Long Time Expat In Japan
Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life (hereafter S2S)by Arthur C. Brooks The title is a mouthful. It was something of a turnoff, to be honest. It reminded me of the self help books that I want no part of. Books that aim to help you squeeze … Continue reading Second Half of Life
Megathreats by Nouriel Roubini Roubini, an economist and professor, is best known for predicting (in 2006) the financial meltdown of 2008. As a result of that prediction, he's been nicknamed, "Dr. Doom." After reading this book, his nickname is well-deserved. Megathreats explores the economic and geopolitical risks and challenges facing the world in the 21st … Continue reading Megathreats
Pastime (1993)by Robert B. Parker I'm reading the Spenser novels in order. I skipped reviews on a bunch, but might as well start from here. Paul Giacomin, who you might remember from Early Autumn, needs to find his mother. She’s missing without even a goodbye. If you don’t remember the original novel, that’s okay. It’s … Continue reading Pastime
Living in Japan, since 2006, is not nearly as tough as the time I lived here in the 90s. Back then it was hard to keep in touch, both with friends and with culture. I was happy when Amazon came along and made it easier to buy books. I used to have to go to … Continue reading Archive
I just watched It's Kind of a Funny Story, a movie from like ten years ago. I'd never seen it. That's part of living abroad sometimes, you just miss stuff. It was, if you've never seen it, a story about a teenager who is suicidal, but learns to deal with his problems. He learns to … Continue reading Epilogue
I picked up the first of the Dresden Files novels. I’ve never read them, despite their popularity and longevity. I’m enjoying it so far, but that’s not why I’m writing this. I’m writing this because of the villain. I can’t help but imagine him as Donald Trump. Below is the description. His salt-and-pepper hair was … Continue reading Villains
“Would you care to have a drink with me after work?" I said. "That would be lovely," she said. "Where and when?" "Ritz bar, this evening when you get through." "Five thirty," she said. "I'll meet you there," I said. Excerpt FromValedictionRobert B Parker Big Robert B. fan from decades past, I’m re-reading Valediction, published … Continue reading Fine, I’ll Meet You There
I'm reading a book, basically a transcription of stories told on the Moth stage. One story kind of hit hard. Let me quote it here. Western mental health workers who came here [East Africa] immediately after the genocide, and we had to ask some of them to leave.” I said, “What was the problem?” And … Continue reading Moth Wisdom
In 2016, I joined a writers group so I could flex my old dream into maybe more than a hobby. Writing. The long-term dream is still there, but the skill is not much more than a hobby. I've published one short story and sold another (still not published, but sold, I cashed the check). Over … Continue reading My New Pen
Book Review Rogue Protocal By Martha Wells I spoil. This is a 150 page story, the 3rd in a 4-book series. The second book felt a little pricey. The last 3 were released in May, August, and October, 2018. So it's a 600 page novel split into four full-priced morsels. I'm certain that I've detected … Continue reading Book Review – Rogue Protocal
B.S. Donovan 