Quantum Space: Loop Quantum Gravity and the Search for the Structure of Space, Time, and the Universe

Quantum Space: Loop Quantum Gravity and the Search for the Structure of Space, Time, and the Universe by Jim Baggott

Theoretical physics is something that smart people work on. Occasionally it has implications in the real world. After reading this book, I did not feel I had a better understanding of Quantum loop gravity. I did feel it was something that is still being debated that involved a different way of looking at the universe. Some things like gravitons could theoretically exist to help explain things, but would be almost impossible to measure. A lot of the work comes down to the details the get hidden away in the work of Einstein and Newton. It seems there are a some artificial complexities in the nomenclature. There is a lot of insularity in the theoretical physics community. The book focuses on a few physicists - mostly in Italy and Pennsylvania - as they use different methods to explore the physical world. It seems we are a long way from having a definite answer.

Pixar Short Films collection 3

Pixar Short Films Collection 3 by Pixar

A collection of Pixar shorts includes some originals and some based on Pixar IP. My favorite was "Lou" in which a lost and found box comes alive to help a bully learn to care for others.

Includes movies:

• Boo
• Lou
• Piper
• Sanjay's Super team
• Riley's First Date?
• Lava
• The Radiator Springs 500 1/2
• Party CEntral
• The Blue Umbrella
• The Legend of Mor'du
• Partysaurus Rex

A Feel Better Book for Little Tempers

A Feel Better Book for Little Tempers by Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen, illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez

When kids have tempers they need to react appropriately. This book presents ways for children to let go of their tantrum so it doesn't impact them. It also shows parents reacting in similar ways. It tries too hard to be "educational" that it does not tell a good story. However, kids did like it.

Rebound

Rebound by Kwame Alexander

I did not realize this was a prequel to Crossover until reading the summary. I thought it was just an alternate tale about that kid. In this story, the dad of the Crossover protagonist has his Dad die. He struggles with it. He eventually goes to live with his grandparents for a summer. There he hangs out with his cousin and builds a love for basketball. It is short and sweet.

Construction Site on Christmas Night

Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by AG Ford

This book look nice, but the story is jumbled. It tries to meld construction and Christmas, but does not do a good job.

PJMasks: Gekko Saves the City

PJMasks: Gekko Saves the City adapted by May Nakamura

The book is adapted from a TV show that was adapted from a French TV show. Maybe something was lost in translation? The PJ Mask dudes have a gecko that gets super big. They try to leash him and this makes him mad as he tries to destroy their headquarters. Then they befriend him with a game of fetch and he no longer wants to do the bad guy plan and becomes small again. The story is simple, and the setting is just a bit weird.

The Lines That Make Us: Stories from Nathan's Bus

The Lines That Make Us: Stories from Nathan's Bus by Nathan Vass, forward by Paul Constant

Nathan is a photographer and Seattle Bus Driver. He enjoys driving some of the more "interesting" routes in the city - including nighttime routes through diverse, low-income areas. He relates many of his experiences that he has had driving the bus. There are stories of "regulars" that are often provoking others, but occasionally well-behaved. There are those that are down on their luck, yet happy and optimistic. One day he picked up a panhandler that was covered in dog poop. Previous buses refused to pick him up. However, after he shared his story of being pelted by a BMW the other riders on the bus helped stand up for him. Nathan also detailed a conversation he overheard between two shabby-looking passengers discussing the best writings by Shakespeare. Due to the routes, many of the stories involve those down on their luck. He observes that those tend to be the most "extreme". They may be the most polite people as well as the most rude. They remain people.

Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a Polar Bear

Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a Polar Bear (I Can Read Level 1) by Jennifer Bové

How do polar bears live. How is their life different from our life? Polar bears tend to live a very isolated life in the cold north. This book has plenty of photographs showing the life of polar bears and their life, all from the perspective of a kid wishing they were a polar bear. 

Cinderella: A Royal Friend

Cinderella: A Royal Friend by Lisa Ann Marsoli, illustrated by Disney Storybook Art Team

Cinderella helps work with orphans. One girl accidentally ends up in a dressmaker area because everyone else thinks she belongs. She takes advantage of it at first, but later repents and still gets a dress in the end.

Mulan: Khan to the Rescue

Mulan: Khan to the Rescue by Calliope Glass, illustrated by Disney Storybook Art Team

Mulan's horse leads her to the apple tree where Mulan helps rescue grandma. 

Aladdin: The Desert Race

Aladdin: The Desert Race by Catherine Hapka, illustrated by Disney Storybook Art Team

Jasmine has a fast horse, but it will only go for her. The ruler wants Aladin to race instead. Aladdin gets genie to be the "horse". Jasmine races in disguise. Aladdin and Jasmine both beat the "bad guy". However, Aladin is disqualified. There are bits of humor, in this predictable knock off.

