Standing Out in a Group Essays

Hanging Out in a Group Essays Hanging Out in a Group Essay Hanging Out in a Group Essay Individual Learning Journal 1 Company Name: Fliers for Fires Mark Pond 12930775 Over the most recent 5 weeks I have come to get familiar with a great deal about my gathering not just as far as working in solidarity as one organization, however every part inside it on an individual level. My early introduction of the gathering was one of shock and vagueness as I was a little reluctant whether we would function admirably as a group. This is because of the reality we have six individuals spread across three very surprising nations/societies with these being America, Australia and Saudi Arabia. When at first getting together and meeting everybody just because our gathering experienced a gentle instance of modest ness which eventually brought about Groupthink. This marvel was most unmistakable when we were introducing our different plans to the remainder of the gathering since we as a whole attempted to limit struggle and arrive at an accord without basically testing, breaking down, and assessing thoughts. 1] Evidently, as time went on and we became acquainted with each other on an increasingly close to home level both inside and outside of the study hall and the development of thoughts and gathering conversation advanced permitting us to bond as a gathering and set up the establishments of a promising organization. All through the most recent 21 years of my life I have come to comprehend that I am an individual of two varying attributes. As such I have come to understand that I am both withdrawn and outgoing. When examining matters as a gathering I become incredibly contemplative, except if I have pre-arranged what I needed to state. This was predominant in our first gathering where we needed to concoct thoughts of what we could accomplish for our undertaking this semester. It was in this gathering I had once again from conversation and simply assimilated what others needed to state. Nonetheless, toward the finish of the gathering and after we found out about conceptualizing in class we as a whole left and detailed the same number of thoughts as we could consider for potential occasions we could have. The next week when we re-accumulated to communicate our thoughts, I took the roar as I was solid and steady and had various recommendations that could be utilized. It was during this gathering our first idea (facilitating a reasonable) was settled upon and it so happened to be my thought that got the approval/agreement from the remainder of the gathering. In the wake of finding out about Belbin’s group jobs and finishing the poll, we as a gathering found a ton around each other. When contrasting our outcomes we found that we as a whole appeared to fall under varying classifications with respect to our character as far as hard working attitude, hierarchical aptitudes and how we could all add to the undertaking. In saying so I had the option to distinguish certain qualities and characteristics from each gathering part, permitting me to appoint them to a job inside the organization. My outcomes are as per the following: James Severance (CEO): Team Coordinator and screen (extraordinary authority aptitudes) Luke Wilson: Shaper (because of his capacity to propose different ideas on a similar thought permitting us to make the best occasion inside the thought we concur on) Alexey Potpov: Team Worker (he is acceptable at contributing thoughts and considerations from all offices) Sarah Osman: Specialist (Sarah has incredible composition and drafting abilities, as such she can have some expertise in altering and improving the report). Mohammed Almelahi: Team Worker, asset examiner Mark Pond (Myself): Team Worker, Completer/finisher, Implementer Subsequent to having our concept of the reasonable being invalidated by BUSA because of OHS issues, we were at last back at the starting point as far as thinking of a thought for our undertaking. In the wake of learning further in class about imagination and kinds of reasoning we plunked down and attempted to actualize what we had realized. We found that there are two kinds of reasoning: 1. Vertical reasoning including sound and consistent advances bringing about an evaluative choice. The subsequent sort being horizontal reasoning, which isn't as innovative or sensible and regularly brings about diverted gathering individuals where their brain is all over however the errand close by. The second kind of reasoning was clear when we plunked down utilizing the Delphi strategy and attempted to think of another thought that would be less inclined to dismissal. As such Luke, Alexey and myself were handily occupied and begun talking about what we would do that night as opposed to attempting to conceptualize new thoughts for the gathering. In any case, when we left from each other and gave