The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker

The updates at the end belong embedded in each chapter.  Getting the 1994 version of the science, and then reading the appendix with updates is unsatisfying and lazy editing. Overall the book is extremely interesting and entertaining, dense with facts, data, and humor.  5/5 Stars.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

After many years of pushing this battered, dog-eared book down on my reading stack, I finally picked it up as a welcome break from space opera and popular science.  The non-stop cajoling of my family finally overwhelmed my hedonistic reading proclivities.   The book and story are as fantastic as my family promised. The deep insights into culture and geopolitics of (what are in 2021) Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola are still extremely valuable.  I am sorry I did not read this book decades ago.  5/5 Stars.

Exodus by Steve White, Shirley Meier

Interesting story line with odd, immortal aliens.  3/5 Stars.

Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre

Fantastic historically accurate biography of the top Russian spy during the second world war.  Well-crafted, entertaining, and still relevant, 5/5 Stars.

Silverview by John Le Carré

The old master has crafted another great story, 4/5 Stars.  The "B" stories are great and the characters are fantastic.

to sleep in a sea of stars

Great space opera with a decent magic system and great characters.  Despite the contrivances and poor motivations I loved the story, 5/5 Stars.

The Fifth Heart

Fun story, 4/5 Stars.

Interesting article in Nature

This week's Nature has an interesting and comprehensive paper about my son's research in organoid development using pressure and geometric constraints.

The Shiva Option by David Weber and Steve White

Larger fleets, non-stop interstellar combat, one-dimensional good guys and bad bad guys, great entertainment, 4/5 Stars.

In Death Ground (Starfire Book 2) by David Weber & Steve White

Interesting WW1 wet Navy battleship battles set in a space opera.  The science, economics, aliens, physics, etc. are quite poor but the characters and storyline are fun. It is very light, entertaining "brain candy," 4/5 Stars.