Cougars by JoAnn Early Macken Book Review

'Cougars' by JoAnn Early Macken is a children's text book that tells

us about some of the larger kitties of the world. Someone is going to make an inappropriate joke here, but it isn't going to be me. 

In any case, this is a good solid text book with lots of images and facts. It will take a solid beating from a young person, and is a great book for the kitty lover. For the rest of you it's not all that memorable and something of a dry read. 

Who should read this book? Anyone.

Books read: 155

Totally Bizarre (Ripley's Believe It or Not! Download the Weird)

Totally Bizarre (Ripley's Believe It or Not! Download the Weird) is

a catalog of odd blurbs from strange foods to crazy news. It's not the kind of thing I would have expected walking into a 'Ripley's Believe it or Not' museum when I was a kid. Most of these stories look rather new. 

In all truth, I'm not sure how this book found it's way to the children's section at my local library. Not that there is adult material in this but more that I see no real child centered content. There is a girl who put concrete in her back side to make it bigger. 

Who should read this book? Folks who don't get enough news.

Books read: 154 of 5000

Mount Pelee: The Deadliest Volcano Eruption of the Twentieth Century by Kathy Furgang

'Volcanoes of the World,  Mount Pelee: The Deadliest Volcano

Eruption of the Twentieth Century' by Kathy Furgang is a book about history and science in the world of volcanology.  This is a great textbook full of real pictures and graphics illustrating the topic at hand. 

Like all text books this one is designed to inform more than entertain. This is the kind of book that you would get for a report. 

Who should read this book: Those who want to learn about Mount Pelee.

Books read: 153 of 5000

Write Without Writing

29^th December 2017

Hello there Kelly,

Reading your ad here on Craigslist it looks like writing in general is not something you know all that much about. I can tell you that a good number of the books on the subject have told stories of people who come up to writers and say “I have this idea for a film, and all we need to do is write it”. It’s almost a cliché of the industry at this point. 

Beyond that point I can tell you that working with another writer can be some really miserable business. I worked with a fellow for about a year on his project that he said he had a producer for, and all he ever did was undo everything I did with his script. I gave up on trying to get a reasonable script out of him. In the end I told him that if I couldn’t talk to the producer myself then I had no interest in speaking with him.

The truth here is that no writer needs more ideas. I have half a dozen ideas buzzing around my head at the moment, and if I lived two hundred years I’d never run out of new ideas to work with. Then again, writing is only part of film making and that means the question is ‘what are you bringing to the table?’

Do you know someone in the industry? Do you intend to finance a project?

Marketing a script is one of the hardest things there is to do in the writing industry and adding another writer is rarely a good idea. It opens your work up to lawsuits about who did what, and you never really know if you can work with someone until you do and by then you’ve spent a good deal of energy.

What you want to do here is think of this as a job interview for a job that no one needs filled. What about working with you is better than working alone? Remember that an author has very little incentive to give up half of what he may make unless you can really put it forward that you can double his money.

Never stop imagining,

Richard Leland Neal

Cyclops by Don Nardo and Bradley Steffens

'Monsters: Cyclops' by Don Nardo and Bradley Steffens is one of a

group of books designed to inform children about mythology, it's likely origins, and it's impact on our culture in the modern world. 

This book is well made and can stand a pounding from a child with no dust jacket and a hard cover. The art work and images are not made for the book but, like those you would find in any textbook, taken from other sources. 

The truth about Cyclops is that it has a lot of information that I didn't have going into the book. It will expand your understanding of the one eyed monsters from myth and film. 

Who should read this book? Folks who want to learn about Cyclops.

Books read: 152

Great Benefits I Can't Afford

18^th December 2017

My Dear (Ma’am),

Having received your email regarding my Indeed resume I feel it only proper to inform you of my last dealings with your company. I interviewed with you folks sometime in November 2016 after passing all your tests and such.

I politely informed the man who interviewed me that I was not interested in the position I was offered, because it paid too poorly to justify my leaving my current employer. None the less he moved forward with my application.

Now, I know enough about your company to know what kind of benefits you offer and know enough about math to know those benefits are of little interest to me if you pay to little for me to take advantage of them. Before I go and fill out another application I would think it best that you check your records regarding my past applications.

If, after this inquiry, you would still like me to move forward with your company I would require clear parameters as to which job you are offering. When I see twelve to sixteen dollars per hour I will assume you mean twelve.  I’ve been in security for nineteen years, and I’ve seen enough to know that I need clear answers. I mean no disrespect, but I have no wish to waste your time or mine.

Best,

Richard Leland Neal

Renewable Fuels (Eye On Energy) by Jill C. Wheeler

'Renewable Fuels (Eye On Energy)' by Jill C. Wheeler is a second

Bush administration era text book about renewable fuels. This makes it a very dry read for parents and children. Further, unless a child is writing a report the usefulness of this book is something of a question. 

I'm all for renewable energy myself, and there was some new information in this book. All and all, I'm glad I read this one because it gives me a clear view of considerations going into renewable energy. 

Who should read this book? People who want to read about renewable energy. 

Books read: 151 of 5000

Be Safe on the Internet by Bridget Heos Book Review

Be Safe on the Internet by Bridget Heos is clearly a book about

internet safety. It deals with things like passwords, who not to talk to online, and other things regarding online sharing. This is a good idea for people, and there are a few, who are still not on the internet. Now days, the internet is so part of our culture that learning about it is just a part of life. 

This book is filled with fun illustrations and a talking dog to keep kids interested in the subject matter. It does state that children under thirteen years of age should not use social media which may be dated now. 

Who should read this book? Those new to the internet. 

Books read: 150 of 5000

Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack

'Ask Mr. Bear' by Marjorie Flack is a book about a boy looking for

a gift for his mother. In his quest he asks the animals on his farm, and they all pass him along to the next animal offering nothing that his mother doesn't already have. 

In the end, the boy decides to ask Mr. Bear who is a wise old animal and would know what the boy can get his mother.

It's kind of clear where this book is going so if getting an ugly tie is your idea of a good gift then this isn't the book for you. This is the kind of hippy story that is all about love and rejecting materialism. 

Who should read this book? Folks aren't hung up on belongings. 

Books read: 149 of 5000

A Letter to Logan Paul

2^nd January 2018

Dear Mr. Logan Paul,

I’ve just seen your apology on the news and this topic hits close to me given that two members of my immediate family have attempted to take their own lives. I have suffered with depression for a lifetime and have a good deal of experience with mental illness.

Let me say firstly that I understand. There is a certain spectacle to what you saw in Aokigahara forest of Japan and even Aristotle wrote of the seeing of dead bodies in his poetics. It may have seemed right to you to share so unique an experience with the world and not all of us understand the solemnity involved.  

With that, may I point out that the common person is not good with forgiveness and apologies rarely hit as close to home as offences. People lash out, they lash out because of the pain of their memories, and because they need someone to focus that pain on. The depressed often feel helpless and sometimes even the act of destroying one’s own self is an act of taking control.

Where does this leave you? Well, sir, you can turn this negative moment into awareness. More appropriately, you should find a way to help people with depression. Look at the story of YouTuber Boogie2988 who became profitable after being discovered by Ray William Johnson. Boogie was depressed and disabled until Ray gave him economic freedom.

You can do that, Logan, you can help people.  I know you tried by including a help line in your video, but I mean make it personal. What I think you should do is find ten people who suffer from depression and make their lives better. Include them in a blog or find a way to better their situation.

As a YouTuber and a Blogger I know a person like yourself can change the life of a man like me with a few clicks of a mouse. You may have made a mistake but you can still do the right thing and people will love you for it.

Go find someone to help,

Richard Leland Neal

William Wrigley Jr. : Wrigley's Chewing Gum Founder by Joanne Mattern Book Review

William Wrigley Jr. : Wrigley's Chewing Gum Founder by Joanne

Mattern is a history book about how Wrigley's chewing gum came about and it's impact on world culture. 

This book delves into the business side of chewing gum, and explains why Wrigley has become so large a name in the industry. I learned a good deal about the subject from this book and your child may just have their little business person tickled by learning all these facts. 

In addition, the 'Food Dudes' books are well made and can suffer some real play time. These are books that will last a good amount of time in the care of a child. 

Who should read this book? Future business people. 

Books read: 148 of 5000

Help with Cats

Scared Dana

11^th November 2017

Don’t feel bad there, Jenn,

For the first point you’re not the only one to mistake (Durium) for a man. I mean, I’ve shown pictures of her to folks who have thought the same. It’s a common misconception given her name, behavior, and aesthetic choices.

In any case, you can be assured that Crying Jack, the 17 year old black cat, is doing well and adjusting to his life with me about as well as we can expect. He tends to run to me every time I enter the room and will almost certainly jump on the bed and rub his cheek against mine. This can be a little gross because I call him Crying Jack because he has eye trouble. Cat boogers, blaa!

Dana, the other cat, isn’t doing as well. She has gotten used to the idea of her living with me, but she has both breathing and bowel problems. Unlike Jack, she is a very timid animal, and my understanding is that I’d be her third owner as she kept running away from the first one. As I can rub her belly without her complaining I figure she’s going to be okay, and the fact that, unlike (Durium), I don’t smoke will be a boon to her health.

As far as offering me free cat food, I hope you’re not offended if I decline. Yes, I am now feeding seven cats of my own and a few strays that make my neighborhood their own, and that is a good deal of animal feed. Still, I’m not big on handouts. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m sure you give to folks who really need food for their animals, but I buy in bulk. 

Crying Jack

I’m known to be a generous man myself, or at least I try to be, I just took a load of items to a homeless advocate, and I go see her once a month. I donate all my redemption recyclables to the homeless for that matter. It’s just that I’m a man who likes to work for what he has. I’ve had bad experiences with handouts, and I wouldn’t feel right accepting anything from your organization that may go to someone in a greater need.

That said, there are a few things you could help me with that wouldn’t cost you anything. Like I said, I’d rather work for what I have, and these animals will need to see the veterinarian sooner or later. No obligation, of course, just it would be nice if you could share a few things with your cat lovers.

For one, I have a video up on YouTube with one of my cats on my shoulder. She does a good job of being adorable. I was trying to find her a home at the time but she’s a bit old now and I’m keeping her. If enough folks see that video then I’d make enough money to pay for the cats. It’s a long shot, but it can’t hurt. In any case, I’ll enclose a link and if you could ask folks to write “Jackie’s Purrfect Match sent me” I’ll make a point of paying you back what your help is worth.

Fat Man and a Kitten Talk about Death 

On a darker note, you may notice that the kitten in that video has a wounded paw. Well, I know who did that, and he is responsible for the death of that kitten’s mother, siblings, and as many as five or six of my animals. He shot the cat a second time after this video blinding her in one eye. If you could promote the blog post where I write about this issue that would help. Animal Control is trying to ignore the issue even as this fellow admitted to killing cats with a 22 caliber rifle and burying them under his rose bushes. The more eyes on this problem the less likely ignoring it will be tolerated.      

Dirty Animal Control Officer

Past that, unless you know someone who could help me edit my novel or perhaps someone in the film industry who would like to produce a horror film there isn’t much you can do for me. I know I’m using some out of the box thinking here, but, well, I haven’t asked for anything that would put you out have I?

Keep yourself as best you can, Jenn,

Richard Leland Neal

Pretty in Print: Questioning Magazines by Stergios Botzakis Book Review

Pretty in Print: Questioning Magazines by Stergios Botzakis is a

book about what magazines do to sell ad space. This is a book about how much you can trust the monthly or weekly readers you buy now days and how we should view them. 

This was a lot of old news for me, because I watch a lot of programs and this is something of a common topic. Children, who haven't watched these shows will find this book fascinating, and it will help them guard against ad manipulation. 

Who should read this book? Everyone 

Books read: 147 of 5000

Discovering Math: Multiplication by David Stienecker Book Review

Discovering Math: Multiplication by David Stienecker is a book

designed to make math fun and exciting. To do this it relies on fun graphics and math tricks to tickle the imagination of children. I'm not sure how this fits into the new way of doing math I keep hearing about.

However, I think this book is fun in a math related way and it may be the thing that turns a child into a math geek when they grow up. Then again, it may just be another book sitting on a shelf. 

Who should read this book? People trying to make math fun. 

Books read: 146 of 5000

The Montgomery Bus Boycott : Integrating Public Buses by Jake Miller Review

The Montgomery Bus Boycott : Integrating Public Buses by Jake

Miller is a history book dealing with segregation and civil rights in America. Now, this being a children's book there is more to the story, but this volume will give children a strong foundation from which to draw on in the future. 

The book is populates with old photographs and images from the time making it feel further in the past that I think we should really think of it being, but as they are period accurate they belong. 

In truth, this book reminds me of the ugliness of our history and the ugliness of what is going on today. I feel it's an important reminder of what life can be and is like for many Americans.

Who should read this book? Good people

Books read: 145 of 5000

A Clump of Pink Flowers - 25th June 2018

Krakatoa: History's Loudest Volcano by Kathy Furgang

Volcanoes of the World, Krakatoa: History's Loudest Volcano by

Kathy Furgang is a book full of facts about the earth and Krakatoa. It's information is given in full color pictures illustrating the eruption that is so well known. 

Yeah, this is the book you want to get your child if they have a report to write. Still, it's a book that will teach children about the earth and one of the most awe inspiring forces of nature. 

Who should read this book? Everyone. 

Books read: 144 of 5000

Devium

4^th November 2017

Dear Cassi,

A friend of mine is losing her apartment. It falls on me as one of the few folks who care to help her with finding a home for her two cats before she moves to another state. I figure I’m going to talk a good deal about this woman for the next few letters so I’m going to give her a name for our conversation.

I name this friend Devium which is Latin for wayward.  If there is a way I could describe her life it would be that it is wayward so that is the best name I can give her.

In any case, Devium has a drive of some thousand miles ahead of her and I had it in my head to search for a home for her cats up in that area in the hope that I may drive for her, driving isn’t a thing Devium is good at, and it’s a good deal easier to drive that distance in one shot if you have company.

I spoke of this with Pickle and he was upset. He first tried to convince me not to go by arguing that if something happened to one of my cats he’d have to rely of PonyGirl to take them to the vet. As if owning cats meant that I could never leave the house.

Funny how Pickle can turn a moment in to something horrible. I mean, was he threatening my animals if I left or just upset that I wouldn’t be cooking for a few days. When you’ve live with a crisis for your whole life the way I have it’s easy to forget about it for a moment. Then it just comes crashing back into your head.

Stay safe, Little Sister,

Richard Leland Neal

'Monsters: Medusa' by Don Nardo and Bradley Steffens Book Review

'Medusa' by Don Nardo and Bradley Steffens is a book about the

mythology, screen appearance, and cultural impact of the most well known gorgon.  

Like all the books in the Monsters series this is a hard cover with no dust jacket. This book is built to suffer the wrath of playtime. 

The worst of the violence depicted in the book is the removal of Medusa's head which is depicted on the cover. Medusa may be disturbing to some children, but unless your child is very sensitive this should be a fine book to teach them about this well known monster. 

Who should read this book? Children over six

Books read: 143 of 5000

'Astronomy Now: A Look at Mars' by Mary R. Dunn Book Review

'Astronomy Now: A Look at Mars' by Mary R. Dunn is what it

sounds like. It's a book about the planet Mars. Populated with wonderful photographs and facts about the red planet. 

This is sure to tickle the little astronomer in your child's head and make them more interested in space. Or at least that's what it does to me because I loved space as a kid and I still love it now. 

The problem with text books for kids is that if your child is not already interested in the topic at hand the book won't get them interested. I loved this book but I'm a sucker for space facts. 

Who should read this book? Your little astronomer. 

Books read: 142 of 5000

UFOs by Judith Herbst Book Reviews

UFOs by Judith Herbst is a book regarding the history of UFOs and

the reporting and investigation of them. This book is told with a skeptical understanding of the material debunking most of the reports. Still, the end result is left open as to the existence of aliens. 

There is a large discussion of UFOs in film and literature discussing such things as Orseon Welles and his 'War of the Worlds' broadcast. A good amount of attention is given to Mars and it's early report of canals. 

Who should read this book? Folks who want to learn about UFOs.

