What Have You Been Reading?

Here is my list so far this year.  I have to admit I haven't been "feeling" much of any books recently.  I mean, sure, I like a few that I have read but I'm still in a total funk.  Its carry-over from last year.  I have found that I would rather watch Law and Order than listen to audio books when Im kniiting and I would much rather knit than read.  I'm sure its just a stage.  I am a little over the half way mark to my goal for this year and I am now half way through the year :)

Here is what I have been reading in 2016 ~ I need to get a few more non-fiction books in to really be on point.

1. NYPD RED 4 by James Patterson
eh - typical quick easy JP audio book.  It wasn't super exciting, but then again to me his stories are running into each other.  Maybe its because I read all of the series he has they start to blend.

2.  CRUEL CROWN by Victoria Aveyard
A novella after Red Queen.  I was super into the series but I find I'm really struggling to stay interested.  The first book was amazing but I'm forcing myself through these.

3.  FINDING AUDREY by Sophie Kinsella
This was a pretty decent look into what its like to experience panic attacks and anxiety.  It was insightful and a little funny too even though the serious nature of the subject.

4.  INSIDE THE OBRIENS by Lisa Genova
So far this is the best book I have read in 2016.  I was fascinated by the story and the ending left me hanging so much that I wanted to be mad - but really it was perfect.

5.  GIRL AT WAR by Sara Novic
This book was really interesting.  It explores a girl who lost her whole family in Yugoslavia and is adopted into a family in NJ but still craves what she is missing from her past life. 

6.  DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW by Debbie Macomber
Very cute boy meets girl and falls in love story.

7.  THE NIGHTINGALE - Kristin Hannah
This book. Wow! I was hooked very early in.  It would have to be my second favorite book of this year.  The story centers on France during World War II.  So good!!!

8.  21ST WISH by Debbie Macomber
Another installation in the Blossom Street Brides series.  I wish there were more.  Imp really sad her series seem to be falling off.  They are nice to get lost in and never too heavy.

9.  HOUSE TO HOSUE by David Bellavia
I was crying during the prologue.  REALLY good non fiction!

10.  TO CATCH A BAD GUY by Marie Astor
Free download

11.  TRUE STORY by Michael Finkle
This is the true story of the criminal who murdered is family and then took on the identity of a New York Times journalist

12.  PRETTY GIRLS by Karin Slaughter
It was a good book but I really dislikes the main character.  More than I think was intended

13.  UNDERCOVER by Danielle Steel
Very cute

14.  TOP SECRET 21 by Janet Evanovich
A reread.  I love Stephanie Plum

15.  ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes
This was really good. I hope the movie doesn't suck

16.  VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS by Janet Evanovich
Reread of Stephanie Plum between the novels.  I'm catching up the husband.

Laziness Abounds in 2015!!!

So I have discovered that I have too many hobbies!

I knit, I crochet, I paint, I read, I bake... I like to lay on the couch for endless hours and binge watch netflix, Downton Abbey, the West Wing etc... So my reading took a large hit this past year.  But, there is always 2016... Right?

Ok so to round of 2015 I ended my year with a total of 39 books... My worst showing in years.

25. Tick Tock - Michael Bennett #4.- James Patterson
I have to admit, when I first jumped into this series I was worried it would be too Alex Cross, but I like the Bennett clan!  Its a typical cop drama, but fast moving.

26. I, Michael Bennett - Michael Bennet #5 - James Patterson
See above

27. Palace of Treason - Jason Matthews
This is the second book of the series.  The first book I head heard about on NPR, and impluse kindle'd in the middle of the night.  It was SO good.  This book did not disappoint.  It moved all around the world, with the players from Red Sparrow returning.  I really hope he keeps the series going.  Its a post-Cold War CIA US vs Russia spy series.

28.  Falling For Her - Debbie Macomber
Sometimes you need a little goodness in your life :). I always like reading Debbie Macomber's feel good stories.

29.  Silver Linings - Debbie Macomber
This series, set in famed Cedar Cove has me worried.  I ended up leaving this book sad at the turn of events... I am hopeful the next book will turn it all around.  I mean really?  It has to have a happy ending right???

30.  The Chalet - Tara Sue Me
Total shitty fan fiction porn.  It screams Bella/Edward circa 50 Shades.  I have to admit Im very anti fanfiction - how is it not plagarism?

