Over The Garden Wall #1 by Pat McHale and Jim Campbell

3.5 / 5

From The Publisher
What It Is: A new Over the Garden Wall story set between episodes 3 and 4 of the animated series! Wirt and Greg are trying to hitch a ride out of schooltown but end up having to walk. Soon, they come upon two girls playing, and wind up having to keep them entertained so that they don't wake their giant father!

Pros

• The art style is evocative of the show, and continues its visual aesthetic
• The story fits in well with the "Over the Garden Wall" universe, and even dovetails into a plot beat of the show

Cons

• The work is very short, coming in at only 24 pages (with extra content, like sheet music)
• Folks who haven't watched the show may be better served by watching it first. It isn't strictly necessary, but it may provide additional context for the relationships and interactions between the characters.
• Perhaps this is an unfair criticism, but I worry that a slavish adherence to the plot beats of the show may render these comics unable to produce something truly new and interesting for readers to enjoy.

Conclusion
Over the Garden Wall fans will almost assuredly enjoy this work, as it's more of their beloved characters in wacky situations. Folks who haven't watched the show may not be as dazzled by the work, and honestly, can probably pass on it.

"North," by Scott Jurek (featuring Jenny Jurek)

From The Publisher
From the author of the bestseller Eat and Run, a thrilling memoir about his grueling, exhilarating, and immensely inspiring 46-day run to break the speed record for the Appalachian Trail.

Pros

• It's interesting to peer into Jurek's thought process for running the Appalachian Trail (AT), from planning to what the day-to-day looked and felt like
• I appreciate that Jurek's wife, Jenny (an accomplished runner in her own right), is given time to share her thoughts and memories from the experience.  She provides about 1/3 of the book / narration.
• The story includes a veritable who's-who of the ultra-running community.  
• I was excited to see how the story would end (e.g. would Jurek capture the record?).  I found it easy to feel "pumped up," by the last few chapters of the book.

Cons

• The writing can be a bit repetitive at times (i.e. talking about pain, the mental game of completing the race).  This borders on a nit-pick, though, because I'm guessing that's what the author was actually experiencing. 
• I wouldn't have minded if the author leaned into the Travel Log aspect of the story, given that he was running through so many states.  Again, I can't really fault the author, though, because that's not what the book claims to be.
• It's a shame Jenny isn't highlighted on hardcover version of the work, given that she contributes about 1/3 of "North."  She does appear on the Audible cover, however.

Conclusion
I think Jurek's tribe (i.e. runners, hikers, etc), will appreciate this work.  Fans of sports-focused non-fiction will also likely enjoy this work.  It may not change your life, but it may just serve as inspiration for your next project, outing, or goal.

Final Score
8/10

"Medallion Status," by John Hodgman

Part travel-log, part memoir, John Hodgman's Medallion Status: True Stories from Secret Rooms is sure to be a hit with fans of his previous work, Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches.  This work focuses primarily on his acting career, with particular attention paid to the people, places, and odd situations he found himself in as a result.

Pros:

• Hodgman's affable, if self-effacing style returns in Medallion Status.  While I wouldn't call any of the jokes, "gut busters," this work does provide a steady stream of laughs.  His writing and presentation style reminded me a touch of Andy Rooney in the way that he reflected on his life, fame, and career trajectory.
• I can't say any essay hit me as hard emotionally as some of the essays from Vacationland, but it was still enjoyable to spend a few hours with John Hodgman. 
• No individual chapter is longer than 45 minutes, and each of the chapters are reasonably self-contained.  This means that it is easy to digest the book in smaller bites if you so wish.  

Cons:

• I don't consider it a con, but fans of the current presidential administration will likely not be a fan of a few of the later chapters.
• I could see how some may tire of John's self-effacing attitude and the honesty with which he appears to present his neuroses.  For me, I found they made him more relatable as an author, and my reaction to said neuroses never rose to the level of frustration that I felt with Marc Maron's Attempting Normal.
• (Nitpick) While I understand and respect Hodgman's withholding of the location of his home in Maine and the name's of the town's residents, this same withholding makes less sense to me with regards to the airline referenced in the title of Medallion Status.  Hodgman himself points out it is just an internet search away and reveals the name at the tail end of the book (spoiler alert: it's Delta). 

