~ Books ~
Current Book
Morning Coffee (D. Boughton) The latest collection from my former boss. This being a compendium of one-page stream of consciousness essays. Very enjoyable if I don't try to make too much of them!
Aug
Hot, Flat, and Crowded (T. Friedman) A number of years ago, I read his "The World Is Flat", Friedman's take on the state of the world at the time, 2006. Brilliant. This is a 2008 follow-up I found in one of the many birdhouse libraries in my neighborhood. Again, very insightful and well-written, but I feared pretty much dated.
Keeping the Dream Alive (T. Ahwal) The author doubles as the wife of Bob Morris, friend from my youth and author of a couple of books I've read. The two recently came to California and I saw a film for which Terry was responsible. This book is a memoir, the first half of which recounts the first fifteen years of her life as a Palestinian, much of which during the Israeli occupation after the 6-Day War. Utterly terrifying. A real eye-opener. The second recounts her life after coming to the US and her ongoing fight for justice for Palestinians. Definitely an eye-opener.
Jul
The New Conservatives (O. Cass) Cass is a non-Trumpian conservative and founding member of think-tank "American Compass." I became aware of him when he was a guest on Bill Mahar's "Real Time." Reading this is a plod because it's heavy economics, but worth the struggle. His take on the term "investment" opened my eyes. He takes on current conservatives as much as liberals. I'm found it worth the struggle.
Jun
Blowout (R. Maddow) In this book, Rachel takes on the Oil industry. Enlightening to say the least. Fracking, international corruption, yikes!
Shin the Scholar - 2025
Last update: October 2, 2025
Books, DVDs and Other Scholarly Pursuits
~ DVDs & Other ~
Current "Other"
The Everything Music Theory Book (M. Schonbrun) I got half way through this book but realized it would take more concentration than simple reading. Also access to a piano and guitar. But yeah, I'm finally learning the theory behind something I've done all my life. Moved from the "Books" column Oct. 2, 2025.
Jul
I learned a software package, "Crescendo" so I could work out harmonies for a church music project. Pretty easy and effective.
Current DVD
None
~ Mo' Books ~
May
Red Team Blues (C. Doctorow) This time, Cory is setting his mystery (same central character, Marty Hensch as in "The Bezzle") in the cryptocurrency business. Again, Doctorow draws on his expertise in matters technical, sometimes leaving me a bit lost, but I pick things up again and find the exploration fascinating.
Apr
The Bezzle (C. Doctorow) I've been a fan of Cory Doctorow since a friend introduced me to to "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom". I've really liked some of his stuff, not so much some others. This one was good, and serves as a warning about privatizing the prison system. Actually, Cory has written quite a bit in the last few years. I think I'll try another.
Mar
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (H. S. Thompson) I found that "Lake Wobegon Days" without Garrison Keillor's voice didn't do it for me, so I put it aside and read its polar opposite. I found it to be as fun a read as I've ever encountered. WAY strange, but fun.
Feb
The Presidents and the People (C. Brettschneider) Although I didn't care for the writing style, the thesis was interesting: Presidents who overextend their reach are less constrained by the courts and other institutional guardrails than they are by we the people. We build "constitutional constituencies" to fight back. He starts with John Adams and the Alien and Sedition Acts and goes through Nixon, leaving us with where we are today.
Jan
Drift (R. Maddow) I'm a big fan, and loved "Bag Man", the story of VP Spiro Agnew's corruption. (I didn't like living through having Agnew as VP, it was the book that I liked.) "Drift" tells the story of our military's getting away from its original mission as described in the constitution and more and more being used by presidents to serve their political interests. And like the saying goes, things are more like they are today than they've ever been before.