Review: The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories

The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by Marina Keegan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marina Keegan was only 22 when she was died in a car accident. Newly graduated from Yale and ready to continue her budding career as a writer, we are left with a collection of work from her short life. Half of the book is short stories, and the other half essays. You can see glimmers of what she would have potentially grown into as a writer. Her voice, as you would expect, is very young. She's in college; her life has barely started. I liked some of the stories, didn't like some others. These are stories that wouldn't have been published under other circumstances.

Overall, three stars, but I'm having a hard time separating the tragedy of a life cut short from the actual work, so actually 2.5.

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How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain

How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain by Gregory Berns

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Like most of you, I often wonder what my dogs are thinking. They are mysteries to me. I talk to them like people because I like to pretend they understand what I'm saying. Sometimes I think they might.

Gregory Berns and his team did some interesting research into the inner workings of a dog's brain. Largely anecdotal, those looking for hard science, data, and graphs should look up the papers he's published. For me, the layman's terms and personal stories of his family and dogs made the book a win. I find it amazing that they could train dogs to lie still in an MRI when I can't even get my dogs to stop bickering over the food dishes. Dogs, seriously, they are exactly the same. Knock it off.

I found the various experiments interesting and love how they are dedicated to better understanding dogs, the brain, and how emotions may or may not be universal. I know my dogs love me--I certainly didn't need a brain scan to see it--but I still think it would be cool to watch.

Dog lovers will enjoy it. If you aren't a dog person, you probably wouldn't pick it up to begin with.



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Banned Books Week 2014

"Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate."

Hubert H. Humphrey

FREEDOM!  Freedom of thought.  Freedom to choose.  Freedom to learn about anything and everything.

As Banned Books Week draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the dangers of censorship.  Books are my refuge, my delight, my passion.  I am curious about everything in the world, and want to read it all--no topic is off limits.  

Much like the society in The Giver, censorship can stifle learning, ideas, and progress.  We must allow people access to knowledge we deem both good and bad to help them make their own decisions and choices.  Diversity of thought is one of the things that makes life so interesting.  

Join me in my challenge to read one banned book per month.  Pick up something outside of your comfort zone.  Gain a perspective different than your own.  And share your thoughts and ideas afterwards.  Debate.  Explore.  Challenge.  Come away different than what you were before.

Will you take the challenge?

What is Banned Books Week?  The site says it best:

"Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982 according to the American Library Association. There were 307 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom in 2013, and many more go unreported."

To read more about Banned Books Week, visit BannedBooksWeek.org. 

This World We Live In (Last Survivors #3)

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More post-apocolyptic goodness. Start stocking up your pantry! These books will trigger the prepper hiding inside of you.

In book 3 of the series, we return to life with Miranda and her family. The world has not recovered from the disasters triggered from the asteroid colliding with the moon, knocking it towards Earth. Miranda has matured in this book. We continue to see her life through her journal entries, and it gives a unique perspective on the happenings and allows us to guess at people's true motives as she does.

It's interesting to think how we would survive if disaster strikes. The Evans family fares better than most because they were resourceful and their mother was prepared and had the foresight to anticipate how long it could take for society to recover. Others didn't adapt, and died. It is an interesting take on survival of the fittest.

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Life As We Knew It (Last Survivors #1)

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

True confession time: I have a real jones for post-apocalyptic, survival, dystopian fiction. I eat it up! Part of the appeal for me is thinking through how I would react in a similar situation. I'm convinced I would be the last survivor, regardless of the situation. I think I would be very similar to Miranda's mom. Cool in a crisis, I would cash out everything and stockpile food and supplies to help my family survive. In Life As We Knew It, we view everything through Miranda's journal entries. She's immature, and scared, and doesn't always grasp the severity of the situation (naturally--she's 16). Suspend your disbelief as an asteroid hits the moon, moving it closer to the Earth. Chaos ensues. Nature is out of balance. And society as we know it collapses.

Now please excuse me as I go to the store to stockpile gallons of water and food for my pantry. 3 stars.

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Independent Study (The Testing #2)

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Independent Study follows Cia Vale as she progresses through University and is selected for her major which dictates what she will do following graduation. We are introduced to some new characters as she is assigned to her house and we uncover more of the mystery of what the government is hiding. Cia is still a Mary Sue. Everyone loves her, she is the smartest, the bravest, and she solves problems. She's clearly being set up to be the next leader of the land; the savior they have been waiting for. We don't get enough Tomas in this book. He's barely a player and I find myself wondering what is going though his head as the events unfold for Cia. What does his initiation look like? How is he feeling about University, the government, and the aftermath of the testing? I need to know more--he keeps me from hating on Cia.

