writesdave's reviews
357 reviews

Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius by Rakim

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

Travels in Alaska by John Muir

adventurous informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

Seeds of Doubt by Stephanie Kane

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era by Ken Emerson

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Fun chronicle of the rise and fall of the Brill Building, the factory that churned out hundreds of hits. You find yourself saying "Wow, they wrote *that* song?" a lot. Like you don't know who they are, but you've heard their music. Or if you do know the songwriters, you didn't know they got started earlier than when they became stars (looking at King and Sedaka, certainly). Anyway, Emerson's reporting is top-notch and the storytelling is rich. Not only do you learn who-what-where-when-and-why, but you get great insights into the songwriting and production processes, as well as the business side of things. To the latter point, you might need a shower. To the former point, you'll need to take notes.

The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

An Accidental Sportswriter: A Memoir by Robert Lipsyte

emotional hopeful informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.5

The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Entertaining read, felt a little like a slog toward the end, but I blame my eroding attention span. Good for wannabe globetrotters like me who have never and will never go anywhere. 

A River Runs Through it and Other Stories by Norman Maclean

adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success by Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

The Perfection Point: Sport Science Predicts the Fastest Man, the Highest Jump, and the Limits of Athletic Performance by John Brenkus

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75