'The Crystal Shard: Forgotten Realms, Icewind Dale' by R. A. Salvatore

The Crystal Shard, R. A. Salvatore (2.5)

Always looking for a worthwhile fantasy book to be the heir of LOTR, I read this very short and reasonably well-regarded Forgotten Realms: Icewind Dale trilogy. Sadly, early into the first book, I realized it was patterned after a Dungeons and Dragons game and very derivative of those who have gone before (dwarf, elf, human, Halfling on a quest – sound familiar?). Very few original ideas here, but with lots and lots of battles with orcs and goblins. I found the bad guys were one-dimensional and the heroes a bit too heroic. I did like the idea of a troubled dark elf and who doesn’t love a magical panther that lives on another plane of existence? But, that is not enough for me to recommend this series except to someone wanting a novel to replace an AD&D game.

'The Red and the Black' by Stendhal

The Red and the Black, Stendhal (3.0)

I found this book among our ‘100 Greatest Books’ collection and was surprised that I had never heard of it. Stendhal is a pseudonym for Henri-Marie Beyle who wrote this as a thinly veiled autobiography. The book centers on Julien Sorel, a carpenter’s son with grand ambitions to move up in life. It is set in the mid 1800’s – post Napoleon with the politics that go with that time. Sorel moves up in the world due to his remarkable memory and good looks. The neighborhood clergy sees an opportunity for him to tutor a rich man’s family and off he goes. The book is mostly about his ambitions and the two affairs he engages in as he moves through society. I’m sure the writing was considered scandalous at the time, but it was so obtuse I found it hard to understand how far these ‘affairs’ had actually gone. I was eventually clued in when one character got pregnant. I wanted to get more out of this book than I did. The main character was annoying and unlikeable as were his mistresses. This is the kind of book that is probably better read in a class with some guidance as it was just too arcane for me.

'The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy and the Life of John Maynard Keynes', by Zachary Carter

The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy and the Life of John Maynard Keynes, Zachary Carter (4.0)

While this book begins as a documentary of Keynes, it continues past his death to chart his legacy with other economists and specifically his effect on decisions of US presidents to present day. Maybe due to the effect of time, I enjoyed reading the first half of the book as an unemotional education of Keynesian economics. As the book entered my lifetime, the reading was far less enjoyable as it unwrapped the many failings of ALL our Presidents with regards to economics. I do understand there are a lot more factors involved than Mr. Carter’s highlighted points, but I recognize enough of the truth to feel disappointed and let down by ‘democracy’.

'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy (4.0)

Re-reading this book was a real pleasure. I’m sure when I read it in my 20’s, I skimmed the ‘war’ philosophic discussions, Tolstoy’s musings on whether or not Napoleon was a genius. With more time and wisdom (?) I really enjoyed his take on the realities of war versus historians’ interpretation. While the ‘peace’ sections can be quite melodramatic – the scene of Nicholas Rostov nearly fainting at seeing the Tsar in person comes to mind – the characters were compelling enough to keep one interested through a 1000+-page book. Since Tolstoy wrote this just 50 years after the war, his take on the attitudes of the nobility were believable. Their lack of concern with war on their doorstep is frightening and telling. I’m not sure I’m ready for the 4-hour movie and certainly not ready for Henry Fonda as the stout, bookish Pierre, but I do want to read more about Napoleon and particularly his battles with Russia in 1812.

'Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage' by Alfred Lansing

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, Alfred Lansing (5.0)

Wow, it would be hard to find a book that packs more adventure into ~350 pages and is a true story! I’ve heard of many tough experiences, but to endure so many repeatedly was quite remarkable. Lansing has used Shackleton’s and other’s diaries and written the tale as if he was there every step of the way. A bit of a spoiler, but I was hard pressed to find the most amazing survival bit – crossing the treacherous Drake Passage in a 22 foot boat, hiking in the snow over multiple 5k ft passes on Saint George’s island (with no sleep, dehydrated and virtually no food), or the >500 days of cold with constantly wet clothes and sleeping bags. I’m not sure any modern day person, given our wealth of comforts, could survive. While I can understand our forbearers crossing the Atlantic to find the New World, I am harder pressed to understand why one would choose to undergo this type of ‘adventure’, just to have done it, but I can marvel at the story.

'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' by Keigo Higashino

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, Keigo Higashino (3.0)

I found this a sweet story that drew me in well, but didn’t hold me throughout. I think it had to do with the time jumping narrative and too pat coincidences. The General Store is a run down, seemingly abandoned shop in a distant suburb of Tokyo. The rumor has it that the old owner would give advice – if you dropped off your letter stating your situation and question, he would answer the next day in the box behind the store. Mr. Namiya was wise and his advice thoughtfully given. Early on we realize that something is odd about the store and the advice keeps being give long after the death of Namiya-san. I enjoyed many of the tales as we followed those who got advice, whether they adhered to it or not. While sweet, about two thirds of the way through, the coincidences were too much for me.

'Atmosphaera Incognita' by Neal Stephenson

Atmosphaera Incognita, Neal Stephenson (4.0)

This re-released novella is a short, wild ride – a treat for Stephenson fans that don’t have time for his usual 1000 page tome. Our narrator takes us on a journey to make the tallest building. Being Neal Stephenson, this is not Burj Khalifa type tall, this is a 20 km high behemoth, where near the top you can see the curvature of the earth and have to wear space suits. In just over 100 pages, we follow the design and construction of the building with all its unique challenges (winds, materials, etc.). While there is not a lot of time for character development, we get an Elon Musk type visionary with his childhood friend cum real estate mogul as our narrator. It does work, as the building is really the main character with most of the pages devoted to its description.