Standing on its own merits, this is a great short story. But man, it's also the start to what could be an amazing novel. I love the premise and what CStanding on its own merits, this is a great short story. But man, it's also the start to what could be an amazing novel. I love the premise and what Clarke does with it. But, when it ended, I found myself wanting so much more. There were so many unanswered questions; too many dangling plot threads that would've been tons of fun to tie up. Perhaps someone will build upon this work in the future. Until then, a boy can dream........more
This book was phenomenal! It has novellas and short stories from many of the heavy hitters in popular science fiction today. Some of the stories were This book was phenomenal! It has novellas and short stories from many of the heavy hitters in popular science fiction today. Some of the stories were not extreme per se where others were very much so. I loved the variety and quality. It kept me glued until the very last page....more
What an enjoyable book! The adventures throughout the book felt realistic enough to hook me in and the characters were likable enough to care about. TWhat an enjoyable book! The adventures throughout the book felt realistic enough to hook me in and the characters were likable enough to care about. There was enough complexity between the various characters to provide plot tension and intrigue. And I enjoyed the creativity of problem solving when the group ran into a jam. Unfortunately the story is a bit slow and there was a fair amount of racism and politically incorrectedness that shows it's age. Nevertheless, I feel that this is yet another example of early sci-fi that still stands up well today....more
All I can say is wow! Though I love survival shows I've found myself occasionally mocking Grylls over the years for taking more dangerous routes down All I can say is wow! Though I love survival shows I've found myself occasionally mocking Grylls over the years for taking more dangerous routes down a mountain than he needed to or for the time he got busted sleeping in a local hotel with his family. However, I can honestly admit that I underestimated the man. This was an impressive autobiography.
Aha Moment #1: what impressed me most about Grylls' life is how humble and how spiritual he is. I'm not saying he's perfect, but he has this uncanny humility that was striking, especially given how much he has accomplished in his short life thus far. Also, he identifies himself as Christian and seems to draw a lot of strength from his belief system. I admire that.
Aha Moment #2: just as someone like Dean Karnazes or Lance Armstrong have these crazy superhuman powers (lactic acid production decreases after warming up & high V02 Max, respectively) I get the feeling that Grylls also has some superhuman powers of his own. But, rather than being physical, I believe that his are cognitive and emotional. He seems to be wired in such a way that he gets bored when unchallenged, but thrives when things get difficult. From his Special Forces training to his mountaineering exploits to the way he challenges himself on his show, Grylls knows how to fight when things get tough!
Overall: this autobiography has heart, tons of adventure, great detail in the stories, grit, and a lot to be inspired by. Highly recommended!...more
Not bad but not amazing. I got into Hugh Howey's writing with the Wool series, which I loved. So I was hopeful of more when reading this. Then again, Not bad but not amazing. I got into Hugh Howey's writing with the Wool series, which I loved. So I was hopeful of more when reading this. Then again, this was written for a younger audience as far as I can tell. The series are on two different planes.
That being said, this was a fun adventure. The things the characters faced throughout their journey were entertaining and challenging. If you're looking for something simple and enjoyable this is a great place to start....more
I really, really loved this story! I've never read anything else by Elizabeth Moon but found that I quite enjoy her style.
The story line in this book I really, really loved this story! I've never read anything else by Elizabeth Moon but found that I quite enjoy her style.
The story line in this book is super captivating. The solitude that Ofelia enjoyed after the remnants evacuated is beautiful yet it's also hard-won because of how diligent and independent Ofelia is. I loved her snarky attitude! But she deserves to be snarky; she's earned it and she knows what she's doing.
The interaction between the Sims Bancorp Company and the planet's "true remnants" got me thinking a lot about ethnocentrism and the role warfare plays in our own culture. I'm assuming that was one of Moon's philosophical intentions. Either way, it comes across well.
