Jon
Security Engineer, Amateur Triathlete, Aspiring Rancher, Big Pizza Guy
Books
Born to Run / Christopher McDougall
⭐⭐⭐
A quality, slightly rambly, but overall really fun story and set of profiles. To me this book shined in the margins talking about legendary ultra runners and their lives/journeys. The main story came together beautifully by the end, but to me it was a distraction from the more interesting stories until the finale.
(March 2025)
Carmilla / Sheridan Le Fanu
⭐⭐⭐
The 1872 writing was pretty difficult to parse in audiobook format. The story is a pretty well contained vampire story, and I've really been enjoying these gothic monster origin stories. Dracula was a little easier to digest, but I read that in smaller doses. Still recommend as a quick trip back to vampire origins. Will likely revisit in text form.
(February 2025)
Project Hail Mary / Andy Weir
⭐
This is the worst book I can remember actually finishing. Ryland Grace is cringey, unlikable protagonist holding an incredible story hostage. There are no stakes, the characters do not develop, and the "science" is undermined by truly awful character decisions. I'd give it a 0, but I did have enough interest in the plot to suffer through until the end.
(January 2025)
Watership Down / Richard Adams
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An impressively engaging and immersive epic of wild rabbits on a perilous journey that called me back to the wonder of The Hobbit and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Discovering the dangers and realities of their world along with them, with their rich culture, language, and storytelling was surprisingly emotional and inspiring.
(January 2025)
Lightning Round
Other recommendations I don't remember well enough to fully review