Review: Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China

Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Age of Ambition is a very readable commentary on modern communist China. Osnos spent 8 years in China writing for The New Yorker. During his time he met some interesting characters and saw first hand changes in China during a new age of technology. His premise is that there is a great collision going on between the authoritarian government and the aspiration of the individual. Osnos touches on political, social, and economic changes and how they affect every individual living in China today. Osnos' writing is entertaining, taking a subject that could certainly be dry and boring and making it a worthwhile read.

This was an enlightening read and one that makes me appreciate the country I live in, despite the current political pandemonium. Yet, I'm interested in learning more about China and visiting some day. I'm sure there are more changes in China yet to come.

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Review: Written in My Own Heart's Blood

Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I feel like the magic is back in the most recent adventures of Claire and Jamie. Written in My Own Heart's Blood is the latest installment of Gabaldon's Outlander series. We've seen Jamie and Claire go through the wringer over time and once again they are thrown into battle, loss and family tribulations in 1770s Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, back on the home front of 1980s Scotland, Bree is searching for her lost son while her husband is in an unknown time searching for him as well.

The last few books have had the family torn apart and Claire and Jamie constantly pulled away from each other for one reason or another, but this book brings everyone together and strengthens the bonds of couples and families. This book could easily be the final installment, but we know it's not. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next for the Fraser clan. This is easily one of my favorites (not to top the first 3, though).

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