Four star review, originally posted here on March 5, 2019. A beautiful and thought-provoking work. I saw someone else that this- I listened to the audiobook, which was perfect because you can hear the author’s true tone, but I also wish I’d had a print copy on hand because I was constantly wanting to … More Goodreads Review: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Three star review, originally posted here on March 3, 2019. Unsurprisingly, this is NOT an easy read. No matter how beautifully written, no matter how clear it is from the very start that we’re not supposed to like the protagonist, it is still unpleasant to read a book about a pedophile. It just is. … More Goodreads Review: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Four star review, originally posted here on February 26, 2019. I have no clue if this even counts as a “book,” but I’m counting it anyway cuz I need to inflate my stats after losing so much reading time already this year painfully slogging through the depressing mess that was Fear. Ugh. Anyhoo… This was … More Goodreads Review: Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets by John Woolf and Nick Baker
One star review, originally posted here on February 5, 2019. To my disappointment, this was a total slog. It should have been a quick read, but it was just so unenjoyable that I had a hard time forcing myself to pick it up. I considered dropping it (something I’ve only done with like 3 or … More Goodreads Review: Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward
Three star review, originally posted here on January 2, 2019. Written way before he became famous, this book sheds some light on Pres Obama’s formative years and his family background. It’s the type of story that is made exponentially more interesting by the fact that the subject goes on to become the most famous person … More Goodreads Review: Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
Four star review, originally posted here on December 28, 2018. I’m surprised to be ranking this book so high. I’ll start by admitting that I’ve never really liked Anthony Bourdain (may he rest in peace). He always struck me as arrogant- pretentiously bragging about how unpretentious he is. Blargh. But I also haven’t followed him … More Goodreads Review: Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
Three star review, originally posted here on December 21, 2018. Well, here’s another one that everyone else seems to love the hell out of and I just can’t figure out why. I’ll start with the good… The basic premise is great! It’s creative and original and sets up a world that is full of promise … More Goodreads Review: American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Two star review, originally posted here on June 21, 2018. ** spoiler alert ** Well, this was a misfire on my part. I was hoping to grab an enticing yet fun summer read (like a Grisham novel), but didn’t feel like using up too much time or brainpower, so when this kids’ version of Grisham … More Goodreads Review: Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Four star review, originally posted here on June 1, 2018. ** spoiler alert ** This book was divided into 2 very distinct parts. I would give Part One 4.5 or 5 stars and Part Two 3 or 3.5 stars, so 4 seems like a fair average. I believe that this is at least my 4th … More Goodreads Review: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
Three star review, originally posted here on May 21, 2018. People who are familiar with Alexandra Petri from her scathing political satire in The Washington Post and approach this book expecting more political satire will be disappointed. People who are expecting a hilarious collection of short stories and essays about life as a dorky awkward … More Goodreads Review: A Field Guide to Awkward Silences by Alexandra Petri
Helga without the H 