Conclusion:
This book is much more focused on Hodgman's career and fame than Vactationland.  I appreciate that it can balance the serious, the absurd, and the funny parts of celebrity (and its waning).  I applaud Hodgman for his approach to comedy, which includes both a conscience and an awareness of the privilege associated with being a straight, white, wealthy man.  Finally, I am excited to see what Hodgman will come out with next.

Final Score:
9/10

"The Mystwick School of Musicraft," by Jessica Khoury

From The Publisher
Humor, heart, and a symphony of magic take center stage in this middle-grade fantasy, perfect for fans of Nevermoor and The School for Good and Evil series.

Amelia Jones has always dreamed of attending the Mystwick School of Musicraft, where the world’s most promising musicians learn to create magic. But then she botches her audition and her dream comes to an abrupt and humiliating end—until the school agrees to give her a trial period. Amelia is determined to prove herself, vowing to do whatever it takes to become the perfect musician. Even if it means pretending to be someone she isn't.

Between a teacher who really dislikes her and a roommate who wants to see her expelled, life at Mystwick is harder than Amelia thought it would be. And that’s not even counting the mysterious something that’s starting to make the teachers worry. When supernatural powers threaten the school, can Amelia find the courage to be true to her herself, save Mystwick, and prove once and for all where she belongs?

Pros

• I found the main character and her supporting cast (Jai and Darby) to be likable.    
• Though there are a number of well-worn tropes at play in the plot, the author adds just enough of her own spin to keep the book from feeling contrived.  Beyond that, the book was interesting enough to listen to from start to finish.  I would even consider listening to another book in the series if one was written (and there are certainly enough loose plot threads for the author to write the book if she so chose)
• The message of self-acceptance at the heart of the book is a welcome one

Cons

• It also bothers me that music seems like such a huge part of daily life, but there are people who don't actively use it.
• There are a fair number of magical school YA tropes at play (the 4 schools, the magical games, etc), and broader story structure tropes, too (hero's journey, 3 act structure, etc etc
• A lot of the 7th grade class is disposable, and exist in name only
• 100% of the music is from the public domain (surprising no one, I'm sure)
• The plot contrivance to get the MC into Mystwick is pretty grisly (though the author may just have something to say about it before the book ends)
• There is an undercurrent of class consciousness (i.e. Amelia's rural upbringing versus the life of money and privilege of her classmates) that is hinted at but never paid off in a meaningful way (beyond "accept yourself").

Conclusion
For an Audible freebie, this one was easily worth the price of admission.  I even think that it is worth its asking price (of approximate $6 at the time of writing).  There are plenty of tropes to go around, but the likable characters, interesting setting / world-building, and message of self-acceptance mean it is sure to be a fun read for the young and the young at heart.  As long as you set your expectations appropriately, you are very likely to enjoy this book.

See more reviews at: https://quinnreviewseverything.blogspot.com/

"Serving The Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain," by Danny Goldberg

Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain by Danny Goldberg is part memoir and part biography.  In particular, it reminded me a lot of Twilight of the Gods: A Journey to the End of Classic Rock, but with a particular focus on the life and times of Kurt Cobain.

Pros:

• The author weaves a compelling narrative about Kurt Cobain, following him from his start in Washington to his on-going impact decades after his suicide.
• I suppose you could list the author's obvious bias in favor of Kurt as a negative, but A) he is upfront about his biases, and B) Goldberg does not claim to give an authoritative, unbiased account. 
• I appreciate the highlighting of Kurt's politics. I was not old enough to grasp them when Nirvana was still around, but now that I am more mature they speak to me. The same goes for Kurt's support of the LGBT community and "genderqueer-ness," (though I wouldn't define the term like Goldberg does).

