Book Nook Cafe discussion

John wrote: "I've started a book I was going to use for two categories, but re-considered as it should be easy enough to fulfill the "other" one with something else..."

I realized i'm going to have plenty of time, so giving each prompt it's own book seemed reasonable. I like it when we readers/challenge adventurers come up with books which cover 3 or 4 prompts, i must admit.

I rushed right through #29- cosmology, space, astronauts, outer space- F/NF. I selected a book somewhat about the space race of the 1950s, Rocket Girl: The Story of Mary Sherman Morgan, America's First Female Rocket Scientist--George D. Morgan.

The author is a playwright, who, after his mother's death, wrote a play about her, using the same title as this book. He decided to do so because the L.A. Times wouldn't print his obituary on her because they couldn't verify the facts he shared. Apparently, there were two reasons for this. First, the secrecy of the Second World War carried over to the cold war in the 1950s, as tensions mounted, so most of the records were secret during her lifetime. Secondly, she, herself, curated her life, including not talking to her children about her accomplishments and other parts of her life.

Morgan carries readers with him as he uncovers the truth, including the fact he has an older half-sister, born out of wedlock in the late '40s. He learns about her via a website created to ask people if they have stories to share about Mary Sherman Morgan.

Ok, i'm rambling. The bottom line is that Mary, without even a college degree, began her chemical "engineering" career during WWII, when men were scarce in the US, due to fighting overseas. Her work at the first job she held, at Plum Brook Ordnance Works munitions factory, which produced more than a billion pounds of explosives. When she headed to California, confident in her employment history, she really lucked out & was hired at North American Aviation, in their Rocketdyne Division. She was the sole female analyst.

The bottom line is she & the small group of engineers assigned to her, both freshly graduated, created the rocket fuel which propelled the first successful US rocket. It is known today as Hydyne-LOX (liquid oxygen) and was only used for that first rocket.

I won't go into more detail but the facts the son uncovered are remarkable. However, playwright he may be, biographer, not so much. He decided to tell the story by alternating the lives of two former Nazi engineers, Werner Von Braun, who moved to the US, and Sergei Korolev, who was removed by Soviet soldiers to the USSR. And, he doesn't even do that in chronological order!

Frustrating as all this was, for this reader, i must say that my the time he related the race Mary & her two scientists had to create the fuel formula, i was all in. Of course, i knew the outcome, but he wrote it well, creating a bit of excitement. THEN, in the middle of informing us of the preparation for the first successful test, he stops to tell a story about Mary's brother, who belittled her when they were young. I still don't know why he included the story, let alone at that point.

I would love to read a biography about her, which isn't written by her son. But i doubt that will happen. It's a pity because it's a worthy story. She was basically ignored as a child, except to perform chores. She quite her job while pregnant for the second time via Morgan. But she was a champion bridge player. In the end, it appears she pretty much ignored him, along the lines her parents ignored her. Much more to know, eh?

Rocket Girl: The Story of Mary Sherman Morgan, America's First Female Rocket Scientist

madrano wrote: post 252
"THEN, in the middle of informing us of the preparation for the first successful test, he stops to tell a story about Mary's brother, who belittled her when they were young. I still don't know why he included the story, let alone at that point."

Maybe the abrupt changes would work better when viewing the play.

I see the Amazon reviews are very positive for the book.

Nice job on the prompt, deb ! It's always a plus when these "hidden figures" of history are brought to light and get their just praise and recognition.

I didn't see any other adult bios on her. But there were a few children's books. So that is a plus.

I agree, it is a plus to see that child readers are introduced to her. I meant to mention the following, from the author, toward the end of the book. It was moving, imo.

“Something I've learned from this experience is that history is just like the future: uncertain. I can't help but wonder how many other Mary Sherman Morgans have lived throughout human history—people with accomplishments significant enough to be historic, but whose exploits historians failed to properly record. How many battles have been won because a soldier did something heroic, but was forgotten? How many inventions have been attributed to the wrong person? How many nameless shoulders did others stand on to grab glory? For the rest of my life, I will look askance at everything I've learned in every history class I've taken. It's all suspect now. I have become better aware; the imperfections and flaws of recorded human history are laid bare, and they are legion.”

I think we are living in an age where some of these truths are being laid out for us. It's about time. In my original post about this book, i mentioned that some truths were hidden, due to the secrecy of the Second World War, which carried over to the cold war in the 1950s, so most of the records were secret. Opening those, albeit often only upon request via the "Freedom of Information Act", will help re-discover these facts.

madrano wrote: "
“Something I've learned from this experience is that history is just like the future: uncertain. I can't help but wonder how many other Mary Sherman Morgans have lived throughout human history—people with accomplishments significant enough to be historic, but whose exploits historians failed to properly record. How many battles have been won because a soldier did something heroic, but was forgotten? How many inventions have been attributed to the wrong person? How many nameless shoulders did others stand on to grab glory? For the rest of my life, I will look askance at everything I've learned in every history class I've taken. It's all suspect now. I have become better aware; the imperfections and flaws of recorded human history are laid bare, and they are legion.”"

Very true, deb.

I think it's one reason I enjoyed reading, A People’s History of the United States: 1492 - Present by Howard Zinn

madrano wrote: "I agree, it is a plus to see that child readers are introduced to her. I meant to mention the following, from the author, toward the end of the book. It was moving, imo.

“Something I've learned fr..."

Thanks for sharing that quote. Usually people think about the past as inviolate but it is as the author says, uncertain. That is a good way to think about the past, IMO,

Alias Reader wrote: " think it's one reason I enjoyed reading, A People’s History of the United States 1492 - Present by Howard Zinn A People’s History of the United States: 1492 - Present by Howard Zinn.."

Ditto! I liked and learned much from it.

Rachel wrote: "Usually people think about the past as inviolate but it is as the author says, uncertain. That is a good way to think about the past, IMO..."

Exactly, Rachel. Unfortunately, sometimes when i learn these new facts, i can understand why many people declare the government lies. I don't think lack of full disclosure, as in Mary Sherman Morgan's case, is the same thing as lies. However, it does alter the name of the person who created the formula for Hydyne.

Incidentally, this is the second book i read this year, along similar lines. The first was What Stars are Made of: The Life of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin--Donovan Moore. It "corrected" the information about who first learned the atomic composition of stars.

There are good stories out there, waiting to be told, with newly available information.

madrano wrote: "I rushed right through #29- cosmology, space, astronauts, outer space- F/NF. I selected a book somewhat about the space race of the 1950s, [book:Rocket Girl: The Story of Mary Sherman Morgan, Ameri..."

What a great find for this category! I'm amazed that she managed to become such an achiever without any formal scientific background.

madrano wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Usually people think about the past as inviolate but it is as the author says, uncertain. That is a good way to think about the past, IMO..."

Exactly, Rachel. Unfortunately, sometim..."


It amazes me how smart people are.

John wrote: "What a great find for this category! I'm amazed that she managed to become such an achiever without any formal scientific background..."

Thanks, John.

Mary herself was surprised that she was hired at North American Aviation. First of all, she had no college degree at all. Secondly, WWII had just ended & men were reclaiming their places in the workforce. What qualified her was her experience working at Plum Brook Ordnance Works munitions factory. The boss their gave her resume the glowing facts needed. The rest was her own dedication to her work, shining above others. Indeed, when the NAA owner told Mary's boss that he didn't want a female on the team (let alone leading, which she was doing), her boss stood up for her. It so surprised the owner, that he acquiesced!

As Rachel noted, smart people amaze, particularly when allowed to do the work.

What a weekend! I finished three books for the challenge, one a sort of repeat. I'll start there.

47- Translated into English. Previously i listed a book i now only have listed as my audio book, Ædnan--Linnea Axelsson. I've replaced it with a mystery, set in Iceland, The Darkness--Ragnar Jónasson. Yes, still a Nordic book. What can i say?

This is the first in Jonasson's series about Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir, whose retirement is a month away. As it happens, her boss wants her to move out of her office, to make room for the young man who will be taking over her position. As compensation, Hulda asks if she could open an old case, something to fulfill her work requirements but not beginning anything new.

