Monday, May 10, 2010
Asleep: The Forgotten Epidemic That Remains One of Medicine's Greatest Mysteries / Molly Caldwell Crosby 291 p.
Details the epidemic of sleeping sickness (encephalitis lethargica) that spread mysteriously around the globe after WWI, seemingly in the wake of the Spanish influenza pandemic. Crosby uses 7 case studies to frame the different phases of the epidemic, from the beginning of the outbreak, through the long (and unsuccessful) efforts to find either treatment or cure, to the final period in which post-encephalitic patients spent years 'asleep' in institutions, forgotten by almost everyone until a young Dr. Oliver Sacks treated some of them with L-dopa. Very disturbing because, as Crosby explains, no one has ever discovered the exact mechanism by which the disease worked, or why some fell ill and not others. In other words, it could happen again... Less interesting was Crosby's writing style. I think she's a frustrated novelist, and embroiders the text with too much detail. The facts are compelling enough.
Fresh Lies / James Lileks 292 p.
I didn't strain any muscles from hysterical laughter while reading this one, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. Lileks combines extreme silliness with an obvious intelligence.
The Last Fix / K.O. Dahl, 375 p.
Another Norwegian mystery, and the only I've read by Dahl. Not great - the 'solution' felt tacked on to the end, rather than a natural outcome of events. A former addict and prostitute is murdered, and the list of possible suspects is long.
Trickster's Choice/Tamora Pierce
Trickster's Choice (Daughter of the Lioness, book 1), by Tamora Pierce; young adult, fantasy; 448 pages (about 10 hours, listening)
Yes, I'm still reading Tamora Pierce. And I'm still loving it. This book's protagonist is Alianne of Pirate's Swoop, daughter of Alanna the Lioness, from several books ago. And we dive right into the action: within the first chapter, Aly's kidnapped by pirates and sold in to slavery in a distant country. Before she can escape, she gets caught up in a scheme with the trickster god who once ruled that country, and now wants it back. If Aly can keep the god's chosen one alive long enough for her to claim the throne, he'll send Aly back home, and even get her parents off her back. Of course, Aly's more than cut out for her new job as spy and bodyguard--her father was once the King of Thieves in her home city, and now serves as spymaster to the king, so she's got more than a few tricks up her sleeve. So many of the other Pierce books have been about warriors and heroes--it was refreshing to have a character who specializes in not being noticed, and to watch Aly come into her own as spymaster to another noble house. I started the second book immediately after finishing this, and will report back.
Yes, I'm still reading Tamora Pierce. And I'm still loving it. This book's protagonist is Alianne of Pirate's Swoop, daughter of Alanna the Lioness, from several books ago. And we dive right into the action: within the first chapter, Aly's kidnapped by pirates and sold in to slavery in a distant country. Before she can escape, she gets caught up in a scheme with the trickster god who once ruled that country, and now wants it back. If Aly can keep the god's chosen one alive long enough for her to claim the throne, he'll send Aly back home, and even get her parents off her back. Of course, Aly's more than cut out for her new job as spy and bodyguard--her father was once the King of Thieves in her home city, and now serves as spymaster to the king, so she's got more than a few tricks up her sleeve. So many of the other Pierce books have been about warriors and heroes--it was refreshing to have a character who specializes in not being noticed, and to watch Aly come into her own as spymaster to another noble house. I started the second book immediately after finishing this, and will report back.
Bonk / Mary Roach
Bonk: the Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach. 319 p.
I really liked Mary Roach's book Stiff when I read it a few years ago--she writes very clearly about science and medicine for the layman, and she's ridiculously funny. So how could I not love her book about sex? I learned some really interesting stuff about scientific research on human sexuality, but of course the amusing anecdotes are what stick in the mind. My biggest problem with the book is that approximately every 2 pages there's something so funny and/or interesting that I have an overwhelming need to share it with someone else, and there's not always someone around. (I did draw the line at making my waiter/waitress listen.)
