Title: The Amber Spyglass - His Dark Materials - Book III
Author: Philip Pullman
Pages: 465
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Synopsis: This is the third and final book in the His Dark Materials series. Lyra and Will are continuing on their journey to the land of the dead, where no living soul has ever ventured. Dr. Mary Malone is in another world with creatures that rely on the trees near their villages, but they have been dying for the last 300 years or so. Finally, Lord Asriel continues to fight against the Almighty with his armies from many worlds, including battalions of angels.
My Review: Once again I really enjoyed the book. The story with Will and Lyra is very easy to follow. I wish that I was better able to understand the allegory and symbolism in the book and I am certain that I failed to understand the adult level themes in the book, so I would like to read them again in the future with a more open mind.
What I'm Reading Now:
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Geek Love
Title: Geek Love
Author: Katherine Dunn
Pages: 12 discs
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: This book is about the Binewski's traveling carnival. The business goes through some rough times and Al Binewski and his wife Crystal Lil begin to experiment with a way to breed their own carnival freak show by having Lil ingest drugs and radioactive elements while she is pregnant. The results are Arturo (the waterboy), a boy with flippers for hands and feet; Electra and Iphigenia, Siamese twins; Olympia, a hunchbacked albino dwarf and the storyteller; and Fortunato a normal looking baby/child with telekinetic powers. This is the story of their life in the carnival and Olympia's life as a radio-host after the carnival has been disbanded.
My Review: This was a bizarre, fascinating and surprising book. There were plenty of instances where you question the judgement of the author and characters in the book because the Binewski's get into some pretty weird stuff. I enjoyed the book because it humanized so many people with disfigurements and it always left me thinking about the situations in the book.
Author: Katherine Dunn
Pages: 12 discs
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: This book is about the Binewski's traveling carnival. The business goes through some rough times and Al Binewski and his wife Crystal Lil begin to experiment with a way to breed their own carnival freak show by having Lil ingest drugs and radioactive elements while she is pregnant. The results are Arturo (the waterboy), a boy with flippers for hands and feet; Electra and Iphigenia, Siamese twins; Olympia, a hunchbacked albino dwarf and the storyteller; and Fortunato a normal looking baby/child with telekinetic powers. This is the story of their life in the carnival and Olympia's life as a radio-host after the carnival has been disbanded.
My Review: This was a bizarre, fascinating and surprising book. There were plenty of instances where you question the judgement of the author and characters in the book because the Binewski's get into some pretty weird stuff. I enjoyed the book because it humanized so many people with disfigurements and it always left me thinking about the situations in the book.
Title: Hot Lights, Cold Steel
Author: D.P. Lyle
Pages: 325
Genre: Thriller
Grade: B
Synopsis: This books is a fast-paced and captivating thriller about the forensic criminologist Dub Walker. An old friend enlists his help in finding her missing 19-year-old daughter. When her daughter's body and other bodies begin turning up in shallow graves, Dub Walker begins investigating the causes of their deaths. Each of the deceased had gone through numerous highly technical surgeries prior to death, but the surgeries themselves were never the cause of death.
My Review: I have had the book "Hot Lights, Cold Steel" on my to-read list for years, so I was excited when I found this brand-new copy at the local library. I enjoyed the book, but I couldn't figure out why it was on my to-read list. It turns out, there are two books with the same title and I had picked up the wrong book. It turned out to not be a big deal as I enjoyed the unexpected thriller of this book. It was a little gruesome, but an easy read.
Author: D.P. Lyle
Pages: 325
Genre: Thriller
Grade: B
Synopsis: This books is a fast-paced and captivating thriller about the forensic criminologist Dub Walker. An old friend enlists his help in finding her missing 19-year-old daughter. When her daughter's body and other bodies begin turning up in shallow graves, Dub Walker begins investigating the causes of their deaths. Each of the deceased had gone through numerous highly technical surgeries prior to death, but the surgeries themselves were never the cause of death.
My Review: I have had the book "Hot Lights, Cold Steel" on my to-read list for years, so I was excited when I found this brand-new copy at the local library. I enjoyed the book, but I couldn't figure out why it was on my to-read list. It turns out, there are two books with the same title and I had picked up the wrong book. It turned out to not be a big deal as I enjoyed the unexpected thriller of this book. It was a little gruesome, but an easy read.
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Subtle Knife
Title: The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials #2)
Author: Philip Pullman
Pages: 288
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Synopsis: Lyra has entered into an abandoned city in a parallel world where she meets a young boy, Will, from our world. They are in Cittagazze, where children run wild and the adults are non-existent. There is a tower in this city that houses a knife with the ability to cut openings into the parallel worlds. Lyra and Will's destinies become intertwined when Lyra's alethiometer instructs her to help Will find his father.
My Review: This book continues the quest and narrative from the first book with a few added dimensions, twists and turns, including visits to our own parallel world. A battle is brewing between Lord Asriel and his innumerable armies and the strongest angels in the universe. Lyra must determine whose side she is on as the war moves closer.
Author: Philip Pullman
Pages: 288
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Synopsis: Lyra has entered into an abandoned city in a parallel world where she meets a young boy, Will, from our world. They are in Cittagazze, where children run wild and the adults are non-existent. There is a tower in this city that houses a knife with the ability to cut openings into the parallel worlds. Lyra and Will's destinies become intertwined when Lyra's alethiometer instructs her to help Will find his father.
My Review: This book continues the quest and narrative from the first book with a few added dimensions, twists and turns, including visits to our own parallel world. A battle is brewing between Lord Asriel and his innumerable armies and the strongest angels in the universe. Lyra must determine whose side she is on as the war moves closer.
Labels:
A-,
Fantasy,
His Dark Materials,
Philip Pullman,
The Subtle Knife
Sunday, November 25, 2012
The Golden Compass
Title: The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials - Book 1)
Author: Philip Pullman
Pages: 351
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Synopsis: Lyra Belacqua is an orphan living at Jordan College in Oxford, England. Lyra's Oxford is not like our own. Everybody has a daemon in animal form, which is analogous to our souls. Lyra spends her days racing along the roofs of the college, playing in the mud with her dear friend Roger and wreaking havoc wherever she can. This continues until she spies an attempt to poison her uncle, which sets things in motion that leads her on a journey to save children who are being abducted and taken somewhere to the north.
My Review: I've read this book once before, but I wanted to re-read it before I got into the rest of the His Dark Materials Trilogy (Original review). I really enjoy the story and was excited to find the full trilogy for cheap at the DI. Lyra is a precocious pre-teen with a big heart and who is not afraid of big ideas.
Author: Philip Pullman
Pages: 351
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Synopsis: Lyra Belacqua is an orphan living at Jordan College in Oxford, England. Lyra's Oxford is not like our own. Everybody has a daemon in animal form, which is analogous to our souls. Lyra spends her days racing along the roofs of the college, playing in the mud with her dear friend Roger and wreaking havoc wherever she can. This continues until she spies an attempt to poison her uncle, which sets things in motion that leads her on a journey to save children who are being abducted and taken somewhere to the north.
My Review: I've read this book once before, but I wanted to re-read it before I got into the rest of the His Dark Materials Trilogy (Original review). I really enjoy the story and was excited to find the full trilogy for cheap at the DI. Lyra is a precocious pre-teen with a big heart and who is not afraid of big ideas.
Labels:
A-,
Fantasy,
His Dark Materials,
Philip Pullman,
The Golden Compass
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Nickel and Dimed
Title: Nickel and Dimed
Author: Barbara Ehrenreich
Pages: 256 Pages
Genre: Non-fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: Back in the late '90s when the Clinton administration was pushing welfare reform, there was a lot of talk about the low-wage workers in America. To better understand their struggles and to determine whether or not just having a job would allow somebody to climb out of poverty. She spends time as a waitress and hotel maid in Key West, FL, as a housekeeper and nursing home aid in Maine and in retail in Minnesota.
My Review: Back when this book was written, the economy was booming and the federal government was touting that job growth and simply holding down a job would allow people to climb out of poverty. What Ehrenreich found was that as a single person trying to make ends meet on minimum wage was very, very difficult. However, when there were multiple wage earners in a family, home or residence then things were easier to manage. This book provided me an alternate perspective of people struggling financially. I believe that I can be more compassionate in my interactions with these people.
Author: Barbara Ehrenreich
Pages: 256 Pages
Genre: Non-fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: Back in the late '90s when the Clinton administration was pushing welfare reform, there was a lot of talk about the low-wage workers in America. To better understand their struggles and to determine whether or not just having a job would allow somebody to climb out of poverty. She spends time as a waitress and hotel maid in Key West, FL, as a housekeeper and nursing home aid in Maine and in retail in Minnesota.
My Review: Back when this book was written, the economy was booming and the federal government was touting that job growth and simply holding down a job would allow people to climb out of poverty. What Ehrenreich found was that as a single person trying to make ends meet on minimum wage was very, very difficult. However, when there were multiple wage earners in a family, home or residence then things were easier to manage. This book provided me an alternate perspective of people struggling financially. I believe that I can be more compassionate in my interactions with these people.
Labels:
B,
Barbara Ehrenreich,
Nickel and Dimed,
Non-fiction
Friday, November 23, 2012
Panic
Title: Panic
Author: Jeff Abbott
Pages: 368 pages
Genre: Thriller
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Evan Casher is trying to find his niche as a documentary filmmaker in Houston, Texas when he gets an urgent phone call from his mother in Austin. Evan speeds to her help where he finds her murdered in her kitchen with the assailants waiting to knock Evan off as well. After he escapes the initial attack, he starts to unravel details of his and his parent's lives and realizes that his whole life was an elaborate ruse.
My Review: Every once in a while it is fun to pick up a well-written thriller that is hard to put down and takes unexpected turns around every corner. I try to limit my intake for these types of books, but when I'm reading them I find myself really enjoying them. This book was no exception, The CIA, KGB and an underground spy network called the Deeps are all featured as Evan Casher attempts to untangle his life story.
