Books on Jarrod Blundy

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:43:48 -0400

Finished reading: Apple - The First 50 Years by David Pogue 📚

Fantastic book. I really like Pogue’s writing style. One for the annals of Apple history.

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:21:32 -0400

Started reading: Artificial Condition The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells 📚

Okay, let’s see where this story goes…

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:24:33 -0400

Finished reading: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan 📚

I highly recommend this one! It goes down quick and smooth, but will keep you thinking about it long after you finish the final page. Keegan captured the inner dilemma of human morality here.

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:05:46 -0400

Started reading: Apple - The First 50 Years by David Pogue 📚

Got it as an audiobook via my library/Libby. I just love it when books are read by the author themselves. They get the names and cadence of everything right. I can already tell it’s going to be a fun — and well-produced — listen!

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:36:03 -0400

Finished (re)reading: The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss 📚

Some of the most beautiful prose I’ve ever read. If you’ve ever held love for inanimate objects (and who hasn’t?), I think you’ll connect with this book. It holds a special place in my heart. 👍👍

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:27:24 -0400

Finished reading: The Expert System’s Brother by Adrian Tchaikovsky 📚

Interesting… 👍

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 22:51:16 -0400

Finished reading: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel 📚

I can tell this is going to be one of those books that I think about again and again. (Like Piranesi) 👍👍

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:04:34 -0400

Finished reading: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway 📚

Made for a quick listen on my long ski today. Not the most impactful book, but intriguing enough to keep my interest for the full eight hours. Compelling characters!

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:08:52 -0400

Started reading: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway 📚

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 10:59:21 -0400

Finished reading: Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe 📚

So…I liked most of the characters, some of the time. Frustrated by many choices they made, but nobody’s perfect. I unexpectedly came away with much more empathy and respect for OnlyFans work. I’m cautiously optimistic for the upcoming show.

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:45:03 -0400

Started reading: Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe 📚

It’s debuting as a show on Apple TV soon and it looks great!

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 12:10:09 -0400

Finished reading: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer 📚

A harrowing tale… that nonetheless stoked my passion for the mountains — despite their inherent dangers. 👍

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 23:43:55 -0400

Started reading: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer 📚

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 23:32:16 -0400

Finished reading: Apple in China by Patrick McGee 📚

This book makes Apple’s acquiescence to Donald Trump’s authoritarianism make even more sense. It’s not their first game. They know the playbook well.

It’s an enlightening tomb. A little dry, but the second half really picks up. 👍

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:57:56 -0400

Started reading: Apple in China by Patrick McGee 📚

Finally available from my library (via Libby). Let’s see if all the positive reviews hold up. (Based on the prologue, they will.)

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:53:13 -0400

Finished reading: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall 📚

Holy smokes, what a book! Both the story and science were each captivating. Definitely got me fired up for running, and getting back into barefoot shoes. 👍👍

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:27:21 -0400

Finished reading: Dirtbag Billionaire by David Gelles 📚

Though it lionizes Chouinard and glosses over some of his distasteful qualities more than necessary, this book made me appreciate Patagonia as a company and it sure wouldn’t be the same without him. It’s been through the wringer over its 50+ years, and still sticks to its values and purpose. 👍

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:05:56 -0400

Started reading: Dirtbag Billionaire by David Gelles 📚

I’ve long been fascinated by Yvon Chouinard’s story from, well, dirtbag climber to luminary billionaire who started Patagonia and what would become Black Diamond.

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:54:23 -0400

Finished reading: The Sharp End of Life by Dierdre Wolownick 📚

Y’all know Alex Honnold of Free Solo fame. His mom’s book recounts her life — difficult marriage, self-doubt, and her incredible tenacity through it all. In pursing her own outdoor adventures later in life, she found clarity and purpose.

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 01:16:29 -0400

Finished reading: Hangdog Days by Jeff Smoot 📚

These true stories of early climbers, their feats, and their feuds read like fiction. But people are incredible!

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:28:13 -0400

Started reading: Hangdog Days by Jeff Smoot 📚

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:03:22 -0400

Finished reading: On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder 📚

Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.

