What Don's getting up to in Nelson, New Zealand.
What I'm reading now | In the queue | Completed books & favorites
Highly recommended:
| The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time | A Fine Balance | The Kite Runner |
| A Short History of Nearly Everything | A Thousand Splendid Suns |
Other Recommendations:
 |
The Future of Freedom by Fareed ZakariaThe book jacket describes it best, "The Future of Freedom...uses historical analysis to shed light on the present, examining how democracy has changed our politics, economics, and social relations. Prescient in laying out the distinction between democracy and liberty." Although written a few years ago (2002) it is still very relevant in explaining a lot of the political dysfunction in the US today. It is an easy read but ended up at the bottom of my currently reading queue because I was reading it at work. Mr Zakaria takes a very unbiased stance and also suggests several options to help improve the current situation. In all, I suggest anyone interesting in US politics would be wise to read this. B |
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia HighsmithGood read. I did see the movie (Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow) many years ago but I forgot the details and had heard this was a good read. So I recommended the library purchase it and when it came in I gave it a go. I just glanced at the movie recap and it definitely deviates from the book. Good character development and a good story. I especially like all the martini's they drink. Only 250 pages and quick reading. B+ |
|
 |
Leading Change by John KotterGood book on change management. Quick read with a lot of useful information. I would recommend you read it if involved in major organizational change. B |
 |
Mayflower by Nathaniel PhilbrickThis book focuses less on the actual journey of the Mayflower and more on the survival of the Pilgrims upon reaching Plymouth and their interaction with the natives. A great deal of the book also covers the happenings surrounding King Philips War. I'd visited Plimoth Plantation as a child but imagine I would have got much more from it after reading this book. A lot here that isn't common knowledge. Easy to follow with good maps and illustrations. Very telling about the people who made the journey. B+ |
 |
Outliers by Malcom GladwellThis book is similar to Blink but focuses on how what he describes as outliers (the very smart/ successful) have used the various opportunities presented them to make their own success. I think Outliers are summed up well at the end of his book, "Their success is not exceptional or mysterious. It is grounded in a web of advantages and inheritances, some deserved, some not, some earned, some just plain lucky - but all critical to making them who they are." An entertaining read that, as Blink did, makes you look at things a bit differently. B |
 |
The Forever War by Dexter FilkinsSimilar to War Journal by Richard Engel that I read over break last year and really enjoyed. Dexter Filkins is a New York Times journalist writing about his experiences in Afganistan and Iraq. He spends time with everyone from US troops to Iraqi locals and diplomats with even some encounters with extremists. His view is much different than what is commonly reported (i.e. majority of Iraqi's aren't keen on US occupation and wanted them out after 6 months). It is in interesting view, especially seeing what has been happening over the last couple years. Obviously the US did so much wrong, guess that is the problem with not planning for anything after "winning" the war. Very well written and I highly recommend it if you are at all interesting in the recent events in the region. A |
 |
The Plot Against America by Philip RothNot really sure how I felt about this one. It takes place in early 1940's America and assumes Charles Lindbergh, a Nazi sympathiser, is elected President. It focuses on the anti-Semitism that follows. In any case, I did enjoy the sections about how the events depicted affected the narrator and his family but there was a lot of additional background that didn't really grab me. B- |
 |
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund MorrisPulitzer Prize winner. I already read the second in the series but this was more highly recommended by others and it focuses on his life before becoming President. I wish I had read this one first as it really does a good job of describing Teddy and what drove him. It certainly would add a lot of context for the second book. If you are at all interested in American History or Theodore Roosevelt specifically, read this one. A- |
 |
