Leonardo DaVinci by Walter Isaacson (2017)

I approached this biography with reticence because biographies can be tedious and I generally lack an appreciation for the arts, including sculpture, architecture, painting, and performing arts other than theater. However, Isaacson's writing overcomes these barriers. I became fascinated by the biographical sketches and the reality of Da Vinci's intellect.

One of the most enlightening aspects of this narrative is the contrast between the artist's limitations and his genius. Despite a lack of aptitude in Latin, arithmetic, and algebra, Da Vinci possessed an amazing grasp of analog geometry. Isaacson successfully dispels pop-culture myths and exaggerations by focusing on these human details. Because the author highlights the man's personality and techniques rather than just his iconic status, the book remains engaging throughout.  4/5 Stars.

The Brothers Ashkenazi by I. J. Singer(1936)

The Brothers Ashkenazi contains profound character arcs, Yiddish aphorisms, and a grueling depth. These characters embody the flawed, larger-than-life archetypes of the Yiddish Shtetl. The narrative serves as a tour de force regarding the antisemitism that fueled pogroms, genocide, and the persecution of Jews.

This book is difficult to finish because the tragic events leave the reader horrified. Toward the end of the volume, the analysis of antisemitism across the political spectrum and various cultures proves enlightening. While the Holocaust resulted in the murder of 6 million Jews, the preceding century included nearly a million additional murders in pogroms. We must be reminded of this reality, however painful the process. 4/5 Stars.

The nano flower by Peter F Hamilton (1998)

The Greg Mandel trilogy evolves well, beginning with a grounded, telepathic detective narrative and expanding into this ambitious conclusion. The Nano Flower is a nice finale that introduces a fun, enigmatic space alien mystery trope, thrilling ruthless oligarch conflicts, and deep political intrigues. Returning to this well-developed and familiar group of characters and super villains made the reading experience even more satisfying. I enjoyed the way the series grew in scale while maintaining its sense of "golden age" escapism and great world building. Because the trilogy successfully bridges the gap between near-future noir and grand-scale mystery, this final installment earns 5/5 Stars.

Taylored Realities by Brandon Sanderson (2025)

I don't like Horror or High Fantasy. Brandon Sanderson does write very well, so when he writes science fiction, it is usually good. I enjoyed about half of the stories in this collection, and all of these stories are well-written. However, I did not like the fantasy story or the final novella. I really appreciated the inclusion of Sanderson's autobiographical notes and his self-criticism. His explanations of the motivations for the stories gave these narratives a lot of texture and made the process behind the book clear. This authorial transparency is a significant strength of the volume. Because I don't enjoy Horror or High Fantasy, those parts of the book were a struggle for me, even though the quality of the prose is high. 3/5 Stars.

SuperTex von Leon de Winter (2014)

Dieses Buch hat mir richtig gut gefallen! SuperTex hat ein riesiges Herz, tolle, lebendige Charaktere und eine klasse psychologische Tiefe. Die jiddischen Sprüche, die man überall im Text findet, sind total herzlich und gehen einem echt nah.

Die Story reißt einen mit emotionalem Drama und super Wendungen richtig mit. Es ist spannend zu sehen, wie die Gründe für das neurotische Verhalten der Hauptfiguren erst nach und nach erklärt werden. Dieses geschickte Vorgehen zeigt, wie gut das Buch geschrieben ist.

Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob diese Geschichte auch Leute anspricht, die bisher keinen Bezug zum jüdischen Leben hatten. Aber der Autor liefert zum Glück genug Übersetzungen für die jiddischen Ausdrücke und erklärt auch die Hintergründe zu den Gebeten. 5/5 Sterne.

Hearth Space by Stephen Baxter (2025)

The novel succeeds on its fundamentals. Baxter builds an imaginative science-fiction setting with coherent physics, convincing interplanetary politics, and engaging warfare. The world-building supports the story rather than overwhelming it. The characters hold attention, and the social tensions feel relevant within the setting. The scale and concepts reward suspension of disbelief.