31.  Summer Secrets - Jane Green
I love that Jane Green's stories keep developing as she gets older.  Her stories take on ann older more grown up vibe.  Long gone are the days of Book Ends and Jemima J (two of my favorites).  These new novels take a serious tone and I love it.  This book was no exception.  Family drama times 1000 with a twisted yet predicted turn.  I look forward to her next creation!

32.  Gone - Michael Bennett #6 - James Patterson
See Above

33. Truth or Die - James Patterson
Eh - nothing to write home about

34.  Eleven on Top - Stephanie Plum #11 - Janet Evanovich
Jonathan and I have started listening to the unabridged audio of Stephanie Plum.  He is hooked and I love re-reading about my favorite Jersey Girl!

35.  Burn - Michael Bennett #7 - James Patterson
See above

36.  Twelve Shart - Stephanie Plum #13.- Janet Evanovich
Still funny. Still shaking my head at Lula

37.  Alert - Michael Bennett #8 - James Patterson
See above

38.  Lean Mean Thirteen - Stephanie Plum #13 - Janet Evanovich
See above

39.  A Paris Affair - Tatiana deRosnay & others
This was a look at people finding out their significant others were stepping out.  I cheered I gasped, it was a couple of hours and I do love short stories.

Thats it.  Thirtynine books to fill out 2015.

Goal for 2016 - 26

Yikes - Im a slacker!!!

2015 is really not my year.  Between knitting and running the house, not being able to resist by baby girls floppy beagle ears, I feel like reading is falling to the weigh-side.  Its not lost on me that if I turned off the TV (damn you Young and the Restless, General Hospital & Bold and the Beautiful!!!) and used up by audible credits on unabridged audio books Id be further ahead.

That being said, Ive thrown tradition to the wind and have decided screw the goal - whatever I get this year is what I get.  After six solid years of forcing down books just to beat a number has burnt me out.  I'm all about the enjoyment this year!

Here is my updated list for 2015 with some commentary:

8. Soldier Girls (Non Fiction) - Helen Thorpe
It was a different kind of deployment story - I'm used to the testosterone fueled male war story that I typically lean towards - this was from a female perspective.  It was really depressing.  It showed how part time National Guard soldiers were torn from children and families - sometimes with no partner to help and are wracked with the guilt of war, what they saw in the war, and the guilt at home.

9.  Last One Home - Debbie Macomber
Sweetly written story by Debbie Macomber - classically hers.

10.  A Deadly Business - Mia Quinn  Series - Lis Wiehl
This series is just getting started but it has a lot of potential.  Don't let the fact that shes a Fox News contributor sway you away,

11.  Lethal Beauty - Mia Quinn Series - Lis Wiehl
see above

12.  Spinning Forward - Cedar Key #1 - Terri Dulong
This series starts out with the forming of a knit shop in Cedar Key Florida.  I recently met the author and she was so lovely!!  It makes me enjoy the books even more.  If you are all above girl power, friendship and happy fun stuff, this is your book series.  Think Debbie Macomber.

13.  NYPD Red 3 - James Patterson
Eh - all of the James Patterson are starting to run together.

14.  Casting Above - Cedar Key #2 - Terri Dulong
see above

15. Private Vegas - James Patterson
I have to be honest - I don't even really remember what it was about other than one of the Private employees getting in some hot water in Sin City.  Typical James Patterson though

16.  Sunrise on Cedar Key - Cedar Key # 3 - Terri Dulong
see above

17.  Lucy In The Sky - Anonymous
Not as good as Go Ask Alice but totally similar style.

18.  Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard
2016 cannot come quick enough!  One of the best YA books I have read in a really long time!!!  Cant wait for book #2

19.  Luckiest Girl Alive  - Jessica Knoll
They said this was the new Gone Girl but I have to be honest - I didn't think it was THAT good.  It is a good book though but falls just short of Girl On A Train by Paula Hawkins.

20.  Post Cards From Cedar Key - Cedar Key # 4 - Terri Dulong
See above

21.  Step On A Crack - Michael Bennett Series - James Patterson
22.  Run For Your Life - Michael Bennett Series - James Patterson
23. Worst Case - Michael Bennett Series - James Patterson

OK to Michael Bennett is read on unabridged audio by Bobby Cannavale (who played Wills husband on Will and Grace - the NYPD guy).  His voice is so perfect to read this role.  Its way better than Alex Cross in my opinion but still all that typical James Patterson flow.