conceptualizing a shot our own, Luke thought of an amazing thought that is currently the cutting edge focal point of our organization. The most significant component of our gathering is the way that nobody exclusively commands bunch conversations. James our CEO makes a superb showing with getting the gathering centered and starts discussion however specifically it is amazing the manner in which he will move around the gathering and hear thoughts and thoughts from everyone on each issue. This kind of administration works especially well particularly since Sarah and Mohammed are the calmer ones in the gathering. James’s capacity to identify with the thoughtful ness of a portion of our individuals takes into consideration all people to shout out and give their fair contribution to the dynamic procedure. Because of the energy and activity taken by our CEO James Severance, we can work as a gathering with no individuals acting naturally restricted and overruled because of absence of mastery/information regarding the matter. Moreover as we have all proposed different thoughts and go to a consistent concession to one occasion, nobody has been forced, sabotaged or tormented into consenting to do anything they didn’t feel sure about contrasted with different gatherings that have encountered this difficulty. In the wake of examining the article ‘When individuals raise a White flag’ we had the option to draw numerous parts of how to make and keep up a balanced, ready, task orientated gathering. This article/practice helped us become increasingly acquainted with one another’s nearness and permitted us to gain proficiency with a smidgen about one another regarding cooperation, trust in each member’s capacity to not raise a white banner/surrender and at last build up specific objectives and targets we wish to accomplish at the finish of the occasion. One of the most significant things I have learnt in the course of recent weeks, is that all together for a group to capacity as well as could be expected, trust/kinship my first be set up. Toward the beginning of the semester and after the gatherings had been picked by the diverse CEO’s we thought that it was hard to associate as a gathering. This was on the grounds that we didn’t know each other and the main explanation we needed to meet was a direct result of the current venture. In any case, as the week’s turned over and we started to convey outside of class, I felt that group solidarity was growing, particularly between Luke, James and myself where we have begun to call each other in any event, when it’s not business related. This out of class companionship has reinforced our hard working attitude as a group and has expanded the correspondence level between bunch individuals. I accept this has given me more prominent certainty to communicate my thoughts and feelings and at last shout out significantly more than I did toward the beginning when I was self-constraining myself because of not knowing anybody. In the wake of finishing the Hofstede practice on social measurements in class this week, it was intriguing to take note of the social contrasts between our gathering individuals. Sadly just Mohammed, James and myself were available for this activity however at any rate I had the option to decide the distinctive quality’s between every one of the three societies in our gathering. As James is from USA, their wasn’t a very remarkable distinction between our societies as our nations are fundamentally the same as in pretty much every perspective. The greatest contrast I found was with Mohammed’s social foundation. Mohammed is from Saudi Arabia and as such his nation was found to have a generally high force separation. As a rule this will identify with individuals from that nation communicating their own thoughts and not being smothered by others regardless of whether they are in a dictator position. Above all anyway nations with this powerful separation generally break down and consider a thought before settling on any impulsive choices and plunging into the profound finish of the pool. The way that Mohammed just concurred with everyone’s idea’s and didn’t propose any of his own had me frightened as his way of life would recommend that he do the specific inverse. Moreover, any individual who originates from the Middle-East and specifically Saudi Arabia is by all accounts raised in an exceptionally saved and traditionalist society, where they should build up a type of trust/kinship with somebody before directing business. Maybe as Mohammed essentially concurred with the thoughts and didn’t truly express his genuine thoughts he was scared by how rapidly we got passed the ‘getting to know one another’ stage and was constrained into ‘shy-ness’, along these lines getting contemplative. To date we have tagged along route as a gathering. Together we have defeated obstacles, had our proposition dismissed by BUSA, further figured thoughts, based on our friendship’s on an individual level between bunch individuals and at last have made some extraordinary memories up to this point filling in as group ‘Fliers for Fires’. I feel that I despite everything have significantly more to gain from/about my gathering individuals as they do about me, and I accept once we start to place our proposition enthusiastically we have the dedication and capacity to direct an awesome occasion with all returns going towards Victoria’s fire casualties. [1] http://en. wikipedia. organization/wiki/Groupthink

