Read Books This will provide a list of the books I've read with a brief review. Users are blocked, contact me for access. I welcome discussions, but I'm tired of spam.

May 3, 2015

Reality Check by David Brin

Filed under: Science Fiction,Uncategorized — Randolph @ 8:32 pm

Reality Check by David Brin

A rather dull, short story. It didn’t have time to develop anything of interest.

February 20, 2015

The Dark Place by Aaron Elkins

Filed under: Uncategorized — Randolph @ 4:01 pm

The Dark Place by Aaron Elkins

This is the second Gideon Oliver mystery by Aaron Elkins. The dark place is the Olympic National Park in Washington, here the dense canopy hides the sun from most of the forest floor. A few bones in a basket are found by a hiker, and a large footprint is found nearby.

John Lau asks Gideon to provide whatever information he can determine. These are the bones of several people and dead by a number of years, it could be an indian burial site, but there are no Indians in the park. Another sign points to big foot, so the crazies are about.

The story is well-told and a good mystery, throw in a love interest with a park ranger and you have an enjoyable story.

May 3, 2014

Brightness Reef by David Brin

Filed under: Science Fiction,Series,Uncategorized — Tags: — Randolph @ 7:24 pm

Brightness Reef by David Brin

This book takes place on an abandoned world intended to be natural and develop its own races, who would hopefully be available for uplift. A small population of each of six races, in turn, have landed small colonies on the world. Their intent is to devolve and be re-uplifted, and hopefully to avoid attention and possible punishment from the stellar community. Humans are one of the six.

These races have ancient antipathy for each other. And each brings unique skills and histories. They have overcome their differences, and their are pieces of culture of each that has worked its way into the others, yet they do maintain separate communities.

The story revolves around the arrival of a spaceship or renegade humans. Their intent is unknown, and seems sinister. They aren’t an official envoy, so they shouldn’t be here, either.

This story shows us a different side of each of the races, including the humans. It maintains its suspense on the invaders, and latent tension among the six races.

Unfortunately, this book mostly sets up the series and doesn’t resolve much of anything. The story is interesting, and a must read if you’re interested in the Uplift series.

March 2, 2014

Foundation’s Fear (Second Foundation Trilogy) by Gregory Benford

Filed under: Science Fiction,Series,Uncategorized — Randolph @ 6:52 pm

Foundation's Fear (Second Foundation Trilogy)
by Gregory Benford

This is the first of a trilogy billing itself as the second foundation trilogy based on Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy. Although a three-book set, each can stand on its own very well.

The author explores some elements left up in the air by Isaac Asimov, and fills with more current knowledge and philosophy, such as addressing why there are no non-humans in the galaxy.

Some of the topics he addresses include expanding on Dor, who she is and giving her a little background. Her character is expanded, and perhaps changed a bit, at least from what I may have imagined. In general, he adds a lot about computers and robotics that Asimov didn’t go into, or couldn’t because the technology wasn’t available. Philosophically, he approaches the topic of computer intelligence and what could constitute life. In this, Hari creates two simulated people, Voltaire and Jean of Arc, to help him understand society and to help further his psychohistory, Voltaire and Jean of Arc act as a yin and yang, who’s arguments are designed to answer questions. But they evolve their own desires and take on life beyond their programming.

I found the book difficult to work through at times, but still an interesting addition to the Asimov series. I believe those fond of the Asmiov trilogy will enjoy this and find it interesting. It adds background to the trilogy and brings it a little more into the present. Otherwise I don’t think it may not be worth the effort.

May 29, 2012

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Filed under: Uncategorized — Randolph @ 9:03 pm

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

My impression of this book seems to improve with age. Susan Cain presents a new perspective in introversion and its place in society. The book seems aimed at parents and teachers, but has enough information of general interest and value to be a good read for anyone interested in these aspects of psychology or sociology.

The book presents the strengths and weaknesses of both introversion and extroversion and why both are of value to society. I found the section on leadership styles and strengths and weaknesses very interesting. Susan continues to touch on why corporate America overvalues the extrovert and the value to business of the introvert and on the relationship between the two personality styles.

More of the book was directed more toward parents and teachers dealing with introverted children than I liked, or I would have rated the book much better. These sections were still interesting, but much less relevant.

This book is a good read for anyone, but it could have been better.

March 23, 2012

Will Shortz Presents KenKen Easiest Volume 1 by Tetsuya Miyamoto

Filed under: Uncategorized — Randolph @ 12:27 pm

Will Shortz Presents KenKen Easiest Volume 1 by Tetsuya Miyamoto

These puzzles are way too easy. You get used to them pretty quickly.

The puzzles are only based on addition and subtraction, and no larger than 5×5. The last dozen puzzles seemed easier than early ones, i don’t think they were organized well. And they didn’t get challenging enough once you learn the techniques.

November 29, 2011

Story Engineering by Larry Brooks

Filed under: Uncategorized — Randolph @ 7:25 pm

Story Engineering by Larry Bonds

The book, Story Engineering by Larry Brooks, proposes that writing fiction can be broken into six basic skills, dubbed by the author as the SIx Core Competencies. Most of the reviews seemed very favorable, and it seemed like it would be a good read.

