Saturday, April 29, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | Sophie's World and Dawn

Ava Hathaway Hacker '18 returns with two thought-provoking novels sure to keep you reading until the end. 


Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder


"The only thing that we require to be good philosophers is the faculty of wonder."

In Jostein Gaarder’s novel, Sophie’s World, Sophie Amundsen returns home from school one day to find two mysterious notes in her mailbox. Each notes has one question: “Who are you?” and “Where do we come from?” This begins a series of lessons between Sophie and her  teacher, Albert Knox, as the novel continues to, with Sophie’s own learning, explore the history of philosophy in a new and enlightening way: through the eyes of a fourteen-year-old girl.

Sophie’s World tracks the evolution of mankind’s philosophical thought, and, within that, makes the reader ask the same theoretical questions of themselves. Though the plot involving Sophie and her philosophy teacher Albert Knox, as well as well as other characters introduced later, grows more and more complex as the novel advances, part of the excitement of the story is not truly understanding everything, both about the characters and also about the lessons they are teaching. The realizations later in the novel about the nature of Sophie and her teacher themselves twists the book further from a straightforward story.

Sophie’s World is a compelling read. Though not a dramatic page-turner, it presents enough mystery and speculation to keep the reader interested. It is carefully written and the pieces fit seamlessly together. While some of the concepts of Sophie’s story might be complex, the writing is clear and simple.

Verdict: I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in philosophy and philosophical exploration who does not shy away from long reads.

Dawn by Octavia Butler


Octavia Butler's, Dawn, the first book in the Xenogenesis trilogy, tells the story of a Woman named Lilith who wakes up in an isolated compartment on a spaceship to learn that she has been in suspended animation for hundreds of years, ever since nuclear war destroyed life on Earth. She meets the Oankali, the alien race that has rescued her, and a few other humans, from the destruction. 

The Oankali are frightening in appearance, lacking facial features and sporting tentacles. They possess the power of genetic manipulation and there are three, rather than two, genders: male, female, and Ooloi. Though they have saved some remnants of humanity, it is not for unselfish reasons. They want to repopulate earth with a new phase of life, Oankali -human hybrid children.

Lilith is given the responsibility of training the other rescued humans, though she herself is disgusted by both the Oanlaki themselves and their plans for humanities future. The novel explores multitudes of complex themes: colonization, xenophobia, consent, sexuality, gender, human nature, race, and many more. 

Dawn is far from an easy read, it is complex and frightening, and, at times, graphic. However, for the readers who can handle the disturbing aspects, Dawn is one of the most compelling and thought-provoking examples of sci-fi speculative fictions of all time. Octavia Butler creates a story that will shock and amaze the reader. Truly, there are few books like it.

Verdict: For readers who can handle hard themes and sometimes disturbing scenes, Dawn is a fascinating novel from one of the greatest sci-fi writers of all time. The world that Octavia Butler has created will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, anxious to read the next page.



Monday, April 24, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | The Nix and The Case Against Sugar


Caroline Rispoli '20 returns with two reads that will change their readers’ outlooks not only on the subjects of the books but on their own lives as well.

The Nix by Nathan Hill

The life of Samuel can only be summed up in one word: complex. Written by Nathan Hill, The Nix is the story of a boy who grows into an unaccomplished writer addicted to video games, and his mother, who becomes the headline of every news source in the world. It is her, and the rocks that she throws at a Republican presidential candidate, that begins the journey through time in the novel as Samuel explores both her past and his own.

Abandoned, betrayed, but intrigued when he has the chance to find out why she abandoned him all those years ago, Samuel is given the opportunity to write about this mystery woman, whom he doesn’t know well enough to call his mother, the face of whom has been on replay across the country. Hill tells of his childhood as Samuel, a delicate boy who would cry at anything and immediately grabs the reader as he zips back into the present.


The stories seem unorganized, discombobulated even, but it is exactly this confusion that leaves the reader wanting more. The Nix itself is a ghost, a spirit that finds a person like Samuel and never seems to leave, a reminder that things go wrong and never fully recover.

