Category: Paper Chase

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Andrew Mon Hughes, Grant Walters & Mark Crohan – The Bee Gees in the 1970s

Posted on by Michael

The Bee Gees in the 1970s is the follow-up to the 1960s book that was published in 2021. The three music writers of Andrew Mon Hughes, Grant Walters, and Mark Crohan write about all the songs the band recorded throughout the 70s.  At the beginning of the book we are greeted with the fact that the brothers were completely broken at the beginning of the decade, each working on separate projects. 

But by 1979 they were the biggest band in the world with smash hits that would eventually lead to Bee Gees overload. The band got their groove back while working with producer Arif Mardin on songs such as “Jive Talking” and “Nights on Broadway”.  Eventually the brothers would contribute greatly to the Saturday Night Fever OST that saw them hit the stratosphere of fame and fortune.  The 1970s edition of the series is a well-researched book that will have the reader regularly searching for songs on Youtube and Spotify.

8/10

Posted in Paper Chase

Michael D. Watkins – The First 90 Days

Posted on by Michael

The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins has been called “The onboarding bible” by The Economist. Originally published in 2003 and since updated, the book takes the reader through steps and processes to work through within the first 90 days of getting a new job or promotion. Watkins focuses on the STARS model of deciding whether your new role will be in a department/company that is in a period of being a Start-up, Turnaround, Accelerated Growth, Realignment, or Sustaining Success.

There is plenty to learn here and brings up lots of good ideas to think about when starting a new role.  Its focus is on higher level positions with the biggest negative being that it is written with doom and gloom threats that if you don’t follow these steps then you will end up a complete failure in your new position.

7/10

Posted in Paper Chase

Q4 2023 Read It (Better Late Than Never)

Posted on by Michael

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann was a huge sensation in the publishing world when it came out in 2017.  The popular nonfiction book was later made into a movie by Martin Scorsese starring Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio.  The book tells the tragic tale of the Osage Nation who discovered oil on their area of land in Oklahoma and became the richest people in the world during the 1920s. A heinous plot by William Hale saw the murders of the tribe in order for others to gain the head rights to the oil.  It’s a sad yet page turning book on surely one of the most shocking atrocities of the 20th century.

8.5/10

Through the work of Ryan Holiday, and Instagram friendly quotes, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius has seen a resurgence in popularity among mainstream crowds. The book is a journal of Aurelius’ thoughts during his time as Emperor of Rome. Popular quotes include “You have power over your mind – not outside events”, “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts”, and “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way”. While not always the easiest read, it is fascinating to look into the mind of this legendary figure.

10/10

Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein:  The 1818 Text is noted as being the first ever sci-fi novel. The gothic overtones make the overall feel one of darkness and gloom.  Dr. Frankenstein creates new life in his Swiss laboratory before the creature escapes.  The new being learns to speak and read while trying to find companionship as he lives a solitary life.  His rejection by society, and especially his creator, is what ultimately turns him into a monster.  A tragic tale that is a fascinating read especially around Halloween.

10/10

Prairie Fire – volume 43, No. 1 (Spring 2022)

Prairie Fire – volume 44, No. 3 (Fall 2023)

Posted in Paper Chase

Q3 2023 Read It

Posted on by Michael

Delia Owens’ first novel, Where the Crawdads Sing turned into a sensation when published in 2018. The story follows Kya who is abandoned by everyone in her family as a child and lives alone in the North Carolina marsh. She survives through ingenuity and kindness of others including Jumpin’ who runs the boat shack and looks out for her. A second narrative follows the possible murder of local celebrity Chase Andrews when he is found dead from a mysterious fall. The straightforward story is quite the page turner and has the reader rooting for Kya throughout.

7.5/10

Jane Austen’s fourth novel Emma was first published in 1815 and follows that young lady through her genteel life while trying to play matchmaker for her friend Harriet. The lives of Emma’s friends and family are explored, mostly through the lends of who’s marrying who. Her devotion to her father and lack of romantic interest in others suddenly catches up to her as her feelings start to change. The callsi novel is a delightful read with many funny moments and clever writing.

9/10

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Q2 2023 Read It

Posted on by Michael

George R.R. Martin’s fourth book in the Songs of Ice and Fire series, A Feast For Crows, comes in at a mere 976 pages.  Martin wrote a lot more for the novel but instead split up the plotlines and moved them to the next book. This means the reader gets very little Jon Snow or Dany Targaryen.  Some of the storylines are not as interesting as others.  The scenes taking place in Dorne and the Iron Islands are not nearly as interesting as Cersei’s scheming, Jaime and Brienne’s relationship, or Arya becoming no one.  Not as intense as the first three books but still entertaining, especially as it ends with Cersei in much trouble and begging for her brother’s help.

8/10

There have been several great books written about the astonishing career The Smiths over the years. This list includes Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance by Johnny Rogan, Songs that Saved Your Life by Simon Goddard, and A Light That Never Goes Out by Tony Fletcher.  Perhaps it rubbed Morrissey the wrong way watching others write about both his life and his band without him having a say in the matter so 10 years ago he published his own autobiography that includes his life after The Smiths.  The book starts out on a high note as Steven Patrick Morrissey writes about growing up in Irish Manchester in the 60s and 70s.  Across 100 pages, it brings to life the areas and homes that he lived in as a boy then teenager. 

For readers expecting an equal amount of love put into writing about his music, they will be sorely disappointed.  Instead, Morrissey writes extensively about his court proceedings with former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce.  Then takes endless swipes at managers, record labels, ex-bandmates, etc.  It turns into a slog of reading about perceived slights and encounters with other singers.  The book then finishes as a sort of tour diary where he writes about concerts, towns and theatres.  It’s a tiresome read that is sadly light on the music he’s created over the years.

5/10

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is one of those books that appears everywhere since it was published in 2016.  It appears on bestseller lists, critics lists, front and centre in bookstores, and on Instagram pages – all for good reason.  Harari writes about 70,000 years of evolution, development, and accomplishments of Homo Sapiens.  This includes subjects such as empires, agriculture, science, culture, religion, etc.  The writing style is easy to follow and includes little asides and humour throughout. It’s one of those books that grabs readers immediately and makes them want to explore further into the history of Sapiens.

9/10