A Glimpse into my mind

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Especially with Carrie reading the modern stuff and her daughter reading the journal entries.

The humor had me smiling throughout the book and even the serious points were touched with Carrie's special outlook on life.

I liked how she described what it is like "being Leia" and how, even long after the movies were out, she would often ask herself "what would Leia do" to get through a difficult situation. I liked her takes on what it means to be an iconic celebrity and likens autograph signing at conventions to lap dances.

All in all, a most enjoyable book and I do see myself looking for her other books, especially if she is the one narrating the audio versions.



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Dear Committee Members: A novel by Julie Schumacher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was an absolute treat that had me laughing out loud in several points. A collection of letters of recommendation as written by one beleaguered, disenfranchised, and rather cynical professor of English and Creative Writing at a university. It follows just one year of his correspondences to other departments, institutions, programs, places of employment as he is asked to write letters of recommendations for students (some he's only known for the 3 minutes it took for the student to ask him to write something for them), colleagues, and acquaintances.

It's hysterical to be guided through his complaints on the conditions of his academic building as it undergoes remodeling construction for the Economics Department, as he expresses his opinions about various undergrad and post-grad programs, and is constantly trying to get favors from his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend for his recommendees, though I suspect they would have better chances if he didn't keep bringing up things from his past interactions by saying things like "I'm sure you remember X situation... please don't hold that against this student". And trying to pit his ex-wife and his ex-girlfriend (who appear to be friends) against each other.

This is a book that I am glad I got the audio version for and will most certainly return to when I need a laugh.



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The Invention of Everything Else by Samantha Hunt




I gave it a shot. But when I found myself actively finding other things to do other than listening to this book, and when I did listen, I had to constantly rewind because I found my mind wandering, I realized it just wasn't going to happen.

Which is a shame, as it sounded interesting. Tesla and a friendship he had in the last bit of his life.

I can't say what it was that didn't draw me in, if it was the writing, the reading, the story, or just my frame of mind. But sometimes you just have to give up on something. And sadly , this was one of those times.



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Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I wanted to like this book. Friends enjoyed it. People on the Jim Butcher Fan page said that if you love Harry Dresden, you'd like Sandman Slim. I frankly didn't.

Now, I am all for the Anti-hero. They can be great protagonists, but for me there still needs to be something remotely... likeable? redeemable? something about them that makes me root for them. And honestly, I saw nothing in the main character through the telling of the story that made me hope that he fulfilled his quest. Pure and simple, the guy's an asshole and the only thing going for him is the "bad guys" or to be truthful, the "badder guys than him" were even more assholic that he didn't look quite as bad.

I did this an an audio book and the narrator was good. He played the part well. But that still does not change that it really wasn't until the last 40 minutes of the book that I felt the slightest pull from the story. And because of that, I just do not see myself continuing with this series.

More power to those that can.



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The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama XIV

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Every now and then a non-fiction book comes along and really resonates with you. This book was one such book for me. After every chapter I found myself pausing to reflect and ruminate on what had been discussed and how it made me feel, why I felt that way and what I could do to continue with that teaching.

For his 80th birthday, the Dalai Lama invited Archbishop Desmond Tutu to come spend a week and discuss what is "joy". They invited another to come and moderate the discussion and write a book on it. I feel envious of the man who got to experience and witness the gathering of two such remarkable men.

You could tell from the writing that His Holiness and the Archbishop were old friends and had an almost sibling-esque relationship. I found myself smiling at the banter and playfulness the two expressed. I mean... the Archbishop and the author brought trick candles and used them on the Dalai Lama's birthday cake. That mental image had me giggling.

But through it all, the underlying reason for the book... What is Joy, how is it different from Happiness, and what can we do to bring and maintain it in our lives... was a powerful and resonating message. There were times that an almost off-handed statement made by one of these great men made me stop the audiobook, pause and just reflect. "remember, you are a masterpiece in the making". "In my faith, I am created in God's image. Therefore I am a God-carrier". and also the recurring message of "if what you fear/makes you sad is within your control... why waste the energy fearing/being sad and use it instead to effect the change needed. If it is not in your control, fear/sadness is not going to change the situation and you need to figure out what needs to be done instead with that energy".

I foresee this book being one I listen to on many occasions and one where I will learn a new lesson every time. Highly recommend.



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Room by Emma Donoghue

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


The premise was interesting. Our narrator is Jack. He has lived his entire 5 years in "Room" with Ma. Room is 11 ft x 11 ft. Jack's entire world is Room and Ma. He's allowed to watch TV every day but to him, TV is not real. The stories on all the TV "planets" are made up because the only humans are he and Ma. But to him, it's all good. He has all he thinks he needs because "Old Jack" bring them stuff. But he's never fully seen Old Jack because he has to hide in the wardrobe when Jack visits Ma.