Overall, a solid second installment in the series. If you enjoyed the first book, you will continue to enjoy the second. I'll definitely read Graduation Day to see how it all pans out.

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Reading University: Time to declare our majors (and minors)

We've made it through the first seven weeks of our Reading University Challenge, and it's time to declare our majors and minors.

Zach

Major:  History

Minor:  Social Sciences

Maddie

Major:  Science

Minor:  Social Sciences

Michelle

Major: History

Minor: Science

It will be interesting to hear about the selections over the next six weeks.  Here we go!

Physical Education Week

Physical Education

This week we each read an arts book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

Baseball - fiction or non-fiction book about baseball or a baseball player
General Sports - fiction or non-fiction book about any sport other than baseball
Olympics - fiction or non-fiction book about the Olympics, an Olympian, or any Olympic sport
Sports History - fiction or non-fiction historical book involving any sport

Books Selected:

Zach (Sports History - Mountain Climbing)

Ghosts of Everest: The Search for Mallory and Irvine by Jochen Hemmleb
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The story of the expedition to find Mallory and Irvine who lost their lives attempting to first summit Everest in 1924.  This book is full of cool facts and pictures, and has a lot of climbing history.

There is also a picture of Mallory's frozen body, so NSFW.  It was pretty chill to see a corpse.  Get it, chill?  hahaha




Michelle (Sports History - Mountain Climbing)

The Mountain: My Time on Everest by Ed Viesturs with David Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you are Ed Viesturs's mom, look away now. You may not want to read this...

I love reading travel and adventure memoirs. Reading about places that I may never get to visit, dangers I may never get to experience, and people I may never get to meet makes me feel a little more well-rounded. I have armchair traveled to Everest several times and thought I would enjoy this book, so I bought it without reading anything about it.

Ed Viesturs comes across as strangely unlikeable and a bit of an ass. He was featured in the Everest IMAX documentary and he didn't seem that way in the movie, so I have to attribute it to the weird combination of using a co-writer whose voice differed so greatly from the voice in Viestur's climbing diaries. The entire book reads as one huge humblebrag. He sprinkles stories of climbing history, his attempts on Everest and other 8000s, and adventures of other climbers he has known and worked with throughout the book. His diary entries made me think, "I'll bet this guy is insufferable at parties. He thinks he's amazing." I get it; you are brave and have successfully reached the summit several times--no small feat. I would never, ever attempt such insanity, as I hate to be cold and am a bit afraid of heights. He seemed critical of some of his peers and a bit smug about the decisions he would have made in those situations, as if his superior judgment is why he is alive today while so many others have perished. But Ed, mountain climbing is an inherently dangerous sport. If you have not had an unfortunate accident, I believe it is a matter of luck, not skill. Mother Nature can and will take you out at anytime, so count your blessings.

I did enjoy all of the stories about various summit attempts on Everest, and would still recommend to people who love adventure and climbing. But Viesturs's writing definitely annoyed me. I have a copy of another one of his books, "No Shortcuts to the Top," and I will give it a try. Hopefully it is less of a humblebrag and more of a collection of entertaining climbing vignettes. One more chance, Ed, one more chance. Don't let me down!


Maddie (General Sports - Mountain Climbing)

Following Atticus by Tom Ryan

The Mountain: My Time on Everest

The Mountain: My Time on Everest by Ed Viesturs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you are Ed Viesturs's mom, look away now. You may not want to read this...

I love reading travel and adventure memoirs. Reading about places that I may never get to visit, dangers I may never get to experience, and people I may never get to meet makes me feel a little more well-rounded. I have armchair traveled to Everest several times and thought I would enjoy this book, so I bought it without reading anything about it.

Ed Viesturs comes across as strangely unlikeable and a bit of an ass. He was featured in the Everest IMAX documentary and he didn't seem that way in the movie, so I have to attribute it to the weird combination of using a co-writer whose voice differed so greatly from the voice in Viestur's climbing diaries. The entire book reads as one huge humblebrag. He sprinkles stories of climbing history, his attempts on Everest and other 8000s, and adventures of other climbers he has known and worked with throughout the book. His diary entries made me think, "I'll bet this guy is insufferable at parties. He thinks he's amazing." I get it; you are brave and have successfully reached the summit several times--no small feat. I would never, ever attempt such insanity, as I hate to be cold and am a bit afraid of heights. He seemed critical of some of his peers and a bit smug about the decisions he would have made in those situations, as if his superior judgment is why he is alive today while so many others have perished. But Ed, mountain climbing is an inherently dangerous sport. If you have not had an unfortunate accident, I believe it is a matter of luck, not skill. Mother Nature can and will take you out at anytime, so count your blessings.

