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adamgolden's reviews
192 reviews
A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea by Masaji Ishikawa
4.0
(4/5★)
A harrowing and disheartening tale of Masaji Ishikawa's escape from North Korea. While this is mentioned in the title, it really only pertains to a small portion of the book - most of his story takes place over the 36 years he lived in North Korea. If there was ever a book to read to make you feel grateful for your life and what you have, this is it. Ishikawa is constantly faced with diversity and insurmountable circumstances, but still manages to push through even the worst of travesties with pure resolve and devotion to his family. After all was said and done, he wasn't rewarded with what he deserved and desired, which may be the saddest part of all.
A harrowing and disheartening tale of Masaji Ishikawa's escape from North Korea. While this is mentioned in the title, it really only pertains to a small portion of the book - most of his story takes place over the 36 years he lived in North Korea. If there was ever a book to read to make you feel grateful for your life and what you have, this is it. Ishikawa is constantly faced with diversity and insurmountable circumstances, but still manages to push through even the worst of travesties with pure resolve and devotion to his family. After all was said and done, he wasn't rewarded with what he deserved and desired, which may be the saddest part of all.
Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques
3.0
(3/5★)
The Redwall books were a staple of my childhood reading. While the stories told are usually fairly formulaic throughout the series, there is a certain charm that each book has that still makes it an enjoyable and comfy read. The monstrous badger Lord Brocktree himself is possibly one of the most badass heroes Jacque's has ever created, and helps pave the way for the lore of the series considering that this book, chronologically, is the first. While the ending is great, the build up to it was very slow and almost difficult to get through at times - mostly because of certain dialects that are exaggerated and grating to read.
The Redwall books were a staple of my childhood reading. While the stories told are usually fairly formulaic throughout the series, there is a certain charm that each book has that still makes it an enjoyable and comfy read. The monstrous badger Lord Brocktree himself is possibly one of the most badass heroes Jacque's has ever created, and helps pave the way for the lore of the series considering that this book, chronologically, is the first. While the ending is great, the build up to it was very slow and almost difficult to get through at times - mostly because of certain dialects that are exaggerated and grating to read.
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin
4.0
(4.5/5★)
Easily just as great or possibly even better than Ursula's first book in the series, The Tombs of Atuan is another oddly comfy, well written fantasy that has darker undertones than its predecessor. Dropping Ged as a character (at least for about a third of the book), we instead follow the life of a young priestess named Tenar. Female protagonists in the fantasy genre when the book was published were practically non-existent during this time, which made the way Ursula handled her character development all the more interesting. Tenar gradually begins to understand the world around her, especially towards the end of the book, after living such a claustrophobic lifestyle believing the only truth that was available to her. Not that Tenar couldn't have carried the story along, but with the welcome addition of Sparrowhawk (AKA Ged), the story takes an interesting turn, leaving the reader craving for more once it ends.
Easily just as great or possibly even better than Ursula's first book in the series, The Tombs of Atuan is another oddly comfy, well written fantasy that has darker undertones than its predecessor. Dropping Ged as a character (at least for about a third of the book), we instead follow the life of a young priestess named Tenar. Female protagonists in the fantasy genre when the book was published were practically non-existent during this time, which made the way Ursula handled her character development all the more interesting. Tenar gradually begins to understand the world around her, especially towards the end of the book, after living such a claustrophobic lifestyle believing the only truth that was available to her. Not that Tenar couldn't have carried the story along, but with the welcome addition of Sparrowhawk (AKA Ged), the story takes an interesting turn, leaving the reader craving for more once it ends.
The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin
3.0
(3.5/5★)
The Farthest Shore concludes the original trilogy of the Earthsea cycle, chronicling Sparrowhawk's (or Ged's) adventures throughout the world that Ursula K. Le Guin so vividly created. While I did enjoy this novel, I was a bit disappointed to see Ged's story end so soon. While it wasn't necessarily an abrupt ending, the transition from his boyhood to manhood happened in the blink of an eye. While the plot of the book might be the most fleshed out of the trilogy, it was probably the least interesting of the three, or at least the most generic, plodding along most of the way except for the ending. That being said, I'm glad to have gotten an ending to a trilogy that was never meant to happen.
