Fiction

  • The Bright Side of Going Dark, Kelly Harms
  • Needful Things, Stephen King
  • Love Story, Erich Segal
  • Valley of the Dolls, Jacqueline Susann
  • The Testaments, Margaret Atwood
  • Beach Read, Emily Henry
  • Followers, Megan Angelo
  • The Chanel Sisters, 

Non-Fiction

  • King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa, Adam Hochschild
  • 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, Jordan Peterson
  • Call Sign Chaos, General James Mattis and Bing West

Fiction

The Bright Side of Going Dark, Kelly Harms

From Amazon

As one of the most popular influencers on social media, Mia Bell has lived her life online for years. With her celebrity dog and gorgeous fiancé, she is planning the ultimate virtual wedding—expensive, elaborate, and entirely paid for by sponsors. But off-camera, her world is far from picture perfect. After being jilted by her fiancé and faking her nuptials to please her sponsors, Mia finally has had enough. She heaves her phone off a cliff, ready to live—and maybe find love—offline for a change.

Mia’s sudden absence doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by techie loner Paige Miller, who hacks Mia’s account and begins impersonating the internet celebrity. Paige has her reasons. Her half sister, Jessica, idolizes Mia and desperately needs something to believe in. If taking over Mia’s online persona is Paige’s only means of connecting to her sister, so be it.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t love the characters in this book but I think that the author provides a different perspective on influencers, tech addiction, the real-life consequences of living a life online and its impact on others, and how going offline can be the best thing we can do for to actually have a life.

Warning: Suicide Ideation is present in this book 

Needful Things, Stephen King

From Amazon

Master storyteller Stephen King presents the classic #1 New York Times bestseller about a mysterious store than can sell you whatever you desire—but not without exacting a terrible price in return.

Everyone in town seems willing to make a deal at Needful Things, but the devil is in the details. And no one takes heed of the little sign hanging on the wall: Caveat emptor. In other words, let the buyer beware…

I read this book when I was in my 20’s and found it entertaining and chilling.  I was having an internal struggle and then I had a dream where this book was mentioned so I decided to re-read the book.

This time I caught all types of religious symbolism in the book, but it also provided me with an epiphany about my internal struggle.

Desires can become “Needful Things” and then it becomes easy for dark forces to exploit those desires and completely derail our lives with terrible consequences.

Love Story, Erich Segal

This is the story of Oliver Barrett IV, a rich jock from a stuffy WASP family on his way to a Harvard degree and a career in law, and Jenny Cavilleri, a wisecracking working-class beauty studying music at Radcliffe.

Opposites in nearly every way, Oliver and Jenny are kindred spirits from vastly different worlds. Their attraction to each other is immediate and powerful, and together they share a love that defies everything.  (From Amazon)

I admit I never saw the movie but I have heard the famous line from both the movie and the film.

Love means never having to say you’re sorry

While I totally disagree with this statement when it comes to my personal belief system, I get it in the context of the story.

This book is a short read but you still get to know Oliver and Jennifer well enough to be invested in their story.

I like romances that end happily ever after because it provides escapism and this is not escapism. This does not end happily ever after but it does embody the famous quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson

“It is better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all”

Valley of the Dolls, Jacqueline Susann

At a time when women were destined to become housewives, Jacqueline Susann let us dream. Anne, Neely, and Jennifer become best friends as struggling young women in New York City trying to make their mark. Eventually, they climb their way to the top of the entertainment industry only to find that there’s no place left to go but down, into the Valley of the Dolls.

Valley of the Dolls is considered a Pop Culture classic and the movie version starring the likes of Sharon Tate and Patty Duke is a campy classic as well.

You can imagine that this book would have been completely shocking to readers in the 1960s with same-sex love affairs and open talk of abortion.

In my opinion, the shocking thing about Valley of the Dolls is that the story of what happened to Neely, Jennifer, and Anne is timeless. I thought about several of my favorite fallen stars while reading it.

After reading Valley of the Dolls, I came away with two thoughts

Life is about Trade-Offs.  What do you want and what are you willing to give up to get it?

Nothing is as glamorous as it is portrayed to be when it comes to the business of entertainment

This story about the trappings and price of fame and fortune is set in the 1940s but it could have easily taken place in the 21st century.

if we knew the truth of what happens behind the scenes with celebrities, then celebrity worship and idolization would not be as prevalent.

We the public are none the wiser of celebrity torment until the celebrity goes into a downward spiral or meets a tragic end.

This is the type of book I love to read when I travel. It’s a perfect read for the airplane or the pool.  Riveting story and doesn’t require too much thinking!

The Testaments, Margaret Atwood

More than fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, the theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead maintains its grip on power, but there are signs it is beginning to rot from within. At this crucial moment, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results.
 
Two have grown up as part of the first generation to come of age in the new order. The testimonies of these two young women are joined by a third: Aunt Lydia.  Her complex past and uncertain future unfold in surprising and pivotal ways.