Books read: 141 of 5000

Bean and the President

This letter was never mailed or emailed as it would be, but I checked the facts to be sure that it was all true. Sometimes I write a letter to settle myself rather than send a message. I guess this was one of those times, or I just forgot about it which I am known to do from time to time.

28^th July 2017

Dear Unfortunate People who work with Bean,

I was listening to KROQ on my way home from work one morning and heard one of your “thanks for that info Bean” segments when Bean said something so brain dead that I had to send you a comment. His statement was true but misleading regarding presidential approval ratings and their low points such as Harry Truman having an all time low approval rating of 22 percent. This struck me as so poorly thought out that I feared it would lower the I.Q. of your listeners. 

It is common knowledge that presidents support unpopular legislation at the end of their time in the white house when they are not up for reelection. They often see their low point at the end of their second term in office.

Whereas this is not the case for Truman, he was fighting a war that was going badly, dealing with corruption in the tax collectors, and fighting a worsening economy.  Things were bad and Truman had been running the country long enough for it to be his fault.

Donald Trump has the lowest approval rating of any president after six months in the White House. That means he has had less time to screw things up, and we can’t blame the bad economy on him yet. Frankly, one expects a president’s approval rating to drop as they make more decisions to scrutinize.

Look at it this way, a low approval rating at the end of a term is like saying “I poured bleach into the sink as I was cleaning it”. Not necessarily what you do but not a big deal. Trump’s low approval rating is like saying “I poured bleach in the sink as I was making salad”. This would be a bad sign and I would have a good many questions before eating that salad.

Bean doesn’t understand context,

Richard

'21st Century Junior Library: Respect' by Lucia Raatma Book Review

'21st Century Junior Library: Respect' by Lucia Raatma a the book

about respecting others and the environment. It deals with respect in the simpler situations in life leaving aside the hard situations like when you are being disrespected. 

This book is a great read even with the more complex aspects of the idea left out. It will benefit kids to understand that they should respect others. 

Who should read this book? Everyone

Books read: 140 of 5000

Give so They Buy

7^th January 2012

Dear Cassi,

   

Do you recall the first time you used a computer? I do. It was one of those Apple IIe units with dual floppy drives and a green monochrome screen. Those units were donated to schools by the Apple corporation in a highly successful attempt to promote their product.

   

I’ve been told that this action caused the only point of domination for Apple computers in the market. Everyone new Apple, so everyone bought Apple. It worked for a spell then the spell wore off and everyone went back to PC and its Windows formatting.

   

The first time I worked on a color unit was when I went into therapy for my learning disorder. I recall the Jones Clinic rather well. They had a lab of “IBM clones” that I worked on as half of my treatment. These devices were next to useless by today’s standards but I recall them being fun.

   

After my mother died my father got me a word processor that worked better than any of those computers. That business lasted until my freshman year in high school when I got a real computer. It had a half gig hard drive and sixteen megabytes of ram. That was the going system for 1994 and I thought the world of it back then. There is no greater change in our world than the computer in the last twenty years. At least most of those are for the better.

Stay safe, Cassi,

Richard Leland Neal

Food Dudes: M&M Mars Candy Makers by Joanne Mattern Book Review

Food Dudes: M&M Mars Candy Makers by Joanne Mattern is the

story of how we got modern chocolate bars. I've heard the story of how M&Ms came about and this book puts it well. The whole idea of candy that can survive a train ride in someone's pocket sound so normal to us but was so great at the time.

This books gives children and idea of how business works and the clear understanding that you don't need to start off well to do well. I really liked this book.

Who should read this book? Everyone. 

Books read: 139 of 5000

'Learning How to Say You Are Sorry' by Susan Kent Book Review

'Learning How to Say You Are Sorry' by Susan Kent is what it

sounds like. It's a book about apologizing. The importance of this skill is rather large so the existence of this books makes it a good idea. What is further a good idea is the sturdy construction of this book and the fact that it's designed to take playtime and not fall apart. 

This is a book with pictures not drawing so there is a real life element. There are also vocabulary words defined in this book that help the child understand. 

Further, I like the idea that it mentions that we all make mistakes, and saying you're sorry is just another part of life. 

Who should read this book? Everyone. 

Books read: 138 of 5000