Verdict: A must read; Nathan Hill captures his readers and doesn’t let them go. Readers will be thinking about The Nix long after they reach the final page.


The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes

Sugar is a drug. Or at least that’s what Gary Taubes writes in his book, The Case Against Sugar. For most, sugar may seem like no more than a flavoring that brings memories of childhood, but Taubes makes a new connection as he sets sugar’s destructive potential not only equivalent to cigarettes, but to modern diseases. As he snakes through the history of sugar, and the increasing demand for it, he highlights that this villain is hidden everywhere and in everything.

An investigative science and health journalist, Taubes delves deep into the facts through an insightful analysis of today’s sugar-infested world and the effects of its consumption. While the thought that everyone’s favorite food could be the one thing hurting them the most may be depressing, The Case Against Sugar is not merely an attack on the food industry of today. Rather, it is an informative, yet thought-provoking, book that enlightens readers on the subject of sugar. There is no hiding from the truth: sugar is a silent killer that eats away at you as you eat away at it.

Taubes’ intellect and intense knowledge of the subject are evident through his thorough synopsis of the world of sugar today, the harm it brings to the health of those who consume it, and the ever increasing demand for what is becoming the main ingredient of more and more foods.

Verdict: Informative yet interesting, The Case Against Sugar is not at all what you would expect. Highly recommend for those who enjoying sitting down with a good book in hand, ready to learn.

Readers United Meeting Minutes | Monday April 10th

Monday, April 10th


Discussion of possible books for long weekend.

Preferred themes: contemporary, mystery


Option 1: Murder on the Orient Express


Synopsis: Just after midnight, a snowdrift stopped the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train was surprisingly full for the time of the year. But by the morning there was one passenger fewer. A passenger lay dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside.


Option 2: Let Me Call You Sweetheart


Synopsis: Kerry McGrath is a dedicated prosecutor and a devoted mother. When her daughter's face is cut in a car accident, Kerry is relieved that the plastic surgeon who treats her is the eminent Dr. Charles Smith. Then Kerry notices something bizarre. Two of Smith's patients bear an uncanny resemblance to Suzanne Reardon, a young woman killed eleven years earlier. Why would Dr. Smith create look-alikes of a murder victim? A chilling tale of obsession by America's reigning queen of suspense.


Option 3: The Cuckoo’s Calling


Synopsis: A brilliant mystery in a classic vein: Detective Cormoran Strike investigates a supermodel's suicide.After losing his leg to a landmine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. He has also just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is living in his office.
Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, the legendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.

Other options considered: The Hate You Give, Still Alice, Room, The Wonder


Decision: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie 

Readers United Meeting Minutes | Monday, April 17th


Monday, April 17th


Discussion of Murder on the Orient Express after reading Part 1:

  • Recap characters: Who could be the murderer?
    • Poirot (likely not the murderer)
    • The Conductor
    • Owner of the line - Monsieur Bouc
    • Doctor
    • MacQueen - secretary
    • Young Dwedish woman
    • Young english girl and guy from india - suspicious. Are they having an affair?
    • Princess Dragomiroff - super ugly and commanding
  • Circumstances of the Murder: 
    • Secret door inside the room?
    • Locked from the inside?
    • Why was the train overbooked?
    • Is it possible that there is a secret entrance? Then most likely the conductor and Bouc would know best.
  • Poirot is a reliable narrator. What is an unreliable narrator?
    • Someone who doesn’t relay information accurately. Leaves things out because of bias or insanity
  • Why did the book start so slowly? Possibly the information will be relevant later.

For Next week: Part 2 

Friday, April 21, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | Dragonflight and The Art of War

In this installment, Fritz Legaspi '18 returns with two books that are as interesting as they are timeless.



Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey


Dragons. Arguably the number one discussed topic in fiction, dragons have been a part of myths in human history for millennia. Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonflight, however, sets itself apart from the typical knight’s quest to hunt or conquer an evil dragon. Instead, our main character, Lessa, is the sole survivor of the ruthless takeover of her family’s “Hold” by the power-thirsty neighboring Lord Holder, Fax. The vast majority of Lessa’s planet, Pern, reside in these Holds.
On Pern, society is largely based off of the threat of thin, silver organisms that periodically fall from the sky, dubbed “Thread” due to their appearance. Upon contact with a living organism, Thread immediately consumes it, growing at an extremely rapid rate. Despite the fact that Thread die very quickly without sustenance, the mere rate of virtually instantaneous consumption causes their presence to be an extraordinary threat.

The importance of dragons lies in their ability to t
o combat these Thread. On Pern, suitable humans can Impress, or bond, with a dragon, becoming psychically linked. Such dragonriders live in massive habitats, such as extinct volcanoes, or sides of mountains. These habitats are called Weyrs. Each Weyr is in charge of protecting a number of Holds from the Thread, by riding out into the sky during Threadfall and using mechanical flame throwers, as Thread prove to be highly flammable.

After many years of disguising herself as a lowly servant, Lessa is beckoned to come to a Weyr when she is found during a search among the Holds for potential dragonriders. Lessa manages to Impress a queen dragon hatchling, and she becomes the sole Weyrwoman of the Weyr.


Throughout the book, we follow Lessa and her adjustment to sudden life as a Weyrwoman, and the difficulties she faces. All the while, the looming threat of an upcoming Threadfall pressures Lessa to look to all possible sources for assistance. Uniquely based off of the point of view of a young woman, this book is the first of a science fiction series that masterfully breaks away from the mold of male-dominated storylines. Published nearly fifty years ago, the slight difference in language makes the text all the more believably otherworldly and entices the reader to delve into the world of Pern.


Verdict: In this initial book, McCaffrey masterfully introduces a new world while still depicting the epic struggles of a young woman thrust into a position of power. Enthralling and exciting, I would highly recommend this book and entire series to anyone open to falling into a whole new world.

The Art of War, by Sun Tzu


No matter how hard you try, at one point or another, you are bound to end up in some form of conflict or fight. The Art of War by Sun Tzu (or Sunzi), absolutely the most influential strategic text of all time, makes this very clear. Aside from countless ancient military leaders, this text has had influence on even more recent tacticians such as Mao Zedong and General MacArthur. Through this text, one can learn much about confrontation, and the information is not necessarily solely applicable to war.

Exploring the reality that confrontation is inevitable, Sun Tzu describes the fundamental basics to all engagements throughout his work. Sun Tzu begins by laying out the pure elements that are key to any success. The following chapters, though some more relevant to today’s world than others, dive into the intricacies of engaging in a fight and how one should think, plan, react, and so much more.


Due to the wide influence of The Art of War, many modern day sayings regarding conflict derive from its text. For instance, the sayings, “All warfare is based on deception,” and, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” The Art of War permeates modern life to an astounding extent. For example, the lyrics from "Lesson Number Two" from Disney movie, Mulan 2, echo the words of Sun Tzu: “Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain."


Sun Tzu sets up an interesting dynamic with his work, creating a very engaging read. Many statements written are highly applicable to aspects of life today, and they can be very useful when internalized and utilized. Even if nothing is taken personally from this text, it is interesting to analyze and understand the thought process of a Chinese military strategist from millennia ago and the similarities between then and now.

Verdict: If you are at all interested in a guide on how to approach life and its confrontations, this book is simply a must-read. There are interesting phrases and many teachings to be learned and adapted for daily life and its struggles. At the very least, this text provides the entrancing thought process and inner works of a war-hardened tactician from thousands of years ago.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | Will Grayson, Will Grayson and All the Bright Places

Isabelle So '20 returns with two emotional and heartwarming stories told from the perspective of teenagers. 


Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan


Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan offers not only humor, but also moments that we wish could happen to us in real life. These two authors have managed to incorporate little details like text messages to make the story come alive more realistically and energetically. On a side note, this book is indeed the first gay-themed book that has ended up on The New York Times children’s best-seller list.