24.  14th Deadly Sin - Women's Murder Club #14 - James Patterson
It was okay.  I feel like I have to see all these James Patterson series through because I started them so Im in it for the ride.  But I feel like it should be coming to an end.  I don't know if it is that I read too many of his books and they run together or I just don't get the same enjoyment I do out of say Janet Evanovich who has may books in her series, but they are a getting a little lack luster.  

2015 ~ Totally Not Feelin it!

I am totally NOT feeling books right now!  I wish I knew why.  I have been in a total funk so far and we are already three months into 2015. 

Originally I set a goal of 80 book (five more than last year) with 25 of those books being Non-Fiction.  Well I'm totally pooing all over that so I have amended my original goal and decided on setting no solid number for 2015 other than 30 Non Fiction books.  I have never experienced something like this.  I'm not sure exactly what is going on but even the though of picking up a book is exhausting.  I'm slowing getting through some here and there but overall - not so much. 

Here is what I have so far in 2015...

1.  Hope To Die by James Patterson
     Another Alex Cross series, finishing up the prior story line which I actually did find pretty interesting.  Lately I'm anti-James Patterson; the same things over and over (probably because I read several of his series) but I was really worried about Nana Mama.  No spoilers!  But definitely one of the better recent Alex Cross books.

2.  Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (re-read)
     My husband had never read the books and we were getting ready to see Mockingjay part 1 so we decided to binge read books one and two.  He finished the third on his own.  We listened via unabridged audio. I really enjoyed the second go-around,especially Catching Fire (my favorite of the series). 

3.  Saving Grace by Jane Green
     I have several issues with this book.  I totally understand Ms Green comes from the UK where people often shun therapy and the use of medical intervention for emotional issues but this book is dangerous in my opinion.  She makes a mockery out of being treated for bi-polar disorder.  The premise is she is married to a man who is volatile (something that totally is NOT addressed in the book other than the first couple of pages) and she ends up hiring an assistant to help him and them run the house.  This woman ingratiates herself into the family and ends up convincing the main characters husband that she has bi-polar and needs to be medically treated.  Now granted, being treated with medication for an illness you do not have can cause a lot of damage.  Especially when its an emotional illness.  She clearly was not bi-polar.  BUT that being said the book does more to talk down the validity of mental health treatment than exploring the crazy of the girl who does this to her family.  Last I checked she is not a medical professional and should not, through her writing, encourage people who desperately need treatment for chemical imbalances such as bi-polar disorder to refuse medical intervention.  Its wrong.  And that unfortunately overtook the story line for me.  I couldn't get into the book because I became too angry at how flippant she was about someones mental health.

4.  13 Hours by Mitchell Zuckoff
      Wow.  Let me just say I felt a special connection to this book because I had the distinct pleasure of working with so many great men/women from Blackwater when I was employed there.  With their being such a connection to the people in the book with BW it struck me even more deeply than most other books I read.   The development of the story through the timeline was so detailed and complete I could close my eyes and see what it would have been like during those horrible hours.  The book doesn't place blame on politicians directly - which I really liked because honestly, we all know who was to blame for not listening to warnings, and putting our US diplomats and their protectors in harms way, but making that a theme of the book would have taken away from its message - the TRUE story of what happened from the people who were there to experience it firsthand.  During several points of the story I had to stop and take a few minutes away because it became intense.  If you are interesting in really knowing the story of what happened in Benghazi - I HIGHLY recommend this book.

5.  Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - I'm reading some dystopian books as background for a novel I hope to write in my spare time.   I really didn't enjoy this story.  But then again I did not enjoy it when I was in school either.

6.  The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins
   This is a hot ticket book on every one's best seller list.  Supposedly the next best Gone Girl type book.  It was pretty good.  I was a little surprised to see who the killer was in the end.  It was a pretty quick read that surprisingly kept me interested.

7.  I Was Here by Gayle Forman
     I discovered Gayle Forman because I wanted to read If I Stay and Where She Went before seeing the If I Stay movie.  I really enjoyed both of those books as well.  I Was Here follows a girl Cody on her journey to make sense out of her friends suicide.  I wouldn't maybe let a 10 year old read it but a 14 year old sure.  I am such a dork though because most of the books I thoroughly enjoy are YA.