Disclaimer: If you're looking for violence and language, they're all here.
Author: Jeff Abbott
Pages: 368 pages
Genre: Thriller
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Evan Casher is trying to find his niche as a documentary filmmaker in Houston, Texas when he gets an urgent phone call from his mother in Austin. Evan speeds to her help where he finds her murdered in her kitchen with the assailants waiting to knock Evan off as well. After he escapes the initial attack, he starts to unravel details of his and his parent's lives and realizes that his whole life was an elaborate ruse.
My Review: Every once in a while it is fun to pick up a well-written thriller that is hard to put down and takes unexpected turns around every corner. I try to limit my intake for these types of books, but when I'm reading them I find myself really enjoying them. This book was no exception, The CIA, KGB and an underground spy network called the Deeps are all featured as Evan Casher attempts to untangle his life story.
Disclaimer: If you're looking for violence and language, they're all here.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
The Invention of Air
Title: The Invention of Air: A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution, and the Birth of America
Author: Steven Johnson
Pages: 6 Discs
Genre: History/Biography
Grade: B
Synopsis: The story centers on the life of Joseph Priestley, who was an eighteenth century scientist, minister and friend of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Priestley was a deep-thinker who discovered Oxygen, helped found the Unitarian Church and after being run-out of England emigrated to the United States.
My Review: With a title like "The Invention of Air," I had great hopes for this book. However, it would have been more appropriately titled as the Biography of Joseph Priestley. Rarely did the book stray far from Priestley's impact on science, politics and religion during the eighteenth century. I really enjoyed the parts of the book discussing his discoveries and how they came about, but there were drier parts of the book that went off on tangential topics.
Author: Steven Johnson
Pages: 6 Discs
Genre: History/Biography
Grade: B
Synopsis: The story centers on the life of Joseph Priestley, who was an eighteenth century scientist, minister and friend of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Priestley was a deep-thinker who discovered Oxygen, helped found the Unitarian Church and after being run-out of England emigrated to the United States.
My Review: With a title like "The Invention of Air," I had great hopes for this book. However, it would have been more appropriately titled as the Biography of Joseph Priestley. Rarely did the book stray far from Priestley's impact on science, politics and religion during the eighteenth century. I really enjoyed the parts of the book discussing his discoveries and how they came about, but there were drier parts of the book that went off on tangential topics.
Labels:
B,
Biography,
History,
Steven Johnson,
The Invention of Air
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Oliver Twist
Title: Oliver Twist
Author: Charlie Dicken
Pages: 496
Genre: Fiction, Classic
Grade: B
Synopsis: Little Oliver is abandoned at a young age and forced to live as an orphan. The Orphanage keeps the kids on such meager rations that they are all nearly starving. Oliver runs away from the orphanage and makes his way into London where he finds food and lodging with a group of pickpockets and swindlers. Due to Oliver's exquisitely fair and honest complexion, Fagin and the artful Dodger are intent on corrupting Oliver and reeling him into the business, while Oliver, in his heart desires to be a good and honest lad.
My Review: I enjoyed listening to this book and there were only a few times when I found my mind wandering while the narrator droned on during the dryer portions of the book. When this book was published, it caused quite a stir as the book dives into some of London's dirty secrets. Sometimes when you read a classic you finish the book wondering why or how that particular book is a classic. This story is interesting and engaging enough that that is not the case.
Author: Charlie Dicken
Pages: 496
Genre: Fiction, Classic
Grade: B
Synopsis: Little Oliver is abandoned at a young age and forced to live as an orphan. The Orphanage keeps the kids on such meager rations that they are all nearly starving. Oliver runs away from the orphanage and makes his way into London where he finds food and lodging with a group of pickpockets and swindlers. Due to Oliver's exquisitely fair and honest complexion, Fagin and the artful Dodger are intent on corrupting Oliver and reeling him into the business, while Oliver, in his heart desires to be a good and honest lad.
My Review: I enjoyed listening to this book and there were only a few times when I found my mind wandering while the narrator droned on during the dryer portions of the book. When this book was published, it caused quite a stir as the book dives into some of London's dirty secrets. Sometimes when you read a classic you finish the book wondering why or how that particular book is a classic. This story is interesting and engaging enough that that is not the case.
Labels:
B,
Charles Dickens,
Classic,
Fiction,
Oliver Twist
Edenbrooke
Title: Edenbrooke
Author: Julianne Donaldson
Pages: 264 pages
Genre: Romance
Grade: A-
Synopsis: Marianne Daventry is thrilled to receive an unexpected invitation to join her sister for a visit to the sprawling estate of Edenbrooke in the British countryside. Her sister has the hots for the rich heir of the estate and Marianne expects to help her woo the object of her desires. As Marianne's carriage travels to Edenbrooke the carriage is attacked and robbed, which dramatically changes the course of her visit.
My Review: This book took me completely by surprise. I had heard good things about it, so I expected the book to be good, but I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed the story and found myself laughing while I read. The author is a neighbor of ours so we were excited to have her sign our book at the City Creek Deseret Book. I believe that her intent was to pen a proper romance in the Victorian era and she certainly delivered.
Author: Julianne Donaldson
Pages: 264 pages
Genre: Romance
Grade: A-
Synopsis: Marianne Daventry is thrilled to receive an unexpected invitation to join her sister for a visit to the sprawling estate of Edenbrooke in the British countryside. Her sister has the hots for the rich heir of the estate and Marianne expects to help her woo the object of her desires. As Marianne's carriage travels to Edenbrooke the carriage is attacked and robbed, which dramatically changes the course of her visit.
My Review: This book took me completely by surprise. I had heard good things about it, so I expected the book to be good, but I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed the story and found myself laughing while I read. The author is a neighbor of ours so we were excited to have her sign our book at the City Creek Deseret Book. I believe that her intent was to pen a proper romance in the Victorian era and she certainly delivered.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Green Hills of Africa
Title: Green Hills of Africa
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Pages: 208
Genre: Non-Fiction, Travel
Grade: B
Synopsis: This is the non-fiction account of Ernest Hemingway's two-month hunting safari for big-game animals in East Africa, in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro. He and his companions are hunting rhinoceros as well as other animals in the deer and antelope families (such as kudu). This book documents their hunting excursions and interactions with the natives.
My Review: I imagine that this book was a hit back in the 1930s when it was released. Now, with rhinos and some of the other animals very endangered I found the stories a little depressing. I guess that you could say that hunting is not in my blood. Generally the book was interesting and kept my attention, but there were parts that were a little dry.
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Pages: 208
Genre: Non-Fiction, Travel
Grade: B
Synopsis: This is the non-fiction account of Ernest Hemingway's two-month hunting safari for big-game animals in East Africa, in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro. He and his companions are hunting rhinoceros as well as other animals in the deer and antelope families (such as kudu). This book documents their hunting excursions and interactions with the natives.
My Review: I imagine that this book was a hit back in the 1930s when it was released. Now, with rhinos and some of the other animals very endangered I found the stories a little depressing. I guess that you could say that hunting is not in my blood. Generally the book was interesting and kept my attention, but there were parts that were a little dry.
Labels:
B,
Ernest Hemingway,
Green Hills of Africa,
Non-fiction,
Travel
Fight Club
Title: Fight Club
Author: Chuck Palahniuk
Pages: 224 pages
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: An unnamed narrator works as a recall specialist for an auto company. The extended stress and travel takes its toll and he finds himself suffering from insomnia. When he brings up this issue with the doctor, the doctor sends him to a support group for testicular cancer to "see what real suffering is like." The narrator finds that listening to and sharing the problems of others alleviates his insomnia. While on a nude beach, the narrator meets Tyler Durden, a charismatic extremist and the two get in a confrontation that becomes the beginning of fight club. The first rule of fight club: You don't talk about fight club. The second rule of fight club: You don't talk about fight club.
My Review: I found that I really enjoyed this book. It was a little bit hard to follow at times, so it is one that I wouldn't mind reading again. Unfortunately, I don't remember much more than that as I finished this book a couple of months ago. I do know that I would love to see the movie (with Brad Pitt and Edward Norton), but I'd be interested in an edited version...
Disclaimer: There is a lot of fighting (surprise!) as well as a bunch of other violent acts, with some language.
Author: Chuck Palahniuk
Pages: 224 pages
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: An unnamed narrator works as a recall specialist for an auto company. The extended stress and travel takes its toll and he finds himself suffering from insomnia. When he brings up this issue with the doctor, the doctor sends him to a support group for testicular cancer to "see what real suffering is like." The narrator finds that listening to and sharing the problems of others alleviates his insomnia. While on a nude beach, the narrator meets Tyler Durden, a charismatic extremist and the two get in a confrontation that becomes the beginning of fight club. The first rule of fight club: You don't talk about fight club. The second rule of fight club: You don't talk about fight club.
My Review: I found that I really enjoyed this book. It was a little bit hard to follow at times, so it is one that I wouldn't mind reading again. Unfortunately, I don't remember much more than that as I finished this book a couple of months ago. I do know that I would love to see the movie (with Brad Pitt and Edward Norton), but I'd be interested in an edited version...
Disclaimer: There is a lot of fighting (surprise!) as well as a bunch of other violent acts, with some language.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Loving Frank
Title: Loving Frank
Author: Nancy Horan
Pages: 9 discs?
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: Mamah Borthwick Cheney and her husband Edwin commissioned the brilliant architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a house for them in Oak Park, Illinois. With Mamah working closely with Wright as he designed the house, they ended up having a long and elaborate love affair that spanned from the Chicago area to Europe and back to Wisconsin. The story is based upon actual events, with the details filled in by the author.
My Review: The story mainly follows Mamah throughout this time in her life and provides insight into her relationship with Wright from letters that she wrote. She comes across as being very selfish, while Wright is amazingly arrogant. There were parts of the book that were quite slow, but the ending is surprising and shocking (don't read Wright's wikipedia entry if you're planning on reading the book).