The book is about two young adults, Will Grayson and Will Grayson and their completely different lives. However, on one cold night, in the least-expected part of Chicago, they meet. Two completely pre-occupied kids running from their own struggles find themselves gearing their futures towards completely unexpected paths. They end up creating the most wonderful musical on the high school stage. Throughout the book, John Green and David Levithan create characters that break social norms. For instance, Tiny Cooper is football player that is "the world's largest person who is really, really gay". The narrative of the story is not only humorous, but also full of compassion, love, and support. 

This book didn’t have an extremely adventurous plot, but though it did have a simple theme, the authors have created a scenario that is sensitive and heartwarming. Even though the two perspectives are completely different, there is still that connection between the two that interlaces their stories in a creative and interesting way. The slow-pacing made the whole story come alive. This book truly made me feel as if the two Will Graysons were telling the stories themselves.

Verdict: I would recommend Will Grayson, Will Grayson to anyone interested in a story that is both humorous and heartfelt. Readers should be aware that there is a fair bit of foul language and some intimate/sensitive topics. 



All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven


All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is a heart-throbbing, unflinching kind of love story. This book kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time. The author created scenarios from both perspectives to keep the reader excited, terrified, and saddened all at the same time.

Like Will Grayson, Will Grayson, this book is told from the perspectives of two teenagers, Theodore Finch and Violet Markey. They live two completely different lives, and, though this is a love story, refreshingly, they don’t meet in some restaurant, ice skating rink, or any other cliché place. They first meet on the edge of a bell tower and, though they’re both running from different issues, they somehow always wind up together. But, tragically, as Violet Markey starts to enjoy life and stop counting the days until her death, Theodore Finch begins to fade.  

This book is filled with humor and tear-jerking moments. It may seem cliché at times, but the way the characters are portrayed makes it special and different every time you re-read it.

Verdict: I would recommend All the Bright Places to teenagers that enjoy (somewhat cliché, but entertaining) love stories that have interesting twists. This book is amazing because it is told from both perspectives, and it really makes you reconsider what you say or do when you’re around other people. This book is emotional and likely to inspire tears, laughter, and even anger.


Friday, April 14, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | Small Admissions and Hyperbole and a Half

Jamie Shin ‘20 returns with two entertaining reads that are sure to offer an escape from busy day-to-day life.



Small Admissions by Amy Peoppel


Small Admissions, by Amy Peoppel, is a realistic fiction novel that follows Kate, an overachieving college student with a supportive older sister and two best friends that seem to have her back. Most important to Kate is her French boyfriend, with whom she plans to move to Paris, dropping everything that was once significant to her. Her life seems all figured out, until she hits rock bottom and falls apart when her boyfriend breaks up with her at the Paris airport, leaving her with seemingly nothing. The only good thing about hitting rock bottom, though, is that things can only get better from there. Kate miraculously lands a job to work in admissions for one of the best prep schools in New York, Hudson Day School. She learns things about herself that allow her to not only mend her broken heart, but also allow her to end and fix relationships with people in her life.

The very last two paragraphs of the book are some of the most fluently and well written pieces of writing I have ever read in this genre. It felt as if all 356 pages were leading up to those two short paragraphs, and it was all worth it. Both parts were necessary for the moral to really touch the audience. After I finished the book, I put it down and just thought for a while. This story made me so much more aware of my actions and how they affect the people I care about, and vice versa.

While Small Admissions is a fun and interesting story, the pace is very slow, and the plot sometimes feels forcefully stretched out. At times, the storyline seems slightly repetitive. However, this can sometimes be a good thing. Repetition of a character's actions can put an emphasis on the character's personality, and, in this case, what kind of person they are.

Verdict: I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a chick flick but not romance, laughter but not comedy, and life lessons without lectures. Though not the lightest read, Small Admissions is breezier than most books its length. Amy Peoppel does an excellent job of balancing humor and seriousness to create an entertaining book.


Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh


Hyperbole and a Half, by Allie Brosh, is simply the funniest book I have ever read in my life. Rather than a traditional book, it is more a collection of short stories with simple illustrations that do an excellent job of capturing emotion. The stories come from and expand off of Allie Brosh’s blog post, Hyperbole and a Half. She splits the book into “chapters”, each chapter being a different story. She writes moments of her life, embarrassing, absurd, and even shameful, into episodes turned webcomic.

