Two star review originally posted here on March 9, 2017. Let’s start with the good! (which there was plenty of despite my star rating)… This book had some absolutely beautiful passages. Seriously, often the page was alive with poetry (Ochsner would have found a more creatively moving and less clichéd way of saying that). Ochsner … More Goodreads Review: The Hidden Letters of Velta B. by Gina Ochsner
Three Star review, originally posted here on February 9, 2017. I felt a personal connection with this book because of both my love for the Appalachian Mountains, and the fact that I work in a very similar field (supporting attorneys who protect Americans from major environmental negligence). It is worth reading because it introduces a significant but … More Goodreads Review: The Buffalo Creek Disaster: How the survivors of one of the worst disasters in coal-mining history brought suit against the coal company–and won by Gerald M. Stern
Well, well, well, the results are in, and its time to dissect my pics! First, check out my reviews of the nominees (and should-have-been nominees) here: https://helgawithouttheh.com/2019/02/15/2019-oscar-reviews/ Next, take a look at this handy hastily-made chart (complete with misspellings and typos that I’m too lazy to correct) of the winners, as compared to who … More 2019 Oscar Results and Reactions
So, every year for the past few years I have attempted, with varying degrees of success, to see as many of the Oscar nominees as possible before Oscar night. I never really do anything practical or constructive with this experience; it’s just a personal challenge for myself. And while I wish I could say it … More 2019 Oscar Reviews
Three Star review, originally posted here on September 19, 2016 Oh boy. So, this book was all over the place. The basic idea is good: The fire at the center of the book only lasted a few minutes, but the book pulled in tons of related narratives and facts and tried to use the fire … More Goodreads review: Triangle: The Fire That Changed America by David von Drehle
Three Star review, originally posted here on November 3, 2016. ** spoiler alert ** Right off the bat I’ll say that I’ve read a couple other people’s reviews that are very similar to the one I am about to write, and on those I’ve seen other people (seemingly angrily, for some reason?) say, “They why’d … More Goodreads review: 11/22/63 by Stephen King
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
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
Helga without the H 