And she's off, with a year-old, ostensibly "solved" case, determined to be a suicide by a lazy co-worker. She finds examples of his errors, and creates some interest in truthfully resolving the case.

The chapters irregularly alternate with italicized chapters, telling (we soon learn but i'll add a (view spoiler)[ the story of Hulda's upbringing (hide spoiler)]) of a child's birth & early years, as well as, later, what really happened to the murdered woman Hulda was investigating. It was well written, so there was no confusion, just elucidation for later surprises.

I liked the novel & wonder where the author can take the story, as his MC retires! We'll see. While one got the sense of Iceland & its seasons, i would welcome more about the nation. There was a map included, which illustrated how little of the nation is covered in the novel.

I meant to mention that the author translated fourteen Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic before writing his own series. Interesting how that went, eh?

38- Weather related F/NF--Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places--Bill Streever. There appears to be a theme to a number of my selections this year. Yes, cold and the frigid north.

In this case, Streever, living in Alaska, shares information about the cold and frozen places he mentions. Each chapter is a month long, even to the point of telling us which day of the month he is in what place, to learn what information. It's an okay way to tell the story, imo.

However, the author isn't a terrific writer. Indeed, too often i felt he was just sharing facts, not really describing them. For instance, he shares plenty about critters (sea & land, big & tiny) which dwell in cold areas. I'd say about half of the material i read about in my prompt fulfillment #30- Sports, The Joy of Winter Hiking: Inspiration and Guidance for Cold Weather Adventures--Derek Dellinger. There were times i'd swear one author was plagiarizing the other, but, possibly, there is a limited number of ways to describe how a squirrel survives the cold. lol

I learned plenty, of course, but for a person who is (apparently, who knew?) somewhat versed in cold history, much was not inventively written. The "Little Ice Age" of the 14-19 centuries, the problems Alaskans face when building homes, the deadly races to be first to reach the Poles, permafrost, and the Pleistocene. The last two were better defined than my previous understanding, i must say. And learning about the work behind building ordinary homes in Alaska was informative.

I can see why many would value this book. Personally, his personal travelogue left much to be desired (look! i skied, i camped!) but that's just me, wanting a real travelogue. Ok, i just looked at my notes & see all sorts of good information. So, the fact that my overall impression is poor is something to take into consideration. Let's put it this way, he also wrote Heat: Adventures in the World's Fiery Places, which i will NOT be reading. :-)

Finally, i read Make Room! Make Room!--Harry Harrison for prompt #40- Dystopian. This novel has been on my TBR (as has Cold, btw) for a very long time. It was the basis for the movie Soylent Green, which i recall liking. However, let it be said that it is not the movie. My favorite line is not in it.

ANYway, this story is set in NYC, 1999, but was written in 1966. The book opens with this fact, "On this hot day in August in the year 1999 there are—give or take a few thousand—thirty-five million people in the City of New York.” WOW! And the bulk of the tale is on Manhattan, where our Main Character, Andy Rusch cop, tells of his assignment to a murder & where that leads.

It's not a world we want to visit. Despite all the high rises, people are living all over the streets, apartment stumps, parking lots (where abandoned cars are "homes"), forlorn, falling apart tethered ships and more. But there is a wealthy side, which is where the murder took place. The apartment has a moat and bridge so visitors must be let in. Inside--air conditioning! fresh water! one person apartments! Quite a contrast to much in Andy's life.

ANYway, the deceased was rather important, so the higher ups in the police department keep Andy on the case a long time, while also expecting him to work the beat & solve other crimes. And, so, we learn of his long hours, the tedious waits for rationed water, the awful-sounding food substitutes (vegetarians would be happy) and the odors. Always, the odors. Even once winter arrives, although this is primarily due to an even lower ration of water, so few can afford their monthly "baths".

In its way, politics are mentioned. Primarily, the lack of birth control (remember, this was first published in '66) and how some religions are demanding none, hence the population explosion. But also the decisions made about which crimes are worth really investigating. how few police stay in the system, when better paying jobs are available by criminals, and more.

