The Mattering Instinct by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein (2026)

I learned a lot from this book, which presents an interesting theory worth sharing. I especially liked the biographical sketches of the philosophers and scientists in the context of their ideas. However, a glaring weakness involves the author's utilizing shrill, political language and whiny outrage regarding historical injustices. This tone also appears in her selection and description of the archetypal biographies within the "mattering map cartography."

In this volume, Goldstein explores the "mattering instinct," the biological and psychological drive for humans to feel their lives have objective significance. The book introduces a "mattering map," a conceptual framework for how individuals and societies assign value and status to different human endeavors. Through sketches of historical figures, she illustrates how this drive for significance has shaped scientific progress, philosophical inquiry, and social hierarchies throughout history.

It was painful to navigate the harsh rhetoric and gushing exaggerations, though I appreciated the sound philosophical analysis and the history of the core ideas. My expectations were high since the book was so over-hyped, so I am a little disappointed.

3/5 Stars.

Judas Unchained by Peter F Hamilton (2006)

This book provides a thrilling and satisfying addition to the story. The characters are compelling, and their nobility during these struggles remains gripping. I found the falling action and the characters' facing their challenges to be rewarding.

In this narrative, the Commonwealth must finally expose the "Starflyer," a malevolent alien entity that has spent centuries infiltrating human society. As the war against the MorningLightMountain swarms reaches a tipping point, the protagonists must navigate high-stakes political intrigue and massive space battles to save humanity. The plot resolves the mystery of the Dyson Alpha barrier and the immediate threat posed by the Prime aliens.

I enjoyed this volume enormously. The resolution of the complex plot lines and the growth of the characters make the book a standout.

5/5 Stars.

A night without stars by Peter F Hamilton (2016)

I enjoy the science fiction trope of individuals' possessing futuristic technology while attempting to assist a primitive society. Hamilton offers careful, well-presented political angles on this phenomenon. However, the society in this story is a depressing dystopia. The futuristic humans' attempting to rescue this civilization from the existential threat of "the fallers" provides a bleak narrative, as the protagonists seem incapable of navigating the local politics.

In this story, the planet Bienvenido is isolated from the rest of the Commonwealth and faces an infestation by "the fallers"—hostile shape-shifters that consume and replace human beings. A small group of high-tech astronauts from the Void must intervene, but they find themselves trapped between the alien threat and a suspicious, totalitarian human government. The struggle highlights the difficulty of applying advanced knowledge to a society defined by fear and oppression.

Despite the grim tone, I love the universe, the writing, the plot, and the vivid details. The strength of the world-building compensates for the frustrating political dynamics.

4/5 Stars.

Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton (2004)

I am surprised I did not read these novels twenty years ago, as they languished in my backlog for a significant time. This story checks the requirements of the space opera tropes I enjoy most. The narrative features awe-inspiring technology, a mysterious behind-the-scenes power, and inscrutable space aliens with weird motivations. Furthermore, the inclusion of AIs with unknown powers, space battles, and close combat creates a rich experience.

I appreciate the characters, the writing, the plot, and the settings. I am willing to suspend disbelief of the FTL, "rejuviation," and wormhole technologies despite their "bad" science. 5/5 Stars.

Wreck Jumpers 3 by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole (2025)

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, as the colorful characters and close combat are hallmarks of this pair of authors. However, the deep integration of this setting into the politics of the Galaxy's Edge series is disappointing. I hoped these stories would remain independent of that complicated political environment.

The antagonists in this third volume are powerful opponents, and the authors establish a framework for a larger series as shadowy entities engage in a broader conflict. The plot is strong, though the behind-the-scenes power politics are less effective. The core action remains fun despite the increasingly tangled broader story line. 4/5 Stars.

Tank Farm Dynamo by David Brin (1983)

David Brin recently blogged about how SpaceX Starship tankers could replace Space Shuttle external tanks in low earth orbit to provide structure and materials for a large space station. This 1983 story explores the same concept. As a founding member of the L5 Society, I remember an in-person meet-up at MIT where we discussed the celestial mechanics of inserting shuttle tanks into a stable orbit. Those discussions focused on using the tanks as dwellings and utilizing the residual hydrogen and oxygen for water and breathable air.

I enjoyed revisiting the delta-v and celestial mechanics required to calculate the thrust needed by the magnetic dynamo in this story. The technical details are well-conceived, but the characters and politics are also great. This work remains an excellent example of hard science fiction that anticipates future engineering challenges. 5/5 Stars.

The Voyage of the Space beagle by A E van Vogt (1939)

After reading two disappointing books, I retreated to golden age science fiction. I selected this volume from a stack of books I inherited during a house move. I did not like A. E. van Vogt during my personal "golden age" (ideal age to read sci-fi)  in the 60s, and I did not like this book either.

While the narrative contains fun tropes and interesting politics, the science is terrible and the setting is ridiculous. I appreciate the homage to Darwin and the original Voyage of the Beagle, but the author's execution is poor. Because the writing lacks technical substance, this book remains a disappointment. 2/5 Stars.

Code of the Woosters by P G Wodehouse (1938)

Three people I respect said this book is very funny and I would enjoy it.  I have a different sense of humor and put this book down after getting to page 176.  I found less than 1% of the gags to be funny. 1/5 Stars.