So that's where I am at.  Maybe I should try to re-read some of my favorite books like the Luxe and some Stephanie Plum early books to get me back in the mood to read.  There is no law that say I can only read new books.  I mean in the last few years I have read over 400 books so why not go back and enjoy some of my favorites!

75. The Training - Tara Su Me

75. Woot woot!!!!
I reached my 2014 goal of 75 completed books!!!!

Whose A Great Big Giant Slacker??? THIS GIRL!

So as usual it is the final stretch into the end of the year (7 days to be exact) and I am scrambling to finish at my goal (which I did not last year)and Im also scrambling to update this blog and the book lists contained herein.  

I guess its evident that I am not a blogger - at least not a good one anyway.  I am on "vacation" which means I am going stir crazy, thinking about all the things I have to do at work - and diving into some books because Im so fidgity that I can not sit still.

I need to do SOMETHING!  So while I did pipe out a few things via excel to make my life easier when I get home back to work - now Im working on this whole relax... our on vacay mode thing... its failing.  So here I sit - fingers on a keyboard trying to feel productive.

My book list, will show a total lack of productivity.  I did not, and will not reach my non-fiction goal for this year which is a bit of a disappointment.  Perhaps if I would have spent a little time reading non-fiction instead of trashy porn books I would be a bit closer (and a bit wiser!).

Without further ado- here is where we stand for the year.

34. HERE WE ARE NOW by Charles R Cross

A book about the lasting effects of Kurt Cobain on our culture.

35.  THE BITTER KINGDOM by Rae Carson

The third full length book of the Girl of Fire & Thorns series.  It was a pretty good series.  More geared towards YA PG rated.  There are a few novella's that also go along with the series.  They give more insight to some of the key characters.

36.  TURN TO STONE - Brian Freeman

This is apart of a crime series set in he Northland area (Duluth MN mostly) It makes me "home" sick for our time in Duluth. Pretty good series.

37.  SOUS CHEF by Michael Gibney

Really insightful book into 24 hours on the line in a 3 start NYC restaurant.  Id recommend to anyone who wants insight to a professional kitchen environment or to know what its like for those behind the line preparing your food. 

38.  THE FAULT IN OUR STARS - John Green

I may be one of the few who feel this way but I did not care for it.

39.  BITTERSWEET - Miranda Beverly Whittmore

This book reminds me of A VC Andrews circa Flowers in the Attic.  A poor scholarship girl covets her rich roommates life - and a sad family tragedy brings her (Mabel) closer to the life of wealth she has always dreamed of. 

40. TEMPTING FATE - Jane Green

I really liked his book.  I started reading Jane Green when I was a teenager.  At that time she was writing about 20 somethings in London whose
glamorous sounding lives I craved.  Over the last handful of years (as she has transitioned to past those days herself) she started writing characters in their 40's and I was not able to connect.  This book follows the story of a wife in her 40's who is facing a bit of a crisis.  It was really easy to sympathize with both Gabby and Elliot even though Gabby was the one making mistakes. 

41. Takedown Twenty One by Janet Evanovich

I do love Stephanie Plum.  The love triangle is dragging on but as long as there are still times when I bust out laughing at Lula or Stephanie I'm a happy girl to have some great light reading that reminds me of my home state. 

42. Yours and Mine - Debbie Macomber

This was a typical Debbie Macomber a little drama, and a little romance with a happy ending... Exactly what you need when you need to read something by Debbie Macomber!

43. The Cold Nowhere - Brian Freeman

Its been a while since I spent a couple of days with Jonathan Stride and those cold Duluth MN days - his books make me homesick for Duluth and wanting to find out whodunit

44. The One - Kiera Cass

The ending of this book was so predictable.  Honestly though, so was the whole story.  I mean seriously... a caste system, a pseudo-dystopian state of the country, the characters name is America Singer, and her caste is performers???  really?  I didn't care for the series but once I started, you know I was obligated to finish.  Like a few other books I read this year, I kept thinking "this could be so much better if..." or I would have...  

