What Moves The Dead, T. Kingfisher
A masterfully eerie reimagining of Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, blending gothic horror with a fresh, unsettling originality that lingers long after the final page. Kingfisher’s prose is both elegant and razor-sharp, crafting a decaying world teeming with atmospheric dread, vivid imagery, and a creeping sense of unease that builds to a chilling crescendo. The protagonist, Alex Easton, is a delightfully dry and complex narrator whose voice adds depth and dark humor to the story’s haunting twists. With rich character work, grotesque beauty, and a perfect balance of suspense and horror, this novella is an absolute triumph – deliciously macabre and utterly unforgettable.
Underland, Robert Macfarlane
A beautifully written journey through the hidden worlds beneath our feet, full of striking imagery and fascinating insights. Macfarlane’s philosophical reflections create a powerful sense of wonder and his curiosity is infectious. However, I sometimes found the book hard to follow. – its structure felt loose, and the narrative sometimes wandered in ways that left me unsure of the central thread. The imagery and ideas are so vivid that I often thought it would have worked brilliantly as a documentary film. Seeing the places Macfarlane describes could have helped ground the storytelling and enhance the impact. Still, there are moments of wonder and insight that make it worth the read – just be prepared for a journey that’s can sometimes be as disorienting as it is profound.
What Feasts at Night, T. Kingfisher
What Moves the Dead was a creepy, atmospheric gem, so I was excited for the sequel – but this ended up being a dull and disappointing follow-up. Most of the book dragged with little suspense, and the forced humor made the characters feel silly and unrecognizable from the first book. It lacked the eerie charm that made the original so compelling. The only standout was a single nightmare sequence, which was genuinely chilling but felt out of place in an otherwise forgettable story.
The Genius of Birds, Jennifer Ackerman
A fascinating exploration of the surprisingly complex world of avian intelligence. I found the subject matter genuinely interesting and came away with some fun, eye-opening facts about birds. However, the level of scientific detail was occasionally more in-depth than I anticipated, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged throughout. Nonetheless, it’s a valuable and enlightening read for those with an interest in animal cognition and the natural world.
The Universe in a Box, Andrew Pontzen
A captivating and thought-provoking journey through the world of cosmology and computer simulations. While some of the material was over my head, Pontzen does an exceptional job breaking down incredibly complex ideas into something understandable and exciting. His writing strikes a balance between depth and clarity, making even the most abstract theories feel within reach. He managed to convey not just the science, but the wonder and imagination behind it. It left me feeling inspired and curious, with a real desire to keep exploring. If you’re even remotely interested in how scientists model everything from weather patterns to black holes, this book is well worth your time.
Shatterpoint, Matthew Stover
A gripping and unusually introspective Star Wars novel that offers a raw, psychological look at Jedi Master Mace Windu during the Clone Wars. Set on his war-torn homeworld of Haruun Kal, the book explores the brutal realities of guerrilla warfare and the moral compromises that challenge Windu’s Jedi ideals. Written in a gritty first-person style, it delivers both intense action and thoughtful meditations on power, violence, and the nature of the Force.
Superagency, Reid Hoffman & Greg Beato
An overly optimistic perspective on AI that feels more like a surface-level sales pitch than a meaningful exploration. While there are a few interesting moments and ideas scattered throughout, the book lacks depth and substance, leaving me unsure of what I truly gained from it. It may resonate more with readers who are skeptical of AI and looking for a polished, hopeful narrative?-?but for those seeking critical insight or practical takeaways, it falls short.
The Living Force, John Jackson Miller
A fun and refreshing Star Wars novel that offers a unique twist by giving readers a POV journey with the entire Jedi Council. It’s an easy, engaging read that balances its upbeat tone with just enough darker moments to add depth. Miller captures the personalities of the Jedi Masters well, making it enjoyable to see them outside the usual high-stakes conflicts. While it doesn’t dive too deep, it’s a satisfying and entertaining story for fans looking for a more character-focused adventure in the galaxy far, far away.
