The Children Return by Martin Walker

 (read aloud)

    Bruno depends on his military training and also solves a mystery about the history of Saint Denis. Jewish children and a child-like Muslim figure in the engaging plot.

The Sailing of the Intrepid by Montel Williams

     About a damaged rudder from a torpedo and heroic efforts to steer a giant ship. The Intrepid was a fixture of the US Navy from Tripoli to Apollo splashdowns. Heavy combat exposure and repairs and back to war.

The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Coterill

 (read aloud)

    The first of a series of mysteries set in Laos. Delightful characters and interesting political asides. Much culture and language interaction, which seem reliable and sensible. A fragrance of kindness wafts throughout, mainly through the doctor, who is a 72-year-old widower, retired surgeon.

1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

     A detailed book about the Depression. It is interesting and I think demythologizes some of the accepted narrative. It seems Hoover did not cause the Depression and FDR didn't save the economy. FDR did change American economics and politics forever. Hoover changed the nomenclature from "panic" to "depression," possibly his biggest mistake because it implied a longer duration and more need for intervention.

Makers of the Microchip by Christophe Lécuyer and David C. Brock

     This book is basically a gloss of included pages of the engineering notebooks of the founders of Fairchild. These men invented the microchip and went on to found the rest of Silicon Valley, including Intel. I would have gotten more out of it if I had read the appendix first, which is a carefully written and thus valuable refresher on semiconductor structure.

Douglas Fir: The Story of the West's Most Remarkable Tree by Stephen F. Arno and Carl E. Fiedler

     A small but very interesting book about the Doug fir. Full of interesting facts and history. Also much about forest fires and forest and fire management which is very complex.

 

Matters of Doubt by Warren C. Easley

(read aloud)

     First of Cal Claxton mysteries, a lawyer who gets drawn into a missing person/murder cold case in Portland. Very full of PDX arcana and memes and clichés. Plot too complicated, characters formulaic. Enjoyable but very Portlandia.

Mapmatics by Paulina Rowinska

     A book about maps of all sorts and the math behind them. About projections such as Mercator (a calligrapher, btw). Surveying, topology, politics, voting, epidemiology, neuroanatomy, core of the Earth, every kind of map. Features the London tube as well. Interesting read with excellent explanations.

Perfect Tuba by Sam Quinones

     Lots of interesting tuba facts and personalities but way too much about south Texas high school bands.

When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill Manning

(read aloud)

    The story of ASE (Armed Services Editions), small books sent by the millions to servicemen in WWII. Twists and turns and controversies but overall extremely appreciated. A very successful and valuable program. A very detailed account.

The Laws of Our Fathers by Scott Turow

    A long book about a crime, a group of people who grew up together in turbulent times in the 60's and 70's. Now older and changed. There is a courtroom drama and much soul-searching and secrets and lies and old loves rekindled. Book is well-written but a bit long. 

An Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

(listened on road trip to Arizona March 2026)

    Good book, interesting, too many characters to keep up with while driving. Narrator excellent, but I missed things due to road noise.

The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson

        Very interesting book. Enjoyed the translation a lot. Introduction was extremely helpful. The action of the gods explains all. All the elements of drama and story are here. All the emotions, all the hopes and dreams. Humanity on display.

Around the World Submerged by Edward L. Beach

     Magellan's voyage redone under water. A great submarine book. Surprisingly exciting for a peacetime account. Excellent author.

Double Tap by Steve Martini

     Good courtroom murder ,mystery with a dwarf for opposing counsel. Intrigue and a twist in the end followed by second twist, both plausible. Enjoyable, quite good writing but easy reading.

The Elements of Marie Curie by Dava Sobel

    This is a special book about an amazing person. It is a touching love story as well. The author deftly weaves in the science, even evoking a sense of excitement and suspense. It is also a book about a serious feminism that the author presents in a serious manner with great integrity and moral weight. A very good book.

 

All in Your Head by Suzanne O'Sullivan, M.D.

    Earlier than Age of Diagnosis, this is a series of cases of psychogenic illness. Well-written and engaging. She is writing about a phenomenon that unquestionably exists. How best to approach it and how to deal with patients is difficult. The author is certainly compassionate and not overly judgmental. 

The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly

    An AI companion causes a boy to kill his girlfriend. A lawsuit and trial with twists and turns. Entertaining and concerning. Lincoln lawyer switches to civil law. 

Shot Ready by Stephen Curry

     A brief career review of the making of the greatest NBA shooter, with advice for everyone. Practice, perseverance, integrity, and faith. Interesting events and specific games and even shots that were influential. Many great photos.

After That, the Dark by Andrew Klavan

        Gritty and dark, a little too similar to previous episodes. Cameron Winter is an interesting character. The psychological is well-handled and Christian themes are honest and fresh, almost shocking.