Posts

Everything I write, all in one place — book reviews, recipes and gardening notes as they happen, travel writeups, and whatever else is on my mind.

Book Review

Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

August 30, 2025 · 1 min

This was a return to my teenage reading years, revisiting the first book of the Dragonlance Chronicles. It had been long enough that I had forgotten many of the details, which made the story feel fresh again while still carrying that sense of familiarity. The world-building, the companions, and the unfolding quest reminded me why these books became such a staple of fantasy in the first place. …

Book Review

U. S. Grant: The Civil War Years by Bruce Catton

August 30, 2025 · 1 min

The Civil War has always been one of my favorite subjects to read about, and Bruce Catton remains one of the best at bringing that history to life. I’ve read several of his works, and this two-volume look at Ulysses S. Grant did not disappoint. The first book follows Grant’s rise in the western campaigns, from Fort Donelson through the long struggle at Vicksburg. Catton captures both the determination and the setbacks, showing how Grant’s steady leadership began to shape the course of the war. The second book picks up after Lincoln appoints him commander of all Union armies, carrying the story through the brutal campaigns from Chattanooga to the final surrender at Appomattox. …

Book Review

The Looking Glass War by John le Carré

August 30, 2025 · 1 min

This book took its time, unfolding slowly as the groundwork was laid for sending an agent behind the lines in East Germany. At first, I found myself waiting for the story to really get going, but in hindsight, that slow build was part of the point. It reflected the tedious preparation, the quiet politics, and the weight of expectation that hung over every decision in the Cold War. …

Book Review

Blood of Ashaheim

July 19, 2025 · 1 min

I recently finished Blood of Asaheim by Chris Wraight and overall, I’d say it was a solid read, though not outstanding—it’s enjoyable but doesn’t quite break new ground. The story follows Ingvar, a Space Wolf returning to his old pack after decades with the Deathwatch. That setup—homecoming meets culture clashes is the book’s strongest point. Wraight does a good job depicting the tension: Ingvar has changed, and his battle brothers aren’t sure what to make of him. It’s one of those character-centric arcs that hold your attention, even when the broader plot falters. …

Book Review

Fulgrim

June 11, 2025 · 1 min

Fulgrim is the next haunting and operatic tale in the Horus Heresy series. In this installment, Graham McNeill takes us deep into the psyche of the primarch Fulgrim and his III Legion, the Emperor’s Children, as they descend from noble warriors in pursuit of perfection to corrupted champions of excess under the sway of Chaos. The book vividly captures this transformation, weaving a narrative that spans stunning victories, eerie discoveries, and the fateful events at Isstvan V. …

Book Review

Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

May 15, 2025 · 1 min

Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max Tegmark is an ambitious exploration of the future of artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity. While the book offers a broad and thought-provoking perspective on AI’s potential trajectories, it may not satisfy readers seeking a technical understanding of how AI systems function. Tegmark, a physicist and co-founder of the Future of Life Institute, categorizes life into three stages: Life 1.0 (biological evolution), Life 2.0 (cultural evolution), and Life 3.0 (technological evolution). He envisions a future where AI surpasses human intelligence, leading to scenarios ranging from utopian to dystopian. The book delves into topics like consciousness, ethics, and the long-term fate of intelligent life in the universe. …

Book Review

Lockwood and Co -The Whispering Skull

May 7, 2025 · 2 min

After finishing The Screaming Staircase, I dove straight into The Whispering Skull. This book lines up with episodes 4–8 from the Netflix adaptation, so if you’ve seen the show, you’ll recognize some of the major moments — but the book still holds plenty of surprises. I picked up the second installment with high expectations, and it absolutely delivered. If anything, it felt darker, sharper, and even funnier in places. …

Book Review

Lockwood and Co - The Screaming Staircase

April 24, 2025 · 2 min

I first came across this series through the Netflix adaptation of the first two books of Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood & Co. — and it was pure chance that I even turned it on. I was immediately hooked by the first episode. When Jen came by while I was watching the third or fourth episode, she asked, “What is that? It looks cool.” I told her all about it, and both she and Sergio were intrigued. So, we went back and started from episode one together. They both loved it, and like me, were really disappointed when Netflix canceled it — especially since it was the #1 show worldwide at the time. Honestly, I was so mad, I canceled my Netflix subscription and haven’t been back since. …

Book Review

Flight of the Eisenstein

March 24, 2025 · 1 min

“Flight of the Eisenstein” by James Swallow Catching up on some reviews… I mentioned this one back in January, and just saw, that I haven’t posted about it yet, so here it is. I’ve been working my way through the Horus Heresy series on audiobook lately and after wrapping up Galaxy in Flames, I jumped straight into Flight of the Eisenstein by James Swallow. First off, new narrator for this book, Jonathan Keeble who was also very good, and brings that weight and gravity to the story that makes you feel like you’re right there in the chaos. …

Book Review

Midnight at Chernobyl

February 23, 2025 · 2 min

A couple of weeks ago, I came across a number of video posts from the HBO, docudrama for Chernobyl, I had forgotten how good it was overall, and so Sergio and I, sat down to watch again. After watching, I was interested in more, and this book “Midnight in Chernobyl” was one I had long considered getting on Audible. Funny thing, a couple of days later, I am looking at Spotify and notice that we now have access to a number of free audiobooks, and this was one of them. …