With The Testaments, Margaret Atwood opens up the innermost workings of Gilead, as each woman is forced to come to terms with who she is, and how far she will go for what she believes.

“This book is worrisome because the events that take place in this novel are no longer out of the realm of possibility,” I told one of my clients.

In the past when I read dystopian novels, I would wonder “What if that really happened?”

Now I think, “I can see this happening.  People are easily misled and they’re holding out for a hero.  When people begin to feel hopeless this is how extremism takes hold.”

I did enjoy The Handmaid’s Tale and like many readers, I wanted to know more about Gilead.  How did the United States fall and become Gilead?  Who was this new group in power?  Was there any hope for women trapped in this theocracy?

In The Handmaid’s Tale, Aunt Lydia did not seem like a very sympathetic character but I did appreciate her character development in The Testament.

I’ll admit the book started out a little slow but soon I found myself drawn into the story about the origins of Gilead and imagining how a theocratic government could suddenly come to power.

I have not watched the television show because I wanted to finish both the Handmaid Tale and The Testaments before I saw the visual adaptation of the story.

One of my biggest takeaways from the story is that coups do not happen overnight.  It’s a slow smoldering over time as the goalposts start moving of what is acceptable within society.

Beach Read, Emily Henry

From Amazon

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.

They’re polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.

Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

While this book is a romantic comedy, if you have ever had any writing aspirations, then I think you should read this book.  Author of Beach read Emily Henry said

When friends ask me what Beach Read is about, I tell them it’s about a disillusioned romance author and a literary fiction writer who make a deal to swap genres for the summer. When other writers ask me what Beach Read is about, I tell them it’s about writer’s block.

The person who recommended this book to me is someone with an interest in writing like myself.  As we discussed the book, it wasn’t just about the romantic story (which is great because it has so much depth and truth to it) but about the writing process. There’s so much that goes into writing stories and even if you’re not a writer, all of us can be accused of making up stories about our lives.

This book has a number of different themes such as grief, forgiveness, and even generational cycles.  I would also like to give a shout-out to the author for including diversity without it being forced. Her vivid storytelling set the scene for the character’s stories extremely well.

I will definitely be checking out more of this author’s work in the future!

Warning: Sexual Content is present in this book.

 

Followers, Megan Angelo

What consequences will our current internet-obsessed society face in the future?  What will social media look like in the year 2050?

Megan Angelo’s novel Followers speculates about what a perfectly curated future will look like in order to sell products.

I have to say that I found myself cringing reading this book because in many ways we’re already marching happily toward this dystopian future where the government controls social media in order to control its citizens and sell products.

This is a good read to ask yourself, “What if this happens…”

From Amazon:

Orla Cadden is a budding novelist stuck in a dead-end job, writing clickbait about movie-star hookups and influencer yoga moves. Then Orla meets Floss—a striving, wannabe A-lister—who comes up with a plan for launching them both into the high-profile lives they dream about. So what if Orla and Floss’s methods are a little shady—and sometimes people get hurt? Their legions of followers can’t be wrong.

Thirty-five years later, in a closed California village where government-appointed celebrities live every moment of the day on camera, a woman named Marlow discovers a shattering secret about her past. Despite her massive popularity—twelve million loyal followers—Marlow dreams of fleeing the corporate sponsors who would do anything to keep her on-screen. When she learns that her whole family history is based on a lie, Marlow finally summons the courage to run in search of the truth, no matter the risks.

Followers traces the paths of Orla, Floss and Marlow as they wind through time toward each other, and toward a cataclysmic event that sends America into lasting upheaval. At turns wry and tender, bleak and hopeful, this darkly funny story reminds us that even if we obsess over famous people we’ll never meet, what we really crave is genuine human connection.

The Chanel Sisters,  Judithe Little

Once I hit 25 I made the decision that I  should always have at least one Chanel perfume in my arsenal at all times…LOL.  My favorite Chanel fragrances are Mademoiselle, Chance, and Coco.

Combine this with my love of historical fiction and I found the story of the Chanel Sisters quite enjoyable.  I did not know much about Fashion Icon Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s background so this was a good introduction.  Coco Chanel did exaggerate and hide a lot about her background so people don’t know the exact details of her upbringing.

This book is narrated by Coco’s sister Antoinette and so we get to see the origins of Chanel through her eyes and the sister’s quest for “Something Better.”

While the book is based on real events,  it’s not a biography or a memoir. This book stops before World War 2 so Coco Chanel’s involvement with the Nazis is not discussed.  Definitely a wine and cheese plate or travel novel.

From Amazon

Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their family at a young age, they’ve grown up under the guidance of nuns preparing them for simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers. At night, their secret stash of romantic novels and magazine cutouts beneath the floorboards are all they have to keep their dreams of the future alive.

