Ideas, Opinions, Genealogy, and Book Reviews
Let me start by saying The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion is the second book in a series. I had read and reviewedThe Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion several months back.
I thought it was a great book which was laugh-out-loud funny. And the second book continues the humor. Continue reading “The Rosie Effect: more than funny”
Mix a bit of suspense with politics in a fast moving and very entertaining novel and you have Full Irish by Pete Morin and Susanne O’Leary.
I was quickly drawn into the story when an Irish politician was murdered on his way to a meeting to deliver a small but mysterious package. The action quickly switches to a Boston law office and Massachusetts politics. And then back to Ireland. The 2 stories quickly come together in a transatlantic web of political intrigue and corruption.
I read Kindle edition so had no idea as to the number of pages. I just checked the Amazon site and they say the paperback has 260 pages. But it is fast paced and a quick read. I read the book in a few sittings. I have linked to a page that has both the kindle and paperback editions listed. I recommend the kindle if you have one and enjoy it. It is considerable cheaper.
At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope you do too.
Some love New York City or at least find it interesting. Some love to hate it. Some don’t care much one way or another. Unless you are in this last group, you probably will like this book.
I am now reading A History of New York in 101 Objects by Sam Roberts. Continue reading “A History of New York in 101 Objects”
Like many Americans, we are making our daily journey to the TV to watch the Ken Burns documentary on the Roosevelts. So far I have found it very enjoyable. But last night’s third installment reminded me of an excellent book I read a couple years ago.
The book is The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. After former President Theodore Roosevelt lost Continue reading “Rio Roosevelt Revisited”
I was pleased when I saw a new book by Chris Culver on NetGalley. I had previously reviewed a book of his and liked it very much.
I applied for a review copy on my Kindle and was soon engrossed in Nine Years Gone. I was again impressed by Chris Culver’s skill in pulling me into the story. I was amazed by this ability when I read my first Chris Culver book. This time Continue reading “Nine Years Gone by Chris Culver”
I read The Rise of the American Corporate Security State: Six Reasons to Be Afraid by Beatrice Edwards and both the title and subtitle tell us what the book is about. Should we be afraid of our government?
Well, I would guess most are not afraid of all government. The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and indeed most agencies do not put fear into most of us. But there are parts we fear. The IRS may come to mind.
Continue reading “Is it 1984 yet? American Corporate Security State”
I read a review of the latest addition to the Gaslight series (a mystery in old New York City). It was a favorable review but I have no idea where I saw it. The series involves several murder investigations in old New York City. Yes back in the 1890s when Teddy Roosevelt was a New York City Police Commissioner.
I like some historical fiction and a good mystery so I thought I would give it a try but Murder in Murray Hill which was the new one was 16th in the Gaslight series. So it seemed to me that it was better to start at the beginning.
I did a bit of looking around and learned Continue reading “Gaslight mystery in old New York City: Murder On Astor Place”
Last year I reviewed a first novel by established non-fiction writer Stephan Talty. I liked it very much and thought it was a great introduction to a new series about Detective Absalom Kearney.
The second book in the series came out a few months ago and just read it. I thought Hangman by Stephan Talty was a great followup and if anything I found it even more compelling than the first.
The book starts with what seems a very unlikely escape of a serial murderer known as the Hangman. He had recently terrified the residents of Buffalo, NY with a series of murders of teenage girls (involving hanging). The manhunt begins and soon after the murders and the terror begins again.
Homicide Detective Absalom (Abbie) Kearney, who Continue reading “Hangman by Stephan Talty”
I was going on vacation and was thinking I’d take a book along for those inevitable down-times when there is nothing much to do. Typically I end up watching a TV and not making much progress in the book. This time was different.
Continue reading “The Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion”
The full title is Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York by Ted Steinberg. It is the subtitle that tells what this book is about.
I had written about this book while I was reading it and thought I would review it when finshed.
It is a bit unusual. It is a different perspective on history Continue reading “Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York by Ted Steinberg”
A few weeks ago a wrote a review of the short free ebook on saving and investing by Dr. William J. Bernstein. I thought the book was a very good but short.
Continue reading “The Four Pillars of Investing by William Bernstein”
A total surprise. I was expecting a more or less usual crime novel when I downloaded By Any Means (from NetGalley) by a new (for me) author. Instead I was amazed by Chris Culver’s skill in sucking me into the story and then the life of his main character. I now know that By Any Means is Chris Culver’s third Ash Rashid novel. Continue reading “By Any Means by Chris Culver”
I enjoyed reading Inheritance: How Our Genes Change Our Lives—and Our Lives Change Our Genes by Sharon Moalem.
I think this is a wonderful book written for the general reader. At least I think it would be easily understandable by most people. A word of warning – I am a geneticist so I may not be the best judge of that but most of the reviews I’ve read seem to agree on this point.
Dr. Moalem is accomplished in his field. He knows the details and nuances but is able to explain a complicated subject in an easily understandable way.
I thought the opening chapter and the ending where he summarized were particularly well-done.
Mystery Writers of America Presents Ice Cold: Tales of Intrigue from the Cold War edited by Jeffery Deaver and Raymond Benson is a good collection of short stories. They are particularly enjoyable for those of us old enough to remember practicing ducking under our desks at school to protect us from a nuclear bomb. Continue reading “Ice Cold: Tales of Intrigue from the Cold War”
William J. Bernstein is an impressive man. He has an M.D. and Ph.D, practices medicine with a specialty in neurology, and has become a respected investment expert. He is best known for his quarterly journal on asset allocation and portfolio management.
He has written several books for those of us would like to intelligently manage our investments. And he offers personalized services for those with rather large investment portfolios (25 million dollars and up).
Now Dr. William J. Bernstein has offered a free ebook aimed at the young who are interested in saving for retirement. The subtitle really tells you what this book is about – How Millennials Can Get Rich Slowly
His plan is a simple one. He has said it is one that can be understood by a child and requires about 15 minutes each year.
Yet he believes it will yield better results than possible with most financial advisors. And quite likely he is right.
The book is also a guide to furthering reading to increase your financial literacy.
Since the key to the plan is deferred gratification, following this plan is not easy. But even if the implementation is only partial you will be better off in the long-term. So if you try and find it too difficult to continue, you are better off.
The book is not very long (estimated at 27 pages). It is very definitely worth anyone’s time. It is written for the younger generation but anyone with an interest in long-term saving and investing will benefit.
And the price is simply amazing. Dr. Bernstein is giving it for free on his website. It is in several formats and easy to download (nothing beyond a click is required). Amazon gives it away for free from time to time but most times it is 99 cents.
You have little-to-nothing to lose and quite a bit to gain so – read this book.