My Friends, by Fredrik Backman →

. RSS

Fredrik Backman's My Friends begins with a painting—seemingly just a seascape to most, but to Louisa, a young artist, it’s a mystery worth unraveling. At the end of a long pier sit three tiny figures, almost hidden, yet filled with meaning. As Louisa sets out to uncover their story, she’s pulled into a decades-old summer shaped by four teenagers trying to make sense of their complicated lives.

Joar, always ready to fight; Ted, quiet and grieving; Ali, untethered by a transient home; and the artist, gifted and withdrawn—these young souls find laughter, stories, and unexpected hope in each other. That fleeting time becomes the heart of the novel, captured forever in the painting that eventually finds its way to Louisa.

While I felt somewhat let down by the ending and missed a fuller resolution for the characters, the novel's emotional weight lives in the lives of those young friends and the way their bond shaped them. My Friends doesn’t just celebrate youthful connection—it mourns how easily we forget the intensity of that age, even as it continues to shape who we are. Maybe Backman’s deeper message is this: when we remember the raw, honest version of ourselves from youth—the moments we felt deeply, cared fiercely, and tried our best—we’re more able to forgive who we are now. That memory becomes a bridge to self-compassion.

Stephen King's Never Flinch →

. RSS

Stephen King's Never Flinch is a gripping and multifaceted novel that showcases his talent for balancing suspense with deeply human storytelling. Holly Gibney, a recurring character in King’s recent works, stands more confidently in this installment, both emotionally and professionally. While she remains central to the story, King weaves in a compelling ensemble of new and returning characters that enrich the narrative.

The novel follows two converging threads: a chilling threat to kill “thirteen innocents and one guilty” in a twisted act of revenge, and a rising danger against feminist speaker Kate McKay. Holly is drawn into both worlds—supporting the police investigation and serving as Kate’s bodyguard. As the tension builds, King delivers a darkly satisfying blend of psychological drama, social commentary, and pure thriller energy.

While it’s only been a month since I read it, I find myself more struck by the overall tone and Holly’s growth than the plot details—which speaks to how effectively King writes his characters. Never Flinch is smart, tense, and full of the kind of layered menace only King can create.

What Matters: We Are the Sum of Small Moments By Brent M. Jones →

In a world that often prizes grand gestures and major milestones, this reflective book invites us to consider something quieter—but just as powerful: the meaning found in small, everyday moments.

What Matters is a thoughtful exploration of personal growth, reinvention, connection, and the quiet clarity that comes from simply being present. Through a series of reflections, Brent M. Jones reminds us that we are shaped not just by what we achieve, but by how we choose to notice, respond to, and honor the little things that make up our lives.

This book is not about fixing yourself. It’s about seeing yourself more honestly—and finding meaning in the process.

Whether you're navigating change, rebuilding, or just pausing to reflect, What Matters offers a gentle companion for the journey.

🟡 Now available in eBook format
📘 Explore more of Brent’s work and reflections throughout this site

The Power of Authentic Communication: In a World Full of Noise, Authentic Communication Stands Out →

. RSS

In a noisy world, what truly sets you apart is how honestly you connect.

The Power of Authentic Communication is a thoughtful and practical guide to speaking with clarity, listening with intention, and showing up as your true self in every conversation.

Whether you're navigating personal relationships, leading a team, or building your professional presence, author Brent M. Jones draws on decades of coaching, leadership, and life experience to show how authentic communication can transform the way you relate to others—and to yourself.

Inside, you'll learn how to:

• Recognize and remove common barriers to real communication

• Speak with purpose—without jargon or pretense

• Adapt your message while staying rooted in your values

• Build trust, resolve conflict, and inspire meaningful change

• Strengthen emotional intelligence and self-awareness through intentional dialogue

This isn’t a book about saying the “right” thing. It’s about learning to be real—with yourself and with others. If you're seeking deeper connections, stronger leadership presence, or a more grounded way to express who you are, this book is an ideal place to start.

Because in a world full of noise, authenticity isn’t just powerful—it’s essential.

Bill Gates Source Code: My Beginnings →

. RSS

The book Source Code covers Gates' Early Years, about 25 years, the first phase of his life. This book will be one of three memoirs he has planned. Bill Gates comes across as authentic in this book.