Author: Nancy Horan
Pages: 9 discs?
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: Mamah Borthwick Cheney and her husband Edwin commissioned the brilliant architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a house for them in Oak Park, Illinois. With Mamah working closely with Wright as he designed the house, they ended up having a long and elaborate love affair that spanned from the Chicago area to Europe and back to Wisconsin. The story is based upon actual events, with the details filled in by the author.
My Review: The story mainly follows Mamah throughout this time in her life and provides insight into her relationship with Wright from letters that she wrote. She comes across as being very selfish, while Wright is amazingly arrogant. There were parts of the book that were quite slow, but the ending is surprising and shocking (don't read Wright's wikipedia entry if you're planning on reading the book).
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The Beatles: The Biography
Title: The Beatles: The Biography
Author: Bob Spitz
Pages: 983
Genre: Biography
Grade: A
Synopsis: This is the decisive biography for the Beatles. Published in 2005, it includes over 100 pages of notes for a book that was obviously painstakingly researched and carefully written. The book covers each of the Beatles from birth (including a history of their parents) and then follows the Beatles up through their tumultuous breakup in 1970. Nothing from the Beatles past is off-limits in the book. The book details Beatlemania and their encounters and addictions to drugs, sex, music and more.
My Review: I've never been a huge fan of the Beatles, but I liked them and enjoyed most of their songs. This book, however, may have changed much of that. Reading this book was more of an experience than reading a normal book because I would tune youtube to the songs and albums that were being described in the book. Every song and every album has a story behind it and I am better able to appreciate how the Beatles progressed and grew as they tried new ground-breaking techniques with nearly every new song. John Lennon was an amazing musician that allowed drug-use to destroy him (he's the only Beatle to really get into heroin use). He was always a jerk, but once he got involved with Yoko Ono (who was even nuttier than he), then he somehow became an even bigger jerk. Paul McCartney was another amazing musician that was less dependent on drugs than the others, but was always Mr. Bossypants in the studio. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were more low-key and likeable throughout most of the Beatles years, although they both were pretty fed up with John and Paul by 1970. It's hard not to feel sorry for Pete Best (who Ringo Starr replaced) as he was in prime position to be a star, if only his drumming had been up to par. Brian Epstein (the Beatles manager), loved to have guys over to his apartment to beat him up and treat him super rough. When the Beatles recorded their first hit song, Love Me Do, each of them already had gonorrhea.
Disclaimer: Nothing is off limits in this book. There is lots of language, drug use and sex, but the sexual escapades are thankfully not detailed.
From the Book: "(p. 510) Later, when the other Beatles arrived, the crowd in the street had swelled to an estimated twenty-thousand, some of whom were whipped up in a terrific heat. Others, many of them young girls who had been waiting since dawn, suffered from hunger and exhaustion. The police force, which had been monitoring the situation nervously, called in the army and navy to help maintain order, but it was short-lived. By late afternoon, with chants of "We want the Beatles!" ringing through the square, the shaken troops, now four-hundred strong, felt control slipping from their grasp. They didn't know where to look first: at the barricades being crushed, the girls fainting out of sight, the hooligans stomping on the roofs of cars or pushing through their lines. A fourteen-year-old "screamed so hard she burst a blood-vessel in her throat." It was "frightening, chaotic, and rather inhuman," according to a trooper on horseback. There most pressing concern was the hotels plate-glass windows bowing perilously against the violent crush of bodies. They threatened to explode in a cluster of razor-sharp shards at any moment. Ambulances screamed in the distance, preparing for the worst; a detachment of mounted infantry swung into position."
Author: Bob Spitz
Pages: 983
Genre: Biography
Grade: A
Synopsis: This is the decisive biography for the Beatles. Published in 2005, it includes over 100 pages of notes for a book that was obviously painstakingly researched and carefully written. The book covers each of the Beatles from birth (including a history of their parents) and then follows the Beatles up through their tumultuous breakup in 1970. Nothing from the Beatles past is off-limits in the book. The book details Beatlemania and their encounters and addictions to drugs, sex, music and more.
My Review: I've never been a huge fan of the Beatles, but I liked them and enjoyed most of their songs. This book, however, may have changed much of that. Reading this book was more of an experience than reading a normal book because I would tune youtube to the songs and albums that were being described in the book. Every song and every album has a story behind it and I am better able to appreciate how the Beatles progressed and grew as they tried new ground-breaking techniques with nearly every new song. John Lennon was an amazing musician that allowed drug-use to destroy him (he's the only Beatle to really get into heroin use). He was always a jerk, but once he got involved with Yoko Ono (who was even nuttier than he), then he somehow became an even bigger jerk. Paul McCartney was another amazing musician that was less dependent on drugs than the others, but was always Mr. Bossypants in the studio. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were more low-key and likeable throughout most of the Beatles years, although they both were pretty fed up with John and Paul by 1970. It's hard not to feel sorry for Pete Best (who Ringo Starr replaced) as he was in prime position to be a star, if only his drumming had been up to par. Brian Epstein (the Beatles manager), loved to have guys over to his apartment to beat him up and treat him super rough. When the Beatles recorded their first hit song, Love Me Do, each of them already had gonorrhea.
Disclaimer: Nothing is off limits in this book. There is lots of language, drug use and sex, but the sexual escapades are thankfully not detailed.
From the Book: "(p. 510) Later, when the other Beatles arrived, the crowd in the street had swelled to an estimated twenty-thousand, some of whom were whipped up in a terrific heat. Others, many of them young girls who had been waiting since dawn, suffered from hunger and exhaustion. The police force, which had been monitoring the situation nervously, called in the army and navy to help maintain order, but it was short-lived. By late afternoon, with chants of "We want the Beatles!" ringing through the square, the shaken troops, now four-hundred strong, felt control slipping from their grasp. They didn't know where to look first: at the barricades being crushed, the girls fainting out of sight, the hooligans stomping on the roofs of cars or pushing through their lines. A fourteen-year-old "screamed so hard she burst a blood-vessel in her throat." It was "frightening, chaotic, and rather inhuman," according to a trooper on horseback. There most pressing concern was the hotels plate-glass windows bowing perilously against the violent crush of bodies. They threatened to explode in a cluster of razor-sharp shards at any moment. Ambulances screamed in the distance, preparing for the worst; a detachment of mounted infantry swung into position."
Labels:
A,
Biography,
Bob Spitz,
The Beatles: The Biography
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Pages: 7 discs
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Griet is hired as a servant in the household of the Dutch painter Vermeer when she is just 16 years old. She quickly earns her master's trust and he begins to secretly enlist her help with preparing his paints and ultimately as a model for one of his commissioned paintings. This is all done in complete secrecy as the eternally pregnant wife of Vermeer was also extremely jealous as she was not allowed into Vermeer's studio.
My Review: I've read a handful of books about artists and painters, and this is the best one yet. The story is thoroughly researched and very well told. Very little is known about Vermeer, except that he is one of the finest painters to use light and texture in his paintings (from the mid-17th century). The story is very believable and transports the reader back hundreds of years into the town of Delft.
From the Book:"I came to love grinding the things he brought from the apothecary--bones, white lead, madder, massicot--to see how bright and pure I could get the colors. I learned that the finer the materials were ground, the deeper the color. From rough, dull grains madder became a fine bright red powder and, mixed with linseed oil, a sparkling paint. Making it and the other colors was magical."
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Pages: 7 discs
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Griet is hired as a servant in the household of the Dutch painter Vermeer when she is just 16 years old. She quickly earns her master's trust and he begins to secretly enlist her help with preparing his paints and ultimately as a model for one of his commissioned paintings. This is all done in complete secrecy as the eternally pregnant wife of Vermeer was also extremely jealous as she was not allowed into Vermeer's studio.
My Review: I've read a handful of books about artists and painters, and this is the best one yet. The story is thoroughly researched and very well told. Very little is known about Vermeer, except that he is one of the finest painters to use light and texture in his paintings (from the mid-17th century). The story is very believable and transports the reader back hundreds of years into the town of Delft.
From the Book:"I came to love grinding the things he brought from the apothecary--bones, white lead, madder, massicot--to see how bright and pure I could get the colors. I learned that the finer the materials were ground, the deeper the color. From rough, dull grains madder became a fine bright red powder and, mixed with linseed oil, a sparkling paint. Making it and the other colors was magical."
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Pursuit of Happyness
Title: The Pursuit of Happyness
Author: Chris Gardner
Pages: 5 discs
Genre: Autobiography
Grade: B
Synopsis: Chris Gardner is an African-American from Milwaukee trying to break out of the shell that he was born into. His mother was an ex-convict and his father had violent tendencies. Gardner enlists in the Navy to get away from home, but before too many years pass, he finds himself homeless in San Francisco with a young child to care for.
My Review: The book is inspiring when Chris details the struggles that he went through to reach his lofty goals and break-through the racial barriers. He had complete confidence in his ability to reach his dreams if he worked hard and continually proved that he was ready and able to work.
Disclaimer: There is quite a bit of street-language and street situations that would not be suitable for children.
Author: Chris Gardner
Pages: 5 discs
Genre: Autobiography
Grade: B
Synopsis: Chris Gardner is an African-American from Milwaukee trying to break out of the shell that he was born into. His mother was an ex-convict and his father had violent tendencies. Gardner enlists in the Navy to get away from home, but before too many years pass, he finds himself homeless in San Francisco with a young child to care for.
My Review: The book is inspiring when Chris details the struggles that he went through to reach his lofty goals and break-through the racial barriers. He had complete confidence in his ability to reach his dreams if he worked hard and continually proved that he was ready and able to work.
Disclaimer: There is quite a bit of street-language and street situations that would not be suitable for children.
