December 2024
The holidays are wonderful, terrifying, and crazy. What are your favorite holiday coping mechanisms? We stayed in Wichita this year. Millie was disappointed that we didn’t have a white Christmas. Here we are at the end of the year. Some parts of the year have flown by. My knee rehab felt slower. Just proves that time is relative.
I’ve started compiling my reviews of my favorite series onto its own blog page. Here is the complete Murderbot set. Which collection should I build next?
Each year, I pick my top 5 Fiction and Top 5 Non-Fiction books, as well as my favorite book of the year. There were many to pick from this year. Here’s what I came up with:
Top 5 Non-Fiction Books of 2024
Anyway, here are the books I finished in December and my reviews of them:
Fiction Books
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (Murderbot #6)
Book 6 takes place on Preservation Station, where Murderbot is protecting Doctor Mensah. The action kicks off when Murderbot finds a dead body. Still trying to gain the trust of the station security people, Murderbot plays nice and joins the investigation. Since Murderbot agreed not to hack any of the station systems, the investigation takes a lot more hands-on work. Murderbot scans the murder scene and finds that the body has been cleaned of contact DNA evidence, and also, the victim’s travel bag is missing. The station goes into lockdown, and Murderbot goes hunting for the transport the victim came in on. Murderbot stumbles into the middle of a slave trafficking ring and realizes the dead human was in charge of helping some former slaves who were being moved to freedom. Murderbot rescues the refugees, arrests some of the smugglers, and gets shot in the process. Finally, Murderbot confronts the combatbot, who is the murderer, and shuts it down before anyone else gets hurt. By solving the murder, Murderbot gains the respect of the station security chief and agrees to help if needed in the future.
This book is for space crime solvers, hackers, and humanitarians.
(Rated R, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Kevin R. Free, 4:24)
System Collapse by Martha Wells (Murderbot #7)
Murderbot is finally back for book seven. Murderbot is a SecUnit, which is a hybrid robot/human construct designed to protect humans from all the dumb things they do to themselves and others, as well as all the things in the universe that can kill them. In this story, Murderbot is working with his humans and ART to protect a colony of humans from the evil corporation, Barish-Estranza, who is trying to round them up and make them slaves. The plot is pretty straightforward, but the way it is told through Murderbot’s thoughts/experiences makes it fluid and complex. The planet has a blackout zone where the colonists are hiding, which keeps Murderbot and his humans from using all their resources like ART and other equipment. The planet also has giant robots for agriculture that have alien contamination (they are now giant death machines), so that livens things up, too. Like the other books, I will have to reread this one to soak up all the nuance and complexity. I’ll probably go back and start at book one because these books are hilarious. The characters are complex, the dialogue (internal and external) is clever, and the story development is well-crafted.
This is for sci-fi fans and anyone who enjoys good banter.
(Rated R, Score 8/10, Audiobook read by Kevin R. Free, 6:36)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Each Christmas season, I like to read this short book. Growing up, my dad always watched the movie during Christmas time. This is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a super cranky, stingy, greedy old man who is visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve- “Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.” The ghosts scare the greed and selfishness right out of him. The ghost of Christmas Past reminds Scrooge of times when he had joy, celebration, and fellowship in his heart. The ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the opportunities he would have the next day and would miss out on if he continued in his greedy way. The ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge his legacy if he remained unchanged, which is devastating. When Scrooge wakes up from his night of ghosts, it is Christmas morning, and his heart has been changed. He immediately begins to mend the relationships he had been actively sabotaging. He is generous and joyful, and he gets his laugh back. This book reminds me to live with the spirit of Christmas in my heart, to laugh, and to carry my children lightly on my shoulders.
I recommend this book to those who need some Christmas hope.
(Rated PG, Score 9/10, read by Tim Curry, 3:31)
I saw this book at the new Barnes and Noble near my house and decided to give it a shot. I found the audiobook on my library app. The language in the book predates the invention of the semiconductor, so all the robots are made with old electric and mechanical components, except for the invention of the positronic robot brains. Every robot brain is hardwired with the three laws:
1- A robot must not harm a human or allow a human to come to harm through inaction.
2- A robot must obey human orders, unless those orders conflict with the First Law.
3- A robot must protect itself, as long as that protection doesn't conflict with the First or Second Law
The book is a collection of stories/chapters collected by a journalist. Each one presents a different scenario wherein the humans and their robots are forced to navigate the nuances of the three laws in different extreme situations. Each situation involves control, psychology, and interpretation of the three laws. In some cases, the robots’ behavior surprises the humans. In other cases, the behavior is predictable. In one case, a robot brain develops a sense of humor when presented with a dilemma. In another case, a robot develops a new robot religion based on its logical view of the world. The crux of the stories is this: when presented with these laws, robots will inevitably evolve to the point where they take control away from humans. I re-watched the 2004 movie based on the book (I, Robot). The plot and narrative were not even close, but the three laws and the inevitable revolution were played out in amazing Hollywood drama. I enjoy this debate and often discuss these types of ideas with my friends, typically around the idea of self-driving cars. What will we do with the ghost in the machine? What will we do to balance logic and soul? Can a robot have a heart?
