User Profile

DigitalRob

DigitalRob@ramblingreaders.org

Joined 1 year, 8 months ago

Father, Husband, Teacher, Geek, Beer Sampler

Was both @MrWsTweets and @DigitalRob on the bird site, but now I'm just one on Mastodon: defcon.social/@digitalrob

EdTech #LEGO #Reader #bookstodon #Geek

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/1856040-rob Also, DigitalRob on TheStoryGraph: www.thestorygraph.com/

I taught H.S. English for 10 years, moved to teacher support, then to the principalship. Now, I work with a small amazing team to keep our district's technology safe, current, and working.

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DigitalRob's books

Currently Reading

2025 Reading Goal

24% complete! DigitalRob has read 6 of 25 books.

Suzanne Francis: Disney’s Frozen: Olaf’s Quest (Disney Press) 3 stars

Olaf, Arendelle’s adorable snowman, loves to read. One day, an unexpected message leads Olaf and …

Fun listen! Made me wish my kid was young again.

3 stars

So, three out of five probably isn’t fair since this book isn’t meant for me, and I’m sure if I was five years old, I would have given it at least four stars, possibly five if I was a girl too.

Olaf is my favorite character in the Frozen oeuvre, and since this was short and free on Audible, I thought I’d add it to my collection in case I needed something refreshing. Well, after my last non-fiction book, I definitely needed a palate cleanser, and this worked really well.

Olaf’s is questing for a mysterious library in a city over the mountain and through the woods. Along the way he collects new stories from his friends and those he meets. Some of the stories seem very familiar, while a few are unique to this story. I loved the one told by the sheep herder.

This was fun to listen …

Renee DiResta: Invisible Rulers (2024, PublicAffairs) 4 stars

An “essential and riveting” (Jonathan Haidt) analysis of the radical shift in the dynamics of …

Invisible Rulers: A Chilling Look at Our Post-Truth World

4 stars

This book is an eye-opening exploration of how influencers and their audiences have shaped our current information ecosystem, for better or worse (and it’s mostly for worse). DiResta’s clear writing makes even complex concepts easy to understand, but the book’s disturbing implications about our current information culture in the United States can be a difficult pill to swallow. It’s rare that I consider quitting a book because of the content over the writing, but I definitely struggled. In the end, if knowledge is power, the book has been worth the struggle.

One of the book’s strengths is its detailed examination of the history and development of the post-truth society. DiResta begins with the anti-vaccine movement and the measles outbreak, then moves through the evolution of propaganda from the printing press to the internet. She also explores the role of influencers in shaping culture, politics, and society, and how their unchecked …

Rick Riordan: The mark of Athena (2012) 5 stars

The Mark of Athena is an American fantasy-adventure novel written by Rick Riordan, based on …

Still love the characters! Ready for the next one.

4 stars

The Mark of Athena continues Rick Riordan's tradition of crafting engaging and interesting characters within the Heroes of Olympus series. The groundwork laid in the first two books regarding the backstories of the new characters pays off here, allowing for a seamless continuation without excessive exposition.

While the characters grapple with self-doubt and internal conflicts, their overall development remains relatively static compared to the previous installments. However, the strength of their established personalities and relationships carries the narrative forward, making them enjoyable to follow.

The overarching plot is undeniably intriguing, keeping the pages turning at a steady pace. However, the journey to the central conflict is peppered with numerous side-quests, a signature element of Riordan's writing. While these diversions offer additional excitement and world-building, I occasionally found myself yearning for a more direct path to the main story.

Although the primary objective of this particular quest is achieved, the ending …

Robert McCammon: Leviathan (Hardcover, 2024, Lividian Publications) 5 stars

Amazing Ending! Wonderful Callback! I loved it!

5 stars

Robert McCammon delivers an amazing finale to the Matthew Corbett series with Leviathan. From the first page to the last, the tension is palpable, the action relentless, and the mystery intriguing without being overly elusive.

McCammon masterfully ties up the loose ends of his beloved characters—Fell, Greathouse, Berry, Corbett and even Cardinal Black —giving each a satisfying conclusion to their individual arcs. The story is peppered with nostalgic callbacks to previous novels, serving as delightful "Easter eggs" for long-time fans of the series. These subtle nods to past adventures added an extra layer of enjoyment for me.

The epilogue leaves the door open for future adventures, hinting at the possibility of more "problem solver" mysteries to come. While this may be the end of Matthew Corbett's story, McCammon's world is rich with potential, and I, for one, would eagerly welcome further exploration.

"Leviathan" is a must-read for fans of the …