The World According to Physics by Jim Al- Khalili

 In this book, Dr. Al-Khalili discusses what he calls the three pillars of physics: quantum theory, relativity, and thermodynamics. He explains the latest theories and discoveries concerning each of these areas, and explores the different scientific principles they are built on.  He addresses the very smallest particles of mass and energy, and the nature of the largest galaxies in the universe. He finishes with what scientists have not yet discovered about the world, specifically a unified theory that unites the three pillars. He also emphasizes the importance of learning to think scientifically, basing ideas and decisions of solid evidence instead of emotional response. 

Dr. Al-Khalili reads the book himself on the audio recording.  He has a pleasant voice and does a good performance but his explanations are more detailed and technical than most people would encounter in their daily lives. Several times, when my mind drifted, I found that I was lost and I had to go back and replay sections.  I did enjoy the book. When I was in college (several decades ago) some of what he discussed was just coming to light, and it was fun to get a more thorough explanations about quarks, with their charm and flavor, bosons, intertwined particles, and other terms I have heard about but didn't quite understand.  I also learned more about the Big Bang theory that I hadn't understood before. I wasn't super happy with the fact that he disparages religious belief, comparing it to medieval superstition, but it is not the first time I have heard that opinion from scientists, so I didn't let it bug me too much. Overall, I thought it was an interesting and engaging introduction to the modern state of physics research. (336 p. 2020)

Great Courses: The Aging Brain by Thad. A. Polk

 Everyone knows that certain cognitive abilities decline with age. In this series of twelve lectures, Dr. Polk discusses what brain functions decline and which stay the same.  He delves into the physiological causes of declines and explores a variety of theories about what causes age related changes.  He also touches on the main causes of dementia and talks particularly about Alzheimer's disease. He finishes off the course by discussing what people can and can't do to mitigate effects of aging on the brain. 

I checked this out because I am on the nether side of 60 and occasionally can't find something in my memory that I know should be there. I found these series of lectures very informative and accessible.  There are terms and ideas that I had heard of but realized that I didn't fully understand before listening to the lectures. I imagine that if you viewed this series in its video format there would have been interesting graphics and charts, but it works fine without those. Dr. Polk has a engaging lecture style and I would recommend this series to anyone who might be interested in an entry level treatment of the topic. (6 hrs, 2016)

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riodan

 In this second book of the Percy Jackson series, Percy has finished another year in school and is eager to return to Camp Half Blood.  When he returns he finds that Thalia's tree, which provides protection to the camp, has been poisoned.  Percy keeps having dreams that Grover is in trouble, so against camp rules he, Annabeth, and his newly found half-brother,  Tyson, go on a quest to find a way to save Thalia's tree and Grover.  Their adventure takes them into the Sea of Monsters and pits them against a whole range of magical foes. Are they doing the right thing, or are they playing into Cronos' plan?

I wanted to read this book again after watching the Netflix series of The Sea of Monsters to see how well the series followed the book.  It turns out that it follows the book really well, and even adds some emotional complexity that is only hinted at in the novel.  In the series, we get to see more deeply into Clarisse's personality and emotional conflict of Percy and Annabeth at Circe's spa.  So hooray for good TV adaptations!  (279 p. 2007)

The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson

 Shai is in the royal prison after being captured trying to forge the emperor's scepter. As a forger she has the ability to recreate things by using magic to rewrite their histories.  After being condemned to death, she is offered a deal that will give her her freedom if she agrees to replicate the hardest thing in the world, a human soul. As she works on the impossible task, she gains the begrudging respect of one of the imperial elders who may just hold the key to her success and survival.

This book was recommended to me by a young woman I met at a volunteer event.  I haven't read much of Sanderson's YA literature, but what I have read I have liked.  This exemplifies Sanderson's strengths, clever world building and novel magic systems. The main characters are interesting and unusual as well.  Not often does YA literature highlight a relationship between a young woman and and older man. There is no romance, but a very sweet mentor/grandfather thing going on. It says it is a sequel novella to Elantris, (which I have never read) but it works fine as a stand alone. (176 p. 2012)

The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer

 Riley wants to be a CIA agent more than anything, but she botches her first assignment and is sent to London to babysit a strange piece of old tech. Riley lives in Victorian England and is the apprentice of a man, Garrick, who used to be an illusionist and now is an assassin for hire. Riley doesn't like his mentor, especially when Gerrick pressures him to make his first kill. The man they intend to kill turns out to be a scientist from the future, who, at the point of death is whisked back to the modern age, taking Riley and Garrick with him.  Riley knows how evil Garrick is and convinces Riley that it is worth following Garrick back into the past to stop him from completing his evil plot. 

I was excited to find another sci-fi series by Eoin Colfer, the author of the Artemis Fowl series. As I started to read it I was surprised to find the writing clunky and awkward.  I wondered if Colfer had started to go senile or something.  Later in the story (much later) it is revealed why the writing style is so bad, but I think it was a gimmick that went wrong. I don't actually want to read poor writing just to get a clever plot twist at the end. That being said, the story line is good.  It is interesting and the final resolution satisfying. I think, though, before I read the next in the series I am going to listen to the sample to make sure the writing style is back up to the Artemis Fowl level. (321 p. 2013)

Lace and Lies by Nancy Warren

 Cardinal Woolsey's Yarn shop has been chosen to be the site of a TV show featuring a celebrity knitter.  In the show Teddy Lamont will teach six knitters how to do his knitted lace patterns.  As the participants arrive, it is obvious to Lucy that there will be some issues.  One, in particular, is making the whole experience miserable for the rest of them.  Then she is found dead in Lucy's shop. Did any of the other participants have a reason to kill her, besides the fact that she was really annoying? Or maybe it was Teddy Lamont, or his stressed out producer.  Lucy and her vampire support crew are on the case.

I was tempted to not even blog about this book.  It really is just like all the other Vampire Knitting Club books (except the relation with Raef heats up a little). I once went to a class about how to construct an escape room game by starting with the solution and working backwards, adding clues and red herrings. I think that is what Ms Warren does.  She has a formula that she follows, that works well enough that I keep putting the next book on hold.  I promise, the next book I read will be more interesting. (214 p. 2019)

(note: I read and wrote this before the Madison biography but forgot to push the publish button.  That is why  in the Madison review I said I had promised to read something more interesting. )

James Madison by Richard Brookhiser

 James Madison was a founding father, a brilliant politician and the fourth president of the United States.  This is primarily a political biography of Madison following his career from the early days of the American Revolution to his death in 1836.  He was deeply involved with the crafting of the Constitution, and the fight for its ratification.  He helped form the (then called) Republican Party and was a supporter and protege of Thomas Jefferson. While president, he had to deal with the War of 1812. He was also a mentor to James Monroe, who succeeded him in the presidency.

As promised, a more substantial read this week.  This is a very interesting biography of one of early America's brightest political theorists. Brookhiser has clearly spent a lot of time researching the ins and outs of politics during the country's first 30 years.  It is interesting to see how much of the political machinations that we observe today existed in our government from the very beginning of the republic. Brookhiser even suggests that Madison and his compatriots were not above calling in shady characters to accomplish the "greater good." I was a little disappointed that the author focuses exclusively on Madison's public life, and only mentions his childhood and his marriage as it relates to his political activity.  It makes me want to find a biography Dolley Madison to get a more personal view of the man as a husband, step father, and extended family member. (304 p. 2011)