A Briefer History of Time

Author: Stephen Hawking
Format: Print

A great overview of some of the ideas of physics that have entered the public view. Relativity, quantum mechanics, string theory, black holes, the big bang, worm holes. By the way, did you hear about the black hole with the mass of 18 billion suns?

Star Wars: Darth Bane: Rule of Two

Author: Drew Karpyshyn
Format: Print

Also very good. I read this one very fast as well. Stealth, cunning, lies, trickery, these are the ways of the dark side... Just when I thought they were done for those foolish Jedi get punked (i.e. remind blind to the presence of the Sith). Great ending, but we were totally set up for a sequel. I can't wait to read it, so hurry up Karpyshyn!

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction

Author: Drew Karpyshyn
Format: Print

For some reason I got really excited about this book. A whole history before the start of the Star Wars films really intrigued me. I read this book very quickly which is unusual for me to do, usually I set printed books (as opposed to audio) down for a while then pick them up from time to time. This book though had me so interested and excited about the plot that I used mostly every free moment I had last week to read it. Needless to say at this point, the book was great! It was amazing how in the beginning of the novel I established a connection with the character, I understood him and could empathize with him. Then, I hung on to this connection with him even in spite of the horrific things that he did. I had to take a moment to "snap out of it." Had I fallen to the dark side? Bane's transition certainly made a lot more sense to me than Annakin's, Annakin's allegiance seemed to come out of the blue even though it was clear how Palpatine was playing him. I also like how even though it takes place about 1000 years before the movies a clear connection is made between this novel and the movies.

Favorite line: "Did your master give you that lightsaber when he died?" "No I killed him and took it." Those silly sith make me chuckle.

Dark Tide II: Ruin

Author: Michael A. Stackpole
Format: Print

I got through this one quickly once I finally started going, mainly because I was excited to get to the "Darth Bane" series which I've now started. I thought with the title "ruin" the New Republics demise would be more complete, but I guess there are still a lot of books in the series. I started to like Shadoa Shai by the end of the book, I look forward to meeting more of the Yuzhan Vong throughout the rest of the series. This was a great read full of some great ideas and adventure that kept me turning the page.

Never Sniff a Gift Fish

Author: Patrick E. McManus
Format: Audiobook

This was a great read. It's a comedy book equal to what I've read from Dave Barry. Especially funny if you've ever been camping or enjoy outdoor sports such as hunting or fishing. Great light reading.

Einstein: His Life and Universe

Author: Walter Isaacson
Format: Audiobook

Great! I really enjoyed reading this book. Mr. Isaacson does exactly as his title describes, including the important biographical elements as well as great explanations of Einstein's ideas in physics. This book makes me want to delve deeper into this world of curved space, quantum questioning, and the quest towards a unified field theory. Things I will take with me: think visually, think creatively, and challenge the norms.

Dark Tide I: Onslaught

Author: Michael A. Stackpole
Format: Print

Very good. What's really great are the characters, not only do we have the old favorites like Luke who busts out with the dual light sabers to kick some extragalactic amphistaff, but we have the Leia and Han's children who I would imagine will become more and more important as the series progresses. These compelling characters keep me reading, I already have Dark Tide II on my night stand and look forward to reading it.

Whiteout

Author: Ken Follett
Format: Audiobook

Since we share a last name I felt compelled to read some of Ken Follett's work. This book takes place during Christmas-time in snowy wheather so I read it during the appropriate season. It was okay, I guess I'm not to keen on mystery-thrillers, it really didn't pull me in.

