Can TRON Decentralize the Web?: A Guide to Everything You Want to Know About TRON by Dan Johnson

Can TRON Decentralize the Web?: A Guide to Everything You Want to Know About TRON by Dan Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Can TRON Decentralize the Web?: A Guide to Everything You Want to Know About TRON by Dan Johnson is a fascinating attempt to explain something that is foreign to most people, the blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralizing the Web. You might be asking yourself what these things are, what they mean and what the future of currency is in the world. Johnson attempts to answer these things and more. With fiat money, or rather paper and coin money quickly losing its cache, crypto may be the answer and or solution the world economy is looking for. Tron is considered one of the top crypto currencies and is quickly transforming how many of us look at money and the way the internet works. It takes a while to wrap your brain around some of these concepts, and the book may need to be read over a few times to understand, but overall this is a sound and comprehensive look at a complex and exciting subject.

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Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak

Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak could have easily devolved into another New York-ish style novel, and it is that in a way. The sights, the sounds, blah, blah, we're all so cool. But really, this is a story about a dysfunctional friendship between two women, Stella and Violet, who ultimately become enemies. Stella is hugely wealthy, Violet is not, and after a time, their dysfunction ramps up and becomes untenable. This novel also conveys the class differences in society, and some of these became stereotypes in this story. This is difficult but not impossible to get past. Overall, I found this novel eminently readable, a good plot, some meandering, but overall an interesting character study for both lead characters. Would recommend. Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

We Told Six Lies by Victoria Scott

We Told Six Lies by Victoria Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We Told Six Lies by Victoria Scott is geared toward the teen market, however I really enjoyed this book as an adult. This is a book that resonates with nuanced character development; Cobain is a moody teenager, on the fringe in his high school and often bullied and misunderstood. Molly is the mysterious and oh so desirable young teen girl he is lusting after. Their relationship develops into something neither of them is quite ready for, and that is where the plot truly takes off. While some of the behavior between the two seemed a little over the top, and some of the dialogue was a little bit of a stretch, the author has a way of creating an emotional bond between the two that pulls you in. Not particularly likeable characters, but relatable in some ways, Cobain and Molly could be any teenager who feels on the outside looking in. They both embellish the truth, especially Molly as she puts on various acts to get by, to get along. Told in alternating perspectives and time frames, the plot is skillfully put together with a great twist along the way, although that twist is not totally unforeseeable. Even with that element of predictability, the story was enough to keep me interested until the last pages. Highly recommend. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The Truth Behind the Lies by Jaeson D. Rau

The Truth Behind the Lies: One Man's Journey Through Wwiii by Jaeson D Rau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Truth Behind the Lies: One Man’s Journey Through WWIII by Jaeson D. Rau uses the personal touch of a journal in order to encapsulate thoughts on society and mankind as a whole. The format is a little tough to get into, the main character's words form one long rant after another. He even indicates that he is ranting to his wife Summer as he goes on and on about tough subjects. Having seemingly escaped from war, and hanging out in a remote cabin after he becomes free, he embarks on recounting his thoughts in this expansive personal expose'. From tackling subjects like mass consumerism to adultery, to addictions of all kinds, to simply letting our lives go by, the author has taken great pains to point out the ills of society, and blames us, not the government for war and much more. We let this happen. This is certainly a unique book, and one that requires several readings in order to digest the content, The Truth Behind the Lies is a tour de force that is a great social commentary of many of the horrific issues plaguing man today. Highly recommend.

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Save the Last Dance: A Bittersweet Love Story about Broken Promises and Shattered Dreams by M.G. Crisci

Save the Last Dance: A Bittersweet Love Story about Broken Promises and Shattered Dreams: 9781456630560 by M G Crisci
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Save the Last Dance: A Bittersweet Love Story About Broken Promises and Shattered Dreams by M.G. Crisci is a wonderful tale of two young lovers that will capture your heart. This is a non-fiction book that recounts the lives of Fanny and Charlie, who met as children in New York, went on to live their lives, got married, yet stayed in touch until the very end. They were even buried near each other, proving that true love lives on forever. Along with this touching story, there are photographs that really capture the essence of New York from lower Manhattan to Franny and Charlie as young children, and the people that comprised family. The author captures the tone and tenor of the time, with language that resonates and a true story that will uplift. Highly recommend for a great story about a couple who never truly fell out of love.

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Violent Hearts: A Haunted Journey by Keith Deininger

Violent Hearts: A Haunted Journey by Keith Deininger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Violent Hearts: A Haunted Journey by Keith Deininger will scare you to death. Of course that's what the author Deininger wants, and he succeeds on all fronts. The plot of the book is certainly unique, and brings together the two main characters unlike anything before. Owen and Chloe couldn't be more different, but a ritualistic act has bound them together, and continues to haunt their everyday lives. The writing is a marvelous example of astute creativity, with different creatures and oddities. Along with the creative bent, Deininger has a way of fully creating his characters, adding depth and humanity, giving them very real emotions. These elements all combine to render a scary yet highly readable story, one filled with horrific magic and implausible events that seem all too real. Highly recommend for a book that will keep you awake at night. A must read.

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Cenzontle/Mockingbird (YA Edition): Songs of Empowerment by Daniel Garcia Ordaz

Cenzontle/Mockingbird (YA Edition): Songs of Empowerment by Daniel García Ordaz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cenzontle/Mockingbird (YA Edition): Songs of Empowerment (Poetry * Drama) by Daniel García Ordaz is a great collection of poetry for the YA audience that espouses and capitalizes on the need for linguistic diversity. As indicated in the title, the Mockingbird is the background theme, the mockingbird singing every other bird's song relentlessly, never quitting, and giving us listeners such great beauty. These poems resonate in that way, covering many different, fluid styles,and juxtaposing the verse across many different genres. With an ample amount of questions throughout, these poems not only spark the imagination, but the questions are great discussion starters for students and teachers alike. Love Forbitten is a fantastic example of bending the scope and layout of a poem to capture similar meaning with different verbiage. Overall, a fantastic collection, thought provoking and exploratory. Highly recommend, but it may help to have a familiarity with the Spanish language.

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