Tag: Working Stiff

My Favorite Non-Fiction Books of 2020

My 2020 Wrap up continues and now we’re on to the Non-Fiction list. I had little trouble getting this down to 9 books (couldn’t be satisfied with any of the candidates for 10, although Duhigg almost scored it with the other book by him I listened to this year). But when started filling in the details, I was surprised that I’d given so many of these 3 or 3 1/2 stars. But these are the ones that stuck with me through the year; the ones I cited in conversation; that I thought about when reading something else or watching something on TV. Really, that’s what’s important, right?

As always, I only put books that I’ve read for the first time on this list. I don’t return to NF books (outside of looking up things for one or three points), but occasionally I do—for example, The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs would get a permanent spot on this list, were it not for this rule.

(in alphabetical order by author)

GritGrit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

by Angela Duckworth

My original post
A fascinating mix of psychological research, case studies, and personal anecdotes. Duckworth structured this in such a way that not only it was informative and educational, it was enjoyable and motivational. The subject was interesting, the approach challenging, and didn’t always give the answers you expected. Duckworth made it clear that with the right mindset and time, it was possible to increase your own grit and find a measure of success. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, nor is it a promise of instant success. Just a reassurance that smart work can pay off.

4 1/2 Stars

Smarter Faster BetterSmarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business

by Charles Duhigg, Mike Chamberlain (Narrator)
My original post
It’s not a how-to book, it’s not self-improvement, it’s largely about the science/study/understanding of productivity. I found it just as fascinating as previous book and can see where it’d be a useful guidebook for people in some sort of position of authority in an organization. Yet, it’s an improvement over Duhigg’s previous book because there are indications of how one could apply this to themselves/their organizations.

Also, Duhigg shows us his process while illustrating his own application of the book’s lessonswhich I really enjoyed. I find his approach to putting together a book very interesting, what and how he includes something is almost as interesting as what he does with it.

3.5 Stars

No Time Like the FutureNo Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality

by Michael J. Fox

My original post
I’ve been a fan of Fox’s for as long as I can remember, and have watched most of the projects he discussed here (and many others). Like many, I’ve been impressed with the way he and his family have dealt with his Parkinson’s Disease and how they’ve worked to help everyone with it.

So this book, where he’s frank about the troubles he’s had recently and the way they’ve challenged his natural optimism really struck a chord with me. The book is a balance of struggle and victory, setback and progress—all told with a sharp wit that’s sure to charm.

4 Stars

The Checklist ManifestoThe Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right

by Atul Gawande, John Bedford Lloyd (Narrator)

My original post
It’s a simple premise—a well-developed checklist can make even the most complex task doable and save even experts from horrible oversights/mistakes when implemented correctly (although there are things that just can’t be made into a checklist). As hard as it might be to fathom, seeing how checklists have been used by pilots, surgeons, investment bankers and the like is utterly fascinating. There’s just no way that I can make it sound like it.

3.5 Stars

Breaking Bread with the DeadBreaking Bread with the Dead: A Reader’s Guide to a More Tranquil Mind

by Alan Jacobs

My original post
Jacobs hits another one out of the park. He asks how can we read and appreciate books from the past plagued by things that would not be tolerated today? Racism; slavery; different expectations for family, male and female roles; and so on. (many of these can apply to books and people who aren’t from previous centuries, but are in the cubicle next to us or around the Thanksgiving table—but Jacobs doesn’t spend time on that, but if you can’t make the application, I don’t think you’re paying attention).

Thoughtful, thought-provoking, erudite, with quiet humor, Jacobs will make you think, aspire to be a better reader, and more widely-read, too. I’m going to have to read this one a couple of more times to mine it for detail, and I’m looking forward to it.

4 1/2 Stars

Funny, You Don't Look AutisticFunny, You Don’t Look Autistic

by Michael McCreary

My original post
McCreary shows a side of ASD that many people probably don’t realize exists. And even if they do, hearing about it from someone with it, helps you understand it better. McCreary gives us his perspective on things in a way that’s easy to digest. His humor (mostly pointed at himself and autism) provides some lightness to something that’s usually not treated that way.

3.5 Stars

Working StiffWorking Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner

by Judy Melinek, MD, & TJ Mitchell, Tanya Eby (Narrator)

My original post
This is Melinek’s account of her training to be a forensic pathologist in NYC—a great place to train, because what won’t you see there? She talks about the deaths that are the result of crimes, the kind of thing we see on every crime show in the world. But that’s not primarily the job and that’s not the focus of the book—mostly it’s the result of an accident, long-term disease, and so on. Which is actually frequently more interesting than the criminal stuff.

What makes this already compelling book all the better (as a book, not as an actual life) is that September 11, 2001, was a few weeks after her residency began. Her description of dealing with the aftermath (both in terms of the dead and the events that followed) is just sobering, and a reminder of the unspeakable reality of that day.

3.5 Stars

Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is WhyNothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why

by Alexandra Petri

My original post
If this was a straight-forward collection of essays about politics and cultural issues, I’d probably not recommend it. I don’t know if I’d have finished it (although, with Jacob’s help (see above), maybe I could’ve). But the fact that it’s a collection of humorous essays/columns? Oh yeah, sign me up.

Even when I think she’s wrong about a topic, she made me grin and/or laugh. Usually made me think. I was always impressed with her creativity.

3 Stars

The Answer IsThe Answer Is . . .: Reflections on My Life

by Alex Trebek, Narrated by: Ken Jennings, Alex Trebek

My original post
Even if we hadn’t lost Trebek this year, this would’ve landed on this list. But given how much we’ve all been talking about him lately, it has to show up.

