Chicago’s Famous Fair Targets Serial Killer by Alexandra Serrato

Around the blooming years of 1893, when the Chicago World’s Fair also known as The World’s Columbian Exposition was under construction, serial killer H. H. Holmes acquired the fair as a target to find his victims. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, is a nonfiction novel focused on the construction of The World’s Columbian Exposition and crime being committed around the same time. Murderer H. H. Holmes and architect Daniel Burnham are the main characters of the novel, who counteract but have a connection between them. I would rank this book a three out of five stars, because the novel contains some very high points, with attention-grabbing and exciting sections, yet it also had some low historical sections, that weren’t all that fascinating. I recommend this book to adult who are interested in the evolution of the city of Chicago. The Devil in the White City, would not necessary be a book one would read for fun. However, I would not say this novel is not for teenagers, because it provides good historical information about the city of Chicago as well as an outstanding theme one can walk away with after reading the novel. 

Murder Case Files: Clutter Carnage by Jaime Baeza

The Clutter case originated from Holcomb Kansas in the late 1950’s; during this time, the quite suburban town was struck by chaos due to the brutal murder of the Clutter family on a fateful day. The case was written in a book named In Cold Blood, written by Truman Capote who, in his nonfiction investigation of the murder, dictates the events that occurred before and after November 15, 1959 when the Clutter family, were murdered by Richard Eugene Hickock and Perry Edward Smith with a .12-gauge shotgun. The book begins with the Clutters who go about their daily business, until Dick and Perry, after a long drive, pull up to the Clutter home with a shotgun ready to massacre the unsuspecting victims; the corpses were discovered the next day and the pursuit of these men began, with detectives investigating the case. The book gets a rating of 7 out of 10 stars overall. The book was a well-developed investigative reporting that has credible facts, and a precise chronological order that helped the author produce an in-depth analysis of the event. Although at some points it would drag on becoming boring such as the plot development leading to the ending, it became really interesting as the case lead up to it so that’s why it deserves this rating. In conclusion, In Cold Blood was a very fascinating book that I would recommend to others. I would recommend this to people such as open minded people who are interested in mystery and murder cases.

The Hidden Side of Everything, Freakonomics by Yagdizie Martinez Perez

Often times, people are so worried about doing things exactly right, trying to be perfect. In reality, humans are far from it! Freakonomics is an interesting book that jumps from one topic to another because the authors are trying to provide the readers examples so they can understand what the point the authors are trying to make is. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner wrote this book in such way that they provide the readers statistical data and real-life examples in order to create credibility. Furthermore, the book discusses how stereotypes are developed by individuals that make presumptions about people’s lifestyles. Rating the book on a personal opinion on a scale from 1-10, ten being the best, I would rate this book an 8 because the topic is hard to engage with. After reading this book, I question those who portray themselves as perfect. Portraying yourself as perfect would mean that you are never willing to cheat for your own benefit. The book gives a new point of view that describes how people react to situations in a self-benefiting way. Personally, I would recommend this book to anybody who is interested in the study of human behavior.

Murders in Chicago by Jovanny Vargas

The year was 1893, murder and mystery had begun to rise in the most dangerous city in America: Chicago, Illinois. The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson talks about the good and evil of life, and the life of Daniel Burnham and his challenges to designing the Chicago World’s Fair and become a famous architect. As for H.H. Holmes, the other character in this thrilling book, is a serial killer that exploits the fair for a number of suspicious reasons. With a rating of 4/5 this book keeps the reader entertained and thinking as to why the characters do what they do. This book is for anyone who enjoys reading about mystery, crime and American history in a time where America was in the process of evolving.

The Silent, Fighting For a Place in This Loud World, But Still Outspoken by Many by Sarah Supangan Unger

We live in a world that is heavily dominated by loud people and the quiet ones are often pushed away to the side, regarded as shy, boring and insensitive. The silent and timid people of the world are outspoken by the louder ones and are therefore fated to stereotyping by those that think this world should be full of loud people, not shy or intellectually thoughtful about anything.

 

Quiet by Susan Cain is a book about introverts (the quiet ones) in an extrovert (the louder ones) world in which no one notices the introverts because they are indeed quiet so people think that they are not fit for our world and must become loud like the rest. The book is very interesting because as a reader, I learned so much more about introverts and their way of thinking that many do not fully understand. The author analyzes everything about introverts, going in depth about their characteristics and their incredible importance in our world surrounded by outgoing people. The book deserves an enormous thumbs up because the author understands introverts, as she classifies herself as one, and by reading the book the reader can understand introverts and their existence with extroverts. The evidence is substantial in proving her points which is also what makes the book very well written. I would recommend the book to an audience interested in psychology and the characteristics of these two types of people because the book is full of thought and the way the minds of these people think.

Mute by Stephanie Santoyo

“Why are you such a quiet person?” Have you ever come across a situation in which you were asked this? Not just in a causal tone, but more of a concerned, distraught, and do you need “help” manner? Where whomever asked it, meant it in a way where being “quiet” was wrong and should not be practiced? Quiet, by Susan Cain, is an informative piece in which Cain expresses and displays the psychological perception to which why one is quiet or as some may interpret it “introverted.” Reading the publication will not only increase one's knowledge on introversion, but also has been scientifically proven to cause an introvert to feel more comfortable in their personal lives as a quiet human being. The piece also includes the situation of  introvert, Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, who is living proof, the quiet characteristic does not interfere with one's potential in any shape or form and does not harm ones life. Steve Wozniak is only one of the several historical figures mentioned, who as an introvert has created a foundation of success for himself and those around him. This writing definitely deserves its five star rating and should be read by both introverts and extroverts due to Cain addressing and specifying to all information in regards to an introvert. Anyone seeking to increase their knowledge on introversion or for mere curiosity of the quiet characteristics that introverts hold, must definitely get their hands on a copy of Susan Cain’s Quiet.

WHY BEING QUIET IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS BEING LOUD by Jesse Salas

In the loud and exciting world of today, one might not feel the ability to fit in, and that is okay.

Quiet by Susan Cain is a nonfiction psychology book about introversion and extroversion in society. Cain is an introvert and has lived a life of one until she broke out of her shell, which is the reason she wrote on this subject.  The book is fueled by her personal experiences and research on the topic. She carries the argument that no matter the temperament one has, it is important to appreciate and accept the weaknesses and strengths of both introverts and extroverts throughout the book. This book is rated a four out of five stars since it was great in that it used research effectively to create more developed and convincing arguments. However, it could have been better, possibly if the author used more emotional appeal to grasp a tighter hold on the readers. I recommend this book to my peers, especially peers who have experienced low self-esteem or depression since Cain does such an outstanding job promoting acceptance and embracement in one’s self.