booktalkwithkarla's reviews
1338 reviews

Of course I had heard of John Green (who hasn’t) and read one of his novels, but the title of his essay collection The Anthropocene Reviewed didn’t catch my attention. I became interested in the book when Annie B. Jones reviewed it on a Front Porch Patreon episode. Her glowing recommendation of the audiobook was compelling. I listened to the audiobook and also have a hardcover.

John Green writes brilliantly about the world we live in, humans who occupy the earth, and the relationship between the two. I had no idea I’d be interested in his take on hot dog eating contests, viruses, or the Piggly Wiggly (and so much more). Green narrates the audiobook, adding to the experience.

I enjoyed most if not all of the essays but here is a list of my favorites (was hard to stop at six). 

Favorite essays:

As I listened, I learned so much about things I didn’t know about yet or didn’t think I cared to know about, and now I can’t imagine not knowing about. I give The Anthropocene Reviewed 4.75 stars. 

This is a true story written by a father who forgives his elder son for murdering his wife and younger son (and wounding him). 

Kent Whitaker writes honestly about the unbelievable events before during and after the murders which took place on December 10, 2003. The writing combines Whitaker’s experiences, Bible stories, and letters written by Bart, which give insight into the depth of darkness Bart walked. 

It is not often that the psychology of the criminal is explored, and that is my kryptonite. This book shows the power of faith, community, and forgiveness to invite change spiritually and emotionally. Whitaker’s humility and faith shine brightly as he points people to God’s saving power and provision. It’s weird to say I love a book about murder. But this book is much more about how God takes all things and redeems them for good. I loved this story and message. 

“But what lesson can we learn from my experience? Perhaps it is that we always have the power of choice: to trust or not to trust God and his Word.”

“Grief takes over your whole life, and it doesn’t just evaporate; you need to pass through every one of its dark rooms, and that takes time and effort.”

This is a moving novel about families and secrets, plus relational consequences from one night years ago. Every person in this story is fully human and leaps off the page. Dani Shapiro writes characters you will never forget. With a gun to my head, I couldn’t pick a favorite character. I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. This was my first of Shapiro’s novels but won’t be the last. 

“When she tells her story, as she will learn to do – to her brother, her father, her husband, her daughters, her shrink – this will be where she begins.“

Curt Thompson as a psychologist, writer, podcaster, and speaker offers so many insights about intersection or neurobiology and theology. For the past few years I’ve tried to read and listen and take in as much as I can. This book is about suffering and the formation of hope. 

Reading it along with my confessional community was a great experience. We talked about Thompson’s words and our own experiences as individuals and as a group. I learned from both the book and our conversations. And I recommend the book and being a part of a confessional community. 

If you were to see my copy of the book you would see marked passages throughout. This is one I will revisit often and pray to apply truths that align with God’s truth - in his Word (Bible) and in his creations (human mind and relationships).

This memoir found its way onto my to-be-read list because of its ghostwriter J.R. Moehringer (not public at time of publication), not Phil Knight or Nike. The writing is spectacular. And so is the story. Knight’s persistence and application of lessons learned from books (and education) is incredible. I was captivated by the story and the way it unfolds, staying up way past my bedtime. I’ll read everything Moehringer writes. 

Knight and the early team at Nike were so committed to building something meaningful. As a former runner I loved the parts about runners and running. I’m not sure how I feel about Nike the corporation now but this story that began in the 1960s is one that I’m glad to know. The book is so well written, it has a spot on my top books read this year. Give it a try. There lots to love. 

“This is the story of the extraordinary rise and epic fall of the Vanderbilt dynasty. This is the story of the greatest American fortune ever squandered.”

“No one can make money evaporate into thin air like a Vanderbilt.”

I love insider stories and this one co-authored by Anderson Cooper is about his mother and her family. Tracing back to the origin of the Vanderbilt money through the generation’s spending, Katherine Howe and Cooper share information public and private. Society during the Gilded Age is fascinating and opulent, even if the methods and means are questionable. I enjoyed reading this story of one family whose money (mass amounts), ego (ruthless), and parenting (lack of) was its downfall.

“It’s about the coverup. That’s what this story is about. Not the murder.”

“Some caught in the sticky threads, and probably others unknown, decided that their secrets were more important than the life of an Amish wife. And her little boy.”

“Eli married Ida to use her, not to live her.”

This is a book, in some ways a follow-up to another Gregg Olsen title, about the murder of Ida by her husband and the coverup that follows. Since the coverup is about husband Eli’s sexuality and relationships, much of the book centers on those details. This was unexpected to me and unpleasant. I like to read true crime for the psychological and legal aspects and this title dealt with that indirectly. Reading about Amish family was interesting, and confusing at times based on their names (many duplicated). The many secrets of the people involved in covering up the crime seem obvious based on Olsen’s research and yet remain unproven. Will there ever be justice for Ida? Olsen has done his best and for that I am grateful and overall glad I read The Amish Wife. 

This is a horrific story about the neglect and abuse of people institutionalized, many of whom die. As Sage tries to find her twin sister and ultimately is held at Willowbrook, we get a front row seat to all of it including the deceit and lack of care. 

I found the history portions held weight for me but the storyline and writing were disappointing. I read this with my book club and the discussion added to my experience. Several in our group liked it and a few did not finish. I was in the middle. The real connections to Robert Kennedy and Gerardo Rivera were only touched in and I would have liked to know more. All in all this wasn’t a book for me. 

“The rumors were true. This was no school. It was a nightmare, a dumping ground for the broken and insane and unwanted.”

Interesting history of MLM, one I knew only a little about even after being part of one. I had never heard of Jane Marie or her podcast (found book on Libby) so this content was all new to me. The early stories were companies I have never heard of. Jane Marie shared history (MLM and political), legal cases, stories taken from writings of and about the players involved, plus recent stories of MLM participants. I was fascinated to hear what uplines told downlines in each of the companies. Very similar to each other. Some of what she said resonated with me and some I disagree with wholeheartedly. Still glad it have listened to her read her journalistic take on MLMs. 

Rating 4 stars.

This non-fiction book is about the art scene, New York, relationships, and facing our past. Ada Calhoun writes about her father and his work, her own work, and her relationship with her father. Calhoun is a gifted writer. As she describes the people of the art scene including  poet Frank O’Hara, her father’s idol, she says “These people are the worst.” I agree. Reading about their lives and escapades wasn’t always fun. 

I did appreciate Calhoun’s situation, emotions, and response. She found a way to understand herself and her father better, and a way to honor art, New York, and humans. A well written memoir about a place and people I knew nothing about. I’m glad I read Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, My Father, and Me. 

“I always wished that when I was young he’d just picked, once and for all, whether to be smart and thoughtful or arrogant and callous. Instead, he’d be one thing for a week or two and then without warning, the other.”