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

One star review, originally posted here on December 15, 2017. I am pretty shocked that my 2nd 1-star review since joining Goodreads a few years ago is going to this (supposed) masterpiece. But there it is. I somehow managed to make it all the way to my mid 30’s without ever touching Hemingway, and decided … More Goodreads Review: A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Five star review, originally posted here on October 22, 2017. If you like Erik Larson books and are looking for something similar, definitely read this book. Prentice has that same talent as Larson for making a non-fiction tale feel like an intriguing novel with an over-the-top plot. I honestly have no clue how these people … More Goodreads Review: The Lost Tribe of Coney Island: Headhunters, Luna Park, and the Man Who Pulled Off the Spectacle of the Century by Claire Prentice

Five star review, originally posted here on October 6, 2017. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book, which I picked up on a whim at the gift shop while visiting historic St Mary’s City. The formula is pretty straightforward; the entire book is a continuous list of examples of court cases … More Goodreads Review: Crime and Punishment in Early Maryland by Raphael Semmes

Four star review, originally posted here on July 26, 2017.   A legitimately fascinating topic, told with tons of details. The basic gist is: Henry Ford was a wackadoo with some great ideas and some terrible ideas. Here’s a shining example of one of his terrible ideas. This was also my first time ever trying … More Goodreads Review: Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Jungle City by Greg Grandin

Three star review, originally posted here on July 7, 2017. I’m guessing that I approached this book from a different angle than the majority of other people who read it. I had never heard of Pat Tillman before, and instead came to this book because I saw it on a list of Krakauer books. “This … More Goodreads Review: Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer