This month, I’m going to highlight a few of the books that I’ve been specifically asked to review. I get these books ahead of release or with a request to promote. So I download them, read them, and review them.
This process is a lot easier now that we have the Internet. One does not have to physically mail a book in order to send it to a reviewer. Thus, procuring a book review is a cheaper process. The book reviewer doesn’t mind getting free books, either!
I gratefully receive these works freely from Amazon First Reads (available via Amazon Prime) and Edelweiss+ from Above the Treeline. I search these sources every months for books that relate to my eclectic interests.
By sharing their works to a limited audience for free, these authors and publishers attempt to create a “buzz” around the release of their work. In turn, they hope this drives up interest and ultimately sales. Thoughtful book reviewers like me can make a difference in a book’s trajectory.
Across the Winding River by Aimie K. Runyan
This work of historical fiction tells the story of a dying father and his daughter. He asks for memorabilia to be brought to him by her, memorabilia from his wartime past as a Nazi soldier. Apparently, he experienced a romance during this time as well. They are both reminded of an era where morality and nationalism meant something different.
The Son and Heir: A Memoir by Alexander Münninghoff
Continuing with the German theme, this work tells a true story of a son who discovers his father’s Nazi past. How does one approach family life when one’s family is inextricably bound to the wrong side? And how does German society overcome being on the wrong side of history? Münninghoff explores these themes as he explores his own history and place in this world.
Web Security for Developers: Real Threats, Practical Defense by Malcolm McDonald
Professionally, I work as a computer programmer for biomedical applications. I keep up with reading in my field, and one of the things I currently track is computer and network security. This work describes web security for software developers. There is currently a gap in the literature about this topic – many books are geared towards business managers or the general public, but not towards developers. This work attempts to fill that gap.
Can I Believe? An Invitation to the Hesitant by John G. Stackhouse
Religious belief is a tough topic to address. Many times, readers only seek to have their personal beliefs (or lack thereof) reinforced. The Canadian theologian Stackhouse tries to reach out to those who do not have developed religious beliefs. He tries to address common questions that keep people from embracing Christianity.
The Social Life of Biometrics by George C. Grinnell
Biometrics are simply things that track life. From Apple’s face identification on the iPhone to eye recognition technology, biometrics are playing an increasingly large role in modern life. Every technology has an effect on the human. What is biometrics’ social role and how can we direct this technology to aid us in seeking a better life? Will bad biometrics simply point out negative differences? These questions are explored as the emerging impacts are addressed.