'The Rules of Contagion: Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop' by Adam Kucharski

The Rules of Contagion: Why Things Spread - and Why They Stop, Adam Kucharski (4.0)

This book contained lots of good information of various contagious activity – from viruses to information – and reasons to be worried and not so worried. A key finding was that social media alone does not spread misinformation, it’s when the lie gets picked up by the media (i.e. ‘information laundering’), that it gets credibility and spreads more widely. Interestingly thosen with influence are not typically those who are highly susceptible to misguided theories. Also, online outbreaks are weak compared to biological ones which have a farther reach and higher probability of spreading. Which, of course was foreshadowing to our COVID situation. I was most amazed at how prescient the author was about pandemics, given this was published just prior to our recent one. My favorite comment: ‘a one-man riot is a tantrum’. 

'There There' by Tommy Orange

There There, Tommy Orange (3.5)

This is a book of many Native American characters in Oakland, CA who have a variety of histories and situations but come together at the first Oakland Pow-wow. I found this book and author an important voice to hear and the characters quite different. There was actually a lot ‘there’ here in terms of introducing urban Native American characters. I particularly liked the concept discussed concerning genes versus culture (i.e. are you a Native American if you were adopted into a Caucasian family with no idea of your birth culture?). It has been a long-standing issue with the diverse cultures of people who have come to America and were here to start with – how much do you assimilate; how much do you maintain? Despite the rave reviews, I found the writing to be good, but not great. Every chapter told from a different character trope is getting tiresome. I’m very glad I didn’t read this on my e-reader as I had to go back to the character list often. My biggest complaint is the ending – the reader is left at the climax with big questions unanswered. Not surprising, there is another book on the way.

'This is Your Brain on Music' by Daniel Levitin

This is Your Brain on Music, Daniel Levitin (3.0)

This book describes interactions of the brain (often through firing neurons) with music and discusses our relationship with music throughout our lives.  As with many non-fiction books, this book has many things one already knows and some interesting new pieces of info. In an attempt to posit a theory, the author needs to first give enough background for the reader to have knowledge to judge the theory. I found much of this background tedious to read. One of the most interesting points he makes is that our relation to music has only recently (last 500 years) included performers and audiences. Prior, everyone sang and made music regardless of what we now consider ‘talent’. I found this sad – how many people now only listen to music, when making music can be so liberating?

'Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law' by Mary Roach

Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, Mary Roach (3.5)

As with all Mary Roach’s books, one gets a slew of interesting information about a relatively common topic (death, digestion, sex, etc.) delivered in a laugh-out-loud manner. The main difference with this book is the underlying sadness I felt. Here she covers the interactions of wildlife and humans, particularly when humans have encroached on the animal’s habitat and then label them ‘pests’ and move to eradicate them. In all cases the animals or birds are doing what they always do to survive, but it happens to inconvenience us humans. She tries to end on a positive note, but even with many funny asides, I found this book to be quite depressing.

'The Snow Leopard' by Peter Matthiessen

The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiessen (3.0)

Rating this book was hard. It included some sections of beautiful writing, adventure and interesting cultural references. Sadly, the overarching sense of entitlement from the author cast a constant shadow. I often felt I was reading about a British gentleman in the 1800’s, not an American in the 1970s! Matthiessen describes his trip to the Himalayas in the early 70’s joining his friend who wants to observe and document the Blue Himalayan sheep and possibly the elusive Snow Leopard. The 2 western men were joined by 4 Sherpas and 14 porters in groups of 2 to 4 at a time over the journey. Throughout the book, both men treat the native men as second -class citizens, rarely taking their advice and remarking in surprise when they did something clever or interesting. My favorite parts included the descriptions of the hiking, of the flora and fauna, and of his mental health journey. It was like ‘unplugging’ in the 70’s – he was careful not to dive directly back into society and ruin the solace he had struggled to find on the journey.

'Cloud Cuckoo Land' by Anthony Doerr

Cloud Cuckoo Land, Anthony Doerr (4.0)

Readers tend to like books about libraries. This book celebrates libraries, librarians and books across time, culture and technology. There are several ‘main’ characters followed in a spectrum that goes from 1400’s Constantinople to a space-ship sometime in the future. A book written in the 400’s is the constant which ties all the stories together. I was a little worried that a 600+ page book might drag at times but found it to be a very quick and enjoyable read. While the reader needs to pay attention to the character and timeframe (both jump around frequently), patience will be paid off as all will be beautifully brought together at the end of a delightful journey.

'Czars: Russia's Rulers for Over One Thousand Years' by James P. Duffy and Vincent L. Ricci

Czars, Russia’s Rulers for Over One Thousand Years, James P. Duffy and Vincent L. Ricci (3.0)

While this book was written in 1995, reading it this year, given what is happening between Russia and the Ukraine, is timely. Starting with the first ruler (Rurik) in the 9th century up to the Romanov’s in the early 1900s, the book covers the basic history and transitions between the rulers of areas we typically consider Russian. Probably the most surprising is that the first ruler, Rurik, was a Viking, as were several thereafter. This all started in Kiev – so the interest in that area by Russia today becomes interesting. Though given all the various peoples who have affected the culture and ruled the area, defining Russia is quite murky and difficult to do. Also, as with most monarchies affiliated with Europe during the first century, the intermarriages gave Russia many non-Russia rulers throughout. Many did not have any Russian blood whatsoever. I found this book to be a little dry, but a great primer and reminder of the complexity that is Russia.