This book is short, but I can’t call it sweet considering the political climate in the U.S. It offers a sobering look at the similarities between Soviet & Nazi regimes, and the first Trump term. It’s shorter than some of your favorite tech podcasts and you should give it a read or listen.

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:02:16 -0400

Started reading: On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder 📚

Do not obey in advance.

Defend institutions.

Beware the one-party state.

Take responsibility for the face of the world.

Remember professional ethics.

Be wary of paramilitaries.

Be reflective if you must be armed.

Stand out.

Be kind to our language.

Believe in truth.

Investigate.

Make eye contact and small talk.

Practice corporeal politics.

Establish a private life.

Contribute to good causes.

Learn from peers in other countries.

Listen for dangerous words.

Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.

Be a patriot.

Be as courageous as you can.

Mon, 19 May 2025 17:51:49 -0400

Finished reading: Brian’s Hunt by Gary Paulsen 📚

Thus ends the Hatchet Adventure series. They sure do make you want to escape to the woods.

Mon, 19 May 2025 13:40:08 -0400

Finished reading: Brian’s Return by Gary Paulsen 📚

Food for the soul.

Sat, 17 May 2025 16:37:26 -0400

Finished reading: Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen 📚

Fri, 16 May 2025 23:00:25 -0400

Finished reading: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen 📚

I’m enjoying going back through books I loved as a kid. This is one that shaped me.

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:06:15 -0400

Finished reading: Frightful’s Mountain by Jean Craighead George 📚

Another solid entry in the series. One more to go.

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:27:16 -0400

Finished reading: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George 📚

This book was formative for me back in my middle school years and is precisely why Peregrine Falcons are my favorite bird. A quick read, but certainly makes me want to run away to the woods. I’d forgotten the disappointing ending, though.

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 01:08:35 -0400

Finished reading: My Murder by Katie Williams 📚

Ooh this is a good one. An intriguing premise that morphs, twists and turns unexpectedly, and ultimately delivers.

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:53:21 -0400

Finished reading: Becoming Steve Jobs by Brent Schlender 📚

Goodness, what an extraordinary person. This recounting of his life is the best I’ve read, and certainly reveals more humanity than the rest.

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 15:43:29 -0400

Finished reading: Penric’s Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold 📚

A decent little tale, but I don’t think I’ll continue the series.

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 15:41:23 -0400

Finished reading: The Push: A Climber’s Search for the Path by Tommy Caldwell 📚

Fantastic story, expertly written. Tommy Caldwell’s desire for excellence and perseverance to get there is an inspiration!

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 01:28:51 -0400

Finished reading: Stuck in neutral by Terry Trueman 📚

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:37:30 -0400

Finished reading: Endurance by Alfred Lansing 📚

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:50:14 -0400

Currently reading: Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills by The Mountaineers 📚

It’s about time I got to “the bible” of climbing tombs.

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 09:42:53 -0400

📚 Finished reading: Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words by Steve Jobs 👍👍

What a uniquely remarkable person.

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 23:47:58 -0400

Finished reading: States of Adventure: STORIES ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF BY GETTING LOST by Fitz Cahall 📚

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 23:07:11 -0400

Currently reading: Alone on the Wall by Alex Honnold 📚

I’ve read this before, but am enjoying it a second time (as an audiobook this time). Honnold’s soloing and character might not be for everyone, but I appreciate his zero-bullshit demeanor and respect the hell out of his passion for climbing. If you want to know why he solos, it’s hard to beat going straight to the source.

Wed, 29 May 2024 20:04:18 -0400

Finished reading: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 📚

After being in and out of loans for over a year, I finally marathoned my way through 80% of this book in the last few days. And sprinted through hours of reading today, both because the story was compelling and because my loan ended today.

I loved how imaginative this book was while still being (somewhat) rooted in reality — at least scientific constructs. I spotted many holes in the logic, but none were so glaring that they detracted from the overall story of survival, ruthless ingenuity, and friendship. And (spoiler) I appreciate a tale in which alien contact is curious and cooperative, rather than confrontational.

I recommend it!

Sat, 18 May 2024 14:38:34 -0400

Finished reading: Down by Andy Kirkpatrick 📚

Getting down from a mountain is often more complicated and riskier than climbing it in the first place. Andy wrote the essential book of techniques to do so safely. I learned more than a few new things, and will review it regularly to stay up to speed.

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 17:40:53 -0400

Finished reading: Rock Climbing: The AMGA Single Pitch Manual by Bob Gaines 📚

Pretty much all review concepts, but a great brush-up for my Single Pitch Instructor course this weekend. 🧗

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:33:09 -0400

I don’t usually have multiple books going at once, but in an effort to maximize March is Reading Month, I now have a bedside book, a downstairs book, and an iPad book. 📚

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:32:06 -0400

Currently reading: Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words by Steve Jobs 📚

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:27:34 -0400

Currently reading: Self-rescue by David J. Fasulo 📚

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:26:50 -0400

Currently reading: Accidents in North American Climbing 2023 by American Alpine Club 📚

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 01:32:35 -0400

Finished reading: The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss 📚

Pat’s writing envelopes my mind like a warm embrace. The prose is so unique. I really enjoyed this small story about Bast, and the ‘Author’s Note’ bit at the end nearly as much.

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 22:18:11 -0400

🔗 Buying DRM-Free Audiobooks - Flamed Fury

That’s it. Nine steps to audiobook freedom. Also, shoutout to Libro.fm for being cool and a not-so-friendly “sup?” to those annoying publisher restrictions. Who needs borders on stories, anyway?

Bookmarking this for later use. 📚 🎧

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:58:00 -0400

‼️📚 A new Kingkiller Chronicle! It’s not the ever-elusive Book 3, but it’s sure to whet the appetite. The Narrow Road Between Desires:

From dawn to midnight over the course of a single day, follow the Kingkiller Chronicle’s most charming fae as he schemes and sneaks, dancing into trouble and back out again with uncanny grace.

The Narrow Road Between Desires is Bast’s story. In it he traces the old ways of making and breaking, following his heart even when doing so goes against his better judgement.

After all, what good is caution if it keeps him from danger and delight?

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 23:14:29 -0400

Oooh! Look what just arrived! I’m in for some light reading! 📚🧗

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 12:45:11 -0400

Finished reading (again): Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 📚

Just as excellent on the second read through. This is one that sits with you, like a river-smoothed stone you can’t help but continue to turn over in your pocket.

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 01:36:32 -0400

Finished reading: Indie Microblogging by Manton Reece ★★★★ 📚

Wow, @manton really did a nice job laying out the history and building blocks of the web, and how they influenced his design and passion for Micro.blog. This book made me want to blog more. 😁

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 22:27:51 -0400

Finished reading: Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose 📚 ★★★★

I saw this movie years ago, but never read the screenplay until now. It’s a fascinating look into how a jury’s deliberation should work. I so appreciated Juror 8’s calm determination to examine the facts as they had been presented, and consider the question “Do I have reasonable doubt?” It’s hard to imagine I could stay that collected in such a situation, though I like to think I would.

The movie is going back on my to-watch list.

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 17:15:42 -0400

Currently reading: Indie Microblogging by Manton Reece 📚

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 01:07:28 -0400

Currently reading: Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose 📚

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:28:15 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #12: Sons of Destiny by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★☆ (Back to rating things with four stars, that way I can’t sit on the fence.)

Although nearly half the book was all explanation instead of action, I’m impressed with how the author pulled the pieces of the saga together. It betrays the telltale signs of a well-considered arc, which I appreciate.

Although this will likely be the last time I revisit the Cirque du Freak series, I’m glad I reread it. It was fun to sink back into the imagination of my youth. Overall, it’s got good, varied characters and a compelling story. And the Darren-Shan-as-both-author-and-protagonist schtick is a creative twist. 👏

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 15:04:39 -0400

Currently reading: Cirque Du Freak #12: Sons of Destiny by Darren Shan 📚

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 14:45:35 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #11: Lord of the Shadows by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★☆

I expected more out of this book, which really only boiled down to three or four pivotal scenes. And it seemed like Darren was avoiding responsibility for many of his actions, which grew tiresome. Too much of, “I wanted to do this, but this part of me wouldn’t let me do it.”