The topics range from light to dark. Amidst the humor, Allie Brosh also talks about her time going through depression. She speaks with brutal honesty, translating her struggle into something we can all connect with.

My favorite story was, “The God of Cake,” because I remember it as the one that made me read the book in the first place. My sister was reading it before me, and she would burst into sudden laughter every couple of minutes. This episode is the one she showed me pictures from that made me want to read it too.

Allie Brosh did an amazing job of portraying her emotions through her storytelling. I found myself cringing from second-hand embarrassment, gasping in shock, and laughing uncontrollably countless times.

Verdict: I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good laugh through a very quick-pace and light book.





Monday, April 10, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | Today Will Be Different and The Alchemist

Some books are quickly forgotten, but others linger and stay with us even after we have long finished reading. Skylar Hansen-Raj ’20 returns with two books with beautiful and meaningful stories and messages that will remain with the reader long after the books have been closed.


Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple


Maria Semple’s Today Will Be Different balances comedy and tragedy through a day in the life of 49-year-old Eleanor Flood. Although the book only covers a span of 24 hours, Semple’s clever use of flashbacks and monologue delves into a story much deeper than what it initially seems. Packed with surprising twists, humorous jokes, and insightful narratives, Today Will Be Different is a definite page-turner.

The book starts off with a promise Eleanor makes to herself. “Today will be different," she vows. "Today I will radiate calm. Kindness and self-control will abound. Today I will buy local. Today I will be my best self, the person I'm capable of being. Today will be different.” Indeed, her day does turn out to be different, albeit not the different she is hoping for. It starts off uneventfully, as she drops off her third-grade son Timby at his elite private school before mustering up the courage to have lunch with her “friend” Sydney. Yet, she is quickly summoned back to pick up Timby, who claims to be sick. She takes him to the doctor, who says his stomachache is due to stress from school. She decides to take Timby to meet her friend, who brings up a piece of the past Eleanor has worked so hard to avoid.

Of course, the day doesn’t get better from there. Instead, it takes wild leaps and turns, introducing characters such as Eleanor’s husband Joe, a sports-medicine doctor, who has told his colleagues (but not Eleanor) that he is away for the week, a disgruntled poet who turns out to have a boring grocery-store job, a surprise crashed meeting for sex addicts, the rambunctious Seattle Seahawks, and even the Pope. And, through flashbacks, we meet Eleanor’s younger sister Ivy and her controlling husband, Bucky. We also learn of Eleanor’s past, how she survived with an alcoholic father and made a name for herself as an animator for the show “Looper Wash”. Every page contains a new layer, a sudden twist, or an exciting revelation that keeps the reader on their toes.

My favorite part of the book was the language Semple used. She blended together difficult situations with humorous language to balance an otherwise heavy theme. The structure of each sentence was almost poetic, and there was a rhythm to the book that kept the flow smooth. One of my favorite quotes is: “That was happiness. Not the framed greatest hits, but the moments between.” Today Will Be Different truly highlights the “moments between.” It captures just a snapshot of one woman’s intricate and complicated life and brings forth an unexpected energy that is both inspiring and true.

Verdict: I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a beautiful read. The language made the book come alive. Although some parts are confusing and messy, it alludes to the unpredictable nature of life itself.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho


 “The Soul of the World is nourished by people’s happiness… To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation. All things are one. And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”


Paulo Cohelo’s enchanting book, The Alchemist, is a life-changing read. Its simplicity and wisdom has inspired a devoted following around the world. This book exceeds all expectation, and everyone can learn something from the pure and eternal wisdom the novel has to offer.