The trust and relationship Gates' parents had with him were truly remarkable and played a significant role in his journey. Their support and the space they provided him to focus on his goals during his childhood in Seattle, his early entry into coding at age 13, his time at Harvard, and the early years of “Micro-Soft” in Albuquerque were crucial in shaping his future.

Dinner with the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House

. RSS

The authors suggest that some of the most significant monuments in American history have taken place over meals. This book, with its subtitle 'Food, Politics and the History of Breakin Bread at the White House', explores a topic of great importance, focusing on 26 Presidents, First Ladies, and White House Culinary teams.

While some may question the inclusion of 'politics' in the book's title, the authors reveal that even seemingly mundane White House dinners and gatherings are steeped in political significance.

The book also delves into the profound lessons in hospitality that these historical figures imparted, emphasizing the importance of making others feel at ease.

ON PLUTO: Inside The Mind of Altzheimers by Greg Obrien →

. RSS

The book On Pluto offers a unique and intimate perspective on Alzheimer's, as seen through the eyes of Greg O'Brien, a journalist diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's. His personal experiences and insights provide a compelling and engaging narrative that is informative and captivating.

Through his journey, O'Brien's narrative is not about succumbing to the disease, but about embracing life despite it.

O’Brien’s literary prowess shines throughout the book, as he intertwines his personal experiences with literary events. His ability to articulate his journey with such clarity is a testament to his resilience, making On Pluto a significant addition to the literature on Alzheimer's. This is not a book about succumbing to Alzheimer’s, but about living with it. It's a book about hope, faith, and humor as a prescription far more powerful than today’s conventional medications to fight this disease.

You can easily purchase this book on Amazon, where they provide the following information on the order page: “Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only one of these diseases on the rise. More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementia; about 35 million people worldwide.”

The Library Book by Susan Orlean →

. RSS

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Libraries are inherently interesting, so it's no surprise that a story about a great library, a catastrophic library fire, a peculiar character accused of arson, and a deep dive into the day-to-day operations of a great library would be even more enjoyable. Susan Orlean’s book The Library Book was not just a surprise, but a truly delightful read that will leave you intrigued and eager to explore its pages.

”On 29 April 1986, Los Angeles Central Library was engulfed in flames. The fire, originating in the fiction stacks, swiftly ascended the staircases, gaining momentum as it collided with ceilings. The intense heat, reaching a staggering 1370C, transformed the metal shelves from a dull grey to a blinding white before they collapsed in a tangle of cherry red.”

All the staff and visitors displayed remarkable courage, evacuating the building safely. However, the same could not be said for the books. By the time the fire and the high-pressure hoses had completed their destructive dance, half a million volumes were declared lost, with an equal number on the brink of survival.

The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon →

. RSS

The book begins with an introduction focused on New York in 1804 and concludes with the final chapter in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama. The people in these chapters are the Small and Mighty, and the common thread in what they did clearly shows that they made a big difference.

The author tells us that “Often the small are truly the mighty. Their stories may be eclipsed by a dominant sun, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t ours to discover.”

“Ken Burns said of Sharon McMahon that what she does is not just tell a top-down version of the past but a bottom-up version.

Ken Burns said: There are no ordinary people

Being and Time by Martin Heidegger →

. RSS

Martin Heidegger’s Being and Time was first published in 1927. Philosopher Hans Meyerhoff and many others consider it one of the most important philosophical works of our time.

Heidegger's Being and Time, an ontology that delves into the essence of being, is a transformative journey. It guides us to turn inward, discover our authentic selves, and heed the call of conscience to be true to ourselves.

Heidegger's distinction between Human Beings and Dasein is a significant intellectual leap. It stimulates our minds and engages us in a deeper understanding of our own existence.

Heidegger's call to self-awareness and understanding of Dasein is a catalyst for personal growth. It empowers us to embrace our individuality and strive for authenticity.

Heidegger also explains that time is not infinite but a horizon of possibilities for beings. For human beings, finite time defines what can be achieved through their choices.

(This book is challenging to read. It takes off on several tangents. In some ways, it sounds like a religious focus without referring to a deity.)