Hugo Award Winners

The World is Flat

Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Format: Audiobook

This book should be read by people "all around the world." I'm wishing I had counted the number of times Mr. Friedman used this phrase in his book, I'm sure it is in the hundreds. However, "all around the world" pretty much sums it up, in his "history of the twenty-first century" Mr. Friedman more or less concludes that our era is all about globalization. Wait, wait, wait! All around the world! I thought it was flat now, Mr. Friedman? If anything the new connectivity of people around the world pulls it in tighter and increases the curvature or this sphere. When people lived on a flat earth it was full of unknowns, the people on one side of the coin didn't even know the people on the other side existed. All this to say, the terminology of a flat world annoys me. Still, a good read full of interesting anecdotes about technology and globalization. If you've been asleep for the past few years, wake up and read this book.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Author: J.K. Rowling
Format: Print

I read this over the summer and forgot to post it. Once again, another great read to finish off the series. But, what happened to innocent Harry who plays chess to defeat his foes. Did I actually hear him say the words "crucio", do the words "unforgiveable" mean anything these days. But when Mrs. Weasley uses the "b-word" in reference to a certain death-eater, that's way pushing it for a children's series in my humble opinion. J.K. needs to take lessons from L'Amour, "...and then he swore bitterly..." let your imagination fill in the blanks.

The Rider of Lost Creek

Author: Louis L'Amour
Format: Audiobook

A quick read. It was nice to travel to a forgotten land. The "gun slinging" made me think of some of my students. Ag students with images of guns on their over-sized belt buckles and urban students with these images on their over-sized t-shirts. The same romance of power and justice threads itself through our diverse American culture.

The Audacity of Hope

Author: Barack Obama
Format: Audiobook

Mr. Obama discusses his political views in this book and his hope for the future of America. This book definitely influences my vote for the upcoming presidential election. This man just might have a shot. I like what he says about education, I agree with him, we need to pay teachers more and pay them based on their performance. The trick will be doing this without taking power from the unions, oh and paying for it. I also like his commitment to tackling poverty and ending hefty tax cuts for the extremely rich. He ends his book with talking about the importance of family and bringing in his own personal family story, a cheap trick but it works.

The Old Man and the Sea

Author: Ernest Hemingway
Format: Audiobook

A survival story about an old fisherman. What struck me most is the spiritual connection to the ocean and the idea of eating for survival rather than enjoyment.

Star Wars New Jedi Order: Vector Prime

Author: R. A. Salvatore
Format: Print

An extragalactic invasion! Great opening to what looks to be a great series (New Jedi Order). It's clear that the challenges will be fighting this alien species which has an amazing set of anticomputer technology and rounding up the jedi and reforming the council. Another interesting thing about this book: a major character died! Great book.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

Author: David Sedaris
Format: Audiobook

I found this book by listening to the "This American Life" podcast. David Sedaris is a regular guest voice reading some of his stories. This book is full of hilarious short stories about Mr. Sedaris and his family, a great read. I especially like stories about his hillbilly brother including where he trains his dog to eat his little dogs ummm.... presents. Ewww.

Teacher Man

Author: Frank McCourt
Format: Print

Frank McCourt's account of his 30 year teaching career. It was a well written entertaining book that mixes in parts of his past as a child in Ireland and young adult in New York. Most striking is his meandering sense of adventure throughout his career. His 30 years is divided up by an attempt at getting a doctoral degree, getting fired and changing schools, lessons on cookbooks that don't seem to have any point.

Blink

Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Format: Audiobook

Interesting book about the unconscious mind "thinking without thinking" and the advantages and disadvantages of making snap judgements.

The Way It Spozed To Be

Author: James Herndon
Format: Print

This book described Mr. Herndon's experiences during his first year of teaching in an urban environment in the 60's. It seems that Herndon goes into the school as a blank slate, he doesn't really have a plan, or a mission, or educational theories and practices. He doesn't attempt to "control the class" but observes as it chaotically organizes itself and he steers it towards education. In ways I had a similar experience: 5th period didn't change, they didn't decide to listen to my lectures, or quietly work like they should--I changed, I stopped lecturing, and stopped expecting quiet, I found a way to communicate to people who won't listen.

Summer Reading List

Here's a tentative summer reading list:

Vector Prime (Star Wars Novel)
What is it about me you can't teach?
Teacher Man
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Lawn Care for Dummies
Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim
The Audacity of Hope
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows