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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2017 17:05:32 GMT -5
If you read a book and want to leave some commentary of why we should or shouldn't try that book, go for it here!
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Post by thiefinrippedupjeans on Dec 28, 2017 8:23:20 GMT -5
The Da Vinci Code has aged well. Dan Brown's novel is more of a red pill than an actual thriller. Back in 2003 when the Internet wasn't as widely used and of course nobody read the book yet, I'm sure the truth about the priests in Italy and the Christian-Pagan connection and secret messages in fine artists' paintings was mind-blowing back then. But now, having already known this information, I was searching for some characters and suspense in this book. There wasn't any for me. It feels like I'm reading an informational history piece rather than reading a story to know what happens in the end. I won't take away its credit for being a pioneer in the conspiracy theory genre, it doesn't lose its importance, but it just isn't as enjoyable I think for this generation.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2017 11:05:44 GMT -5
I am more of a classics reader, and I just finished the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The only Holmes mystery I had read before was The Hound of the Baskervilles, and it was a great novel. Nonetheless, short story form for some of these mysteries just did not allow the same fascinating, who-done-it experience. I would say the series definitely got better as it went. The short stories grew in length as they went on and were written more to allow the reader to speculate. Some of the mysteries left the reader just reading the pride of Sherlock as he easily got the deed done. The speculation and curiosity of "who did it?" was missing. Holmes of course was brilliant in every story nonetheless, finding very intricate details one does not normally find on their own. There is also some historical contexts spilled throughout, including the original thought to be safe medical usage of cocaine in the time. I intend to read up on the other short stories as well in the future.
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Post by FearlesslySpeakNow on Apr 27, 2018 7:18:38 GMT -5
I just finished reading Mice by Gordon Reece. It's one of the best books I've ever read, it was one of those books that I couldn't put down, but didn't want to ever finish at the same time.
It's such a well-written story, I think it could even be a classic for future generations!
The story follows a daughter, 16-year-old Shelley, and her mother who move to a cottage, leaving behind their horrible past, where Shelley was bullied so brutally that she almost took her own life, and where her mother filed for divorce from her selfish husband.
All is calm and well in this cottage until one night, someone attempts to rob their home.
Luckily, the two women wake up just in time... The rest is history...
The story is a slow paced burner, and is increasingly tense with each page, etched with thriller, mystery and psychological suspense, as Shelley and her mother develop out of their mousy, quiet personalities.
The characters are so flawed that the story is so flawless.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2018 17:13:39 GMT -5
I just finished reading 'The Founders at Home: The Building of America, 1735-1817' by Myron Magnet. I found this book to be very interesting. It described the houses and family life of many of the leaders of the American Revolution era. Some of those included were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and many more. One of the saddest parts of the book was was the distressing way that the Wife of President James Madison lived after he died. Dolley Madison lived the last several years of her life in virtual poverty. She had to leave the family residence and move to Washington D.C. She found it necessary to wear old clothing and sometimes she had to rely on other people to donate food to her.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2018 17:17:09 GMT -5
I just finished reading Mice by Gordon Reece. It's one of the best books I've ever read, it was one of those books that I couldn't put down, but didn't want to ever finish at the same time. It's such a well-written story, I think it could even be a classic for future generations! The story follows a daughter, 16-year-old Shelley, and her mother who move to a cottage, leaving behind their horrible past, where Shelley was bullied so brutally that she almost took her own life, and where her mother filed for divorce from her selfish husband. All is calm and well in this cottage until one night, someone attempts to rob their home. Luckily, the two women wake up just in time... The rest is history... The story is a slow paced burner, and is increasingly tense with each page, etched with thriller, mystery and psychological suspense, as Shelley and her mother develop out of their mousy, quiet personalities. The characters are so flawed that the story is so flawless. This sounds like it is a great book!!! |
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Post by MyCastleCrumbledOvernight on May 12, 2018 16:45:58 GMT -5
The Thing About Leftovers by C.C. Payne I really enjoyed this book, it was very emotional yet sensible. It’s a story about a 12 year old girl named Fizzy. (Elizabeth) when I read she was 12 it kinda caught me as a scholastic book, (that’s not the publisher but it’s a certain kind of book to me XD) but then I decided I wasn’t like that at 12, or I didn’t feel like that at 12, so who’s to say this girl is? Anyway, she lives in Kentucky, her parents are divorced and it’s kinda sad the way she describes it. Sorta... (I’m not a reviewer XD) Her dad lives in their old house with his new wife, Suzanne. Fizzy and her mother had to move across town or something, maybe to a new town I didn’t really understand, and Fizzy has to go to a new school. Her old friends abandoned her, her best friend moved away without telling her. She doesn’t have any friends at the new school because it’s apparently a rich town, everybody has big houses, pretty faces and designer clothes. Fizzy doesn’t care much about what she wears, although she wishes she had designer jeans (I don’t really relate to that, jeans are jeans). She is a very good cook, and plans to win the Southern Living cook off. It’s really amazing what she can cook, she’s 12 and mixes up recipes and they actually taste good. I don’t do that XD I’m gonna put a spoiler in here now XD Her mom has a boyfriend named Keene and he is a jerk if you ask me. Fizzy overhears him asking her mom if she loves Fizzy more than him. And when she said Fizzy, he was upset. I mean come on, it’s her child.