The God Delusion by Richard DawkinsHave finally got to this one after planning to read it about a year ago. Angela read and reviewed this awhile back. So much to say about this one. As Angela pointed out, some of the science can be a bit heavy but that shouldn't deter anyone. His arguments are logical and fact based. What so many forget is that religion is faith and not factually based. The author does a great job of debunking the common held argument for the existence of a God and outlines why there almost certainly is no God - seriously, the Old Testament, some of the stuff in that is CRAZY. I won't get into too much of my beliefs but I do find it odd that there are so many religions today, and none of them support one another, they all conflict - so which one is "right?" Not to mention the majority of all wars could probably be tied back to arguments over religious beliefs. Well anyway, this is a good read if you aren't in the 100% believe there is a God camp and thus can be open minded and objective - you finish the book and see really how outrageous religion can be (although I can see church as a good social outlet for people). So much for keeping my views to a minimum. A- |
 |
Where Underpants Come From by Joe BennettSame author as the book I recently finished, A Land of Two Halves, which I preferred. This one focuses on Mr. Bennett's attempt to understand how the underpants he purchased at The Warehouse (discount store here in NZ that buys almost everything from China) were made. He travels to China to uncover the source of the raw material through production and shipment to NZ. It was ok, I'd pass. C |
 |
Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso FalconesHistorical fiction set in 14th century Barcelona. Basic rags to riches type story and very similar to the Ken Follett books Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. If you liked those, you'll probably enjoy this one. It was a quick read even at 600+ pages. B |
 |
Mudbound by Hillary JordanSaw this at the bookstore and it sounded interesting and has received good reviews so when it came up as available at the library I picked it up. Read it in 2 days - easy to get into and quick reading. The story takes place in the rural south just after WWII and focus on many issue with racism taking center stage. I like the way the story is told with each chapter taking a different character's perspective - 6 character's in all get to share their thoughts on the one storyline. Different read for me but very good. Here's The Denver Post book review. B+ |
 |
The Lost Symbol by Dan BrownAfter seeing the waiting list at the library for this I just went out and bought it. It's been some time since Dan Brown has had a book out - guess the income from the movies was enough. This book didn't disappoint for me. If you liked the last two, you will probably like this one. I can't say Brown has evolved as a writer but I can see this one making a good movie as well (cha ching). Good thriller, suspenseful but same formula as his last couple. Worth the effort. B+ |
 |
A Land of Two Halves by Joe BennettRecommendation from someone at work. The author is a social commentator who, after living in NZ for 10 years, hitchhikes around the country to uncover the heart of the country. I recommend this if you have been to NZ or intend to visit. There is a lot here. Similar to a Bill Bryson book but, I thought, funnier. Of course, that might be because I understand a lot of the NZ references. There is a good amount of history here as well. In any case, it's a light and quick read. A- |
 |
Netherland by Joseph O'NeillHere's a good synopsis about this book. It's not a book that offers heavy doses of the game of cricket so don't be scared off by that (and if you enjoy cricket and want to read something about it, this isn't it). This did take me a few pages to get into and is different than most of my recent reads. It's not a suspenseful page turner but more philosophical and thought provoking. I found the sentences very long - as if the author was trying to get too many thought across at once. I did have to reread some paragraphs as his word play and imagery is a bit much at times. I was able to connect with the lead character and found myself immersed in his world. All this said, I found it very enthralling and recommend it. Check out the NYT Book Review. A |
 |
Three Cups of Tea by Greg MortensonWhile I wasn't overly impressed with the writing style it is easy to get past based on the story. Simply amazing what Greg Mortenson has done. He is a true hero and going about helping the Pakistani and Afghan people the right way. I saw a review the other day where the person had read this right after reading A Thousand Splendid Suns and I agree that would be helpful to read both. Anyway, Here for more info. B+ |
The Other Daughter by Lisa GardnerNot a bad start but then turns into what you'd expect. This one is fairly predictable with one twist that really didn't turn out to be a big deal. The author gave a one sentence explanation to, what I thought, was a major gap in the mystery. Oh well, you know what your are getting with these. C |
|
 |
Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution by Richard Beeman.A good in-depth view of the development of the US Constitution. It's worth the read if you have any interest in the subject matter. Simply amazing how these guys put this document together. A true compromise that left most of the participants feeling somewhat satisfied even though it wasn't what each of them wanted. Check out the NYT book review. B+ |