Misspent Youth by Peter F Hamilton (2008)

I did not like this book. The narrative lacks science, awe, wonder, and mystery. Instead of the space opera or high-stakes conflict found in Hamilton's other works, this story focuses on a drama involving hormonal teenagers and fashion models. I did not care about these characters or the trivial plot. Because the book prioritizes silly drama over meaningful world-building, it fails to engage. 1/5 Stars.

The Second World Wars by Victor Davis Hanson (2017)

I enjoy Hanson's writing, and although The Second World Wars languished in my backlog, it exceeded my expectations. I anticipated a dry history of names and dates; instead, I found an analysis of the abstract aspects of warfare and history. Hanson faces criticism for his generalizations—particularly regarding the impact of hoplite warriors—and I question some of his specific analyses in this volume as well.

The book is organized into thematic sections rather than a chronological timeline, covering Air (aircraft and air power), Sea (the navy and maritime strategy), Land (ground forces), People (leadership and personnel), and Tools (production and economics). These divisions allow for a deep comparison of how different powers approached the same logistical and strategic problems. Because this structure highlights the broader mechanics of global conflict, the narrative remains consistently engaging.

Despite those potential flaws, the book is well-researched, well-edited, and approachable. The sections on production capabilities and economics provide the most interesting insights, as these factors are often neglected in political histories. This book is a strong recommendation for anyone interested in global conflict and "total war." 5/5 Stars.

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

A treasury of Yiddish Stories by Irving Howe and Eliezer Greenberg (1954)

This collection has an interminable introduction I should have skipped. I found some of the stories to be good and others to be confusing.  They are all well-crafted. 3/5 Stars.

Gimpel the Fool by Isaac Bashevis Singer (1953)

I found an extended translation with commentary of this interesting short story online.  The story is a fascinating journey through the ethical dilemma of scapegoat treatment.  The townspeople project all of their insecurities and moral failures onto Gimpel to maintain a sense of collective superiority. They identify Gimpel as a fool to validate their own cleverness and moral superiority. Gimpel is the container for the town's malice. This dynamic mirrors the historical (and current) demonization of the Jews: the majority creates a false narrative (big lies) and punishes the minority for existing.  Gimpel decides to accept his role as a fool.  He understands the deception.  Gimpel decides it is better to be "a fool" than to be cruel. By refusing to defend his ego, he prevents the malice of the town from turning violent. Gimpel is the only character who maintains a coherent moral arc. The town and people have a fragmented reality of lies and shifting loyalties. Gimpel remains committed to truth. Gimpel bears the injustice and remains uncorrupted by the lies. 4/5 Stars.

A Quantum Murder by Peter F Hamilton (1997)

The second book in this Mandel series continues the adventures of the characters established in book one. The story frames a murder mystery within the same setting. I enjoyed the prose despite the silly paranormal elements.

The narrative introduces more, new occult tropes. Hamilton employs pseudo-science to justify the  supernatural phenomena. The explanation for the magic is weakened by the pseudo-scientific logic.

I am normally not great at solving mysteries, but I identified the culprit early. I deduced the motive and the method by a process of elimination.

The science fiction background remains intriguing. I hope these elements dominate the third book. 3/5 Stars.

Briefe in die chinesische Vergangenheit von Herbert Rosendorfer (1986)

Ich schätze die Prosa und den markanten Stil Herbert Rosendorfers. Er nutzt das Briefformat, um die antike Kultur der Song- und Liao-Dynastie zu betrachten: Er stellt diese Werte dem Bayern der 1980er Jahre gegenüber. Er zeigt diese Unterschiede auf, anstatt sie bloß zu beschreiben. Ich schätze das Eintauchen in die Bräuche und Alltagsgeschichten historischer Figuren.

Rosendorfer vermeidet grausame Details aus dem Leben chinesischer Bauern. Er konzentriert sich nur auf kulturelle Einstellungen und Erzählungen aus dem Lebensalltag. Er stilisiert deutsche Themen der 1980er Jahre: Diese Probleme umfassen Waldsterben und Umweltverschmutzung. Diese Umweltdebatten sind veraltet. Die historische Perspektive bleibt jedoch für jüngere Leser interessant. Der Kontrast zwischen dem modernen industriellen Chaos und der Bürokratie am Song-Hof ist bemerkenswert. Die Außenseiter-Perspektive wirkt zeitweise künstlich, stellt meine Glaubwürdigkeit jedoch nie auf die Probe. Ich empfehle dieses Werk Lesern, die Rosendorfers populärwissenschaftliche Geschichtsbücher mögen. 5/5 Sterne

Accidental Astronaut by J N Chaney & Rick Partlow (2025)

I did not enjoy this one. The science collapses under a modicum of scrutiny: the narrative features giant insects that cannot support their own mass. The biological premise of haploid insects is impossible. Ridiculous magical magnets and primitive steampunk humans strain any suspension of disbelief.

Space combat ignores physics and celestial mechanics.  I found only the main characters interesting but they lack credibility and depth. The antagonists are poorly written. The "universal translator bugs" are magical and not scientific.

The story feels contrived because of a ridiculous plot. I do not recommend this book. 1/5 Stars