Her mom decides to marry this jerk, and he is gross. He moves in their house and brings ugly furniture, he doesn’t talk to her and when she left her shoes in the bathroom sink after tracking in mud to clean later, because she was mopping the floor, HE TOOK HER SHOES. WHO DOES THAT?
Fizzy feels like a guest in her own home, and the guest is the one who made her feel that way. Although things at home sucks, she makes two friends at school, Zach and Milkoyo... I think... I never really paid attention to her name so I don’t remember how to spell it as I didn’t even learn how to say it. Anyway, they’re nice. (World’s worst book report) her dad and Suzanne have a new baby, and she feels replaced. Her parents raised her to have manners and not to talk about her feelings basically, so she’s pretty much lost. She doesn’t want to live at her mom’s or with her dad. Or well, the stepparents. She considers herself a leftover from her parents marriage, and nobody gets excited about leftovers. Anyway, a lot of emotional things happen and I found myself crying at many parts of this book, I love books that make me cry XD if a book makes you feel something then it’s good. In the end, she wins the Southern Living cook off and her mom and her have a heart to heart. the end. |
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2018 17:48:14 GMT -5
A few days ago I finished reading 'Grant' by Josiah Bunting. This was a concise biography of the famous American General and President. The book covered the entirety of Grant's life, his youth; education at West Point; career in the U.S. Army; life as a civilian; his role in the American Civil War; two terms as U.S. President; his bout with throat cancer at the end of his life while he wrote his memoirs.
While there are many longer and more detailed biographies of this famous American, this book is a great place to start for anyone who wants to study the life of the General who led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2018 1:02:29 GMT -5
I just finished reading 'Washington's Farewell' by Stuart Murray. The author of this book had a very unique way of writing about the highlights of the American Revolutionary War. In December of 1783 the Americans had won the war and the British had signed a peace treaty with the USA. George Washington was the commander of the Continental Army and was preparing to return to civilian life. He was passing through New York City and many of the officers of his army wanted to meet one last time to say good bye to their beloved commander. They chose a pub and restaurant called Fraunces Tavern for this event. Prominent officers like Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, Nathaniel Greene, and many others were present.
The author selects many of these soldiers one by one and does a wonderful job of describing the contributions that each made to contribute to the American victory. I was extremely impressed by the way the author described the Continental army crossing the Delaware river on Christmas night 1776 to surprise the Hessian soldiers who were fighting on behalf of the British. I almost felt like I was close by watching the scenario unfold.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2018 14:25:55 GMT -5
I just finished reading 'Hot Blood: The Money, The Brach Heiress, The Horse Murders' by Ken Englade. I feel that this was a great book based on a true story. Helen Brach was the heiress to the E.J. Brach & Sons candy company fortune. In February 1977 she disappeared without a trace. The local law enforcement was unable to solve this mystery. In 1989 the U.S. Attorney's office reopened the investigation. The prosecutors were able to close in on the person who probably was responsible for Helen Brach's disappearance but were unable to prove it conclusively in court. However, this person was convicted of fraud and other crimes and is serving a long prison sentence. The investigation expanded in scope immensely and by 1994 at least 23 other people were either indicted or convicted of fraudulently scamming people out of money or filing false insurance claims concerning horses that died.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2018 0:10:45 GMT -5
A few hours ago I finished reading 'Lincoln On Leadership: Executive Strategies For Tough Times' by Donald T. Phillips. Almost everyone at different times in our lives has to make difficult decisions and persuade other people to follow them. Someone doesn't have to be a corporate CEO to be a decision maker. Parents, teachers, little league coaches, are just a few examples of people having a need to have leadership skills.
Very few people confronted as big a challenge as Abraham Lincoln did when he became President. The United States was on the verge of Civil War. Yet he demonstrated skills in leadership and persuasion that helped get the nation through that difficult time. For example, people appreciated him because he always had time for the everyday common citizen. He would regularly have citizens visit him at the White House to see what their concerns were. When he would visit a battlefield he just didn't talk to the generals but would mingle with the soldiers in the rank and file. Another example of his unique way of leading was what he did when he became angry. Rather than scolding someone, sometimes he would sit down and write a letter to the individual that he was angry with. Often after he would calm down, he would just discard the sheet of paper and avoid a nasty conversation.