The walls of the convent can’t shield them forever, and when they’re finally of age, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them. Their journey propels them out of poverty and to the stylish cafés of Moulins, the dazzling performance halls of Vichy—and to a small hat shop on the rue Cambon in Paris, where a boutique business takes hold and expands to the glamorous French resort towns.

But the sisters’ lives are again thrown into turmoil when World War I breaks out, forcing them to make irrevocable choices, and they’ll have to gather the courage to fashion their own places in the world, even if apart from each other.

Non-Fiction

  • King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa, Adam Hochschild
  • 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, Jordan Peterson
  • Call Sign Chaos, General James Mattis and Bing West

King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa, Adam Hochschild

Hands down, this is one of the best historical books I have ever read. This book reads like a novel and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Adam Hochschild provides thorough character development of these real-life figures such as the explorer Henry Morton Stanley (of Dr. Livingstone I presume fame) and of course Belgian King Leopold II who was determined to colonize The Congo. He made a fortune pillaging ivory, rubber, and building a railway system all built with human capital.

Most importantly Hochschild does not shrink back from writing about the HORRORS that the Congolese people experienced for the sake of greed.  Hochschild also does an excellent job of covering the movement to liberate the Congo from the genocidal colonizers. In every story like this, it’s always encouraging to read about the people who were on the side of freedom, justice, and humanity.

Before reading this book, I was unfamiliar with the atrocities that were committed in the Congo. All I knew was that the nation seemed to be embroiled in constant conflict but this provides historical context for why this is so.

While it wasn’t “technically slavery” the Congolese people were brutalized, exploited, and left to pick up the pieces.

As a side note, One of the biggest surprises, while I was reading this book, was discovering the existence of  U.S. President Chester Arthur. In all my years of education, I had never heard of him and had to look him up.

It is estimated King Leopold II of Belgium made $1.1 Billion dollars during his occupation of the Congo in the late 19th century/20th century.

Nobody really knows how many people were killed during King Leopold’s reign but estimates are that the population dropped by 10 million people.

10 million people

It is a disgrace that we are not taught about what happened in the Congo because this story of this holocaust and destruction needs to be told.

This is a difficult but necessary read.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, Jordan Peterson

From Amazon.com


Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson’s answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.

Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.

What does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? Why did ancient Egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? What dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful?

Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world’s wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 Rules for Life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers.

Jordan B. Peterson has been called one of the most influential intellectuals of our time.  He has gained quite a following on YouTube and other social media channels because he challenges a lot of post modern thinking.

Dr. Peterson seems to have struck a chord with young men in particular who are feeling lost and aimless.  After reading the first chapter, I suspect that the reason young men like Peterson is because he offers them hope.

The message from society seems to be: “If you’re a loser, then you’re destined to always be a loser.”  Peterson’s message is: “If you’re a loser, then stand up straight. You don’t have to stay at the bottom.  There is hope for change if you’re willing to put in time and effort.” That’s something young men who are struggling need to hear instead of constant criticism or even worse coddling.

There were some parts of the book where I thought Dr. Peterson rambled too much it especially when talking about philosophy, religion, and historical background but I suspect that was to give a foundation and context for his points.

This is a challenging read especially in a post-modern society but I think it’s a worthwhile read if you like to be challenged in your thinking and beliefs.

Call Sign Chaos: James Mattis and Bing West

From Amazon

[General James] Mattis divides his book into three parts: Direct Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. In the first part, Mattis recalls his early experiences leading Marines into battle, when he knew his troops as well as his own brothers. In the second part, he explores what it means to command thousands of troops and how to adapt your leadership style to ensure your intent is understood by your most junior troops so that they can own their mission. In the third part, Mattis describes the challenges and techniques of leadership at the strategic level, where military leaders reconcile war’s grim realities with political leaders’ human aspirations, where complexity reigns and the consequences of imprudence are severe, even catastrophic.

The Military is what will save our country from its politicians

Those were my thoughts as I read this incredible memoir by Former Secretary of Defense, General James “Mad Dog” Mattis.

General Mattis is not only truthful about missions that the United States has undertaken which may not have been well executed, but he also shows humility by reiterating that he obeys the Commander in Chief despite how he may feel about the mission.  (I did like that some of my suspicions about some of our overseas conflicts were basically confirmed in this book.

What impressed me most reading this book was  General Mattis’ vast knowledge and commitment to studying history and being well prepared.  As King Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. Methods may have changed but the tactics and objectives have not.  What would happen if our politicians were as well studied and prepared as our Generals?

If you want the fewest big regrets when surprise strikes, you must provide, ahead of time, the doctrine and resources to respond. – Sec James Mattis

This is more than likely why we have not had a General as President since Eisenhower.

This is definitely worth a read especially if you’re in any type of leadership capacity. He truly encapsulates what it means to lead by example and to be about leading your team.

This book. along with actions taken by Generals and our former Secretaries of Defense, made me realize that if push ever comes to shove our military and its commitment to the constitution is what will save our country from its politicians.