If all countries were democracies, there would still be war Essay

In the event that all nations were majority rule governments, there would in any case be war - Essay Example Does it follow then that if all the nations on the planet were vote based systems, there would be no war pitting one with the other Is equitable harmony conceivable I would contend in this paper while there is as yet the chance of war in this situation, it is less inclined to happen when contrasted with a situation wherein undemocratic nations exist. My line of reasoning would be what Achen (1986) called as the determination impacts contention. An investigation of contentions would show that most wars pitted one type of system with another and that popular governments will in general win more frequently than other political frameworks. They do so on the grounds that they are progressively cautious in concluding whether to start war. They select their situation by assessing the impacts and in many cases vote based systems discover wars as a dangerous endeavor. The investigations of prevention of Fearon (1994) and the majority rule harmony by Rousseau et al. (1996) call attention to the job that fair discretionary establishments play in restricting the chance of war between vote based systems. ... Nonetheless, I don't guarantee that this dread takes out the chance of war however it shows that solitary when they make certain of triumph would majority rule governments include themselves. The essential point is that when nations do become majority rule governments, they become progressively productive in taking up arms since they become increasingly wary and lead more assessments on the likeliness of triumph. A genuine case of how this functions was appeared in the 1898 Fashoda Crisis when fair France dodged war with the British after their assessment have given them they military mediocre. This demonstrates vote based systems will in general be increasingly serene and conciliatory with others in light of the fact that their political establishments compel pioneers from seeking after hostile international strategies. A subsequent contention is that majority rule governments rehearses opportunity of articulation and offer higher caliber and amount of data. There are numerous advantages from the bounty of value data one of which is empowering government organizations to improve arrangements. This is conceivable on the grounds that popular governments take into consideration the incredible conversation of option and accommodate an open dispersal of thoughts. A free press, one of the striking highlights of vote based systems, gives another obstacle to taking up arms. At the point when the media has constrained government control and oversight, they are bound to uncover the imperfections in regards to outside and nearby arrangements and improve administration all the while. Measurable examinations directed by Snyder (1991) and Van Evera (1994) demonstrate that the affinity for irresponsible wars diminishes as media control diminishes. Reiter (1995) appeared in an exact investigation that media compositions compel government authorities to discharge higher caliber and less one-sided data. Interestingly, nondemocratic systems have

See What Book Rioters Are Reading this Week

See What Book Rioters Are Reading this Week In this feature at Book Riot, we give you a glimpse of what we are reading this very moment. Here is what the Rioters are reading today (as in literally today). This is what’s on their bedside table (or the floor, work bag, desk, whatevskis). See a Rioter who is reading your favorite book? I’ve included the link that will take you to their author archives (meaning, that magical place that organizes what they’ve written for the site). Gird your loins â€" this list combined with all of those archived posts will make your TBR list EXPLODE. We’ve shown you ours, now show us yours; let us know what you’re reading (right this very moment) in the comment section below! Amanda Nelson The Transmigration of Bodies by Yuri Herrera, translated by Lisa Dillman: Herreras  Signs Preceding the End of the World was one of my favorite reads of last year, and his newest is a noir-ish tale of two crime families battling it out in the middle of a plague. Yes, please. (paperback) Everfair