Double Cross Blind

Title: Double Cross Blind

Author: Joel N. Ross

Pages: 372

Genre: Fiction

Grade: D

Synopsis: The early days of December 1941 were eventful in the United Kingdom.  The Allies have captured a Nazi spy who was trying to infiltrate and take down their own spy network.  At the same time, an American who had enlisted with the Canadians in order to fight in the war is locked in a British Military Asylum, but may be just the person the British need in order to get information out of their captured Nazi spy.

My Review: Ok, I gave this book the old college try. In fact, I made it through more than 2/3 of the book when I realized that I really dreaded reading it, that I didn't care how it ended and that I really didn't understand what was going on.  The plot was extremely complicated and just never really caught my attention.  It's been on my 'to-read' list for years.  I've had a few books on that list lately that have really let me down...

Flash Boys

Title: Flash Boys

Author: Michael Lewis

Pages: 10 discs

Genre: Non-fiction

Grade: B+

Synopsis: The book opens with a very interesting description of a new fiber optic line to be installed between Chicago and New York.  It will take the straightest path possible at any cost.  The builders and investors of this line are banking on the potential profits that will come by trimming a few milliseconds off of the market trades between New York and Chicago.  For years the market had essentially been rigged by the big Wall Street banks, but in a way that had not been noticed before.  A new high-frequency trading exchange is setup in the attempt to eliminate these benefits for the big traders and banks.

My Review: I realize that my synopsis above is likely confusing and certainly not book-jacket material, but I found this book to be very interesting.  Lewis is an expert at taking a subject that you know nothing about and making it digestible and interesting.  This one is no exception.

the perks of being a wallflower

Title: the perks of being a wallflower

Author: stephen chbosky

Pages: 213

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction

Grade: B

Synopsis: Charlie is a sensitive 15-year-old boy who is writing letters about his life to an anonymous recipient who he chose because he thought this person would not be judgmental towards him. During the course of the book, Charlie deals with suicide, abuse, drugs, sex and mental illness.  He is an introvert who is trying to find his place.

My Review: Honestly, I didn't remember a whole lot about this book (it's been a few months since I read it), so it's not one that left a significant impression on me.  I had to re-read a few plot summaries in order to jog my memory.  The book was alright, but I remember thinking that it was a little to contrived for my liking.

The Martian

Title: The Martian

Author: Andy Weir

Pages: 369

Genre: Fiction

Grade: A

Synopsis: Six astronauts, including Mark Watney have landed on Mars in the first manned mission to this planet.  Mark is stranded on the planet after a freak dust storm forces the crew to evacuate the planet.  They had seen that his suit had been pierced as he had been torn away from the ground station, so they had made the difficult decision to leave his body behind. Mark now has the impossible task of eking out a living in a damaged habitat and figuring out how to communicate that he is still alive with those back on earth.

My Review: This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time.  It had the perfect mix of engineering, science and technology along with a super engaging story. 

Disclaimer:  Beware that this is some language in the book, but it generally didn't detract from the story for me.

Henry VI, Part I

Title: Henry VI, Part I

Author: William Shakespeare

Pages: 123

Genre: Play

Grade: B

Synopsis: The play begins at the death of Henry V.  There is some controversy among the noblemen as to whether or not the heir apparent Henry VI is capable of leading the country while they are at war with France.  There are parallel story-lines with the war in France, which includes Joan of Arc's visions and attempts to assist the French in battle and other quarrels and dissension back at home.

My Review: This is one of Shakespeare's earliest plays, and many experts believe that he collaborated with other authors in its writing. Nonetheless, I still had to read the play alongside a modern translation/explanation to be able to grasp what was going on.