Re-Read

I read this one a few years ago, and absolutely loved it. Re read it again recently (or listened to it by Wil Wheaton) and I had just as much fun as the first time. Sure the book has got it's flaws...there's massive infodumps in the first third of the book and the characters are not really all that well developed. However, that's not why I wanted to read this book. It's for the experience of going on an adventure in the OASIS once again.

The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons by Sam Kean.

The title might lure you in, but it's the content and the writing that'll keep you reading until the end. Kean describes the history of the human brain through stories and clever writing. Far from a textbook read, this will keep you enthralled as if you were watching a Shonda Rhimes medical drama.

If you love no fiction mini-histories, then definitely check this one out.

Every slasher flick has one. The girl who survives at the end. The one seemed as the final girl. Quincy is the main character of this story, the lone survivor of a horrible event in her life. But can she really move on from what happened? This book will keep you guessing as various twists and turns happen around every chapter.

#bookreview #finalgirls #rileysager

Killers of the Flower Moon offers a look at Osage Murders and the conspiracy behind what happened, and the process that investigators went through to find out who was behind it all.

David Grann takes the reader on a wild ride as her chronicles the events leading up to the first murder of an Osage woman, and the horrendous and mysterious slayings of several others over time.

For an exciting true crime story, check out Killers of the Flower Moon.

How to be a Heroine by Samantha Ellis.

The title and the content seems promising. A book about books. And one that summarizes and talks about the feminist roles in some of Ellis' favorite books and stories. Unfortunately, this read as a series of ramblings about stories such as Little Women or Wuthering Heights and how they loosely relate to Ellis' own journey in life.

#litsyatoz #letterh

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. I have no idea how I have never read this book before today! If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this classic, I'd suggest going out to buy it now. Not only is it funny and witty and full of literary escapism, it's deep and will keep you thinking for a very long time to come. Definitely a worthwhile read for anyone and everyone.

#litsyatoz #letterj

The Innovators by Walter Isaacson. This is quite the hefty read, but every page is worth it. It does start off a bit slow in the beginning, but gets very intriguing about a hundred pages in, and you won't want to put it down. This is the story of how innovations have been made.

#theinnovators #walterisaacson #litsyatoz #letterI

Hit Makers by Derek Thompson.

This is a book about the science of popularity. What makes something a sudden hit? Why might someone with the same talent as any other superstar simply not make it big? The answer isn't as surprising as you might think. If you like pop science books the study specific topics, then you might enjoy this. The writing is easy to understand, and the audiobook version is just as good

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy.

An interesting novel that travels the roads of India that captures the perspectives and politics of a part of the world far away from home. As promising as it sounds, though, the writing style did not do it for me. There's not so much a story as there is a cacophony of various characters that make it difficult to find a footing and relate to.

Chemistry by Weike Wang. This is a fun debut novel that stars an unnamed narrator who needs to figure out her life. The characters grew on me and appreciated the struggles that they go through, something all too common in this day and age. Thanks @bookofthemonthclub

#booksandcoffee #bookstagram #bookreview #bookofthemonthclub #booklife #booklove #booklover #becauseofreading #reading #booknerd #bibliophile #shelfie #bookworm #bookphotography

The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness. A fun read if you like comedian Paula Poundstone, this could probably bring you one or two heps of happiness. But I finished the book not quite understanding where her sarcasm and humor ended and the complaining about the true source of her unhappiness began. It has a few funny moments, but there are funnier books out there.

#booksandcoffee #bookreview #bookstagram #instabooks

The Book Thieves by Anders Rydell.

This book covers the Nazi looting of libraries throughout Europe, and the steps that have been taken to recover the books since then. While the content sounds interesting, the writing itself failed to hold to my attention. Unfortunately it was a bust for me.

#bookstagram #books #bookreview #booksandcoffee

Star Trek Voyager: The Farther Shore. This is part 2 to the final homecoming adventure that takes place after the Star Trek Voyager finale. A fun exploration of the impact of Voyager on the federation, and the prejudices that still lives in the hearts of humans even in the 24th century.