by Nisi Shawl: An alternate history steampunk re-imagining of the Belgian occupation and colonization of the Congo. What more do you want? (ARC, September 6, Tor). Angel Cruz   Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter: I love all of Sarah Porter’s books, so I’m super excited to start this retelling of Vassilissa the Beautiful. (ARC) Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen: I seem to be reading lots of Sarahs these days. Andersen’s comic strips on Twitter are hilarious, and I fully expect to enjoy this collection. (Paperback) Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz: Filipina MCs are few and far between, and de la Cruz will likely make me emotional as I read through this novel. (e-ARC) Sarah Nicolas   Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins: This one’s been on my radar for a while, but I finally checked out the audiobook after some Book Rioters chattering about the series last week. Just finished it today. (audiobook via library) Their Fractured Light (Starbound, #3) by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner: I just finished This Shattered World and had to wait two days (aka FOREVER) for this one to come available via my library. Fingers crossed for a stellar (*ahem*) end to this series. (audiobook via library) Eleanor Park by Rainbow Rowell: I’ve had a signed copy for a while, but I go through audiobooks 10 times faster than paper books, so I just checked this one out on Overdrive. (audiobook via library) Kate Scott   The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: I just started this and I am SO excited! (ARC) One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: I actually checked this out from Overdrive accidentally. Happy accident! (Audiobook) If Eve Only Knew by Kendra Weddle Irons Melanie Springer Mock: An introductory book on Christian feminism. Last month I read a Christianity Today article by Mock in response to the North Carolina Bathroom Bill about how she (a straight, cis-gendered woman) was routinely kicked out of women’s bathrooms because she looked like a boy. It was a compelling article and I discovered her book as a result. (Paperback) Liberty Hardy   The Hike by Drew Magary (Viking, August 2): I’m a huge fan of Magary’s book The Postmortal. Also it was pitched as “Cormac McCarthy writes Alice in Wonderland” so of course I had to get it. (e-galley) Culdesac by Robert Repino (Soho Press, Nov. 15): A novella continuing the Mort(e) story! The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Sept. 6): I don’t know anything about this other than I was told it was amazing. Just about to start! (galley) Katie McLain   The Troop by Nick Cutter: I’m using this for a book talk assignment for grad school, but really,  I just wanted an excuse to reread one of the scariest books I’ve ever read. (hardcover) Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie: One of my romance reading selections for class.  I’m not typically a romance reader, but I’ve heard so many good things about her that I’m excited to start reading! (hardcover) Jesse Doogan   A Woman’s Place by Katelyn Beaty: This subject, a Christian/biblical look at feminism and a woman’s role, is extremely close to my heart, and I’ve been gobbling up this book. It’s so encouraging. I want to clear my schedule to finish it so I can buy a copy for everyone I know. Creativity Inc. by Edwin Catmull: I’m reading this in a book club at work, a chapter at a time. This book is about a 50/50 split of the history of Pixar and leadership training, and it’s fascinating. The most readable business book I’ve ever picked up. (hardcover) Aram Mrjoian   IQ by Joe Ide: I love a good mystery, but don’t necessarily read them that often. Was stoked to pick up this debut on the premise of Sherlock and hip hop, and it’s proved to be good fit for the midsummer heat. (ARC) Annika Barranti Klein   Empress of Fashion: A Life of Diana Vreeland by Amanda Mackenzie Stuart: this is a library borrow for last months wlClub that I am terribly behind on. (Hardcover) A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab: the sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic. Reading on my Kindle, but I also have the hardcover and I wish it was easier to switch between them. (Ebook) Sharanya Sharma   The Prince of Shadows by Rachel Caine: I love retellings, and Im on a growing kick for Romeo Juliet retellings that feature Benvolio Rosaline as the protagonists. This particular version also has Benvolio acting as an Italian Robin Hood. SWOON! (E-book) Rebecca Hussey   The Art of Waiting  by Belle Boggs: I’m reading this for a review. It’s about infertility and all the complications and difficult decisions that come along with it. (Paperback ARC) The Fire This Time, edited by Jesmyn Ward: I’ve read Jesmyn Ward’s two most recent books (Salvage the Bones and Men We Reaped) and loved them