 |
The Steel Wave: A Novel of World War II by Jeff ShaaraMy dad got me started on this author by giving me a signed copy of The Rising Tide. This is the second in the 3 part series and focuses on the D-Day invasion. Historical fiction with main characters Eisenhower, Rommel, and a sergeant attached to the 82nd airborne Jesse Adams. If interested in WWII, I recommend it. Check out a review if you don't believe me. A |
 |
The Post-American World by Fareed ZakariaFareed Zakaria's view on the economic and political rise of the rest of the world with the focus centering on China and India. He also has several suggestions on what the US should do in order to operate effectively in this new era. Fareed takes a very balanced view - it's not an over exaggerated story on how the US has lost its way or how China/ India will shortly become the next superpower. A lot of well supported factual information the draws on recent history to help him make his point. I enjoyed its balanced approach - just enough being tough on America for always thinking they are #1 while also acknowledging the good things they do. B+ |
 |
The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier's Education by Craig MullaneyOne of many books I ordered from Amazon which Angela hauled back from the US. New York Times Review. A really good story about the author's life from entering West Point, then to Ranger school, on to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, deployment to Afghanistan as a platoon leader, and finally his return to the US. If you have any interest in what army life is like, this is a compelling read. Craig does a good job of explaining things without heavy promotion of the military. It's a quick read, not too deep but gives an idea of what it's like to be in the military in this day. B+ |
This is a historical novel that follows 3 fictional families throughout the history of Poland. Each chapter details a different section of Polish history - starting in the early 1200s to present (which is the early 1980's). Very interesting book as I gained a historical perspective of Poland I had no idea about before reading. I wouldn't say it is full of suspense or a page turning thriller but if Polish history is of interest I think the 850 pages are worth it. The final chapter brings in all together and is especially compelling. B
It's your standard Special Ops type book, fairly formulaic - you know the type: highly trained male protagonist teams up with a couple hot, but capable of handling themselves, women. Well, that's what to be expected. It did keep my interest throughout but finish was not very inspiring. I think I'm going to stay away from these type of books for awhile. C
Indian rags to riches story. Short at 300 pages and an easy read but it didn't really grab me. A good story but I felt like I got a lot more from Shantaram and Slumdog Millionaire. That said, it was interesting and didn't feel like a time waster. B-
*Highly Recommended*
I read this based on a staff recommendation from Borders. Something very different from anything I've read. The story is told from the point of view of a autistic 15 year old. It starts as a murder mystery but ends up exploring much more of this character's life. The narrator's view of the world is so much different and this creates many funny interactions between him and those he comes in contact with. It's fast paced with many twists and I had a difficult time putting it down. It ends fairly abruptly but well worth the time invested. Here's a good review of the book that doesn't give any plot twists away. A+
Another quality easy read from Mr Coben. This one took me about a week and held my interest throughout. This one does have its share of twists and isn't completely unbelievable as these types of thriller/ mysteries can be sometimes. B
The authors 3rd book and continues following his main protagonist John Wells. Your basic spy/ espionage thriller. It is entertaining but nothing more than one would expect. B-
My dad gave me this book as a gift (signed copy) as he really enjoys Mr. Shaara's work. This book is the first in a 3 part series about the end of the WWII. This book focuses on the battles for North Africa and those leading up to the surrender of Italy. It's historical fiction so the events are accurate as are the characters but the author has taken some liberty with some fine details about what the characters said and did at the time. This novel really focuses on Eisenhower and Rommel. The next is about D-day (The Steel Wave) and I'll have Angela pick it up for me in the States when she is there in June. I really enjoyed this one and have already passed it on for my boss to read. B+
A top seller here by an Australian author so I thought I would give it a go. A work of fiction but the author is said to have taken some of his experiences to mold this together. It details a man's life after escaping from prison (as Mr Roberts did) and heading off to India where he works as a doctor in a slum (again, Mr Roberts did this as well) and eventually makes a living working for an Indian mobster (yep, he did this too). Check out his website for more info about his philosophy on life, poetry, etc. I liked it but it was a bit long (900+ pages) and preachy in parts. B
A focus on his years as president. Very informative and I learned a lot about Teddy (more than the fact that the Teddy bear is named for him). He was certainly a political force who knew how to play the game to get what he wanted. His list of accomplishments are many: getting the Panama Canal going, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his work ending the war between Russia and Japan, diminishing the power of monopolistic corporations and trusts, and his focus on conservation (for one, doubling the number of national parks). The book was perhaps a bit too detailed for my liking, a lot of background that didn't add much for me but still very enjoyable. B
A must read if you are at all interested in the real story of what has been going on in Iraq over the last 5 years. Richard Engel has lived in the middle east for over 12 years and his insight and historical perspective really brings some clarification to the current 'situation.' A
*Highly Recommended*
Second book by the author of The Kite Runner. I really enjoyed this, good story and characters. I finished it in about 4 days. Just give it a go. A+
Good murder mystery based in the late 1800's. B+
Entertaining read that took me a bit to get into. I liked it more after reading some other points of view on the internet. B+
Thriller, nothing too memorable. I read this because it was widely regarded as Ludlum's best book. I disagree. C+
Christmas book from my parents that I read before Christmas. Don't really buy into the whole concept but the more I think about it the more I think it makes some good points. B
NZ author, short but a great read. A
Great book if you like American history and this period interests you. A
Decent read but not as good as his earlier work. B
This is the follow up to The Faithful Spy and another quick paced read. Entertaining but pretty straighforward, not many twists or surprises. B
Decent follow up to Pillars of the Earth - fairly similar but a good read. B
Started well and held my interest but not many twists and turns so ending was a bit flat. Story isn't overly plausible. I've read better and I've read worse. C
This book is a call to American's on what needs to be done to turn the country around. It has nothing to do with smokescreen social issues like gay marriage or even the war on terror but rather focuses on the important domestic policies needed to narrow the divide between rich and poor. This is an easy to understand for everyone but I'm guessing only one side of the fence will read it - well here's hoping that the Democrats can take the White House and more seats in the Congress and get the country turned around and headed in the right direction. A
Yes I voluntarily read a classic - odd I know. I just wanted to read the book that birthed the famous term, plus Angela recommended I read it. It took a bit for me to get into this one but glad I pushed through. After the first 100 pages or so I really got into it. I'm not sure I picked up on all the themes considering there are so many but I . Even though it was written 40 years ago, it still is relevant today. Another different type of read for me and one I would recommend to anyone. A-
This book is ok if you also want a short history of the Tour de France as well. The part pertaining to Victor Hugo Pena are good - he gives some details about riding as a domemstique in the Tour. A good bit of history on Victor's life and some insight into riding in the peloton. Of course I'm biased but I would recommend Chasing Lance, Lance Armstrong's War or It's Not About the Bike if you want to read a good cycling book. C
This is an almost 900 page novel that follows several characters (and their children) through their work with the CIA. The book spans from 1950 to 1991 covering events such as the Hungarian revolution to the Bay of Pigs and the fall of the Soviet Union. In all a good read that provides a bit of history with fictional plots. Also, it had decent character development and nothing really too unbelievable. The end (final 100 pages) did drag a bit but in all a good one. B
Next in the line of Gabriel Allon thrillers. Many twist and turns. In this one Gabriel uncovers a terrorist plot and must save the day. Like the others, it's a good read but I would recommend starting with the first Allon novel and read them in order. B
This started a bit slow but after about a hundred pages I really got into it. Alaska is an amazing place and some of the stories Peter describes are pretty incredible. One of the better chapters is about Peter's trip to a family's house that is 60 miles outside of the nearest town and only accessible by snowmobile. Hard to image how some of the people survive the winter up there. I also really like the road-kill lottery - people actually apply to get on this list where you have the opportunity to get some freshly killed meat. Actually a process that works really well at getting the community to clean up the roads of dead animals. B
