Drums of Autumn | Diana Gabaldon

Title: Drums of Autumn
Author: Diana Gabaldon 


The fourth book in the Outlander series feels a little all over the place at first, but Gabaldon masterfully pulls all the plot lines together and makes the book just as enjoyable, if not more enjoyable, than the preceding books. I look forward to the next book. Five out of five stars.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Talking to Strangers | Malcolm Gladwell

Image
Title: Talking to Strangers Author: Malcolm Gladwell Malcolm Gladwell's Talking to Strangers is a thought-provoking book that grabs you and doesn't let go, even if it doesn't necessarily convince you. The text explores a variety of intriguing topics, weaving together psychology, anthropology, and even true crime. One of the book's most fascinating sections explores how we misinterpret facial expressions, especially across cultures. The idea that a machine can assess criminal risk more accurately than a human judge is downright shocking. These sections spark curiosity and raise interesting questions. However, the book falters when Gladwell attempts to draw grand conclusions from these disparate examples. For instance, the parallels he draws between police misunderstandings and political miscalculations feel like a stretch. Similarly, the discussion of the Stanford rape case as a "misunderstanding" is rightfully met with skepticism. Despite these weaknesses, Tal...
Read more

A Lion Among Men | Gregory Maguire

Image
Title: A Lion Among Men Author: Gregory Maguire Wicked was a masterful reinvention, a brilliantly imagined and intricate take on a familiar world. It wove together elements of L. Frank Baum's original Oz books with sharp social commentary, creating a wholly new and enthralling narrative. It was a complete story with a perfect ending, leaving it open for readers to draw their own satisfying conclusions. But where Wicked was a genius work of fiction, A Lion Among Men feels like a tired and unnecessary extension. This book, like the previous one, Son of a Witch , feels like part of a different story altogether, one that strays far from the magic and intrigue that made the first book so captivating. The plot centers on Brr (the Cowardly Lion), but his tale is long, depressing, and all too similar in theme to the previous installment. While the pacing has improved, the story itself is a convoluted mess of flashbacks and unfulfilling revelations. It's an easy read, but mostly because...
Read more

Educated | Tara Westover

Image
Title: Educated Author: Tara Westover Tara Westover's Educated is a captivating memoir that chronicles her extraordinary journey from a secluded, isolated upbringing to a world of academia and intellectual exploration. Raised in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, Westover's childhood was marked by a lack of formal education and a deep-seated distrust of mainstream institutions. Despite these challenges, Westover's innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge propelled her to defy societal expectations. She taught herself mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and eventually earned a scholarship to Brigham Young University. Her determination and resilience led her to Cambridge University, where she earned a Ph.D. in intellectual history. Educated is more than just a personal narrative. It is a poignant exploration of the power of education to transform lives and challenge deeply held beliefs. Westover's honest and unflinching portrayal of her family's unconventional lif...
Read more