Saturday, January 31, 2009

Mountain Rescue Doctor - Christopher Van Tilburg

Mountain Rescue Doctor: Wilderness Medicine in the Extremes of Nature Mountain Rescue Doctor: Wilderness Medicine in the Extremes of Nature by Christopher Van Tilburg


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
The reason I gave this 4 stars is that it's set in my backyard, Mt Hood area. The author is an ER doc in Hood River who volunteers with the Crag Rats, a search and rescue organization. Many of the locations and specific search efforts he describes are familiar to me.


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Bridge of Sighs - Richard Russo (audio)

Bridge of Sighs Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
I listened to this long (21 CDs) audiobook. It's about a small town in upstate NY and the interactions of two boys as they grow up and apart and their relationship with a girl. Surprising tidbits are revealed along they way about various characters in the town and the main character's family. Read it if you have the patience, it's almost 700 pages.


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Saturday, January 24, 2009

How Starbucks Saved My Life - Michael Gates Gill

How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else by Michael Gates Gill


My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
Really great book, and even though I always call Starbucks "The Devil" I must admit that they sound like a great employer. True story of a man who was fired from his high-powered advertising job. After no success consulting, he desparately took an entry level position at Starbucks and came to realize the importance of connecting with people. Power and money aren't everything.


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Friday, January 23, 2009

Christmas Celebration

Jill and Nathan came up on the train on New Years. We celebrated Christmas and Nathan's bday since we didn't see them earlier.

Lamb - Christopher Moore

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore


My review


rating: 3 of 5 stars
It took me longer to finish this book than I planned. The main character, Biff, wasn't that interesting to me and I didn't care for the way he told the story.



If you're easily offended by a take on Jesus' life that's different than you're used to, don't read this book. There were parts that made me unconfortable, but it did make me think.


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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Doubt - John Shanley

Doubt: A Parable Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley


My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first drama (play) I've read since high school with its requisite Shakespeare plays. It won the Pulitzer for drama, was on Broadway for a number of years and was just made into a movie with Meryl-Streep as the lead actress (she won the critics choice award).



Only 57 pages, but packed with intesity. Can't wait to see the movie.


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The Purpose for Christmas - Rick Warren

The Purpose of Christmas The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren


My review


rating: 3 of 5 stars
Rehash of basic Christian ideas. I did enjoy the last section on finding Peace in your life.


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Monday, January 05, 2009

The Last Chinese Chef - Nicole Mones

The Last Chinese Chef The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very enjoyable book. Loved the description of how Chinese cuisine is all about relationships. That's what good food should be about.


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Thursday, January 01, 2009

1776 - David McCullough (Audiobook)

1776 1776 by David McCullough


My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
I listened to this audio book driving back and forth from Seattle and from the hospital where my mom had hip surgery (20+ miles from home).



American History is fascinating and I don't understand why our school curriculum isn't able to tell the story in a way that's interesting to children and young adults



1776 is about the American Revolution, focusing on George Washington as general. It's amazing that the undisciplined, suffering American army was able to win this war. The British troops were well fed and housed and outnumbered the Americans by a huge margin. Nonetheless, they were outwitted in the end.



I would recommend this as a compliment to the miniseries or book, John Adams.


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