Review: Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork

Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork by Reeves Wiedeman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After having read about Uber and Airbnb (The Upstarts), it was fascinating to read this book. There were many instances of deja vu, but all in all this was much more intense and crazy. 

The author did an excellent job in documenting all the facts and people, places and companies involved, at times even going through daily schedules of events from years ago. He obviously did his homework. 

On the other hand, you get the impression that he set out with a certain goal in mind (to show how ridiculous the whole situation was), and at times it makes him seem a bit biased. I will also admit, however, that there was a certain amount of schadenfreude on my part when reading as well. Adam (and Rebekah) just seem to be like those ultra-privileged celebrities who have lost all touch and deserve some sort of comeuppance. Although to be fair, if Masayoshi Son hadn't invested that much in the company it probably would have never gotten so bad (as the author mentions toward the end). 

Regardless, an excellent foray into what happened at wework. I heard there is a Hulu documentary out now, but I feel like it cannot go as much into depth as this book did. 

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Review: In the Suicide Mountains

In the Suicide Mountains by John Gardner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I told myself I would dnf any book that wasn't a 4 or 5 star this year, and I feel like I should have done so with this one. But I finished it since it was A) short, B) by John Gardner. I enjoyed Grendel a lot, but for some reason this didn't really do it for me. It seemed to be a modern twist on a fairy tale (the setting is not modern, just ambiguous, but it isn't your average fairy tale either), but maybe it was just over my head or just not my cup of tea. 

If the story sticks me with (as I see has been the case with other reviewers), I may change my rating, but there you go. 

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Review: Asleep

Asleep by Banana Yoshimoto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I seem to enjoy Yoshimoto more and more the more I read by her. These three stories are not intertwined per se, but they definitely share many aspects, and sort of mesh together later on when remembering them. I enjoyed all three. 

I agree with another reviewer who said she enjoyed reading these at night. I would also recommend reading these in the evening or at night. It would lend well to the general ambience. 

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Review: Eisenhower in War and Peace

Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is where my presidential biography journey will end. It is a fitting one, since this is a president I knew little to nothing about.

It is refreshing to have a biographer who is straightforward about when the subject was in the wrong. All too often I feel like they make excuses for the person they are writing about.

Interesting how, having experienced war as a general, Eisenhower was dead against starting new wars, entering Indochina, using the atomic bomb with china and Vietnam (as he was advised to do), because he was against these. But then let himself get manipulated into subverting democracy and have the CIA carry out coups in Iran and Guatemala.

I feel like the second presidential term and later years were rushed through, with little to no detail.

But all in all a great biography of a very interesting man, going through a pivotal time in United States history. Between the Korean war, desegregation, the cold war, in addition to Eisenhower's accomplishments during WWII, a lot of ground is covered here.

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Review: Eisenhower in War and Peace

Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is where my presidential biography journey will end. It is a fitting one, since this is a president I knew little to nothing about. 

It is refreshing to have a biographer who is straightforward about when the subject was in the wrong. All too often I feel like they make excuses for the person they are writing about. 

Interesting how, having experienced war as a general, Eisenhower was dead against starting new wars, entering Indochina, using the atomic bomb with china and Vietnam (as he was advised to do), because he was against these. But then let himself get manipulated into subverting democracy and have the CIA carry out coups in Iran and Guatemala.

I feel like the second presidential term and later years were rushed through, with little to no detail. 

But all in all a great biography of a very interesting man, going through a pivotal time in United States history. Between the Korean war, desegregation, the cold war, in addition to Eisenhower's accomplishments during WWII, a lot of ground is covered here. 

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Review: The Tattoo Murder Case

The Tattoo Murder Case by Akimitsu Takagi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this noir-style thriller. Written in 1948, it takes place in post-war Japan and deals extensively with the tattoo lifestyle and subculture of the time. That alone intrigued me. 

