The Gatekeepers Chris Whipple

How the Chief of Staff Shapes the Presidency: The Gatekeepers, by Chris Whipple: Book Review

April 5, 2017

The success or failure of a presidency largely depends on whether or not the president is able to deliver on the agenda he or she sets upon taking office. Are they able to get things done? Can they focus and prioritize their goals so they don’t waste time on something that isn’t achievable or realistic … More How the Chief of Staff Shapes the Presidency: The Gatekeepers, by Chris Whipple: Book Review

The Association of Small Bombs

A Culture of Violence: The Association of Small Bombs, by Karan Mahajan: Book Review

March 7, 2017

The Association of Small Bombs begins with a sudden explosion in a Delhi marketplace in 1996. Two young brothers, Tushar and Nakul Khurana, are killed. Their friend Mansoor Ahmed survives. The novel then follows what happens over the next twenty years in order to show the ripple effect that this “small bomb” has. Tushar and … More A Culture of Violence: The Association of Small Bombs, by Karan Mahajan: Book Review

Oscars 2017

The 2017 Oscars: Why a Shareable Ceremony Doesn’t Work

February 28, 2017

No question, the 89th Academy Awards will always be remembered for #EnvelopeGate, the Best Picture flub heard round the world. It’s an awards show’s ultimate nightmare–made even worse given that it happened in the social media age, when the error would be replayed, examined in close detail, and shouted to the world AS IT WAS … More The 2017 Oscars: Why a Shareable Ceremony Doesn’t Work

Ranking Every Best Supporting Actor Oscar Winner of the 1970s

February 18, 2017

The Best Actor category in the 1970s is full of larger than life performances that commanded your attention. Perhaps in an attempt to balance that out, the Supporting Actor category went in the opposite direction, tending to honor more thoughtful and quiet performances. Understated is the key word here. Once again, it behooves me to … More Ranking Every Best Supporting Actor Oscar Winner of the 1970s

Coming of Age in a Cult: The Girls, by Emma Cline

January 20, 2017

“There was so much to destroy.” Every reader knows the sensation of getting really excited by the idea behind a book, then finding the execution is totally meh. When it happens, it’s natural to experience denial. You try to like it in spite of itself. You make excuses for the problematic areas. In your head, … More Coming of Age in a Cult: The Girls, by Emma Cline

My 2017 Reading Goals: New Year, New Reading Challenges

January 19, 2017

I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions, but recently I’ve seen a lot of reading-based annual goals that got me thinking. I really like the idea, but haven’t been able to find a list I would be happy sticking to. I was basically picking and choosing items from several lists to get around goals … More My 2017 Reading Goals: New Year, New Reading Challenges