Andy's roommate is a 75 year old man, who cycles with a wheel-less bike to make energy to heat water, so precious is electricity. My favorite line is from him, "Let me tell you, I may look old but that’s just because of my age.” I gotta start using that!

The book flew and i didn't want to put it down. Oh, i wanted to mention one of last sentences in book, new year, 2000. “344 MILLION CITIZENS IN THESE GREAT UNITED STATES.” Yikes!

madrano wrote: "What a weekend! I finished three books for the challenge, one a sort of repeat. I'll start there.


Wow ! Three books over the weekend ? Well done, Deb !

madrano wrote:

The chapters irregularly alternate with italicized chapters,"

Reading whole chapters in italicized script would be a no go for me. A paragraph or two is fine.

madrano wrote: "38- Weather related F/NF--Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places--Bill Streever. There appears to be a theme to a number of my selections this year. Yes, cold ..."

I read the small sample on Amazon and this sounds very interesting. Sorry to hear the writing isn't up to par. Still, as you noted, you did learn a lot.

Good job on the prompt !

madrano wrote: Post #264

"My favorite line is from him, "Let me tell you, I may look old but that’s just because of my age.” I gotta start using that!..."

Oh, I'm definitely stealing this line ! LOL

I see the book is listed as a modern classic.
Make Room! Make Room!

I'm adding this to my TBR notebook. Thanks for the title and well done on the prompt !

Alias Reader wrote: "Wow ! Three books over the weekend ? Well done, Deb Wow ! Three books over the weekend ? Well done, Deb !"

Thank you. I want to be fair here. I spent the weekend housesitting at my sister's place. Because i couldn't understand how to get her tv to work, reading was my only other option. In this day of no stereo systems, when the tv "vanishes", reading remains.

If i wasn't a reader, i do not know what i would have done. Ok, i do. I would have gone back to my brother's house, where Dan was housesitting & watched some TV. lol

Also, the Icelandic mystery was too hard to put down. I needed answers!

Alias Reader wrote: "madrano wrote:

The chapters irregularly alternate with italicized chapters,"

Reading whole chapters in italicized script would be a no go for me. A paragraph or two is fine."

To be fair, those chapters were very short, if that helps. Italicization doesn't bother me the way no quotation marks do. Why this is the case, i do not know, but it's never been an issue for my eyes. Or brain.

Alias Reader wrote: "I'm adding this to my TBR notebook. Thanks for the title and well done on the prompt ..."

My pleasure. As i noted, it's been on my TBR for decades. This is why i'm looking at next year's challenge carefully. I try to stick to my three TBR lists (handwritten, GoodReads & library's) when making selections but not as many work for the categories.

On the Good News side, i have only one book yet to read before i've succeeded in this year's Challenge. It will be for #11- Political, social science or governments F/NF. The plan is to read and listen to The Moralist: Woodrow Wilson and the World He Made--Patricia O'Toole. I have the printed version but the print is rather small. In our next rental (begins Oct. 24), there is an extremely well-lit sunshiney room, where i'll read what i can, then listen. My Libby libraries ONLY offer this book in audio!

madrano wrote: #270
"To be fair, those chapters were very short, if that helps. Italicization doesn't bother me the way no quotation marks do. Why this is the case, i do not know, but it's never been an issue for my eyes. Or brain....."

As I noted I can only handle a paragraph or two of italics.

The other thing I can't do is script. I once purchased a book online, fiction, that was supposed to be a diary. It was written in script. I could read it. However, it slowed my reading pace to too much and I never read it.

It was part of the Mitford series by Jan Karon I can't locate the book. I think it was the priest's diary or daily quotes or something like that.

madrano wrote: #271

On the Good News side, i have only one book yet to read before i've succeeded in this year's Challenge..."

Nice ! I also have one left. I'm waiting on the book but the library wait is long as it's new. It's on stoic philosophy. I think it will fit the prompt.
Right Thing, Right Now: Justice in an Unjust World

If not, I have others that will fit.

