I Am Both: A Vietnamese Refugee Story by Kerisa Greene
A Vietnamese family gets out of Vietnam on the last commercial flight (thanks to family airline connections.) They adapt to new life in the United States. It is very different. They even pick a new name and have to learn a new language. The girl at the center of the book realizes she is both American and Vietnamese. The book shows the positive experience that kids can have even as life poses many challenges.
Og Finds the Cog: Ready-to-Read Pre-Level 1 (Monster Og) by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Elio
A monster (or is it a cat)? try to find a missing Cog. The book uses very simple language with some nice rhyming patterns. However, the simpleness is the downfall as the story is a bit too simple to maintain interest.
The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy by Nick Romeo
I read this after reading a book analyzing the root cause of "Trumpies" and can't help but feel this author has missed something important. He proposes to build a just economy. He identifies the faults with the current system and provides examples of alternatives that incorporate "true cost" and allow for better income distribution. However, he misses the challenge of true scalability and individual needs. He also is keen on some of the current "big" solutions to areas that should not require them. (What is the purpose of a union in a worker-owned cooperative? Now you have a third party to negotiate a contract between the workers and ... the workers.)
There are many great ideas. Guaranteed jobs provide a much greater sense of purpose than unemployment checks. However, how do you make sure these are good jobs? "make-work" could also be disheartening. The other has an example of a publicly-run gig-work program. This sounds like a nice way to reduce the fees from the platform provider. However, the only reason we are talking about this is because companies like Uber saw the opportunity and rammed themselves into the market. Without the venture capitalists and the innovative rule breakers there would be no need for the other system. The greed is a motivating factor for the innovations. Though the question remains - is it worth it?
Cost of living is high today. We also have many amenities. The book covers many "living wage" calculators and talks about companies paying workers fair wages. How much could this extend? It is nice that house cleaners can be well paid. However, one needs to be wealthy to afford the well paid house cleaner. Is this an economy that could be supported in an egalitarian society? Are there other underlying problems in society that need to be resolved? Do people need and want too much? Why do we spend so much in transportation costs? Why do we have so much entertainment?
Is concentration the big problem? We have companies with trillion dollar valuations that have concentrated great wealth and power. Billionaires have vast fortunes. Unions have millions of members. A few large countries have centralized power over hundreds of millions. Moving power from any of these centralized sources to another is merely shuffling around. They all leave personal autonomy far down in the system.
Do we want a just system with fair wages paid towards all? We may complain that a sports star earns millions while a teacher barely scrapes by, but would we be willing to pay the same for three hours of class that we would for a football game?
Ruby's Tools for Making Friends (Ruby’s Tools Series) by Apryl Stott
An animal has tools to calm herself. She starts a new school and has trouble speaking up and making friends. She wants to succeed in egg drop contest. She talks to another quiet boy and he helps her. Her group likes her idea and they run with it. They win the class contest, but lose the school one. Things end up good. The book seems to try too hard to have a "message" and fidget concepts, thus distracting from what could be a somewhat compelling story.
Red in Tooth and Claw by Lish McBride
I got lost with this book. It had vibes of a western with a bit of fantasy thrown in. Some kid is off on his own. He gets a companion. They run across a dead body. There is some work to join a settlement and be part of the community, but also conflicts. Eventually things come to an end. I just didn't care much for any of it.
Ash and Feather: Flame and Sparrow Duology, Book 2 by S.M. Gaither
How can the female leads in these romance fantasies be so stupid? They totally forget their goal of saving the world and fall in lust with some random bad guy. Here the elf leader learns to fly, and uses that as a chance to have an affair. She later finds her sister, who is aligned with the bad side. Why is that side bad? Well, it just is. She falls for another guy. The sister comes around and they eventually do what they wanted to do. The writing and story are bad, but better than the typical romance fantasy.
The legend of King Arthur is told with in a historical setting with modern sensibilities. It is not without merit, but it drags on for too long. There is merlin and a kingdom to save, but young adult relationships are also important.
