The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower was an o.k. book, nothing super special.  There were some interesting tidbits throughout the book like the details of LBJ's shower, Hillary Clinton during her husband's famous affair, and Nancy Reagan's crazy request for a state dinner dessert just 2 days prior to the dinner.  It's a book that is told from the perspective of the massive staff that runs everything behind the scenes at the white house... the chefs, the butlers, the maids, the nannies, etc.  Most people probably don't think about the white house in the eyes of these people.  These are people that stay at the white house for decades sometimes, from administration to administration.  There are no REAL juicy details of gossip sort of information.  It's just not that kind of book, and I feel as though these staff members aren't really the type to spread that type of information.  They seem very loyal.  Like I said though, there are several interesting stories.  I'd say if you have any interest in the white house and what it's like behind the scenes, then you might want to check this book out.  It wasn't great, but interesting, nothing life-changing.  I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.

A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic's Wild Ride to the Edge and Back

A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic's Wild Ride to the Edge and Back by Kevin Hazzard was an interesting read.  I wouldn't recommend it if you're squeamish with possible gory medical emergencies.  There really weren't that many gross ones but the ones that were could be a pretty disgusting image in your head.  I did "enjoy" reading the stories though.  I put that word in quotes because it's weird to say that I enjoyed reading stories about medical emergencies.  It was hard to consider some of them as they didn't all end well.  However, I've always been curious about the odd and interesting things EMTs must see and do all day.  This book was the answer to that curiosity.  For example, one story was about a man that nailed his elbow to a wall... on purpose.  I'll let you read the book to find out why.  It's a book that shows a different side to life and was well written.  If you are considering going into the field, I would definitely recommend you read this.  I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

I really enjoyed Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth.  It's about gritty people and how their grit helps them succeed and that talent is not always an indicator in success.  The author pulls from research in West Point, the Seattle Seahawks and JP Morgan among others.  The research was really interesting.  I wouldn't say that the information coming out of the research was surprising, it's just interesting to have it come together in so many different, unrelated corners of life.  The part concerning the National Spelling Bee candidates probably surprised me the most.  The book definitely made me want to "pick a hard thing" (read the book to find out what that means).  I'm even planning to have my 11-year-old son read it.  I hope he understands it and draws something from it that will help him understand why I am always holding him to such high standards.  I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** by Mark Manson

The Subtle Are of Not Giving a F*** by Mark Manson was not a good choice for me.  I get his message, I think, but he has a horrible way of telling it.  If you don't like reading the F word A LOT, then don't bother reading this.  He can't seem to stop using it.  Apparently, he has few words in his vocabulary.  He's trying to tell you not to care about the things in life that don't really matter, but he goes about it in a way that made me feel like I was in front of my doctor and she was telling me I have cancer and only 6 weeks to live while blowing cigarette smoke in my face and texting on her cell phone.  Maybe I felt that way because I listened to the audiobook and the author was not the reader.  It could be that the reader didn't read it the way the author intended.  It's hard to say that though with the number of F bombs that were dropped.  If you're thinking of reading this book, just tell yourself that it doesn't matter how much money everyone else has.  It doesn't matter what car everyone else drives.  Material things don't really matter.  What matters are the things and activities that make me happy in life.  Then, you'll save yourself the trouble of being cursed at for an entire book.  I give this book a 1 out of 5 stars... not sure I even want to give it that, but the message is there if you sort through it all.

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

I'm not sure how "short and sweet" I can be with My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman.  I REALLY enjoyed this book.  I haven't read a touching book in quite some time.  I'm a sap and cry way too easily.  This book had a good balance of sappy to funny so that I barely shed a tear but my heart strings were tugged quite often.  Elsa's grandmother dies of cancer and leaves a trail of apology letters for Elsa to deliver.  Elsa is only 7, but very bright and takes on the challenge with gusto.  She loves her grandmother immensely.  They shared a fairy tale world that she thought was only theirs and theirs alone.  She discovers that she is mistaken.  She learns where all of those fairy tales came from that her granny told her.  It really is such a touching book.  I loved the characters.  I loved the way it's written.  It's a novel that might make you think about what you might wish you would have done differently at death's door... to whom you might apologize in the end.  However, it doesn't do it in a bad way, if that makes sense.  It doesn't focus on the apology letters really, so the concept is not in your face.  It's very subtle.  The reader gets so focused on Elsa that some may even miss it.  Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, touching story.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

The Drafter by Kim Harrison

Hmmmmm, what to say about The Drafter (the first in The Peri Reed Chronicles) by Kim Harrison...  It's not my typical choice of book.  I don't read a lot of sci-fi.  They tend  to be a little mundane in getting to the point of the plot.  This one, however, wasn't like that.  It's sci-fi, but it doesn't really feel like it.  It ALMOST feels like a romance but not quite.  You can tell that Silas is in love with Peri.  The problem is Peri doesn't know him, at least not exactly.  She did once, but doesn't remember him.  She is what is known as a drafter, someone who can slip back in time a little, usually less than a minute, to change something.  Peri is apparently one of the best.  The concept is really quite interesting.  The drafter drafts and that person's anchor gives the drafter the memories back because the drafter forgets things while s/he drafts.  So, yes, I found that VERY interesting.  However, there are parts of the story that I feel are there simply to have the "right" kind of plot.  There's the Alliance and Opti, two different groups or companies or whatever they are, and they are adversaries.  The book never really explains why, just that Opti is corrupt.  So, there was a lot of back story that is just brushed over.  It makes it feel as though the author had a checklist for her plot process and just checked them off as she went.  It wasn't annoying enough to stop reading the book though.  I got over it.  I would say that the book is definitely worth a read simply for the concept of the drafters and anchors.  I did not like the ending, but it IS supposed to be a trilogy.  So, technically, it didn't end.  I think I will read the next one.  It's worth it to see what happens to Peri but I can't tell you why without giving away the ending.  I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars mostly for the concept of the drafters.

The Last Mile by David Baldacci

The Last Mile by David Baldacci is the second book in the Amos Decker series.  Amos Decker is a man who has hyperthymesia as the result of a head injury during a football game.  Hyperthymesia is a condition where the person has a near perfect memory.  Amos couldn't forget something even if he tried.  He has signed on with the FBI to a new task force to study old, cold cases.  Amos never makes it to any of those cases in this book because he hears the story of a man being released from death row, who was there for the murder of his parents, because someone else came forward and confessed.  Decker is compelled to study this case instead.  The book is well written.  I typically like David Baldacci and his work.  This one did not disappoint.  I would recommend reading the first one before this one though.  Some of the main characters carry over, so you miss their introductions and getting to know them if you don't read the first one before this one.  The mystery in this story is good.  It has several twists and turns, some of which I didn't see coming.  I like Decker's methods for solving things.  His hyperthymesia makes it more interesting.  Overall, it's a good book.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a good murder mystery.  I give it 4 out of 5 stars.