Tag: Non-Fiction
Review: North Korea (3rd Ed.) by Bradt Travel Guides
When one thinks of holidays, or travel guides related to holiday planning, the so-called ‘Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’—best known as North Korea—is not a place that comes to mind. This is primarily because of the public awareness of its isolated, militarised, and authoritarian nature, alongside its paranoia regarding foreigners. Still, I must confess that,…
Review: A Spotter’s Guide to Amazing Architecture by Lonely Planet
I must confess that, for all my love of literature and reading, sometimes it is nice to sit down with a publication that is equal parts photographic and literary. On occasion, it can be nicer to look upon images of picturesque landscapes, scenes, and other sights, without forcing your brain to absorb too much written…
Review: No Easy Answers by Brooks Brown & Rob Merritt
After taking a few months away from reading about the 1999 Columbine Massacre, I decided to indulge again by reading No Easy Answers. Brooks Brown, or the Brown family in general, had a strong link to the Klebolds and a somewhat unpleasant familiarity with the Harrises. For that reason, Brown’s book (co-authored by Rob Merritt,…
Review: Columbine: A True Crime Story by Jeff Kass
Coming off the heels of my reading of the brief, but factual, The Columbine School Shootings by Jenny MacKay, I figured I may as well immerse myself in a more expansive and exploratory investigation of April 1999’s tragedy. Hence, I sat down and read through Jeff Kass’ 330-page chronology, investigation, and expose piece titled Columbine:…
Review: USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder by DK Eyewitness
One of my many lofty dreams in life is to see all—or most—of the United States’ national parks. It is a dream that only seems to grow stronger in desire as I eke further into my twenties, and because of how reoccurring and ever-present it is as of late, I decided to read through all…
Review: The Columbine School Shootings by Jenny MacKay
A few months ago, I read A Mother’s Reckoning by Sue Klebold, mother of Columbine mass shooter Dylan Klebold. Whilst I found her memoir and insight into the tragic events of 20 April 1999, I also found that the author had gone to some lengths to tiptoe around the actual events of the day—instead filling…
Review: Fuck Yeah, Video Games by Daniel Hardcastle
Most YouTubers, especially those who do let’s plays and gaming content, aren’t highly regarded as great writers. The same is somewhat true of Daniel Hardcastle (of Nerd³ fame), but his passion and somewhat bearable comedic edge shine through in this love letter to video games. Part autobiography, part educational, part review; Fuck Yeah, Video Games…
Review: A Mother’s Reckoning by Sue Klebold
I’ve been trying to dabble in non-fiction a bit more, and I’ve always had an interest in notable crimes and their aftermath. Regarding school-related crimes and shootings, none is more noteworthy than the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre (often referred to simply as ‘Columbine’). In A Mother’s Reckoning, Sue Klebold, mother of co-shooter Dylan Klebold,…
Review: A Place in the Woods by Helen Hoover
A very calming recount of a lifestyle that has continued to die out as the years go by. A Place in the Woods tells the true story of Helen and Adrian Hoover as they leave their residence in Chicago to enjoy a life in the wilderness next to Lake Superior, just after the midpoint of…
Review: Back Story by David Mitchell
Whilst I’m not one to indulge in the life or pasts of celebrities, it is interesting to learn about the growing pains of a successful, if ever awkward, British comedian. Mitchell’s autobiography is rather simple: it talks of his early life — childhood, school, and the troubles his parents endured — to his first foray…