#booksandcoffee #bookreview #greatbooks #greatreads #books #startrek #startrekvoyager #captainjaneway #sevenofnine #borg #borgqueen

Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer. Don't be misled by this catchy title...its not about Einstein at all, but rather memory and the mnemonics people create to help them remember thousands of digits or the order of ten decks of cards. I'd like to see this made as a spiritual sequel to Inception.

#bookreview #books #booksandcoffee #bookstagram #instabooks #moonwalkingwitheinstein #joshuafoer #inception

The book focuses on Deming, a boy who is left confused when one day his mother suddenly disappears. Only through the course of the story do you find out what really happened, and it can really hit home for many readers. If you're looking for more great stories that focus on people of color, give this one a read.

#book #books #booksandcoffee #bookreview #greatbooks #greatreads #read #readingchallenge #theleavers

Gut by Giulia Enders. I really enjoyed this one. Enders explores the inner workings of our digestive system from when food, drinks, and germs enter through outlet mouth to when they exit. Minor trigger warning for those that are a bit squeamish, and probably not a good idea to read while eating.

#bookreview #books #booksandcoffee #bookstagram #instabooks #gut #giuliaenders #litsyatoz #e #lettere

The Upstarts. For people who are interested in learning about the founding and growth of Uber and Airbnb, this is a great start that's engaging and informative. Seeing as the sharing economy doesn't show any signs of slowing down, it's a very interesting look at how quickly technology changes in this area.

#bookreview #books #booksandcoffee #bookstagram #instabooks #greatreads #theupstarts #bradstone

A Man Called Ove is a worthy story for anyone and everyone. It's a reminder to rethink your initial judgment of someone, and that there's always someone out there thinking of you.

#bookreview #booksandcoffee #bookstagram #instabooks #books #greatreads #amancalledove #fredrikbackman

Readers of food books, this is one to enjoy. Lots of good, precise, and scientifically accurate facts related to food. It did take me a few months to read because it wasn't my go to book on a daily basis, but I found it engaging and satisfying nonetheless. Now I just want to cook.

#bookreview #books #bookstagram #instabooks #whatgoodcooksknow #americastestkitchen

The Love Interest by Dale Dietrich.

Overall an enjoyable read, especially for anyone looking for LGBT themes in YA literature that's not about the exact same thing. Two boys work for a secret spy organization, sent out to court one girl. Classic love triangle? Almost. If you want to find out what happens, be sure to check this one out.

#bookreview #booksandcoffee #bookofthemonth #greatreads #greatbooks #books #theloveinterest #caledietrich

Catch-22 is derided as brilliant and monumental. Unfortunately, I had a real hard time seeing that. Maybe one of these days I'll pick it back up and try to read it again. If you've read it, what did you think?

#booksandcoffee #bookstagram #books #bookreview #booksofinstagram #catch22 #litsyatoz #c

Great in terms of content. A bit boring in terms of writing. Definitely worth asking yourself if you know the true history of how vaccines are made. Regardless, would that stop you?

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #instabooks #books #bookreview

American War by Omar El Akkad. Mix up The Underground Railroad, Exit West, Hillbilly Elegy, and World War Z. Stir. Bake. You will find yourself with this masterpiece.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1984583539

#bookreview #bookstagram #instabooks #booksandcoffee #sundayreads #requiredreading #bookofthemonth #bookofthemonthclub #americanwar #omarelakkad

This month's Book of the Month pick, Startup by Doree Shafrir. An engaging and bitter social commentary on the world of tech culture. Great book for book club discussion.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1979596753

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #books #startup #doreeshafrir

Doubt. That's something you should always keep in mind when working as a lawyer. This is a quick adventure that'll keep you guessing.

#doubt #bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd

Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuval. The sequel to last year's Sleeping Giants, one of my favorites from last year. This one picks up right where the other one left off, and mysteries are revealed while new ones present themselves. Also a great listen on audiobook.