All in all this was a fun read, a quick read, and one that got me thinking. Not a bad combination!...more
This series is a ton of fun! I like the way Ryan writes. She captivates the reader from the opening scene up until the very finish. She evokes some prThis series is a ton of fun! I like the way Ryan writes. She captivates the reader from the opening scene up until the very finish. She evokes some pretty strong emotion throughout the story and uses the environment well. Similar to the 3rd book I love how some of the backstory from the 1st book was built upon in the 2nd book. I was glad that I could finally make sense of some things.
Carrie Ryan has piqued my curiosity with this series. I'm eager to read more of her work....more
I really enjoyed this series. I found the characters engaging, the backdrop intriguing, and the pacing to be fast enough to keep me on the edge of my I really enjoyed this series. I found the characters engaging, the backdrop intriguing, and the pacing to be fast enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. I wish this were more like the Rocky series where we had 5 or 6 stories to enjoy! There are times that the teenage drama of this series can be a bit over-the-top, but the overall story line more than makes up for this. This installment, in particular, was challenging to read at times due to people's back-story. I had to push through those moments and focus on the forward trajectory. My favorite part about this story was how the plot points of past stories coalesced into a cohesive whole....more
I was promoted to a leadership position with a new job I took 6 months ago. Leadership is something I've been studying for the past 3 years and I've bI was promoted to a leadership position with a new job I took 6 months ago. Leadership is something I've been studying for the past 3 years and I've been able to finally apply some of what I've been learning. This book is exactly what I needed. I read Shackleton's book years ago and was cognizant of his leadership qualities throughout the book. But it wasn't until reading this that I was able to grasp them in a tangible way. He was a pretty remarkable man, blending a firm mind with concrete goals as well as the kind of nurturance that might be more akin to a mother. I'm grateful that I got to learn from his way of leading others and hope to be able to integrate some of this knowledge in to my own leadership....more
I went into this book expecting adventure, trip debriefs, exultation at the joy of caving, instruction, etc. While some of these things existed in theI went into this book expecting adventure, trip debriefs, exultation at the joy of caving, instruction, etc. While some of these things existed in the book it's more abstract than that. Hurd uses the voids in the earth as a metaphor for the voids we face through the grieving process. Throughout this book she explores her feelings of losing a close friend to cancer just as she is navigating the hollow places of the earth. Along with this exploration comes a lot of metaphor and spirituality. I certainly appreciated these ideas and found many of them quite interesting. It just isn't what I was looking for, ultimately....more
I never thought I'd like Dean Koontz because I always viewed him as a "true horror" writer whereas I tend to prefer the psychological thrillers of wriI never thought I'd like Dean Koontz because I always viewed him as a "true horror" writer whereas I tend to prefer the psychological thrillers of writers like Stephen King. However, I didn't find any of the traditional horror stereotypes in this book; there were no ghosts, murderers, demonic possessions, and there weren't even any clowns! I hadn't ever read any books about goblins but I sure enjoyed it. I especially liked that many of the scenes took place underground. Being a caver I found this pretty entertaining. The pacing was great, the characters were believable, and the story was very interesting. I may just have to pick up another Koontz book!...more
Zelazny's book Lord Of Light is one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time, so I was pretty disappointed when I read the first 3 books in his Amber sZelazny's book Lord Of Light is one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time, so I was pretty disappointed when I read the first 3 books in his Amber series and found them to only be mediocre. They're ok, I just didn't find them to be great. This book was alright....more
Zelazny's book Lord Of Light is one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time, so I was pretty disappointed when I read the first 3 books in his Amber sZelazny's book Lord Of Light is one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time, so I was pretty disappointed when I read the first 3 books in his Amber series and found them to only be mediocre. They're ok, I just didn't find them to be great. This book had some fun moments but nothing I'll remember a year from now....more
Because I loved Zelazny's "Lord Of Light" I decided I'd try this out. It was ok. There were some extremely fun fantasy moments of awe and then other mBecause I loved Zelazny's "Lord Of Light" I decided I'd try this out. It was ok. There were some extremely fun fantasy moments of awe and then other moments that seemed to stretch on for ever. The dialogue was a bit dry and slow but the overall idea was a lot of fun. I think I'll give book 2 a try....more
I listened to this audiobook while driving to the annual NATSAP conference in Sandpoint,ID. Because I'd been hosting an intense therapy retreat the prI listened to this audiobook while driving to the annual NATSAP conference in Sandpoint,ID. Because I'd been hosting an intense therapy retreat the prior 2 days and had spent 5 months planning the NATSAP conference I was grateful to have something "light" to de-stress for my drive.