But shortly after Jack turns 5, Ma designs a cunning escape plan to finally leave room and go "outside".

I had issues with this book and I think the majority of it has to do with the choice of Jack as the narrator. Because he's five and his entire life experience has been in confinement, he not only an unreliable narrator, he's unbelievable. The author's choice of language skills for Jack seem at the same time incredibly stunted and incredibly over-reaching. Add to that, because of his limited experiences it's hard to feel the emotional response expected for Ma's ordeal. It's not hard for an adult reader to know exactly what's happened to Ma and what she's been experiencing for 7 years at the hands of Old Jack.

The other thing I had trouble with was Jack's roll in the great escape. I just didn't believe it. A boy who's never seen another human being, never talked to anyone but his Mother, is supposed to do what he did and get help? I would have trouble believing a 5 year old who has lived in the world could do what he did, let alone one as cloistered as he was.

I also expected more psychological responses to having to now deal with "outside". I expected more agoraphobia, more reactions to having to deal with so much outside stimuli (sounds, sights, smells, etc). To me, he adjusted just way too quickly.

All in all, the book fell flat for me. and I think if you want to read something about this type of difficult topic, it would be better to read a true account of a kidnap victim or one of the psychological write ups of their treatment.



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The Perpetual Now: A Story of Amnesia, Memory, and Love by Michael D. Lemonick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a very interesting look at memory and the brain.

Lonni Sue suffered a debilitating illness (encephalitis) that, though she survived, left her with an inability to make new memories and erased all but some basic long term memories. Yet she has been able to continue with her life, learn things (though she doesn't remember that she has learned them) and help doctors and scientists learn about how the brain works and how memories are made and stored.

I also found this a slightly disturbing book as it makes you look at how you would feel losing memories (though Lonni Sue doesn't realize she's lost memories most times so she is an incredibly happy person as every day is a new experience) and how would you deal if a family member, be it sibling, child, parent or partner were to suddenly fall ill and then not remember or be able to build new memories.



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Hidden Figures: The Untold Story of the African American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I am going to echo everyone I know who has read/listened to this book. WOW. I found myself drawn in immediately and did not want to stop listening. The women in the book are such an inspiration to all people, not just blacks, not just women... all. The determination they showed to do what they loved and be allowed to succeed was just phenomenal. That they were able to get into an organization that eventually became NASA, prove their worth and go on to have lasting influence over the space and aeronautical industries left me breathless.

I have not yet seen the movie, as I wanted to experience the book first, but now I can't wait to see the adaptation. This will definitely be one of the books I am constantly recommending to people when they ask "what should I read next"



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Winter King: The Dawn of Tudor England by Thomas Penn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was torn between a 3 and a 4 on this one. Again, how I wish I could give a half star rating.

This was a very interesting examination into the reign of Henry the VII, which I admit is not one of the Kings of England I'm much familiar with. But I did like the looks into trying to establish a dynasty in the aftermath of the War of the Roses, the ways Henry worked to maintain control and exert dominance over the land, not to mention the backstabbing and political machinations of those he put into positions of power.

It was also hard to not draw parallels to the current US Administration and how Henry basically put into positions of authority those that could afford to pay for the privilege.

All in all, an interesting book about an interesting time in England's history



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Bear Naked for Valentine's by Edith Hawkes

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This came to me as a free kindle book that was available at Valentines Day. I needed a book for a reading challenge that was "a book that takes place at a Holiday other than Christmas" and there you go.

Well... it was short. And given that I went in, fully expecting it to be rather.. um... given the cliche of the title, it wasn't as bad as I expected. Though I probably should have done a little research to see if this might be in a series (which it is), as it was clear that there is a whole world that I've just been dumped into with no introduction that can only be in previous stories.

I used to love paranormal/shifting romance. Back in my early 20's I totally devoured the books I found in the genre. This book hit all the tropes for the genre... sexy guy who is a shifter of some flavor (in this case a bear - no surprise again due to the title of the book), instant and explainable soul wrenching connection when first laying eyes on the woman, overwhelming protective need to the point of risking exposure to normal humans, independent woman forgiving the over-protectiveness and falling hopelessly for him as well, some kind of mind-blowing sex, and "it all works out in the end and they all live happily ever after" ending.

I will say that I expected a lot of over-written purple prose for the sex scene (of which there is only one) but it wasn't. I wasn't completely moved by it, but I have certainly read way worse.

I don't think I will be looking for more of this series, but based on this one book, I wouldn't tell people to not read it, if it is a genre they enjoy.

I'd give it a 2.5 if I were able to do 1/2 stars.



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