This Naked Mind by Annie Grace

This Naked Mind My Rating:  4.5

Many people question whether drinking has become too big a part of their lives, and worry that it may even be affecting their health. But, they resist change because they fear losing the pleasure and stress-relief associated with alcohol, and assume giving it up will involve deprivation and misery.

This Naked Mind offers a refreshing and compassionate alternative. In this book, Grace clearly explains the psychological and neurological aspects of alcohol use using current science. She also exposes the powerful cultural, social, and industry influences that normalize and encourage drinking in all of us. Woven throughout are surprising insights into why we drink, along with Annie’s candid and compelling personal story. The book shines a light on the role alcohol plays in our culture—and how the stigma surrounding alcoholism and recovery prevents many people from seeking help.

When a gf recommended I read this book I was skeptical. I am a very casual drinker and very rarely is it social. Still, I was open minded enough to give it a try. I enjoyed this book and it is making me look at things differently. Marketing affects every part of our lives and alcohol is no different. When you have your eyes opened, you can't unsee. I am not saying I won't continue to drink but, more and more, my unconscious mind is quieted as I choose to reach for a mocktail when I would have grabbed a glass of wine. 

Entrances and Exits by Michael Richards

 Entrances and Exits  My Rating: 3.0

The man who brought the kavorka to the Seinfeld show through one of the most remarkable and beloved television characters ever invented, Kramer, shares the extraordinary life of a comedy genius—the way he came into himself as an artist, the ups and downs as a human being, the road he has traveled in search of understanding.

“The hair, so essential, symbolizes the irrational that was and is and always will be the underlying feature not only of Kramer but of comedy itself. This seemingly senseless spirit has been coursing through me since childhood. I’ve been under its almighty influence since the day I came into this world. I felt it all within myself, especially the physical comedy, the body movements, so freakish and undignified, where I bumped into things, knocked stuff down, messed up situations, and often ended up on my ass.

“This book is a hymn to the irrational, the senseless spirit that breaks the whole into pieces, a reflection on the seemingly absurd difficulties that intrude upon us all. It’s Harpo Marx turning us about, shaking up my plans, throwing me for a loop. Upset and turmoil is with us all the time. It’s at the basis of comedy. It’s the pratfall we all take. It’s the unavoidable mistake we didn’t expect. It’s everywhere I go. It’s in the way that I am, both light and dark, good and not-so-good. It’s my life.”

Who doesn’t love Kramer? The Seinfeld stories in this memoir are hilarious and had us laughing out loud in the car. But much of the book dives into deep existential and spiritual territory—what we’d call “woo-woo” rabbit holes—which made parts of it feel more like a philosophical lecture than a memoir. Richards, like many comedians, seems to be a tortured soul. While his narration on audio is heartfelt, the pacing dragged at times. Worth it for Seinfeld fans, but be ready for a very introspective ride.

Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance

My Rating: 4.6

Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and innovator behind SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity, sold one of his internet companies, PayPal, for $1.5 billion. Ashlee Vance captures the full spectacle and arc of the genius's life and work, from his tumultuous upbringing in South Africa and flight to the United States to his dramatic technical innovations and entrepreneurial pursuits. Vance uses Musk's story to explore one of the pressing questions of our age: can the nation of inventors and creators who led the modern world for a century still compete in an age of fierce global competition? He argues that Musk is an amalgam of legendary inventors and industrialists including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes, and Steve Jobs. More than any other entrepreneur today, Musk has dedicated his energies and his own vast fortune to inventing a future that is as rich and far-reaching as the visionaries of the golden age of science-fiction fantasy

There are things I like about Musk and things I do NOT like about him. I wanted to understand him more so got this audio book for us to listen to. I finished the book admiring him and being leery of him. He is brilliant and cut throat, genius and scary. I am just as divided in my feelings for him as most people who know him intimately. You do have to admire many things about him while also recognizing his many negative traits. Interesting read.

Amity & Prosperity by Eliza Griswold

 My Rating: 3.6

Stacey Haney, a lifelong resident of Amity, Pennsylvania, is struggling to support her children when the fracking boom comes to town. Like most of her neighbors, she sees the energy companies' payments as a windfall. Soon trucks are rumbling down her unpaved road and a fenced-off fracking site rises on adjacent land. But her annoyance gives way to concern and then to fear as domestic animals and pets begin dying and mysterious illnesses strike her family--despite the companies' insistence that nothing is wrong.

Similar to the Erin Brockovitch story, this brings to light all of the horrific impact that fracking has on the people. I am not a big non-fiction fan but this was well told and felt fair and impartial. As others have pointed out, there are some scientific inaccuracies which calls her work in to question. There is a LOT of details - both about the individuals (trying to build up sentiment) and the science (trying to back her case) that I felt the book could have done without. It was an important story but I am surprised that this was a Pulitzer Prize winner. 

