I love to read. I think I have always loved reading. I have memories of ordering paperback books from a catalogue company available from our grade school. My parents would limit the number of books I could buy, so I would purchase any of the books that came with a bonus or special, two for one, extra book if you bought a series, etc. Not sure that led to the best quality reading, but the quantity was important. I loved Encyclopedia Brown, boy detective. You were able to figure out the crime as you read along, awesome! How many people remember the SRA reading labs. I think I remember enjoying this. The challenge of working through the levels, finishing the tests, moving to the next colour level. I read all the books in the Hardy Boys series (and collected them). I read all the hockey books written by Scott Young, Neil Young's father, an author, and a reporter who wrote 45 books, but it was the ones with titles like, The Boy at the Leafs camp that I was interested in.
As our family grew I loved reading to our children. Lots of dinosaur books, a book on Stanley Park (Sean was born in Vancouver so this was one of his favourites). The Paperbag Princess, an amazing book on female empowerment (girl power!) we read over and over again. As our children grew older they began their own reading routines. We would preorder the latest Harry Potter book, as soon as it was delivered to the house Sean would grab it and read it cover to cover in one day. Once finished Patrick would be next, reading the latest book equally quickly.
Much like my fitness routine (see blog post A Journey to Better Health) my reading declined as our family grew and my career progressed. I often used any free time to keep up to date on emails, business reading, reading for pleasure got squeezed out. Along came my prostate recovery period again. Along with getting me into a more rigorous exercise schedule I now had time to read as I was off work for three months. I started reading (after I had finished binge-watching the first two seasons of 24 on CD, it was just impossible to turn that show off once you started!) I started reading again and the enjoyment I got from reading came rushing back. I committed to devoting time to reading. One of the first things I did was use the extensive time I spent on planes, I travelled a lot in my job to read. Rather than doing emails or watching movies, I would read. I always carried two or three books with me (this was before e-readers). I thoroughly enjoyed this renewed focus on reading.
I am now a very avid reader. I thought I would share a couple of things in this post.
the apps I use to get and track the books I read
a list of the books I have read over the last year, rated. I will update this list monthly with the latest books I have finished and every month will highlight one of my favourite fiction and non-fiction books
First, a couple of things about my reading habits. I like to read off my iPad. I know this is not for everyone and there are those who like to hold the hard copy book in their hands. I love reading off my iPad. I can adjust the font and backlight and best of all I can carry 10-15 books around with me. This was very important when I was travelling for work but I have now got so used to it, for me, it is the only way to go.
Second, I don't buy books. I don't know why anyone would. I have a membership to our local library and then use the Libby and Hoopla apps to borrow all the books I want to read. In addition to allowing you to read for free, these apps get rid of the huge amount of clutter that books create, whether it be physically on your shelves or electronically in your storage. I find Libby a little easier to use and manage the loan process so I usually start there, but if the book I want is not available on Libby I go to Hoopla. It is unusual that a book I want to read is not available on one of these two apps. You borrow the books for 21 days at which time you can renew if no one is waiting or put on hold for renewal. The app tells you how long the wait is for the book if it is not available. As I said I don't know why anyone buys books anymore these apps and your local library provide an amazing service. I also use the Goodreads app. This app tracks the books you read, based on the books you read offers recommendations and their emails offer good information on different categories of books and new books.
I have a very disciplined reading routine. I have two books on the go at all times. The first will be an audiobook that I listen to while exercising. This means 90 minutes of "reading" (listening) to a book per day. I find Hoopla seems to have more audiobooks but Libby does have many also. The second book I read (not listen). I try and get 2-4 hours of reading per day. This will allow me to normally finish the books during the 21 day loan period.
So what follows are books I have read over the last year. As you will see I have a bias for biographies, US history (I have just started reading more Canadian history), US politics, health, drama/suspense. But I love to read any good book, so send me any of your suggestions and favourites, I would love to read them and add them to the list.
If you have questions about any of the books on the list or want suggestions flip me a note, thethirdperiod.ca@gmail.com.
Here is my rating system:
4 or 5 stars - definitely worth reading
3 stars - 50/50
1 or 2 stars - I would pass but who knows you might enjoy it.
I will add a few comments on most of the books but the rating is really what should inform you of whether to read the book or not (and of course your interest in the book). I will also divide the list into Fiction and Non-Fiction.
non-Fiction - new books listed in red
Fail Better: Why Baseball Matters - Mark Kingwell - 4 stars - Over the top at times (after all it is just a game). If you love baseball (I do) you will enjoy this book. Written by a professor of philosophy that loves baseball. What could go wrong? Worth reading.
