24/6 by Tiffany Shlain

 A very well-written interesting book about the great benefits of taking a #techsabbath. Lots of detail and suggestions by a very tech savvy woman who is culturally Jewish. Plan to try it and see how it goes!

The Art of Statistics by David Spiegelhalter

 Good book about statistics use and abuse but not much new to me. A good first read to introduce statistics. Reminds me how good A Lady Tasting Tea is.

God and the Pandemic by N.T. Wright

 A very clear and compelling approach to the questions posed by the pandemic and the Christian action and understanding in its midst. Avoiding easy answers but facing the problems squarely, it is helpful to know what the pandemic is not saying to Christians as well as what we should not be saying it means to our brothers and sisters and to the world at large. Short, readable, but in places profound.

An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris

 A historical fictional account, well documented and factual of the Dreyfus debacle. We see this anti-semitic prosecution and eventual retrial and exoneration from the perspective of Colonel Piquart a leader in the intelligence arm of the French army. Piquart is an illustrious bachelor with frequent liaisons with society women Paris but his easy morals contrast with his integrity when he comes to believe Dreyfus is innocent. Refusing to cover up what he knows he is sent to prison but even from prison causes the reevaluation of Dreyfus' case. Dreyfus is brought back from Devil's island and reconvicted but eventually cleared. Well-written and paced with many historical references in and about Paris including the trial of Emil Zola.

The World in a Grain by Vince Beiser

 An amazing book about sand. Sand is a very important part of modern life. This book covers the uses of sand and the history geology and geography of sand. The chapters cover cement and concrete the biggest use of sand in the world. Desert sand doesn't make good cement it is too round. Sand is used for glass, windows, telescopes microscopes and this requires pure silica sand found among other places Spruce Pine NC. It is used for space mirrors, silicon chips man made islands and tourist beaches. It is smuggled stolen and mined around the world and supplies are running out. A great book.

A Time for Mercy by John Grisham

 This engaging story with themes of homelessness, abuse, law enforcement and cover-up, again pits Jake Brigance against entrenched bigotry and injustice. For all practical purposes forced into indigent criminal defense he puts the murdered  victim on trial exposing the hypocrisy of some law and order types. A small  baptist church shines a beacon of hope and love and a softly stated pro-life theme plays throughout.