Books I Read in 2016

Interesting, careful, cogent, very well documented exposition. For the sixth time, our Earth is relatively rapidly losing countless of its animal and plant species. This time it is because of the behavior of us humans. Lest we change our ways, we may even be dooming ourselves to extinction!

Great, inspirational read. Develop and myelinate those talent nerve circuits with deep practice, ignition (inspiration and motivation) and master coaching. Three rules of deep practice: 1) chunk it up, 2) repeat it, and 3) learn to feel it. The virtues of a master coach: the matrix (deep practical knowledge base), perceptiveness, the GPS reflex (step by step directional guidance) and theatrical honesty.

Challenging but rewarding self-analysis in the shape of an interesting novel by a Nobel laureate.

Historical fictional far-fetched fantasy involving Woodrow Wilson, Grover Cleveland, Upton Sinclair, Jack London and others connected to the accursed Slade family who encounter evil fiends, ghosts, serpents, violent deaths and eventual reincarnations.

Gripping thriller!

Murder mystery with a surprising twist or two.

Wow! This is a powerfully good book! And now is just the right time to tell a love story like this. Iraq war PTSD. Illegal Asian immigrant. Careful, accurate, straightforward descriptive language. Clear sense of profound, at times frightening, realism. This book will stick with you. Winner of the 2015 PEN/Faulkner Award.

Moving story of a wife in a troubled marriage told uniquely and very effectively as a chronology of bits and pieces including brief diary-like entries, quotes, anecdotes, observations, insights and conversations.

Tense tale, well-told.

Wonderful piece of historical fiction, told in a most delightful way with voices that resonate with timeless truth. Will put a tear in your eye and a smile on your face.

Outstanding debut novel!

Four wonderful stories from one of our best writers. "For all its imagined moments, literature works in unimaginable ways."

Birchwood School founder and head, Debelak is a very thoughtful and experienced educational guru. Be inspired to raise great kids!

Well referenced and very well written. Should be required reading for all health care providers.

Good stuff.

Inspirational!

Fun, funny, fantastic memoir from a uniquely talented writer.

Superb debut novel. Insider perspective on the personal and psychological significance of the Viet Nam war.

Wonderful, hilarious, educational! Read aloud to my 3 sons who also loved it.

Unforgettably tragic. Brilliant young neurosurgeon tells the story of his struggle, dealing with life while facing death from lung cancer. His widow adds an epilogue.

Our junior senator from New Jersey, former mayor of Newark, tells his inspiring story.

Remarkable, strikingly original debut novel. Two stories, of the sleeping Madeleine and of her dream, told with rich, poetic language are magically woven together, merging fact and fantasy. Is it all a mysterious kind of dream?

Meet the delightful, mysterious and inimitable Stargirl in this wonderful coming of age YA story.

Givers are at risk to become bottom dwelling doormats, but careful, 'otherish' givers rise to the top of their businesses and social groups! Action plan: 1. Test your giver quotient at giveandtake.com, 2. Run a reciprocity ring (see Humax) and Favo.rs, 3. Help other people craft their jobs - or craft yours to incorporate more giving (jobcrafting.org), 4. Start a love machine; for example see SendLove, 5. Embrace the five-minute favor, 6. Practice powerless communication, but become an advocate (see Susan Cain's blog and GetRaised), 7. Join a community of givers, e.g. freecycle and ServiceSpace 8. Launch a personal generosity experiment, 9. Help fund a project, 10. Seek help more often.

Let's praise and celebrate our introverts. We need them.

Riotous Republican romp and rant.

Experience and advice from former FBI hostage negotiator. Elements of a negotiation one sheet: 1) The Goal, 2) Summary, 3) Labels/accusation audit, 4) Calibrated Questions, 5) Identify behind-the-table deal killers, 6) Identify & diffuse deal-killing issues, 7) Noncash offers. How am I supposed to do that? See The Black Swan Group.

Lots of good ideas, very well explained, starting with the essential "Mind, Body and Soul Time." Let's raise responsible, respectful, grateful, un-entitled kids!

Unique masterwork! Deeply rewarding.

Very readable, cogent examination of grit - passion and perseverance for long term goals. Grit trumps talent, and, yes, we can lead ourselves and our kids to be gritty. To find out how gritty you are, take the grit test.

Epic masterpiece of historical fiction by one of our greatest writers! Proulx's language is rich and delicious; her characters so very alive. And what can we short-sighted barkskins do to help renew our planet's forests?

Darkly engaging.

Wonderful collection of twenty real gems!

Story telling at its best! Irresistible characters!

Stories surprising and enchanting!

OK.

Interesting fictional vignettes inspired by real, unusual, eccentric women on the edge.

Informative. Inspirational. See www.adamgrant.net/originals

Wonderful children's story by a master.

Lots of helpful tips.

Engrossing tale of dysfunctional family in rural Florida. Fine first novel.

Well done. Thoroughly referenced work for educators, including parents.

Wonderfully imaginative stories, darkly painted with exquisite language!

Wonderful children's story. Newbery Honor book.

Told with profound empathy, compelling stories that must be read! Required reading! Winner of the 2015 PEN/Hemingway award for debut fiction.

Nice collection of well-told stories. Memorable characters.

Wildly imaginative, often hilarious, always genuinely human, a great ride!

Powerfully moving picture of racism in the southern U.S. during the 1930's. Newbery Award winner.

High quality historical fictional account of Iraq war horror from writer who's been there. You pray that this is just fiction, but the story profoundly and clearly rings true. It breaks your heart. National Book Award finalist.

Unique, alluring new voice. Couldn't put down this somber and, finally, shocking debut story of Eileen's escape from her miserable life.

Hannaham tries to do so much in this novel, and, largely, succeeds.

Very well done. Excellent first novel.

Twenty new gems.

Zimbabwean American immigrant angst, well told.

Wonderful, classic, Newbery Medal winner read aloud to two sons. We are saved by love.

Detailed explanation of the birth and growth of ISIS in the Middle East.

Irresistible page-turner by master Boyle. Couldn't put it down.

Excellent. First person unnamed woman narrative memoir of a close childhood friendship and its profound, lasting influence.

Very readable. Entertains while educating. The framework to change a habit: 1) Identify the routine, 2) Experiment with rewards, 3) Isolate the cue, 4) Have a plan.

Helpful, well-referenced, guide to protecting and growing with our middle and high school age kids.

Intriguing 'mythorealistic' portrayal of the emergence of modern China.

Absorbing, disturbing, heart-wrenching descent into insanity. Winner of the 2016 Man Booker International Prize.

Penetrating allegorical exposition of Mao's Great Leap Forward into the Great Famine. International Man Booker Prize finalist.

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