Five Star review, originally posted here in April 2014. I should note that I did the audiobook version of this book, which I believe makes a huge difference in how it is experienced. The author does his own reading, and so you get a sense of exactly how he wants you to hear his own … More Goodreads Review: Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

Four Star review, originally posted here on June 4, 2014. This book needed to be written, and I am glad that it was taken on by the capable hands of Applebaum. At the very beginning I was disappointed to see that she chose to only focus on three countries, and that Soviet satellites were excluded … More Goodreads Review: Iron Curtain : The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1945-1956 by Anne Applebaum

Four Star review, originally posted here on June 18, 2014. The writing in this book is severely lacking, and for the first half or so I would have rated it at three stars. But the truth of the matter is, this book, no matter how well or poorly written, is SUPER INTERESTING. The subject matter … More Goodreads Review: I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai

Four Star review, originally posted here on July 8, 2014. I was really looking forward to this book and fully expected to give it five stars, but it just wasn’t quite where it needed to be. First the good: Krakauer has done his research, and he is a good writer. The subject matter is fascinating. … More Goodreads Review: Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer

Three Star review, originally posted here on July 16, 2014. (My first Goodreads review!) I’m torn on this book. Was it hilarious? Yes, absolutely. But it was also the same basic jokes over and over and over again. The first three quarters of the book are just character development, and then suddenly in the last … More Goodreads Review: Wigfield: The Can-Do Town That Just May Not by Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello

Three Star review, originally posted here on July 24, 2014.  (Note this review was about comic book version of the 9/11 Report, not on the actual full written report.) I’m torn on this book. On the one hand, I really liked the idea behind it- take an important yet dense government report that everyone should … More Goodreads Review: The 9/11 Report by Sid Jacobson, Ernie Colón, and the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

Four Star review, originally posted here on August 11, 2014. As soon as I started reading I understood why this memoir had been such a huge hit when it came out years ago. McCourt is a fantastic storyteller, and you really get sucked into his world. But I can’t quite give it 5 stars because … More Goodreads Review: Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Two Star review, originally posted here on August 20, 2014. ***SPOILER ALERT!!!*** This is really a 2.4 star review. I’m wondering if I would have enjoyed this book had I read it as a kid. I’m thinking probably yes, since I’m a big fan of the strong tomboy heroine type characters and always have been, … More Goodreads Review: Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Four Star review, originally posted here on August 29, 2014. This book was surprising. I was surprised at myself for even taking an interest in this book (I can’t remember where this interest first manifested, but my best guess is that it came from seeing her talk about her father on Dancing With the Stars). … More Goodreads Review: Solo: A Memoir of Hope by Hope Solo

Three Star review, originally posted here on September 5, 2014. Meh. I’m a big fan of George Takei’s social media presence, but this book was unfortunately just a waste of space. I didn’t have particularly high expectations, but figured it would be a lighthearted romp through the internet, probably just listing some of the most … More Goodreads Review: Oh Myyy! There Goes the Internet by George Takei