I did enjoy all of the stories about various summit attempts on Everest, and would still recommend to people who love adventure and climbing. But Viesturs's writing definitely annoyed me. I have a copy of another one of his books, "No Shortcuts to the Top," and I will give it a try. Hopefully it is less of a humblebrag and more of a collection of entertaining climbing vignettes. One more chance, Ed, one more chance. Don't let me down!


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Mathematics Week

Mathematics

This week we each read a mathematics book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

Math - fiction or non-fiction book involving mathematics or numbers, or a math teacher or mathematician as a main character
Probability and Statistics - fiction or non-fiction book about odds, gambling, or a gambler. May also include books about chess or a chess player
Computers and Cryptography - fiction or non-fiction book about computers, computer science, or cryptography
Finance - fiction or non-fiction book about money, the stock market, or a book where the main character is a millionaire or on a quest for riches

Books Selected:

Zach (Probability and Statistics - Gambling)

Banker by Dick Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Banker starts off with a bang.  Tim's boss has a meltdown and soaks himself in the fountain outside of work.  While he is recovering, Tim takes over his duties at the merchant banking house and uncovers a horse racing mystery that nearly costs him his life.

I was surprised at how much I liked this book.  I thought it would be boring, but it kept my interest.


Michelle (Finance - Money)

 Banker by Dick Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dick Francis was the master of writing the everyman hero: ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations. It's part of the appeal for me. He always found a way to combine an interesting topic with characters you could root for, and worked them seamlessly into the world of horse racing. This time, we step into the world of finance with merchant banker Tim Ekaterin. As Tim takes on more responsibility at his family's banking house to cover for a sick colleague, he takes a chance on financing a prize-winning race horse. What follows takes on twists and turns, with some surprising revelations.

The good: I liked Tim. Like most Francis protagonists, he was a good guy, and you want everything to work out for him. The mystery kept me guessing. Just when I thought, "Oh, I totally know what's going on," another piece of the puzzle dropped and made me rethink my suppositions. The unique topic was banking, and it was an interesting look into the world of finance and how some of the decisions are made. And the racing! I love horse racing, and his books make me wish I was an English trainer, or jockey, or horse owner.

The bad-ish: The ending was abrupt, and I felt like this book was begging for an epilogue. Minor nitpick, but still a bit disappointing. Subtracting a half-star for that.  Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read for me, as always.



Maddie (Probability and Statistics - Chess)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first book in the epic series, we join Harry as he begins his life as a young wizard.

Banker

Banker by Dick Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dick Francis was the master of writing the everyman hero: ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations. It's part of the appeal for me. He always found a way to combine an interesting topic with characters you could root for, and worked them seamlessly into the world of horse racing. This time, we step into the world of finance with merchant banker Tim Ekaterin. As Tim takes on more responsibility at his family's banking house to cover for a sick colleague, he takes a chance on financing a prize-winning race horse. What follows takes on twists and turns, with some surprising revelations.

The good: I liked Tim. Like most Francis protagonists, he was a good guy, and you want everything to work out for him. The mystery kept me guessing. Just when I thought, "Oh, I totally know what's going on," another piece of the puzzle dropped and made me rethink my suppositions. The unique topic was banking, and it was an interesting look into the world of finance and how some of the decisions are made. And the racing! I love horse racing, and his books make me wish I was an English trainer, or jockey, or horse owner.

The bad: The ending was abrupt, and I felt like this book was begging for an epilogue. Minor nitpick, but still a bit disappointing. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read for me, as always.

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Arts Week

Arts

This week we each read an arts book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

Fine Arts - fiction or non-fiction book where a fine art piece or an artist plays a major role in the plot (painting, drawing, comics, photography, and sculpture)
Visual Arts - fiction or non-fiction book where a visual art piece or a visual artist plays a major role in the plot (dance, theater, film)
Music - fiction or non-fiction book where a musical piece or a musician plays a major role in the plot

Books Selected:

Zach (Art - Fine Arts)

Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bernie Rhodenbarr is a thief.  He steals things for himself, but sometimes he's hired to steal for others.  Bernie is on the job, and things quickly go south after he is hired to steal a special box.  Now he's on the lam, and he needs to clear his name.  This is a fun book with lots of twists and turns.  I will read the others in the series.