The killing(s) and mysteries were interesting. I confess the answer being revealed by a "genius" toward the end, deus-ex-machina style, seemed a bit contrived. It would have worked better if the detective and/or his brother had arrived at it. Also, some of the clues seemed a bit of a stretch, but there you go. 

I still enjoyed the story and general ambience. I will probably look for more by this author. 

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Review: The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Right away I loved the idea of this book, and I started wondering about which characters I would like to bring out of books. Here are a few I settled on: 

Lady Sarashina, Charlotte Bronte (at least from my reading of Barker's "The Brontes), and Arnold Rothstein. In terms of fictional characters, Ludo (the kid from Helen Dewitt's The Last Samurai"), and Paloma, from "The Elegance of the Hedgehog". 

I'm sure there are others. Also, I would just like to talk to them and get an idea as to how they would act and react in my every day life. Not sure about going all (REDACTED DUE TO SPOILERS) and using them to my own ends. 

Anyway, having said that, this book was pretty quick-paced from the beginning. I confess I could do without some of the narrator's whining and prevaricating and doubting himself, etc., although  I understand that was part of the point. 

I look forward to reading more by this author. 

4.5 stars

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Review: Kino's Journey: The Beautiful World, Vol. 1

Kino's Journey: The Beautiful World, Vol. 1 by Keiichi Sigsawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was recommended as a graphic novel that was reminiscent of a Murakami book. I can see why they said that, but it wasn't really the case. 

Regardless, it was interesting. I like how there doesn't seem to be any real overarching plot, but just a series of adventures. It makes this a relaxing and interesting read. If I happen across other volumes I'll get them. I may even order some in the near future. I'll see. 

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Review: Ethnic Minority Issues in Yunnan

Ethnic Minority Issues in Yunnan by Sam Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Extremely fascinating, although much of it is probably hopelessly out of date by now. I admit I am now fascinated by the Musuo people, but all of the studies of different people were interesting in their own way, although some were quite obviously written by students. 

Still, in my next lifetime I want to take some time during my studies to live in a village in Yunnan getting to know the local people. 

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Review: American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America

American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the history here but I couldn't help disagreeing with many of the conclusions. They probably held water until around 50 years ago, but now I'm not so sure. As an example, I've lived in DC, Atlanta, Portland and Charlotte and I've found that, while these cities are all different and have their own flavors, the people there seemed to have more in common with each other than with people who might live just 30 miles away from their own city. I think the divide has changed to urban/suburban/rural now, or some variation thereof. He also argues that people naturally gravitate toward areas that suit them most, but I've moved everywhere mainly due to jobs or school. The one exception is probably Portland, but I really don't think that makes me more left-coaster. In fact, quite the opposite. 

He also says that much of the antagonism between Americans and Mexicans now (in the El Norte section) dates back to England's wars with Spain. But then how come modern England and Spain don't have the same animosity? 

Also some of his naming seemed odd. The fact that the "Yankee" region would not include New York (New Netherlands) seems rather weird. I agree with the fact, but maybe pick another name. 

However, as mentioned, the history is great. 

Interesting that John Adams basically abolished free speech "for the greater good". There was a difference between 'Freedom' and 'Liberty' back then, wherein one said everyone was free (more in the south and Appalachia, while the other said freedom was important for the community (more in the Yankee region). 

I would love an update for the post-Trump years. 

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Review: The Library Book

The Library Book by Susan Orlean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had no idea what this was about at first, and kept thinking the history of the library was background for the story. Regardless, although it gets slow at points, much of it was fascinating. It made me very interested in libraries in general. 

I think my only issue was a sort of lack of closure with regards to the library fire, but there's not much the author could do about that. 

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Review: Candelora

Candelora by Luigi Pirandello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My favorite stories:

La Camera in Attesa

La Rosa (sort of)

Da sé

Piuma

Ho Tante Cose da Dirvi

La Carriola

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Review: Malice

Malice by Keigo Higashino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this. At times it seemed a bit far-fetched but it entertained me. A mystery novel unlike most mystery novels. I would like to read more Higashino.

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