Cons:

• As with other works in this vein (like "Twilight of the Gods,") it is sometimes hard to differentiate the apocryphal and the factual, especially since much of the narrative happened decades ago.
• This book has a BIG cast of characters. Most come in and out of Kurt's orbit, so it can be hard to keep track of who's who.
• I couldn't help but think, "why now?" regarding this book.  You could argue that the 25th anniversary of Kurt's suicide is reason enough, or that the intervening decades have provided ample evidence of Kurt's lasting influence, but the passage of time has also made memories more fuzzy, information more difficult to locate, and for a gaggle of other books on the subject to be published.
• (Nit-Pick) The "stinger" music at the start and end of the book sound like a bad Nirvana rip-off

Conclusion:
Ultimately, I enjoyed this work.  I'm not sure how much it would add for a super-fan (i.e. someone who had read other biographies like Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana or Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain), but as someone who isn't as well-versed in Kurt's life, this seems like a good place to start.

"The Bride Was a Boy," by Chii

Pros:

• The art is cute and expressive
• The work provides insight into the lives of LGBT people (and one transgender woman in particular) in other countries, and particularly, in Japan. I was especially interested to learn about laws relating to gender and sexual orientation there. 
• The comic comes with a "works cited," page.  Neat.

Cons:

• I was a bit leery about some of the language the author used and the way the author couched her current identity in her sex assigned at birth ("...was a boy").  Though I very much doubt it was the author's intention, lines of thinking like this are sometimes used to de-legitimize transgender people and identities (e.g. "you're really a boy," or, "you're just a man in a dress").  Beyond that, the author conflates of sex assigned at birth and gender identity, which, "muddies the water," with regards to terminology in my opinion.  Other than that, nothing jumped out at me as being especially problematic. 
• It was a minor annoyance half of every page in chapter 3 is used for a repeated "title card," while each of the previous chapters had full pages of illustrations. 

Conclusion:

It was a fun, easy read.  Though I might use different terms / terminology in spots, 1) I understand that the choices made reflect the author and her experience, and 2) I would rather someone learning about transgender people have this work as a baseline than a lot of other portrayals in mass media / on the internet.  If the title grabbed your attention, or if you'd like to learn about the LGBTQ community via a manga, this book is definitely worth checking out.

Final Score:
8/10

"A Grown-Up Guide to Dinosaurs," by Dr. Ben Garrod

A Grown-Up Guide to Dinosaurs asks, "what's your favorite dino?" It also provides a brief history of the dinosaur, from their rise to dominance to their eventual demise. It is brief at just shy of 3 hours, but packs in plenty of interviews, facts, and even a dash of controversy. 

Pros

• I am not a "dinosaur fanatic," but like any good book, this one pulled me in and made the topic interesting
• I covered the gamut of dino history, from their rise to their fall
• I enjoyed the presenter's speaking voice (and accent), as well as the sprinkles of dry humor throughout
• The audio is reasonably well-recorded (i.e. there is not a huge difference between the "field" and "studio" recordings)
• It was "free" (with an Audible membership)

Cons

• I am struggling to come up with anything particularly negative about this book. You could argue that it isn't a deep-dive, but it doesn't set out to be. You could argue that it would be better with pictures / reference material, but I think the book does an admirable job describing what needs to be described. 

Conclusion
I liked this audiobook; it was a fun, easy listen. The only thing that keeps it from earning a 5 stars was that it didn't make me laugh, cry, or otherwise react in a major way. Also, I'm not sure how much of this info I'm actually going to retain (though this may say more about me than about the book). At the end of the day, if you were a dino lover as a kid and want to reconnect with that world, this is a great little audiobook.

"Get Your Sh*t Together," by Sarah Knight

Get Your Sh*t Together: How to Stop Worrying About What You Should Do So You Can Finish What You Need to Do and Start Doing What You Want to Do is a self-help book written by the self-styled "anti-guru," Sarah Knight. Over the course of the book, Knight discusses topics big and small, from where to start all the way to preparing for retirement. She does this through a few simple steps: 1) strategize, 2) focus, and 3) commit. After that, she asks readers to 4) prioritize and 5) delegate (this includes hiring a pro, when the situation calls for it).

Pros

• The book is irreverent, and occasionally funny. Within the first few minutes of the book, for example, Knight is taking shots at Kondo's, "Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up," and referencing another one of her works, "The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving A Fuck," (which she implores listeners to purchase).
• I like that the book doesn't espouse a "right" way to live your life. Instead, it offers tips and tricks to get to your goals, whatever they may be. 
• I appreciate the fact that the author touches on difficult topics like perfectionism and anxiety. I also appreciate that she recognizes and acknowledges she is not a mental health professional when providing this advice (though I suspect this may also be a case of "cover your ass").
• I was happy that the author called out sexual orientation as gender identity that should be self-determined, not something dictated by friends, family, or society.

Cons

• This book is full of fluff (e.g. the author saying what she's going to do instead of just doing it).
• Some of the chapter markers are whack. For example, part 3 ("Tough Shit") is broken down into a few smaller, more digestible sub-chapters. By comparison, part 1, 2, & 4 are not.
• I can't help but feel like this book could be shorter (and it already runs only about 4 hours). If you are in a rush, you might be better served reading the summary.

Conclusion

There is a lot to like about this book. It includes a reasonable system to get things done, plenty of examples, and a smattering of swears. The jokes can sometimes land a little flat, but as self-help books go, I found them to be a nice change of pace. The book isn't really revolutionary, but it was more than interesting enough to get me through its 4-ish hour run time. Ultimately, if the premise of the book or the no-bullshit tone of the author appeal to you, this book is worth a look.

Final Score:

7/10

"Singing 101," by Nancy Bos

"Singing 101," by Nancy Bos is a combination of lessons and exercises designed to give anyone a peek into, "proper," singing technique. It is a quick listen, clocking in at under 2 hours. Despite its length, however, the work has a number of positive points. For more information, see below.

Pros:

• It's short and to the point, with digestible (10 minute or less) chapters.
• Defines clearly what it is (an introduction to singing), and what it is not (a replacement for live vocal coaching)
• Recommends that interested learners seek out a professional teacher to help guide their musical journey
• All recommendations and exercises seem sensible (though I am not a professional vocalist or vocal coach, so I can't say that with authority).

Cons:

• The book mentions half steps, but does not define them. Given that this is a "101" style book, I think this is a large oversight
• I found some of the "warm-up exercises," that constitute the back half of the book to be surprisingly difficult. Granted, they are supposed to get easier with practice, but I could see how a beginner might be discouraged by them.
• The audio quality drops (or at least changes) at the halfway point of the book (when the book shifts from lessons and exercises to exercises alone).
• I wish the chords / chord changes were clearer in the final warm-up exercise (3 minutes of blues improv); I found them a touch hard to hear.
• (nit-pick) The book says that it is based in science, but there is virtually no science discussed or cited in the work

Conclusion:

The book does what it sets out to. It provides basic singing instruction in a digestible, affordable package. It is not a replacement for live lessons, but it is not trying to be. Ultimately, if you want a guided journey into the world of singing, this is not a bad place to start.

Final Score:
7/10

"More Bedtime Stories For Cynics," an Audible Original

"More Bedtime Stories For Cynics," is the second volume in an on-going series that presents deconstructions and modern takes on fairy tales.  Some are funny, some are thought-provoking, and none of them are meant for children.  Is the work worth a listen?  Read on to find out.

Pros

• It was free (with my Audible membership)
• The cast is packed with notable celebrities (e.g. Nick Offerman, Jane Lynch, Sir Patrick Stuart)
• Each of the stories is digestible, lasting no longer than 20 minutes
• A few of the stories are interesting trope deconstructions (e.g. the woman who is cursed to be a frog until she receives "true love's kiss")

Cons

• The sound effects are too loud, and are asked to do too much.  For example, in the "Wizard," story, the sound effects are supposed to convey particularly complex actions, but fail to do so.
• With regards to the, "Wizard," story: I want to give it the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps it is a critique of people with a savior complex, or how the Hollywood depiction of, "Inner City life," doesn't reflect reality. On the other hand, it doesn't rise above the stereotypes often used when describing "Inner City kids," (e.g. that they are disruptive, criminal, etc).
• With regards to the, "Mother," story:I will give credit where credit is due: there is something unnerving about this story (likely the mild body horror).  On the other hand, I can't help but feel that the plot elements are contrived (e.g. "it was too dark in the clinic to see what she was signing,"), and the daughter's final reaction to her situation seem out of character based on her previous actions.  Ultimately, this story had the potential to be a potent discussion of aging, but instead comes across as ham-fisted.
• (Nit-Pick) The chapter names do not match up with the stories being told