It’s saving grace was the big reveal at the end, and refusal to shy away from heinous acts in what could have ostensibly be considered a children’s book.

(By the way, I think I’m simplifying to a three star rating system.)

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #10: The Lake of Souls by Darren Shan 📚 ★★☆☆

So much tedium and travel. Very Lord of the Rings-esque in its (unnecessary?) detail. But a good payoff at the end!

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Finished reading: Rock Climbing Anchors: A Comprehensive Guide (The Mountaineers Outdoor Experts Series) by Craig Luebben 📚 ★★★★

Sun, 22 May 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Finished reading: Artemis: A Novel by Andy Weir 📚 ★★★☆

Thu, 12 May 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Finished reading: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 📚 ★★★★

Strange and wonderful, this book captured my imagination as thoroughly as a labyrinth. Piranesi’s goodness and awe brought me joy.

The idea of multiple minds sharing the same body seems to be all the rage lately, but it’s also oddly comforting. One can be whomever they choose – without losing who they were before – they just need to think it.

I think this won’t be the only time I read Piranesi.

Tue, 03 May 2022 01:47:00 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #9: Killers Of The Dawn by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 01:45:00 -0400

Finished reading: The Trad Climber’s Bible by John Long 📚 ★★★★

When I purchased this book, I thought it would be a classic how-to book full of anchoring and climbing techniques, diagrams, and tips. I was right that it was chock full of suggestions, but completely wrong thinking it would be anything but a “for dummies” type guide.

Legends John Long and Peter Croft use an interesting way of weaving best practices into anecdotes of when these two old-school climbers had to learn them for themselves back when they were pioneering great climbs in North America. I’m so glad that I started with this book in my re-entrance to trad. It reminded me that everyone starts at the beginning, and that’s okay.

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 01:44:00 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #8: Allies of the Night by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

Wow, I’d forgotten how much happens in this book! A return of so many old characters, plus love and betrayal? This is a good one. A little odd how much the trio gives in to the trap they’re clearly in, but hey, gotta keep it dramatic, right? We’re right at the edge of what I remember from my original read-through of the series, so the next few books should be a blast.

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 01:40:00 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #7: Hunters of the Dusk by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

The time jumps in these books get me a little bit because it doesn’t seem like Darren matures (internally, not externally) as much as he should. But the author does a good job getting us up to speed and onto the next adventure quickly. I enjoyed the return to the Cirque, however short-lived, though the crux battle and reveal of the book really happens in a flash.

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 01:39:00 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #6: The Vampire Prince by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

Darren’s maturity in his attitude toward death and murder stuck out most to me in this book. He returns the prodigal son when he exposes the Vampaneeze, but there are consequences — dire ones. Darren finally becomes more self-dependent here, too. After all the action in the last book, The Vampire Prince sets us up for the next stage in Darren Shan’s story.

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 01:37:00 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #5: Trials of Death: Book 5 in the Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★★

The action really picks up here in Book 5! We see Darren with a thirst to prove himself and then have to hold his own in the Trials. I enjoyed the background and traditions during the festival and how Harkat became a more well-rounded character. The ending leaves me hungry for more and to see how Darren will fare beaten, betrayed, and on his own.

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 01:25:00 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #4: Vampire Mountain by Darren Shan 📚★★★☆

This felt like a setup book, with Darren getting to know more about vampire culture than ever before. The time jump (8 years!) was a little jarring, and though Darren doesn’t seem that much more mature, I appreciated the development of trust between him and Mr. Crepsely. As I recall, with things established nicely in this book, the story gets more exciting in the next ones.

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 01:13:00 -0400

Finished reading: Cirque Du Freak #3: Tunnels of Blood by Darren Shan 📚 ★★★☆

On this re-read, I was struck by how enthralled I get in the story, despite it being written for teens and already knowing the plot. In this installment, Darren learns of the Vampaneeze, explores his boundaries for interacting with humans, and his relationship with Mr. Crepsley is tested in new ways.

I liked it, but it’s short and doesn’t push the overall story forward too much. I rate it 3 stars not because it was bad writing, but because it feels like it served as an explainer book more than anything.