Tag: Book review

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A Parade of Horribles, by Matt Dinniman (Book Review)

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A Parade of Horribles narrows the dungeon mechanics while widening the themes. Between Stoic reflections on the danger of living in “what ifs,” Carl’s increasingly volatile anger, Sluggalo philosophy, karaoke violence and the usual end-of-book chaos, DCC continues to turn absurdity into something strangely profound. Eight books in, the series feels less like humans versus aliens and more like a story about oppressed people learning how to recognize, resist and eventually break the systems built to control them. Continue reading A Parade of Horribles, by Matt Dinniman (Book Review)

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This Inevitable Ruin, by Matt Dinniman (Book Review)

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This Inevitable Ruin may be my favorite Dungeon Crawler Carl book yet. By this point, the series has evolved far beyond humans versus aliens into something bigger: the oppressed versus the oppressors, former crawlers passing down resistance, Carl becoming a reluctant leader, and DCC somehow making screaming goats, galactic politics, emotional trauma and dick jokes all feel like parts of the same story. Continue reading This Inevitable Ruin, by Matt Dinniman (Book Review)

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The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson

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I went into *The Almanack of Naval Ravikant* expecting a business or self-help book and came away thinking about wealth, time, habits, happiness, meditation, legacy and what makes a life well lived. This is philosophy wearing a Silicon Valley nametag, and one I suspect only fully works when the reader is ready to meet it halfway. 10 of 10 stars. Continue reading The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson

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The Soul of Baseball by Joe Posnanski

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Joe Posnanski’s The Soul of Baseball is more than a sports book—it’s a road trip through memory, legacy, and love for the game, told through the incomparable voice of Buck O’Neill. Posnanski spends a year traveling with Buck late in his life as the 93-year-old ambassador tours the country keeping the memory of the Negro Leagues alive. Buck is a natural-born storyteller, charming every crowd and every reader with his warmth and grace. But beneath that joy runs a quiet ache—he’s outlived nearly everyone he played alongside, and the burden of preserving their stories now rests on his shoulders alone. … Continue reading The Soul of Baseball by Joe Posnanski

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Comic Review: The Old Guard by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández

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Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández’s The Old Guard began as a sharp, tightly written comic series before spinning into a multimedia franchise that includes the popular Netflix films. Having come to the comics after watching the first movie—a personal favorite for both me and my wife—I found myself reading them with Charlize Theron’s Andy and the rest of the cinematic team already in mind. That context colored the experience, for better and for worse. The First Series: A Strong Start The opening series of The Old Guard delivers everything you’d hope for in an immortal-mercenary saga: gritty action, complex characters, … Continue reading Comic Review: The Old Guard by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández

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Book Review: Babylonia by Costanza Casati

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Costanza Casati’s Babylonia is a modern retelling that moves fluidly between the worlds of history and myth. At its heart lies Semiramis, the legendary Assyrian queen whose reputation has been maligned in centuries of ancient texts as the “whore queen.” Casati flips that narrative on its head, offering instead a nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of a woman whose power, cunning, and humanity resonate across the ages. Reframing a Legend One of the most compelling aspects of Babylonia is the way Casati re-frames Semiramis. Rather than leaning on the lurid accusations of antiquity, the book positions her as a figure of … Continue reading Book Review: Babylonia by Costanza Casati

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Book Review: Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk

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Published: 2018 Blurb Four-time New York Times bestselling author Gary Vaynerchuk offers new lessons and inspiration drawn from the experiences of dozens of influencers and entrepreneurs who rejected the predictable corporate path in favor of pursuing their dreams by building thriving businesses and extraordinary personal brands. In his 2009 international bestseller Crush It, Gary insisted that a vibrant personal brand was crucial to entrepreneurial success, In Crushing It!, Gary explains why that’s even more true today, offering his unique perspective on what has changed and what principles remain timeless. He also shares stories from other entrepreneurs who have grown wealthier—and not just financially—than they ever imagined … Continue reading Book Review: Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk