Thomas Hanes

Book Review – The Dresden Files: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Imagine you’re flipping through the Yellow Pages, and there it is – a listing for a professional wizard. No, it’s not a joke. Meet Harry Dresden, the man who decided that being a wizard in modern-day Chicago is a marketable skill. “Storm Front,” the inaugural book in Jim Butcher’s “The Dresden Files,” plunges us into a world where magic is real, and it’s as messy as you’d expect.

Book Review – The Dresden Files: Storm Front by Jim Butcher Read More »

Book Review – SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome – Picture a 600-page epic on Roman politics. Imagine senators power-tripping, emperors with God complexes, and citizens toggling between riots and gladiator games like a binge-worthy reality TV show. Beard masterfully herds this chaotic circus into a compelling story, starting with the bloody murder of Tiberius Gracchus in 133 BCE.

Book Review – SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard Read More »

Book Review – Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Two weeks ago, I swapped my usual wizarding escapades for Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs. Newsflash: reading it won’t turn you into a tech genius overnight. But it’s a wild ride worth taking! From tech innovation to perfectionism (ahem, obsessive pixel-polishing), Jobs was a genius wrapped in a reality-bending, god-complex package. Isaacson’s book doesn’t hold back, revealing everything from Jobs’ turbulent family life to his rollercoaster reign at Apple.

Book Review – Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson Read More »

Book Review – The Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore

Take a dive into the shadowy depths of the Forgotten Realms with the Dark Elf Trilogy! Starting with “Homeland,” we meet Drizzt Do’Urden, a dark elf trying to avoid becoming as twisted as the society that raised him. If you think dark alleys and political backstabbing are fun, wait till you see Menzoberranzan! It’s like “Game of Thrones” meets high fantasy but swap dragons for giant spiders. Salvatore’s straightforward writing and rich world-building make it an engaging read, even if you sometimes have to wade through slower bits. Intrigued? Strap in for a rollercoaster of sword fights and moral dilemmas!

Book Review – The Dark Elf Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore Read More »

Book Review – Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Ever fancied the idea of diving headfirst into political chaos and royal drama? “Wolf Hall” is your ticket! Journey with Thomas Cromwell from humble blacksmith’s son to the exalted position of Henry VIII’s right-hand man. Mantel’s lush descriptions will transport you to the gritty, unwashed depths of the 1520s Tudor court. Expect to navigate through complex characters, tense courtly intrigue, and a narrative style that’ll keep you on your toes. Ready for a historical rollercoaster?

Book Review – Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Read More »

Book Review – Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Curious about how we went from swinging in trees to swiping right on Tinder? “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari is your golden ticket! This rollercoaster ride through millions of years of human antics covers everything from the Cognitive Revolution (when we supposedly ‘got smart’) to the Agricultural Revolution (aka history’s worst con job). Harari’s witty breakdowns of our species’ greatest hits—and misses—make complex ideas laugh-out-loud accessible. Ready to find out how your morning coffee is linked to ancient grains and mythology? Buckle up and dive into our whirlwind past!

Book Review – Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Read More »

Scroll to Top
×