Dark Heart of the Sith: Greg Pak
I’ve been curious about some of the Star Wars graphic novels and this one seemed like a good entry point. A fast-paced, interesting storyline that kept me hooked from start to finish. The plot dives into some fascinating corners of Vader’s psyche and the Star Wars universe, and while I sometimes wished it were a full novel or film to explore more depth, it still delivered strong visuals and momentum. I’m still adjusting to the graphic novel format, but this one definitely left me curious enough to grab the next volume.
Into the Fire: Greg Pak
This takes the story in a strange direction that threw me off at first, but once I reminded myself it’s a comic, I settled back in and ended up enjoying the ride. While parts felt a bit over-the-top, the ending pulled me back in and reminded me of the wild creativity that made me love graphic novels when I was younger. It’s not perfect, but it has enough energy and intrigue to keep me turning the pages.
Source Code, Bill Gates
Thoughtful and engaging, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential figures in tech and philanthropy. Gates’s reflections – spanning decades – are insightful, candid, and often surprisingly personal, making the book both inspiring and accessible. Whether you’re interested in technology, global issues, or the evolution of modern leadership, this book delivers meaningful takeaways with clarity and heart. A must-read for anyone curious about the ideas shaping our future.
If You Can, William Bernstein
A definitive introductory finance book?-?clear, concise, and refreshingly no-nonsense. It is short and easy to read for anyone. It strips away the noise and lays out the basics of personal finance in a way that’s both accessible and deeply practical. Unlike many flashy, over-marketed finance books, this one is genuinely useful and grounded in reality. This should be required reading in every high school classroom.
Book of Sith, Daniel Wallace
Such a fun little book! It delivers a quick lore dump in such a creative format. It feels like you’re flipping through a forbidden, secret tome of the Dark Side?-?complete with annotations and in-universe flair that make the experience even richer. Fun, fast, and full of flavor, it’s a must-read for anyone curious about Sith philosophy, history, and the darker corners of the galaxy.
The Jedi Path, Daniel Wallace
A great deep dive into the Jedi Order presented as an in-universe training manual. It’s a fun, immersive read that captures the spirit and philosophy of the Jedi Order with great attention to detail. It feels like you’re holding a real piece of galactic history. A must-have for any Star Wars fan looking to explore the lore in a unique and engaging way and an excellent compliment to the Book of Sith.
Revenge of the Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell
An intriguing look at social engineering, both intentional and accidental, through his signature storytelling style. While the interwoven narratives occasionally felt a bit tangled and hard to follow, the core ideas were compelling and thought-provoking. It’s not my favorite of Gladwell’s books, but it still delivered plenty of insight and kept me engaged throughout. A solid read for fans of his approach to exploring human behavior and society.
How to Do Nothing, Jenny Odell
This is a dense, thought-provoking read that often feels more like a sociology textbook than a practical guide. The book takes some tangents, which can make it hard to follow at times, but there are meaningful insights tucked within. While it wasn’t the easiest read, I still walked away with a few valuable takeaways about presence, attention, and resisting the pull of productivity culture.
Thrawn, Timothy Zahn
This exceeded all my expectations. It’s a smart, engaging look into the inner workings of the Imperial Navy, told through the eyes of one of the most compelling characters in the Star Wars universe. Seeing events unfold from Thrawn’s unique perspective was fascinating, and the book does a great job of deepening his character without losing the mystique. I enjoyed every page and can’t wait to dive into the rest of this trilogy!
Thrawn: Alliances, Timothy Zahn
A compelling read that explores the dynamic between Thrawn and Darth Vader, highlighting the stark contrast in their personalities and approaches. The dual timelines – past and present – add depth to the story and keep things interesting, though they can occasionally be a bit confusing to track. While I was hoping for a more direct continuation of the first book, this feels more like a standalone story. Still, it was enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the trilogy ties together in the final book.
A Walk in the Wood, Joseph and Nancy Parent
A beautifully crafted, enjoyable read that makes deep philosophy feel accessible and engaging. The format is clever and inviting, blending storytelling with life lessons in a way that feels natural and meaningful. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to pick up, fun to read, and leaves you with insights that stick. A quiet gem with lasting impact.