both, so I’m excited to start this collection of essays she edited. (egalley) Derek Attig   The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers: I needed something light and fluffy, and this Firefly-meets-Futurama-meets-other-great-stuff space jam is exactly that while still being interesting. (ebook) Tasha Brandstatter   Drops of God, Vol. ‘04 by Tadashi Agi: I’ve been wanting to read this manga for YEARS and it’s finally available in English! (Or at least the first four volumes are… I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself when I finish this.) E.H. Kern   Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole: A while back I changed how I pick my next read. Since then I have discovered several really good writers. My most recent discovery according to my new way of doing things is Myke Cole. This is his debut novel from a few years back and I am really enjoying it so far. (Paperback) Ashley Bowen-Murphy   Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward: Somehow I missed his book when it came out in 2013. I blame grad school. At any rate, I cant really imagine a more appropriate book for the last few weeks. This memoir is so much more than that its a reflection on race, gender, and region that transcends the personal. (Ebook) The Heavenly Table by Donald Ray Pollack: This book pushes all my buttons. Southern gothic, historical fiction? Sign me up. Multiple generations of a family story? Added bonus. (e-gally) Track of the Cat (Anna Pigeon #1) by Nevada Barr: I started this as research for a piece Im planning on the National Parks Service. Its a fun mystery series set in US national parks. Some of this early book (it came out in the early 1990s) is a bit dated but, on the whole, its as fun as any modern mystery novel. (Ebook) Danika Ellis  Under Threat by Robin Stevenson: This is YA book about a teen girl whose parents are abortion providers and start getting death threats because of it. She finds comfort with her girlfriend, but her girlfriend doesn’t entirely share her views on a woman’s right to choose. This was such a fascinating premise, I had to pick it up. It’s nice to read a lesbian YA book that begins after the main character has come out. This is in the Orca Soundings series, a hi-lo (high interest, low reading level) book, so it’s a quick read, but it’s definitely interesting, and it skillfully juggles a lot of different elements for how short it is. (Paperback) Jamie Moore Insurrections by Rion Amilcar Scott: Picked up this book because Ive enjoyed this writer’s short stories, and this book brings together his connected shorts to provide a collective portrait of the fictional town Cross River. Not to mention, hes a Kimbilio fellow, and this community of writers have been killing it. (Digital arc) The Veins of the Ocean by Patricia Engel: I loved Vida by this author, and from the premise of this book, I knew Id be pulled into this novel. Grief, love and family also get me. (Hardcover) Shelter by Jung Yun: Very early in this book, and its been buzzy, so I picked it up to be sucked into the lucid descriptions of family drama. (Hardcover) Susie Rodarme   Futureland by Walter Mosley: I was looking specifically for a PoC sci-fi author to read on Overdrive and this book caught my eye. I’m already enthralled with it. The writing is luscious. (ebook) Why Diets Make Us Fat: The Unintended Consequences of Our Obsession with Weight Loss by Sandra Aamodt: I saw this at the library and noticed it was written by a neuroscientist, which is 1000% in my wheelhouse. It’s full of sciency goodness. (library hardcover) Swapna Krishna   The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight:  I did not know what to expect with McCreight’s latest novel (YA? Crossover? I’m not quite sure) but it’s definitely engaging. It’s a little unbelievable, but if you’re good at suspending disbelief to enjoy a novel, you should be good with this one.  (galley) The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory:  Though I read most of Gregory’s historical fiction, I wasn’t rushing to read this one because I’ve read the story of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth wife, so many times in both fiction and nonfiction. But Gregory has a way of putting a spin on things you don’t expect, and I found this novel riveting, regardless of knowing the history intimately.(paperback) Elizabeth Allen   So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport:  Our fearless captain, Amanda Nelson, suggested this particular book to me after a session of me whining about not knowing what I want to be when I grow up. Although I will admit, I’m still grappling with his disavowal of passion as an important aspect to loving your job.  (audiobook) Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean:  After I read my first two romance books on Sarah MacLean’s recommendation, I figured I’d give one of hers a shot!  