Dark Age Ahead - Jane Jacobs - 3 stars - Interesting although I found the writing disjointed and had trouble at times understanding the author's point (Maybe it is just me)
Going There - Katie Couric - 1 star - I was really looking forward to this book. It is terrible. Two things. One, for someone that was a journalist for over 30 years, covered all the most significant world events the book is so completely superficial. No content, no insight, no thoughts. Two. Couric has done nothing to support women throughout her career. Early in her career, she gets a rude comment from a superior which she gets help from her mentor to respond to and demand an apology. Years later she becomes aware of a totally inappropriate email from Matt Lauer to a junior employee and she does nothing stating that this kind of behaviour was "normal". Apparently not for her but she refuses to support other women that need help from a predator male in a power position. She then states she knew nothing of Lauer's behaviour that was at times taking place in the office next to hers. Really? She states that mentoring other females felt like sabotaging her own career so she didn't mentor young women and then wonders why women didn't come to her when they were being harassed by Lauer. Her husband participates in racist activities, but according to her is a great person. Wow. So she writes a crappy book that exposes what a terrible person she is.
Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth - Sarah Smarsh - 5 stars - I am still amazed that certain states' geographic regions have their own unique and distinct culture within the US. This book is fantastic. Well written, good pace. Good balance between personal history and a view of how government policies impact the poor. Definitely worth reading.
Son of a Critch: A Childish Newfoundland Memoir - Mark Critch - 1 star - I have had this book on hold and have been deferring it for over a year. I finally borrowed it. What a total waste of time! I do not like to bail on books and rarely do it but I quit on this book after 40 pages. Total crap, boring, poorly written and a total waste of time. I am glad I saved myself a few hours to read a different book.
This Life: Secular Faith and Spiritual Freedom - Martin Hagglund - 3 stars - Our oldest son Sean who is completing his Ph.D. in Political Science gave me this book to read (I now know why I didn't get my Ph.D.!) This book is tough slugging to get through. It takes time to read this book, if you are like me you will have to reread sections to get it (and even then I am not sure I got it all). If you want to read about secular faith and democratic socialism this is the book for you. Just know it will be tedious at times.
I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year - Carol Leonnig, Peter Rucker - 4 stars - I have definitely read too many books about Trump as I know the situations before the author has finished describing them. However, this is one of the better books on Trump's presidency. The book is, however, just a documentary, a replay of events, with no insight, conclusions or recommendations (David Frum is much better if you want facts and insight)
Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds - Huma Abedin - 4 stars - This book was much better than I thought it was going to be. Although kind of like reading David Axelrod's book about Barak Obama you don't get an unbiased view from someone who is a fan. The author's view of Clinton is no different. Hilary can do no wrong in Abedin's view. Once you accept that, there is lots of good material in the book and I found the author to be very honest, particularly about events in her own life. Definitely worth reading.
Fiction - new books listed in red
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen - 1 star - You will see below I read the reading list and decided I would read all the books that were included in that book. Pride and Prejudice is one of those books. I don't know if this book is considered a classic or not. If it is I just didn't get it. If not, then the book is terrible. Rambling, boring, tedious only begin to describe the pain of working through this book. Definitely skip it.
Survive the Night - Riley sager - 2 stars - Not quite bad enough to get 1 star but close. Mostly boring and with very few exciting parts. The subject and context are really not enough for a book so the author has to stretch it out which he does but then it is just boring and mundane. Not really worth the time to read.
The Reading List - Sara Nisha Adams - 4 stars - I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this. After all how exciting can a book about a reading list and a library be? As it turns out maybe not exciting but interesting and enjoyable. Lots of depth to the characters and interesting to read.
Rock Paper Scissors - Alice Feeney - 4 stars - Although a little slow at times and probably more drawn out than it needed to be the book holds your interest and has some amazing twists at the very end (you have to hang in to the very end). Worth reading.
Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid - 1 star - This was like a slow boring soap opera. It is a book where you keep waiting for something to happen and nothing happens. Dull does not begin to describe this book.
She Who Became the Sun (The Radiant Emperor, #1) - Shelley Parker-Chan - 1 star - Dull, not very interesting. The book expired on my reading app about 70% through the book and I did not renew. Just not worth the time.
The Wives - Tarryn Fisher - 1 star - Total crap. Bailed on this book 20% of the way through and was glad I did. Stupid premise, tedious writing makes for a total waste of time.
Beautiful World, Where are you - Sally Rooney - 4 stars - I enjoyed this. Largely based on emails between two best friends who have moved apart. They express their views on the state of the world, relationships, history, progress, etc. Many exchanges are thought-provoking and interesting (some are just dull). Between the emails, the friends meet. Definitely worth reading.
Oh William! - Elizabeth Strout - 1 star - A story about a woman's ex-husband. I am sure some people found some deep meaning in this book. I found page after page of tedious boredom and drivel. I don't say this about a lot of books, but this one was a complete waste of time.
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