Review: The Tale Teller: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel: The Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novels, book 5

The Tale Teller: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel: The Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novels, book 5 by Anne Hillerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another entertaining little bundle of mysteries on the reservation. Here, Hillerman has her three main characters involved in cases that end up being related. This kind of thing has a tendency to happen in her stories… Most interesting to me was Joe Leaphorn’s case involving what appears to be a priceless heirloom of the Native American past, a donation to a museum, that goes missing in transit. Here Joe investigates the way he used to investigate police cases, but you also see the personal side, where he is dealing with medical problems and relationship issues. In fact, relationships are more a part of this and the last few Hillerman stories than in previous ones. Perhaps Anne is adding her fingerprints to the series in this way. Again, I read this as a digression from other kinds of books, and, even though the plot was a bit convoluted, it was a good diversion. Looking forward to the next one.

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Review: Bogle On Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor

Bogle On Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor by John C. Bogle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If you've read any of Bogle's other, shorter books on mutual funds, and you have an interest in the markets and some history investing, you probably already know what this book is about. I'd say this is about the same as Bogle's other books, but more so. More pages, more details, and more, albeit similar pronouncements. Here he explains stock mutual fund investing, but also bond mutual funds and money markets. I listened to this on audio, free from the jarring charts and tables that must have filled many a page in the paper version of the book. Did I miss those reference items? Yes, the audio version was more difficult to follow without referencing those items. Keep that in mind. I suspect I'd rate this higher were those reference items been described in the audio version.

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Review: The Gifts of Imperfection

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having read a large number of similar books over the years, I find that the lessons provided rarely strike me as something new. What is memorable about these books, at least the ones that aren’t big on sharing research, is the personality of the author and their stories. Here Brown shines as a big personality not afraid of making big pronouncements. And for a book like this, that is a good thing. Probably not enough, but good as it makes it easy to read through all the lessons presented.

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Review: Radiant Shimmering Light

Radiant Shimmering Light by Sarah Selecky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version, and maybe that was a mistake. The main character speaks in what I would term something like “modern self-help babble” mixed with social media speak. It’s the kind of talk I’ve heard some friends of friends regress into, a mood of “what I do is so obvious” but in an unintentionally droll yet overbearing manner. It’s not fun to listen to this character’s thoughts. I took this as a satire of this kind of person, who levels-up in self help at the end of the book, without giving the reader enough definitive examples of growth. It was fun, in its way, though annoying and sad on reflection. I’d try the author again.

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Review: A Private Cathedral

A Private Cathedral by James Lee Burke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have read all but one of James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux novels, and I still find that I enjoy the writing. His description of the swamps and bayous and bars and fishing boats and mansions are like Westerns, where place becomes as important as characters. Characters are where Burke is wearing out his welcome, though. Or more plot. The last more than half dozen Robicheaux books have a killer with what seems to be supernatural powers that tend to show up about halfway into the story and disappear before the finale. This killer is usually not the focus of the book, but at times you feel like you’ve wandered into a bayou version of the old TV show “The Night Stalker”. Burke’s bad guys are usually rich and connected. And almost every one of his plots involve musicians or actors. This book followed his formula. And I’m hoping it’s out of Burke’s system. I can't bring myself to say this was just OK, so I'll give it 3 stars based on the descriptive writing and the narration of the audiobook by the always awesome Will Patton.

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Review: Playing for Their Lives: The Global El Sistema Movement for Social Change Through Music

Playing for Their Lives: The Global El Sistema Movement for Social Change Through Music by Tricia Tunstall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Quite an interesting story about community bands consisting of youth, becoming popular throughout the world. The book describes the history of the “el Sistema movement”, starting in Venezuela and growing in cities throughout the world. The idea is that professional musicians can give back to their community by leading a band of youth. The band tends to provide the instruments, the training, and the opportunities to play before audiences. The youth involved in the project gain by being involved as integral parts of a group endeavor, by learning that they can learn something new, and by learning new habits related to practice aiming at mastery. These last benefits of the program are the focus of the book. The authors claim that youth involved in these student bands and orchestras are less likely to be involved in the bad things happening in a community, like gangs. In some cases, the kids can choose gang life or being in a band. Story after story, in cities across the globe, the same benefits surface. The author does a good job of describing the good that the program can accomplish. It was kind of humorous to read the author repeat quite a few times that there hasn’t been time to objectively measure the benefits of the program, so they have to focus on the subjective and on stories. It struck me as humorous because I was picturing some similar types of programs that have similar social goals and results. For example, chess clubs could be another type of project used for social good, providing many of the same benefits mentioned above with the band project, but without, perhaps, the performance aspect and the emotion. Emotion, you say? The authors focus on the emotional aspects of playing and understanding music, providing another possible benefit of increasing the emotional intelligence of youth.

I was reminded of the musical “The Music Man” when reading this book. While the musical revolved around an itinerant bandleader with questionable intentions, he sold a town on a community youth band. And he presented similar benefits to the community as El Sistema present here. If pool halls were in the same league as gangs…


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Review: Microshelters: 59 Creative Cabins, Tiny Houses, Tree Houses, and Other Small Structures

Microshelters: 59 Creative Cabins, Tiny Houses, Tree Houses, and Other Small Structures by Derek "Deek" Diedricksen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was expecting to see plenty of pictures that really explained what made these structures interesting. You get some of that here, with each structure getting from 2 to 5 or so pictures. But many were just glossed over with one exterior and one interior shot. Sure, some were pretty self explanatory, like the glass box treehouse that contained only a desk and chair, but that steamed up when running it as a sauna. There are a lot of odd little structures here. While it starts with most being “tiny houses” on the smaller end, it ends with treehouses, children’s playhouses, and sheds. Many of these structures were built by the author, who enjoys using found building materials and using items in new ways. For instance in various builds he shows using wine bottles, 5 gallon water bottles, and IKEA fruit bowls as windows cut into the sides or floor of structures. What I thought of while browsing through the pictures of most of these structures was how to keep insects and other critters out. I didn’t catch the author covering that… The book ends with some discussion of typical tools used, generally non-powered hand tools that the author says aren’t widely available any more. Seems strange. There are also more detailed plans of 6 of the units here, showing roughly how they are built and the kinds of materials needed. It’s a good book to get an idea of what to do with a small structure that may be used for purposes like a spare bedroom, a small and incomplete living unit, a lonely writers garret, or a play area. I would have liked to see some more info on practical things like installing indoor plumbing and electrical service, pest-proofing, storage, and building with purchased materials instead of found.

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