book review | The Art of the Argument by Stefan Molyneux

Author: Stefan Molyneux
Title: The Art of the Argument
Series: –
Genre: Philosophy; History
Pages: 172
Rate: 2/5 | Goodreads

Finished likely the most unpleasant book I’ve read this year, “The Art of the Argument” by Stefan Molyneux, expecting tips on argument formulating or something. Instead got this.

About the Book: Author provides a very skewed idea of arguments, and why are they lacking, arguing himself with if not outright, then borderline racist, sexist, classist, and otherwise horribly biased personal opinions.

My Opinion: This book pretends to be about arguments, discourse, and letting the opponent speak, but only one side at all times is portrayed as the faulty ideology. It’s biased, unpleasant to read, and at best will teach you about what lack of neutrality looks like.

There’s better books on this same topic out there. 2 out of 5.

book review | Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson

Author: Shawn Stevenson
Title: Sleep Smarter
Series: –
Genre: Self Help; Health
Pages: 288
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I’ve finished “Sleep Smarter” by Shawn Stevenson. And I’ve a lot of conflicting thoughts on it.

About the Book: Author used his tragedy to turn his life around. And now we’re given what he learned. On sleep, it’s quality, improvement, general health of our bodies, its effect on our sleep.

My Opinion: From pillow size, black-out curtains, to “get a mechanical alarm clock, your phone and other devices will give you and your children cancer“. It’s not an easy book to be researching on the side, for it is so packed with information.

I’m sure author only wanted the best. 3 out of 5.

book review | Over the Top by Jonathan Van Ness

Author: Jonathan Van Ness
Title: Over the Top
Series: –
Genre: Biography; LGBT literature
Pages: 273
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

Since I remember old Queer Eye with nostalgia, announcement of the new crew got me very happy. The fact they turned out to be so passionate about what they do made it all even better. So I’m slowly going through their biographies as I find it. Today I’ve discovered “Over the Top” by Jonathan Van Ness and it was a magical read.

About the Book: Jonathan starts early and tells a tale of life full of love, joy, tragedy, addiction, and illness all the way up to Queer Eye. Power of will, love for life, and an infectious positivity in every, even the very darkest page.

My Opinion: A beautiful and magical soul, inspiring with the tales of beaten struggles, problems solved, and a choice to work for better, authentic life, despite all the odds. I love me a survivor story, but this was more. This was a story of life itself.

A very worthy read, 5 out of 5.

book review | A Practical Guide to the Runes by Lisa Peschel

Author: Lisa Peschel
Title: A Practical Guide to the Runes
Series: –
Genre: Occult; Runes
Pages: 192
Rate: 2/5 | Goodreads

Hm… Okay, finished “A Practical Guide to the Runes” by Lisa Peschel and it was both good and bad.

About the Book: This book will teach you rune meanings, both the alphabetical and the ones for divination. With a lot of great tips, examples, and resources, it’s a well put together book for beginners.

My Opinion: There’s very little history. A lot of opinions and interpretations that don’t seem to be based on anything other than feeling. And way too many “do this, but if you don’t want to, then don’t do it“, or “you can make up your own rituals too“.

Best I can do is 2 out of 5.

book review | The Capital by A.H. Lee | The Knight and the Necromancer 1

Author: A.H. Lee
Title: The Capital
Series: The Knight and the Necromancer 1
Genre: Fantasy; LGBT Romance
Pages: 222
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

No, my search for necromancer fiction hasn’t ended, why you ask? I’ve finished “The Capital” by A.H. Lee, first in the trilogy by the title of “The Knight and the Necromancer“, and it was truly well written.

About the Book: A country at war, slowly but surely losing due to enemy necromancers deploying already dead soldiers right back into it. It will take drastic measures to survive, let alone win, one cannot rely solely on political unions anymore. So the soon to be queen makes a hard decision and invites an apprentice of one of the most hated necromancers out there, to negotiate…

My Opinion: Been a while since I’ve read such a well written plot. Tidy, interesting, clear, and good. War ridden streets, no glamorizing of the necromancy, slow burn romance, and a very steadily paced rule breaking.

A very solid piece, 4 out of 5. Will read more.

book review | Driven by James Sallis | Drive 2

Author: James Sallis
Title: Driven
Series: Drive 2
Genre: Crime; Noir
Pages: 158
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

Never have I ever reread a book so short so many times, because plot was too messy to properly follow. That was my experience with “Driven” by James Sallis, sequel to “Drive“.