Michelle (Art - Music)

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp
My rating: 3 1/2 of 5 stars

I love the Sound of Music!  It's one of my favorite movies.  The music, the romance; funny and dramatic all at the same time.  I really enjoyed reading about the real "Family Von Trapp".  I loved the little pieces that matched up with the movie, and the real parts that didn't.  I now know that the movie barely scratches the surface of their unique life.  Their ups and downs, riches to rags, their life in America.  If you are a fan of the Sound of Music, definitely give this one a read.



Maddie (Art - Dance)

Chihuahua Confidential by Waverly Curtis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A mystery solved, and a reality show underway.  After solving the murder of Rebecca's husband and getting her funds to make her dream a reality, Rebecca and Geri head out to L.A. for the first official filming of "Dancing with the Dogs".  Geri has been invited to compete with her dog Pepe, and it is expected to be a fun break from sleuthing.  But of course a mystery is afoot on the set of the new show, and one of the judges is murdered!  An activist is blamed and a mysterious package is missing.  Geri must try to solve this mystery before "Dancing with the Dogs" is over or the killer gets away.  But before the end of this treacherous competition Geri shall discover if Caprice is Pepe's true owner and if she is, will Geri be willing to give up Pepe in spite of her own wants?

Dead people, missing dogs, and innocents blamed, will Geri and Pepe be able to discover the true murderer before time runs out?  Or will the killer escape the spotlight without consequence?  This mystery will leave you glued to your seat with each twist and turn.

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love the Sound of Music! It's one of my favorite movies. The music, the romance; funny and dramatic all at the same time. I really enjoyed reading about the real Family Von Trapp. I loved the little pieces that matched up with the movie, and the real parts that didn't. The movie barely scratches the surface of their unique life. Their ups and downs, riches to rags, their life in America. If you are a fan of the Sound of Music, definitely give this one a read.

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Social Science Week

Social Science

This week we each read a social science book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

Anthropology - fiction or non-fiction book set in a culture or country different from yours
Religion - fiction or non-fiction book about a religion, sect, or cult, or about a religious figure
Psychology - fiction or non-fiction book about psychology, a psychological disorder, a psychiatrist, or where the main character has a mental disorder
Education - fiction or non-fiction book about education, an educator, or set in a school
Political Science - fiction or non-fiction book about a political movement, government, politicians, or spies


Books Selected:

Zach (Political Science - Politics and Governments)

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 1/2 of 5 stars

A Game of Thrones is an epic series by George R.R. Martin (aka the American Tolkien). In the first book, Ned Stark becomes the hand of the King, not by choice. What happens next is full of political intrigue, violence, and drama. If you enjoy medieval settings, adventure, politics, or high fantasy books, you should definitely check out this series.




Michelle (Psychology - Addiction and Recovery)

Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America by Jennifer Storm
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pull out your powdered wigs and gavels, everyone, because judgments are incoming!

Blackout Girl is a book about one woman's journey into addiction at age 12 to her recovery 10 years later. Along the way, terrible, terrible things happen because of her poor decisions, the company she keeps, and her family. Yes, her family. I place partial blame on her parents. Jennifer Storm has a lot of love for her father and disdain for her mother. It's clear she doesn't blame her father for his poor parenting skills or lack of involvement, but there is a lot of blame for her mother along the way. I blame all three equally for the route Jennifer's life took. This book hits all of the qualifications for addiction: traumatic emotional event? Parental divorce? Siblings involved with a "bad crowd"? No parental rules, supervision, or involvement? Between the cutting, the drugs, and the staying out all night, I wanted to stage an intervention with the entire family.

I believe some people do have a genetic disposition for addiction, and Jennifer Storm also lived in an environment that created the perfect storm for her life's journey. Kudos to her for finding her way out before she killed herself, and she seems to have come to terms with who she is and has a relatively normal adult life.

You will want to shake her and her parents along the way, but stick with the story until the end to hear what she learned and how she made a commitment to change her life one day at a time. Then go hug your kids and tell them to never, ever touch drugs, and ground them for a week just to be safe. Just kidding! Mostly.


Maddie (Political Science - Politics and Government)

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Divergent is set in future Chicago, and the government has split society into 5 factions: Dauntless for the brave, Candor for the honest, Abnegation for the selfless, Erudite for the intelligent, and Amity for the happy. When each kid turns 16, they go to a sorting ceremony and choose which faction they will join. That faction becomes their family. The story is about Tris, the choices she makes, and how she becomes her own person.  It is also about the government and how it impacts their lives with rules and regulations.