The Frostbound Queen: Realms of the Covenant, Book 1 by Amy Pennza
Some girl has a kingdom. Some guy wants it. There are elves and other creatures that are not human (but that doesn't stop them from making love to humans.) Everyone is sleeping together, regardless of whether they are elf or human, man or woman. A bit of a plot holds it together, but it is just an excuse for graphic descriptions which seem are more mechanically disgusting than sensual. Take out all of it, and might have a 4 page book with a simple plot.
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
A typical romatasy that goes one ear and our the other. There were some assassins here, I think.
Ghostsmith: House of the Dead Duology by Nicki Pau Preto
There are revenants. They are bad. People are fighting bad guys while falling in love with others. This book goes on for a while. I could not focus on it.
Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany by Harald Jähner
Weimar Germany was eerily like the modern United States. Germany was arguably the most intellectually advanced country in the world. The military was also among the best. Many people felt that they were not defeated during World War I so much as given up by their leaders. Germany was tasked with paying huge reparations. To support this, they printed more money. This led to a hyperinflation and a shuffling of the economy, with the "responsible" savers being hurt, while the reckless borrowers did well. Eventually the government dictated a new currency value and brought an end to hyperinflation.
In spite of reparation payments, the German economy boomed. Money was obtained (often from America) and many manufacturing operations were set up. Germany was the center of technology. Liberal social ideals were also in place. Women's rights and LGBT acceptance were on the rise. The human body was now an object for study and art in its native form, with sports such as boxing and gymnastics important. There were also significant architecture and art movements, with some interesting political overtones. (Roof shape became incredibly political.)
The culture veered to the left, opening up politics that veered to the right. The National Socialist party admitted that it would use legal means to come into power, and then ditch legality once the power was in place. They were not the first to use some of the "emergency" powers. Other governments had done so shortly before they did. Part of their rise to power was a result of decadence and falling of German values that they had seen in society. They scapegoated certain groups, especially Jews.
And today? We have had a period of higher inflation. Liberal culture and values has enraged the right. The loss of national pride has allowed the rise of Trump. He has shown callous disregard for laws, but has also followed some of the same shortcuts that were followed by previous administration. Both the left and right have got carried away in the moras. The economy seems to be humming along well now, but what happens when it falls apart? Will we learn the lessons from Weimar Germany?
Knight Owl and Early Bird (The Knight Owl Series, 2) by Christopher Denise
Knight Owl is a brave knight that fights bad guys at night. Early bird wants to join along. Knight Owl tries to shoo her away, but she keeps coming back. One night there are a large amount of scary creatures at night. Early Bird appears with an army and helps fight them off. Will Knight Owl better support Early Bird now. This is a well illustrated story, though the ending is a bit confusing.
Making Sense of Chaos: A Better Economics for a Better World by J. Doyne Farmer
The author uses data models to look at complex problems. This has been done at times to piece together opportunities in the market. (The author also points out that efficient markets imply that there are no easy arbitrage opportunities. However, markets are efficient because arbitrageurs will come in and eliminate inefficiencies.) Some of these models can help predict things with greater accuracy than other more conventional approaches. He is able to point out cases where his models have worked well. He then uses this as a way to predict future activity. This may get a little more questionable as things move to the unknown. (For example, the cost of renewable energy may be steadily going down making it cheaper to focus investments there. However, storage and roll out could have other impacts.)
Economics awards Nobel prizes for "good ideas" while physics requires "proof". Should economics theories be fully validated in the real world? It is an interesting concept. The big data models could be the future. How would this impact economics and the world in the future?
James: A Novel by Percival Everett
This is the story of "Jim" from Huckleberry Finn. Most of the book deals with Jim on his own. However, it weaves in and out of his experiences with Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. Jim seeks out his own identity and tries to find his family. He becomes strong. He can read and write and knows how to talk like a "good slave" in addition to communicating with his strength. At times he hides in plain sight by pretending to be a white person in black face. He tries to find his family and commit some crimes in the process, including tying up a slave holder. The slaver's threats mean nothing to him as they have already tried to take his rights away. In the end, he declares himself "James" and moves on to freedom as the Civil War is going on. This book does a great job of exploring the life of slaves while providing an alternate view from a well-known book.
