errantreads's reviews
219 reviews

Searching for Bobby Fischer: The Father of a Prodigy Observes the World of Chess by Fred Waitzkin

adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

3.0

A fascinating look into the world of obsession and the lives of exceptional children and their parents. The prose was more than a bit stilted and cold as was the author himself (my impression), but the story of their lives is engaging and truly very unique.

(Note, the book is a very different animal than the movie. The movie is spectacular, by the way.) 

The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay

reflective fast-paced

3.0

I enjoyed this book. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I read only one or two entries each sitting. Instead, I essentially read it in two long sessions ... and since each entry is, more or less, unrelated except by theme, the experience is much like binge reading an entire blog.

Well written, often "Hmm" generating, I'd recommend this to anyone interested in reading something a bit more thought provoking. His writing I can already see influencing my own.

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

adventurous dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Tremendous, as is most anything McCarthy writes. An exploration of life and death and societal change and fate and individual agency.

Searching for Bobby Fischer: The World of Chess, Observed by the Father of a Child Prodigy by Fred Waitzkin

informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

A fascinating look into the world of obsession and the lives of exceptional children and their parents. The prose was more than a bit stilted and cold as was the author himself (my impression), but the story of their lives is engaging and truly very unique.

(Note, the book is a very different animal from the movie. The movie is spectacular, by the way.)

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Savage Bounty by Matt Wallace

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Fantasy, but light on the fantastical, this series is a real breath of fresh air. Fantasy for adults, one might say. It has a narrative that evokes Asimov to me for some reason. I really enjoy this series and hope that book 3 is not too far behind. Recommend.

Criticism of the publisher: really wish the publisher would produce hardcovers for books 2 and 3 and not just for book 1. It's just unprofessional. Commit or don't commit, not something in between. Or hell, give the author self-publishing rights to the hardcovers if you won't follow through.

Oh! Not that it matters all that much, but the covers are just bitchin'!

The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

adventurous inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Savage Legion by Matt Wallace

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A unique and fascinating premise. Fantasy without being fantasy, and brutal, and intellectual, and clever. ... and fully realized characters for whom you really care about. RECOMMEND.

Blood of the Innocents by Michael Jecks

adventurous dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Blood of the Innocents completes an outstanding three-book saga. The story follows a company of English archers throughout a brutal campaign rampaging across France during the Hundred Years War. Berenger Fripper, a vintener (think: first sergeant or company commander), anchors the storyline as he wrestles with both his internal and external struggles with the horror of war—especially war of this time—and how it has affected him, the landscape, the people, and his compatriots. The exploration of the inanity and failed logic of why we fight, which is then expertly painted with a grim backdrop of debased humanity, is a fascinating throughline. Each book improves upon the last and the story will stick with you for a long time to come. Jecks really nails this. 

The Wahls Protocol: How I Beat Progressive MS Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine by Terry Wahls, Eve Adamson

challenging hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

4.0

An inspiring story and the how-to to go with it. Attack your chronic health issues by cleaning up your diet. More importantly, do it intentionally with a better understanding of the science behind every bite you eat.