The weaknesses come from repetition and excess. Multiple characters repeat near-identical descriptions of the Hearth Space system, which feels contrived. Several scenes echo the same moral outrage about the enemy vessel in nearly the same language, which dulls the effect. Baxter also returns to extreme depictions of cruelty. Those moments distract from the narrative rather than deepen it, even when restrained compared to his harsher works.

The strengths dominate. The story works. The characters carry weight. The science and spectacle deliver. 4/5 stars.

Botschafter der Sterne von Bao-Shu (2021)

In Botschafter der Sterne entführt Baoshu uns wieder in die Fantasiewelt der "Trisolaris"-Trilogie von Cixin Liu. Da das Buch andernorts gute Kritiken bekommen hat, war ich optimistisch, dass dieses Spin-off die bizarren, willkürlichen Ideen der Original-Trilogie vielleicht verbessern könnte. Allerdings ist Baoshus Buch tatsächlich noch schlechter.

Die Physik in diesem Werk ist einfach nur dämlich und die Story wirkt noch planloser als beim Vorgänger. Zwar liefert der Autor ein paar interessante Details, um die Lücken im ursprünglichen Trisolaris-Konflikt zu füllen, aber diese kleinen Einblicke retten das Ganze auch nicht mehr. Der Plot, die Technik und der zentrale Konflikt sind einfach nur schwachsinnig. 1/5 Sterne.

Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag-Montefiori (2011)

Simon Sebag-Montefiore writes with a broad, colorful style that makes historical figures feel entertaining. However, in areas where I have read extensively, his omissions and reliance on some unlikely rumors erode his credibility. This selective approach taints the narrative and suggests a small lack of objectivity.

The history of Jerusalem inevitably suffers from a "phone book" style, cluttered with too many names and dates. This density makes it easy to lose the big picture and forget important details. Thankfully, the author provides a fantastic epilogue that summarizes the broad sweeping population changes, including mass genocides and large immigrations.

As the author notes in the introduction, archaeological evidence in the region changes daily, often rendering established facts obsolete. Because I am interested in the region, I find the older, incorrect understanding of history presented in this 2011 volume frustrating. These outdated interpretations, combined with the significant historical facts the author omitted are frustrating. Yet, Montefiore manages an indirect objectivity by listing who murdered whom in each major massacre. This record provides a clear account of the genocides, mostly of Jews,and identifies who was responsible for each travesty. He also notes which parties rejected peace  (guess who?) without adding his own color. Despite these frustrations and my doubts about the veracity of the character sketches, the book remains enjoyable. 3/5 stars.

The Rooster Bar by John Grisham (2017)

I enjoy John Grisham's books. The Rooster Bar has a big heart: the narrative offers multifaceted characters and satisfying story arcs. I find the balance of suspense and legal drama creates a consistently engaging conflict.

The setting provides a refreshing escape into 2015-era United States government bureaucracies. Policies and actions in this period feel less politically motivated than those in more recent fiction. I appreciate the depiction of administrative incompetence and stupidity: this realism is often missing from other legal thrillers. The story successfully explores the psychological weight of crushing student debt and hopeless economic circumstances.

The protagonists face these terrible conditions with notable grit and determination. Their resilience in the face of systemic failure is heart-warming and uplifting. This specific focus on the plucky nature of the team makes the story stand out. 5/5 Stars

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway (1926)

Hemingway was required reading during my high school years in the early 1970s. My teacher described his unadorned and direct language as "mud on a brick wall": the prose conveys emotional weight through the omission of detail. I have always found his writing stark and brutal. I enjoyed For Whom the Bell Tolls, yet I did not like The Sun Also Rises as much as his other works.

The immersion into the lives of inter-war expatriates was enjoyable -- I love "slice of life" immersion. I also enjoyed learning about the French, Spanish (Mediterranean) people's  attitudes toward racing, sports, and outdoor hobbies.  The deep descriptions of bullfighting and the culture surrounding it provided fascinating and delicious flavor. However, I did not find the alcoholic characters to be appealing in any way. This lack of connection to the protagonists left me unengaged with the narrative. 3/5 Stars