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #audiobook #overdriveapp #losangelespubliclibrary #wakinggods #sylvainneuvel

What a Fish Knows by Jonathan Balcombe. Enter the unique and social world of fish and why exactly they live just as complex social lives as we do. Very interesting read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1674206485

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #whatafishknows #jonathanbalcombe #litsyatoz #w

A collection of short, dark, and macabre stories set in Argentina by Mariana Enríquez. If you're looking to expand your reading palate, then definitely check this one out for its chilling commentary.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1965792170

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #librarything #arc #advancereaderscopy #thingswelostinthefire #marianaenríquez

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. One of the most important books you could read this year. Highly recommend.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1962588434

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #exitwest #mohsinhamid

A new way to look at trees. Find out how they communicate. How they take care of their young and sick. And more. You'll be impressed with how much you find you love trees.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1803620272

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #audiobook #thehiddenlifeoftrees

An amazing tale of food and family. If you like memoirs or simply my books about food and family, definitely check this one out.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1946315924

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #arc #advancereaderscopy #mymotherskitchen #petergethers

A quick, short book about books: poetry style. An excellent read for kids and adults alike.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1958217978

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #bookspeak #laurasalas

Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance. An exploration of one man's life growing up in the rural Appalachia section of the United States and his perspective on what the rest of the country looks like through his eyes.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1850566088

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #audiobook #jdvance #hillbillyelegy

The Wangs vs. The World.
A book about a family coming together despite the hardships and obstacles life throws at them.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1833159340

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd

The predictably rational writing of Predictably Irrational. An interesting book in and of itself, but unfortunately I didn't learn anything new.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/809422761

#bookstagram #booknerd #bookreview #notsomuch

Absolutely loved this book. Definitely give it a read. Might look long, but the great story allows for a fast paced read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1903284367

#bookstagram #bookreview #instabooks #pachinko #minjinlee #bookofthemonthclub

A sad and interesting memoir by Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi. Quite interesting if your a fan of Lakshmi herself, but be prepared for a bit of privileged whining.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1915891004

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #padmalakshmi #audiobook

Time travel. Alternate history. Lovable and relatable characters. And the fact that our world is the dystopia? Yes a must read this year.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1911605624

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #booknerd #bookdebut

Another great, if a bit dated, piece of writing by Bill Bryson. If you're interested in English language and how it evoved, both Made in America and the Mother Tongue are great books to read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1891293788

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #2017reads #b #litsyatoz

Reading about movie because I can't watch a movie during a blackout on a rainy day. At least we're out of the drought.

Got my first book of the month book. Looking forward to reading this.

A classic worth reading. Definitely good to listen to on audiobook as well. A story with charactwrs and dialogue at its heart, it's more than the simple crime that is committed and the punishment he has to go through. It's about people and the world they live in and the decisions they make. Worth the read!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55105445

#bookstagram #booksandcoffee #books #bookreview #crimeandpunishment #dostoevsky

Just gonna leave this quote here for some good reading.

A great long book that took over four months to read...but totally worth it in the end. Great for any fan of Star Trek who wants to get the comprehensive behind the scenes look at what really went down during the writing process. 5 out of 5 in my book.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1775005297

#bookstagram #bookreview #instabooks #startrek #thenextgeneration #ds9 # voyager #enterprise

I had to do a double take when it said the Sears Tower is still the tallest building in the world. A lot has changes over the past 20 years after this book was written. I wonder if there's an updated edition.

Always nice to read (or listen) to a classic. Never read Wells before, so I thought this would be a good start.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55106003

Apparently I've been reading a lot of great books. Definitely check this one out though. It's short and sweet and you'll fall in love with the characters.

This finally counts as #a for #litsyatoz. As well as #readharderchallenge #readharder2017

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1520264841

Getting ready to finally start my #litsyatoz challenge. First up: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

An interesting and fascinating look into the lives of students in North Korea. Also a very interesting listen on audiobook.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1692031465

Out of 5 stars for this great book. Great characters and an intriguing plot structure, this is something that's worth a read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1020158443