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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Jeane has commented on (125) products
Dark Tower 01 Gunslinger
by
Stephen King
Jeane
, September 27, 2008
What an original book. Elements of fantasy, mystery and horror all mixed into an epic quest in a post-apocalyptic, western setting.
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Speaker For The Dead: Ender Wiggin Saga 2
by
Orson Scott Card
Jeane
, September 24, 2008
This is one of those books packed with a complex story and thought-provoking ideas. Fraught with moral and religious dilemmas, especially showing how vast misunderstandings can be, not only between the obvious alien races, but between people of the same community and family.
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Dragonhaven
by
Robin Mckinley
Jeane
, September 24, 2008
McKinley takes creatures of fantasy and puts them in the everyday world. The loch ness monster is very alive, and has male suitors; there's intelligent life on Mars (in the form of sentient lichens), and dragons are a rare, endangered species. So when this kid saves an orphaned baby dragon, he's not only breaking the law and causing tons of trouble for his family, but getting himself more closely involved with the giant, dangerous beasts than anyone has ever done before... A wonderfully imagined story full of details that make it feel very realistic.
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My Fathers Dragon 01
by
Gannett, Ruth Stiles
Jeane
, September 24, 2008
Very cute and clever! I loved this story about Elmer, a boy who runs away from home to rescue a baby dragon, when I was a kid and am now sharing it with my own daughter (4 years old). She can't wait to read each chapter!
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Sunshine
by
Robin McKinley
Jeane
, September 24, 2008
Vampires in an urban setting, the protagonist a baker who doesn't know she can wield magic, an eccentric landlady who turns out to know more than you'd suspect- this is a great story! The intricate details of the urban fantasy world McKinley created kept me riveted. I really liked the juxtaposition of magic and technology, and the contrast of the two main characters- one who embodied light, the other darkness. How they found themselves working together, when by nature they would be totally repelled by each other. I really wish there was a sequel.
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The Music of Dolphins
by
Karen Hesse
Jeane
, September 24, 2008
A teenage girl rescued after living with dolphins in the ocean for twelve years. Taken to a research facility where scientists try to teach her to speak and act human. Although she likes learning English, and especially music, her greatest desire is to return to the ocean and the dolphins. A moving story of communication, belonging, and the power of music to open people's hearts and understanding.
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History Of Joseph Smith By His Mother
by
Lucy Mack Smith
Jeane
, September 24, 2008
What better source of information on Joseph Smith than his own mother's account? Through The History of Joseph Smith you an inside picture of his family life, their search for spiritual truth, the constant pressure and persecutions they suffered, and their work in organizing and building up the early church.
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Butterfly Garden
by
Sedenko Jerry
Jeane
, September 24, 2008
Everything you'd want to know about butterflies and getting them to come to your garden. The book features butterflies in art, literature and history. It describes butterfly biology and life cycles. There is a portfolio of photos and descriptions of the twenty-five most common or beloved butterflies found in the United States, and an illustrated plant list of trees, shrubs, herbs and flowers that attract butterflies. Finally, some useful examples of garden designs that are well-suited for butterflies. The book has a nice design, pretty photographs, and solid basic info about butterflies. It's easy to read, too.
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Other Lives
by
Andre Brink
Jeane
, September 24, 2008
This novel is composed of overlapping stories about three men in modern South Africa, whose lives are subtly interconnected. In the first two tales, the protagonist faces a sudden change which makes him question his very identity. The last story lacks a sudden, dreamlike change as impetus; its surreal elements move in undertones. As the characters each engage in self-examination, many secrets they keep from each other become slowly revealed, betrayals that link each story to the next like threads twisted under the ground... Trust (or lack of it), self-identity and racism are all strong themes in Other Lives, which raises unsettling questions: how well can we know each other? and: how well do we even know ourselves?
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The Midwife's Tale
by
Gretchen Moran Laskas
Jeane
, September 09, 2008
Set in a secluded valley in the Appalacian mountains of West Virginia, during the 1930's. In a time when there were few conveniences, drugs were quackery viewed with suspicion, most everybody knew each other and was interrelated somehow. The main character, Elizabeth, is the daughter of a midwife. Her mother has trained her in the lore, but when Elizabeth learns that the midwives not only delivery babies but silently murder those born deformed or unwanted, she can't bear the thought of performing such acts. Especially since she's an illegitimate child herself... There's also a convoluted love story in here, and a "miracle child" with some very unexpected gifts. What an emotional tale.
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New Kitchen Garden
by
Adam Caplin
Jeane
, September 09, 2008
This book is an enticement of visual beauty. It introduces the reader to types of produce that are not only good to eat, but also make a pleasing visual contrast or display when tucked into your already-existing perennial border or flower bed. Tips on growing plants (including fruit trees!) in limited space, recommendations of particularly tasty, hardy or pretty varieties, and a collection of scrumptious looking recipes at the end make this book a real treasure. I tried some of the recipes. They're delicious, and easy to make!
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Expecting Adam A True Story of Birth Rebirth & Everyday Magic
by
Martha Beck
Jeane
, September 09, 2008
Describes the author's experiences as a Harvard graduate student expecting a child, who she discovers has Down's Syndrome. She struggles with confronting those who find her decision (not to abort him) unacceptable- portraying the Harvard community as being totally intellectual-driven, elitist and unsympathetic to students who have difficulties balancing academics and challenges in their personal lives. Eventually she realizes she needs a change in perspective- and thus begins an exploration into supernatural and paranormal spiritual experiences. Beck's writing is wry, sarcastic, funny- and sometimes terribly unflattering to her family members and academic peers. A very interesting book.
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Mind of the Raven Investigations & Adventures with Wolf Birds
by
Bernd Heinrich
Jeane
, September 09, 2008
Bernd Heinrich shares his lifelong curiosity about ravens. He observe ravens in the wild, and some kept as pets. Most of his work is done with hand-raised birds in large outdoor aviaries. There he devised many experiments- which failed countless times, because the ravens completely foiled him. Heinrich doesn't avoid sharing his errors and frustrations. The personal tone and numerous anecdotes make this book a pleasure to read. It's full of information about raven behavior and biology. Wrapped around all the facts are the author's personal opinions, conclusions and admiration for these fascinating birds.
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Storyteller In Zion
by
Orson Scott Card
Jeane
, September 09, 2008
This book is a collection of essays and speeches by Orson Scott Card. Read it and you'll get a very clear picture of where this author is coming from, his attitudes and the motivations behind the fiction he writes.
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Omnivores Dilemma
by
Michael Pollan
Jeane
, September 09, 2008
Excellent book! Pollan goes through a detailed examination of how food gets to our tables. He looks at big agriculture, the atrocities of fast food, organic farming- both big, little and "off the grid" and surprisingly, food which he hunted and gathered himself from the forest. Pollan shares many of his experiences conducting first-hand research: visits to feedlots and cornfields, to chicken sheds and organic farms, to tracts of forestland in pursuit of wild pig and mushrooms. This book really makes you stop and think about what you're eating. Did you know that the greater percentage of items in a supermarket are made from corn? That organic food isn't always what it appears to be? That mushrooms don't contain any calories? I learned so many things from this book it's impossible to name them all.
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Yearling
by
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Jeane
, September 09, 2008
About a family living on an isolated homestead in central Florida's scrub wilderness, during the late 1800's. Much of the book is an ode to nature- wildlife and landscape abound in beautiful descriptions. The boy Jody in the story has a pet deer, which poses a serious threat his family's crops when it grows up. Facing what to do about his pet deer is only one of the tough decisions Jody has to make as he grows up. In fact, although the situation about the deer is pivotal in his coming of age, it is really not the focus of this book. More than anything, this is a story about family, relationships and survival.