The Princess in Black, Books 4-6: The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation; The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate; The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare

The Princess in Black, Books 4-6: The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation; The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate; The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

These books blurred together. It is less than an hour at slow speed for all three together. The one that stood out was the one where two princesses adopt secret identities to fight monsters, without letting each other know of their alter egos. There is also a monster that serves as the science fair project. Not quite sure what the right audience is for these.

Purrmaids Fin-Tastic Adventures 1-4: The Scaredy Cat; The Catfish Club; Seasick Seahorse; Search for the Mermicorn

Purrmaids Fin-Tastic Adventures 1-4: The Scaredy Cat; The Catfish Club; Seasick Seahorse; Search for the Mermicorn by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

The purrmaid series is over-the-top sweetness with cat mermaids. It is filled with cat and sea puns. The audiobook collections has stories about different groups working together to do things better than they could do alone. In the seahorse one, they get a pet seahorse for a class pet. However, they set it free to live with its family. In another story they find a a sea unicorn. What is "real" vs. imaginary in this world? This is not a series to think too much about things like that.

Groovy Joe We're Going to Build a Rainbow

Groovy Joe We're Going to Build a Rainbow by Eric Litwin, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

The book is a song about a rainbow. It gets a little complicated. The story is not much of anything. Kids did not care for it. At least it was not very long.

Here, George!

Here, George! by Sandra Boynton, illustrated by George Booth

George is a dog that doesn't do much of anything. When the family leaves and some music plays nearby, he dances. By the time the family returns, he is exhausted and doesn't do much of anything. I'm not a fan of the illustration style in the book. The story itself is meh, but has a bit of charm.

Animal Homes

Animal Homes (National Geographic Kids Readers, Pre-Reader) by Shira Evans

Animals live in different homes. This book shows some of the different types of homes they live in. It has very simple text that is appropriate for beginning readers.

TBH #2: TBH, This May Be TMI

TBH #2: TBH, This May Be TMI by Lisa Greenwald

This story told in text already feels so data. A bunch of sixth grade girls are texting with the iPod Touches. The hardware choice alone dates things. The girls are boy crazy. The big events are a school bullying and a carnival with a "marriage booth".  Kids all want it. Some "couples" get married there, but a bunch of random friends do also. For bullying, an Indian relative of a student is heavily bullied in Florida because of his assumed religion. (He is assumed to be muslim, even though he is Hindu.) The Florida Indians end up moving in with the relatives her. One of the girls falls for the Indian that was bullied. Other girls have their crushes (though one has no crush.) There is also some tech issues. Girls discover they can use imessage from some school computers. One girl gets in trouble for it and loses privileges, and gets her mom very upset. There are bits of email, "handwriting" and other means of communication in the book. It is meant to be a "snapshot of tween communication". The story itself is a very quick read. The variety of communication styles seems interesting, but doesn't make up for a shallow story.

Tangled: Rapunzel's Story

Tangled: Rapunzel's Story by Tennant Redbank, illustrated by Disney Storybook Art Team

Rapunzel is locked away with a witch who uses her hair to preserve her life. A thief comes in and she wants to escape. they have an adventure, but the witch tries to get her back. She falls for the thief and discovers that she is a princess. It is the regular story told in a disney way.

Beauty and the Beast: Belle and the Castle Puppy

Beauty and the Beast: Belle and the Castle Puppy by Barbara Bazaldua, illustrated by Studio IBOIX,Marco Colletti,Elena Naggi

Belle gets a puppy. The ottoman is jealous and does some bad stuff, getting the puppy blamed. The puppies try to fight off wolves. Belle comes in time to wave some fire and get the wolves away. Now Beast respects the dogs and lets them stay. It has dogs, so it will attract kids, but it is not much of story. Would Belle really have an experience like this with Beast still in beast form?

The Early Eastern Orthodox Church: A History, AD 60-1453

The Early Eastern Orthodox Church: A History, AD 60-1453 by Stephen Morris

I stumbled across this one while searching for books by the Joy Division drummer of the same name. This is a history of early Christianity. The Eastern Orthodox church originally was just part of the same Catholic church. However, as the Roman Empire moved east and Constantinople was established, this became a central area for the church in the ast. The east gradually began to differ from the west. Eventually there was a great schism. This was not a sudden change, so much as a culmination of different changes. The sacking of Constantinople by crusaders further contributed to problems.

The book presents chapters zeroing in on key characters and events in the church history rather than attempt to be an exhaustive story. There were debates over the nature of Mary and icons. Religious leaders such as John of Antioch and Cyril had important roles. Secular rulers such as Justinian also had a part int the establishment of the church.

The book doesn't have much of a narrative, but it does include sources for further reading. It is fairly short, so can be a good introduction of key points.