The story itself centers around Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd, who travels from his homeland of Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of the Pyramids. His recurring dreams give him a clue that his travels will lead him to his treasure. Although a bit skeptical at first, Santiago is convinced after meeting a mysterious old man who tells him of his “Personal Legend.” "Personal Legends" differ for each person, but Santiago’s is to travel to the Pyramids so he can claim his treasure: “Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you realize you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.” Inspired, Santiago decides to give up his life as a shepherd in order to travel to the Pyramids. Along the way, he meets many teachers, who come in the form of a crystal shop owner, a caravan leader, an Englishman, and the desert. Santiago learns to listen to his heart and eventually finds out the truth of life itself. He meets the alchemist, who tests and teaches Santiago so that he can meet his final goal. Santiago also meets the love of his life, Fatima, in the oasis, and learns that true love is something worth waiting for. What starts out as a journey to find worldly riches turns into a discovery of the treasures found within our own souls.

Each page of the novel is rich with deep and meaningful wisdom. I found myself immersed in the book, and once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. I connected to Santiago and rooted for his success the whole book. This book is one I could read again and again, and I would learn a new message each time I read it. Cohelo’s ideas about life and the meaning of our lives on Earth shine through in the most beautiful way. The tone and language of the book is vivid and gorgeous.


Verdict: I would recommend this book to everyone. It is a relatively short read, and the messages it gives are truly eye-opening. The poetic language and elegance of the mysterious characters reveal some of the greatest truths of life.




Thursday, April 6, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | How Soccer Explains the World and The Next 100 Years

Imad Rizvi '18 returns to share two unique books that explore the world as it is, and as it could potentially be, in a thought-provoking way.

How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer


Countless historians, politicians, and other analysts have tried to explain the impact of globalization. However, Franklin Foer takes a new perspective by using soccer as a lens through which to understand the world. In his book, How Soccer Explains the World, Foer argues that globalization has actually strengthened people’s ties to their local clubs, even if many believe that it has eroded other cultural traditions. Through firsthand accounts of his travels watching famous soccer teams around the world, he creates an engaging book full of interesting stories, observation, and analysis.

Foer meets some of the most passionate fans and witnesses some of the most intense rivalries in the world of soccer. He shows how globalization has failed to weaken club loyalty for many soccer fans. While many believe that globalization is creating a more homogenous world with fewer cultural and traditional divisions, Foer argues that soccer proves that tribalism and nationalism are still prominent and dangerous forces.

With a wide variety of examples from around the world, Foer clearly has the experiences necessary to assert this claim. He visits fans from the gangs of Serbia who support their team, Red Star Belgrade, through violence and hatred against the anti-Catholic Rangers fans who taunt their Catholic counterparts. In addition to his personal experiences, Foer also includes many interviews with prominent people, such as corrupt presidents of local soccer clubs, gang heads who promote violence among supporters, and eccentric soccer players who want to share their love for the sport. There are even exciting moments where readers may find themselves on the edge of their seats, fearing for Foer’s life when he describes some of the interactions he has with violent, racist soccer fans who seem to have more in common with hardened criminals than Foer himself.

Whether or not you are a passionate soccer fan, it is interesting to see how politics and economics become intertwined in the support and management of many local soccer clubs around the world. Foer is able to demonstrate that soccer may just be a game, but its influence in the lives of millions of people makes it a worldwide force that can reveal many important global trends.

Verdict: Whether or not you are interested in soccer, this book is a great read for anyone who wants new insight into the effects of globalization around the world.

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century by George Friedman


Imagine a world under U.S. hegemony, fueled by space-based power, and building up to a major Mexican-American war—this is the world Friedman envisions for the 22nd century. Predicting what will happen tomorrow seems almost impossible, so, when glancing at George Friedman’s book, The Next 100 Years, it seems impossible that he could make accurate predictions that far into the future. It is true that Friedman is unable to make specific forecasts, like the dates for battles of the next major war, but some of the trends he forecasts for the next 100 years are plausible. Ranging from logical analysis of issues, such as the rising age of the workforce, to far-fetched predictions, such as the rise to power of Poland and Turkey, Friedman’s book is entertaining to read even if, at times, his logic seems flawed and far-fetched.

Friedman looks at past historical trends and themes and uses them to predict what will happen in the coming decades. He sees a world where America has unparalleled influence and prosperity, with Poland, Turkey, and Japan rising up as local power bases after the collapse of Russia, the Middle East, and China. This seems highly improbable at the moment, but the same could be said about what happened in the 20th century. Nobody was able to predict that Germany would rise up twice to challenge Western power, the British Empire would dissolve, and the United States and Russia would engage in a decades-long conflict for global dominance. So, while it is clear that his predictions are unlikely, it is also important to understand that the events of the future will likely defy our current expectations no matter what.

Additionally, some of Friedman’s predictions make sense. For example, he predicts that a labor shortage, caused by the aging workforce in countries like the U.S., will make immigration a necessity to keep the economy stable. He also predicts that the U.S. will act to maintain control of major trade routes and oceans around the world. Most strikingly, he even predicted (in 2007, when the book was published) that the U.S. could see the rise of an anti-globalization politician who would promise to reshape economic relations with protectionist legislation.

Overall, much of what Friedman predicts is hard to believe. However, some of the major trends he foresees seem likely, and the more unbelievable predictions are interesting to read. The book is engaging, as it is fascinating to see the strategies that one would use when undertaking the challenging task of predicting the next 100 years.

Verdict: This is an entertaining book that makes you think about the future in a new way. I would recommend it to anyone interested in history and politics.

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Readers United Book Reviews | 99 Days and The Regulars

This week, Cici Curran '20 shares two novels about lessons learned from indulging in guilty pleasures.


99 Days by Katie Contungo


What can a year do to you? How do you come back after burning every bridge you made? 99 Days by Katie Cotungo answers both of those questions with a unique romance story. She adds twists and turns to 
the classic coming of age novel to create a novel you simply cannot put down.

Cotungo tells the story of Molly Barlow, a recent high school graduate, who returns to her hometown of Star Lake for the summer. Molly doesn’t exactly receive the typical welcome home—rather, she receives nasty notes, she is fat-shamed, her car is keyed, and more.

The reader learns that prior to her departure, Molly’s deepest secret was revealed, causing her to lose her best friends, the Donnelly brothers. A year later, she is forced face the decision she fled: which of the two Donnelly brothers does she love more? One is her first love, while the other her most passionate love. And a
s if life weren’t already hard enough, she also has to put up with their sister, who is convinced Molly is the reason why her family is falling apart. 

In the face of the ghosts of her past, Molly begins to stand up for herself and go after what she wants. She consistently finds herself wondering why everything is her fault, but eventually Contungo brings in the question: “Is Molly really the only one to blame?”

Verdict: Pick this up if you want a more atypical romance novel that not only provides an appealing plot, but also relevant life lessons.

The Regulars by Georgia Clark


Nobody ever said being an adult was easy. The glamorous lifestyle you imagined having when you were eight? Yeah, it’s not like that. 
The world is harsh and tiring, but what if you could have the one thing that would make your dreams come true? Author Georgia Clark tells the story of three best friends who discover their dreams aren’t at all what they thought they were. 

Though writer Evie, artist Willow, and model Krista are adults, their lives are a mess. Single and writing for a magazine that goes against everything she stands for, Evie finds herself bathing in low self-esteem and despair. 

Meanwhile, Willow, constantly feels self-destructive, and she begins slowly drifting away from everyone she loves, including her boyfriend. However, she finds herself unable to bring herself to do anything about it. 

Finally, there’s Krista, a “pretty, but not gorgeous” model, who dropped out of law school. The most disorganized of the three, she finds herself unable to stick to her job, yet she does not give up hope for her big break, even as she starts a downward spiral.

During these low points in their lives, all three of these women find the Pretty, a magical potion that makes you drop-dead gorgeous. All three quickly find themselves following the paths that they always wanted to, but soon they discover that being pretty can’t solve all of their problems. They soon discover that their old lives weren’t all that bad, but is it possible to get back to their old lives after the trail of destruction they left follows them?

In this absorbing tale about beauty, both literal and metaphorical, Clarke teaches several valuable lessons to readers everywhere about how things aren’t always what they seem.

Verdict: Pick this up if you want a novel full of a little bit of everything. The Regulars will teach you to love yourself and what you have because you never know when you’ll lose it forever.