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Covering Ground Unexpected Ideas for Landscaping with Colorful Low Maintenance Ground Covers
by
Barbara Ellis
Jeane
, September 09, 2008
Easy prose and beautiful pictures. Not only about plants that hug the soil at the height of your lawn, but also some taller plants, low shrubs and diminutive trees are discussed. It's nicely arranged into chapters about design, plant care, and species according to site conditions. This really is a lovely book.
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(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
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A Friend Like Henry: The Remarkable True Story of an Autistic Boy and the Dog That Unlocked His World
by
Nuala Gardner
Jeane
, September 07, 2008
It's amazing what this dog did for the boy. Through the dog's example, they were able to teach Dale at first simple things- to be able to take a bath, or get his hair cut, for example, without throwing huge fits. Eventually the dog was also involved in helping Dale learn to communicate, use eye contact, understand and express empathy. When years later Dale's little sister showed signs of also being autistic, the dog's help was enlisted again- in a slightly different fashion. What an inspiring story.
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Letters For Our Children Fifty Americans
by
Erica Goode
Jeane
, August 26, 2008
A collection of letters from adults written to children offering insight, advice, moral guidance and encouragement, often sharing their own experiences. These are not only from parent to child but also directed at grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or kids that the adults have mentored in some way. Written by celebrities as well as ordinary everyday people, the authors of these letters come from all walks of life, but their counsel all has a common thread. They all care deeply about and feel responsible for these children. Many of the letters discuss issues the authors found difficult to address in face-to-face conversation, which made them more interesting to me. Some I found very inspiring, others not so much.
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Elm At The Edge Of The Earth
by
Robert D Hale
Jeane
, August 11, 2008
This is the story of a young boy growing up in a most curious circumstance. His mother being ill, David is sent to live with his Aunt Maude, who is head cook at the County Home. Although it is never clearly explained, the Home seems to fill roles of Social Services, mental institution and orphanage all in one. David roams the buildings and landscape making unlikely friends, getting into trouble, struggling to make sense of growing up. While his aunt can't always keep track of him, David finds friendship and guidance from other residents of the Home- some whose advice and teaching aren't exactly conventional!
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Abels Island
by
William Steig
Jeane
, July 14, 2008
A sophisticated city mouse learns to survive by his wits and live close to nature when stranded on an island. Think Robinson Crusoe meets Charlotte's Web and you'll have a good idea of this book's character. The humor and language are quite appealing to adults even though it is written for children. William Steig's illustrations are just wonderful. Funny and very charming.
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$64 Tomato How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity Spent a Fortune & Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Ga
by
William Alexander
Jeane
, July 11, 2008
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I ate it all up- in just two days. This author turned his hilly backyard into a huge, nearly unmanageable vegetable and flower garden. Trying to grow the most tasty produce, he battles with groundhogs, insect pests, thieving squirrels, etc. It's pretty hilarious. I don't think I would ever use his methods: hiring a landscaper to prepare the plot, setting up a five-thousand voltage electric fence, trying to outright kill any wildlife that wants to munch on his prize heirloom tomatoes. Yet I can sympathize with his frustrations. The crazy thing is that after spending tons of money on his garden, and struggling to get it to grow, he had more food than his family could eat. I really liked his solution.
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Where Late The Sweet Birds Sang
by
Kate Wilhelm
Jeane
, July 11, 2008
The entire world facing disaster. Pollution, radiation, new diseases, famine, animals disappearing at an alarming rate. There are fewer and fewer children. Society collapsing in chaos. One rich family full of brilliant people with a variety of convenient specializations comes together to try and save humanity. To keep from going extinct while trying to figure out why everyone's sterile, they begin cloning humans. Then the clones begin to outnumber the original people. And they don't see the importance of individuality. They view uniformity and mass production as strengths, and want to do away with s-xual reproduction for good. Only a few individuals see how disastrous that would be. Wow, what a book! The portrayal of what it would be like to live as a number among many exactly like you, and the importance of individuality, creativity, adaptability are strong.
