Author: Paulo Coelho

Finished: October 29, 2023

My college roommate recommended this book at while ago. I am currently transitioning between two jobs and I could relate to this story of a boy chasing his dream, his 'Personal Legend'. Like Santiago, I find that one of my strengths is my enthusiasm at work. A positive attitude is contagious and infects those are you. One of my favorite fortune cookies says "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." 

Be courageous and follow your dream. When you leave your comfortable life to follow your dreams, you will learn all that you need to learn along the way. Listen to your heart, listen to the Earth, but most importantly listen to the one who created it all. 

I would highly recommend this book and will read it again. Worth a spot on your bookshelf!

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Finished: May 21, 2023

My wife and I decided to read this series after discovering the Netflix show "Shadow and Bone". If you like the show, you will like the book even more! There are many one-liners that are exactly the same in the show and book. However, there are many scenes from the book that did not make it to the show. Also, things end MUCH differently in the book. I won't spoil anything. I recommend reading the books!

Author: C. J. Box

Finished: May 18, 2023

Costco is a dangerous place. You walk in thinking, "surely, I'll just buy paper towels and toilet paper and out of here in no time at all." Then, you find yourself buying $200 worth of things you "forgot you needed." You also might stop by the book section to look at books that you'll never read. Well, this time I saw an interesting new book from 2023 titled "Storm Watch". By C.J. Box. After reading the back I thought it sounded cool and bought it. When I got home, I learned that this was the 23rd book in the Joe Pickett novel series! I decided to start with book one and finished it while in Cancun. I'm on to book two now. This was the first book I finished on my new Kindle, and also the first eBook I borrowed from my local library through the Libby app! I highly recommend checking those out. 

Author: Mark Andrew Ritchie

Finished: January 1, 2023

This book was recommended to me by a member of my life group. This is a violent and vivid telling of the Yanomamo people from the perspective of the shaman called Jungleman. I recommend this book, as well as the preface and author's response to critics in the last pages.

My wife is a nurse on the oncology floor at our local hosital. She read this book and recommended I read it to gain insight to her work life. I would highly recommend this book!

I saw this book at Costco and was intrigued by the fact that the author partnered with a musician to create a book and complementary album. I enjoyed this book and it was an easy read!