Think Again by Adam Grant

 Title: Think Again

Author: Adam Grant
Did I listen or read?: Powell's
When did I finish?: January 21, 2022
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: individual re-thinking, persuading others.  listen like you are wrong.  don't come on strong.  Interview, ask questions.  Give the other person space to stay disagreed.  Don't ask kids what they will be when they grow up.  Simplicity is good sometimes (like getting a response to an email.)  Complexity is good...people believe arguments when they hear that there is backup to justify.
What happens?
How long was this? 260 pages
Did I like this? top notch, easy to read, timely, fits my style
Overall grade: A-

The Knowledge Machine: How Irrationality Created Modern Science by Michael Strevens

 Title: The Knowledge Machine: How Irrationality Created Modern Science

Author: Michael Strevens
Did I listen or read?: powell's
When did I finish?: January 9, 2022
When was the book published: 2020
Main Characters: iron rule
What happens? The iron rule says that scientists must only study and report on things that have an empirical explanation, that have a proven impact.  If the finding is disproved, it's wrong.  While philosophy, religion or politics play a part in the thinking and theorizing, ultimately it's the empirical observations that count.  People are always biased.  The continual focus on proving and testing advances science.
How long was this? 280 pages
Did I like this? I wanted to learn, but the reading was slow.
Overall grade: B

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

Title:
Author:
Did I listen or read?:
When did I finish?:
When was the book published:
Main Characters: Irene elderly lady lives next to Angela and Daniel's home, Deidre, Laura with a bad limp, Miriam, Daniel (dead), Carla, Theo married to Carla, Angela (dead)
What happens? Daniel is killed on his houseboat, discovered by Miriam, had spent the night with Laura.  Everyone is interrelated in this story with evil and mistreatment by many against many
How long was this? 307 pages
Did I like this? A little hard to follow due to jumping around in time, and the introduction of a fictional book written by Theo that is based on Miriam's experience
Overall grade: B+

 

Mr. Nobody by Catherine Steadman

 Title: Mr. Nobody

Author: Catherine Steadman
Did I listen or read?: powell's
When did I finish?: January 1, 2022
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Dr. Emma Stone (aka Marni Beaufort), mystery man Matthew, nurse Rhoda, brother Joe, cop Chris Poole, wife journalist Zara
What happens? Man with amnesia shows up on beach, Emma is recruited to come to the small town on the coast, happens to be the town where horrible tragedy happened to her
How long was this? 410 pages
Did I like this? Really good story, ending/explanation a bit kooky and convoluted
Overall grade: A-

No Second Chance by Harlan Coben

 Title: No Second Chance

Author: Harlan Coben
Did I listen or read?: powell's
When did I finish?: December 27, 2021
When was the book published: 2003
Main Characters: Dr. Marc Seidman, daughter Tara, wife Tara, best friend lawyer Lenny, addict sister
What happens? Marc is shot in his own home, daughter disappears.
How long was this? 368 pages
Did I like this? Top notch thriller, excellent
Overall grade: A

State of Terror by Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton

 Title: State of Terror

Author: Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton
Did I listen or read?: Kindle
When did I finish?: December 20, 2021
When was the book published: 2021
Main Characters: Secretary of State, terrorist Bashir Shah, president Evan Runn, "
What happens? The secretary of state, former head of a news service, puts her daughter in charge of the news service, her son is a journalist turned muslim, and she drags her best friend the former teacher to Washington.  Her
How long was this? 480 pages
Did I like this? obvious political commentary aside, an entertaining story
Overall grade: B+