Icon and Inferno: Stars and Smoke, Book 2 by Marie Lu
The globally famous pop star is having a rough time. He misses that spy girl he met. An old girlfriend has reappeared. Somebody is writing a tell-all book about him. He is happy to be involved in a spy plot. He even gets a James Bond-esque special suit. There is a possible sploy to kill the US president. They want to protect him at a big gala after a big concert. There are various attempts on the lives of people as well as a song written to the "spy girl" performed in concert. The book takes a number of turns as double agents, CIA plots and others in place. The author even ties in references to her Warcross novel.
The ending then throws everything at us. The president gets killed. A soon-to-retire spy gets killed. Then here are plenty of stunts and fast action as well as sly moves. It feels like a PG-13 summer movie that just keeps throwing everything at us. The ending seemingly closes things out, but keeps the threads open for more books.
American Zion: A New History of Mormonism by Benjamin E. Park
This history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints focuses on the social issues and key personalities involved. The religious and doctrine are mentioned, but primarily in the context of general culture. The church was established by Joseph Smith during a time of great religious activity. Though there are many supernatural aspects, these were not far out of the ordinary for the day. The church was tight-knit, cohesive group that was welcome to immigrants and less-desirables. As they set out to build up large communities, their neighbors were disturbed. It was a time of "majority dominance" in US politics. The Mormons were in conflict with the community. There were also many conflicts within, with many early leaders leaving the church. The introduction of polygamy also strained relationships internally and externally.
Brigham Young was the next leader and put his stamp on the church. He lead everyone to Utah. Polygamy became well established. Blacks were less welcome and the church became more friendly to southerners. The church controlled almost all aspects of life in religious, political and social areas.
Changes occurred as the church desired statehood. Polygamy was banned (though secretly practiced.) The church dropped its own party and let people align with their own politics.
After that time, the church pivoted in beliefs based on leadership. There were conservatives, such as Ezra Taft Benson as well as more open leaders such as David O Mckay. The church consolidated organizations. In the 1960s fiscal management lead to surpluses and strong financial footing. The church became much more aligned with American culture. Rather than a fringe movement, they were seen as a bastion of family.
Academically, the church finally opened archives at the end of the 20th century. There was a willingness to publish "dirty" history. However, historians could be excommunicated for publishing research that the church leadership disagreed with. The church has had to navigate difficult political situations with race, LGBT movements and the like. The church has hidden financial details at a time when culture at large is quite open. How does the church manage the Christian mission with the corporate structure?
Martyr!: A Novel by Kaveh Akbar
An Iranian man, Cyrus, had a rough childhood. His mother died in a plane crash when he was an infant. His father immigrated with him to the US where he worked a blue collar job. The father wanted a better life for his son. They adapted to the new life. The man's father was partially living through his son and died shortly after the son went off to college.
Cyrus went through periods of alcohol and drug use. He had relationships with men and women. He would present himself as "Iranian" or "American" depending on what is convenient. He has taken up poetry. He is attracted to an artist that has put "herself" on display for the last months of her life as she is dying from terminal illness. After talking with her previously, he eagerly goes to talk with her a final time, but finds she has died. He later learns that she is his mother. She had switched id with another woman and was never on the flight.
The book travels back and forth in time and alternates between "real" experience and dreams. There are parts told from the view of important figures of the day as well as the narrative of the main characters. Despite the back and forth, it is fairly easy to follow.
The Talent Show!: Ready-to-Read Pre-Level 1 (DreamWorks Not Quite Narwhal) by Natalie Shaw (Adapter) based on story by Jessie Sima
This book is based on a Narwhal TV show. The pictures look like captures from the show. They put on a talent show where they sing songs. This would be better as a TV show than a book.
Brianosaurus by Ged Adamson
Brian learns that frogs are related to dinosaurs. He decides he will be a dinosaur. At first it is a lot of of fun. Then he finds himself ostracized by his friends and community. Then everybody is a identified as a "me-o-saurus" who can do whatever they want. It is a modern message of going with your heart.
To the End of the World, Far, Far Away by Ronda Armitage (Author), Victoria Turnbull (Illustrator)
After a little bear spills his milk, he decides he is going "to the end of the world, far, far away" Mother bear tells all the ways that she will be sad when he goes away. He eventually goes to bed. It is a quick case of a mother subtly convincing her child of her love.
