Greg

As the title says this is the essentials and nothing more. Solid but nothing ground breaking. My only real complaint is that the type is so tiny it makes for head ache time whilst trying to read.

disagree on annuities

I've been lucky enough to run into a lot of really good books lately and I'm happy to add this one to the list. Baseball doesn't usually enthrall me but Diamond Ruby's talent with a ball is truly just the backdrop for a well plotted, well written story.

Definitely recommend.

Nerd alert. Unless you are into handwriting, typography, and fountain pens you probably aren't going to enjoy this book. Fortunately for me I'm enamored of all three. Like most people I hate my handwriting. It's crabbed, and even when I remark to myself that ah... that's a nicely turned capital K...when I go back to read it later. I can't.

This book feels your pain and embarrassment in a soothing sort of way. While it was a little rambling and often went down odd little paths. SHINY. If you can bear this (which I can) then you will enjoy Mr. Hensher's book.

Shout out to Chapter 28 - My Italic Nightmare wherein the author goes on a search for a pen with an italic nib. He searches all over the boroughs and ends up with the same type of pen, a Lamy, that he already owns...but the journey is filled with adventure.

Again you probably need to have “super geek” powers to enjoy this. You know who you are...

Top Hat Reviews

I picked this book up at the library primarily because I had, had a fruit/vegetable for lunch that looked like a tomato, smelled a little bit like a tomato, but tasted nothing like the fresh from the garden tomato's that I remember eating as a child.

Kimball gives us an amazingly good look at her move from New York writer to Old Wave farmer. We also learn a little about local sourcing and Ms. Kimball's interior life as she makes the transition. Having grown up on something resembling a farm I understand the never ending chores of chopping ice on the pond so the cows could get water. Always being on a tether because something needed to be fed or harvested. But most of all that farming is HARD, let me repeat that, HARD work.

Ms. Kimball helped me remember all the work involved when I get nostalgic and think I want a cow because I can't get butter that's smooth and creamy to melt on a homemade drop biscuit, and some chickens so I can have eggs where the yolks are so orange they're almost red, and maybe a few sheep oh and those tomatos...then my chosen reality sets in. ...but “damn” if the food didn't taste so much better.

A secretive monastery which disappeared to avoid the inquisition resurfaces when one of their own is murdered.

Murder among the Monks. Well crafted story set against the inner workings of a monastery. Jealousy, deceit, and pride eventually lead to murder but who is his “brother's” killer.

Follow along with Chief Inspector Gamache as he solves this not so tidy murder.

This is a strong examination on the loss of community and the negative impact it has on modern society. It uses the framework of warfare and Native American wisdom to help us examine the use of ritual to reintegrate our wounded back into society. I think the shadow side of this book is that we are all wounded because we have lost our compassion for our fellow humans. This is what has driven us apart and Junger introduces a conversation that may be able to help us begin to heal.

Somewhat interesting LATE coming of age memoir revolving around the body removal business.

The last line was perfect!

Incredibly witty!

Busy or productive? Productive or effective?

Perhaps I am the wrong demographic for this book. It is long on stories but short on practical recommendations. Mr. Sullivan is a good writer though.

To me Penn Jillette is kind of a douche in a lot of ways but this is a pretty good book. Of course Mr. Jillette most likely cares very little about what I think and is probably saying I'm kind of a douche. We should probably hang out.

Wealthy person goes broke - thinks she's poor. She's not. Write's a bougie memoir. I enjoyed it, but a lot of people intensely dislike her.

Extended ads for some of the 99U contributors but that doesn't stop it from having some solid information. Worth a read!

Will have to get the book to finish this as the audio version 5th CD was defective, i.e. no sound.

[bc:The Butcher 18775334 The Butcher Jennifer Hillier https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405259953s/18775334.jpg 26325820]

Serial killing...it runs in the blood.

This review is hard to write as everything I start to say gives away part of the plot.

What I can say is that this is one of those books that I didn't want to put down. You've got a douchey annoying protagonist with a temper and a generally bad personality. You've got Matt's hunky best friend to add romantic interest with Matt's girlfriend Sam. Then you have one of the creepiest characters I've met in a long time and that would be Edward Shank, Matt's grandfather. It's a great read that you will be sorry to see finish.

Top Hat Reviews

The Butcher was provided by Simon and Schuster on NetGalley for an unbiased review.

Folksy advice book from Franklin Covey.

Unrelenting, unapologetic violence set against a backdrop of rural meth and country justice.

A Swollen Red Sun details what happens when the law finds $50,000 in cash in a cat s*** filled litter box. This story is tightly written and incredibly well crafted. It also reminds one why you never, never, ever want to get caught up in a world where you are the hunter and the hunted.

Excellent sub-plots about maladjusted “love” put this at the top of my favorite summer reads for 2014.

Top Hat Reviews

This is a good book. I think if it had been 50 to 100 page less it would have made a stronger story. Stil a good read!

Last chapter is the most helpful. Tai Tai has a compelling review about making in addition to investing.

uh...hmmm...tried to do too much. Basic plot was good but just couldn't completely deliver for me.

Combine Mormonism and Tourette Syndrome and you get Josh Hanagarne, the world's strongest librarian. I'm not sure which was more informative his struggle with Tourette's or his questioning about his faith. Worth a read.

Beagin's “Vacuum”, is the most satisfying novel I've read since, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” by Garth Stein. Her darkness glistens like a black rainbow.

I adored this book and am sorry I will never have a first time with it again.

Writing is good, but the hand of God plotting coincidence between the plane crash and the murder happening on the same day is too much to ask for. Wavered on giving this book a two.