Flowers for Algernon- A Novel by Daniel Keyes →

. RSS

'Flowers for Algernon' is a significant narrative exploring intelligence and relationships. The central theme revolves around the impact of increased intelligence on a person's life, mainly focusing on how Charlie Gordon’s changing intellect affects his perception of himself and his relationships with others.

The central theme revolves around the impact of increased intelligence on a person's life, mainly focusing on how Charlie's changing intellect affects his perception of himself and his relationships with others that evolve as his intelligence changes.

At the beginning of the book, the author quotes from Plato’s Republic’s Allegory of the Cave, where he asks, “whether that soul of a man has come out of a brighter life, and is then unable to see because he is unaccustomed to the dark, or having turned from darkness into the day he is dazzled by an excess of light.” Plato adds that “he will count the one coming into the light happy in his condition and state of being, and he will pity the other.”

Charlie probably wouldn’t like Plato’s conclusion since he sums up what he learned by going into the light and back to the darkness, declaring what he learned was that he didn’t want people’s pity.

Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, by Lisa Genova →

. RSS

Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting is one of Lisa Genova’s six books about neurological diseases and disorders. If you have read all of them, as I have, you will find some familiar material in this book.

The book begins by describing how memories are formed and how creating memories creates structural and connective changes in the brain. I found it fascinating that each time we recall a memory, it changes slightly, overwriting the original memory. She also points out that the original memory didn’t capture everything happening then, just what stood out to you.

This view of memory makes it clear that we are not stuck with our past histories but can learn and see things differently, looking back at events that looked like when they happened, or the last time we thought about them. My writing and books have focused on our ability to reinvent ourselves and that past events do not trap us.

(I originally read and reviewed this book in October 2021, but ironically, for many reasons, I forgot that I had read it, some irony here)

More or Less Maddy, by Lisa Genova →

. RSS

Maddy Banks is just like any other stressed-out University freshman, except she isn’t. Maddy has been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and soon spirals into a wild mania that takes her to her breaking point.

While she was at school, she was prescribed some medication that triggered some manic episodes. As her story unfolds, we see the impact that her family and friends have on her and how she struggles with school, but her bipolar manifests itself in her mind as she considers who she is and what she wants to be good at.

The book gives the reader a clearer understanding of what A bipolar situation is. Rather than just saying it is a period of extreme mood swings, increased energy, or disturbed behavior we can understand how Maddy is driven to extremes by her own goals. Maddy wants to be a comedian, but her mother initially sees that as delusional. The clarity this misperception by her mother adds to Maddy’s condition are eye openers.

Be Ready When Luck Happens- a memoir by Ina Garten →

. RSS

Of course, I gave this five stars. Why wouldn’t anyone? Ina’s memoir is her life story, and there is no reason to believe it is anything but authentic. She shows her passion and perseverance to overcome obstacles and achieve her goals in life. It doesn’t take long in her story to understand that her saying, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” means that being ready also means being true to yourself. Ina's memoir is not just a recount of her life, but a source of inspiration and valuable life lessons that can motivate and guide us in our own journeys.

As you read this memoir, it becomes clear that Ina stands her ground on things she wants, but those things have something in common. What they have in common has more to do with what she wants from those things. The common thread is quality. She looks for quality in her real estate options, the ingredients of the food she makes, the flowers she arranges, and much more. This emphasis on quality truly reflects the depth of Ina's character.

The Waiting by Michael Connelly - A Book Review →

. RSS

Renee Ballard is an LAPD officer who has been placed in charge of the previously mothballed Open-Unsolved Unit, which at the time had only volunteers working there. Renee starts many days early to allow some time to catch the waves at the beach, but her car is broken into, and she loses her badge, gun, and ID.

She wants to find the thief on her own to avoid letting it become ammunition for those in her department who want to end her career. This leads her to seek advice from semi-retired Harry Bosch.

At about the same time, Renee has taken on Maddie Bosch, Harry’s daughter, one day a week in the Open-Unsolve Unit as a volunteer. Maddie has some interest in a high-profile unsolved case and quickly goes to work; the department has a possible connection to a two-decade-old case of the Pillowcase Rapist who has a genetic link to a man recently arrested.

Ballard is a character in Michael Connelly's book series who often appears alongside Harry Bosch to investigate cold cases.