Prelude to Extinction by Andreas Karpf (2019)

I am always hunting for good, hard science fiction space opera and this series received good reviews.  The celestial mechanics are all wrong and the magic system is inconsistent. The odd power struggles & tension among the crew are inconsistent and unmotivated. The plot is interesting. 2/5 Stars.

Six Days of War by Michael Oren (2002)

My work space at home is the bedroom of one of our older children who no longer lives here.  This book was on her shelf.  The book is fantastic and highly recommended. The reader is bluntly confronted by the terrible incompetence and tragic miscommunications of international politics & diplomacy.  The story unfolds with vivid clarity from the original records. Anyone curious about this conflict must read this book. 5/5 Stars.

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jiminez (2022)

I did not like this story or the interesting surreal setting. The writing is good but the plot, characters, magic system, etc. were terrible, 1/5 Stars.

The Motive by Patrick Lencioni (2020)

Short, sharp, insightful, valuable.  I am catching up on the Lencioni books I should have read a while ago. 5/5 Stars.

Über Menschen von Juli Zeh (2021)

Humorvoll und wunderbarer Roman über Menschen verschiedenen Charakters. Die Hauptfiguren sind teils sozial schwierig, aber dennoch liebenswert. Die Geschichte handelt von ihre Lebensumstände und Beziehungen zueinander. Es geht um kulturelle und mentale Barrieren, um menschlichen, toleranten und angstfreien Umgang mit gegensätzlichen politischen Einstellungen in der Familie und in der Nachbarschaft. 5/5 Sterne.

When to create a better fire extinguisher

In a work meeting today someone explained an aphorism of the three times to build a better fire extinguisher:

1. Before a fire so you are prepared,
2. After a fire so you are better prepared for the next fire
3. During a fire, which is a terrible idea.

As software developers, we frequently look at all problems and projects as new code (or a cool script) to be written, optimistically predicting we can develop, test, and run the new code and meet the deadline. It's frequently better to use an existing system or process to meet a tight, important deadline than to bet your reputation that your new code will work perfectly the first time.

Birds of Prey by various authors (2022)

This collection is very disappointing. Don't waste an audible token. 2/5 Stars.

Drop the Pink Elephant by Bill McFarlan (2004)

My buddy in Berlin posted a selection of "hidden gems" book recommendations. I read this one in one sitting and also recommend it. It is a "self-help" book about communication with simple, effective methods we can all apply. 4/5 Stars.

Never by Ken Follett (2021)

Another "impulse borrow" from the library.  Thrilling and chilling. I liked all the characters. 4/5 Stars.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (2023)

I usually don't like swords & sorcery (high) fantasy because the magic systems are usually arbitrary.  This book is unbelievably brutal; everyone except the main character is trying to kill lots of other people.  There are lots of silly, political secrets for which everyone will kill to protect. And the explicit over-the-top erotica is also odd.  The whole book is like an overdose of 15 year olds' hormones, driving out all rational thought as everyone just wants to fight and f*&k.  The mystery is quite good, as is the writing and I enjoyed the characters, world-building, and story. 3/5 Stars.