Patton by Alan Axelrod

 My Rating: 4.4

George S. Patton was a general who achieved greatness in his field by contradicting his own nature. A cavalryman steeped in romantic military tradition, he nevertheless pulled a reluctant American military into the most advanced realms of highly mobile armored warfare. An autocratic snob, Patton created unparalleled rapport and loyalty with the lowliest private in his command. An outspoken racist, he led the only racially integrated U.S. military unit in World War II. A profoundly insecure individual, he made his Third Army the most self-confident and consistently victorious fighting force in the European theater. An exuberantly profane man, he prayed daily and believed God had destined him for military greatness. Alan Axelrod delivers a fascinating account of Patton's fascinating life and legacy.

There were parts of this that were very interesting. I didn't realize that Patton had so many negative thoughts. Previously, I only thought of him as a strong leader. I had no idea he was so hard on his troops and had some soldiers parents turn against him for his treatment of their sons. I also learned that it is probably a good thing that he died when he did. There were parts of this book that were boring but, overall, I did learn a lot about Patton and history.

The Forever Dog by Rodney Habib and Karen Becker

 My Rating: 4.8

Dogs have been getting sicker and dying younger. This book delves into why and how to fix it. This book focuses on diet and nutrition, movement, environmental exposures, and stress reduction, and can be tailored to the genetic predisposition of particular breeds or mixes. The authors discuss various types of food—including what the commercial manufacturers don’t want us to know—and offer recipes, easy solutions, and tips for making sure our dogs obtain the nutrients they need. Habib and Dr. Becker also explore how external factors we often don’t think about can greatly affect a dog’s overall health and wellbeing, from everyday insults to the body and its physiology, to the role our own lifestyles and our vets’ choices play. Indeed, the health equation works both ways and can travel “up the leash.” 

It is my opinion that more and more people are waking up to the fact that our pet's food is just as corrupt (maybe more?) as human food. Kibble=Cereal. We have fed our dog raw food for quite a while now but, I still learned some things from this book - like adding spices, parsley or cilantro and a few other vegetables. I found the last third of the book to be the most beneficial for me. I believe variety is the best thing for our animals. It also doesn't have to be expensive to feed your dog well. I love that this book even encourages people to start with replacing 10% of your pet's kibble for whole food. No matter which end of the spectrum you are on (100% kibble, 100% raw or somewhere in between), I think everyone can benefit from this book. Anything you can do will help your dog to live healthier and, hopefully longer.

Undoctored by Dr William Davis

My Rating: 4.8

A comprehensive program to reduce, reverse, and cure hundreds of common health conditions and break your dependence on prescription drugs. By applying simple strategies while harnessing the collective wisdom of new online technologies, you can break free of a healthcare industry that puts profits over health. Undoctored is the spark of a new movement in health that places the individual, not the doctor, at the center. His plan contains features like: • A step-by-step guide to eliminating prescription medications • Tips on how to distinguish good medical advice from bad • 42 recipes to guide you through the revolutionary 6-week program

This is everything I believe - that if you eat healthy you don't need a doctor. Doctor's are trained to treat the symptoms, not fix the root cause. A healthy person doesn't need a doctor. I have read a few other books by Dr Davis and love them all. This book is reassuring to know that a doctor recommends the exact same path that I am on.

Killing The Witches by Bill O'Reilly

My Rating: 4.4

Killing the Witches revisits one of the most frightening and inexplicable episodes in American history: the events of 1692 and 1693 in Salem Village, Massachusetts. What began as a mysterious affliction of two young girls who suffered violent fits and exhibited strange behavior soon spread to other young women. Rumors of demonic possession and witchcraft consumed Salem. Soon three women were arrested under suspicion of being witches--but as the hysteria spread, more than 200 people were accused. Thirty were found guilty, twenty were executed, and others died in jail or their lives were ruined. Killing the Witches tells the dramatic history of how the Puritan tradition and the power of early American ministers shaped the origins of the United States, influencing the founding fathers, the American Revolution, and even the Constitutional Convention. The repercussions of Salem continue to the present day, notably in the real-life story behind The Exorcist and in contemporary “witch hunts” driven by social media. The result is a compulsively readable book about good, evil, community panic, and how fear can overwhelm fact and reason.

While this was very informative, I hate the way that O'Reilly's books meander....it started off with Kiling the Witches and next thing was covering the American Revolution and then modern day cancel culture - what? Silly me but when a title of the book says "Kiling The Witches" that is what I expect it to be about. It was all very informative but I just wish he would stay on topic.