This is for Sci-fi nerds, roboticists, and philosophers.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Scott Brick, 8:20)
Non-Fiction Books
I’ve been meaning to read this little book on productivity for a while. I kept getting distracted. The main message of the book is to focus and execute. Pick the most important tasks, the
Biggest, hardest, and ugliest tasks and then take immediate action. You can be more successful using decision, discipline, and determination. Here are the 21 ways to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time:
- Set the table. Clarity of purpose. Think on paper. Write down 10 goals. Pick the goal that would have the biggest impact.
Decide what you want.
Write it down.
Set a deadline.
List all supporting steps.
Organize the steps into a plan.
Take action on the plan immediately.
Do something every day.
- Plan every day in advance. Use lists. Plan nightly and weekly.
- Apply the 80/20 rule to everything. Spend more time working on the more important tasks.
- Consider the consequences. Long-term thinking helps make better short-term decisions. Only work on the most important things.
- Practice creative procrastination.
- Use the ABCDE method continually.
- Focus on key result areas. Why am I on the payroll?
- Apply the law of three. Three core tasks represent most of the value you contribute to the company.
- Prepare thoroughly before you begin.
- Take it one oil barrel at a time. Break down tasks into the next simple steps. Adjust as you work.
- Upgrade your key skills. Learning leads to speed and energy.
- Identify your key constraints. What is holding you back?
- Put the pressure on yourself. Take ownership of your destiny.
- Motivate yourself into action. Think positively. Use hope.
- Technology is a terrible master.
- Technology is a wonderful servant.
- Focus your attention. Change your dopamine addiction to getting things done rather than your technology devices.
- Slice and dice the task. Eat the elephant one bite at a time. Develop a compulsion to closure.
- Create large chunks of time. Use large chunks of time to work on your most important tasks.
- Develop a sense of urgency. Take action.
- Single-hand every task. Don’t get distracted from your most important task. Get it done without breaks.
In all these ways, self-discipline is the key. I enjoyed the simple wisdom of this book. I intend to put many of these ways into practice at home and work. I’ve noticed that my attention span isn’t as strong as it used to be, so I need deliberate methods to direct my focus. I am trying to slow down, reorient, and set new goals. What are your words and goals for the new year?
This book is for anyone struggling with distraction or low production.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by the author, 2:37)
This is the hardest book I read this year. It comes during a time when I needed the perspective it offers. This book is about how our society deals with the aging generation. The author is a surgeon who set out to understand how we got to where we are today with medicine, nursing homes, and so much fear of death. I’m not medically educated, so the topics in this book were tough on me. I have some tough memories/trauma with hospitals. The author tells the history of our nursing home systems and how they have evolved into the different care centers we have now. He tells several stories of people progressing from being independent through the different types of assisted living and on to nursing homes and sometimes ending life in the hospital and sometimes in the care of loved ones or hospice. Each story has tension created by the need to keep the aging person safe and healthy while allowing them to maintain some control over their own stories. In some cases, caretakers and facilities take away all of the individual's choices, schedules, risks, and autonomy. These facilities are very safe and efficient, but they seem to lack soul. In healthier facilities, the individuals are allowed to make their own choices. They are still the authors of their own stories. In the best cases, they still provide value, they heal, they recover, and in some cases, even recover enough to go back to living on their own. The biggest lesson I learned from the book is that it is critical to have hard conversations with our loved ones as they age and navigate hard situations. We must be willing to ask them if they understand their situation, what they see their choices being, and how they would like to be treated as the situation evolves. Having the courage to talk through these hard topics allows us to honor their wishes when times get intense or when they no longer have the power to choose for themselves. Avoiding these questions can lead to pain, regret, and wondering. Leaning into the tough questions helps to remove doubt, establish a plan, and connect emotionally with people who deeply need that connection. Thanks, Mom, for making me read this hard book. It gave me wisdom and perspective.
This is for anyone with friends or family going through hard medical issues or aging questions.
