Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this on the recommendation of a friend who dives. This is a really intense book that explains the perils of deep diving. Mostly the story about the discovery of a U Boat and the men who explored it, but a good overview of this type of diving and about the teams’ work above water too. It made me feel claustrophobic when describing the insides of wrecks.
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Left of Boom: How a Young CIA Case Officer Penetrated the Taliban and Al-Qaeda by Douglas Laux
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Certain parts were interesting. Overall it’s predictable. I’m not sure I’d recommend it to anyone unless they’re really interested in the plight of adventure junkies who return to sedate lives and try to adjust.
The book is also really uneven. It could have used more editing. As other commenters on Goodreads have posted, the “redacted” sections are a nuisance. They’re cute at first an then just get more and more annoying.
Chinaman’s Chance by Ross Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I hadn’t looked at a synopsis before reading and assumed it would be like a McCorkle/Padillo story, and it was totally different. I enjoyed the story and the unfolding of the character arches/backgrounds- more so in the first half of the book- but it kept me engaged.
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Looks like the blog was down again. Here are some books I read recently:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson – **
Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now
by Jaron Lanier – ****
Twilight at Mac’s Place by Ross Thomas – ***
The Mercy Rule (Dismas Hardy #5) by John Lescroart – ***
notes: The Manson book was interesting but it really needed an edit. It seemed like it was a bunch of mashed up brochacho blog posts. The writing style really distracted from the message.
The Lanier book was interesting and spells out what we all know and implores us to act on it. I’m not sure I can, but it’s something to think about.
The mysteries I like- I’m a Ross Thomas fan and I’m slowly getting caught up to the late 90s in the Dismas Hardy series which are set in SF.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The definitive biography and a great read. The length may put people off, but it’s well worth getting into.
(No I haven’t seen or listened to the musical)
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