So far I love how snarky and quick her female characters are.  (ebook) Andi Miller   Toil and Trouble issues 1-6 by Mairghread Scott and Kelly and Nichole Matthews:  This six-issue series of comics reinvents the three witches from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. In this series they’re not barely-there crones dancing around a cauldron, but sorceress badasses who control Scotland’s fate. (print) Lab Girl by Hope Jahren is perhaps the surprise of the year for me. This memoir touches on the author’s love of science and laboratory life in such a lyrical, soothing, touching wayit has hit me right in the feels. Jahren’s voice on audio is a treat. (audiobook) Amanda Diehl   You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein:  I’ve been craving some new non-fiction lately and this sounded so hilarious that I went out and grabbed it as soon as it came out. I’ve also heard a lot of good things and the reviews have been pretty favorable! (hardcover) Offensive Behavior by Ainslie Paton:  I saw it described as a “near-Olympian turned pole dancer meets laid-off drunkard virgin tech tycoon.” So clearly I had to get my grubby mitts on it immediately! (ebook) Destined for a King by Ashlyn Macnamara:  The cover is so gorgeous that it prompted a second look from me while I was browsing NetGalley. The heroine sounds all sorts of kickass and in romance, I love the whole “nursed back to health” trope. (egalley) Claire Quigley   Arcadia by Iain Pears: This one was recommended by one of my go-to Booktubers, Jen Campbell. This book has been likened to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, a series that has left a fantasy-and-multiple-worlds-narrative shaped hole in my heart. I’ve only just started Arcadia, but so far things are looking promising! (Paperback) The Great Degeneration by Niall Ferguson: This is a short non-fiction book I picked up a few days ago. I decided to give this one a go because I live in the UK and things are kind of falling apart here politically. This book suggests the key building blocks of civilization, so I’m hoping it might help pull me out of a crisis (if not on a national scale, then at least personally!). (Paperback) Kelly Anderson   Necessity by Jo Walton: Reviewing this one soon! Also the first two were pretty amazing if you like thought experiments or alternate worlds or are just a big old classics nerd (especially that last, actually). St. Kilda, Island on the Edge of the World by  Charles Maclean:  I love books about vanished worlds, and this is a doozy of one about a society on two islands in the Outer Hebrides (emphasis on outer) off the coast of Scotland that disappeared in the face of modernization and changes in politics and culture. It doesn’t hurt that it’s pretty well written, too. Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius: I’ve just begun a fascination with books about neuroscience (at least ones that this non-medical expert can understand). This one is all about the neuroscientific principles that underlie meditation and mindfulness practice. If you’re curious about the why of how meditation works to improve the brain beyond metaphors, I’d recommend it. Nicole Brinkley   Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn: Heroine Complex, which just hit shelves this month, has been on my radar for a while now. Lady superheroes, hidden powers, a war against evil demons in San Francisco? Yes, please! I’m a few chapters in and so far it’s really snarky and a lot of fun perfect for those who love the tone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or comic books like The Adventures of Squirrel Girl. (ARC) NewsPrints by Ru Xu: This graphic novel fell into my lap at work and I immediately loved the artwork. The rest of the book about Blue, a girl disguising herself as a boy to sell newspapers, who stumbles across a strange boy named Crow and a possible conspiracy with her at-war country is beautifully illustrated and a lot of fun. Perfect for ages 8 12, but will be a huge hit with an older audience, especially for fans of Fullmetal Alchemist. (ARC) Nicole Froio   My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, this book is slow but after a while it started feeling like reading really juicy gossip about the characters and I’m not mad about it. (Physical copy) All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, I’ve been trying to stay interested in this book, but it’s not really working. I really love all the bits about Marie-Laure but I’m not super interested in the rest. Hopefully I’ll come around. Sarah S. Davis   Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a King novel, but one night I was having trouble concentrating on reading and picked this up. It’s very entertaining with a thrilling plot and wry observations. It’s also the first in a trilogy with the latest novel released this