Conclusion

I'm glad this was free, or I would have given "Bedtime Stories," a lower score.  I was hoping for critiques and deconstructions of bed time stories / fairy tales, and to a certain extent, this collection delivers.  The problem, though, is that there are just as many misses as there are hits, so I can't recommend paying for this work unless you are a super-fan of either the voice talent or writers.

Final Score: 
5/10

"Zen Guitar," by Philip Toshio Sudo

Zen Guitar is a mash-up of Zen and Music. While it is not a method book in the traditional sense, it does offer guidance on how to approach both one's instrument and one's life in a zen way. If this sounds interesting to you, read on.

Pros

• Quotes from musicians (including Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, and Eric Clapton) generally keep the work from becoming too abstract.
• Includes a glossary of terms, meaning it is not necessary to thumb through the book to find the meaning of a Japanese word or phrase the author uses
• Includes a list of "further reading," on various topics discusses throughout the book

Cons

• Even though the book is up-front about its contents and intentions (ie that this is NOT a typical method book), I still found some of the lessons to be very abstract
• Though the book is titled Zen Guitar, virtually none of the lessons require a guitar specifically, as any instrument will do. Aside from the quotes from famous guitarists, this book could have easily been called, Zen Music or The Zen Musician.

Conclusion

The book deftly weaves together the study of Zen and Guitar. If that combination sounds interesting to you, and you aren't looking for a traditional method book, Zen Guitar is definitely worth a look.

Final Score: 
8/10

"Thinking: Fast and Slow," by Daniel Kahneman

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman is an exploration of how the human mind works.  The author discusses lots of pairs: two minds (the fast and intuitive system 1 and the deliberate but lazy system 2), two species (humans and "econs," aka the totally rational beings imagined by economists), and two selves (the experiencing self and the remembering self).  Along the way, he offers thought-provoking scenarios and highlights the mind's favorite shortcuts.  The book is a dense tome of behavioral economics, but Kahneman's non-technical language and conversational approach means the book is more digestible than a textbook (but still may raise some eyebrows for its 20+ hour length).

Pros: 

• The book contains lots of interesting information, much of which is applicable to the real world / day-to-day life.
• I enjoyed having my deeply rooted assumptions (which are born out of how my brain works) challenged.
• The author does not use especially technical or difficult language, despite the book's obvious academic pedigree
• I liked the book enough to buy it (though this purchasing decision was also informed by the fact that I simply could not finish the book in the time I had it checked out from the library).

Cons: 

• There are any graphs that are not well summarized when discussed verbally. One such example is the diagram of indifference curves.
• A lot of the information is variations on a theme.  This isn't bad in-and-of itself, but it does make the book feel somewhat repetitive.
• Some of the later chapters are based on the researcher's hunches / beliefs rather than a particular scientific study. 
• The book can come off somewhat preachy / all-knowing with regards to human behavior (though I suppose this isn't entirely unfounded as the author is a Nobel Prize laureate in behavioral economics)
• (nit-pick) The chapters, "opening credits," and, "closing credits," are really more like full introductions and conclusions, clocking in at about a half hour each.

Conclusion: 
This book is well-researched and thorough.  Mostly, you just have to ask yourself: "is this a topic that I am willing to invest 20 hours into?" If not, you would likely be better served by reading a summary of the book to get the main takeaways in considerably less time.

Final Score:
7/10

"Steven Fry's Victorian Secrets," an Audible Original

Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets (written by John Woolf and Nick Baker, and presented by Steven Fry and a cast of voice actors) is an Audible Original that delves into the life and times of those living in the UK during the Victorian Era (Britain from 1837 to 1901). The work covers a myriad of topics from sex and sexuality (with a particular focus on Lesbian and Gay individuals) to crime and punishment. 