Labels:
Autobiography,
B,
Chris Gardner,
The Pursuit of Happyness
Sunday, August 26, 2012
The Third Life of Grange Copeland
Title: The Third Life of Grange Copeland
Author: Alice Walker
Pages: 328
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B-
Synopsis: This book tells the story of Grange Copeland, his wife, his son Brownfield and his granddaughter Ruth. Set in Baker County, Georgia in the early 20th century, the black people that work in the fields are virtual slaves as they are encumbered with debts to the white landowners that they'll never be able to repay. Grange heads north looking for a better life and while he's gone Brownfield ends up marrying and killing his wife, landing in prison. Grange returns and tries to turn his life around.
My Review: This book had an interesting story that was terribly depressing at times. The poor black folk of Baker County, Georgia have very few chances or opportunities to lift themselves out of the poverty that they are born into.
Disclaimer: There is quite a bit of language to be aware of.
Author: Alice Walker
Pages: 328
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B-
Synopsis: This book tells the story of Grange Copeland, his wife, his son Brownfield and his granddaughter Ruth. Set in Baker County, Georgia in the early 20th century, the black people that work in the fields are virtual slaves as they are encumbered with debts to the white landowners that they'll never be able to repay. Grange heads north looking for a better life and while he's gone Brownfield ends up marrying and killing his wife, landing in prison. Grange returns and tries to turn his life around.
My Review: This book had an interesting story that was terribly depressing at times. The poor black folk of Baker County, Georgia have very few chances or opportunities to lift themselves out of the poverty that they are born into.
Disclaimer: There is quite a bit of language to be aware of.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
War and Remembrance
Title: War and Remembrance
Author: Herman Wouk
Pages: 1042
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: A-
Synopsis: This book is a sequel to The Winds of War and it continues to follow the Henry family throughout World War II. Victor "Pug" Henry is an American Naval Officer who is stationed in the Pacific, London, Washington DC and Moscow throughout the book. He has one son in the Naval Air Force (with his wife in Pearl Harbor), another son in submarines (with his Jewish wife stuck in Axis Italy) and a daughter working for a well-known radio personality.
My Review: What really sets this book apart is that while the war is a major part of the book, it is not what the book is about. The book really shines in the way that it highlights how the War impacted families and individuals and crept into their romances and hearts.
Author: Herman Wouk
Pages: 1042
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: A-
Synopsis: This book is a sequel to The Winds of War and it continues to follow the Henry family throughout World War II. Victor "Pug" Henry is an American Naval Officer who is stationed in the Pacific, London, Washington DC and Moscow throughout the book. He has one son in the Naval Air Force (with his wife in Pearl Harbor), another son in submarines (with his Jewish wife stuck in Axis Italy) and a daughter working for a well-known radio personality.
My Review: What really sets this book apart is that while the war is a major part of the book, it is not what the book is about. The book really shines in the way that it highlights how the War impacted families and individuals and crept into their romances and hearts.
Labels:
A-,
Herman Wouk,
Historical Fiction,
War and Remembrance
Saturday, July 28, 2012
My Life
Title: My Life
Author: Bill Clinton
Pages: 42 discs
Genre: Autobiography
Grade: A
Synopsis: This book is the story of Bill Clinton's life. From his upbringing in Hope, Arkansas to the White House. It is the most detailed and honest (at least it seemed that way) account of a president's life that is out there.
My Review: Surprisingly, I loved this book. I started this book way back in November/December. I listened to the first 30 discs in the car as I commuted to work, but I had to return the discs before I was able to complete the book. I borrowed the CDs from the library again and listened to the rest of the book while I worked on sanding, painting and finishing the toy room in our basement (details here). Before I read this book, I would not have classified myself as a fan of President Clinton, but I was fascinated by by his stories and the honesty that was apparent in the book. I enjoyed the details that were shared about the life of a President by a former President.
Author: Bill Clinton
Pages: 42 discs
Genre: Autobiography
Grade: A
Synopsis: This book is the story of Bill Clinton's life. From his upbringing in Hope, Arkansas to the White House. It is the most detailed and honest (at least it seemed that way) account of a president's life that is out there.
My Review: Surprisingly, I loved this book. I started this book way back in November/December. I listened to the first 30 discs in the car as I commuted to work, but I had to return the discs before I was able to complete the book. I borrowed the CDs from the library again and listened to the rest of the book while I worked on sanding, painting and finishing the toy room in our basement (details here). Before I read this book, I would not have classified myself as a fan of President Clinton, but I was fascinated by by his stories and the honesty that was apparent in the book. I enjoyed the details that were shared about the life of a President by a former President.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Barack Obama is Your New Bicycle
Title: Barack Obama is Your New Bicycle - 366 Ways He Really Cares
Author: Mathew Honan
Pages: 192
Genre: Humor
Grade: B
Synopsis: This is the book version of the classic website http://barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com/. Back in Obama's campaign to be POTUS, many people were simply obsessed with Barack Obama, believing that he could do no wrong. Honan's wife was working for the Obama campaign, obsessing about every detail. Now the lesser-known accomplishments of Obama have been published in this easy to read book.
My Review: Luckily, I was able to score this book on amazon.com for less than $2 (strangely, my local library doesn't carry a copy...). A few of the more inspiring things that Obama has done for me include the following:
Author: Mathew Honan
Pages: 192
Genre: Humor
Grade: B
Synopsis: This is the book version of the classic website http://barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com/. Back in Obama's campaign to be POTUS, many people were simply obsessed with Barack Obama, believing that he could do no wrong. Honan's wife was working for the Obama campaign, obsessing about every detail. Now the lesser-known accomplishments of Obama have been published in this easy to read book.
My Review: Luckily, I was able to score this book on amazon.com for less than $2 (strangely, my local library doesn't carry a copy...). A few of the more inspiring things that Obama has done for me include the following:
- Barack Obama paused the Tivo when you went to the bathroom.
- Barack Obama left a comment on your blog.
- Barack Obama held your hand when you were frightened.
- Barack Obama waited on hold for a half hour with Apple tech support to get your Macbook fixed.
- Barack Obama caught your baby when she slipped through your arms.
- Barack Obama counted all your pennies and rolled them up in paper.
Labels:
B,
Barack Obama,
Barack Obama is Your New Bicycle,
Humor,
Mathew Honan
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Our Search for Happiness
Title: Our Search for Happiness
Author: M. Russell Ballard
Pages: 128
Genre: Religion
Grade: A-
Synopsis: This book serves as an introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, written by an apostle of that Church. Elder Ballard discusses the beliefs that members of the Mormon Church have in regards to the apostasy, the restoration of the Gospel, the Book of Mormon, the plan of salvation, the Articles of Faith and missionary work.
My Review: This book is a near perfect introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It should be required reading for members and anybody in the media who is attempting to write an unbiased article about the Church.
Author: M. Russell Ballard
Pages: 128
Genre: Religion
Grade: A-
Synopsis: This book serves as an introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, written by an apostle of that Church. Elder Ballard discusses the beliefs that members of the Mormon Church have in regards to the apostasy, the restoration of the Gospel, the Book of Mormon, the plan of salvation, the Articles of Faith and missionary work.
My Review: This book is a near perfect introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It should be required reading for members and anybody in the media who is attempting to write an unbiased article about the Church.
Labels:
A-,
M. Russell Ballard,
Our Search for Happiness,
Religion
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Silas Marner
Title: Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe
Author: George Eliot
Pages: 6 discs
Genre: Classic
Grade: B+
Synopsis: After being falsely accused of theft, the weaver Silas Marner moves to the town of Raveloe where he becomes known as a reclusive weaver. He works hard and hordes his money, obsessing and counting his gold every evening. As luck would have it his gold is stolen and not too long thereafter a young golden-haired toddler shows up in his cottage. Silas believes the child is a replacement of his missing gold.
My Review: The book starts a little slow and clumsily (I had to check sparknotes a couple of times to make sure that I was understanding the plot), but once the book enters the middle third, the story is very enjoyable and interesting. I loved the insight into Marner's thoughts and feelings that Eliot gives in her narrative. The book was more enjoyable than I expected for having been published 151 years ago.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Calling on Dragons
Title: Calling on Dragons - Book three of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles
Author: Patricia C. Wrede
Pages: 5 discs
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: B-
Synopsis: The wicked wizards are again trying to take over the enchanted forest. This leads Cimorene and her friends on a quest to find the king's magic sword.
My Review: Great book for kids, but for me the dialog in this book was especially annoying. The book ends with a big cliffhanger though, so I'll have to track down the 4th book of the series and find out how everything ends.
Author: Patricia C. Wrede
Pages: 5 discs
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: B-
Synopsis: The wicked wizards are again trying to take over the enchanted forest. This leads Cimorene and her friends on a quest to find the king's magic sword.
My Review: Great book for kids, but for me the dialog in this book was especially annoying. The book ends with a big cliffhanger though, so I'll have to track down the 4th book of the series and find out how everything ends.
Labels:
B-,
Calling on Dragons,
Fantasy,
Patricia C. Wrede
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Mother had a Secret
Title: Mother had a Secret: Learning to Love My Mother and Her Multiple Personalities
Author: Tiffany Fletcher
Pages: 188
Genre: Memoir
Grade: B
Synopsis: Tiffany and her siblings grew up in an LDS home where their mother, Vickie, had multiple personality disorder, with 15 separate and unique personalities. A few personalities were those of little children, while others were nurturers, cooks, lovers, protectors and one that could be very violent. These personalities stemmed from brutal abuse that Vickie suffered at the hands of her father as a child.
My Review: It is difficult to write a review about a book that deals with a topic that is frankly quite maddening (abuse), sad (psychological disorder) and depressing (suffering). I have a hard time separating my thoughts about the book from my feelings about the subject matter. That being said, I found this book to be very enlightening. This is a story that could be told about your neighbor, a friend or another acquaintance. If it ever comes to it, I hope that I can recognize the warning signs of abuse and do whatever is required to make it stop. As Tiffany grows older her struggles to learn how to love her mother were very heartening.
