Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me by Ralph Macchio

Book #3 in 2025
4.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I was a huge fan of Macchio after seeing The Karate Kid when I was younger. He’s one of the rare expectations to my not having any school girl crushes on famous people. I enjoyed listening to him read his book. I’ve heard about Cobra Kai but I haven’t any of the episodes. Now I want to!

Macchio talks about his role in The Karate Kid franchise. I like that he embraces Daniel and knows of the importance of the character he played and how this character helped others. I didn’t feel like I was sitting down talking to Macchio while listening. It felt more like I was listening to him speak at a lecture but that didn’t distract from the book for me.

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

Book #2 in 2025
2.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

While this was a relatively quick read, I didn’t like it. I felt like nothing was really happening or the same things were happening. I figured out (or suspected) who the killer was early on. I didn’t connect with any of the characters.

Christa and her boyfriend Kiernan are on a bus heading to a remote lodge in the mountains. They encounter a storm and everyone must take shelter in an abandoned cabin. Kiernan is lost in the storm. Overnight the trip director is found dead. Then someone else dies. There’s a murderer among them. Can Christa figure things while trying to go out and find her boyfriend before it’s too late?

Stop here if you want to avoid spoilers!

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Still Just a Geek by Wil Wheaton

Book #1 in 2025
4.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would when I first started. The audiobook is long as just under 24 hours. But I found it went quickly and I didn’t feel like it was dragging along. Wheaton reads his book Just a Geek published in 2004 and makes notes about what he wrote almost 20 years ago.

His former self wrote a lot of things he’s not proud of. There’s a lot of apologizing for what was previously written. While that can get old for some, I think it’s good to recognize that the way you through in the past can and should change or sometimes your younger self just doesn’t know what he or she is doing as well as a more mature and experienced adult.

I’ve known Wheaton was in Star Trek Next Generation and have watched some episodes. I’ve also seen him in some of his Big Bang Theory appearances. But I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself a fan. I didn’t know he has dealt with depression and anxiety. I didn’t know he has two adopted sons. I didn’t realize he was into gaming and writing.

I feel like he’s someone I’d enjoy talking with just as a friend. He has had struggles that he has overcome but overall has a good shoulders on his head and just wants to be a better person for himself and others.

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes

Book #51 in 2024
4.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I wanted to end my 2024 reading on a good note. This was an excellent choice. I recommend the audiobook version so you can hear the actor’s voices. While Cary Elwes is the main narrator, others join in to offer little snippets.

I had fun listening to these tales about the making of The Princess Bride.

Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events by Brent Spiner

Book #50 in 2024
2.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

This was a flop for me. Perhaps because it was fan fiction and inspired by true events rather than a more traditional biography or memoir this didn’t work for me. There are some funny parts but overall I didn’t care about what was going on.

Being Henry: The Life of Fonz…and Beyond by Henry Winkler

Book #49 in 2024
4.5 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

This is so far my favorite autobiography I’ve read. Ron Howard’s is a close second. I’ve watched reruns of Happy Days and knew he was part of MacGyver, which I grew up on, but otherwise I didn’t know much about Henry Winkler. This book read like he’s a friend I just met and he’s chatting with me about his life.

He seems so down to earth and humble. He thinks about others before himself. And he loves dogs!

Open by Andre Agassi

Book #48 in 2024
4.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I thought this was well done. I felt sorry for Agassi, especially in the beginning but it was nice to see him prevail in many aspects of his life. It would have been nice had the audiobook been read by Agassi bu the narrator’s voice was similar.

I’m family with Agassi as a tennis player that I used to watch but didn’t know much about his personal life other than he had been married to Brooke Sheilds and is currently married to Stephanie Graf. Being a professional tennis player isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of travel. It can also be lonely.

The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family by Ron and Clint Howard

Book #47 in 2024
4.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I felt like this is a down to earth look into the Howard family. The stories are relatable and told with love. I like that the family has stayed true to themselves through their fame. Sure, they had some hardships but in the end found their path again.

I’m more familiar with Ron Howard as an actor and director compared to previous memoirs I’ve listened to. It was refreshing to see that even as a kid he had a good head on his shoulders. He didn’t take things for granted.

I’ve know that Clint Howard often has a small role in Ron’s films but I didn’t know much about him as an actor or person outside of that.

After finishing this book I’m inspired to be nice and work hard while remembering friends and family who help you out along the way.

True Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between by Gretchen Whitmer

Book #46 in 2024
3.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

Another audiobook that I listened to as part of my cochlear implant rehab. Another, for me, average biography. There were some interesting stories but not a lot of depth.

Making It So by Patrick Stewart

Book #45 in 2024
3.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I enjoyed this as a audiobook with Patrick Steward as the narrator. It was decent as far as memoirs go. I liked hearing about different aspects and times of his life.

I didn’t necessarily like reading about his cheating on his wives, but I suppose that’s part of his story so it should be shared. He has a bit of an ego but at least he knows that part of him exists.