I really liked Mary Roach's book Stiff when I read it a few years ago--she writes very clearly about science and medicine for the layman, and she's ridiculously funny. So how could I not love her book about sex? I learned some really interesting stuff about scientific research on human sexuality, but of course the amusing anecdotes are what stick in the mind. My biggest problem with the book is that approximately every 2 pages there's something so funny and/or interesting that I have an overwhelming need to share it with someone else, and there's not always someone around. (I did draw the line at making my waiter/waitress listen.)
This World We Live In/Susan Beth Pfeffer
This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer; young adult; 256 pages
I had really enjoyed the first two books in this series. The premise is that an asteroid has knocked the moon closer to earth, causing global climate changes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. The first book is the diary of a 16-year-old girl as she and her family try to survive, while the second book follows a different family in New York City. This book brings the two groups together, and an expected romance kicks up between the narrators of the two books (though this book is, like the first, narrated solely by Miranda in her diary). I felt like I should have liked this a lot more than it did, but while the first two books focused on survival, this book seemed more concerned with gooey-eyed romance, which just didn't seem in keeping with the bleakness of the rest of the series. Also, the little sister character that mildly annoyed me in the second book became, if possible, more annoying here (she herself is not annoying, but her perpetual helplessness, and the fact the everyone bends over backwards to accommodate her--because she's just such a good person-- gets really old, really fast).
I had really enjoyed the first two books in this series. The premise is that an asteroid has knocked the moon closer to earth, causing global climate changes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. The first book is the diary of a 16-year-old girl as she and her family try to survive, while the second book follows a different family in New York City. This book brings the two groups together, and an expected romance kicks up between the narrators of the two books (though this book is, like the first, narrated solely by Miranda in her diary). I felt like I should have liked this a lot more than it did, but while the first two books focused on survival, this book seemed more concerned with gooey-eyed romance, which just didn't seem in keeping with the bleakness of the rest of the series. Also, the little sister character that mildly annoyed me in the second book became, if possible, more annoying here (she herself is not annoying, but her perpetual helplessness, and the fact the everyone bends over backwards to accommodate her--because she's just such a good person-- gets really old, really fast).
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Spy wars: moles, mysteries, and deadly games
Spy wars: moles, mysteries, and deadly games/Tennent H. Bagley 313 pg.
I've always loved the spy stuff and this book was great except after reading it you wonder how the CIA could be so stupid...yea, I guess I can see it. Anyway, this book covers a certain KGB defector, Yuri Nosenko, who was clearly a KGB plant. In the end, the CIA refused to second guess themselves and instead built this guy up to be the greatest source they ever had. Funny how when you try to cover up your mistakes, you often make even bigger ones. Even if you just read the final couple of chapters, it is a great lesson on the concept of "group think" and how people can be persuaded by others and there lack of desire to look like they had been wrong all along. - Christa
I've always loved the spy stuff and this book was great except after reading it you wonder how the CIA could be so stupid...yea, I guess I can see it. Anyway, this book covers a certain KGB defector, Yuri Nosenko, who was clearly a KGB plant. In the end, the CIA refused to second guess themselves and instead built this guy up to be the greatest source they ever had. Funny how when you try to cover up your mistakes, you often make even bigger ones. Even if you just read the final couple of chapters, it is a great lesson on the concept of "group think" and how people can be persuaded by others and there lack of desire to look like they had been wrong all along. - Christa
Reel Spirit
Reel Spirit a guide to movies that inspire, explore and empower/Raymond Teague 438 pg.
I chose this to read about the more spiritual and ethical points of movies I watched for entertainment. - Susie
I chose this to read about the more spiritual and ethical points of movies I watched for entertainment. - Susie
Trotsky: a Graphic Biography
Trotsky: a Graphic Biography/Rick Leary 102 pg.
I chose this for a brief explanation of Trotsky's life. - Susie
I chose this for a brief explanation of Trotsky's life. - Susie
The House on Garibaldi Street
The House on Garibaldi Street: the first full account of the capture of Adolf Eichmann/Isser Harel 290 pgs.
I chose this to see what it took to bring Eichmann to Isreal for an overdue trial. - Susie
I chose this to see what it took to bring Eichmann to Isreal for an overdue trial. - Susie
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