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Sea Glass
by
Anita Shreve
Jeane
, July 11, 2008
A newly married couple in an old beach house on the New England Coast, and several of their friends and acquaintances, navigate the stock market crash and a strike among local mill workers. At first these events seem far from the beach house's quiet interior and its occupants, but soon it is right in their living room. The novel explores how all the characters are affected and struggle together with change. It was terribly dull.
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Faith and Betrayal: A Pioneer Woman's Passage in the American West
by
Sally Denton
Jeane
, July 11, 2008
This is an awe-inspiring story of one woman's courage, stamina and ability to acquire whatever new skills were necessary in her new life. Denton does a wonderful job of depicting her great-great grandmother's experiences of crossing the ocean in a ship and traveling in a wagon train, overcoming numerous hardships. Unfortunately, soon after arrival in Utah, the diary upon which this book is largely based falls silent for seventeen years. After that space of time, she left the church and moved to California. Denton filled in the gap with plenty of reasons why. You must read this book with a grain of salt, as it is heavily opinionated- by the author.
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Birdman Of Alcatraz Robert Stroud
by
Thomas E Gaddis
Jeane
, July 11, 2008
Robert Stroud, sentenced for murder, began studying and raising canaries in his prison cell. He became an expert on canary diseases. I was absolutely astonished at all the things Stroud did while in prison, especially that he was allowed to keep canaries at all. He raised hundreds of birds during his forty-plus years in prison. Although the book is bound to have some inaccuracies (the most glaring being that Stroud never kept birds while at Alcatraz, but only when he was in the Leavenworth facility), it is an utterly fascinating read.
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Devils Storybook
by
Natalie Babbitt
Jeane
, July 11, 2008
This charming little book is full of witty stories about the Devil- portrayed as a short-tempered trickster always trying to stir up trouble. Sometimes the Devil gets the results he wants, other times the people he's trying to deceive fool him instead. All the tales have a subtle moral- mostly about the consequence of choices or desires, and a lesson about human nature.
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Parsival Or A Knights Tale
by
Richard Monaco
Jeane
, July 11, 2008
A vividly painted tale set in medieval times. Parsival is the utter fool who gains worldly understanding. He just loves women and fighting, but slowly his innocence starts to erode as he misses his original goal (to find the Holy Grail) and ends up in the middle of a bloody, senselessly brutal war.
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Keep the Aspidistra Flying
by
George Orwell
Jeane
, July 11, 2008
Is the lucrative return of employment worth the awful tedium of spending your days at something you hate? Gordon Comstock doesn't think so. He turns down decent jobs and good opportunities, because they go against his principles, chooses instead to take a low-paying job and live in squalor because he wants to make a living writing. Problem: he isn't very good at it, and being hungry makes it harder and harder to write. Sticking to his ideals, Gordon repeatedly refuses assistance from friends and family, sinking slowly deeper and deeper into poverty until he has to make a choice to survive. A job he doesn't want? or sticking true to his principles and creeping closer to starvation? This book is terribly depressing if you're an artist, but also full of wit and humor. Satire at its best.
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Millions
by
Frank Cottrell Boyce
Jeane
, June 27, 2008
Seventeen days before pounds become euros, two british kids find a bag stuffed with cash, that came off a train destined to burn the money before the changeover. They try to spend all the money before it's worthless- and find out a lot about inflation (on the playground!), difficulties of making change, and that it can actually be hard to give money away. In the meantime, robbers are trying to find them, and someone is trying to woo their recently widowed father, and the younger boy has a weird obsession with saints. Kind of funny, and the kids learn about the relative value of money.
