aaronj21's Reviews (912)

This book was expertly written, paced and researched, it was acutely informative without becoming dull or tedious. Whether you're an NRV resident who has heard about the events of 1980 or a totally uninformed outside observer there's no denying that the disappearance of Gina Hall is and continues to be a uniquely tragic and perplexing case. Peterson writes in a compelling style, taking you through all the events in roughly chronological order while stopping from time to time to impart valuable background information about people and places. While reading, one gets the sense that the author writes from a place of genuine interest in the events of the disappearance and, more importantly, an abiding concern in seeing all the mysteries surrounding it solved so that at long last some small measure of closure might be given to Gina's family and all those so changed by the case.

Utterly horrifying, shocking and disgusting this book is as necessary to read as it is difficult to stomach. David Neiwert, a journalist who has had the unenviable task of researching and reporting on American racist and right wing extremist groups for decades, brings his vast experience and knowledge to bear on the dangerous phenomenon of the “Alt-Right”. As exhausting and infuriating as it is to read about the numerous hate groups that have formed in America it is also crucial to understanding the apparently spontaneous mobs of Tiki Torch wielding racists we all witnessed in Charlottesville in August of 2017. What seemed like an out of the blue explosion of hate and vitriol really had its roots in various right wing, anti-government minded organizations from the 80’s and 90’s. These groups, long exiled to the fringes of society and awareness have shown a disturbing resurgence and shift to the mainstream in the wake of innovations like the internet and social media and, of course, the incendiary, hateful presidential campaign of Donald Trump. While I do disagree with one claim the author makes in his conclusion, that empathy and understanding are our most potent and essential tools to stand against the rising tide of MAGA hatted, pepe idolizing young neo Nazis (and I only disagree because I think it downplays the imminent physical danger these groups pose, especially to minorities and women), this book is an indispensable history of and treatise on this terrifying and newest wave of hate plaguing our country.

This charming, endearing, and witty period piece / epistolary novel is an absolute delight from cover to cover and is easily the best book I've read in 2019 (so far). I can't believe this solid gold classic has flown under my radar for such a long time, a special thanks to my wonderful co-workers or I might have gone on completely benighted for who knows how long.

84 Charing Cross Road is a collection of letters between Helene Hanff and the proprietor of the eponymous bookshop in London. What begins as a simple request for a book order deepens into a decades long correspondence betwixt the fiery, hyperbolic, and sarcastic Hanff and the stoic, proper, but endearing store manager Frank Doel. The two exchange gifts, ideas, and opinions about books as the years pass and the world moves on around them, from the post war years in Great Britain all the way to the Beatles mania in the 60's.

This book is by turns hilarious, fascinating, uplifting and deeply touching and the format makes for an immensely quick read with each letter proving a joy to read so really there's no excuse to not experience it for yourself!

I can't remember the last time I cared so much and so deeply about fictional characters. I couldn't read this book fast enough and the last several chapters had me hyperventilating from sheer concern for these people and the outcome of their story. As I said a book hasn't made me feel emotions this violently in quite a long time, for that, the characters and the beautiful and sleek writing style it gets a 5/5 easily.