About the Book: Driver enters new life, having ran from the previous chaos and danger, the double-crossings. And all goes truly well up until someone finds him again. Pushed to run with his life getting systematically destroyed, driver is preparing to face whoever is doing this and find out why.

My Opinion: I really hate scattered plot. Especially those that are more philosophical monologues than any distinct action. So while the book is well written, even if lacking in some kind of order, and there’s even good plot twists, it just got too dull and became too much work too soon.

Not for me, no. A 3 out of 5.

book review | King Slayer by Layla Reyne | Fog City 2

Author: Layla Reyne
Title: King Slayer
Series: Fog City 2
Genre: Romance; Crime
Pages: 195
Rate: 2/5 | Goodreads

Didn’t I say I won’t read book 2 of Fog City? And yet here I am, having read “King Slayer” by Layla Reyne, having needed something not demanding of brain power.

About the Book: Betrayal and dark secrets put a wedge in between Dante and the King of the Madigan criminal empire. Neither can trust the other, it seems, being sword enemies and all. And yet, as threat to the Fog City rises, they have no choice but to work together.

My Opinion: A very overused tale. Vengeance for dead partners, partner’s dark past bubbling up, the no-surprise surprise of who the culprits were and all that.

At least it was short. 2 out of 5.

book review | Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs | Bones 5

Author: Kathy Reichs
Title: Grave Secrets
Series: Temperance Brennan 5
Genre: Crime; Thriller
Pages: 315
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

Right. Finished “Grave Secrets” by Kathy Reichs, fifth book in the Temperance Brennan series. So far it was gradually getting duller…

About the Book: Killers of every ilk are no mystery. One way or another everything boils down to human brutality, greed, and other vices. It’s the victims that cause questions and wonder. Why those four, so brutally murdered and left behind? Why that one, with an unborn skeleton entangled in her own?

My Opinion: This was greatly lacking. Lacking in flavor, adult behavior, communication. Premise was great, murders in the name of science, cult-like vibe, that constant danger Brennan seems to always be in. And yet it felt like going through the motions. Here’s the plan, here’s the setting, do the mandatory thing until something or someone saves the day and Brennan can put culprit behind bars.

Still, while a bit disappointing, I can’t claim I didn’t have any fun reading it. 3 out of 5, but solid.

book review | When the eternal fire still burned by J. Remeika

Author: J. Remeika
Title: When the eternal fire still burned
Original: Kai dar amzina ugnis ruseno
Series: –
Genre: Folklore; Legends
Pages: 168
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

J. Remeika has put together a rare book of Lithuanian folklore called “When the eternal fire still burned“. A lot of what we had is lost due to systematic destructions we survived. And this, sadly, reminds me more of what we lost, than what we salvaged.

About the Book: A collection of short stories from across Lithuania. Most are to par in the style we seemingly enjoy here, calling ourselves the land of the lakes and rain – they’re about how this or that lake appeared there or here and why is it called that way. Some tales are repeated, as if author of this book went to another village and they had their own version. Others seemingly have sequels elsewhere or otherwise connect together. And, of course, each one teaches of the perils that await those who lack virtue.

My Opinion: So what’s my problem, you ask? These here tales are already altered greatly by christianity, even the ones where our thunder god Perkunas is an active participant. There are certain things we didn’t have, didn’t believe in, or had our own version. So it’s a bit unpleasant to read, much like witnessing someone dip sushi into ketchup, I bet.

It’s worth reading it, sure, for the language alone, for it sure changed through the years. But I can only give it 3 out of 5 and no more.

book review | The 50th Law by 50 cent and Robert Greene

Author: 50 Cent; Robert Greene
Title: The 50th Law
Series: –
Genre: Self-Help; Philosophy
Pages: 291
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Now here’s a book I never thought I’d read. “The 50th Law” by 50 cent, yes, the rapper, and author Robert Greene. And interesting piece on personal development.

About the Book: A biographical book of Curtis Jackson, better known by his scene name – 50 cent, describing his journey to success. From ruthless streets to ruthless music industry, where he had to learn not only to go with the flow, but swim against it too, to stay on top of that pulse of relevancy. And with the help of Robert Greene, he tells exactly how he did it.

My Opinion: I don’t really like 50 cent, not his music, not his public persona, that’s why I’m still confused at how I got this book in the first place. Generally this is an interesting book, one of those motivational ones, but with cold leads and prodding, applying classic philosophy and art of war onto the streets of today. As, in a sense, are all Robert Greene books.

This makes for an interesting biography. A 4 out of 5.