Pros

• I was pleasantly surprised at the breadth of the proceedings, especially considering that this was an Audible freebie. In particular, I appreciate that light was shed on the lives of members of the lesbian and gay communities (even if they would not have referred to themselves as such at the time).
• Both Steven Fry and the various voice actors that contribute to this work do an admirable job presenting the material. 

Cons

• I was surprised by how grizzly the opening chapter was; they wasted no time getting into medical traumas and debauchery. I would not have minded a gentler introduction into the time period, to be honest.
• The "sound effects," (or more specifically, the way Steven Fry's voice was edited in post to sound like he was "in the sewers," or, "in a townhouse," etc) can be a bit over-done.
• It is often hard to tell what is historical fact and what is apocryphal. To the book's credit, however, a number of experts on the Victorian era are brought in to speak on their field of research, and quite a few other books about the era are mentioned over the course of the work.

Conclusion
"Victorian Secrets," was a fun, if forgettable romp. I can't imagine I'll be revisiting this work, but I also don't have any complaints for the price I paid ($0). Ultimately, if you have an interest in the Victorian Era and want something more approachable than a history textbook, this isn't a bad place to start.

Final Score
6/10

"Strong Female Protagonist (Book 2: V5-6)," by Brennan Lee Mulligan and Molly Ostertag

Strong Female Protagonist: Book Two by Brennan Lee Mulligan and illustrated by Molly Ostertag follows Allison Green, formerly Mega Girl, as she tries to navigate her "post-super," life. After years on the beat, she's given up crime-fighting (but retains her powers). In her, "new," life, she has to juggle college, volunteer firefighting, and a world that hasn't let go of her previous identity. As such, she struggles with the ethics of super-heroism, and how to truly change the world for the better. Pros It's in color now, and the production values have obviously increased. This alone addresses one of my annoyances from the previous book (e.g. that characters could sometimes be hard to differentiate). The story is still an interesting deconstruction of the superhero genre; I appreciate that the story considers the practical and philosophical implications of superheros in the "real world." As an added bonus, the writing is less heavy-handed than it was in the previous omnibus. The story continues to set up a lot of threads to potentially pay off. This could be a pro or a con depending on how things shake out in the coming volumes, but I am listing it as a pro for now (because the story is ongoing). Cons Action scenes are still scattered and only OK, especially in comparison to more battle-focused work (e.g. "One Punch Man"). If that's what you are looking for, you will be better served elsewhere. On one hand, I like that the author considers how the emergence of superheros might affect other countries. On the other hand, I was disappointed at how small a role these vignettes play (e.g. mentioned briefly in dialogue without ever really crossing over into the "main" story). It seems the vignette from this omnibus might cross into the "main" story, but that remains to be seen.  Conclusion The book doesn't rise to some of the greatest heights of comics, but it's fun for what it is. The philosophical underpinning and debates were better integrated into the story this time (via an actual philosophy professor), and the fact that the comic is in color makes a big difference. I'm both curious and excited to see where the comic goes from here. The biggest struggle, then, will be the wait for the next collected edition. Final Score 8/10

"Strong Female Protagonist (Book 1: V1-4)," by Brennan Lee Mulligan and Molly Ostertag

Strong Female Protagonist, by Brennan Lee Mulligan and illustrated by Molly Ostertag follows Allison Green, formerly Mega Girl, as she tries to navigate her "post-super," life.  After years on the beat, she's given up crime-fighting (but retains her powers).   In her, "new," life, she has to juggle college, a job, and a world that hasn't let go of her previous identity.  As such, she struggles with the ethics of super-heroism, and how to truly change the world for the better.

Pros

• The story is an interesting deconstruction of the superhero genre; I appreciate that the story considers the practical and philosophical implications of superheros in the "real world," even if it does so imperfectly (see: "cons").
• The story sets up a lot of threads to potentially pay off (e.g. superheroes as nationalist figures, the execution of superheroes who would truly change the world, etc).  This could be a pro or a con depending on how things shake out in the coming volumes, but I am listing it as a pro for now.