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The Animals Came in One by One
by
Buster Lloyd-Jones
Jeane
, June 27, 2008
This is the memoir of a British veterinarian. The brief anecdotes and descriptions of his many animal patients and acquaintances are pleasing, but what I found most interesting was reading about the National Air Raid Precautions Committee. During WWII, the vet was in charge of rescuing pets from rubble after air raids, often taking them in when their owners could not be found. He bought ten acres where he housed over two hundred dogs, cats and various other animals for up to five years during the war. I really admired the work the author did.
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Toilet Training Without Tears & Trauma Because Children Arent Pets
by
Penny Warner
Jeane
, June 25, 2008
Outlines conventional methods, based on the latest research. Brief, easy to read, yet very informative. Describes several different approaches to toilet training, according to how old the child is or their temperament. Most of the emphasis is on keeping the whole affair stress-free. That's a good thing.
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Potty Training Your Baby: A Practical Guide for Easier Toilet Training
by
Katie Warren
Jeane
, June 25, 2008
This was the last book I read on toilet training, but if it had been the first I would have had an easier time! It's short, simple, and very practical. Want to have your kid out of diapers before they're two, instead of battling toilet training with a truculent toddler? Read this book! It really helped me out.
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Beauty Sleep A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty
by
Cameron Dokey
Jeane
, June 25, 2008
What is it like to grow up under a curse, and everyone knows you're supposed to die on your sixteenth birthday? The princess of this Sleeping Beauty retelling isn't about to let things just happen to her. She sets her eyes on the broader horizon, takes matters into her own hands, and determines to change her fate. This book was really enjoyable. The characters are really human, the princess is full of life and spirit, and the story has quite a few twists.
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Loser
by
Jerry Spinelli
Jeane
, June 25, 2008
This story unfold day after day in the life of a decent kid who tries hard, always fails, and yet still believes in himself. He's terribly unpopular with other kids, but still friendly, happy, wants to do good. I wasn't sure if I should feel sorry for the kid for being so disliked, or admire him for being so good-hearted. Pretty good book.
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Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog (Large Print) (Thorndike Nonfiction)
by
Ted Kerasote
Jeane
, June 22, 2008
Describes the depth of a human-dog relationship, evidence of the dog's thought process and decision-making, and expounds on canine history and behavior. Merle is a very intelligent dog, above average for his kind and quite exceptional. His story is nothing less than extraordinary. It made me laugh, ponder and in the end, almost cry.
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Potty Training Your Baby
by
Katie Van Pelt
Jeane
, June 22, 2008
Short, simple, and very practical. This book breaks down the process into three major steps: teaching your child to recognize the need to go, where to go, and control of their body functions. There's strong emphasis on attitude: keep a relaxed and calm attitude, and not tease a child about body functions. This was the last potty-training book I read, but if it had been the first, I would have had a much easier time!
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Geek Love
by
Katherine Dunn
Jeane
, June 04, 2008
This book is well-written, interesting and hard to put down. Until you start to feel disgusted. It's about a family of freaks, in a traveling circus. There is a boy with flippers instead of arms, an albino midget, a pair of siamese twins, etc. But their parents intentionally used drugs, chemicals and radiation during pregnancy in order to create a family of freaks. If that isn't horrifying enough, the manipulative, greedy and egoistic characters are pretty unpleasant, and there are lots of disturbing situations, including the building of cults, incest and intentional self-mutilation for attention. I found this book really unsettling and still don't know quite what to make of it.
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Call It Sleep
by
Henry Roth
Jeane
, June 04, 2008
A vividly painted experience of Jewish immigration in the early 1900's. It is told through the eyes of a young boy, encompassing several years of his childhood as he navigates the streets and gangs of a poor New York neighborhood, the stifling cheder where he learns the Hebrew of his heritage, and the tumult of his family life (his father paranoid and violent, his mother meek and secretive). One of the great things about this novel is its use of language and dialect: Yiddish, English, street slang, Hebrew and Polish are all presented in different ways to give the flavor and feeling of being surrounded by so many languages; especially for a child who cannot understand them all. I've never read another book that more eloquently depicts what it is like inside the mind of a child. Highly recommended.
