kurtliske's reviews
68 reviews

Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee

4.0

Solid, but wordy, read. I gained a lot by reading this, and I can see why so many hold it in high regard. 

McKee, despite repeatedly emphasizing the critical importance of the economy of words, seems to have missed those parts of his book. Feels like this could have been 25% shorter and still made the same impact. Maybe it’s a show business thing…

Satisfied: Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption by Jeff Manion

3.5

Solid reminder(s) of what matters most in life. As a book it felt slightly… scattered or perhaps incomplete. The principles and perspective it provides are solid though and I’m glad I read it. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Called by God by Elizabeth Raum

3.75

The book and the writing: OK.
The subject matter: remarkable. 

This was my first meaningful encounter with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and while the book itself was… passable, I found the story of Bonhoeffer compelling and honestly, inspiring. From privilege to pastor, from pacifist to resistance fighter in Hitler’s Germany — Bonhoeffer’s story is one to learn. I’m glad I read this book, it’s provided me with much to think about. 

The Shining by Stephen King

4.25

My first time reading anything by S. King. Not my preferred genre I have discovered, but I can absolutely see why King is considered best in class. Two things most standout to me 1. his way with words, particularly the intense clarity he's able to convey (and also I greatly appreciated the frequent, and often unique, metaphors). But also, 2. King clearly knows how to weave together numerous threads of storyline. Both of these factors created a sense of great depth that I appreciated. I won't be rushing to to read more horror or even other Stephen King novels, but I'm glad I've read this. The man knows how to write and I certainly appreciate that.

Good Poems: Selected and Introduced by Garrison Keillor by Garrison Keillor

4.25

Found this for a buck,
grabbed it on a whim. 
Picked it up, opened it up and discovered… 
I might like poetry. 

Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein

4.0

Read as a follow up to Thinking, Fast and Slow by D. Kahneman. Solid book that drives home, more than anything else, the power of the default choice. I appreciated the Econs vs Humans analogy which helped confirm what I think many of us know all too well — human beings are not logical, Spock-like creatures despite what economists would like you to believe. We are quite fallible and susceptible to influences such as ‘bounded reality,’ ‘self-control problems,’ and, of course, ‘social influences.’ It was a strong book both made me further appreciate but also better understand the real-world limits of libertarianism. I’m not certain I’m ready to consider myself a Paternalistic Libertarian but I have a much better scope of libertarianism having read this book. 

Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money by Dave Ramsey, Rachel Cruze

4.0

Solid advice. Been on the Ramsey Total Money Makeover regimen for years, it works and this is a logical extension of that. The style of delivery in this book no longer appeals in any great way to me personally, but the principles, concepts and tactics in the book are absolutely valid irrespective of writing style. 

The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter

4.25

Motivation read. Lots of anecdotes. Really appreciate the through story of a backcountry trip with Donnie Vincent. 

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

3.0

My first Hemingway novel. I wanted to like it, but it was just… meh. Covers a lot of ground, but I just didn’t care for the minimalist narrative style. Felt like low level work to finish this book. If it wasn’t the famed Ernest Hemingway I think I probably would have given up on this book. 

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

4.75

A firehose of knowledge. System 1, System 2, heuristics, framing, coherence, and so. much. more. I've known for some time that this book has been the source material for a variety of other books and authors I've read. Now I understand why. The world suddenly seems, slightly different when see through the various lenses that Kahneman describes. Lots of insight in this book, lots to be applied. Lots of come back too as I move forward on various projects, tasks, and interactions.