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

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. …

Book Review

Artificial Intelligence - A Guide for Thinking Humans

February 20, 2025 · 1 min

Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans by Melanie Mitchell is an accessible and thought-provoking exploration of AI, its history, capabilities, and limitations. I started listening to this book on Audible, but the book references a number of images and figures from the book, and while there is an accompanying pdf, containing those images, I ended up purchasing the print version as well. Mitchell is a computer scientist, and she demystifies AI by explaining key concepts like machine learning, neural networks, and common misconceptions while addressing the challenges of achieving true intelligence. She examines AI’s successes and failures, highlighting the gap between human and machine cognition. Through engaging examples and a balanced perspective, the book provides a nuanced understanding of AI’s current state and future potential, making it an essential read for anyone curious about the field. …

Book Review

Lionel Morris and the Red Barron

February 2, 2025 · 1 min

History book about Lionel Morris by Jill Bush. This book is about Lionel Morris, a young British pilot in World War I, who joined the Royal Flying Corps and served on the Western Front. In September 1916, during a battle over Bapaume, Morris’s squadron was attacked by a German unit that included Manfred von Richthofen, later known as the Red Baron. Morris was shot down and killed, becoming Richthofen’s first confirmed aerial victory. Morris’s story is a reminder of the many unsung heroes of World War I and the human cost of war. …

Book Review

Galaxy in Flames

January 31, 2025 · 1 min

I was getting ready to post about several books and audio books, I finished in the last week, one being The Flight of the Eisenstein, when I realized that I had not posted anything about the preceding book, Galaxy in Flames. Galaxy in Flames is the third book in the Horus Heresy series by Ben Counter. The book opens with Horus, Warmaster of the Imperium’s forces, seemingly leading an expedition to punish the rebellious Governor of Isstvan III. Four Legions of Space Marines are sent: the Sons of Horus (Horus’s own Legion), the World Eaters, the Emperor’s Children, and the Death Guard. These Legions, unbeknownst to the loyalist elements within them, have already been corrupted by Chaos and secretly pledged themselves to Horus’s rebellion. …

Book Review

Treacheries of the Space Marines

December 31, 2024 · 1 min

Finished reading the Warhammer 40k book, Treacheries of the Space Marines. The book is a collection of short stories, by a number of authors writing about the Chaos Space marines. Those marines that turned traitors, in the Horus Heresy. Now 10k in the future from those times, these traitor marines continue their fight against the imperium of man. Overall, a good collection of stories, with obviously some better than others. My two favorites are: …

Essay

Non Book Related Post Here

December 20, 2024 · 1 min

Non-book related post here. Earned my AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate certification exam today. Happy to say I passed. I wanted to pass some of what I used for studying. First, for a while now I have been watching videos by John Savill on YouTube. The following video gives a good high-level overview of all the topics covered in the exam (AZ-104 Administrator Associate Study Cram v2). The second thing I used, is the following training material by Ravikiran Srinivasulu (AZ-104 PRACTICE TEST w/ Labs | Microsoft Azure Administrator | Udemy). Ravi, goes over 150 exam type questions, explaining the answers in detail, and doing live demonstrations. Finally, I used additional YouTube videos by Jaspal Singh (Azure Administrator Weekend Exam Cram | 75 New Questions with explanation #az104 #azureadministrator). He has numerous exam cram videos where he goes over real exam questions, in detail. I watched 3, videos with over 200 questions, there were several questions I recognized on the exam. He is constantly updating and adding new questions. All were very helpful, and like I said helped me pass the exam.

Book Review

False Gods

November 27, 2024 · 1 min

Continuing to listen to the Horus Heresy series. This time with the second book in the series “False Gods”. Again, this book is read by the English Actor Toby Longworth. Toby’s performance is top notch and bringing to life the characters and the grim future. The novel continues the saga of Warmaster Horus and his legion, the Sons of Horus, as they navigate the complexities of loyalty, power, and the corrupting influence of Chaos. The story picks up a few months after the events of “Horus Rising,” with Horus battling both external enemies and his own inner demons …

Book Review

Ground Zero

November 24, 2024 · 1 min

Finished reading Ground Zero, the third book based in the X-File universe. It is a novel written by Kevin J. Anderson, based on the popular TV series “The X-Files.” The story follows FBI agents Mulder and Scully as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths involving radioactivity. My Father and I started watching the X-Files, back in the early 90’s (1993 to be exact). It became our Friday night entertainment, until moving to Sunday night in 1996. I have now introduced my own son to the X-Files all these years later. …