The Bin

Happy Sunday, readers and writers! Today I want to introduce you to a book which might be helpful for those of us who are not the most familiar with wireless technology and how to use it safely (i.e. with proper data security). It’s not an easy book, but it’s fascinating once you get past all the technological jargon. In this post, I am reviewing Computer Networking: The Complete Guide to Understanding Wireless Technology, Network Security, Computer Architecture and Communications Systems (Including Cisco, CCNA and CCNET) by Michael B. White.

Computer Networking covers a wide variety of topics related to wireless technology, including what wireless technology is, examples of wireless devices, how certain wireless technologies work, and even how to stay safe while using wireless networks. By the end, readers will have learned about several of the kinds of wireless technologies and devices used in the modern world and how to use them properly. Additionally, readers will have gained a brief insight into how wireless technologies have come about and evolved as well as what the future might hold for these technologies and wireless networks.

This book is a treasure trove of knowledge about computer networking and all the related technologies. It seems to leave no stone unturned, providing readers at several levels of technological knowledge with something new to think about. Personally, White broadened my understanding of what wireless technologies and devices are and how long they have actually existed. I also learned more about how all of this technology is connected and works together, such as how computer networks are used to control public telephone networks. In this day and age, the information on securely using wireless networks and other wireless technologies will prove particularly useful for those who are not too savvy on how all of this works.

However, this thoroughness makes the book more for readers who already have a basic knowledge of wireless technology. Otherwise, the reader might get a bit lost and confused in that sea of knowledge. Frankly, a lot of the information in the beginning—but after the introduction to wireless technologies and devices—feels unnecessary if you just want to know enough about this technology in order to navigate the modern world. For example, I felt the writing drag down quite a bit as White explained how satellites work. That sort of information seems more like it is for those who are delving deep into how this stuff works as part of a hobby or a career choice, rather than those looking to understand the progressively more advanced technology around them. I also had to re-read many sections in order to understand some of the terminology and processes, which sometimes caused my attention to fade temporarily.

That being said, this guide is perfect if you are truly interested in learning about the wireless world. If you just want to know what wireless technology is and how you can use it, I suggest skipping around to parts like the book’s introduction, the introduction to wireless technology, the introduction to computer networking, the conclusion, and the sections on security in regards to wireless network, data, and wireless technology. Of course, any section which explains what a certain wireless device or technology is will also be a great help to those who don’t know what every single one of these is already. (I severely doubt that any reader will know what all of them are and what they do without any doubts, so I definitely recommend paying close attention to these sections even if you think already know this information.) If you are interested in how we got to this point and where these developments will take us, I also highly recommend reading the sections on the key milestones in computer networking history, the future of wireless technology, and the future of wireless networking.

Overall, Computer Networking by Michael B. White is a great guide for this topic. It’s thorough, well-informed, and well-organized. Still, don’t expect a quick read and do not expect to understand it all from one reading alone. To fully absorb all of the information, you must read the book, or at least some sections, multiple times; you might even have some related terms that you will have to look up. It also would have been useful if White had included resources which readers could use to conduct their own research on the subject. You might even have to find some more basic books if you don’t have a firm foundation with wireless technology when you start reading this guide. If you have a strong, basic understanding of this topic, though, Computer Networking will supplement your knowledge very well and teach you to view the wireless world in new ways.

You can find Computer Networking by Michael B. White on Amazon.

Do you know of any books I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!

So much to talk about, so much to do, and so little time and will for any of it. TGIF! I hope everyone has had a good and productive week. I’ve been thinking a lot about investing lately (mostly thanks to mirco-investment apps like Acorn and Stash), so I thought I would start the weekend off with a review of a book on a particular kind of investment: real estate. Today, I’m reviewing Modern Real Estate Investing by John Harvey.

There is no such thing as “easy money.” Some sources of income, though, are easier than others, even in the elaborate and confusing world of investment. But with the wide variety of opportunities and significant risks, which investment is the easiest option? There is no “one-size-fits-all” sort of investment guaranteed to be easy and right for everyone. Nevertheless, the experts at Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services recommend those looking for a truly passive, tax-sheltered income consider a little-know kind of real estate investment for an easy monthly income: a Delaware Statutory Trust, or DST.

