Books 7-11
7. America's Most Haunted, by Eric Olsen and Theresa Argie. I really enjoyed this collection, which lists the top haunted locations in the nation. Each chapter goes in-depth on the history and the hauntings. The format of going room to room is a bit unusual, but it works well. I love the variety of first-hand accounts given, and the tidbits on terms and the technology used was a nice touch. This is a great read for those interested in the paranormal.
8. The Watchdog That Didn't Bark, by Dean Starkman. This is an informative, details read on the history of business reporting and the business world, particularly in the light of the 2008 Great Recession. The first couple chapters are a bit dry and rambling, but by the third chapter it comes together. It dispels many myths surrounding the toxic subprime mortgage fiasco and the general corruption in the financial industry (and how the business news field in general dropped the ball in reporting on it.) The path which led to the meltdown seen in 208 had been in the works for decades. The history aspects could have been streamlined and better organized in the first part of the book, but otherwise, I do recommend this for those interested in government, journalism and/or business.
9. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. I read the 80th anniversary edition of this famous book. My only regret is not reading it sooner. Carnegie's book should be required reading for everyone, but especially those who want to lead. He had a keen insight into human character. Many of his tips are common sense, but serve as a good reminder. I plan to reread this book, and I don't say that often.
10. Gimme Rewrite, Sweetheart, by John Tidyman. This is a collection of stories from the staffs of the Cleveland Press and The Plain Dealer, two competing papers until the Press was closed in 1982. The stories offer an inside look of local news and the lives of journalists. The stories range from heartbreaking to hilarious. One of my favorite stories is from a reporter who left her notes in the office, and tried to use a knife - which broke - on the door. I had to put down the book when I read the aftermath I was laughing so hard.
11. The Power of the Dark Crystal, by Simon Spurrier. This graphic novel serves as a sequel to the movie. I had mixed feelings about it. There were rumors for years that there would be a sequel movie; the graphic novel reads like the plot of the rumored movie (which was debunked). The story itself was more complex than I thought it would be, and the drawings are beautiful. In the story, Jen and Kira have been the rulers for one hundred years, but for much of it they remain in a crystal-induced stasis, allowing other gelfling to rule in their stead. It's not hard to imagine that this arrangement does not go well. The powerful ruling class wind up taking advantage of the poorer gelflings and pod people. However, things come to a head when a Fireling, a creature whose kind lives in the planet's core, comes to take a shard of the crystal. Now, I'm OK with the story so far (I'm willing to overlook the fact that Jen and Kira were supposed to be the last of the gelflings, perhaps other remote tribes were found later.) But here's where the story really strays from canon, and I don't feel that it needed to. Thurma, the Fireling, steals the shard and runs away, bringing back the repulsive Skeksis and the passive UrRu. Now, I thought that the UrSkeks had left the planet, from both the movie and from The World of the Dark Crystal. I'm willing to read the next installments, perhaps I'll change my mind, but I'm skeptical that bringing these two back was needed.
Currently reading: The Best of Hal Lebovitz, by Hal Lebovitz, and What America Can Learn about School Choice in Other Countries, by David Salisbury.
8. The Watchdog That Didn't Bark, by Dean Starkman. This is an informative, details read on the history of business reporting and the business world, particularly in the light of the 2008 Great Recession. The first couple chapters are a bit dry and rambling, but by the third chapter it comes together. It dispels many myths surrounding the toxic subprime mortgage fiasco and the general corruption in the financial industry (and how the business news field in general dropped the ball in reporting on it.) The path which led to the meltdown seen in 208 had been in the works for decades. The history aspects could have been streamlined and better organized in the first part of the book, but otherwise, I do recommend this for those interested in government, journalism and/or business.
9. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. I read the 80th anniversary edition of this famous book. My only regret is not reading it sooner. Carnegie's book should be required reading for everyone, but especially those who want to lead. He had a keen insight into human character. Many of his tips are common sense, but serve as a good reminder. I plan to reread this book, and I don't say that often.
10. Gimme Rewrite, Sweetheart, by John Tidyman. This is a collection of stories from the staffs of the Cleveland Press and The Plain Dealer, two competing papers until the Press was closed in 1982. The stories offer an inside look of local news and the lives of journalists. The stories range from heartbreaking to hilarious. One of my favorite stories is from a reporter who left her notes in the office, and tried to use a knife - which broke - on the door. I had to put down the book when I read the aftermath I was laughing so hard.
11. The Power of the Dark Crystal, by Simon Spurrier. This graphic novel serves as a sequel to the movie. I had mixed feelings about it. There were rumors for years that there would be a sequel movie; the graphic novel reads like the plot of the rumored movie (which was debunked). The story itself was more complex than I thought it would be, and the drawings are beautiful. In the story, Jen and Kira have been the rulers for one hundred years, but for much of it they remain in a crystal-induced stasis, allowing other gelfling to rule in their stead. It's not hard to imagine that this arrangement does not go well. The powerful ruling class wind up taking advantage of the poorer gelflings and pod people. However, things come to a head when a Fireling, a creature whose kind lives in the planet's core, comes to take a shard of the crystal. Now, I'm OK with the story so far (I'm willing to overlook the fact that Jen and Kira were supposed to be the last of the gelflings, perhaps other remote tribes were found later.) But here's where the story really strays from canon, and I don't feel that it needed to. Thurma, the Fireling, steals the shard and runs away, bringing back the repulsive Skeksis and the passive UrRu. Now, I thought that the UrSkeks had left the planet, from both the movie and from The World of the Dark Crystal. I'm willing to read the next installments, perhaps I'll change my mind, but I'm skeptical that bringing these two back was needed.
Currently reading: The Best of Hal Lebovitz, by Hal Lebovitz, and What America Can Learn about School Choice in Other Countries, by David Salisbury.