Seems like it might be a bit heavy reading to start but this reads like a fiction novel. Granted I stayed away from the fairly heavy appendix sections that described the details behind breaking the code but you don't really need to understand the full details to enjoy this book. After reading this you will feel how WWII could have gone a different direction if the Germans weren't so adamant that the Enigma couldn't be broken. In general it wasn't the allies using the system strategically but more that they had "blackout" times when they had a lag in deciphering the code that saved the secret. If you like WWII history, this is a must read. B+
I borrowed this from someone at work and it started quickly. The first part was pretty good but I think it was just a bit too long as some sections were drawn out. There are better reads but in a pinch it is fine. C
Debut novel centering around an American agent working undercover withing al Qaeda. Decent read - only just over 300 pages and it goes quickly. Will be interested in his next novel. B
Average at best, would skip it. C
ZoellnerJohn and Star brought this for me, I've been eager to read it for some time. About the diamond industry and explains why diamonds are so damn expensive (considering they aren't that rare). For a recap of this book check out the web site. B
Angela bought this for me after I kept mentioning I wanted to read it. It's a long one but really held my attention throughout. If you enjoy historical fiction from the medieval period, this will be a good one to consider. It centers around several characters who all have a piece in the building of a cathedral in Kingsbrigde, a fictional English town. B+
I had read good reviews but turned out to be disappointing. Once I realized the female protagonist's nickname was Mad Dog I began to worry. Then the US president was cast as the typical Texas cowboy and I started to worry about what other cliche's would get wrapped in. Bottom line this didn't grab me but I continued on anyway hoping the end would get better. It didn't and it ended very predictably but a bit different from the norm. In any case, not worth the time. For more on this book and its authur check out her website. C-
Jackdaws by Ken FollettA fictional WWII based story about Britian's attempt to blow up a key German communication center prior to the D-day invasion. The story switches back and forth between the British spy planning and implementing the operation and the German commander trying to stop her. It's a good read and held my interest throughout. Started quickly and didn't let up. Worth a look. Check out Ken's website for more on his books. A-
This received good ratings on Amazon so thought I would check it out from the library. The writing isn't elaborate, just straight forward and to the point. This is the story of a young boy who grew up in Sierra Leone and after avoiding the ongoing conflict for some time, he was eventually dragged into it. He became a member of the unoffical "army" fighting the "rebels" - of course both sides were doing the exact same thing by raiding villages and simply killing innocent people. Worth a read. A-
Not as good as Gone For Good so I would recommend reading that one and skipping this one. C
Best fluff fiction I have read since moving here. I read Tell No One when we travelled here are really liked it. This one has a lot of twist, some are actually not expected. I would recommend to anyone who likes thrillers. Just a good quick read. A-
The World is Flat by Thomas FriedmanIt took me a bit of time to get through but a very interesting read. Friedman certainly makes his case and I would encourage everyone to read it but I don't think everyone is that interested in the subject matter. Let's just say India and China are real threats that the U.S. needs to take seriously - enough of this "war on terror" it is simply a distraction. B+
Not a bad read. Classic amnesia spy story (i.e. The Bourne Identity) yet with a twist - a female is the protagonist. In any case, certainly a bit of suspense here and at just over 300 pages, not a lot of extra content that doesn't add much. Good vacation read and only took me about 2 weeks to get through. B
A good read but American history should be of interest to you before you start this one - especially exploration of the west. I did learn a lot however and it all was quiet interesting. Simply amazing what they did. B+
About 300 pages too long. Mildly amusing but there are plenty of better reads. C-
Not for everyone but a decent read - small book with a lot of 1-2 page chapters so it doesn't take long but does make you think. Basically the title says it all. It doesn't solve all your problems but helps you think about ways to reduce your stress and just look at things in a different light. Even if you don't learn anything new, you'll certainly be reminded of things you should be doing in your everyday life. B+
