Thrawn: Treason, Timothy Zahn
This was everything I hoped for and more: a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy that brought back all the elements I loved from the first book. The story was sharp, strategic, and deeply satisfying, tying together threads from earlier in the series. Thrawn’s brilliance was on full display, and the political intrigue and tension kept me hooked throughout. A perfect ending to a great trilogy.
Dear Writer, Maggie Smith
This was an enjoyable read with moments of inspiration and a few meaningful takeaways, but it didn’t fully pull me in. The heavy focus on poetry made it harder for me to connect, and I often found myself putting it down for days at a time. While some of the reflections were insightful, the frequent detours into the author’s personal life didn’t quite resonate with me. Still, there’s value here for any kind of artist.
Debt, David Graeber
A dense read that is more of a deep dive into history and sociology with a textbook-like feel than a finance book. While it offers fascinating insights into the origins and evolution of debt, it’s definitely not light reading. I didn’t dislike it, but I was expecting something more accessible and was surprised by how heavy it was. Worth reading if you’re interested in deep historical context of currency, debt and social history.
War of the Bounty Hunters, Greg Pak
It felt a bit scattered at times and I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first two. While there were still flashes of the intensity and intrigue that make this series fun, it lacked the tight focus and momentum I crave. Still ready to see where it goes next.
Crimson Reign, Greg Pak
A fantastic return to form for the series. It brought the story back on track, recapturing the direction and intensity that made the early volumes so compelling. There were some great moments that really landed, and the pacing kept me hooked throughout. I’m fully back on board and excited to see where the next chapter takes things!
Mapping the Interior, Stephen Graham Jones
A haunting and atmospheric novella that lingers long after the final page. Its subtle, psychological exploration of grief and memory is deeply personal and open to interpretation, making it a powerful read for those who appreciate layered storytelling. The writing is sharp and evocative, and the eerie tone builds steadily without relying on overt scares. A quiet, unsettling, and emotionally resonant tale.
Careless People, Sarah Wynn-Williams
A fascinating and disturbing look behind the curtain of Big Tech. While parts of it read like a frustrated rant about a toxic workplace – prompting the occasional “just leave already!” – the sheer scale of greed, corruption, and indifference she exposes is staggering. What’s truly unsettling is how familiar it all feels, especially if you’ve worked in a large private organization. The fact that Meta is reportedly trying to suppress this book only makes it more compelling. A bold, eye-opening read.
Dead Man’s Land: Shell Shock, Anthology
What a great collection of military horror stories! Each tale brings its own unique blend of tension, dread, and adrenaline, making for a gripping and unforgettable read. Kudos to all of the other writers – your creativity and storytelling blew me away. I feel truly honored to have my work featured among such a talented group. This anthology is a must-read for fans of horror with a hard-hitting, tactical edge.
Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt
Absolutely amazing! I was completely drawn in from the first page and couldn’t put it down. The characters felt so real, and the way their lives slowly came together was both emotional and deeply satisfying. Heartfelt, clever, and full of charm – this is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish. So good!
The Innovator’s Dilemma, Clayton Christensen
I decided to read this after completing an Innovation & Critical Thinking course. It provided the deeper dive I was looking for, but it was a tough read at times. While the concepts are important and well-explained, the delivery often felt dry, repetitive, and a bit tedious. I’m glad I read it right after the course to reinforce the theory, but I’m also glad to be done with it. Valuable content, just not the most engaging presentation.
Qualityland, Marc-Uwe Kling
It took a minute to pull me in, but once it did, I was hooked. It’s a sharp, hilarious, and unsettling satire that feels like a strange but brilliant mash-up of Idiocracy, Futurama, 1984, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and Wall-E. Equal parts funny and frightening, it delivers biting commentary wrapped in an endlessly entertaining story with some really crude humor.
The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway
A timeless classic that was just as powerful to revisit decades after I first read it. The vivid imagery and simple yet profound storytelling pulled me right back in, making the struggle and perseverance of Santiago feel immediate and real. A beautifully written tale that reminds me why it has endured?-?it felt great to read again.
The Maniac, Benjamin Labatut
A chilling, thought-provoking, and utterly gripping read. Creepy and terrifying at times, it blurs the line between history and fiction so well that I often wasn’t sure which parts were real and which were imagined – and that uncertainty made it all the more powerful. Part documentary, part warning, and fully captivating, it was nearly impossible to put down.
