My interest in the Chernobyl nuclear disaster was piqued when we watched the HBO miniseries this summer, and now that I’ve read Midnight in Chernobyl, I want to watch the show all over again! (We’ll wait until Steven has finished listening to the book though.)

Most of the book is dedicated to the disaster on April 26, 1986 – down to the hours of the event, and the following days. A history of the environment/culture of Soviet nuclear power is included, because you have to understand that to understand why the reactor failed. The book also covers the aftermath of the disaster in to the 2010s – how the people involved and surrounding area were affected. From what I understand, the book is based on referencing previously classified documents, and interviews with people who were there.

Some parts were quite technical and I’d reread paragraphs to make sure I was absorbing it. I had to reference the diagrams and cast of characters often. But it was well written, easy enough to follow, and VERY interesting. The gross negligence in fixing the reactor design flaws, and the blame on people over design to save face is absolutely astonishing. And the LIES. ALL THE LIES. Like, whoa. It just blows my mind. I recommend this book if you are interested in the topic.

I needed something lighter after that, so I read Ali Wong’s humor memoir, Dear Girls; Intimate Tales, Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life. I was hoping it would be laugh-out-loud funny like Ellie Kemper’s memoir, but it wasn’t (for me, anyway). It was entertaining enough, and a quick read, but kind of meh. And SO vulgar. Whoa. I don’t mind vulgarity but she referenced her vagina every other page. I think that’s her humor style, and maybe it’s more entertaining at her shows. It felt stale, in book form.

Now I’m doing something I never do – reading two books at once, AHHHHHHHHHH. I started A Man Called Ove on the train ride this week on my Kindle, but am putting it aside to save for reading on a plane ride on Monday. So I started Talking to Strangers while I wait.