45. Unlucky 13 - James Patterson

Eh - typically Women's Murder Club.  Nothing spectacular or especially riveting.  I keep holding out for more - hoping for more exciting story lines like earlier WMC series books.

46. Babyville - Jane Green

I haven't read this book again in YEARS!  I initially started reading Jane Green when i was 16.  Its very different to go back and read her books - mostly aimed at 20-something single girls now as opposed to when I was dreaming of being one of those 20-somethings!  I think I have more appreciation now for the story lines than I did then.  Hopefully I can get my hands on Bookends! 

47. The Main Dish - Michael Ruhlman 

A kindle short.  Foodie fare.

48. The Competition by Marcia Clark

I had a really hard time getting into this book of the series.

49. If I Stay - Gayle Foreman

I enjoyed reading this book (and just purchased the Blu-Ray to watch on my road trip home from Christmas (as the passenger).  I enjoyed the story as well as the second book of the duo.

50. Exodus - Deborah Feldman

This is the follow up to Unorthodox.  I did not really care for this book the way I did her first.

51. Undercover - Mike Russell 

Interesting Jersey Mob story about a man who took down a powerful mafia family.  One of the best books I read this year!

52. PRIVATE DOWN UNDER - James Patterson

Eh the books are getting kind of boring.  He has always been an easy read - I especially like when Maxine Potrero writes for him but lately I find Im really bored with all of his series (Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club & Private)

53. LOVE LETTERS - Debbie Macomber

I really like her easy going happy ending stories.  Sometimes you just need some fluff and stuff.  

54.  HONOR & BETRAYL: The Untold Story of the Navy SEALs who Captured the "Butcher of Fallujah" and the Shameful Ordeal they Later Endured by Patrick Robinson

This book was really powerful.  I cried through a bit of it and sat in disbelief while reading the insular details of what these men had to go through.  I was already familiar with their trials and the outcomes, but I was just so disgusted that something like this could happen to these warriors.

55.  HIDDEN by Barbara Taylor Bradford

This was a Kindle Short. It could have made for a really good novel.

56. The Academy by Robert Dugoni

 I hope this book develops into a series!

57.  CODE NAME JOHNNY WALKER by Johnny Walker

 Another powerful story from an Iraqi interpreter who risked his life, and the lives of his family to help the US Navy SEALs with missions.  He became so much more than just a terp and became a vital resource.  

58. THE BEST OF ME by Nicholas Sparks

 At around page 200 I knew EXACTLY how the book was going to end.  I was really really disappointed by that.  I get it love conquers all, even if it doesnt go perfectly planned but seriously I was PISSED about the ending of this book.  I feel like I wasted my time.  

59  INVISIBLE CITY by Julia Dahl

Interesting fiction take on the murder of a Hasidic woman in Brooklyn and the reporter who makes it her mission to get to the bottom of the story.  I have always been so fascinated by the Hasidic life - especially because a good majority are descendants of Holocaust victims/survivors and that is connected to my family history.  The story was a little on the negative side of the Hasidic life but it had a decent twist ending.  

60. Family Pictures -Jane Green

This was a pretty decent book.  I have been reading her work since I was a teenager and thoroughly enjoy the change in her direction from 20 something Britsh chick lit to this more evolved indepth type of character based novel.  I like the seriousness of the drama rather than the lighthearted kind of drama the typical British Chick Lit brings.

61. Supreme Macaroni Company - Adriana Trigiani

I feel betrayed by this book. I was angry at some of the things that went on and I feel like I wasted the time.  Also - it seemed like the book was an afterthought rather than the continuation of the Valentine series (Very Valentine and Brava Valentine).  I was really disappointed.

62. Where She Went -Gayle Forman

This book is the follow-up to If I Stay.  It is told from Adam's perspective.  I really enjoyed the wrap up and closure this second book brought about.

63. For The Public Good - Belle Boggs

Moving Kindle Short about forced sterilizations in North Carolina.  Sickening how these things can happen.

64. Twilight-Stephanie Meyer (reread) 

Sometimes you just need a little Bella and Edward in your life.

65. New Moon- Stephanie Meyer (reread) 

Sometimes you just need a little Bella and Jacob in your life

66. Leaving Time -Jodi Piccoult 
it was pretty good. The information on the elephants was interesting and i didnt see the twist coming! 

