Review of Too Soon to Die--5 stars

Too Soon to Die by William and JA Johnstone is a rather typical western novel that follows the traditional scheme.  There are good guys and bad guys and they get involved in a struggle for supremacy.  There are ups and downs with a sickly son of the family and a headstrong daughter.  The main character is the force of will of Storm, the patriarch and ranch owner, who has appeared in other novels in this series.  Celebrations, family, wedding festivities, loyalty, shootouts, death, kidnapping, and numerous other things happen in this action packed story.  If a reader likes the typical western novel, then this is a book to read.  It's not like the story has unexpected twists and turns but with all that this is a good story and an interesting read. 

I received the electronic format of the book from #NetGalley and am posting the review per my agreement.

I just reviewed Tidelands by Philippa Gregory. #NetGalley 

Tidelands by Philippa Gregory is set in England in the mid-1600s and begins on Sealsea Island on Midsummer’s Eve.  The book traces the issues that Alinor, a woman with different gifts, experiences in a world that is focused on male dominance. The back story of Alinor and her children by a n ’ere do well fisherman husband.  The husband blames his wife for all his problems and even accuses her of being a witch.  In these days being accused of being a witch, is something that often leads to death.  Oliver Cromwell and the Puritan revolt is an undercurrent as the “parliament” men and the “royalist” men compete miring the country in a civil war.  The upheaval apparent in politics and personal lives is a strong theme in the novel.  Alinor wants to do what is right for her children but her husband has disappeared while being at sea and it is unknown whether he is alive or dead. The possibility of love comes to Alinor, but the politics of the time prevent her from being open to her feelings. Alinor is a skilled herbalist and healer but these help give rise to the witchcraft allegations.  She must prove herself worthy and use her considerable skills to help her superstitious and jealous neighbors. A trial for the king; a witchcraft trial; an unattainable love; petty thievery--all are subplots running through the tidelands and the storyline.

The book is well written and fast-paced and is set in England during a time of upheaval and unrest.  This novel is different from the other Gregory novels in that it is primarily a story told about common people.  While royalty and nobility do make an appearance, the story of Alinor and her family and their trials and tribulations are the focus. The book is hard to put down and the end comes too soon.   

Review: I Like to Eat Children

I Like to Eat Children by Reagan Rothe is an odd little book that might be frightening to small children.  It would be pretty easy to get caught up in the scary nature of a big monster with dark green skin, who is scaly and slimy and full of oozing yellow bumps with a big red eye who pursues little people, if you were under 6 years old.  The words are taken from the story and there are other vivid descriptions of a hideous creature looking to eat children!!  With a parent’s guidance it might be interesting for young kids, although for a child that is easily frightened maybe not.  The story is a traditional “monster under the bed” kind of story.  My 3 year-old grandson is so not frightened of this kind of stuff, willing to hold a live tarantula in his hand and smile about it.  I can not wholeheartedly recommend this book for every child but would say a parent would know about his/her little one and whether this is appropriate.  The story has, what seems to me to be, a singular message—“grown-ups and particularly family will protect you.”  A good generalized message.  #IlikeToEatChildren #NetGalley

Review of Design Thinking at Work

The book, Design Thinking At Work, by David Dunne is a well-written and thought-out treatise on what design thinking is and how it works in the real world.  The description of it as a mindset that is playful, tolerant of ambiguity, and open to learning is very appropriate.  There are some basic tools but these are secondary to the process and are “tools” not the activity.

Some businesses are better at this than other and there are examples given in the text where various iterations of design thinking can be seen. The initial example set in the Netherlands of Hoogendoorn and the creation of different styles of umbrellas shows the prototyping and out-of-the-box thinking aspects very well.  Hoogendoorn used prototypes and tore apart various umbrellas, reassembled them in an effort to create one that did not get torn up in the windy conditions of Delft. 

In design thinking the author notes that there are three aspects to consider. One is prototyping; two is deep understanding of the process; and three is creative reframing of the problem/issue. Businesses/inventors using design features in innovative labs work without boundaries.  They are free-spirits given a license to explore boundaries that exist for the rest of the business.  One example, not mentioned in the book, was the Division of Way Cool Technology that Apple Computer used in developing the iPod. This like most innovation efforts removed, as the Mindset Studio sign describes it: “Replace the fear of the unknown with curiosity.”

Three tensions exist in a design thinking process 1) inclusion (aka mindset); 2) disruption; and 3) perspective. If an organization can embrace these dynamic tensions in what might be a rather staid hierarchy there is a greater chance that the strategic focus can lead to operational decisions and make success and collaboration more likely.

Reading this treatise was quick from some aspects being only about 200 pages long but it was so deep that it can be pondered for days.  It would be advisable for both innovation-minded administrators, engineering faculty and students as well as those individuals seeking to enhance and enlarge the company business in a successful and perhaps in some, as of yet, unthought of way.  Definitely would recommend a read.