The Farthest Shore concludes the original trilogy of the Earthsea cycle, chronicling Sparrowhawk's (or Ged's) adventures throughout the world that Ursula K. Le Guin so vividly created. While I did enjoy this novel, I was a bit disappointed to see Ged's story end so soon. While it wasn't necessarily an abrupt ending, the transition from his boyhood to manhood happened in the blink of an eye. While the plot of the book might be the most fleshed out of the trilogy, it was probably the least interesting of the three, or at least the most generic, plodding along most of the way except for the ending. That being said, I'm glad to have gotten an ending to a trilogy that was never meant to happen.
Holy Shit: A Brief History of Swearing by Melissa Mohr
3.0
(3/5★)
While I wouldn't call the title of the book misleading, it's certainly a much more academic read than I thought it would be. Focusing heavily on the history of swearwords over the course of several hundred years, Mohr does well in keeping things interesting, at least until the hefty chapter concerning the Renaissance. While I was expecting a more gaudy, shocking read, I ended up getting a rather humdrum history lesson instead, oftentimes straying away from the theme of the book itself. I was hoping for a bit more written on the modern era of swearing, and perhaps the future of it. Still, a fairly humorous and surprisingly educational read.
While I wouldn't call the title of the book misleading, it's certainly a much more academic read than I thought it would be. Focusing heavily on the history of swearwords over the course of several hundred years, Mohr does well in keeping things interesting, at least until the hefty chapter concerning the Renaissance. While I was expecting a more gaudy, shocking read, I ended up getting a rather humdrum history lesson instead, oftentimes straying away from the theme of the book itself. I was hoping for a bit more written on the modern era of swearing, and perhaps the future of it. Still, a fairly humorous and surprisingly educational read.
How Music Got Free: The End of an Industry, the Turn of the Century, and the Patient Zero of Piracy by Stephen Richard Witt
4.0
(4.5/5★)
I've felt that when authors usually write these kind of books, they don't really know what they're talking about, and merely researched the information and just regurgitated it. This isn't the case with Witt, as he himself was a "pirate" once upon a time (and possibly still is now). I was a teenager during the peak of these piracy years, and spent many hours downloading media for hours on end, hoarding it even, just because it was fun to have a collection of something you could never possibly afford in a "physical" format.
Beyond that though, what Witt does to make this book truly entertaining and informative at the same time is how he creates an incredibly detailed story of how all these things took place. I often felt that this book could be turned into a movie of sorts, considering how interesting the birth and peak of piracy was, and how so many other "regular joes" were a part of it. As far I as I can tell Stephen Witt has only written one book, but I'd love to see more from him.
I've felt that when authors usually write these kind of books, they don't really know what they're talking about, and merely researched the information and just regurgitated it. This isn't the case with Witt, as he himself was a "pirate" once upon a time (and possibly still is now). I was a teenager during the peak of these piracy years, and spent many hours downloading media for hours on end, hoarding it even, just because it was fun to have a collection of something you could never possibly afford in a "physical" format.
Beyond that though, what Witt does to make this book truly entertaining and informative at the same time is how he creates an incredibly detailed story of how all these things took place. I often felt that this book could be turned into a movie of sorts, considering how interesting the birth and peak of piracy was, and how so many other "regular joes" were a part of it. As far I as I can tell Stephen Witt has only written one book, but I'd love to see more from him.
Circe by Madeline Miller
4.0
(4.5/5★)
A well written and refreshing take on Greek mythology, focusing on the daughter of Helios and the goddess of sorcery, Circe. Whether Miller is writing about the all-powerful God's exploits throughout history or Circe's solitary, serene life on the isle of Aiaia, she knows how to craft a story that is bewitching from start to finish. Her meticulously lush descriptions of the world surrounding Circe and the way she brings to life a cast of characters thousands of years old is truly mesmerizing. One can only hope that Miller continues to adapt more stories from Greek mythology, because she undoubtedly has the aptitude for writing them.
A well written and refreshing take on Greek mythology, focusing on the daughter of Helios and the goddess of sorcery, Circe. Whether Miller is writing about the all-powerful God's exploits throughout history or Circe's solitary, serene life on the isle of Aiaia, she knows how to craft a story that is bewitching from start to finish. Her meticulously lush descriptions of the world surrounding Circe and the way she brings to life a cast of characters thousands of years old is truly mesmerizing. One can only hope that Miller continues to adapt more stories from Greek mythology, because she undoubtedly has the aptitude for writing them.