Killing The Mob by Bill O'Reilly

 My Rating: 4.5

Tracing the brutal history of 20th Century organized crime in the United States, and the history of the most notorious mob family members bosses. Covering the period from the 1930s to the 1980s, this covers the prohibition-busting bank robbers of the Depression Era, such as John Dillinger, Bonnie & Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby-Face Nelson. In addition, the authors highlight the creation of the Mafia Commission, the power struggles within the “Five Families,” the growth of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover, the mob battles to control Cuba, Las Vegas and Hollywood, as well as the personal war between the U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy and legendary Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa.

I felt like I was listening to a graphic version of the Sopranos. It was crazy how they blackmailed the Kenndy family and felt they had immunity from their crimes. Very interesting detailed account that Mark really enjoyed and I did as well despite feeling that it went on a bit too long and milked some of the stories.

Njuta: Enjoy, Delight In: The Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment by Niki Brantmark

 

My Rating:  4.2

Njuta (pronounced “nyutah”), which means “enjoy” or “delight in,” is the Swedish art of savoring the moment. Focused on finding happiness in even the smallest things, njuta can be applied to every area of life: Daily rituals Creating a comfortable home Nature and friluftsliv (open-air life) Meal times and fika (coffee breaks) Adapting to the seasons Celebrations with family and friends From relishing a quiet moment of comfort to enjoying the beauty of nature or even just reveling in the deliciousness of a favorite snack, you too can do like the Swedes and open your eyes to all of life’s pleasures, no matter how simple.

Maybe it is the fact that I have been blessed to live in European countries but I didn't find anything profound in this book. That being said, it was a good reminder to not let work swallow me up and to make the time for those little wonderful breaks that are the things you will remember about your day.

Fearless by Eric Blehm

My Rating: 4.9

Fearless takes you deep into SEAL Team Six, straight to the heart of one of it's most legendary operators. When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn't know he would die that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan--but he was ready. In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, "I'm not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this Earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me.

FEARLESS is the story of a man of extremes, whose determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It's about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the U.S. military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam's final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice. FEARLESS is the intimate story of a devoted man who was an unlikely hero but a true warrior, described by all who knew him as just that--fearless.

This is less a story about the Navy Deal than it is about the man Adam Brown. It starts with him as a boy growing up in Arkansas and unfolds his life. Even though I knew from the beginning that Adam died, I cried. My heart ached for him and his family. He was such an amazing man and, even though this will sound strange, I will miss him. Definite recommend.

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

My Rating: 4.0

In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe. Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target. One of her relatives was shot. Another was poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more and more Osage were dying under mysterious circumstances, and many of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll rose, the newly created FBI took up the case, and the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try to unravel the mystery. 

This was a hard one to get through as it was written very factually and dry. The writing was very thorough almost to the point of being tedious. I did expect that this book would flow and be more engaging. That being said, this was such a horrific crime that almost got covered up and I think everyone should know what happened.

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

The Many Lives of Mama Love

My Rating: 4.9

No one expects the police to knock on the million-dollar, two-story home of the perfect cul-de-sac housewife. But soccer mom Lara Love Hardin has been hiding a shady she is funding her heroin addiction by stealing her neighbors’ credit cards. Lara is convicted of thirty-two felonies and becomes inmate S32179. She learns that jail is a class system with a power structure that is somewhere between an adolescent sleepover party and Lord of the Flies . Furniture is made from tampon boxes and Snickers bars are currency. But Lara quickly finds the rules and brings love and healing to her fellow inmates as she climbs the social ladder to become the “shot caller,” showing that jailhouse politics aren’t that different from the PTA meetings she used to attend.

This was real and geniune. Despite her admitting all of her behavior, I felt for her. I most especially felt for her children. It was only through her honesty that I got pulled in to this book. I enjoyed the story of her fight to rebuild her life, her relationships and her credibility. Despite the raw honest telling, this had a lot of humor and was an easy read.

Dr Mary's Monkey by Edward T Haslam

My Rating: 4.8

The bizarre death of this nationally known cancer researcher sets the stage for this gripping exposé of medical professionals enmeshed in covert government operations. Following a trail of police reports, FBI files, cancer statistics, and medical journals, this revealing book presents a web of secret-keeping which swept doctors into cover-ups of contaminated polio vaccines, cancer outbreaks, the arrival of the AIDS virus, and a deadly biological weapon tested on both monkeys and humans. Add Lee Harvey Oswald to the cast of this secret bio-weapon project, and this dark tale connects Oswald’s summer of secrets to the intrigue surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy.

Wow, just wow. Not only did Haslam give tons of detailed background research to support all of this theories but the things he uncovered. This is not as much about the JFK assassination as it is about Dr Mary Sherman and David Ferrie with their laboratory full of mice and viles of viruses. I have no doubt that the cancer and AIDs origins and so many other things he revealed are real. This was long and at times the detail on the felt tedious. I am glad we listened to it on audio. There was so much information covered. We knew of a lot of the nefarious things our Government does but this revealed a whole new level. At the end of it we were talking about this and still refer to it in so many conversations. 

Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly

 

Rating: 4.1

In January 1961, as the Cold War escalates, John F. Kennedy struggles to contain the growth of Communism while he learns the hardships, solitude, and temptations of what it means to be president of the United States. In the midst of a 1963 campaign trip to Texas, Kennedy is gunned down by an erratic young drifter named Lee Harvey Oswald. The former Marine Corps sharpshooter escapes the scene, only to be caught and shot dead while in police custody. 

This explores the events leading up to this notorious crime as well as the assassination itself. What it does not explore is many of the other possibilities that are known today about who shot Kennedy and why. Even if O'Reilly didn't want to explore those angles, I felt he could have at least acknowledged that they exist and referred you to other books. That being said, it did a good job of capturing the events leading up to Kennedy's assassination.

Hitler's Last Days by Bill O'Reilly

 My Rating: 4.4

This is an account of the death of one of the most reviled villains of the 20th century—a man whose regime of murder and terror haunts the world even today. Adapted from Bill O'Reilly's historical thriller Killing Patton, this book will have young readers—and grown-ups too—hooked on history. This thoroughly-researched and documented book can be worked into multiple aspects of the common core curriculum.

We enjoyed this despite a lot of the material from O'Reilly's book "Killing Patton" being reused. So much was covered including Russia having a free reign in Berlin. A horrific time in history that we all need to remember.

Supergut by Dr William Davis

 My Rating: 4.8

Because of our highly processed diet, pesticides, and overuse of antibiotics and many other factors, our guts are now missing so many of the good bacteria that we require to be healthy. As a result, many of us have lost control over our health, weight, mood, and even behavior. Super Gut shows us how to eliminate bad bacteria and bring back the “good” bacteria with a four-week plan to reprogram your microbiome. This not only gets to the root of many diseases, but also improves levels of oxytocin (the bonding/happy hormone), brain health, anti-aging, weight loss, mental clarity, and restful sleep. Also included are more than forty recipes, a diet plan, and resources so you can pinpoint your gut issues, correct them, and maintain your long-term health and well-being.

I am a firm believer that disease is caused and cured in the gut. I am a testament to that with curing my 4 auto-immune diseases. I found this book very easy to read and yet packed with so much great information. I think it will be the rare individual that will incorporate all of the ideas but, I think there is something here for everyone. I found some things I used to do (more fiber, chia seeds, etc.) that I am focusing on incorporating back in and some new things (probiotics in my yogurt, green tea). I loved that for most of us, we eat our usual diet and just do a few small additions to have some powerful results. I think everything we can do to help build the good bacteria in our guts is beneficial.

Operation Paper Clip: The Secret Intelligence Program that Brought Nazi Scientists To America by Anne Jacobsen

 My Rating: 4.6

In the chaos following World War II, the US government faced many difficult decisions, including what to do with the Third Reich's scientific minds. These were the brains behind the Nazis' once-indomitable war machine. So began Operation Paperclip, a decades-long, covert project to bring Hitler's scientists and their families to the United States. Many of these men were accused of war crimes, and others had stood trial at Nuremberg; one was convicted of mass murder and slavery. They were also directly responsible for major advances in rocketry, medical treatments, and the US Space Program. Was Operation Paperclip a moral outrage, or did it help America win the Cold War?

This was LONG and I think it could have been edited down a lot. I do appreciate that she wanted to show all of the background and research but I think it could have been edited down a LOT. Still, it was interesting to learn about this time in history. It is definitely a dilemma as to whether we made the right move or not to allow such horrific individuals to escape their crimes and to come to America to help our scientific endeavors. Thanks to Jenna on Instagram shoegaljeana for this recommendation.

The Daughter of Auschwitz by Tova Friedman

My Rating: 4.7

One of the youngest ever survivors, Tova grew up in the ghetto, a Nazi labor camp and then in Auschwitz. This captures the atrocities she witnessed, her near death experiences and most of all, the story of survival.

The audio book is told in a very calm factual way. I think this is good as I couldn't imagine such horrific circumstances being told with a lot of emotion. This was a difficult read but I think so important for us to never forget.

American Kingpin by Nick Bilton

  My Rating: 4.5

Ross Ulbricht, a 26 year old Libertarian programmer launched the ultimate free market: the Silk Road. A clandestine Web site hosted on the Dark Web where anyone could trade anything—drugs, hacking software, forged passports, counterfeit cash, poisons—free of the government’s watchful eye using untraceable bitcoin. After the media started sharing stories on this illegal unmonitored website, the 
Federal Government launched a manhunt for the site's owner who went by the moniker The Dread Pirate Roberts.

While this book went in to a LOT of detail, it helped you understand all the of the Government agents involved and their frustration in trying to capture someone that only existed online. It was a crime unlike any other, both in it's caliber and anonymity. I definitely recommend listening to the audio version to keep you engaged.