The Shadow’s Shadow, Greg Pak
This set was fantastic from start to finish. The story was tight and compelling, and the tie-ins to The Phantom Menace were incredibly satisfying. It added depth and weight to Vader’s journey while keeping the action and intrigue sharp. An excellent installment in the series!
Speed Reading, Kam Knight
This was a pleasant surprise! I expected something gimmicky, but instead found a practical, well-structured guide packed with genuinely useful techniques. What really stood out were the exercises?-?not just for reading faster, but also for improving eye health, peripheral vision and memory retention. It’s concise, easy to apply, and genuinely helpful. A great resource I’ll be coming back to!
Return of the Handmaidens, Greg Pak
Another great installment in the series. It introduces some great characters while pushing the main storyline forward in exciting ways. The balance of action, intrigue, and character development keeps the momentum strong.
Unbound Force, Greg Pak
Started off strong but lost momentum about halfway through. The story began to feel a bit repetitive, and it didn’t grip me as much as earlier volumes. That said, it does seem to set up some exciting threads for Dark Droids, so I’m interested to see where it leads.
Dark Droids, Greg Pak
A decent entry in the series, with some really cool concepts that kept things fresh. While it had a few ups and downs, the highlights outweighed the weaker moments, making it an exciting and worthwhile read. A creative addition to Vader’s storyline that kept me hooked.
Rise of the Schism Imperial, Greg Pak
The ongoing power struggle between Vader and the Emperor is gripping, and the constant shifting of loyalties makes it both chaotic and fascinating to follow. As the threads start to come together, the true nature of the Sith is revealed in all its dark complexity. An excellent installment?-?I can’t wait to see how the series ends!
Phantoms, Greg Pak
A great conclusion to this series. The story delivers a powerful and fitting ending, tying together Vader’s journey in a way that deepens his character. I especially appreciated how it explored his inner “phantoms,” adding weight and context to his mental state in Return of the Jedi.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, Jessica Brody
This is an absolute treasure for new writers or anyone struggling. It makes the craft of storytelling feel clear, accessible, and organized, breaking things down in a way that sparks both understanding and excitement. The examples and step-by-step breakdowns are incredibly helpful, and I left each chapter feeling more confident in what I was learning. I came away feeling ready and inspired to write!
William, Mason Coile
This was incredible! Dark, creepy, and unsettling, it delivered the perfect mix of gore and psychological tension. The story kept me on edge the whole way through. The ending completely blindsided me in the best way possible. Brilliantly done!
Murder by Cheesecake, Rachel Ekstrom Courage
A fun surprise I couldn’t resist picking up when I saw it in the book store. The Golden Girls-inspired characters made it a delight, and at times it truly felt like reading an episode of the show. It’s light, silly, and entertaining – a cozy mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously but delivers plenty of charm.
Play It Loud, Bran Tolinsku & Alan Di Perna
This was absolutely amazing. A must-read for any guitarist. The history, stories, and insights kept me hooked from start to finish. Even with a lifelong love of guitars, I still learned new things and came away more inspired than ever. An entertaining, fascinating read – I wish there was more!
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, Stephen King
Surprisingly, this was my first time reading King, and I really enjoyed it. The story reminded me a lot of Escape from Alcatraz, which I loved as a kid, and it had that same mix of grit, tension, and hope. I can already tell I’m going to enjoy exploring more of King’s work.
Dark Harvest, Norman Partridge
A haunting, atmospheric story that captures the spirit of Halloween with striking imagery and a compelling central premise. While the novel is short, it took me longer than expected to feel fully drawn in, and at times the narrative felt disjointed, with certain moments repeating without adding much to the progression. That said, the second half delivers a strong payoff, making it a worthwhile seasonal read for those who enjoy eerie, unsettling tales.
Win the Inside Game, Steve Magness
This is a powerful and insightful read. I loved how it blended science with lived experience to explore why we sometimes sabotage our own performance. Magness does a great job of breaking down the balance between pressure and performance in a way that feels practical and relatable. Well worth the read for anyone looking to unlock their best self, which, really, is most of us.