Cons

• The art style means it can be hard to differentiate characters, and especially background characters.  This issue is compounded by the fact that most background characters come and go quickly.
• Action scenes are scattered and only OK, especially in comparison to more battle-focused work (e.g. "One Punch Man").
• While I appreciate the intellectual discourse, the writing can be very heavy-handed.  At times it feels like Philosophy 101 with superheros as case studies instead of being a story.
• Nit-pick: I found the little post-scripts that were included on the bottom of many of the comic's pages were a distraction rather than adding anything especially interesting to the story.

Conclusion
The book doesn't rise to some of the greatest heights of comics, but it's fun for what it is.  I found the philosophical debates to be heavy-handed at times, but it didn't stop me from finishing the comic and purchasing the next omnibus (volume 5-8).  Ultimately, I'm curious to see how (or perhaps if) the various plot threads will play out.

Final Score:
7/10

"The Universe In A Nutshell," by Steven Hawking

Summary
Hawking works to present fundamental theories of the universe in a way that's digestible to the layman. 

Pros:

• I think Hawking more-or-less succeeded in his efforts to demystify "life, the universe, and everything," as currently understood by our modern scientific models. 
• I enjoyed Hawking's wry humor; if I recall correctly, he throws in more jokes than The Grand Design.
• The reader's performance (and his accent) matched well with the material presented.

Cons:

• Audiobook format means that figures are lost (though they are only explicitly referenced a few times). 
• Despite Hawking's best efforts, the material is still incredibly dense. Beyond that, science simply doesn't have all the answers. This second point isn't a con, of course, but worth noting.
• I sometimes found myself drifting to sleep while listening to this audiobook. I don't think it was the material present (because I found it interesting), or the presenter's voice (which is appropriately British and spirited), however.

Conclusion
I enjoyed the work. Also, given that it was published almost two decades ago, I'm curious to know how science has advanced, and how Hawking's thinking has changed over time. I'll have to seek out Brief Answers to the Big Questions.

"Creative Quest," by Ahmir Questlove Thompson

From The Publisher of Creative Quest:
Questlove—musician, bandleader, designer, producer, culinary entrepreneur, professor, and all-around cultural omnivore—shares his wisdom on the topics of inspiration and originality in a one-of-a-kind guide to living your best creative life. 

Pros: 

• Questlove does a deep dive into creativity: who is / can be creative, how to harness your creativity (via a handful of exercises), and quotes from notable creative people and researchers (e.g. Bjork, David Bowie, etc).
• Questlove talks candidly about issues of race in his work, and how that can affect the creative process
• Fans of Questlove will be sure to appreciate Questlove's discussion of his own creative process and collaborators. Those who are looking for more of a memoir will probably get more enjoyment out of Mo' Meta Blues: The World According to QuestloveMo' Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove, however.

Cons: 

• The last two chapters felt tacked on, especially in light of their length (5-8 minutes vs the typical chapter's 45+ minutes)
• Though Questlove talks about how his work exists at the, "intersection of creativity and commerce," I found that there was not much discussion about how to make money with one's art.
• (nit-pick) It was weird to hear a quote (seemingly) read by David Bowie directly late in the book when virtually all of the preceding quotes were read by Questlove.

Conclusion: 
Ultimately, I enjoyed Creative Quest. My lack of experience with Questlove's / The Root's music was not a barrier to entry, and there is plenty of insight to be gleaned from this work. It isn't a workbook, so those hoping for page after page of exercises may want to look elsewhere. Those with an interest in the creative process, however, and especially fans of Questlove, are sure to enjoy Creative Quest.

Final Score:
8/10

"One-Punch Man Vol. 15," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 15, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring." 

This particular volume of One-Punch Man further fleshes out King and Saitama's relationship, while also focusing on Speed O' Sound Sonic, S-Class hero Zombie-Man, and the Monster Association's next move.

Pros:

• A few ongoing pros: the draftsmanship, Saitama (who's characterization has been more consistent over the last few volumes, i.e. with him showing less interest in public opinion), and all of the interesting characters.
• King may not have powers, but he is still an excellent foil to Saitama; he has a lot of great advice to give.

