Hello and welcome to my personal blog.
I’m Norman Talon, a Maryland resident and what many would call a Gen‑X’er—though mentally, I tend to roam across the spectrum from Boomer to Gen Z. I enjoy reading, especially books in the educational, science, fantasy, spy, and detective thriller genres. I also dip into self‑help and improvement titles from time to time. And because you never really know what you’ll enjoy until you try it, I’ve even explored teen adventure and teenage romance books.
Why This Blog Exists
A blog—short for “web log”—is simply a collection of entries arranged from newest to oldest. It can be a record of ideas, a place for reflection, or even an online diary. For me, this site is all of those things.
Over the years, I’ve thought a lot about memory, aging, and the importance of keeping the mind active. Just as diet and exercise help the body, mentally engaging activities help keep the brain sharp and healthy. This blog serves as my personal logbook of mental exercises—a space where I read, think, write, and stay curious.
There’s also a practical side: I aim to monetize some of these activities. I believe in being transparent, so I’ll say it plainly—your support is appreciated.
Thank you for being here. — Norman
Book Reviews
I’m proud to say I’ve read every book I’ve reviewed—well, almost. Some books weren’t fully engaging. However, I scanned each chapter to grasp the main ideas.
When I first started writing reviews, I wasn’t sure how to approach them. After researching examples and remembering that a review is simply an evaluation—much like a Toastmasters speech evaluation—I found my rhythm. Over time, I hope you’ll notice a progression from “badly written” to “not well written,” as I’ve intentionally left older reviews untouched to show that growth.
Disclosure
This website makes use of affiliate relationships with various merchants. When you click on links to certain merchants or products on this site and make a purchase, I may earn a commission—at no additional cost to you.
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Additionally, this site also takes part in the Bookshop.org Affiliate Program, and may partner with additional affiliate programs as the site continues to grow.
Disclaimer
All opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the views of any merchants featured on this site.
This information is as is and is for informational purposes only. Sources of information are my opinions and online research.