The Age of American Unreason by Susan Jacoby My rating: 2 of 5 stars Back in 2007, I went to Thanksgiving with Mom to the home of a Philosophy professor. The professor’s father discoursed on why United States presidents should only be intellectuals. His arguments made sense. Someone able to understand the options, determine risk, and plan…
As I have previously written here, I am biracial. One parent is European descent while the other is of African descent. When I was born, I was the first biracial child many had ever seen. Thankfully, it was just the start of a trend, so these days plenty are around for people to notice us.…
A while ago I posted a review about the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. The message of the book, I think, is critically important, but the book wasted my time with too many anecdotes and testimonials which are a taboo in science writing. The good parts remain where Dweck wrote about her own and…
A friend posted about Winds of Winter not coming in 2015. Back in 2011, I posted about George R. R. Martin and the question “whether GRRMÂ has the time to finish the books before the HBO TV series catches up to him.” He had estimated the TV series will take multiple seasons for some books. Let’s…
Gate of Ivrel by C.J. Cherryh My rating: 5 of 5 stars A friend recommended this to me as the basis of Stargate. The concept of using a system of gates to reach other worlds certainly resembles Stargate. I like C.J.’s The Dreaming Tree, so this was obvious for me to try. I kept hoping…
One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: ‘To rise above little things’. ― John Burroughs Read 52 books. Yeah, I know. In 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, I read more than this same exact amount. I like the number because it is a book a week. Read 50% by female authors. After reading…
This year was a mixed bag. Sorry for the lack of updates. Read 52 books. Today, at the end of the year, I should be at 52 books read. I reached that point back on October 12th. (A few days earlier than last year.) My total for the year is 74. (142%) SUCCEEDED. 30 need to be…
Dataclysm: Who We Are by Christian Rudder My rating: 3 of 5 stars Maybe really 2.5 stars, but I rounded up. I have read the OkTrends blog since its inception. Human behavior fascinates me, so I take any opportunity to read on it. The We Experiment On Human Beings post ensnared my attention since it…
I was challenged by a friend to list 10 books that have stayed with me in some way. Don’t take more than a few minutes and do not overthink it. Not necessarily classics, but ones that have affected you in some way. Cook, David. 1989. Player’s Handbook, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 2nd Edition. Anthony, Piers. 1977. A Spell for…