Although I have read alot about President Lincoln, I didn't fully appreciate the talents and abilities that he brought to the White House until I read this book.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2018 2:06:31 GMT -5
I recently finished reading Young Washington: How Wilderness and War Forged America's Founding Father. This excellent book concentrates on George Washington's military career as a young adult. Starting at the age of 20 Washington began leading expeditions across the Appalachain Mountains into the Ohio territory on behalf of England who was competing with France for control of this wilderness area. His adventures continue through the start of the French and Indian War until he is 26 years old. The author demonstrates how Washington matured into a military leader who would one day lead the 13 colonies against England in the American Revolutionary War.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2018 22:31:11 GMT -5
I just finished reading 'Lincoln's Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him To The Presidency' by Dan Abrams And David Fisher. I feel that this is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to others.
In September 1859 a self-taught Illinois country lawyer named Abraham Lincoln was already becoming a famous person in the United States. He had already served four terms in the Illinois state legislature and one term in the United States Congress. In 1858 he unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate in Illinois. That was also the same year in which he participated in the now historic Lincoln-Douglas debates. So Lincoln's name was already being floated as a possible Presidential candidate in the upcoming 1860 election.
In this trial Lincoln was one of three defense attorneys representing a man accused of murder. The crime had taken place in the village of Pleasant Plains, Illinois. The trial was being held in Lincoln's adopted home town of Springfield, Illinois. Ironically, Lincoln knew both the accused and the victim.
The authors amply demonstrate the great skills that Lincoln possessed when cross-examining witnesses. They also show what wonderful communication abilities he had when talking to a jury. The descriptions of the sounds and sites in that court room made me almost feel like I was there. The authors keep the reader in suspense because the jury's verdict isn't revealed until the last few pages.
Finally, we are very fortunate that the transcripts of this trial are still in existence. In 1989 a homeowner discovered them in his garage in Fresno, California. They were in a box and were well-preserved. The house had previously been owned by the trial defendant's great-grandson and apparently were just left there.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2018 16:17:47 GMT -5
I recently finished reading 'Scarface And The Untouchable: Al Capone, Eliot Ness, And The Battle For Chicago' by Max Allan Collins and A. Brad Schwartz. Due to the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment it became illegal to sell alcohol in the United States as of January 17, 1920.
However, many people involved in the criminal world soon jumped in to provide the alcohol that the American public could no longer purchase legally. Al Capone was one of the most famous of the bootleggers. He set up shop primarily in the Chicago area and accrued a lot of power both in the criminal and political world.
The United States government selected an ambitious young man named Eliot Ness to combat Capone and his crime wave. Ness and his group called the Untouchables made a large contribution toward the eventual downfall of the Capone gang.
This is an excellent book which describes in great detail this era in American history called 'Prohibition' and the crime wave that went with it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2020 21:39:38 GMT -5
This is a review of a book that I recently read. The title is "Grant's Final Victory: Ulysses S. Grant's Heroic Last Year." The author of this excellent non-fiction work is "Charles Bracelen Flood." Although I have read a biography of this famous civil war general and reviewed it here this book only covers the last year of General Grant's life. The events discussed in the book occur in the 1880's but the reader really doesn't need a deep backround in American history to appreciate this wonderful work of non-fiction.The story is sad but it demonstrates the outstanding character of General Grant. The author is one of my favorite writers.
In early 1861 Ulysses S. Grant was a virtually unknown clerk working in his Father's leather goods store in Galena, Illinois. Because he had received his college education at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York his skills were sought when troops had to be organized at the beginning of the American Civil War in April 1861. His leadership talent was quickly recognized. By March 1864 President Abraham Lincoln promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant General and in command of all United States military forces. In November 1868 he was elected President of the United States and served for two terms until March 1877.
In 1884 General and Mrs. Grant were enjoying their retirement and residing in New York City. That same year the investment firm in which he had placed most of his retirement savings suddenly became insolvent do to corrupt management. The former President and Mrs. Grant instantly found themselves broke. They couldn't even write a check on their local bank. A few loyal friends of the Grants provided some funds for them to purchase groceries and pay the rent but that money would soon be gone. Not long after that General Grant was relaxing outside and decided to have a peach for a snack. When he bit down into it he found himself to be in excruciating pain. He knew that something was seriously wrong. The doctors gave him a diagnosis of oral/throat cancer and probably a year to live.
The General immediately realized that upon his demise Mrs. Grant and other family members would be left destitute. That is when he decided to write his memoirs. If the book sold well there would be money to leave his family. The author does a marvelous job of describing the physical pain and hardships that Grant experienced during his final year while writing his memoirs. Yet he faced this last year without complaining or feeling sorry for himself. He confronted his situation with humility, dignity, and courage. He was focused only on his Wife and family and not himself. What a wonderful legacy for a former general and president to leave his country.
Ulysses S. Grant finished writing his memoirs on July 20, 1885. Three days later this patriotic American died. His book sold well and was a financial success. Today "Grant's Memoirs" is still being published and is considered by many scholars to be one of the best written works of its kind. I am adding this book to my list of favorite titles that I intend to read again.
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