The first section, about 30 pages plus introduction, made me feel like the whole thing was a sales pitch. The author dropped the subject of his workshops several times. I was encouraged to continue only by the previous reviews I had read. He mentions the “Six Core Competencies” so often, it felt like he was trying to artificially make it into a catch-phrase associated with his name.

The Six Core Competencies, always capitalized, each had a section of several chapters devoted to it. Several of these sections had no meat to them. He talked around the subject, discussing its importance, but not providing any engineering techniques.

As all of the previous reviews suggested, his section on characterization was strong, and it was the strength of the book. He did provide good information no building characters and weaving them into the story in the proper sequence. However, I don’t think he offered enough that wasn’t available in other books with better information.

I found the sections on structure and scenes also interesting and informative. In my own opinion, the structure was better and more valuable than the character sections. But he did provide good information in all three of these sections.

Overall, I don’t feel the book is bad, but it does feel overblown. It is a good primer into story design, and if it were presented that way, I would rate it better. If you want or need solid information on any of his competencies, I believe you should find them elsewhere. The book, Story Engineering by Larry Brooks, proposes that writing fiction can be broken into six basic skills, dubbed by the author as the SIx Core Competencies. Most of the reviews seemed very favorable, and it seemed like it would be a good read.

The first section, about 30 pages plus introduction, made me feel like the whole thing was a sales pitch. The author dropped the subject of his workshops several times. I was encouraged to continue only by the previous reviews I had read. He mentions the “Six Core Competencies” so often, it felt like he was trying to artificially make it into a catch-phrase associated with his name.

The Six Core Competencies, always capitalized, each had a section of several chapters devoted to it. Several of these sections had no meat to them. He talked around the subject, discussing its importance, but not providing any engineering techniques.

As all of the previous reviews suggested, his section on characterization was strong, and it was the strength of the book. He did provide good information no building characters and weaving them into the story in the proper sequence. However, I don’t think he offered enough that wasn’t available in other books with better information.

I found the sections on structure and scenes also interesting and informative. In my own opinion, the structure was better and more valuable than the character sections. But he did provide good information in all three of these sections.

Overall, I don’t feel the book is bad, but it does feel overblown. It is a good primer into story design, and if it were presented that way, I would rate it better. If you want or need solid information on any of his competencies, I believe you should find them elsewhere.

November 2, 2011

Star Trek and Philosophy: The Wrath of Kant (Popular Culture and… by Kevin S. Decker

Filed under: Uncategorized — Randolph @ 8:40 pm

Star Trek and Philosophy: The Wrath of Kant by Kevin S. Decker

You can recognize a good philosophy book, you know them. They have an 8-point font and every other paragraph runs on for at least 2 pages. Until now.

THe Popular Culture and Philosophy series changes that. With Star Trek and Philosophy, several philosophers use the Star Trek universe to explore different topics in philosophy. They make great use of different facets of the numerous series and movies to discuss philosophical points.

For instance, Professor Harald Thorsrud discusses stoicism comparing it to Vulcan philosophies. He makes good use of the series, with a few dialog excerpts to drive points. Other topics include ethics of bioengineering, aspects of religion, the nature of time, and Lyotard’s theory of the Differend, among many other topics.

The book offers good breadth with narrow depth, but provides enough depth in its choice of topics to give you a good taste of the subject. The book is light, yet full of information that is easy to digest. Any fan of Star Trek with at least a passing interest in philosophy should consider it for reading.

October 20, 2011

A Trick of the Light: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

Filed under: Mystery,Series,Uncategorized — Tags: — Randolph @ 8:20 pm

A Trick of the Light: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

This book is as good as the previous in the series, but in my opinion, a bit darker. Gamache and Beauvior have some personal issues to resolve. But Clara has her moment to shine in the art world, or she would if a dead body didn’t show up.

A long-time friend turned evil art critic that everyone hates appeared and died during Clara’s vernissage. Lots of suspects, naturally. Gamache and crew investigate in their calm and relentless manner to uncover the killer.

The one part I felt lacking was the conclusion. It was done too much in the style of Agatha Christie. I’m sure it was an homage, but felt more of a domage. It was just a bit too much.

The characters are as rich as ever, there is plenty going on to keep the reader involved. Overall, it is a very good book.

October 3, 2011

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide… by Thomas C. Foster

Filed under: Uncategorized — Randolph @ 7:20 am

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide… by Thomas C. Foster

Thomas Foster presents the reader with a number of skills in literature analysis. It is a light and pleasurable read providing a good introduction to symbolism in literature.

The first few chapters cover simple object and form analysis, then he expands into looking at events and actions. The book concludes with a short story and full analysis at three different levels.

Thomas often states that analysis isn’t necessary to enjoying literature, you can still enjoy a story for what it is. And a good story should stand on its own without analysis. But understanding symbolism can open a new window to literature and its enjoyment.

The book has loaded with examples from well-known literature. Thomas does a very good job of helping the reader to understand the symbolism and how the reader can get there.

The book is very enjoyable and enlightening. Anyone who enjoys literature, but misses the symbolism, should check it out.

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