Tag: Book Review
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Book Review – PoisonWood Bible
Book Review: PoisonWood Bible Barbara Kingsolver Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (1998) is a haunting, unforgettable novel about a missionary family from Georgia who relocates to the Belgian Congo in 1959. Told through the alternating voices of the mother and four daughters, it unravels themes of colonialism, cultural blindness, family fracture,…
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Book Review – John Adams
Review: John Adams By David McCullough Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Keeping with our theme of patriotism The book is long and very detailed. It is also the basis of the HBO series Adams, similar to the book and play on Hamilton. I tried to cover in this review everything the book detailed about an amazing man,…
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Book Review Hamilton
Review: Hamilton Ron Chernow Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow’s monumental biography, traces Hamilton’s rise from poverty in the Caribbean to his place as a Founding Father, the first Secretary of the Treasury, and the chief architect of America’s financial system. Chernow portrays Hamilton as brilliant, driven, and deeply human — a man whose…
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Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci — Walter Isaacson Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Image is generated by Gemini Walter Isaacson’s Leonardo da Vinci was a fascinating read, and I walked away surprised by how much I didn’t know. We often think of Leonardo primarily as a painter, but the book makes it clear that he was a true polymath…
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A Great Read From SubStack – Regina Quinn
I came across a piece on Substack recently that I thought you might truly enjoy. It’s a short story that manages a rare feat: blending the wonder of time travel with the history of Ancient Rome, all while centering on my personal favorite topic—food. In a world that often feels ‘artificially connected,’ finding a story…
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Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck
Of Mice and Men Genre – Fiction Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) The Burden of the Dream: A Review of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men This image is generated with Gemini Before John Steinbeck penned his massive epic The Grapes of Wrath, he wrote a short, 100-page novella that remains one of the most powerful explorations…
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The Problem with “Ordering In”
The Seduction of….. Sometimes the meaty, thick ones are just too heavy—they can be a real challenge to handle. Then you have the small, thin ones; they might look good, but they rarely hold your attention and always lack real substance. I prefer the beauties right in the sweet spot. They hook you in a…
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The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath Genre – Fiction Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) The Story This could almost be considered historical fiction, as it follows the mass migration from Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s—an event that devastated farms and uprooted entire communities. The novel centers on poor farming families forced to leave their land…
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Blog Post of the Week” Winner!
Announcing Our Inaugural “Blog of the Week” Winner! Hello everyone, and welcome to a brand-new, exciting weekly feature here at beingkevin.com: The Gringo in Rio! Each week, we’ll be highlighting a blog post that truly captures our attention, sparks inspiration, and embodies the spirit of exceptional writing and engaging content. And without further ado, it’s…
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A People’s History of the United States
Review: A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) One thing about Howard Zinn is that he truly walked the walk. He wasn’t just a historian on paper—he lived the struggles he wrote about. Zinn taught at Spelman College for seven years, chairing the History and Social Sciences Department before…
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The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) A Snapshot of the Man Behind the Myth Benjamin Franklin, born January 17, 1706, in Boston, remains one of the most fascinating figures in American history. His autobiography offers a rare chance to hear his story in his own voice — but it’s also a product of its time, written across decades…
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Brazil Living Part 4 Shopping
Malls One of the cool things about malls here is that they feel like stepping back in time to the United States, when malls were still a big part of everyday life. Back home, that era has mostly passed. In Rio, though, malls are very much alive and doing real business. Even in a world…
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Gabriela, Clove, and Cinnamon
Cacao, Change, and the Scent of Clove: A Deep Dive into Jorge Amado’s Bahia By Jorge Amado Jorge Amado’s Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon may be one of the finest pieces of historical fiction I’ve ever read. Nearly every detail is grounded in real events, real politics, and real social norms of 1920s Bahia. Only the…
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Dan Brown
The Langdon Series – six-book wrap-up Final Thoughts: The Robert Langdon Series This final post on Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series is meant to show that even in fiction, you can discover real people, places, and ideas worth exploring. The books are packed with references to famous landmarks, artworks, historical figures, and scientific concepts; this…
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The Secret of Secrets
Review: The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown Overview and Pacing The Secret of Secrets is the sixth installment in the Robert Langdon series. While it jumps out of the gate quickly like the previous books, the story itself feels distinctly different. The novel starts with Langdon perceived as a bit of a criminal, reminiscent…
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Origin
Origin by Dan Brown Overview and Pacing This is the fifth book in the Robert Langdon series, and yes—we’re back to the fast pace that makes your heart race. Honestly, this one gave me a bit of the willies. The eccentric futurist Edmond Kirsch instantly made me think of Elon Musk (if Musk had a…
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Inferno
Overview and Pacing This is the fourth book in the series, and wow—it pains me to say this, but it was a very frustrating read compared to the others. The first ten pages moved quickly, and I thought, great, we’re back to the familiar pace of book one. But then it slipped into a slow…
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The Lost Symbol
📖 The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown Overview and Pacing This is the third book in the series. The core theme remains thriller and mystery, though the pace is somewhat slower and the setting is more government-focused. It’s a fantastic read with strong characters, featuring more analysis and problem‑solving through dialogue. The first 150–200 pages…
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Calico Joe
⚾ A Review of Calico Joe by John Grisham This is a great book by John Grisham and a very fast read; I completed it in a day and a half. It tells a powerful story of bitterness, regret, and ultimate forgiveness. I like when fiction really speaks to the topic in real life terms.…
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The Da Vinci Code
📖 Review: The Da Vinci Code Overview and Pacing As the second installment in Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series, The Da Vinci Code follows in the footsteps of Angels & Demons and delivers an equally compelling reading experience. It is a fast-paced, highly entertaining thriller that is difficult to put down. However, while both books…