Category Archives: review

Here is a list of the books that I read this year. I try to post this up once a year as a reminder for myself that, despite my feeling like I did not read enough, I actually read more than I thought. There might even be a few I have missed recording but this constitutes the bulk of it.

Last year, I just gave a simple list of the books I read. This year, I added a short review to each. It was also my goal to read more fiction than I normally do. I think I did well with that goal but know I could (and want to) do better in the coming year. More on that later.

This also does not include some items I felt deserved a list or two of their own. More on these later too.

So, without further delay…

• Broken Blade (A Fallen Blade Novel) by Kelly McCullough — First novel in a series that follows the exploits of Aral The Shadowjack (or Kingslayer). A fast paced mashup of fantasy and hard boiled detective noir. Great start, compelling story and characters, and leaves one wanting to jump right in to the next book.

• The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly? by Seth Godin — This one fell flat for me. Not quite sure why. I think it is largely because I’m already at where this book wants to encourage the reader to be. That said, it is likely great for those who need it.

• The Sketchnote Handbook Video Edition: The Illustrated Guide To Visual Note Taking by Mike Rohde — The book I bugged Mike for years to write finally was released and it is better than I could have imagined. It makes the artform he pioneered accessible to every skill level to engage. So, so, good.

• Designing Disney’s Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance by Karal Ann Marling — Fascinating. And confirmed many of my impressions about Disney World.

• The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It by Kelly McGonigal Ph.D. — Simply great. Real, science based actionable information. This gives you all the tools you need to build better willpower. Also, some surprising facts (like how much meditation and simply getting outside for a walk help).

• Tenth of December: Stories by George Saunders — Brilliant and mesmerizing collection of short stories. I’d give more than one appendage to write this well.

• Bared Blade (A Fallen Blade Novel) by Kelly McCullough — Part two in the continuing adventurers of Aral. This book is even better than the first of the series. In this round, Aral (and the rest of the books world) is on the hunt of a sacred ring that, if not found, could start a great war. Of course, this means that some would rather it not found. Lots of nice twists and turns. And, you can really feel the fun that Kelly is having writing these. Strongly recommended.

• Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei, Scott Belsky — A nice roundup of ious essayists on the subject of day/space/energy management for creatives. Some good nuggets here and there within a lot of ‘heard this before but could use a reminder’.

• The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel by Neil Gaiman — It’s been a long time since I read a book so wonderful and sublime that I could not put it down, eschewed all other matters, and finished it in a day. This is just that good. Actually, it is better.

• Crossed Blades (A Fallen Blade Novel) by Kelly McCullough — Another excellent entry in the series.

• The Monk and the Riddle: The Art of Creating a Life While Making a Living by Randy Komisar — Best book I have read in a while. Finished in only a couple of sittings. Couldn’t put it down. Really resonated.

• The Art Of Not Sucking b y Hugh MacLeod — Another nice ass kicker and reality bringer from Hugh.

• A Drive into the Gap by Kevin Guilfoile — A sweet true story about the author’s father suffering from Alzheimer’s and the mystery behind a historic Roberto Clemente bat. A real win for baseball fans especially.

• The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (the pseudonym under which J.K. Rowling wrote the book) — One of the finest whodunits I have ever read. She has an amazing ability to sketch character’s quickly and confidence in her subject matter that you might swear she has written a hundred of these before. In fact, I would argue that the writing here is stronger than many of her Harry Potter books. Highly recommended.

• Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, with Illustrations by Skottie Young — I read this to Beatrix and it is really wonderful. A fun story about a Dad who goes out to get a jug of milk and what happens to him along the way (or, at least, what he tells his kids). Not sure which of us loved it more. Not only a great read to a young kid but I’ve heard tell that the slightly older ones really enjoy it as well.

• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King — I actually read this once, but then had to go back through and read it again — mainly because I failed to highlight and furiously mark up the margins as I should have done the first time around. Easily in my top five books on writing. Certainly my favorite Stephen King book. This should be required reading for anyone interested in the craft.

• Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink — Harrowing and angering account of what happened at Memorial Hospital (refered to by we NOLA folks as “Baptist”) in the days following Hurricane Katrina. I have not yet finished this completely but not sure how much longer I can continue. It is so hard and heartbreaking to read.

• Freedom Is Blogging in Your Underwear by Hugh MacLeod — Yep… Seriously, Hugh is great and I try to read all of his stuff. This one is no exception. It is about doing what you love unapologetically and facing the fear that keeps you down.

• 137 Books in One Year: How to Fall in Love With Reading by Kevin D. Hendricks — though I hardly reached this lofty goal there are some good, practical tips in here about getting more books under your belt. The main takeaway: Replace your smartphone with a good book.

• Delight is in the Details by Shawn Blanc — A manifesto on creative work by Mr. Blanc. A great read for any artist about the craft of creation.

• Coffee Shop Contemplations eBook by Nick Wynja — Nice collection of essays from Nick’s website. Worth a read. Plus, an examples other online writers should follow (Take your best stuff and sell it to me as a book. I’ll buy it. Others will too.).

• MacSparky Field Guides — To call these mere books is to not do them full justice. These are multimedia experiences that are well worth the cost. They use the full power of Apple’s iBook technology to show off just what a modern book reading experience can be in the digital age. I read every one released this year and they are all fantastic.