In their new book Modern Real Estate Investing, John Harvey, David Kangas, and Trawnegan Gall of the Cornerstone firm give readers an in-depth analysis of this unique investment category. The book covers almost everything that a potential investor would want to know: what a DST is, its history, the advantages and disadvantages, the risks, etc. Case studies, charts, tables, and other visual aids accompany the information, making the more complicated concepts accessible. By the end, readers will have everything they need in order to make an informed decision on such an investment; whatever they don’t understand, the appendices and list of resources in the final pages can surely help clear up.

First and foremost, I should mention that the writers are surprisingly balanced in their presentation of the information. Of course, they focus on the positives of the DST as they are trying to convince readers that it is a viable investment opportunity. Regardless, they also thoroughly cover the disadvantages and risks. They do not hide anything just because it will make the option seem less appealing; instead, they show the reader everything about the trust and the structure behind it, even the illiquidity and lack of control over the property. Yet they also emphasize that the good outweighs the bad, allowing readers to make their own decisions while providing them with some necessary guidance.

I must say that this is not a light read. Given the subject matter, Modern Real Estate Investing utilizes a lot of financial and legal jargon. Fortunately, the writers explain each concept enough that even a novice will, eventually, understand what is being said; just don’t expect the experience to be effortless on the reader’s part. The topic also makes the writing rather dry. However, it picks up when discussing the advantages of a DST and when demonstrating the potential financial gain. The visual aids and case studies, which are themselves diverse and fascinating, keep the reader from being too overwhelmed by the facts. As all the information is crucial, one must just take the dull with the exciting.

That being said, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to enter the world of investment or diversify their portfolio. Career people wanting to supplement their income will especially need this book. As the writers explain, the DST is passive income that does not require the investor to take care of the property as other real estate investments do, and so the DST is ideal for people who simply cannot devote the time to being a landlord or hands-on investor. First-time investors will also appreciate the comparisons with other forms of investment, which will help them to decide whether or not the DST is the right investment for them to make.

Now, not everyone should read this book. In all honesty, those with lower incomes will not find it very useful. After all, the average investment for a DST is $100,000 ($25,000 for a direct investment). At more than 300 pages long, this book would take too much time from those without true interest in investment. Clearly, the writers are not presenting a “get rich quick” scheme. Still, Modern Real Estate Investing is an eye-opening glimpse into the structure and process of some forms of investing, and so those with a genuine interest in investing, regardless of income, will find it worth the read.Overall, Modern Real Estate Investing by John Harvey, David Kangas, and Trawnegan Gall is both informative and helpful. The writing isn’t the most engaging, but you will not find a more comprehensive guide to the DST. Best of all, as one author is the owner of Cornerstone and all three are licensed general securities representatives, you know the writers know what they are talking about. Before making any real estate investment decisions, read this book. You’ll be glad that you did.

You can buy a paperback copy of Modern Real Estate Investing by John Harvey on Amazon and through Barnes & Noble.

Do you know of a book I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!

Trigger Warning: The book reviewed in this post, Where Wildfires Glow by Mutch Katsonga contains depictions of abuse and violence. If you are triggered by such depictions or otherwise wish to avoid them, proceed with caution.

Well, everyone, my county has been through Hell the past week, but for the most part, we’re still here. In case you did not see in my previous post, a rapidly-growing wildfire has been devastating my neck of California, getting within twenty miles of my parents’ house. Fortunately, the fire has since changed directions and slowed down its growth, and our amazing firefighters have now brought it to thirty percent containment. Unfortunately, we’re not out of the woods yet, as made evident by the fact that my grandparents’ area is still under evacuation orders. Still, life goes on, and I am here to bring you another book review. Proving that the universe has a twisted sense of humor, today’s book is Where Wildfires Glow by Mutch Katsonga.

