Let's take a moment for me to orient you to what's here
On the pages linked to this one there are dozens of book reviews.
To make finding what will interest you easier, I've given you two browsing pages (the Book Shelves) -- one for fiction, the other for non-fiction. If you hover your cursor over the title, my rating of the book appears. Then there are two pages of reviews (right .... one for fiction, one for non-fiction). I've arranged all the books in each category in alphabetical order by author.
I approach my book reviews from the perspective of my subjective experience of reading the book. There is a bit of a synopsis of the book there too, but you will figure out how I feel about it.
Here are the links:
Fiction Bookshelf
Non-Fiction Bookshelf
Fiction Reviews
Non-Fiction Reviews
But that's not all that's here on these pages. Immediately below is a review of my most recent read. Below that is the title of the book I am currently reading.
And then we get to my faves. There is a memoir I really recommend (and a couple of other memoirs too). Then there are my top picks for each of the fiction and non-fiction categories. Finally, there's an interesting grouping of four books that have helped me come to terms with a perplexing social/ political issue.
To make finding what will interest you easier, I've given you two browsing pages (the Book Shelves) -- one for fiction, the other for non-fiction. If you hover your cursor over the title, my rating of the book appears. Then there are two pages of reviews (right .... one for fiction, one for non-fiction). I've arranged all the books in each category in alphabetical order by author.
I approach my book reviews from the perspective of my subjective experience of reading the book. There is a bit of a synopsis of the book there too, but you will figure out how I feel about it.
Here are the links:
Fiction Bookshelf
Non-Fiction Bookshelf
Fiction Reviews
Non-Fiction Reviews
But that's not all that's here on these pages. Immediately below is a review of my most recent read. Below that is the title of the book I am currently reading.
And then we get to my faves. There is a memoir I really recommend (and a couple of other memoirs too). Then there are my top picks for each of the fiction and non-fiction categories. Finally, there's an interesting grouping of four books that have helped me come to terms with a perplexing social/ political issue.
My most recent read
★★★★☆
I chose this book for two reasons. I was soon to spend a few days in Hungary, learning about its history and culture. Reading about its politics would further enhance my understanding of the country. Secondly, I knew of Donald Trump’s high regard for the autocratic rule of Victor Orban. Knowing more about what Orban has done would help me better understand what Trump is doing.
The book didn’t disappoint on either count. It was a heavy read (and also an expensive purchase) and I come away disturbed, confirmed and more apprehensive about the future of America. But in the end, my curiosity was well satisfied.
I’ve never studied political science theory, so there was a lot to puzzle through in this book. And, I knew little of the institutions and workings of the European Union (now I know a bit more). In reading about the political process in Hungary I came across terms I had never encountered before, scary ones. The two that stand out for me were the process of de-democratization (I think you can figure out what that means) and illiberal. Illiberalism is proudly worn by Orban and his Fidesz Party as its political badge. The illiberalism consolidating in Hungary refers to the restricting freedom of thought and behaviour, intolerance of outside influence, and a narrow sense of ethnic nationalism.
There are many parallels between the maneuvers of the Trump presidency and what Orban has done in Hungary. However, Hungary is not a clear blueprint for the USA as the context and histories of the two countries are so different. That said, it is clear a illiberal mind-set and de-democratization process are a part of Trump’s remaking of the USA.
The premise of the book is that Orban’s autocracy is embedded within the complexity of Hungarian identity, its history and ethnicity. One of the ways Orban consolidated his hold on Hungarians was through his political rhetoric. For the de-democratization and illiberalism taking place in the USA to succeed it will need to be also be embedded in the cultural ethos of its people. An emphasis on isolation and nationalism will need to be nurtured within the nation (perhaps using the powerful new tools of social media). Additionally, Orban capitalized on posturing with respect to global (and European) institutions and geopolitical events to further its ethnic national identification.
De-democratization in Hungary made its way through the political and legal systems in multiple steps to insure loyalty to Orban’s increasingly autocratic rule. The process in the USA is proceeding much more quickly than it did in Hungary, as if Trump wants to do in two years what Orban did in fifteen.
One final note. My work as a psychologist led me to choose complexity theory over linear causation. This book confirmed that what we observe is best understood through appreciating a complexity of factors, including context and identity, as well as actions and events.
The book didn’t disappoint on either count. It was a heavy read (and also an expensive purchase) and I come away disturbed, confirmed and more apprehensive about the future of America. But in the end, my curiosity was well satisfied.
I’ve never studied political science theory, so there was a lot to puzzle through in this book. And, I knew little of the institutions and workings of the European Union (now I know a bit more). In reading about the political process in Hungary I came across terms I had never encountered before, scary ones. The two that stand out for me were the process of de-democratization (I think you can figure out what that means) and illiberal. Illiberalism is proudly worn by Orban and his Fidesz Party as its political badge. The illiberalism consolidating in Hungary refers to the restricting freedom of thought and behaviour, intolerance of outside influence, and a narrow sense of ethnic nationalism.
There are many parallels between the maneuvers of the Trump presidency and what Orban has done in Hungary. However, Hungary is not a clear blueprint for the USA as the context and histories of the two countries are so different. That said, it is clear a illiberal mind-set and de-democratization process are a part of Trump’s remaking of the USA.
The premise of the book is that Orban’s autocracy is embedded within the complexity of Hungarian identity, its history and ethnicity. One of the ways Orban consolidated his hold on Hungarians was through his political rhetoric. For the de-democratization and illiberalism taking place in the USA to succeed it will need to be also be embedded in the cultural ethos of its people. An emphasis on isolation and nationalism will need to be nurtured within the nation (perhaps using the powerful new tools of social media). Additionally, Orban capitalized on posturing with respect to global (and European) institutions and geopolitical events to further its ethnic national identification.
De-democratization in Hungary made its way through the political and legal systems in multiple steps to insure loyalty to Orban’s increasingly autocratic rule. The process in the USA is proceeding much more quickly than it did in Hungary, as if Trump wants to do in two years what Orban did in fifteen.
One final note. My work as a psychologist led me to choose complexity theory over linear causation. This book confirmed that what we observe is best understood through appreciating a complexity of factors, including context and identity, as well as actions and events.
What I'm currently reading
A highly recommended memoir.
The Dark Threads (★★★★★) is a memoir of an unnecessary and traumatic journey of a young woman through the mental health treatment system. I have the privilege of getting to know this author (we met on Twitter no less!). We are beta-readers for each other and email pals with daily correspondence. Her memoir depicts psychiatric diagnosis and treatment at it's worse. It is horrifying to read. But she has survived.
I have also pictured below a couple of other memoirs which I really enjoyed.
I have also pictured below a couple of other memoirs which I really enjoyed.
And some other fascinating memoirs...
My Fiction Faves
You can find the reviews for these books with the other fiction reviews through this link
My Non-Fiction Faves
You can find the reviews for these books with the other non- fiction reviews through this link.
A Political Grouping
I have been fascinated by the unholy marriage of the American Evangelical church to Donald Trump. There are several books that have helped me to understand this cultural and historical debacle. You might want to check them out.
You can find the reviews for these books with the other non- fiction reviews through this link.
You can find the reviews for these books with the other non- fiction reviews through this link.
A final thought ...
While I worked as a psychologist I didn't have the time or mental energy to read. The books reviewed on the following pages have come into my life over the last five years. I've found myself expanded by them in understanding the human condition and the context in which we explore our subjective experience of living the life we have. I hope you will find here the books that will do that for you too.