Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff

by Chip Gaines
Scott County Library audiobook 5 CDs
read by the author
genre: memoir

Although I'm not a fan of Fixer Upper (I've seen part of one episode in my life) and I wasn't aware of how big a phenomenon Magnolia Market was . . . I thought this would be an interesting story. It was, but it was also super irritating. I'm sure he's a great guy and he clearly has a LOT of fans. I had to evaluate the positives and sort them from the stuff that just irritated me.

I love his positive outlook! I could use more of that attitude in my life. I also love that he has a strong faith in God. I like that he is dedicated to his wife and children. I like that he is enjoying life so thoroughly. I think it is wonderful for Waco, Texas, that he is such a positive spokesperson for his community.

That said, I find him to be pretty irritating. His story about trusting people and seeing the best in them . . . your apartment was robbed twice (due to you and a roommate leaving it unlocked!) and you act as though that's somehow commendable? No, that's careless and stupid. Trusting people is great, but letting them walk over you is not amazing (like the two teens who emptied the cash register they were entrusted with).

Also, his teaching philosophy about letting people learn by doing . . . I understand his theory. But his story about Kristen and pulling permits just seems petty and mean. It would have been much better to give her some direction, rather than setting her up to waste time and make preventable mistakes. To me, he just comes across as a jerk. I wouldn't want to work for someone like this.

His cavalier attitude toward safety and his expressions - We could "literally work ourselves to death." Really? And his odd choice to include two possible obituaries for himself . . . I could do another blog entry just on those.

Anyhow, I highly recommend this for fans of Fixer Upper and the Gaines. I'm actually curious to watch an episode of it to see the appeal. Others may not enjoy this book as much.

The Beautiful Mystery

by Louise Penny
Scott County Library audiobook 11 CDs
read by Ralph Cosham
genre: murder mystery

This book was frustrating! Jean-Guy was *not* an enjoyable character in this tale. At one point I jotted, "Dude! Listen to Gamache!" The video, the painkillers, the regression, rising to Francour's bait . . . ugh!

"Honestly, they're worse than crackheads." This comment of Beauvoir's, early in the story, as a commentary on the monks' chanting, made me laugh. As the story went on, though, his attitude and psychology ruined the story.

I liked Frere Bernard! And some of the other monks, as well. Toward the end, my list of suspects went from the 23 possibilities to five names, to one of three. The killer was one of the three I expected. Although I love the Three Pines stories and characters, it was kind of nice to have a different setting and different characters.

I think I'll take a break before I get the next Inspector Gamache story, though. I like him tremendously, but I think there will be some Beauvoir / Francour drama recurring in the next book. Ugh.

Thunderhead

by Neal Shusterman
Scott County Library hardcover 504 pages
genre: YA dystopian fiction

Oh my! This book was almost as good as Scythe, book one in this series (Arc of a Scythe). I already can't wait for the third one!

The story follows Scythe Anastasia, Rowan (aka Skythe Lucifer), Rowan's friend Tyger, and a new character named Greyson. Greyson loves the Thunderhead, who has acted more like a parent than his parents and more like a friend than any friend.

I don't want to write any spoilers here. If you haven't read Scythe, don't even think about opening this book! It won't make much sense without the incredible foundation laid in the first book. You may want to wait until the third book is out, though, so you're not in suspense for too long! (The Toll, at this writing, doesn't have an expected release date. See an interview with Shusterman here.)