After that I would like to check off a few on my Determination List.

I'm thinking for next year to make the challenge 25 books and one book per prompt. I think that will be easier for many to do. It's hard to believe the year is almost over ! Yikes.

Alias Reader wrote: "madrano wrote: #271

On the Good News side, i have only one book yet to read before i've succeeded in this year's Challenge..."

Nice ! I also have one left. I'm waiting on the book but the librar..."

I was going to suggest 25 individual books myself when the subject of next year might arise.

Madrano has outdone herself with these three at once! I went around Iceland, literally, on a cruise. Most people live in the capital and three or four other towns. I can turn into a raving fanboy of the place based on my experience.

Congrats on getting through the cold book, indeed! Polar regions have never interested me much, but folks into it scientifically seem the target audience for him, rather than travel junkies. His heat book seems just overwhelming to me.

I'm old enough to remember when Soylent Green came out, seemed creepy then and now, but dystopian is a genre I just don't get.

A few more categories yet for me, but alas, there'll be a couple (including dystopian) I won't manage. But, it's been a success in terms of the level of fun. 😀

John wrote: "#274."

I'm happy you enjoyed the challenge journey, John. I've certainly enjoyed seeing the books you selected as most were new to me titles.

I'm also glad we are on the same page with the 25 book challenge.

madrano wrote: "I am using Women Talking--Miriam Toews to fulfill prompt #15- philosophy, ethics, morality, even though the F/NF wasn't included in the prompt. This novel is full of a..."

The movie/book sounds too intense for me.

Alias Reader wrote: "
I'm thinking for next year to make the challenge 25 books and one book per prompt. I think that will be easier for many to do...."

I think you & John are on a neat track with that idea. Cool!

I hope your book comes in soon enough, Alias. It sounds good, something you'd like. It reminds me a bit of JFK's Profiles in Courage. Have you read Holiday's other "Stoic" books?

Alias Reader wrote: "It was part of the Mitford series by Jan Karon I can't locate the book. I think it was the priest's diary or daily quotes or something like tha..."

Jan Karon is an author i haven't read. Her GR profile says the series began with a dream she had, and her curiosity led her to write more about that priest. At Home in Mitford is the first in the series.

I've read a number of series, in which each chapter opens with italicized quotes. I like that very much, as it gives a different flavor to the work. I cannot say that i always get the point, however. :-)

John wrote: "Madrano has outdone herself with these three at once! I went around Iceland, literally, on a cruise. Most people live in the capital and three or four other towns. I can turn into a raving fanboy of the place based on my experience..."

John, several years ago you shared photos of your cruise around Iceland, you may recall. While i'd long wanted to visit there, your photos motivated me to suggest same to my husband & our cruise there was the result. What a gift. If i haven't previously thanked you, i do now.

Yesterday i completed the second book in the Icelandic mystery series i mentioned in post #262. It included much more about places other than Reykjavik in the story, which i welcomed. Indeed, one of our ports was a bigger part of the description, Ísafjörður. We liked the spot because the museum staff was young & full of sharing. It was there we learned a bit about how some migrants to the nation must change their names, as there are some letters not in their alphabet, which they do not want to add!

John wrote: "A few more categories yet for me, but alas, there'll be a couple (including dystopian) I won't manage. But, it's been a success in terms of the level of fun..."

As i recall things, this was the reason we included the last 4 prompts to the challenge. I didn't think i'd manage to read all the prompts, so wanted some backup. Included from me (no surprise!) were two novels by Sara Gran and two from Vendela Vida. The other "extras" were 51-Author not a native of the country in which the book is set and 52- Book written by an Indie author or Indie press.

madrano wrote:

I hope your book comes in soon enough, Alias. It sounds good, something you'd like. It reminds me a bit of JFK's Profiles in Courage. Have you read Holiday's other "Stoic" books?
.."

Yes. I've read and or listened I think to almost all Ryan Holiday books.

Since I finished reading Reading with Patrick ( need to write my review) I may have to change to something else to finish my last prompt as I don't want to wait for the book. I also need something to read today!

