Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power

This was a slow read for me because I really wanted to understand the topic. I would read one chapter, think about things for a day or two and then come back to the book for the next chapter.  I, previously, had no real interest in the American military even though several of my family members have served in the past.  This, interestingly enough, is the crux of what Maddow gets at in the book.  There is an ever-widening gap between the military and civilians. We seem to be very comfortable with being at war constantly, or at least we seem to be comfortable ignoring the fact that we are constantly at war. She outlines her version of how that came to be and where we are headed if that continues.  I enjoyed the book for two reasons.  First, it made me think long and hard about all the things that go on out of view of the American public.  Second, her presentation of the material is accessible in just the right way.  She doesn't dumb it down, but she doesn't go into the stratosphere with her explanations.  She found the right tone.

With that being said, I'll admit I'm already a bit biased because I really like Rachel Maddow's way of making topics understandable.  I watch her show just about every day.  My review may be a little less objective because of that, but I still think the book is worth a read. She kept me interested in a topic I would have previously thought to be dry.

Eating Animals

Years ago, I read a book called Slaughterhouse by Gail A. Eisnitz.  That book led me to the decision to stop eating pork and beef.  Her book left such an impression on me that I changed my whole diet based on it.  This book, Eating Animals, tries to make the reader see how horrible factory farming is and why people should make the ethical decision to skip meat. However, it misses the mark because the author then produces evidence of good farmers who use humane practices. By doing that, he offers an "out" for those who still wish to eat meat.  He also tries to weave in personal stories about meals he's had in the past, but I felt those stories interrupted the flow of the facts.  After a while, the arguments for and against eating meat just go around in circles.  Should we? Shouldn't we? Should we? Shouldn't we? I had high hopes for this book, but if you really want to know what is going on in our meat industry I highly recommend Slaughterhouse by Gail A. Eisnitz instead of this one.

The Postcard Killers

Finally!  Of course my old standby, James Patterson, would get me out of this summer slump of books that go on and on when brevity would suffice.  He is notorious for his short chapters that keep you reading because they always end with some quasi-cliffhanger. In high school, James Patterson and Jackie Collins were my guilty pleasure go-to authors.  Who am I kidding; they are still my go-to authors for thrills (Patterson) and trashy lifestyles (Collins).

So naturally when I was in the Denver airport and saw a James Patterson paperback with the Eiffel Tower on the cover, I gladly slapped my ten dollars on the counter.  We know I love all things travel and The Postcard Killers did not disappoint.  A couple is traveling all over Europe killing other couples.  An NYPD detective whose daughter was one of the victims is on the case along with a Swedish journalist.  I started reading it on the plane, but when I got back to Philly I set it aside to read Gone Girl and The Art of Fielding (both of which were borrowed so I had to finish and return them). Finally today was the day I could get back to my thriller!  I finished it in about 7 hours (broken up of course by food, bathroom, internet, and phone breaks).  This is the perfect definition of summer reading.  Action packed, fast paced, and to the point.  No superfluous writing.  If Patterson can use one word, he uses one word. If the sky is blue, it's blue. Blue....one word we all understand.  After my run of books that say too much, this book said just enough.

The Art of Fielding

Once again, I've run into the problem of a book running too long.  It's 512 pages, but could have easily been wrapped up in about 350.  I don't know what is so attractive about dragging a story out to the point of apathy.  I found out after finishing the book that it took the author ten years to write.  Yikes! The basic premise of the story is that a talented kid from South Dakota gets recruited to a college baseball team and is the new wonder kid of the team.  Some things happen that shave a little bit of wonder off the kid and so the story proceeds.  It is also very much about friendships and discovering who you are and who you are not.   There is a lot of collegiate angst in this book. The uncertainty of the future is thick and appropriate for the age group of the characters.

I actually really enjoyed reading the book.  I found myself reading without a care in the world. Oblivious to what was going on around me.  The story was quite good and well written, in my opinion.  I've seen some reviews that say the author writes like he just attended a writer's workshop, but it works so why chastise him for that?  There were sentences in this book that I read and thought, "That is a perfect sentence." My only complaint is the length because I did reach a point where I didn't really care what happened anymore. Other than that, I thought it was a solid coming-of-age story.

Gone Girl

This book was really good during the first part, then the twist is introduced in the second part and it's still pretty good for about half of the second part.  Around the latter half of the second part, though, I started to think "Okay wrap it up.....let's get the story over with."  Then I started to skim-read.  I don't know if I'm just going through an impatient streak where I automatically feel like a lot of books are about 100 pages too long or if the stories are genuinely too long.  Either way, this had the makings of a great psychological thriller with the requisite "keep you guessing" twist.  However, once the twist is revealed, everything that happens after that just left me scratching my head and seriously contemplating the sanity of both main characters.  If you've ever seen the movie Secretary, you may find yourself thinking along the lines of that movie as you near the end of this book.  Some people are in the relationship they want, regardless of what it appears to be from the outside looking in.  It's a fairly quick read (2 days), so pick it up if you have a weekend to yourself to relax.

Special shout out to my colleague at work for allowing me to borrow this book since the wait at the library was ridiculous. Thanks CG!