The grass is always greener on the other side. At least, that’s what they say. We always envy those who have more than us materially. We assume that because they have a good house, a nice car, and financially comfortable lives that they must not have any problems to complain about. Yet money or no money, all humans have problems and at one points, everything has to come to a head. Such is life at Resnik Manor in Mutch Katsonga’s Where Wildfires Glow.

State Trooper Elmer Reed is on the trail of a supposed stalker terrorizing hikers and campers. He has finally caught up to the suspect, and things are about to take a very bizarre turn. Instead of an adult creep, Reed has discovered a twelve-year-old runaway from one of the richest, best-known homes in the area, Resnik Manor. But who is this boy? If Resnik Manor is so well-off, why did he run away? Most importantly, what will become of him now that he has been caught by the authorities?

What unfolds is the heart-wrenching story of a poor boy forced, alone, into a very unfamiliar environment filled with lies, deception, sex, alcohol, and violence. Where Wildfires Glow follows this boy as he tries to adapt to his new life, survive mistreatment, and make sense of this complex, drama-filled family which has taken him in. While everyone, including his social worker, thinks that he is lucky to be taken into this world, looks can be deceiving. After all, everyone has skeletons in their closet just waiting to claw their way out into the open.

Regular readers of this blog might recognize Mutch Katsonga as an author I have reviewed before, first for Beyond the Spiral Gates and then for The Ghost Years. I have come to expect emotionally real, dark, and somewhat bizarre stories from this author, and I am happy to say that Where Wildfires Glow does not disappoint. That also means that this story is not for the faint of heart. Katsonga ensures to keep things just detailed enough readers to understand what is happening while not being overly-graphic. Regardless, the inclusion of child abuse, teenaged sex, and alcoholism is not censored or softened. They are represented in their full reality, something which sets Katsonga apart from and above other writers like him but might also cause more sensitive readers to steer clear of his works.

Where Wildfires Glow explores parts of society which are too often overlooked in mainstream works, including homosexual couples, single-parent families, and abused children. Better yet, Katsonga does not just make the characters stereotypes; he explores their individual personalities, making each character stand out as unique individuals. From Dave, the “Clark Kent” tutor, to Raven, the Gothic and rebellious teenager, and even the main character himself, each character clearly has their strengths, their weaknesses, and their vulnerabilities, some of which are puzzling until revelations are made later in the story. Yes, some character stereotypes are used—Raven in particular comes to mind here—but Katsonga turns these stereotypes on their heads and uses them as a way to critique how we view “different” people through a very shallow lens.

There is a lot of exposition and commentary on the lessons and emotions the character face in the narration. At first, I thought this would annoy me as I am usually a strong advocate for “show, don’t tell” unless the writing style calls for a different approach. In the case of this novel, it seems that the writing style does justify “telling” over “showing”. I soon found that the exposition and commentary enhanced my emotional engaged with the story and established a certain tone and much-needed backstory, and the story would not be the same without it.

Katsonga takes some chances in the writing style of this novel, in particular with trying to write a journal entry, in a transcript style for a radio show, and trying to record TV coverage of an event. I believe these risks paid off, although more so for the transcript and TV coverage than the journal entry. These experiments make the book even more realistic, especially in regards to how tragedies are covered, and most of the methods are executed surprisingly well.

My only real complaint comes from some proofreading errors in the copy I read. A few were more noticeable, such as a missing word here and there, but most were minor enough that only a perfectionist such as myself would notice. They do not detract from the overall quality of the work; I would just like to see better proofreading in today’s novels overall.

All in all, Where Wildfires Glow is a wonderful, if emotionally draining, read. The writing is brisk and easy to get through, making the 296 pages a quicker read than one would expect. Katsonga combines controversial topics with a creative, experimental writing style to create a gripping, emotional, and all-too-real novel. While some of the events in this book are extraordinary and make the book border on the supernatural, they also help make the story feel even more real as they highlight some of those feelings most common among humans: grief, loneliness, sadness, and, at the bottom of this Pandora’s box, hope.

You can buy Where Wildfires Glow by Mutch Katsonga on Amazon.

Do you know of any books I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!