Cons:

• A few on-going cons: Puri-Puri Prisoner (the whole character), the mismatch between the right-to-left orientation of the visuals and the left-to-right orientation of the "sound effects," and details being lost in the binding process.
• (Nit-pick) It's kind of annoying how Saitama and Garou keep running into each other, but never actually fight.  I get that it would be anti-climatic (see: Saitama's "fight" with Goketsu in volume 14), but it almost feels like ONE has to contrive ways to keep Saitama AWAY from certain battles to keep the story rolling (and to allow the other heroes to struggle).
• (Nit-pick) Women seem to have more or less disappeared from the story once again (with the exception of a few minor characters and fan-service of Blizzard and Tornado).

Conclusion:
It'll be interesting to see how One-Punch Man continues to develop as a series, as well as how it will differ from ONE's original webcomic (and the upcoming second season of the anime).  If the story continues to hit such fantastic highs, I'm sure it'll be an excellent ride.

"One-Punch Man Vol. 14," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 14, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

In this particular volume of One-Punch Man, the monster invasion comes to the Super Fight tournament; martial arts master Goketsu seeks to recruit strong martial artists to the monster-side by transforming them with monster cells.

Pros:

• A few ongoing pros: the draftsmanship, Saitama (who's characterization has been more consistent over the last few volumes, i.e. with him showing less interest in public opinion), and all of the interesting characters (including Snek, who gets a bit of a redemption in this volume).
• Goketsu's sadistic nature matched with his martial arts skill makes him a very interesting villain to watch
• Mumen Rider is still a complete champ.  What a BAMF!

Cons:

• A few on-going cons: Puri-Puri Prisoner (the whole character, though he did not appear in this volume), the mismatch between the right-to-left orientation of the visuals and the left-to-right orientation of the "sound effects," and details being lost in the binding process.
• I knew it was coming, but I felt the resolution of Goketsu's story was anti-climatic. 
• (Nit-Pick) Suiryu's faces towards the tail end of this volume were expressive to the point of being melodramatic
• (Nit-pick) Women seem to have more or less disappeared from the story once again.

Conclusion:
The tournament arc may be concluded, but now bigger and badder foes threaten our heroes.  The plot has only thickened since the story's inception, and I'm excited to see where it goes.

Final Score:
8/10

"One-Punch Man Vol. 13," by ONE

One-Punch Man, Vol. 13, written by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, stars Saitama, the titular, "One-Punch Man."  After years of training, Saitama has become so powerful he can defeat virtually every enemy with a single strike.  There's just one problem: according to Saitama himself, "overwhelming strength ... is boring."

This particular volume of One-Punch Man features the conclusion of the "Super Fight Tournament," as well as more of the monster invasion.

Pros:

• A few ongoing pros: the draftsmanship, Saitama (who's characterization has been more consistent over the last few volumes, i.e. with him showing less interest in public opinion), and all of the interesting characters.
• I got a bunch of laughs out of this one, whether it was the Super Fight contestants, Saitama being Saitama, or the bonus images between chapters (Tank Top Mumen Rider, anyone?).
• Seriously, Mumen Rider is still a complete champ.  What a BAMF!
• It is fascinating to see the parallels between the Hero Association and the Monster Association, and how there's corruption and jockey-ing for rank in both, as well as the conversation between Suiryu (the man who wants absolute power to make his life easier), and Saitama (the man who has absolute power and is rather bored of it).

Cons:

• A few on-going cons: Puri-Puri Prisoner (the whole character, though he did not appear in this volume), the mismatch between the right-to-left orientation of the visuals and the left-to-right orientation of the "sound effects," and details being lost in the binding process.
• (Nit-pick) Women seem to have more or less disappeared from the story once again, with the exception of S-Class hero Tornado and A-Class hero Okama Itachi (both of which have bit parts in this volume).  

Conclusion:
I am happy to report that this volume was still a pleasure to read, even after all the material from the anime has been covered.  It was also continues to be character-focused, which has only increased my appreciation of the manga.  I'm still invested in the characters and excited to see where the story goes next, especially with the conclusion of the "Super Fight" arc.