Matt Inman

I enjoyed the writing and characters, but the story just didn't flow well with me. I wanted more time travel less, characters who formally time traveled and are now out of sync with time stuck in a hotel.

Much more technical than the movie, which made the subject more complex and a bit dry. I preferred the movie for its explanation of the housing debacle.

One of the authors I enjoy reading. His books are entertaining and easy to read. You always know what you are getting with Feist, and he always produces stores that I enjoy.

The book was a great history of how the music business transitioned from CD's to Digital. They went kicking and screaming due to the pirate revolution of the late 90s and 2000s. Very interesting subject

I really enjoyed Green's novelization of his podcast of the same name. I enjoy his writing a lot and having left the world of YA books made this even better.

DNF

Bailed on this book.

A well-written story that keeps you interested from start to finish.

Enjoyable follow-up, but I felt the ending left a lot to be desired.

An interesting look inside the kitchen that the author has worked. I'm not sure if I envy or feel sorry for the people in the kitchen. Making great meals for people is amazing, but the grind of the field would wear me out.

An interesting take on the we are not alone in the universe trope.

Tucci wrote a great memoir around a cookbook. He does an amazing job of keeping your interest while making you ravenously hungry at the same time. I gained 3 pounds just by reading the book, as each time I sat it down I found myself cooking pasta or chicken. I have several new recipes to try along with some locations added to my travel list.

No quite my taste, but the writing was good and the story interesting.

The book starts out rather confusing, but I think that was on purpose. It shows what Piranesi is going through in his world. The book felt small to me, meaning the setting kept me from expecting this larger world to suddenly appear. I would call the book simply written with a complex narrative.

The book explains the process of how we remember things. It follows the author as he tried to expand his memory storage and become a professional memory champion. Very interesting read.

While Strayed mentions several times she is in no way professionally qualified to give advice. She never the less does so with honesty, kindness, and caring. Her words are much-needed council to many and the book puts many of her best work out there.

Burkeman does a great job of discussing productivity and time management. Boiling it down to a few talking points to take into consideration. The idea that we have a finite amount of time and accepting the fact that we can do everything will free us from the burden of trying.

I came across a reference for this book the other day. I'd seen the movie and hadn't given the book much thought. I'm glad I picked it up. The book was just what I needed to read this winter. Strayed description of life on the trail was the pick-me-up and dream-inducing muse for the long dark days. While I'd love to take on the challenge of hiking the PCT, maybe a shorter trip would be more beneficial. Her descriptions of the days and events make me wonder how it has changed in the 25 years since she walk the trail.

I was thrilled to pick up an early copy of Peter Clines, The Broken Room. Peter is one of my favorite authors, and I jumped at the opportunity to read his latest book.

It starts with Hector Ramirez sitting at his local bar, deciding if he will get a little or a lot drunk. We surmise that he is an ex-special forces operative working daily through a bottle of anything to escape his past.

As he contemplates ordering that next drink, a little girl walks into the bar. She approaches Hector, introduces herself as Natalie, and informs him she fled a secret government facility called The Project with the help of his old partner.

The partner then led Natalie to find Hector, to call in an old favor. The same partner who subsequently has been dead for seven years. Unfortunately, Hector has little time to contemplate the girl or her situation when two suited FBI types enter and attempt to take Natalie into custody.

Hector quickly has to make a decision. Let the men take this frantic girl and continue drinking his life away or step back into a world he has been trying desperately to escape. He makes his choice, dispatches the men, and takes charge of Natalie.

Now on the run, Natalie tells Hector about the experiments conducted on her and the other children. It becomes clear there is only one course of action, The Project must be stopped.

What follows is one action scene after another, with Hector pushing his training to the limits—trying his best to keep Natalie safe. The Project reacts by sending out more specialized operatives to control the situation. Culminating in an ending battle that could alter the world as we know it.

Clines's adrenaline-pumping style of writing is entertaining and engaging. The book never has a lull in action or suspense. Be warned; there are some grotesque and creepy parts in the story. Those of you with a queasy stomach, watch out.

Overall the book was a fun time from start to finish. If you are familiar with Clines and his body of work, this new novel will fit right into your expectations. Fans will get some shout-outs to past events, with ties into the Threshold Universe, his ongoing supernatural-based book series.

But don't let that deter you if you are a first-time reader. The book easily stands on its own and won't detract from your enjoyment of it. Instead, it may be a great introduction to the author's world.

I was surprised that I hadn't read this book earlier. It's a work that has always fascinated me and was just the right amount of science and explanation for a person not familiar with quantum mechanics or physics.

DNF

OK, this book has one of the most interesting concepts of magic I've read in a while. The author's take on it seemed fresh, new, and fun.

BUT, and this is huge but, you have to be very comfortable with explicit sex scenes. I went in knowing this was an LBGTQ friendly book. That is the understatement of the year. IMO, it ruined the book having two characters who are always thinking about each other, and the author lets us know it every time they delve off into their fantasies. It would be distracting to the story if they were any couple. They just happen to both be men.

Bryson's books always have a way of transporting me to the places he describes. Which is exactly what you want from a travel author. He's long-winded in a clever way and his stories always make me smile.

An interesting take on harry potter. What if all the families were evil and had to fight over the best magic every 15 years. Not a bad story, but the characters were transparent. The book should have ended and been done. But the author is dragging us into another book for the conclusion.

Banayan's book starts with his adventures on the Price is Right. Winning the showcase and using the money to fund his dream of writing a book. It then follows him along on his journey to meet some of the most famous people in the world and try and discover their secret to success. While the book was amusing at times, I couldn't shake the idea that he was an entitled person talking to other entitled people. However, he does offer some good advice, and it's worth a read through.