spring. (MMPB) A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab. I feel like I’m the last person to read this, but now I understand the hype. A sort of lyrical and lush fantasy. (Hardcover) Infomocracy by Malka Older. As an information scientist, I am definitely interested in reading novels about how information can be controlled and manipulated for political gain. This novel is all-encompassing, with brilliant pacing met with relentless action. It’s a terrifying dystopian look at how the government and special forces can contain informationand with it, humanity. (Hardcover) Alex Laffer   Acceptance (The Southern Reach Trilogy, Book 3) by Jeff VanderMeer: I couldn’t get the strange, distorted environment of Area X out of my head. Disquieting, compelling, thought-provoking, this is truly great speculative fiction. (Paperback) Being a Beast by Charles Foster: I read a description of the author eating worms to experience being a badger… I had to get the book after that. (Hardcover) Teresa Preston   The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale: I really enjoyed Summerscale’s previous book, Mrs. Robinson’s Disgrace (and I still haven’t gotten around to her most popular book, The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher). This book is about a 13-year-old boy who murdered his mother in 1885. Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman’s Journey with Depression and Faith by Monica A. Coleman.  I’m just getting started on this memoir by a womanist theologian learning to live with bipolar. It was one of Rachel Held Evans’s recommended reads for this summer, and I’m interested in the intersection of faith and mental illness. The added dimension of race is a plus as well. (e-galley) Tracy Shapley   How to Set a Fire and Why by Jesse Ball. I super love this book but it’s my “read in bed on my Kindle after my partner goes to sleep” book and he’s been going to sleep so damn late recently that I haven’t made hardly any headway on it. Can’t wait to really give myself some dedicated time to enjoy the subtle humor.    (egalley) The Good House by Ann Leary. This book does an incredible job showing how deep denial can be for alcoholics and how frustrating it can be for people watching it. (Hardcover; library) Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America by Jill Leovy. God damn is this hard to read. Sad, important, powerful, etc. etc. but so sad! This non-fiction book discusses IN DETAIL the hugely high murder rate in South Central Los Angeles and what a few dedicated homicide detectives are trying to do about it. And when I say IN DETAIL I mean that by the time you finish this book you’ll know what every single person in this book had for breakfast every day of their life. SO MUCH DETAIL.  (Hardcover from the Book of the Month Club) Jessi Lewis   Best American Science and Nature Writing, 2015, edited by Rebecca Skloot. I try every summer to catch up on the Science and Nature version of Best American. It always has some of the cleanest, clearest examples of eco nonfiction. Music for Wartime by Rebecca Makkai. I really enjoyed Hundred-Year House, so I’m taking on this one now. I’m really excited to hop into this short story collection. Johann Thorsson   Dark Water by Barry Napier. A Fox Mulder-type main character with psychic powers has been kicked out of the FBI and is now investigating the mysterious drowning of two boys after children’s laughter and wet footprints appear in one of the victim’s family’s home. Spooky page-turner. (eBook) Crossing the Sea: With Syrians on the Exodus to Europe  by Wolfgang Bauer. Two journalists pose as Syrian refugees to experience first-hand what refugees are currently going through to get themselves and their families to Europe to escape the civil war in Syria. Powerful. (eBook) Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin. Want to be good at something? Anything at all? This book explains how prodigies in music and sports are not really prodigies but simply exceptional at practicing, and how you can become world-class at anything (given time and single-mindedness). (eBook) Tara Cheesman   Congo: The Epic History of a People by David Van Reybrouck   Because I’ve spent years looking for a history book on the Congo region of Africa that moves past its colonial period and into the twenty-first century. Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors by Sarah Stodola I’m obsessed with writing hacks and Sarah Stodola’s book lets me observe famous authors (like Hemingway, Nabokov, Didion and Zadie Smith)  in their natural habitats. Jamie Canaves   Rich and Pretty by Rumaan Alam: It was high on my TBR list and it was a BOTM selection making this month’s pick easy! So far its the perfect book for before bed reading.’ (Hardcover) History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera: Because I loved More Happy Than Not I didn’t read a single thing about this book I just dove inâ€"and immediately got kicked in the heart! (egalley, January 2017, Soho Teen) Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: I really liked Signal to Noise so going back to Mexico City with Moreno-Garciathis time with vampireswas a no brainer! (egalley, Oct. 25, Thomas Dunne Books ) The Possessions by Sara Flannery Murphy: Sufficiently WTF with an underlying ick factor with “ghosts making it hard for me to put down. (egalley, February 2017, Harper) Ines Bellina The Best American Travel Writing edited by Andrew McCarthy: This annual compilation of travel essays and articles is my go-to for keeping up with the evolving nature of the genre. Not to mention that it also opens my mind to destinations I hadn’t even considered. A mermaid camp near Gainesville, Florida? Yes, please! (Paperbook) Travel with Myself and Another: A Memoir by Martha Gellhorn: In my attempt to correct my own narrow reading history, I’ve been seeking more women travel writers. Martha Gellhorn was an obvious choice. A renowned war correspondent and writer in her own time, I love how she reveals the ugly truth and dark crevices of  any worthwhile trip. There is zero gloss and froth in this book. Thankfully. (Paperbook) Molly Wetta   The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh: This was the first book I checked out from my new library! I’ve heard great things about this and wasn’t sure if it would be for me or not, but thought I’d give it a chance when I saw the pink cover. (hardback) The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker: the bright, colorful galley caught my eye at the American Library Association conference last month, and then I discovered it was a debut about female friendship and one character is a lesbian and I was sold. (ARC) Faithful by Alice Hoffman: I’m burning through fall adult fiction galleys, and this one is next on my list! Everything about the description (love! family! fate!) appealed to me and I have yet to read a novel by this author. (ARC) Hannah Oliver Depp Closed Casket: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie / Sophie Hannah:  I admit it, I enjoy a good posthumous dabble provided the writer has the chops. Poirot is in high form and dungeon in this take on Christie’s beloved detective. Not a perfect Christie (not even Christie’s were all perfect Christie’s), but so far a stellar who done it. (ARC) The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club  by Dorothy L Sayers: Another golden age mystery. I take my mystery book group all over the place within the genre, but this month I am introducing them to my favorite writer with her take on the inter war period and her take on shell shock and poverty in London. Oh, and the most brilliant, piffle spilling detective to grace the page. (Paperback, Bourbon St Books, Harper Collins) An American Utopia:  Dual Power and the Universal Army by Frederick Jameson, ed. By Slavoj Zizek: An aggressive take on what a a liberal society could be, Jameson has never been one to pull punches, whether on the topic of idealized communist societies or the failings of capitalism. Here several cultural critics and philosophers respond to his manifesto in an amazing debate. (Hardcover, Verso) Lumberjanes Vol. 4 by Noelle Stevenson, etc.: Who can say enough good about Lumberjanes? No one. This volume does not disappoint. I loved getting more background on the camp and still having my curiosity for the core mystery at the heart of these kick-ass scouts lives increased. The holy kitten has been good.  (Image Comics, Paperback) A.J. OConnell A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson: The follow-up to Wilsons Sorcerer of Wildeeps is set in Great Olorum itself. Like Wildeeps, it is a love story, intercut with an emotionally harrowing tale about politics, science and the gods. This novella is maybe 100 pages, but its the densest 100 pages I have read in a long time. (egalley) Jessica Woodbury   Under the Midnight Sun by Keigo Higashino: I am hooked on Higashino, who writes the kind of intricate mysteries Agatha Christie would appreciate. This novel is a break from his normal style, following the children of murder victims through the decades that follow. (e-galley) The Story of a Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam: I saw a blurb by Garth Greenwell (who wrote this year’s excellent What Belongs To You) and saw a setting of a Sri Lankan refugee camp and couldn’t say no. So far it’s incredibly visceral and moving. (galley) Rachel Manwill Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. Ive been waiting patiently to read this most anticipated book of the year, and so far its living up to all the hype and more. And reading it immediately after finishing Yaa Gyasis debut Homegoing is basically the most epic and timely one-two punch of American fiction. (September 2016, Doubleday)