67. Weekend Warriors - Fern Michaels
it was kinda boring but Im gonna read another in the series to see if it picks up

68. Fifty Shades of Grey - EL James
After refusing for so long i was bored and it was available for library download. The writing isnt that good. I'm surprised because of how many people are obsesses with it. 

69. Fifty Shades Darker -EL James
i figured i started the series i may as well finish. It really seems like the helicopter thing us an after thought. I keep reading it thinking this could be so much better. 

70. Shopaholic To The Stars -Sophie Kinsella
Eh typically boring 

71. Fifty Shades Freed - EL James

Ok so the storyline still continues too much of the plot Twilight does.  I really kept thinking this could be so much better if.... over and over and over again.  I also feel like this story wasnt really developed.  Too much stuffed in too quick.  

72.  The Submissive - Tara Su Me

Well - way more pornographic than  Fifty Shades.  I really wanted to like it but it lacked a little something I needed.

73.  The Dominant - Tara Su Me

So I am pretty sure Fifty Shades ruined the option for this series to be good for me.  If I would have read this first I think I would like it more than I do - but as with my other determinations - I will still keep going till the end.  

74.  The Snow Bride - Debbie Macomber

This was so cute!   And just what I needed.  Some winter spirit in my life.  I read this book in six hours.

And there it is!  Caught up through today and one week to finish one more book to meet my goal!  

A Sliver of Light: Three Americans Imprisoned in Iran

A Sliver of Light is a non-fiction book detailing the imprisonment of Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer & Josh Fattal.  The book is told in each of their perspectives.  Chapters are titled by the teller, and it brings about a chronological order of their imprisonment - start to finish.

The story starts off with the hike that ended the three in prison in Iran.  They make no bones about their detestation of the United States of America - their home country.  Shane and Sarah had lived outside of the US - in the Middle East - for some time. Their anti-American views are poured through the pages of their story. 

It seems as though they were treated humanely - with the expection of not being able to call home or receive letters. I can not imagine having no contact with my family, but they were permitted to spend time together - nearly every day. 

Im sorry for their ordeal and wholeheartedly believe they were tricked into crossing the border.  I do believe they were waived over by the Iranian soldiers, but I find it hard to believe that three educated people thought they were hundreds of miles away from the Iranian/Kurdish border.  You have such knowledge of the middle east, yet you didn't think to look at a freaking map? 

After they were imprisoned, they state repeatedly their expectation for the United States government to bargain for their release.  What I don't understand is why the US Government should have been expected to get them out of a situation they put themselves in, especially when they are so Anti-American it makes me ashamed they are fellow citizens.  You hate your government, yet you get yourself into trouble and demand its action on your behalf?  Im not sure that's what my husband had in mind when he signed up to protect the free.  Just sayin!

After their release,  they refused to answer any questions to the FBI  who were looking for information on another American being held captive believed to be in Iran.  First of all - they refer to the American as Peter Levinson in two locations of the book (on my kindle) - his name is Robert "Bob" Levinson.  A fellow American may be held in even worse captivity then you - especially since there is not the public outcry in the media for Mr. Levinson the way there was for these three - and you cant even answer a few questions that could have given insight to conditions, locations, behaviors, interrogators etc.??? You want the United States government to act on your behalf and yet you can not be bothered to help a fellow human being?  Guess they figured he was unworthy because they don't agree with is career choice.  That makes them scum in my book.

I'm sure their views skewed my opinion of the memoir.  I think these people where whiney brats who illegally crossed a sovereign nations borders, either by being waived over (which they still willingly went) or by sheer stupidity because they couldn't be bothered to read a map, and they expected the United States to ride in on its white horse to save them.  When it did not, their Anti-American sentiment was fueled even further and gave them the righteous indignation to make themselves out to be innocent mistreated Americans, even though they weren't much of citizens to the US.  Also, I have some serious questions about their statements on the true nature of the hike.  They took no sleeping bags, and hardly any provisions?  Conveniently one person stayed behind?  Who takes a camping hike and doesn't take a sleeping bag or enough provisions to last them in case of delays - let alone not enough for the scheduled amount of time?  Something seems off to me overall about their story.

I recommend it as a semi-fiction read.  It was interesting to hear their perspective, but it is just that, their perspective.  I assume their are truths somewhere in there - but overall it came across as disingenuous.