Reading Journal
 | Cosmos by Carl Sagan Finished on Dec 22, 2024 Non-Fiction. Copyright 1980, 324 pages. A broad and long look at how science and civilization grew together driven by historical forces and people around the world. This is a great book and worth the read, but also a dated and only a review if familar with the subject. 4/5 stars. |
 | Scissors Cut Paper Wrap Stone by Ian McDonald Finished on Dec 16, 2024 Cyberpunk. Copyright 1994, 133 pages. A college friend and famous Japanese manga artist, convinces Ethan Ring to take the Buddhist pilgimage across Shikoku, Japan by bicycle. Both are dealing with demons from their pasts. One literally of their own creation. This is a fascinating story in a fascinating place and dealing with fascinating ideas. 5/5 stars. |
 | Collapse: How Societies Choose To Fail Or Succeed by Jared Diamond Finished on Nov 26, 2024 Non-Fiction. Copyright 2005, 575 pages. An exploration of the causes of civilization collapse using historical examples from around the world. First the author presents his thesis on the general causes of civilization collapse and then presents many examples. His argument is that a combination of environmental changes, the effects of climate change, hostile neighbors, trade partners, and the societal response to these issues are the dominate factors. 3/5 stars. |
 | The Architects Of Hyperspace by Thomas R. McDonough Finished on Nov 26, 2024 Science Fiction. Copyright 1987, 265 pages. A daughter following the path of her lost father faces the mysteries and dangers of an alien space station built around a neutron star. An exciting adventure and good read. 3/5 stars. |
 | The Call Of Cthulhu And Other Stories by H. P. Lovecraft Finished on Nov 24, 2024 Horror. Copyright 2022. 409 pages. Short Stories. A fantastic collection of ten of the best short stories of dread and horror from Lovecraft. 5/5 stars. |
 | The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias Finished on Nov 19, 2024 Non-Fiction. Copyright 2016, 320 pages. Very dense and complete guide to all things financial. Less well organized or easy to reference than the other similar book I read earlier in the year. This is a revised edition. 2/5 stars. |
 | The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum Finished on Nov 17, 2024 Fiction. Copyright 1980, 566 pages. Jason Bourne is found at sea with a head wound. He wakes with no memories and only a numbered account taken from an implanted capsule. From that beginning he carves a path across Europe in search of his identity. I prefer the movie version of the story. 2/5 stars. |
 | The Glamourist by Luanne G. Smith Finished on Oct 29, 2024 Fantasy. Copyright 2020, 282 pages. The further adventures of Elena Boureanu and the friends she made while in magic prison. This story completely takes place in an alternate Paris and follows Yvette Lenoir, a talented thief, as she learns about her magical heritage. 3/5 stars. |
 | Forgottenness by Tanja Maljartschuk Finished on Oct 28, 2024 Historical Fiction. Copyright 2016, 272 pages. A historical novel following the lives of two exiles across time. The fictional narrator and her obsession with the historical figure of Viacheslav Lypynskyi (1882--1931), who was pivotal in the pre-world war struggle for Ukrainian independence. A fascinating look at the history of a contested and broken land and people. 4/5 stars. |
 | A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess Finished on Oct 4, 2024 Science Fiction. Copyright 1962. 240 pages. A nightmare vision of future Brition where the night belongs to violent criminal youth gangs. Alex, the leader of one gang, narrates his story with fantastic slang and intensity. 2/5 stars. |
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