17. Fool's Fate

I just finished Fool's Fate, and I have to say...whoa!   That one was the culmination of the all the character building and plotting of the previous books in the Realm of the Elderlings.   This one I couldn't put down.  A bunch of loose ends finally come together for a very satisfying conclusion.   I don't want to give anything away, but I was glad to finally read this book in the series.  I know Fool's Assassin picks up the story, but I think I'll rest this series awhile.    One concept that I really enjoyed was questioning was the Fool truly the White Prophet?  Or was he a false prophet?  Who determines what future the world will take?   The Pale Woman's vision for the future is in complete contrast to the Fool's.   But which would be better for mankind?  The Fool claims that dragons are necessary to keep man's domination of nature in balance.   I considered that for some time.   Unfortunately in our own time and world, it seems we are bent on destroying the earth... Robin Hobb's concept of needing another sentient, powerful lifeform in the world to balance our destruction is fascinating.

Overall, I give this last book in the Tawny Man Trilogy a 5...because I did end up buying both the Audible and Kindle versions.  I couldn't stop "reading" even at the dentist.   So the Audible sustained me while the dentist worked on a bad tooth.

14. Boundaries for Leaders

I love all the Boundaries books, and this one was no exception.  I will eventually have them all in both my Kindle and my Audible because I'm sure I'll revisit these often.   Dr. Henry Cloud is clinical pathologist and leadership expert.  These are the most empowering books I've ever read.    If I had to summarize this book in 1 sentence it is...

Leaders get what they create and what they allow.

If you are a leader at your work, you are ridiculously in charge.   A good leader provides and protects a workplace environment that enables brains to do their best work.  "In other words, our brains need to be able to:  (a) focus on something specific, (b)not get off track by focusing on or being assaulted by other data inputs or toxicity, and (c) continuously be aware of relevant information at all times."   Attention, inhibition, and working memory define a high productivity brain and leader's primary goal should be nurturing function brains.    "In the same way that the brain cannot work without the executive functions in place, it also cannot work if it is drowning in stress hormones."   From my research on the effects of conflict in the workplace, I read that the average unresolved conflict costs the company 8 hours of labor.   As leaders, we cannot allow toxicity to drown the brains of our workplace.  We need a positive emotional climate!

Every chapter is full of useful tips and advice for leaders.  I can't recommend this book enough!

13. Checklist Manifesto

In the Checklist Manifesto, Dr. Gawande highlight the benefits of a simple checklist.   He quotes studies performed in hospitals around the world that found checklists save lives in the medical setting.   I'm all over this concept.   There are checklists all over my house.     The human mind is fallible and as such needs as much help as it can get.  

When hospitals implemented a simple 6 item presurgical checklist:

“On average hospitals missed one of them in a starling two-thirds of patients, whether rich or poor.”  Results indicated:

• Major complications fell by 36

• Deaths fell by 47 percent

• Infections fell by almost half

• Of the study group of 4000 patients, 150 spared from harm expected based on previous results and 27 from death

• “There was also a notable correlation between teamwork scores and results for patients - the greater the improvement in teamwork, the greater the drop in complications”

• 78% actually observed the checklist to have prevented an error in the operating room

This book is a 4/5 on my scale.  I have the paper version and will be adding to "Dr. Darr's Wellness Library" for my veterinary students.  I highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good checklist and wants evidence to back it up!  I also recommend it for anyone in the medical field.  

16. Golden Fool

I finished the book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy last night.  Things finally started happening in the last few chapters!   The story picks up with Tom Badgerlock tying to build a coterie for Prince Dutiful...but unknown forces and factions conspire against the thrown.    Is there a spy in their midst?   (of course there's a spy...there are always spies EVERYWHERE).   Will Tom Badgerlock finally step into the light as claim his true name and place?  

I give this book a 4/5.  I did buy it on my kindle, but I don't think I need the Audible version as well.   This book seemed to drag a bit until the last few chapters.   Tom struggles with how to parent his young adult son, Hap.    I can relate to his struggles as the parent of teen...sometimes you have to let them flounder and be there to pick up the pieces.   Queen Kettriken combats the extreme prejudice against the Witted, but the prejudice is so deeply rooted she struggles to unite her people.    Prince Dutiful prepares for his betrothal quest.  Tom Badgerlock is torn between friendship and duty.

I will warn you...there is rape mentioned in this book but it's not graphically described.   Also be prepared for a very sudden ending!  I was just really getting into the action and BOOM.   It was the epilogue.   I bet the 3rd book is going to be very exciting!

11. Fool's Errand

I finally got around to starting the Tawny Man Trilogy.  The Fool's Errand picks up the story of FitzChivalry (or rather Tom Badgerlock) 15 years after the whole dragon and raiders thing.   Fitz longs for a simple life away from the court and its intrigue.  However, that is, of course, not his fate.   Queen Kettricken summoned him back to Buck to look for the wayward Prince Dutiful.  Did Prince Dutiful run or do the enemies of the crown conspire to ransom him for their own advancement?   Will Fitz be able to find the boy and convince him to come back to marry the Out Islander princess to bring peace to the Six Duchies?  

Overall I thought this book moved fairly slowly, but it was still an enjoyable read.  I have to say I'm frustrated and wish Fitz would just come out of hiding.   He's been hiding in all the books, but it seems as if that's not going to happen any time soon.  

I rate it a 3/5.  I'm perfectly content reading the library's book.  

12. I'm Still Here

This is a fabulous book.   It was powerful and moving to step into someone else's life experience.   If you notice, the author is Austin Channing Brown.  Ms. Brown was deliberately named with a white male sounding name in order to give her a better chance at gaining interviews.  It's the first thing she talks about in her book and I was challenged by my narrow world view immediately.  If you think race is no longer an issue in today's America, I implore you to read this book.    I highly recommend listening to it on Audible narrated by the author's own voice because there's a power to hearing someone's story in their own voice.  I give this one a 3+.  While I only listened to the library's recorded version, I think this one is on my must read list.   I will note that it is somewhat of a challenging read as there are few suggestions on how to move forward.  My husband overheard parts and remarked that "She makes it sound so hopeless."  However, maybe that too can give the white reader a little empathy...racial reconciliation does feel hopeless, and this book doesn't hold back or sugar coat.

10. How to Not Hate Your Husband After Kids -

I listened to this book through Libby and my local library.  It is fun, quick listen.   Jancee Dunn quotes a lot of my favorite researchers including Brene Brown and the Gottman Institute.  If those types of people are you jam, you'll enjoy this book.  It's chalked full of helpful tips and research on relationships.  My favorite take-away:  lower your expectations.  It's better to present and enjoy your family and husband than to obsess over a perfect house.   Dunn is witty and open as she shares anecdotes of her own journey through motherhood and marriage.  I recommend it to friends.

I give it a 3 on my rating scale.  I enjoyed the library book quite a bit, but I don't need to add it to my collection!