Brian J. Elizardi

• Rated 4 stars

“Great beech read. ”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 0 stars

“Became interested after reading this NYT essay: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decision-fatigue.html”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Wednesday, August 24, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I will never complain after another run again! A truly remarkable and inspirational story. A must read for fellow runners out there.”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Monday, August 15, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“Shift in narrator was throwing me off. I look forward to coming back to this one soon.”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Tuesday, August 2, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“What fun! I've always been a huge Bond fan and love spy movies, but never stopped to read the originals. It's summer, so I thought I'd start with the first in the series and I'm happy I did. It was fun to see the etymology of the character and compare differences between Fleming's character in the novels (more methodical and premeditated) to the Bond in the movies (more a blunt force to be reckoned with). I didn't care too much for the misogyny, but found it a fun diversion and will enjoy picking up the rest of the series over time.

Read on iBooks for iPad.”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Monday, July 11, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“What a treat to read Stacy Schiff's biography of the iconic Egyptian queen. This was the perfect vehicle for my love of all things ancient Rome and Egyptology and it didn't disappoint. I've never seen Elizabeth Taylor's portrayal of the goddess, but I know that what we know is far from the truth. Schiff details in great depth the smear campaign against Cleopatra and shows her in a true light: as a defiant and astute leader whose political prowess is worthy of praise. Highly recommend. ”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Tuesday, August 9, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“A much needed departure from my last book and a highly entertaining read. Note to potential readers: don't read while your spouse and infant child are sleeping next to you. Reading will cause bouts of laughing loudly and may disrupt them.

Read in iBooks on iPad.”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Wednesday, June 22, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 0 stars

“Fascinating read. Hitting the pause button with it for now. ”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Thursday, May 19, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Freedom seeks to answer a central post-9/11 question that plagues many of us ever since the attacks: if we're so free, then why aren't we happy? To do this, he uses the Mid-Western Berglund family as the vehicle for his sweeping narrative and critique of contemporary society and the modern family.

I found it a towering accomplishment, especially the way that Franzen had me both pitying and identifying with the characters in this book. For example, I both love and loathe Walter's anger and think we all have a bit of his discontentment and helplessness with the way the world unfolds in life. The internal rage at living your life according to external standards and being promised a modicum of happiness and success, only to be left with fear, pain, and resentment at how seemingly out of control our lives can really be.

It took me some time to work through Freedom and at times I found myself feeling somber within its pages, but I'm glad I stuck with it and with the Berglunds through it all. There's a little bit of something for everyone in this work of genius.”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Saturday, June 18, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The best yet. What a treat to see young Harry grow up in this remarkable Hero's Journey of our time. ”

Brian J. Elizardi wrote this review Monday, April 25, 2011. ( reply | permalink )