All in all the story was what you'd expect; silly dialogue, adventurous villainy, and blundering heroes that somehow conquer their foes against all odds. It was just what I needed!...more
I absolutely LOVED this book! I was intrigued by the storyline at the get-go but was drawn in further by the intricacies of the world upon which the bI absolutely LOVED this book! I was intrigued by the storyline at the get-go but was drawn in further by the intricacies of the world upon which the book is set. The history of this world and how the people got there was fascinating. I loved how Beckett painted the scene and the imaginative flora and fauna that peopled his world. The sexual mores were a bit odd but I can see how they could also be very natural to a people who don't remember anything about Earth culture and who have essentially been reduced to a hunter-gatherer society. I found the adventure engaging. The occasional violence in the story was all the more startling simply because the society was so peaceful. The plot twists were not entirely shocking but kept me wanting more. I can't wait to read the sequel....more
Meh, this book was ok.It does in fact chronicle Strayed's journey along the PCT and her own healing process. The writing was fine. The story was fine.Meh, this book was ok.It does in fact chronicle Strayed's journey along the PCT and her own healing process. The writing was fine. The story was fine. It delivers what it promises.
I just found myself constantly frustrated with how inept Strayed was as a thru-hiker. As someone who has spent an inordinate amount of time living off of what I haul on my back into the back-country, I wished that she would have put more time into preparing and taking this commitment seriously. Luckily, she learned a lot as she went along.
If you're not a backpacker or thru-hiker you probably won't be bothered by the details. You'll likely enjoy the story. But if you are, be forewarned. The story is ok for story' sake. But this is far from a primer in thru-hiking. And that's ok. It's not meant to be....more
I've loved every Preston & Child book so far that I've read. This was no exception. The plots are always intriguing, the storytelling keeps you on theI've loved every Preston & Child book so far that I've read. This was no exception. The plots are always intriguing, the storytelling keeps you on the edge of your seat, the characters are full of uniqueness, and the pacing keeps things moving along just right. I'd never heard of a cabinet of curiosities until I read this but I grew up in the Southwest where some people collected human fossils, native american artifacts, and other bizarre items. Walking in to some homes felt like walking in to a museum. In any case I can see how these COC's could've been controversial in the age of emerging museums and scientific protocol. That lent a nice backdrop to the events of the story....more
They say this was Robert Heinlein's first and only fantasy book. I can't say it was horrible but I can't say I was engaged throughout. It was okay. ThThey say this was Robert Heinlein's first and only fantasy book. I can't say it was horrible but I can't say I was engaged throughout. It was okay. There were some fun adventurous moments, bravado in the storytelling, and some cool fantasy elements. But Heinlein reverted back to his usual theme of paraphilia in one or more characters which only serves to distract from the story and take things to a low-brow forum of entertainment....more
Oh my goodness I loved this book! Not only does it follow its main characters through the build up to an apocalyptic event & the terrifying event itseOh my goodness I loved this book! Not only does it follow its main characters through the build up to an apocalyptic event & the terrifying event itself but it also follows them through the challenging survival situations in the dystopic world left behind. The characters all felt very lifelike and believable, similar to those in Stephen King's The Stand. I'm a huge fan of this genre, especially those that require the characters to dig in deep to their internal reserves in order to get through what would be a difficult ordeal. The reality of a situation like this is that only the bold would have the audacity to procure necessary life saving resources. This is true of this story as well. Similar to Dies The Fire we see the characters thinking outside the box to get the supplies they need and to avoid hairy situations. Personally my favorite moment (spoiler alert) was the surfer catching the 300 foot tsunami wave over Los Angeles after the earthquakes hit. So original and not hokey like it may sound. This is apocalyptic writing at its finest!...more
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