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
3.0
(3.5/5★)
What I wouldn't give to be one of Tolkien's children receiving hand-written letters from "Father Christmas" every year! Detailing the current happenings around the North Pole during Christmas, whether it be the child-like Polar Bear causing mischief or the many Goblin wars, Tolkien created a vivid world for his children to return to on a yearly basis. If I ever have children I will undoubtedly do something similar for them, as it seems like Tolkien enjoyed writing the letters as much as his children enjoyed receiving them.
What I wouldn't give to be one of Tolkien's children receiving hand-written letters from "Father Christmas" every year! Detailing the current happenings around the North Pole during Christmas, whether it be the child-like Polar Bear causing mischief or the many Goblin wars, Tolkien created a vivid world for his children to return to on a yearly basis. If I ever have children I will undoubtedly do something similar for them, as it seems like Tolkien enjoyed writing the letters as much as his children enjoyed receiving them.
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
4.0
(4/5★)
Having never read anything by Agatha Christie, I still had an idea of what to expect before starting this book, as I've seen a few film adaptations of her books. Christie is known as the "Queen of Crime", and this first novel in her Miss Marple series is the perfect example to prove that to be true. While the book definitely takes its time and is fairly slow-paced, it still manages to be an engrossing mystery novel that is truly a page turner. The elderly and unassuming Miss Marple's deductive reasoning is unparalleled, and makes for an interesting and unconventional protagonist for the genre. If The Murder at the Vicarage is anything to go by, I'm sure the rest of Christie's work is just as impressive.
Having never read anything by Agatha Christie, I still had an idea of what to expect before starting this book, as I've seen a few film adaptations of her books. Christie is known as the "Queen of Crime", and this first novel in her Miss Marple series is the perfect example to prove that to be true. While the book definitely takes its time and is fairly slow-paced, it still manages to be an engrossing mystery novel that is truly a page turner. The elderly and unassuming Miss Marple's deductive reasoning is unparalleled, and makes for an interesting and unconventional protagonist for the genre. If The Murder at the Vicarage is anything to go by, I'm sure the rest of Christie's work is just as impressive.
Have a Nice Day!: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks by Mick Foley, Jim Ross
4.0
(4.5/5★)
Growing up, my dad and I watched a lot of wrestling, and it was a great bonding experience for the both of us. While we both had our favorite wrestlers and in-ring personalities, we agreed on one indisputable fact- that Mankind (or Mick Foley) was the greatest of them all. With a completely unconventional look during a time where muscles and good looks were the standard, Mick Foley was entirely unique and a breath of fresh air for a company that was going through major changes. A joy to watch on both the mic and in the ring, Foley had a specific vision for what a wrestler could be, and when he was given the freedom to do what he wanted, the way he entertained was unparalleled in the wrestling world. While his lengthy biography starts off a bit slow (albeit charming and humbling), the best parts of the book are the behind-the-scenes looks at some of his greatest matches and accomplishments. I'd read about an amazing bout he had, then look it up online to experience it with fresh eyes and a new perspective. A genuinely humorous and stimulating read, Foley has easily written one of the best autobiographies I've read in recent memory.
Growing up, my dad and I watched a lot of wrestling, and it was a great bonding experience for the both of us. While we both had our favorite wrestlers and in-ring personalities, we agreed on one indisputable fact- that Mankind (or Mick Foley) was the greatest of them all. With a completely unconventional look during a time where muscles and good looks were the standard, Mick Foley was entirely unique and a breath of fresh air for a company that was going through major changes. A joy to watch on both the mic and in the ring, Foley had a specific vision for what a wrestler could be, and when he was given the freedom to do what he wanted, the way he entertained was unparalleled in the wrestling world. While his lengthy biography starts off a bit slow (albeit charming and humbling), the best parts of the book are the behind-the-scenes looks at some of his greatest matches and accomplishments. I'd read about an amazing bout he had, then look it up online to experience it with fresh eyes and a new perspective. A genuinely humorous and stimulating read, Foley has easily written one of the best autobiographies I've read in recent memory.