Author: Tiffany Fletcher
Pages: 188
Genre: Memoir
Grade: B
Synopsis: Tiffany and her siblings grew up in an LDS home where their mother, Vickie, had multiple personality disorder, with 15 separate and unique personalities. A few personalities were those of little children, while others were nurturers, cooks, lovers, protectors and one that could be very violent. These personalities stemmed from brutal abuse that Vickie suffered at the hands of her father as a child.
My Review: It is difficult to write a review about a book that deals with a topic that is frankly quite maddening (abuse), sad (psychological disorder) and depressing (suffering). I have a hard time separating my thoughts about the book from my feelings about the subject matter. That being said, I found this book to be very enlightening. This is a story that could be told about your neighbor, a friend or another acquaintance. If it ever comes to it, I hope that I can recognize the warning signs of abuse and do whatever is required to make it stop. As Tiffany grows older her struggles to learn how to love her mother were very heartening.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Playing for Pizza
Title: Playing for Pizza
Author: John Grisham
Pages: 308
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: Rick Dockery wakes up in a Cleveland hospital, but can't remember how he got there. As the fog lifts from his mind, and as he watches ESPN SportsCenter, he remembers the playoff game that he was playing in for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns were up by 17 late in the 4th quarter and Dockery, the 3rd string quarterback for the Browns proceeded to throw 3 straight interceptions, leading to the Browns loss in the last game before the Super Bowl. Dockery has quickly become one of the most hated individuals in Cleveland and he decides to lay low for a while. His agent finds him a job in the Italian Football (real American Football) League with a small salary. Dockery reluctantly agrees and finds that playing in Italy holds a few surprises.
My Review: I bought this book at a garage sale a while back and I was surprised that this book had nothing to do with lawyers, courtrooms, judges, etc. I didn't know John Grisham was capable of writing anything but legal thrillers. There wasn't anything too special about this book, but I enjoyed having an easy read and being able to escape into Italian football.
Author: John Grisham
Pages: 308
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B
Synopsis: Rick Dockery wakes up in a Cleveland hospital, but can't remember how he got there. As the fog lifts from his mind, and as he watches ESPN SportsCenter, he remembers the playoff game that he was playing in for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns were up by 17 late in the 4th quarter and Dockery, the 3rd string quarterback for the Browns proceeded to throw 3 straight interceptions, leading to the Browns loss in the last game before the Super Bowl. Dockery has quickly become one of the most hated individuals in Cleveland and he decides to lay low for a while. His agent finds him a job in the Italian Football (real American Football) League with a small salary. Dockery reluctantly agrees and finds that playing in Italy holds a few surprises.
My Review: I bought this book at a garage sale a while back and I was surprised that this book had nothing to do with lawyers, courtrooms, judges, etc. I didn't know John Grisham was capable of writing anything but legal thrillers. There wasn't anything too special about this book, but I enjoyed having an easy read and being able to escape into Italian football.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Year of Living Biblically
Title: The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
Author: A.J. Jacobs
Pages: 12 discs
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Grade: B
Synopsis: A.J. Jacobs (known for reading the Encyclopaedia Britannica), embarks on another quest, this one to live the Bible as literally as possible. While A.J. is mostly agnostic, he is Jewish by birth and has family who still adhere to religious principals. For A.J. and his family though, this is a huge change. A.J. grows a long beard, begins to only wear white robes, tries to be thankful and forgiving and embarks on a quest to live and understand the Bible's more well-known teachings as well as the more esoteric teachings.
My Review: While I was a little afraid that I would find the book to sacrilegious, that wasn't the case at all. While it was often irreverent, it was also very enjoyable and I found myself laughing at his experiences trying to stone the adulterers, performing sacrifices, avoiding mixed threads in his clothing and informing his wife of how unclean the Old Testament considers menstruating ladies. I was often surprised by the requirements found in the Old Testament. I'm not nearly as familiar with them as I am with those found in the New Testament.
Author: A.J. Jacobs
Pages: 12 discs
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Grade: B
Synopsis: A.J. Jacobs (known for reading the Encyclopaedia Britannica), embarks on another quest, this one to live the Bible as literally as possible. While A.J. is mostly agnostic, he is Jewish by birth and has family who still adhere to religious principals. For A.J. and his family though, this is a huge change. A.J. grows a long beard, begins to only wear white robes, tries to be thankful and forgiving and embarks on a quest to live and understand the Bible's more well-known teachings as well as the more esoteric teachings.
My Review: While I was a little afraid that I would find the book to sacrilegious, that wasn't the case at all. While it was often irreverent, it was also very enjoyable and I found myself laughing at his experiences trying to stone the adulterers, performing sacrifices, avoiding mixed threads in his clothing and informing his wife of how unclean the Old Testament considers menstruating ladies. I was often surprised by the requirements found in the Old Testament. I'm not nearly as familiar with them as I am with those found in the New Testament.
Labels:
A.J. Jacobs,
B,
Memoir,
Non-fiction,
The Year of Living Biblically
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Title: A Short History of Nearly Everything
Author: Bill Bryson
Pages: 544
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade: A
Synopsis: As the title suggests, this book is a short history of nearly everything. In the nearly 500 pages, topics ranging from the big bang and the formation of the universe and solar system to what we understand about atoms, other subatomic particles and living cells. This book is not just a history book either. It is full of stories and controversies about what we know or don't know about everything and introduces the reader to experts on many of the topics discussed.
My Review: In the middle of March I was in Portland, Oregon for the NCAA tournament. We made a visit to the iconic Powell's bookstore in downtown. I couldn't leave empty-handed so I had to think of a book from my 'to-read' list that I would actually like to own. We buy very few books, so this was a huge step for me (although I did buy a used copy). I couldn't be happier with this book. I think that I learned something new on every page and thoroughly enjoyed Bryson's writing style and the way that the book moved from one topic to the next. This is a book that I will read again.
Author: Bill Bryson
Pages: 544
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade: A
Synopsis: As the title suggests, this book is a short history of nearly everything. In the nearly 500 pages, topics ranging from the big bang and the formation of the universe and solar system to what we understand about atoms, other subatomic particles and living cells. This book is not just a history book either. It is full of stories and controversies about what we know or don't know about everything and introduces the reader to experts on many of the topics discussed.
My Review: In the middle of March I was in Portland, Oregon for the NCAA tournament. We made a visit to the iconic Powell's bookstore in downtown. I couldn't leave empty-handed so I had to think of a book from my 'to-read' list that I would actually like to own. We buy very few books, so this was a huge step for me (although I did buy a used copy). I couldn't be happier with this book. I think that I learned something new on every page and thoroughly enjoyed Bryson's writing style and the way that the book moved from one topic to the next. This is a book that I will read again.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Searching for Dragons
Title: Searching for Dragons - Book Two of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles
Author: Patricia C. Wrede
Pages: 4 discs
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: B
Synopsis: Mendanbar is the king of the Enchanted Forest. He finds an area of his forest that has been burned to ashes and the only clues of what has happened are 5 enchanted dragon scales. Mendanbar embarks with the Princess Cimorene (who's official title is chief cook and librarian to the dragon king) on a quest to locate the lost dragon king.
My Review: Just like the first book of the series, I enjoyed listening to this book in my car. The audio cd is read by a full cast of characters and is a great production. I'm still thinking that Ada would love listening to this series in a year or two.
Author: Patricia C. Wrede
Pages: 4 discs
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: B
Synopsis: Mendanbar is the king of the Enchanted Forest. He finds an area of his forest that has been burned to ashes and the only clues of what has happened are 5 enchanted dragon scales. Mendanbar embarks with the Princess Cimorene (who's official title is chief cook and librarian to the dragon king) on a quest to locate the lost dragon king.
My Review: Just like the first book of the series, I enjoyed listening to this book in my car. The audio cd is read by a full cast of characters and is a great production. I'm still thinking that Ada would love listening to this series in a year or two.
Voluntary Simplicity
Title: Voluntary Simplicity
Author: Duane Elgin
Pages: 240
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade: C
Synopsis: Originally published in 1981 and updated in the 1990's, this book is considered by many to be the simple/sustainable living bible. The book covers the tenets of Voluntary Simplicity, which include frugal consumption, ecological awareness and personal growth. The book concludes with a vision of the global issues that will arise if more people do not choose a path of voluntary simplicity.
My Review: This book wasn't really what I had expected. The first third of the book is just rehashing results from a magazine survey about people who have chosen to live a life of voluntary simplicity. The second third of the book was the part that I found most interesting. This part gave a little bit of an idea into what living with voluntary simplicity is all about. The last third of the book was an expose about how the whole world needs to embrace voluntary simplicity and how the unfair it is that the rich nations have more than the poor nations. The author advocates for the United Nations to have power to enforce all of the rules and regulations needed for the world to enjoy voluntary simplicity. I was hoping for more ideas about living simply, but there were too many political undertones in the discussion.
Author: Duane Elgin
Pages: 240
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade: C
Synopsis: Originally published in 1981 and updated in the 1990's, this book is considered by many to be the simple/sustainable living bible. The book covers the tenets of Voluntary Simplicity, which include frugal consumption, ecological awareness and personal growth. The book concludes with a vision of the global issues that will arise if more people do not choose a path of voluntary simplicity.