He tells his story in short chapters, full of self-depreciation and more swearing than you’d expect (he explains why). If you can hear/read him talk about his wife, his children, his cancer—and the effect that the cancer’s having on his wife and children as he prepares for death without being moved? There’s something wrong with ya. At that point, any thought I had about pretending to be objective and analytical went out the window.

My sole complaint is that the audiobook is only four-and-a-half hours long. It’s just not long enough. I get that he wasn’t trying to be exhaustive—and I don’t necessarily want that—but when you start to hear these quick stories about his growing up, his getting established in the business (either in Canada or the States), his friendships…and of course, Jeopardy!—you just want it to keep going for hours and hours.

4 1/2 Stars

Catch-Up Quick Takes: Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner; Out of Range; The Fangs of Freelance; Wonder Twins, Vol. 1: Activate!

The point of these quick takes post to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.

Working Stiff

Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner

by Judy Melinek, MD, & TJ Mitchell, Tanya Eby (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 7 hrs., 43 mins.
Tantor Media, 2014
Read: June 12-14, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
I really don’t know what to say about this account of a forensic pathologist’s training in NYC. Read it, listen to it, whatever. It’s fascinating. It’s a good reminder/way to learn that not all of forensic pathology is what you see on police procedurals (and even then…wow, fictionalized).

Her retelling of the reasons she left her surgical residency—and the fact that she’s not the exception to the rule (beyond having the good sense to leave when so many don’t), is one more reminder that we desperately need to overhaul medical training in this country.

But that’s not what the book is about—it’s about the day-to-day grind, the countless ways pathologists find evidence about what kills us, the hard job of getting answers for the bereaved, and yeah—there’s the criminal justice side to it. I’m a little squeamish when it comes to real-life medical “stuff”, I’ll watch a Tarantino marathon and not blink and the bucks of blood (well, maybe the dance scene in Reservoir Dogs some days), but I can’t last 15 minutes in a medical documentary without my toes literally curling. There were moments listening to this that made me wonder—but there weren’t many, and they passed quickly. If you’re like me, stick with it.

I was all set to say this is a good book and well worth your time, and then we got to the penultimate chapter. Melinek wisely organized her story by topic, not chronology. Largely due to this chapter (I’d guess), because you want it at the end so it doesn’t dwarf the rest. She started her residency a few weeks before September 11, 2001. I’m not even going to try to describe it. The whole book could’ve been written about this and the immediate aftermath.
3.5 Stars

Out of Range

Out of Range

by C. J. Box, David Chandler (Narrator)
Series: Joe Pickett, #5
Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hrs., 11 mins
Recorded Books, 2008
Read: June 16-17, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
Of all the books in this post, this is the one that bugs me the most—but I’m being honest, I’m not going to find the time to give this the post I want to. Like his fellow Wyomingite (I had to look that term up), Walt Longmire, Joe Pickett has to leave his home occasionally. There’s just no way Box can keep killing people in that sparsely populated area.

So Joe goes to Jackson Hole to temporarily fill the office of a warden who killed himself—and, maybe, just figure out what drove the man to suicide*. Seeing Joe out of water, yet right at home in the work is great—I’m betting Box will do things like this in the future (again, see Longmire), and it’ll be worth it.

* Spoiler: he does.

Joe leaves Marybeth and the kids at home, with the usual financial woes, stresses of a pre-teen far too wise for her years (but with all the attitude of a preteen), and new loneliness. This marriage is headed for trouble—thankfully, both of them realize it (I’m not sure I can handle them splitting, and I’m not a die-hard Pickett fan yet).

Great mystery. Better sub-stories (I can’t start talking about the Nate Romanowski story without spoiling it). I’m really, really glad I started this series.

The Fangs of Freelance

The Fangs of Freelance

by Drew Hayes, Kirby Heyborne (Narrator)
Series: Fred, The Vampire Accountant, #4
Unabridged Audiobook, 8 hrs., 21 mins.
Tantor Audio, 2017
Read: June 23-26, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
Fred’s move to become a freelance accounting consultant for The Agency really just opens the door for more adventures (as well as for more challenging accounting jobs). It frequently looks like he bit off more than he can chew, but with a little help from his friends… Fred’s also dealing with the ramifications of starting his own clan in the last book—a move I thought was inspired and I’m enjoying watching that clan solidify.

This is probably the best of the series, really. Hayes makes some bold moves here. Heyborne’s narration remains strong and entertaining.

This is really a nice, reliable “cozy” Urban Fantasy series. I’m glad I stumbled upon it.
3 Stars

WONDER TWINS VOL. 1: ACTIVATE!

Wonder Twins Vol. 1: Activate!

by Mark Russell, Stephen Byrne (Artist)
Series: Wonder Twins, #1
Paperback, 160 pg.
DC Comics, 2020
Read: June 27, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
Okay, so…straight out of the second (pretty sure, it was the second) incarnation of Super Friends comes this Wonder Twins series. And it was . . . eh, okay, maybe?

Zan and Jayna are on Earth, sent here by their parents under the watchful eye of Superman. They’re open about their alienness, telling everyone at school about their home planet, its culture, and their abilities. And pretty much no one cares. After school, they hang out in the Hall of Justice as interns, they end up battling The League of Annoyance (villains too lame for consideration in the Legion of Doom). Oh, and eventually, Zan buys a circus monkey that turns out to be blue.

I really dug the art. I’m not sure what else to say about that—I’m interested in checking out more of Byrne’s work. Oh, wait…I have said nice things about him already. I should pay more attention to things like that.

The tone of this was wildly uneven—was it comedic? Was it earnest?. The League of Annoyance was too silly for this book—too silly even for the Teen Titans Go cartoon. I liked a lot of what went down in the Hall of Justice (especially the supercomputer).
3 Stars

2020 Library Love Challenge

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