No Easy Day by Mark Owen

Wow it's been a long time since I've posted. My reading slowed down because of studying for my exam and since then I've been gallivanting all over the place (Louisville, KY, Bloomington, IN, Boston, MA). But, I should be returning back to form with blogs every Sunday.

I first heard about No Easy Day watching Mark Owen on his book tour on 60 Minutes. It caught my attention right away. The book is written by a Navy Seal who was part of the team who killed Osama bin Laden. The book has been considered controversial because of how recent the mission was. The U.S. government felt some of it may have been sensitive and classified information. Mark Owen isn't even the author's real name; it's a pseudonym.

In the prologue, the author defends himself against those claims. He says much of the information has already been written in media publications (even though it may have been illegally leaked). Other times, he generalizes places and time frames. He uses fake names for people. He says he doesn't give away strategies or endanger future operations.

With all that being said, the book is incredibly detailed. The author takes you through his journey to become a Navy Seal and eventually be selected as part of the all-star team created to take down Osama bin Laden. He takes the reader through the repetitive training as they prepared to navigate Osama's compound, including sharing pictures of what the house looked like. The book builds to the climax as he relives the night of May 1st, 2011.

I really think everyone should read it given the historical significance. The book is simply written and straightforward. You get an idea of what the Navy Seals live through, especially on such a monumental mission like this one. Add this book to your list!

My rating for No Easy Day: 4.5 stars out of 5. Get it here!

P.S. I cannot wait to mail out books for Christmas! I send them to all my friends who I've recently talked to. If I haven't heard from you in a while, let's catch up. If you just want a book, pretend like you want to catch up.

RED by Taylor Swift

I know I know. This is not a book. But, Taylor writes lyrics, which in some ways can be construed as poetry, and she just released this album last week. Plus I’m a big fan of Taylor. So here’s what were gonna do. I’ll share my thoughts on the music, which are my initial favorite songs, and include some of the lyrics I like the most.

To start, Taylor writes these prologues at the beginning of each CD booklet. I think they are phenomenally written (truthfully that is what gave me the idea to do a review about the CD). She says: “There’s an old poem by Neruda that I’ve always been captivated by, and one of the lines in it has stuck with me ever since the first time I read it. It says ‘love is so short, forgetting is so long.’” She writes a decent amount about her inspiration for the CD and I always find it thoughtful.

I listened to the CD probably once or twice a day since I've owned it. The first time I immediately thought the CD was too quiet and slow. The middle does pick up, but overall, the album is a softer tone. That’s not to say it’s bad. Some of those songs are really good. I think it depends on the mood you’re in and what you’re feeling at the time. Also, you have to be very tolerable of listening to Taylor rant about all her boyfriends and love experiences.

I’ll share my top three songs. The first is “I Almost Do”, which is probably the best slow song on the CD. Many friends have commented they enjoy this song. It’s also the most relatable song on the disc. “Stay Stay Stay” is upbeat, sweet, and contains my favorite lyrics on the album. I’ll also give props to “22”, which is in the same ballpark as “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”. It’s dance-ish and starts in a similar fashion to a Ke$ha song. It’ll probably be on the pop radio stations eventually. (Honorable mention: “All Too Well”, “The Last Time”, “Begin Again”, “The Lucky One”.)

I’m going to wrap up with some of my favorite lyrics from the CD…

You took the time to memorize me / My fears my hopes and dreams / I just like hanging out with you / All the time / All those times that you didn’t leave / It’s been occurring to me / I’d like to hang out with you / For my whole life / Stay [Song: Stay Stay Stay]

And I just want to tell you / It takes everything in me / Not to call you / And I wish I could run to you / And I hope you know that / Every time I don’t, I almost do [Song: I Almost Do]

I bet you think I either moved on or hate you / Cause each time you reach out, there’s no reply / I bet it never ever occurred to you / That I can’t say hello to you and risk another goodbye [Song: I Almost Do]

Tonight I’m gonna dance / Like you were in this room / But I don’t want to dance / If I’m not dancing with you [Song: Holy Ground]

My rating for RED by Taylor Swift: 4 stars out of 5. Get it here!

P.S. She just announced tour dates. Check here!
P.S.S. How’s that for showing some personality on the blog?

The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

I said a few weeks ago that I read The Five People You Meet In Heaven to get pumped up for Mitch Albom's new book The Time Keeper. I've probably read this book four or five times now and I enjoy it every time. As I said in an earlier Albom review, Mitch is my new favorite author.

The book is about an older gentlemen who works at a waterfront amusement park. Eddie dies one day while trying to save a little girl from a defective ride. He awakens in heaven, but it is not what he expects. His life is explained to him as he meets five people who were in it. Some are loved ones he's greatly missed and some are apparent strangers. But all changed the path of his life forever.

I really like this book. It's irrespective of any particular religion. Anyone can read it. The writing style makes the story that much better. And I love thinking about this kinda stuff. Like who are the five people in my life (so far) who have changed my path forever?

My rating for The Five People You Meet In Heaven: 5 stars out of 5. Get it here!

P.S. I heard this was made into a movie...has anyone seen it?