My Review: This book wasn't really what I had expected. The first third of the book is just rehashing results from a magazine survey about people who have chosen to live a life of voluntary simplicity. The second third of the book was the part that I found most interesting. This part gave a little bit of an idea into what living with voluntary simplicity is all about. The last third of the book was an expose about how the whole world needs to embrace voluntary simplicity and how the unfair it is that the rich nations have more than the poor nations. The author advocates for the United Nations to have power to enforce all of the rules and regulations needed for the world to enjoy voluntary simplicity. I was hoping for more ideas about living simply, but there were too many political undertones in the discussion.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The Legend of Colton H. Bryant
Title: The Legend of Colton H. Bryant
Author: Alexandra Fuller
Pages: 5 discs
Genre: Non-Fiction Biographical Novel
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Colton H. Bryant is a Wyoming cowboy, born and raised in Evanston, Wyoming. He struggled through his school years and was often made fun of while growing up. His favorite mantra then became "'mind over matter,' if I don't mind, then it don't matter." Colton seemed to know that he would die young, so he lived life to its very fullest, traveling the rodeo circuit with a friend, hunting jackrabbits or other animals every chance he could and camping with his horse and friends. He knew that one day he would work on the oil rigs, just as his father and grandfather had.
My Review: What really sets this book apart, is that this is a sort of biographical novel about a regular guy with a big heart. It hit close to home, because I'm quite familiar with Evanston and Wyoming and there are a lot of LDS undertones throughout the book. While the book wasn't a thriller I found that I simply enjoyed the story and I would look forward to the next time that I'd be able to listen to the book.
Author: Alexandra Fuller
Pages: 5 discs
Genre: Non-Fiction Biographical Novel
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Colton H. Bryant is a Wyoming cowboy, born and raised in Evanston, Wyoming. He struggled through his school years and was often made fun of while growing up. His favorite mantra then became "'mind over matter,' if I don't mind, then it don't matter." Colton seemed to know that he would die young, so he lived life to its very fullest, traveling the rodeo circuit with a friend, hunting jackrabbits or other animals every chance he could and camping with his horse and friends. He knew that one day he would work on the oil rigs, just as his father and grandfather had.
My Review: What really sets this book apart, is that this is a sort of biographical novel about a regular guy with a big heart. It hit close to home, because I'm quite familiar with Evanston and Wyoming and there are a lot of LDS undertones throughout the book. While the book wasn't a thriller I found that I simply enjoyed the story and I would look forward to the next time that I'd be able to listen to the book.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Title: The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Author: Muriel Barbery
Pages: 325
Genre: Modern French Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: The story is narrated from the viewpoints of two different people. The first is a concierge of an upscale building in Paris. She is in her mid-50s, slightly cantankerous and lives alone with her cat. Unbeknownst to the tenants in the building, she also adores reading Tolstoy, critiquing classical music and admires Japanese culture. The second protagonist is the twelve-year-old genius, Paloma. She's the daughter of a French politician and can hardly stand her family. In fact, she is planning her own suicide on her 13th birthday. Until then though, she's trying very hard to act like a normal 12-year-old so as to not give anything away.
My Review: For most of the book, I didn't love it, but the last 50-100 pages really helped me to enjoy it more. There were a few parts of the book that got me laughing and other parts that got me thinking. From browsing other reviews, it seems that people tend to really love this book or absolutely hate it.
Author: Muriel Barbery
Pages: 325
Genre: Modern French Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: The story is narrated from the viewpoints of two different people. The first is a concierge of an upscale building in Paris. She is in her mid-50s, slightly cantankerous and lives alone with her cat. Unbeknownst to the tenants in the building, she also adores reading Tolstoy, critiquing classical music and admires Japanese culture. The second protagonist is the twelve-year-old genius, Paloma. She's the daughter of a French politician and can hardly stand her family. In fact, she is planning her own suicide on her 13th birthday. Until then though, she's trying very hard to act like a normal 12-year-old so as to not give anything away.
My Review: For most of the book, I didn't love it, but the last 50-100 pages really helped me to enjoy it more. There were a few parts of the book that got me laughing and other parts that got me thinking. From browsing other reviews, it seems that people tend to really love this book or absolutely hate it.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Dealing with Dragons
Title: Dealing with Dragons
Author: Patricia C. Wrede
Pages: 4 discs
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: B
Synopsis: Cimorene is a unique princess. She is smart, headstrong and interested in boy things. Every time that she tries to learn a new skill, shooting, magic, etc. her parents forbid her because "it's not what princesses do." Her boredom gets that best of her and she takes matters into her own hands and runs away to live as a princess to a dragon.
My Review: I found out that I had to drive to Cedar City when the CD player in my car had been recently stolen, but I was able to throw this book onto my MP3 player and listen to it on the drive. It was a fun story, one that I'll have Ada listen to in a year or two.
Author: Patricia C. Wrede
Pages: 4 discs
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: B
Synopsis: Cimorene is a unique princess. She is smart, headstrong and interested in boy things. Every time that she tries to learn a new skill, shooting, magic, etc. her parents forbid her because "it's not what princesses do." Her boredom gets that best of her and she takes matters into her own hands and runs away to live as a princess to a dragon.
My Review: I found out that I had to drive to Cedar City when the CD player in my car had been recently stolen, but I was able to throw this book onto my MP3 player and listen to it on the drive. It was a fun story, one that I'll have Ada listen to in a year or two.
To a Mountain in Tibet
Title: To a Mountain in Tibet
Author: Colin Thubron
Pages: 227
Genre: Non-fiction, Travel Memoir
Grade: B
Synopsis: In memory of his mother's death, the author makes a trip to the sacred mountain of Kailas of southern Tibet which is the source of four of Asia's greatest rivers (Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Karnali (tributary to the Ganges)). His trek starts in Nepal before crossing over the border into Tibet (occupied by China) and onto the beautiful Mount Kailas. The 21,778 foot tall Mount Kailas has never been climbed and is sacred to 1/5 of the world's population (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon). Believers of these religions find it sacred to make a pilgrimage to the mountain where they walk around the mountain in a clockwise direction (except Bon) culminating in the Drolma Pass at 18,600 feet.
My Review: I really enjoyed the travelogue portion of the book, but I didn't find the discussions of the religious significance of the mountain and pilgrims nearly as engaging. While the book wasn't about Tibet, it was enlightening nonetheless and helped me to understand the conflict between the Tibetans and Chinese a little better. I would love to make this trek in person one day.
From the Book: "As the track bends north-east, the ethereal sandstone disappears. The slopes turn black with granite, and the mountain's lower ridges break into unstable spikes and revetments. Their ribs are slashed in chiaroscuro, and their last outcrops pour towards the valley in the fluid, anthropomorphic shapes that pilgrims love. The spine and haunches of a massive stone beast, gazing at Kailas, are hailed as the Nandi bull, holy to Shiva; another rock has become the votive cake of Padmasambhava."
Author: Colin Thubron
Pages: 227
Genre: Non-fiction, Travel Memoir
Grade: B
Synopsis: In memory of his mother's death, the author makes a trip to the sacred mountain of Kailas of southern Tibet which is the source of four of Asia's greatest rivers (Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Karnali (tributary to the Ganges)). His trek starts in Nepal before crossing over the border into Tibet (occupied by China) and onto the beautiful Mount Kailas. The 21,778 foot tall Mount Kailas has never been climbed and is sacred to 1/5 of the world's population (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon). Believers of these religions find it sacred to make a pilgrimage to the mountain where they walk around the mountain in a clockwise direction (except Bon) culminating in the Drolma Pass at 18,600 feet.
My Review: I really enjoyed the travelogue portion of the book, but I didn't find the discussions of the religious significance of the mountain and pilgrims nearly as engaging. While the book wasn't about Tibet, it was enlightening nonetheless and helped me to understand the conflict between the Tibetans and Chinese a little better. I would love to make this trek in person one day.
From the Book: "As the track bends north-east, the ethereal sandstone disappears. The slopes turn black with granite, and the mountain's lower ridges break into unstable spikes and revetments. Their ribs are slashed in chiaroscuro, and their last outcrops pour towards the valley in the fluid, anthropomorphic shapes that pilgrims love. The spine and haunches of a massive stone beast, gazing at Kailas, are hailed as the Nandi bull, holy to Shiva; another rock has become the votive cake of Padmasambhava."
Labels:
B,
Colin Thubron,
Non-fiction,
To a Mountain in Tibet,
Travel Memoir
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Unbroken
Title: Unbroken
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Pages: 473
Genre: Biography
Grade: A+
Synopsis: Louis Zamperini is a rising track star in the 1930's living in Southern California. Louis narrowly makes the Olympic team to compete in Berlin in the 1936 Olympics. He doesn't win a medal, but his track times are dropping quickly and many expected Louis to be the first person to run a a sub 4-minute mile. Louis is training hard and looking forward to the 1940 Olympics when WWII breaks out and derails his plans. He enlists in the Army and trains with a crew on a B-24 bomber, fighting the Japanese over the Pacific.
My Review: This was a powerful book. I felt numerous emotions as you feel the elation, pain, hope and suffering of Zamperini and others. Throughout the war, Zamperini's life was miraculously spared numerous times. The most surprising emotion was anger and even a bit of hate for the Japanese and their cruelty to the American prisoners and their own people. A telling statistic is that 1% of POWs died while interred during the war in Europe, but more than 1/3 of all POWs died who were interred by the Japanese due to torture, slave labor, starvation, etc. This is the story of Louis Zamperini the hero.
From the Book: "(p. 10) Louie's mother, Louise, took a different tack. Louie was a copy of herself, right down to the vivid blue eyes. When pushed, she shoved; sold a bad cut of meat, she'd march down to the butcher, frying pan in hand. Loving mischief, she spread icing over a cardboard box and presented it as a birthday cake to a neighbor, who promptly got the knife stuck. When Pete told her he'd drink his castor oil if she gave him an empty candy box. "You only asked for the box, honey," she said with a smile. "That's all I got." And she understood Louie's restiveness. One Halloween, she dressed as a boy and raced around town trick-or-treating with Louie and Pete. A gang of kids, thinking she was one of the local toughs, tackled her and tried to steal her pants. Little Louise Zamperini, mother of four, was deep in the melee when the cops picked her up for brawling."
"(p. 32) The buses drove to the Olympic stadium. Entering in a parade of nations and standing at attention, the athletes were treated to a thunderous show that culminated in the release of twenty thousand doves. As the birds circled in panicked confusion, cannons began firing, prompting the birds to relieve themselves over the athletes. With each report, the birds let fly. Louie stayed at attention, shaking with laughter."
This last quote is a sub-note from the text in the book. While the unfortunate story in the book was forced to focus so much on the evilness of war, I found this note inspiring with the respect that the two opposing sides show to each other.
"(p.348) *As Halloran parachuted over Tokyo, the Zero that had shot him down sped toward him, and Halloran was certain that he was going to be strafed, as so many falling airmen were. But instead of firing, the pilot saluted him. After the war, Halloran and that pilot, Isamu Kashiide, became dear friends."
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Pages: 473
Genre: Biography
Grade: A+
Synopsis: Louis Zamperini is a rising track star in the 1930's living in Southern California. Louis narrowly makes the Olympic team to compete in Berlin in the 1936 Olympics. He doesn't win a medal, but his track times are dropping quickly and many expected Louis to be the first person to run a a sub 4-minute mile. Louis is training hard and looking forward to the 1940 Olympics when WWII breaks out and derails his plans. He enlists in the Army and trains with a crew on a B-24 bomber, fighting the Japanese over the Pacific.
My Review: This was a powerful book. I felt numerous emotions as you feel the elation, pain, hope and suffering of Zamperini and others. Throughout the war, Zamperini's life was miraculously spared numerous times. The most surprising emotion was anger and even a bit of hate for the Japanese and their cruelty to the American prisoners and their own people. A telling statistic is that 1% of POWs died while interred during the war in Europe, but more than 1/3 of all POWs died who were interred by the Japanese due to torture, slave labor, starvation, etc. This is the story of Louis Zamperini the hero.
From the Book: "(p. 10) Louie's mother, Louise, took a different tack. Louie was a copy of herself, right down to the vivid blue eyes. When pushed, she shoved; sold a bad cut of meat, she'd march down to the butcher, frying pan in hand. Loving mischief, she spread icing over a cardboard box and presented it as a birthday cake to a neighbor, who promptly got the knife stuck. When Pete told her he'd drink his castor oil if she gave him an empty candy box. "You only asked for the box, honey," she said with a smile. "That's all I got." And she understood Louie's restiveness. One Halloween, she dressed as a boy and raced around town trick-or-treating with Louie and Pete. A gang of kids, thinking she was one of the local toughs, tackled her and tried to steal her pants. Little Louise Zamperini, mother of four, was deep in the melee when the cops picked her up for brawling."
"(p. 32) The buses drove to the Olympic stadium. Entering in a parade of nations and standing at attention, the athletes were treated to a thunderous show that culminated in the release of twenty thousand doves. As the birds circled in panicked confusion, cannons began firing, prompting the birds to relieve themselves over the athletes. With each report, the birds let fly. Louie stayed at attention, shaking with laughter."
This last quote is a sub-note from the text in the book. While the unfortunate story in the book was forced to focus so much on the evilness of war, I found this note inspiring with the respect that the two opposing sides show to each other.
"(p.348) *As Halloran parachuted over Tokyo, the Zero that had shot him down sped toward him, and Halloran was certain that he was going to be strafed, as so many falling airmen were. But instead of firing, the pilot saluted him. After the war, Halloran and that pilot, Isamu Kashiide, became dear friends."
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Gathering Blue
Title: Gathering Blue
Author: Lois Lowry
Pages: 215
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Kira is a gifted weaver with a lame leg who lives with her mother. In the world that she lives in, the weak are typically cast aside and left for the beasts in the forest. When Kira's mother dies, she is left to fight for herself when she receives deliverance and a mentor from the Council of the Guardians.
My Review: While the book is marketed as a companion to "The Giver", one of my favorite books of all time, I think that distinction may hurt the book more than help it. In my opinion, the Giver is such a good book, that my expectations for this book were set higher than they would have been. I enjoyed this book and found the story and plot very thought-provoking. It was nice to have a short easy read.
Author: Lois Lowry
Pages: 215
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Kira is a gifted weaver with a lame leg who lives with her mother. In the world that she lives in, the weak are typically cast aside and left for the beasts in the forest. When Kira's mother dies, she is left to fight for herself when she receives deliverance and a mentor from the Council of the Guardians.
My Review: While the book is marketed as a companion to "The Giver", one of my favorite books of all time, I think that distinction may hurt the book more than help it. In my opinion, the Giver is such a good book, that my expectations for this book were set higher than they would have been. I enjoyed this book and found the story and plot very thought-provoking. It was nice to have a short easy read.
The Pickwick Papers
Title: The Pickwick Papers
Author: Charles Dickens
Pages: 24 discs (Read 10 1/2)
Genre: Classic
Grade: D
Synopsis: Mr. Samuel Pickwick is a retired businessman and bachelor that is ready to do a little traveling and have some adventures. He forms the Pickwick Club and he and is fellow Pickwickians form a corresponding society to report back about their journeys and travels.
My Review: Well, this may not be fair because I actually didn't finish the book. I don't remember the last time that I didn't finish a book, but this one was so long, it had been checked out from library for more than 2 months and I just didn't have it in me to keep trudging. Generally, this book is well-liked, but I found it quite dry (with a little bit of humor here and there) and I had a hard time following along. A few times I reviewed summaries of the chapters to get a better idea of the plot, but I was never sucked in to the stories. If I make it through my current 'to-read' list, and once I've read a few of Dickens' other works then I'm willing to give this one another shot.
Author: Charles Dickens
Pages: 24 discs (Read 10 1/2)
Genre: Classic
Grade: D
Synopsis: Mr. Samuel Pickwick is a retired businessman and bachelor that is ready to do a little traveling and have some adventures. He forms the Pickwick Club and he and is fellow Pickwickians form a corresponding society to report back about their journeys and travels.
My Review: Well, this may not be fair because I actually didn't finish the book. I don't remember the last time that I didn't finish a book, but this one was so long, it had been checked out from library for more than 2 months and I just didn't have it in me to keep trudging. Generally, this book is well-liked, but I found it quite dry (with a little bit of humor here and there) and I had a hard time following along. A few times I reviewed summaries of the chapters to get a better idea of the plot, but I was never sucked in to the stories. If I make it through my current 'to-read' list, and once I've read a few of Dickens' other works then I'm willing to give this one another shot.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Beach Music
Title: Beach Music
Author: Pat Conroy
Pages: 628
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Jack McCall is an American writer living in Rome with his daughter Leah after his wife jumped from a bridge and then his in-laws sued for custody of his precious daughter. For years he had refused and contact from anybody back home in South Carolina, but within a few days some old friends track him down in Venice and his previous sister-in-law finds him through a private investigator in Rome. Between the two of them, they convince him to confront his past and return home.
My Review: I wish that I could recall where I got this book recommendation (It was probably six or seven years ago so if it was you, fess up...). Pat Conroy is known as a great storyteller and this book was more or less a collection of a ton of stories with the main plotline woven through. For example, a smattering of the stories covered the following: life in Rome, multiple suicides (one hanging and one bridge jumper), a monk in hiding who killed a couple while making love, a priest who killed an orphan-master that was raping his sister by setting him on fire. a Palestinian terrorist operation as the protagonist is trying to catch a flight, Jack's mother suffers from Leukemia and he and his brothers spend lots of time at the hospital as she struggles through chemotherapy, lovers killed when a bomb explodes the plane they were in, stories of Jewish torture in Auschwitz, Poland, and Kironittska Ukraine, a group of friends that get stranded on a small boat in the ocean when they try and harpoon a manta ray as big as a house, the nesting rituals of the endangered loggerhead turtles, a schizophrenic abducts his mother with leukemia and hides her in a cabin in the woods, a politician running for the governership of South Carolina, a movie producer trying to produce a film about growing up in Waterford, South Carolina, a secret lover killed by an ax into his back, the wife taking revenge on the drunk father by tying him to a bed a setting him on fire, the Nazis despicable crimes against Jews, protests against the Viet Nam War, and many more. I enjoyed the stories, but it took me a while to read because there was so much going on.
Disclaimer: There is language, death, and crimes that may make you shudder.
Author: Pat Conroy
Pages: 628
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Jack McCall is an American writer living in Rome with his daughter Leah after his wife jumped from a bridge and then his in-laws sued for custody of his precious daughter. For years he had refused and contact from anybody back home in South Carolina, but within a few days some old friends track him down in Venice and his previous sister-in-law finds him through a private investigator in Rome. Between the two of them, they convince him to confront his past and return home.
My Review: I wish that I could recall where I got this book recommendation (It was probably six or seven years ago so if it was you, fess up...). Pat Conroy is known as a great storyteller and this book was more or less a collection of a ton of stories with the main plotline woven through. For example, a smattering of the stories covered the following: life in Rome, multiple suicides (one hanging and one bridge jumper), a monk in hiding who killed a couple while making love, a priest who killed an orphan-master that was raping his sister by setting him on fire. a Palestinian terrorist operation as the protagonist is trying to catch a flight, Jack's mother suffers from Leukemia and he and his brothers spend lots of time at the hospital as she struggles through chemotherapy, lovers killed when a bomb explodes the plane they were in, stories of Jewish torture in Auschwitz, Poland, and Kironittska Ukraine, a group of friends that get stranded on a small boat in the ocean when they try and harpoon a manta ray as big as a house, the nesting rituals of the endangered loggerhead turtles, a schizophrenic abducts his mother with leukemia and hides her in a cabin in the woods, a politician running for the governership of South Carolina, a movie producer trying to produce a film about growing up in Waterford, South Carolina, a secret lover killed by an ax into his back, the wife taking revenge on the drunk father by tying him to a bed a setting him on fire, the Nazis despicable crimes against Jews, protests against the Viet Nam War, and many more. I enjoyed the stories, but it took me a while to read because there was so much going on.
Disclaimer: There is language, death, and crimes that may make you shudder.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Inheritance
Title: Inheritance
Author: Christopher Paolini
Pages: 860
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Synopsis: The time has come for Eragon Shadeslayer, the elf Arya Shadeslayer, the Varden, the Dwarfs, the Urgals and the Surdans to fight Galbatorix. While they know they only have the slimmest bit of hope for success, they must sacrifice for the sake of Alagaesia.
My Review: This was a very satisfying conclusion to the Inheritance Series. There were enough unexpected twists and turns that I never felt like I knew what was going to happen. The writing quality seemed better than any of the other books (as it should be since Paolini is quite a bit older than he was when Eragon was first published).
Author: Christopher Paolini
Pages: 860
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Synopsis: The time has come for Eragon Shadeslayer, the elf Arya Shadeslayer, the Varden, the Dwarfs, the Urgals and the Surdans to fight Galbatorix. While they know they only have the slimmest bit of hope for success, they must sacrifice for the sake of Alagaesia.
My Review: This was a very satisfying conclusion to the Inheritance Series. There were enough unexpected twists and turns that I never felt like I knew what was going to happen. The writing quality seemed better than any of the other books (as it should be since Paolini is quite a bit older than he was when Eragon was first published).
Labels:
A-,
Christopher Paolini,
Fantasy,
Inheritance,
Inheritance Cycle
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Title: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot
Pages: 377
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade: A-
Synopsis: From the sub-text on the cover of the book that took the author ten years to research and write: "Doctors took her cells without asking. Those cells never died. They launched a medical revolution and a multimillion-dollar industry. More than twenty years later, her children found out. Their lives would never be the same."
My Review: This is a fascinating book about a topic that I knew nothing about. In 1951, Henrietta Lacks was suffering from a very-aggressive form of cervical cancer. Her doctors took a small biopsy and sent it to the labs where her cells became the first line of immortal cells. It is estimated that enough HeLa cells have been grown to weigh 50 million metric tons. Her cells have contributed to virtually all of the medical advancements in the last 5-6 decades including the polio vaccine, cancer treatments and the effect of the atom bomb on cells. My single complaint is that it often feels like the book is repeating itself.
From the Book: "I later learned that while Elsie was at Crownsville, scientists often conducted research on patients there without consent, including one study titled "Pneumoencephalographic and skull X-ray studies in 100 epileptics." Pneumoencephalography was a technique developed in 1919 for taking images of the brain, which floats in a sea of liquid. That fluid protects the brain from damage, but makes it very difficult to X-ray, since images taken through fluid are cloudy. Pneumoencephalography involved drilling holes into the skulls of research subjects, draining the fluid surrounding their brains, and pumping air or helium into the skull in place of the fluid to allow crisp X-rays of the brain through the skull. the side effects--crippling headaches, dizziness, seizures, vomiting--lasted until the body naturally refilled the skull with spinal fluid, which usually took two to three months. Because pneumoencephalography could cause permanent brain damage and paralysis, it was abandoned in the 1970s.
"There is no evidence that the scientists who did research on patients at Crownsville got consent from either the patients of their parents. Bases on the number of patients listed in the pneumoencephalography studyand the years it was conducted, Lurz told me later, it most likely involved every epileptic child in the hospital including Elsie. The same is likely true of at lest on other study called "The Use of Deep Temporal Leads in the Study of Psychomotor Epilepsy," which involved inserting metal probes into patients' brains."
Author: Rebecca Skloot
Pages: 377
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade: A-
Synopsis: From the sub-text on the cover of the book that took the author ten years to research and write: "Doctors took her cells without asking. Those cells never died. They launched a medical revolution and a multimillion-dollar industry. More than twenty years later, her children found out. Their lives would never be the same."
My Review: This is a fascinating book about a topic that I knew nothing about. In 1951, Henrietta Lacks was suffering from a very-aggressive form of cervical cancer. Her doctors took a small biopsy and sent it to the labs where her cells became the first line of immortal cells. It is estimated that enough HeLa cells have been grown to weigh 50 million metric tons. Her cells have contributed to virtually all of the medical advancements in the last 5-6 decades including the polio vaccine, cancer treatments and the effect of the atom bomb on cells. My single complaint is that it often feels like the book is repeating itself.
From the Book: "I later learned that while Elsie was at Crownsville, scientists often conducted research on patients there without consent, including one study titled "Pneumoencephalographic and skull X-ray studies in 100 epileptics." Pneumoencephalography was a technique developed in 1919 for taking images of the brain, which floats in a sea of liquid. That fluid protects the brain from damage, but makes it very difficult to X-ray, since images taken through fluid are cloudy. Pneumoencephalography involved drilling holes into the skulls of research subjects, draining the fluid surrounding their brains, and pumping air or helium into the skull in place of the fluid to allow crisp X-rays of the brain through the skull. the side effects--crippling headaches, dizziness, seizures, vomiting--lasted until the body naturally refilled the skull with spinal fluid, which usually took two to three months. Because pneumoencephalography could cause permanent brain damage and paralysis, it was abandoned in the 1970s.
"There is no evidence that the scientists who did research on patients at Crownsville got consent from either the patients of their parents. Bases on the number of patients listed in the pneumoencephalography studyand the years it was conducted, Lurz told me later, it most likely involved every epileptic child in the hospital including Elsie. The same is likely true of at lest on other study called "The Use of Deep Temporal Leads in the Study of Psychomotor Epilepsy," which involved inserting metal probes into patients' brains."
The Help
Title: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett
Pages: 451
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Skeeter returns to her home in Mississippi after graduating from Ole Miss in 1962. The black maid who raised her was no longer employed by her family and nobody will tell her what has happened to her. Skeeter gets a job with a local newspaper answering mailbag questions about cleaning and household chores and she develops a relationship with one of her friends' maids, Aibileen. In time, Skeeter begins to draft a book about what it is like for a black woman to work as hired help in Jackson, Mississippi in the height of the civil rights movement.
My Review: I don't think that I loved this book as much as many others have, but I certainly enjoyed the book, the writing style, and how the story was presented. I had a hard time putting my finger on the climax and once I did, I felt that it was a little too drawn out for my liking. I especially enjoy books like this because I find it very difficult to imagine just how bad racial tensions were in the South during this time period. The country has made great strides since that time.
Author: Kathryn Stockett
Pages: 451
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Skeeter returns to her home in Mississippi after graduating from Ole Miss in 1962. The black maid who raised her was no longer employed by her family and nobody will tell her what has happened to her. Skeeter gets a job with a local newspaper answering mailbag questions about cleaning and household chores and she develops a relationship with one of her friends' maids, Aibileen. In time, Skeeter begins to draft a book about what it is like for a black woman to work as hired help in Jackson, Mississippi in the height of the civil rights movement.
My Review: I don't think that I loved this book as much as many others have, but I certainly enjoyed the book, the writing style, and how the story was presented. I had a hard time putting my finger on the climax and once I did, I felt that it was a little too drawn out for my liking. I especially enjoy books like this because I find it very difficult to imagine just how bad racial tensions were in the South during this time period. The country has made great strides since that time.
but enough about me...
Title: but enough about me... A Jersey Girl's Unlikely Adventures Among the Absurdly Famous
Author: Jancee Dunn
Pages: 274
Genre: Autobiography
Grade: B
Synopsis: Jancee Dunn was a pretty regular girl growing up in New Jersey who was given a chance to work at Rolling Stone, on Good Morning America, and as one of the first VJs for MTV2. Interspersed with her autobiographical stories are lessons that she learned and anecdotes from her numerous interviews with famous musicians and movie stars.
My Review: I enjoyed this book. It was light, generally interesting and quite humorous at times. There isn't anything terribly special about Jancee Dunn, but she is a good storyteller and has plenty of stories to share.
Disclaimer: There is a bit of language. As you can imagine, not all of the musicians and actors/actresses are known for their clean language.
Author: Jancee Dunn
Pages: 274
Genre: Autobiography
Grade: B
Synopsis: Jancee Dunn was a pretty regular girl growing up in New Jersey who was given a chance to work at Rolling Stone, on Good Morning America, and as one of the first VJs for MTV2. Interspersed with her autobiographical stories are lessons that she learned and anecdotes from her numerous interviews with famous musicians and movie stars.
My Review: I enjoyed this book. It was light, generally interesting and quite humorous at times. There isn't anything terribly special about Jancee Dunn, but she is a good storyteller and has plenty of stories to share.
Disclaimer: There is a bit of language. As you can imagine, not all of the musicians and actors/actresses are known for their clean language.
Labels:
Autobiography,
B,
but enough about me,
Jancee Dunn
Water for Elephants
Title: Water for Elephants
Author: Sara Gruen
Pages: 350
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Fate leads Jacob Janikowski to the Benzini Brothers circus train where he is hired on as the vets Ivy League educated veterinarian. It is the very beginning of the Great Depression, probably the height of the train-car circus and as the depression deepens, many other circuses are having to throw in the towel. When the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on earth acquires an elephant for their beautiful star Marlena, things are looking up for the struggling act.
My Review: The circus has always been magical with its freaks and clowns, gymnasts and performers and exotic animals from all corners of the earth. This book builds a story around the traveling circus that I found to be very interesting and enjoyable. The plot is a little weak, but it was a fun book nonetheless.
Author: Sara Gruen
Pages: 350
Genre: Fiction
Grade: B+
Synopsis: Fate leads Jacob Janikowski to the Benzini Brothers circus train where he is hired on as the vets Ivy League educated veterinarian. It is the very beginning of the Great Depression, probably the height of the train-car circus and as the depression deepens, many other circuses are having to throw in the towel. When the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on earth acquires an elephant for their beautiful star Marlena, things are looking up for the struggling act.
My Review: The circus has always been magical with its freaks and clowns, gymnasts and performers and exotic animals from all corners of the earth. This book builds a story around the traveling circus that I found to be very interesting and enjoyable. The plot is a little weak, but it was a fun book nonetheless.
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