I own the paperback edition of this book and I see there is no wait for the audio. It will fit the prompt well.

17- Spiritual or inspirational F/NF
Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment

madrano wrote: "John wrote: "Madrano has outdone herself with these three at once! I went around Iceland, literally, on a cruise. Most people live in the capital and three or four other towns. I can turn into a ra..."

That was my first cruise, a great experience not just for the scenery, but some of the other passengers. Hadn't realized you'd gone based on my trip report.

Alias Reader wrote: "Yes. I've read and or listened I think to almost all Ryan Holiday books.
....."

Thanks for the reply, Alias. I thought i remembered that you read one title but not the other.

Good idea to not wait for the final book. This way you can get the Challenge completed before the end of October. Two Free Months! lol

John wrote: "That was my first cruise, a great experience not just for the scenery, but some of the other passengers. Hadn't realized you'd gone based on my trip report...."

I didn't realize that was your first cruise. Yes, your photos pushed me over the edge. It's a place i've wanted to go to since i was a kid. I'm glad we went. We are looking at an even longer cruise in the same region, 45 days, not 30, this time. It would also cover Sweden, where we've never been.

Like you, our first cruise was a delight, mostly due to the fascinating people we met. (It was a Danube River cruise, btw.) While it isn't necessary to find neat people to enjoy a cruise, they can truly enhance the experience.

madrano wrote: "John wrote: "That was my first cruise, a great experience not just for the scenery, but some of the other passengers. Hadn't realized you'd gone based on my trip report...."

I didn't realize that ..."

Wow a 45 day cruise now that is something to contemplate!

madrano wrote:
Good idea to not wait for the final book. This way you can get the Challenge completed before the end of October. Two Free Months! lol
..."

I'll probably try to work some more on my Determination List.

Also the Buddhism book I purchased about 4 or 5 years ago so I'll finally be getting around to reading it. It will feel odd as since the pandemic, I seldom read paper books anymore. I already downloaded the audio to listen to as I read.

Rachel wrote: "Wow a 45 day cruise now that is something to contemplate!..."

My husband is cruise-mad. He scoped out one that is 130 days long. It covers much of the world!

Alias Reader wrote: "Also the Buddhism book I purchased about 4 or 5 years ago so I'll finally be getting around to reading it...."

I hear ya, on that front.

madrano wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Wow a 45 day cruise now that is something to contemplate!..."

My husband is cruise-mad. He scoped out one that is 130 days long. It covers much of the world!"


Friends did a six-week cruise down one side of South America and up the other. It was quite the adventure!

I'll bet. In theory, i like the idea of being on a voyage for a long period of time. However, i wonder if i wouldn't get tired of all the go-go while in ports. The days at sea are wonderful for me.

Ta Da! I completed my 2024 Reading Challenge! At the beginning, i mentioned i wanted to add the "extra" prompts, so i would feel "Okay" about not reading some of the others, so those 4 would be "extra credit", if you will.

As it happened, i flew through so very many, that i managed read all but one by October. I've read only a few books since then & tried my pre-selected option for this prompt, but failed. So, i STILL had prompt 11- Political, social science or governments F/NF.

By taking a Very Long Time, for a relatively short book, i managed to complete my reading of X Saves the World: How Generation X Got the Shaft but Can Still Keep Everything from Sucking--Jeff Gordinier. The book was published in '08, so some of his praises are for now-defunct groups or ideas. Still, part of the story, though.

I used to say i missed the 80s because i was busy raising our children. While reading this book, i realized i also missed the '90s, mostly because i'd lost interest. Therefore, reading this book was also a bit of an education on what phenomena i'd missed, including, but far from limited by "Woodstock '94", Lauryn Hill and even Douglas Coupland, who apparently named GenX.

This slowed me down, as one might imagine. I was slowed by the last half of the book because he seemed to think that many ideas "introduced" & promoted by his generation are really just an updating of previous generations. For instance, he spent several pages talking about Architecture for Humanity. Had he never heard of "Habitat for Humanity"? Architecture is sought architectural solutions to humanitarian issues and brought professional design services to those in need. Not pre-fab, as Habitat.