(Rated PG, Score 8/10, audiobook read by Robert Petkoff, 9:03)
How much would your life change if you just decided to be unoffendable? No one is forcing you to carry all that anger. No one makes you keep the shock, bitterness, and outrage burning in your heart. Let it all go. The world wants you to be upset. Upset people are easy to control. It’s normal to be so stressed, angry, and worried about protecting yourself that you make yourself sick. Normal isn’t working. This book outlines all these ideas with stories and scriptures. The message is counter-cultural and refreshing. These ideas aren’t new, but in this book, they are painted in today’s context, making them more understandable and relatable. So, why should we be unoffendable, and how can we change our perspectives to let go of offenses? We can use forgiveness and a change in perspective to let go. I’m doing a poor job of summarizing. I highlighted 26 different passages. That’s a lot for me. Here are two of my favorite quotes: “I still agree with Dallas Willard, who says, ‘There is nothing that can be done with anger that cannot be done better without it.’” And, “Anger is always- not sometimes, always- associated with foolishness, not wisdom. The writer recognized that, yes, anger may visit us, but when it finds a residence, it’s in the lap of fools (Eccl.7:9).” Life is lighter without anger and grudges to carry. Jesus is the master of this idea, but it shows up all over the place. For example, in the latest Grinch movie, the Whos invite the Grinch to Christmas dinner after he steals all their Christmas. They forgive him. They sing anyway. They offer hope and healing. This was a wonderful book. Ironically, I’m sure it has offended a good many sturdy Christians. Thank you, Andrew, for recommending this book.
This is for anyone with a grudge or a chip on their shoulder.
(Rated PG, Score 10/10, ebook, 222p.)
The Art of Laziness by Library Mindset
I keep seeing this as one of those productivity books that will change your life, so it made me scratch my head that none of my library apps had it. I found it on Kindle Unlimited. The title threw me off. I expected the book to be all about using laziness to your advantage. It’s not. The book is a lot like Eat That Frog but shorter, less organized, and less concise. There were a few good reminders that I’ll use:
~Nobody is coming to save you. You are the master of your own destiny.
~Done is better than perfect.
~Parkinson’s Law- work expands to fill the time allotted to for completion.
~Worrying can only be destroyed by action.
~Spend time in nature.
~Never miss two days in a row. (I’m going to try to do this with my 10,000 push-up challenge in 2025)
~ “One day, just like this book, your life will end. Do the things you want to do now. Travel to the places you want to. Read the books you want to. Surround yourself with the people you want to. Time is running out. Start living.”
This book didn’t change my life like all the hype says, but it was short and helpful and an easy win when I needed it.
This is for anyone struggling with laziness.
(Rated PG, Score 6/10, ebook, 129p.)
Preview/Currently Reading-
Leadership is Language by David L. Marquet
Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child by John M. Gottman
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson (Stormlight Archive #5)
All It Takes Is a Goal by Jon Acuff
I track my books in a database called Goodreads. It might help manage your reading lists.
Final Thoughts-
There is a story in Unoffendable that is stuck in my mind. A pastor finds himself in a diner at 3 in the morning. Some prostitutes come in about that time, and he overhears that one of them, Agnes, will have a birthday the next day, and she has never had a birthday party. The pastor gets an idea. He asks the bartender at the diner if the girls will be back the next night, and when he learns that they are regulars, he asks if they can plan a surprise birthday party for Agnes. The bartender/owner loves the idea, and his wife even makes a cake. The pastor shows up early the next night and decorates the diner. Word gets out, and people show up early to join the party. When Agnes and her friends come in at 3, she is blown away. She says she’s never had a cake before. She asks if she can keep it for a little while. She disappears with it in tears. The pastor, not knowing what to do, leads the remaining party guests in a prayer for Agnes. At the end of the evening, the bartender asks the pastor, “What church did you say you belong to?” And the pastor replies, “The kind that has birthday parties for hookers at 3 AM.” The bartender responds that no, he doesn’t. Such a church doesn’t exist because if it did, it would be the type of church that he could consider belonging to.
I love this story because it looks like Jesus. I love that the pastor is in a diner at 3 AM. No idea why he is there, but he’s listening. I love that he has the guts to propose something simple and kind. I love that he doesn’t care what Agnes does for money. He just sees a girl who has never been celebrated. I love that he puts himself out there and recruits others. I love that people show up. I love the magic, the memories, the seeds of kindness that are planted. I have no idea how to do this, but I want to be part of stories like this. For me, this is where you can see the Kingdom shining through into this world. You can see the Garden as the Creator intended. It’s messy and rough and wild and beautiful. It is love.
As we move into 2025, let’s do more of that. Let’s show up. Let’s look for ways to be kind. Let’s be love.
Thanks for adventuring with me.
Joshua
PS. Instagram: Fromthespine
PPS. I’m looking to grow and improve this little experiment. If you have benefited from it and would like to support my ability to buy better books or run with some other ideas I have working, here is your opportunity. You could think of it as an investment or buying me a coffee.