The Fifties by David Halberstam

Wow! Fascinating, informative, enlightening. A whole decade of political, cultural, social policies highlighted and explained clearly. The advent of television, increasing domination and impact of advertising, the beginning of pushback against segregation in schools, the development of the hydrogen bomb and long-range missiles, American Foreign Policy dominated by the CIA and covert actions in Latin America and Cuba, and the list goes on with it all taking place primarily during the Eisenhower Era. I feel like I just enjoyed sitting in on a great history class.

Mozart's Starling by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

Fascinating description of the raising and care of a starling by the author and her family and a juxtaposition of the life of this "pet" starling and the impact of a pet starling on the work of Mozart. Starlings are non-native usurpers in North America and as a result, have been reviled but the reader cannot help come away from this book with an appreciation of one remarkable and delightful representative of this particular species.

Lost Connections by Johann Hari

Finished a very insightful book. Johann Hari in his book, Lost Connections says the following: "Depression and anxiety might, in one way, be the sanest reaction you have. It's a signal, saying--you shouldn't have to live this way, and if you aren't helped to find a better path, you will be missing out on so much that is best about being human." 
Best wishes to all who are suffering mental anguish. The message that you are weak, or biologically impaired is harmful. The Medical/Pharmaceutical Industries offer a plethora of drugs to combat depression and anxiety when in fact, the better solution might be to reconnect with the World around you. Discovering a new meaningful way to connect with Nature, Animals, and other human beings will not eliminate all the sadness but it will likely provide the strength to cope with the sorrows that surround us and skills to focus more on the beauty and relationships the World offers.

The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman

A fascinating but also disturbing book about wild birds that illuminates their types of intelligence, but also reveals their increasing vulnerability to extinction as a result of climate change, habitat loss, and the poisoning of the environment. I have always loved birds, but now I have an even greater appreciation of their adaptive skills developed to exist all over the world in diverse terrains, changing climate conditions and human-impacted habitats. 2018 is The Year Of The Bird. I recommend reading this book, and other books about birds. They are incredible wild creatures, and our World will be sadly diminished by their loss.