He also seemed to indicate that growing your own food AND learning how to can it was GenX generated (GenXerated?). While he knew it was part of ancestral generation's lives, he apparently was unaware of how it was an important part of the "Baby Boomers" drive for natural foods. And on.

However, the overall book was a good look (for me) at changes he saw making a difference. I won't disagree about what the Internet brought us, even though in the intervening year between publication & now the shine is gone. A fine example being FaceBook.

Gordinier writes with a humorous style, which illustrated his points about Irony, being a sort of key part of GenX. The examples he offers on their impact on politics and government were less impressive. Does anyone remember "Billionaires for Bush"? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billion... If you are interested, they wore tuxedos while performing some pranks.

One final point was he spent sometime with the "Poetry Bus" tour, 50 cities in 50 days. Contemporary poets read works to people at assembled sites. As one who is a fan of the art, this sounded great. I loved that he called it the "Annual Arthur Rimbaud Monster Truck Rally". Arthur Rimbaud was a French poet of the late 1800s. And it has survived in a positive manner, now helping young people learn to write, with a focus on poems.

The truth is that each generation passes onto its young their ideals. The children may embrace them, reject them or modify them. IMO, the latter is the most common. We're human and that is progress.

madrano wrote: "Ta Da! I completed my 2024 Reading Challenge! At the beginning, i mentioned i wanted to add the "extra" prompts, so i would feel "Okay" about not reading some of the others, so those 4 would be "ex..."



Congrats on doing all the prompts, deb. I know some were skeptical about finishing some of the prompts. However, you did it and more ! It is satisfying to see all those green check marks.

X Saves the World: How Generation X Got the Shaft but Can Still Keep Everything from Sucking does sound interesting.

When you first mentioned reading the book, I thought it was about Twitter/X. I have ZERO interest in reading about Musk.

I can hardly believe how the generations are flying by. Gen X, Gen Z and now the current generation is called Generation Alpha, and it includes people born between 2010 and 2024.

For instance, he spent several pages talking about Architecture for Humanity. Had he never heard of "Habitat for Humanity"?

I keep feeling so sad every time someone mentions Carter's passing. There are so many loving tributes from famous people online.

As to Jeff Gordinier's and his cluelessness about Habitat and also canning food, it made me wonder about his age. I see Jeff Gordinier is a 1988 graduate of Princeton University. Hmm.

madrano wrote: "Ta Da! I completed my 2024 Reading Challenge! At the beginning, i mentioned i wanted to add the "extra" prompts, so i would feel "Okay" about not reading some of the others, so those 4 would be "ex..."

Congratulations on completing the challenge!
Deb it seems that every generation feels they have invented everything. From my perspective of being 71, everything gets reinvented and is different due to the prevailing technology. The hippie/Woodstock generation (mine) thought they invented sex, it seems like. But alas, our parents managed to invent that one for themselves, LOL

Impressive! Congratulations!

I recall the 80s well, but the 90s, not so much.

Thank you for the congratulations, Book Nookers. I'm proud & happy to share my joy.

Rachel wrote: ". From my perspective of being 71, everything gets reinvented and is different due to the prevailing technology. The hippie/Woodstock generation (mine) thought they invented sex, it seems like. But alas, our parents managed to invent that one for themselves, .."

LOL--good point. I suspect that as each "generation" makes changes to what already existed, they feel they've "discovered" it. Honestly, 1/2 of what Gordinier mentioned was directly due to regular citizens acquiring computer & internet access. This isn't to say they didn't make improvements but without the 'Net, much of what he claimed was via new tech.

AND i neglected to include the fact that in '08, he couldn't have anticipated how far afield several of those ideas would end. So when Facebook, as an example, couldn't control the lies being told, a significant number of people left it. More so is the fact that he didn't know, at that point, how texting was going to alter the landscape, too.

I won't fault him for that. It must also be said that his enthusiasm was neat to see. He had high praise for Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert, both before the '08 election. I suppose he's tickled to see Colbert's late night show. And on.

He gave me much to consider...and reconsider.