Your standard murder mystery - a few twists and turns but only average overall. I start to get sick of the stereo-typical protagonist who can do it all (solve crimes, karate chop, etc.) and has it all (hot girlfriend that even other women would die to be with, money, a quick wit, etc.). I might not even bother with the next one in the series. C-
Another slow start and the finish didn't pick up much either. Don't waste your time with it. Characters are subpar and the plot is average. No suspense from page to page or chapter to chapter. C-
Listed as a visual history of the world's greatest bicycle race, this is a brief history from inception through 1999. Good brief review of the history, winners, and more memorable editions. Worthwhile if this race interests you. Associated image is the revised/ updated version released for the 100th anniversary, I read
the original version. B
*highly recommended*
Good reviews from Angela and another friend. At 600 pages, I thought it would take me some time to read but I ended up finishing after about 3 weeks. Sad but very good. A+
Jordan's autobiography that covers a wide range of topics from insight on all his championships to his thoughts on Bulls management and other NBA stars. If you like MJ, this is a good read. A lot of great photography and the writing is solid. B+
Peter writes about his journey from Alfred, New York to New Orleans in the early 70's. Not bad but he really goes on about his dog throughout and it gets a bit tiresome. Obviously his first effort. This is part one of two about his journey. I have his book about walking across Alaska so I guess I'll eventually see how that goes. Most interesting is we know someone who went to university with Peter - small world. C
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini *Highly Recommended*
This was something out of the norm for me to read but I thought it was terrific. The characters felt real and there were many twists and turn that I didn't really expect. I read it in about 4 days (the last half in one). A really captivating read with a solid story behind it. A+
Angela has read this book as well and highly recommends it -- check out her review.
Bryson documents his travels as he retraces a trip he made through Europe in the early 70's. Started out ok but he really stretches with the humor - a lot of it just isn't funny. Things are obviously exaggerated and as the book goes on he sounds as if he isn't enjoying any city he visits. Not one of Bryson's better efforts - Walk in the Woods is much better. C
Since my new job involves a fair amount of selling, I checked this book out to give me some pointers on sales techniques. In the style of the of the other One Minute books, it is quick and to the point. B+
I found this is a good introduction to learning about relaxation and meditation. Quick read with a lot of easy to learn techniques. I was having some difficulty getting to sleep right when we got here and since using one of the techniques in this book, I haven't had any problems. I think everyone would benefit reading an intro level book on meditation. B+
Everything you wanted to know about the lead up to the Iraq war. If you dislike the current administration, none of this will really surprise you. I found I got more and more aggravated with the idiots in the administration with every page turned. Of course if you are a Bush supporter, you'll probably just think this is liberal propaganda - even though the contents are documented facts. B
A bit slow of a start but the last 100 pages make it a decent read. This is Finder's first non fiction novel and this showed enough promise for me to read his next one. B-
Mostly follows the war effort in the first year of the American Independence. A good portion of the text focuses on George Washington, his inner circle, and his battle strategy against the British. Maps could have been better so I supplemented with some from Google. B
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson *Highly Recommended*
A lot of science to this one but Bryson makes it easy to understand. He covers everything from the start of the universe to the make up of the human body. You'll learn a lot you didn't already know and will be amazed by a lot of it. A+
Not overly memorable but decent beach reading. B-
Another good book following Lance. This one covers his lead in to the 2005 Tour. A
Horwitz travels to various destinations in the pacific uncovered by James Cook. A lot of good information here about Cook's voyages as well as the pacific islands he visited. Overall a really good read even if you aren't interested in Captain Cook. A
Follows Lance in preparation for the 2004 Tour after a rather close call in 2003. This covers his training regime and life as Lance. Simply awesome if you like Lance and/ or bicycle racing. A
Boring, don't waste your time. D
