Three star review, originally posted here on February 2, 2024. I was so conflicted on this book. There is so much promise here. The story is so imaginative. At times the storytelling is very engaging (for example, when Dracula’s ship arrived in England and the captain has slashed himself to the wheel with a crucifix.) … More Goodreads Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker

Four star review, originally posted here on February 2, 2024. I wanted this book to be a 5 star review. It started off so great. There was so much amazing history to learn here. I relished the pouring on of details about life in post-colonial New York City. I think most history I’ve learned about … More Goodreads Review: The Sewing Girl’s Tale: A Story of Crime and Consequences in Revolutionary America by John Wood Sweet

Four star review, originally posted here on January 20, 2024. This is really a 3.5 star rating. I am glad that Cheney wrote this book, and that I read it. I am glad to have one more record of the madness surrounding January 6th, and of the fight for the truth that followed (and continues … More Goodreads Review: Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney

Four star review, originally posted here on January 11, 2024. First: Anyone who likes this book should also check out “Astoria: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire: A Story of Wealth, Ambition, and Survival” by David Stark. Both are crazy stories about adventurers getting their asses kicked in the olden days. Second: … More Goodreads Review: The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

Four star review, originally posted here on March 29, 2023. The first several chapters of this book were very informative as Abrams describes everything that is wrong with our election system, and then proposes solutions. The last couple chapters drop off a bit, though, and seemed unfocused.

Five star review, originally posted here on March 23, 2023. This book was recommended to me by a coworker, which made me instantly skeptical. Most of the time when people recommend a book for me specifically, it totally misses the mark, and I feel bad. The friend described the book as “Jane Austen gets guns … More Guns of the Dawn by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Three star review, originally posted here on March 15, 2023 I’m gonna go ahead and say it: Long books are too long.As a kid I assumed that by adulthood I would be able to sit through long books because all the adults were reading long books. Alas, I am still a slow reader, and that … More Goodreads Review: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Two star review, originally posted here on March 15, 2023. I only finished this book a few weeks ago, and I already forgot what I thought about it. Apparently I didn’t like it! Two stars, huh? I assume I just found it too long and boring. Yeah, I think that’s what is happening here. I … More Goodreads Review: Middlemarch by George Eliot

Four star review, originally posted here on March 15, 2023. I have too many wonderful things to say about this book and I have no time or energy to list them all out. I’ll just say that if you feel like being SUPER depressed, then this book is great for you! I highly recommend this … More Goodreads Review: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsglover

Five star review, originally posted here on March 15, 2023. I’m surprised to find I agree with the reviewers who say the end drops off a bit (it was fine, but just too long). But even with that slight criticisms, this book was incredible. I loved how do many disciplines were weaved together to tell … More Goodreads Review: The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic—and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson