Outlander – Frank Randall is SUS Ya’ll!

If you haven't read the Outlander series or haven't seen the show do not read further. I'm warning you! There will be spoilers! Don't ruin it for yourself. Just back away now.

Current Reads – Outlander

The Outlander series is one of a kind. They are so well written. I haven't been this obsessed since I found Philippa Gregory. If you haven't had the pleasure of losing yourself to the Jacobite cause and the plight of those braw Scots, you have absolutely no idea what you've been missing. Pick one up and step through the stones for the best read of your life.

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Repeat Offender – Books I’ve Re-Read

Today, I'm going to share a wee little secret with you. I re-read books. I do it a lot. A whole lot y'all. Way more often than I'm proud to admit. I've re-read some of my books so many times I've had to replace them due to spine wear. I've read some of my books …

#BookReview “SIDESHOW” Brian Kindall

Now for the review. "SideShow" takes place before "Delivering Virtue" and "Fortuna and the Scapegrace". As I have read the latter two it was really fun to get a picture of who Didier was before those two great adventures take place. "SideShow" is both a great introductory and companion to flesh out the world of Didier Rain. If you start with "SideShow" you'll be hooked. For so little pages, it does a great job of showing the complexities of the world through the eyes of my favorite swashbuckling dandy.

“Hillbilly Elegy” J. D. Vance #BookReview

Vance identifies as a Conservative. I identify as a Democratic Socialist. Politically, it would look like we are opposites..... yet, there is a lot of common ground on our theories of how the issues of poverty can be solved.  The reason, in my mind, for that common ground is our shared experiences. Those of us who have lived it understand it in a way that those who haven't never will. This is why we need elected officials from every corner of every class of people we can find. The lenses they are currently looking through are much too narrow.

Our Reading List

Our TBR pile is mountainous but we thought we would give you a sneak peek on what reviews to expect in the next week or so. We're always adding to the pile and are currently accepting review requests so don't forget to head on over to our Review Policy if you have a book you want us to consider. 

“Red Sparrow” Jason Matthews #bookreview

"Red Sparrow" is definitely action packed. From beginning to end it's a whirlwind of intrigue, misdirection and the complexities of humanity. Matthews spy jargon gives the story authenticity where he lacks in character depth. He definitely tried to bring depth to his characters but fell short with the two main characters, Nathaniel Nash and Dominika Egorova. 

#BookReview “A River In Darkness” Masaji Ishikawa

Something readers should take away from this part of Ishikawa's story is how a persons environment has a direct affect on their character. Some will argue that one must rise above such things but the reality is that most do not and in all honesty shouldn't be expected to. The existence of such oppression is what matters. Life shouldn't be a series of trial by fire. Are we not evolved past this? Are we all still primal beasts unable to transmogrify our society?

“Artemis” Andy Weir #BookReview

In "Artemis", we are also introduced to some judicial ethics that, if not carefully considered and worked out now, will plague us as we've already experienced with the explosion of tech and our judicial systems sluggish pace in keeping up. Is it ethical to deport someone to a planet they haven't been on since they were a young child knowing that it will cause them severe health issues? Is it ethical to deport someone to a country they know nothing of since they didn't grow up there? What constitutes a persons citizenship? As humanity becomes ever more connected is it ethical to continue to divide us into countries? How we move forward with these issues now and later will have a huge effect on our momentum technologically. 

Celebrating John James Audubon’s Birthday

John James Audubon identified 25 new species during his studies and his quotes have a particular relevance today. With the appointment of Scott Pruitt and the rise of Climate Change deniers in positions of power, Audubon's words reverberate through history. As the Trump administration tirelessly works to roll back environmental protections and sells off National Parks I'd like to take the time to remind everyone that the damage (some irreversible) done to this nation will fall on our children. In America's never ending quest for profit we are leaving a desolate future for those who follow us. Let us remember John James Audubon and his message.