Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Fall / Winter Reading List

Haven’t compiled a reading list since last July. In alphabetical order by author, like the library. In addition to my books on CD, I’ve started downloading audio books to my phone, so theoretically I can listen while I exercise.
 
Modern Romance, by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg. Checked out this book to learn more about the Parks & Recreation costar and his comedy. Turned out to be an actual research book about modern romance.
 
The Bishop’s Pawn, a Novel (Cotton Malone #13) by Steve Berry. Cotton in first person. His first government adventure, an alternative MLK assassination story.  
 
Tom Clancy Under Fire (a Jack Ryan Jr Novel Book One) by Grant Blackwood. Been a long time since I picked up a Jack Ryan novel. I need to catch up.
 
Polk: the Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America, by Walter Borneman. Who knew James K Polk did so much?
 
Sisters First: Stories from our Wild and Wonderful Life, by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush. Behind the scenes at both their grandfather’s and their father’s White House, plus growing up in Dallas at the ballpark and governor’s mansion in Austin, through 9-11 to their lives today.
 
A Carlin Home Companion: Growing Up with George, by Kelly Carlin. Those expecting a book all about George be warned, his daughter’s book is more about her, and her demons. But Kelly makes it clear her father, while thoughtful and creative, was far from the spokesperson conservatives have made him out to be.  
 
Earn the Right to Win: How Success in any Field Starts with Superior Preparation, by Tom Coughlin. Good stories on the coach’s days with the Giants, and starting the Jaguars from scratch.
 
Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt, by Aida Donald. Other reviews agree: this biography leaves readers wanting more. Short on details, long on agreeing with Teddy’s point of view. Lots of “he always…” and “he never...” Thought I was reading a grammar school textbook.
 
In Pieces, by Sally Field. A revealing autobiography by a beloved actress. Field describes the sexual abuse from her stepfather, and the ups and downs of her career and close relationships.  
 
Red War (A Mitch Rapp Novel #15), by Kyle Mills and Vince Flynn.
 
The Garner Files: A Memoir, by James Garner and James Winokur. Introduction by Julie Andrews. Maverick doesn’t hold back.
 
No More Mr. Nice Guy, by Robert Glover.
 
Camino Island: a Novel, by John Grisham. A great story.
 
Uncommon Type, Some Stories by Tom Hanks. Who knew Tom Hanks had a thing about typewriters? In his first book the actor weaves his fixation into several short stories.
 
The Nightingale: A Novel, by Kristin Hannah. Excellent read. WWII era.
 
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster, by Jon Krakauer. Primer not only on a terrible disaster, but also a glimpse into what it takes to climb the world’s tallest mountain, the business side, and the personalities of several of the top climbers in the world.
 
Rocket Men: the Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man’s First Journey to the Moon, by Robert Kurson. Hundreds of stories, with details about the space program I’d never known before.
 
Kick Kennedy: The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter, by Barbara Learning.
 
The Abolition of Man, by C.S. Lewis.
 
Mere Christianity, by C. S Lewis.
 
Grace: More than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine, by Max Lucado
 
An Object of Beauty, by Steve Martin. Interesting, intricate descriptions, characters, and story by the comedian / actor/ musician / playwright.
 
The Yankee Years, by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci. Winning under Torre looked easy for the Yankees, but the reality was anything but.
 
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds, by Jen Wilken. Read by my Sunday School class’ small groups, both male and female.

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