Three Star review, posted here on August 2, 2016. Right off the bat, I’ll say that my 3 star rating is a very personal review, and shouldn’t discourage others from reading this book. If you are interested in this book, then you should go ahead and read it. I really like Larson, and there are … More Goodreads Review: Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
Five Star review, originally posted here on July 13, 2016. Well, I did that think again where I start a book without paying attention to what it’s going to be about. For whatever reason I confused famous 17th century English explorer Captain John Smith with famous 18th century English explorer Captain James Cook. Doh! Egg … More Goodreads Review: Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before by Tony Horwitz
Originally posted here on July 12, 2016. If you ever want to feel like a total rock star, host a dziesmu svētki (Latvian song festival). Yes, the majority of your time leading up to the event will consist of unglamorous sweat and tears, sleepless nights poring over non-profit status applications, budget woes, marketing plans, and … More The Making of a Dziesmu Svetki, part 2: Baltimore
Four Star review, originally posted here on June 10, 2016. Well this book is absolutely fantastic. My review is really more 4.5 stars, but I rounded down to 4 because there is an epilogue that I just hated because it felt forced and juvenile after what otherwise felt like a smart and well-thought-out book. I … More Goodreads Review: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Two star review, originally posted here on May 26, 2016. I was pretty underwhelmed here, and I think the main reason why is because the narrative was very difficult to follow. Another reviewer called in “uneven,” and I think that hits the nail on the head. I’ve been on a Latvian/Baltic kick recently, re-exploring my … More Goodreads Review: Baltic Countdown: A Nation Vanishes by Peggie Benton
Two Star review, originally posted here on May 19, 2016. It really pains me to rate this book so low. I really, really wanted it to be good. But it just isn’t good. We’ll start with the positive: Just like in Between Shades of Grey, Sepetys introduces western readers to a barely-known but highly traumatic … More Goodreads Review: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Five Star review, originally posted here on May 13, 2016. This book will knock you on your ass. It is a very harsh story about a very harsh life, beautifully written to draw you into the landscape and make you glad you can close the book and move on and never have to return to … More Goodreads Review: Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell
Five Star Review, originally posted here on May 13, 2016. This book is virtually perfect. The main thing I love is the voice of our narrator/protagonist. At the very beginning I was a little hesitant, because the writing seemed almost too juvenile and crude. But I have gone back and read my teenaged diaries before, … More Goodreads Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Alexie Sherman
Three Star review, originally posted here on May 13, 2016. Continuing my couple-decade-late attempt to catch up with this whole Harry Potter phenomenon… Okay, I have to admit that Rowling is starting to lose me at this point. My favorite thing about the first two books was being introduced to the magical world of magic. … More Goodreads Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Originally posted here on May 5, 2016. Every single day, at almost every single hour, members of the Baltimore Dziesmu Svētki (Latvian Song Festival) organizing committee are hard at work on any one of various issues, concentrating on the website or the budget, the ticket sales or the schedule, the fundraising or the marketing. … More The Making of a Dziesmu Svētki, Part 1: The Beginning
Helga without the H 