2021 - Second Quarterly Review

To assist my blog readers, I summarize my reading four times a year, providing a brief description, the page count, and a grading scale (5 thumbs up - Highly Recommend, 4 thumbs up - Enjoyed, 3 thumbs up - Good, but not as satisfying as I'd hoped, 2 thumbs up - Meh, and 1 thumb down - Regret, wishing I could get back the time invested). I read the following books during the second quarter of 2021 (for my full review, click on title):

The Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by Paul David Tripp - Rather than simply surviving the teen years of parenting, view it as an opportunity to instill guidance that reflects the grace of God and His views on culture and behavior, while recognizing that their struggles are often our own. 291 pages, 👍👍👍👍👍

Ex Libris: 100+ Books to Read and Re-read by Michiko Kakutani - A beautifully displayed compendium of recommended books for entertainment and edification. 301 pages, 👍👍👍👍

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - In a future society that burns books, Fireman Guy Montag wakens from his stupor to recognize the value and contribution of books. As timely a tale as when it was written. 249 pages (I listened in audio form, 5 CDs, 6 hours), 👍👍👍👍

Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks: A Librarian's Love Letters and Breakup Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence - Such a clever idea and conversational voice, but crass and vulgar when it really didn't have to be. Sob! 241 pages, 👍👍👍

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith - Mma Ramotswe opens her detective agency and takes a few intriguing cases. 235 pages (I listened to Lisette Lecat's excellent narration, 7 CDs, 8-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍👍

Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep by Tish Harrison Warren - An intimate look at Compline prayer from the Anglican tradition - beautiful and inspirational. 187 pages, 👍👍👍👍-1/2

On Living by Kerry Egan - A chaplain's reflections on stories from her dying patients. 206 pages, 👍👍-1/2

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard - Roosevelt and his son explore the Amazon along an unmapped river. 415 pages (I listened in audio form, 5 CDs, 6 hours), 👍👍👍👍

Twilight at the World of Tomorrow: Genius, Madness, Murder and the 1939 World's Fair on the Brink of War by James Mauro - History of the 1939 New York World's Fair. 432 pages (I listened in audio form, 10 CDs, 12 hours), 👍👍-1/2

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt - Helpful hints on how to extend your reach if you have something to say or sell. 227 pages, 👍👍👍

Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith - Second installment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series - engagement progress, extended family, and intriguing cases. 240 pages (I listened in audio form, 7 CDs, 8 hours), 👍👍👍👍

Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway - Detailing a month-long hunting trip in Africa, with a side dish of literary discussion. 304 pages (I listened in audio form, 6 CDs, 6 hours), 👍👍-1/2

Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith - The 3rd installment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books finds Mma Ramotswe tending an ill fiancé and investigating a case of poisoning. 227 pages (I listened in audio form, 7 CDs, 8-1/4 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

Secrets of Sloane House by Shelley Gray - Rosalind Perry takes a position in a wealthy household in Chicago in hopes of finding  information about her missing sister. 316 pages, 👍👍👍

Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions by Guy Kawasaki - If you want someone to do something, buy something, or invest in your idea, you must learn to enchant them. 240 pages, 👍👍👍-1/2

The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith - 4th installment in the series - When a rival detective agency opens, run by a man, Mma Ramotswe shines in comparison. 192 pages (I listened in audio form, 6 CDs, 7-1/4 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

Business Made Simple: 60 Days to Master Leadership, Sales, Marketing, Execution, Management, Personal Productivity and More by Donald Miller - What a mouthful of a sub-title! What a clear-cut guide to business and marketing! 240 pages, 👍👍👍

The Stories of Ray Bradbury by Ray Bradbury - 100 of Bradbury's entertaining short stories. 1059 pages, 👍👍👍

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly - Beautiful cross-generational story about a single garden as witness to tenderness, tears, and trauma spanning 1907 to 2021. 368 pages (I listened in audio form, 9 CDs, 11 hours), 👍👍👍👍-1/2

Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Storybrand Guide for Any Business by Donald Miller with Dr. J.J. Peterson - Intriguing ideas of viewing business in light of people's need for and reaction to story. Clear and concise marketing guide! 185 pages, 👍👍👍👍

The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith - 5th book in the series - Mr. JLB Matekoni faces many troubles (among them a proposed parachute jump thrust upon him by the insistent orphan farm matron) while Mma Ramotswe wearies of waiting for their promised wedding. 198 pages (I listened in audio form, 7 CDs, 7-3/4 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist - A love story set at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with excellent historical details and believable characters. 404 pages, including the Author's Note, well worth the read, 👍👍👍👍

Send for Me by Lauren Fox - A multi-generational tale of German mothers and daughters as they flee Germany and resettle in America. 272 pages (I listened in audio form, 6 CDs, 7 hours), 👍👍👍👍