow, I could still imagine myself in a similar situation.

Did I put it down?

I did take my time with this book.  My first instinct was to rush through and enjoy the entire book in one sitting.  I was able to digest this better at a slow pace.

Who should be reading this?

There is some language, sexuality, and morbid curiosities sprinkled throughout the stories.  The stories lean towards tasteful. 

Would I recommend The Best of Me?

I find this difficult to answer.  If you have read his other works, you may not need this collection.  I am not that person. I will say that see his older material juxtaposed against the newer did create more of a narrative than I expected.  There is some merit in this. 

The later works spoke to me and left me reflecting on my relationships. He touches on both serious and humorous moments while discussing topics like mortality and alcohol abuse effortlessly. Nothing seems out of its place. In this, many readers will find a microcosm of their life experiences.  In the end, this book gave me another lens through which to look at my own life. 

Check out the book here!

« Older posts

Subscribe

* indicates required
/ ( mm / dd )

© 2024 Pop's Book Stop

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