December 2020
In a lot of ways, December 2020 was a kick in the nuts. I hope y’all had a much brighter ending to this year. We didn’t get to drive to New Mexico for Christmas this year so I lost out on 1200 miles of audiobook time. I did get a new Kindle Paperwhite from Mom and Dad for Christmas, so I will be chewing through some ebooks this coming year.
Here are the books I finished in December 2020 and my short reviews of them:
Fiction Books
Season of Storms by Andrzej Sapkowski (The Witcher Book #0.6)
Just like the title sounds, this book tells about many ill-luck adventures for the Witcher. He loses his swords-his special steel and silver swords made especially for him. He spends some time in jail, is falsely accused of many horrid things, is nearly poisoned to death, gets mixed up in some internal sorcerer politics and infighting, and is hunted by a strange creature that can project powerful mirages and illusions. One of my favorite traits of the Witcher character is his unwavering ability to tromp from disaster to disaster without losing his sarcasm and wit. I haven’t quite nailed down the character yet (even though this is the third book I’ve read in the series), but he tends to take the high road when a hunter/killer maybe wouldn’t be expected to. Then he has the luxury of blaming it on his Witcher code. The more I read, the more I like this series.
I recommend this book to monster fans and those weathering a season of storms.
(Rated R, Score 8/10, Audiobook read by Peter Kenny, 12:48)
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 and 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 and it was 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, joyful, and he gets his laugh back. This book reminds me to live always 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, Audiobook read by Mark Honan, 3:09)
The Adventures of Johnny Chuck (Book 2) by Thornton W Burgess
In this story, Johnny Chuck leaves his comfortable little home and goes looking to explore the wide world. He promptly gets into a fight with another strange chuck, which he ends up winning, sending the other chuck on his way. Then Johnny gets ready to fight a third chuck, but when he sees that it’s a girl chuck, he changes his approach entirely. Eventually, Johnny and Polly Chuck build a home and start a family with three little chucks to raise. Like the stories of Peter Rabbit, these are simple and easy for the kids to follow along with when I read them at mealtimes.
I recommend this book to fathers of funny small little chucks.
(Rated G, Score 7/10, paperback 120p.)
Non-Fiction Books
Peter writes this book of death from his and other’s adventures and close calls as professional hunters in Africa. The book is broken up into chapters by killer animal- Lion, Elephant, Jaguar, Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Crocodile, Snakes, and so on. I had no idea how much death wandered around on safari. Peter is an odd mix of smart, crafty writer, and big game hunter. The way he describes things is hilarious in places and chilling in others. Here’s one of my favorite examples: “The only thing more abundant in Africa than life is death. It takes a thousand forms, each of infinite variety as opposites; the slashing lunge of a crocodile or the lingering tragedy of the bilharzia snail fluke. It walks, crawls, creeps, flies, swims, and runs in untold disguises, but in no shape is it so brazen, so completely polished, so jaw-snappingly efficient and universally loathed as in the Cape hunting dog or wild dog…” I found this book to be immensely interesting and thrilling to read. Thanks to my friend Neale for this recommendation.
I recommend this for animal lovers, outdoorsmen, and hunters.
(Rated PG13, Score 9/10, ebook)
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
What is a “greenlight”? A green light is a chance, a pass, a go, a blessing from the universe, a right decision, a win. This book is a review of the first 50 years of Matthew McConaughey’s life; lived aggressively, recorded in journals, poems, audio recordings, bumper stickers, and movies Now retold as a guide for others to use as they find more greenlights. The stories he tells are bold and honest and shocking in some cases. He tells about stealing lumber as a child to build a 13 story treehouse in the middle of the night by himself. There are stories of road trips and travels through South America and Africa chasing things he saw in his dreams. The book is written chronologically from his childhood, schooling, acting, and starting a family. Stories about rights of passage, lessons learned, and poems. Thanks to my friend Jessica for the recommendation and heads up about how crazy and entertaining this book would be.
I recommend this book to dreamers and storytellers.
(Rated R, Score 8/10, Audiobook read by the author, 6:42)
How to Talk to Anyone - 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes
This book is supposed to be like a 2.0 version of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Leil intends to take that basic framework and update it for the latest styles and trends as we have evolved socially. I don’t think she quite hit that mark, but then I’m not super successful or a communication expert. The author seemed to be overly interested in success and less interested in the relationships that ultimately lead to success. Therefore some of the tips and content didn’t resonate with me. Here are the tips that stuck out as being helpful and genuine to me.
- Smile- and make it a real smile.
- Mirror your conversation partner.
- Good posture is important for how you feel and are perceived.
- Use the “Tell them about that one time…” lead-in to get people to open up and tell stories where they are the star. (My Granny used to do this with my Grandpa all the time.)
- Instead of asking someone “What do you do?”, ask them “How do you spend most of your time?” This allows people to answer graciously if they hate their job or are in between jobs.
- “What is your personal benefit statement?” This is a way you tell people how you are serving them. I am still pondering this for myself.
- Use “you” as much as possible.
- Don’t give a naked thank you; explain what you are thankful for, and how it affected you.
- Scramble therapy. Once a month mix it up and go do something you’ve never done before. You get 80% of the conversation gold out of one exposure.
- Pass on compliments. When you hear people talking well of others, tell them.
- Compliment people behind their backs.
- Have great phone etiquette and especially be conscientious of people’s time.
I recommend this book to those who struggle in conversation with strangers or new acquaintances.
(Rated PG, Score 6/10, Audiobook read by Joyce Bean, 8:59)
Preview/Currently Reading-
Here are the books I am currently working through. Join me if you will:
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
I track all the books I read in a database called Goodreads. You might find it helpful in managing your reading lists.
Final Thoughts-
If you made it to the end of this email you get a little bonus! Here are my top books of the year:
Top Non-Fiction (Link to existing reviews)
5- Flight of Passage
4- Up From Slavery
3- Extreme Ownership
2- Never Split the Difference
1- Procrastinate on Purpose
Top Fiction (Link to existing reviews)
5 - A Wise Man’s Fear
4- On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
3- Out of Silent Planet
2- The Graveyard Book
1- The Slow Regard of Silent Things
2020 was a remarkably challenging year. Despite those challenges, Goodreads tells me I read 92 books this year (I didn’t double-check). Also, given these challenges and the growth they spawned, I think it only fitting for my book of the year choice to be:
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
This book was the inspiration for these reviews, creating this email each month, and for the connections I have been able to make through it. I appreciate all the feedback you have given me this year, and I hope that these messages have in some way enriched your lives, if only for a few minutes. If you have a moment, send me a note and let me know how these emails have impacted you or suggestions for books I should read this year.
I hope to expand this activity a bit and possibly monetize it. If you are an entrepreneurial type and have ideas about how I could make this dream happen, please send them my way.