History Week

History

This week we each read a history book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

American History - fiction or non-fiction historical book set in North America
European History - fiction or non-fiction historical book set in Europe
World History - fiction or non-fiction historical book set outside of North America and Europe
Alternate History - books from the alternate history genre

Books Selected:

Zach (European History - Non-fiction)

The Spartans: The World of the Warrior-heroes of Ancient Greece by Paul Anthony Cartledge

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book because it explained the daily life of the Spartans, their values, and a look into the history behind their culture and some of the major battles.  My favorite section was about the Persian Wars.  If you love history, especially military or political history, or reading about ancient cultures, you will like this book.

Michelle (American History - Non-fiction)

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot by Bill O'Reilly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More like 2 1/2 stars. I didn't enjoy it as much as Killing Lincoln, but it was pretty good. A bit sensationalized in places and very much about the Kennedy administration rather than a focus on the assassination and aftermath. O'Reilly makes a lot of assumptions and embellishes situations--how could he possibly know the content of private conversations or the inner thoughts of the players involved? Pick it up if you want a quick read about Kennedy, his philandering ways, his brother Bobby, and a bit about his daily life in the White House.

Maddie (American History - Non-fiction)

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book directly follows "Little House in the Big Woods." The Ingalls family is leaving their home in Wisconsin for the West.

Literature Week

Literature

This week we each read a literature book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

American Novel - literature genre set in North American or by a North American author.

European Novel - literature genre set in Europe or by a European author.

World Novel - literature genre set outside of North America and Europe or by an author from outside of North America or Europe.

Poetry - book or collection of poems from any country, including anthologies of poetry.

Books Selected:

Zach (American Novel)

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
My rating: 3 1/2 of 5 stars

Robin Hood and his merry band of men rob from the rich, give to the poor, and celebrate with great feasts.  Each story tells the tale of how each person joined Robin Hood's adventures.  They laugh a lot, and the ending will surprise you.  If you like disguises, competitions, male bonding, and merriment, this is the book for you.

Michelle (American Novel)

The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a collection of short stories that run the spectrum of emotions for me, but this review is about "The Lottery". I have read this 3 different times in my life, and knowing the ending doesn't make it any easier to read. This story is about tradition, and what can happen when people blindly follow what has been done in the past without stopping to question why we do the things we do. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I feel this story is an absolute "must read" for everyone. It will spark deep discussion, and it will change your perspective.

I need to go cry in a corner now and be depressed for the remainder of the day. Well played, Ms. Jackson, well played. This story left an imprint on my psyche and I will be thinking about it for days.

Maddie (American Novel)

White Fang by Jack London
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

White Fang is about a wolf-dog who lives Yukon with his mother, father, and four siblings.  During a time of famine, his family dies and he lives alone with his mother.  They soon run into some Eskimos who take them in.  He slowly adjusts to life with humans, then his mother is sold and taken away from him.  He becomes a sled dog and is sold to a cruel owner and forced into a terrible, violent life.  White Fang is rescued by a loving owner who only wants the best for him, but White Fang no longer trusts.

Will White Fang ever learn to trust again?  Will he ever be free?  Faced with challenges, and life-threatening tasks, White Fang is an enriching tale that will keep you glued to your seat.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It had the right mix of biographical stories, science facts, and moral questions to consider. Although non-fiction, it reads like a novel and was very engaging. Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer in the 1950s. At the time of her death, the doctors at Johns Hopkins took samples of her cells and were able to successfully grow and study them in the laboratory. Her cells have been vital in medical research throughout the years, and are still growing in labs today.

I found myself thinking about the Lacks family and medical research throughout the day as I was reading the book. I felt Rebecca Skloot did weave herself and her quest to research the Lacks family a bit much into the narrative, but her perspective added insights into the family and how they felt about Johns Hopkins, reporters, and the what happened to Henrietta's cells.

This would be a great book for a book club discussion, with the potential for rich dialogue regarding the potential moral repercussions and long-term advantages to medical research in general and specifically around cell research. Highly recommended.

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Summer Book Club: Reading University

Logo designed by Maddie

We are starting our annual summer book club this week.  The kids and I have had a summer book club every summer since 2010.  We choose a new genre each week and everyone selects a book within that genre to read and discuss. This year we have added a twist: Reading University.  Each week we will share out our books and our reviews in the selected subject, and by the time school starts again we will have earned our degrees.  I'll be updating the blog as we go.  Hope you find some good new reading suggestions from our choices!