★★★★★ — I have either read it more than once, or it shaped and influenced my thinking, or I find myself thinking about it long after I finished reading it.

★★★★ — Well-worth the time spent reading, may read it again, but haven’t yet.

★★★ — Passed the time satisfactorily, but would not read again nor urge you to read.

★★ — Had a few redeeming moments, but for the most part, a poor use of time.

— Deeply regret that I read this. The time would have been better spent staring vacantly out the window.


“The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies” by Jason Fagone
non-fiction, ★★★★ Suzanne Chandler non-fiction, ★★★★ Suzanne Chandler

“The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies” by Jason Fagone

Have you ever heard of Elizebeth Smith? Well you should have. She’s the woman who cracked the secret codes of Germany’s South American spy rings and foiled many of their plans. Have you heard of Herbert Hoover? He’s the guy who founded the FBI and took credit for Elizebeth’s work.

Read More
“Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand
non-fiction, ★★★★★ Suzanne Chandler non-fiction, ★★★★★ Suzanne Chandler

“Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand

Louis Zamperini is a WWII Army Airforce bomber whose plane crashes into the Pacific. He endures many days on the raft only to be rescued by the enemy and put into a P.O.W. camp. Well-written and engaging story which I could not put it down. And it certainly put my hardships and troubles into perspective.

Read More
“Life at the Bottom: The Worldview That Makes the Underclass” by Theodore Dalrymple
non-fiction, ★★★★★ Suzanne Chandler non-fiction, ★★★★★ Suzanne Chandler

“Life at the Bottom: The Worldview That Makes the Underclass” by Theodore Dalrymple

Life in the underclass and why it persists as it does.

“Dalrymple's key insight in Life at the Bottom is that long-term poverty is caused not by economics but by a dysfunctional set of values, one that is continually reinforced by an elite culture searching for victims. This culture persuades those at the bottom that they have no responsibility for their actions and are not the molders of their own lives. “ GoodReads

Read More