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

Four star review, originally posted here on May 15, 2018. If you feel like being infuriated, then this is the book for you! It’s not like anything in this book is surprising to anyone who has studied an ounce of American history, but it never hurts to get a reminder of just how jacked up … More Goodreads Review: Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King

Three star review, originally posted here on April 24, 2018. I am… confused. Why is this book so insanely popular? I mean… it was fine. Chabon can craft some damn fine sentences. The basic premise of following comic book creators was interesting. Every now and then something legitimately interesting happened that sucked me in for … More Goodreads Review: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

Two star review, originally posted here on January 26, 2018. Full disclosure: This just isn’t really my thing, but it was recommended to me by someone who thought it would be my thing. So I kept an open mind and tried something new and, well, like I said, it just wasn’t for me. I’m not … More Goodreads Review: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 2: Squirrel You Know It’s True by Ryan North and Erica Henderson

Four star review, originally posted here on January 24, 2018. A quick, interesting, and depressing read. You don’t have to really like Corey Feldman much or think he’s a gifted actor to appreciate this book. He is clearly a jacked up individual who has been through some jacked up stuff, and this book helps the … More Goodreads Review: Coreyography by Corey Feldman

Four star review, originally posted here on January 20, 2018. This was a new angle for me for looking at the Civil War. The book focuses on 4 specific and separate stories, alternating between them but following along roughly chronologically for the duration of the war. I was particularly enticed because most of the stories … More Goodreads Review: Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott

Four star review, originally posted here on December 31, 2017. ** spoiler alert ** For me, this was basically the book version of The Revenant, meaning it makes me realize what a total pansy I am, complaining about the cold on my 30 minute evening dog walk when these 19th century badasses were off trudging … More Goodreads Review: Astoria: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire: A Story of Wealth, Ambition, and Survival by Peter Stark

Three star review, originally posted here on September 11, 2017. Well look, it’s not exactly Shakespeare. But it’s not really supposed to be. Instead it’s an honest story, complete with an honest, innocent tone. While the title suggests this is the story of the “first woman to…”, that’s not really what this story is about. … More Goodreads Review: Still Kicking by Katie Hnida