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Embraced By The Light
by
Betty J Eadie
Jeane
, June 04, 2008
Betty Eadie recounts a near-death experience she had when dying on a operating table, then being revived. Most of the book is about her experience visiting "heaven" and all the questions she had answered there, told in lots of details. The book is written in a very simplistic style, so it's a pretty quick read. The main message seems to be one of acceptance and unconditional love.
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Icebound Summer
by
Sally Carrighar
Jeane
, June 04, 2008
Describes one season in the arctic, each chapter focused on a particular animal. The vast, frozen landscape is a prominent feature against which seals, foxes, lemmings, whales, loons, terns, plover, walrus and men make their living. Other animals are secondary characters: gulls, orcas, caribou. Information on the flyleaf tells that the author spent several years in Alaska observing wildlife, accompanying Eskimos on seal and whale hunts, and traveling "more than four thousand miles in search of lemmings." That helped stem my incredulity when I read her account of lemmings plunging into the sea, or a walrus that killed and ate seals. I looked it up: these things really do happen as she described. I never would have known.
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Sign With Your Baby How To Communicate With Infants Before They Can Speak
by
Joseph Garcia
Jeane
, June 04, 2008
Presented in this book is the idea that you can teach your older baby / young toddler simple sign language to facilitate communication before they're able to talk. It cuts down on frustration from having a wailing toddler who just points or screams, and you have no idea what they want. This book briefly outlines why it's helpful to teach sign language to babies, and how to do it (in very specific steps). There are about 140 ASL signs described, although I didn't find them all useful with a toddler.
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Burning Season The Murder of Chico Mendes & the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest
by
Andrew Revkin
Jeane
, June 04, 2008
In an easy-flowing, detailed narrative, Revkin relates the plight of the Amazon rainforest, and political turmoil in Brazil. Chico Mendes was a native Brazilian whose living came from extracting rubber and gathering brazil nuts from the trees, in a carefully planned manner which left little impact on the forest and kept the resource renewable. In 1988 he was murdered by a group with conflicting interests: cattle ranchers who were clearing the land for their own use. I felt astonished, dismayed and outraged at what I read in this book. It taught me a lot about an issue I've always heard of, but felt far removed from.
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Ronia The Robbers Daughter
by
Astrid Lindgren
Jeane
, June 04, 2008
This charming story is of an outlaw family of thieves, living in a forest. Ronia, the daughter, befriends a boy from an enemy group of robbers. Together they explore the forest, deliberately face their fears, and learn great lessons of love, trust and forgiveness. Full of strong emotions, very realistic characters, fantastic creatures and lots of adventure, this is a really enjoyable read. In some ways it's like a meeting of Peter Pan and Robin Hood. There's also a sense of the Romeo and Juliet story, because of the boy/girl friendship from rival, feuding families. This book will especially appeal to young girls because it features a young female protagonists who is admirably brave and resourceful, yet has her own human faults as well. I would have loved this book if I'd read it as a child, and plan to read it to my own daughter someday.
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One Hour Garden How You Can Have A No Fu
by
Joanna Smith
Jeane
, June 04, 2008
This book gives you ideas on how to create a garden that is attractive and low-maintenance, requiring an hour or less of work per week. It is a great resource for busy people who want a pleasant outdoors area to enjoy without spending lots of time weeding, pruning, mowing, etc. There's lots of charts to help you plan your garden and choose plants that are hardy and require little or no care. The downside is that to have a self-sustaining garden requires a lot of work and expense in the beginning to establish- especially if you have to redesign most of your existing space. But it seems well worth the effort: after all that trouble you can have a garden that practically maintains itself for years on end.
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Jackdaws
by
Ken Follett
Jeane
, May 16, 2008
This fast-paced, suspenseful war novel was recommended to me by my father. Based on true events, Jackdaws tells the story of a group of secret agents who went into France near the end of WWII. Their mission was to take out the main telephone exchange, in order to disrupt German communications. The team was made entirely of women. Warfare, code-breaking and secret spies are not usually among my reading subjects, but this book was one I could not put down. I was immediately caught up in the suspense and twists of plot, wanting to know what happened next, if the characters would achieve their aim, and survive to tell about it. I pass on the recommendation: this book is a darn good read.
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Nine Emotional Lives Of Cats A Journey
by
J Moussaief Masson
Jeane
, May 16, 2008
Masson - a psychoanalyst- went out and purposefully acquired five cats to live with him, then observed their behavior and interactions. Each chapter of the book examines in depth the character of cats via nine distinct emotions or mental states: narcissism, love, contentment, attachment, jealousy, fear, anger, curiosity and playfulness. As the book- and Masson's relationship with his cats- progressed, I enjoyed speculating along with the author why cats do many eccentric things, and comparing his observations with my own experiences living with cats. If you've ever lived with a cat, or wondered at their alien nature- aloof, uninvolved, mysterious- you will certainly enjoy and learn from this book.
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Witness to War An American Doctor In El Salvador
by
Charles Clements
Jeane
, May 09, 2008
In 1982 Dr. Clements went to El Salvador to provide basic medical care for civilians in several rural communities. He gives readers an insider's look of US presence in El Salvador and other Central American countries, and what the lives and sufferings of the guerillas were like. I found it interesting to read about the rural lifestyles in El Salvador, and how severely affected the people were by lack of adequate health care, supplies or basic education. Dr. Clements worked hard to improve their situation, and the more involved he became with the local people, the more he questioned what American forces were doing in El Salvador, even though he tried to remain neutral to both sides. A very fascinating and inspiring book.
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Animal Minds Beyond Cognition to Consciousness
by
Donald R Griffin
Jeane
, May 09, 2008
This book is so particular in arguing its point that it gets rather difficult to read. It was written to refute the long-held notions that animals act solely on instinct, just responding to stimuli and not thinking for themselves. The author presents a multitude of examples from recent scientific studies into animal mentality, describing the research in detail. He shows examples of animals displaying a wide array of behaviors that suggest thinking ability: making tools, solving problems, making and executing plans, practicing deception, responding to new situations in novel ways, showing evidence of having complex memories, a sense of time and awareness of future. He demonstrates that animals may have a sense of self and can perceive the mental state of others. I can't deny that it is well-researched; the number of references listed in the back is really staggering. If you enjoy reading scientific works, this may be just the book for you.
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Is There A Doctor In The Zoo
by
David Taylor
Jeane
, May 09, 2008
The adventures of a zoo veterinarian. Taylor tells about his childhood interest in animals, convalescing rabbits and hedgehogs in his family's bomb shelter, learning from his grandmother how to sew stitches, applying denture paste to injured amphibians and bicycle tire patches to broken turtle shells. His career began in a normal vet practice, where he sought out the more exotic pets like parrots and pythons. Eventually Taylor worked his way onto the grounds of the zoo, becoming one of the first vets to specialize in wildlife. In the zoo, regular patients included a diabetic camel, a monkey who hid razor blades in his cheek, a puma which swallowed an entire ball of string, vitamin deficient sea lions, a semi-paralyzed lion cub, and many more. Several amusing incidents are also told- like the time a monkey tore apart the interior of a bishop's car, or a chimpanzee who decided to assist in the treatment of a dozen mangy camels. Hilarious, interesting, and sure to be loved by any fan of James Herriot.
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Smile Of A Dolphin Remarkable Accounts
by
Marc Bekoff
Jeane
, April 04, 2008
In this wonderful book Mark Bekoff has collected anecdotal stories from some fifty different scientists and behavioral researches, showing animals expressing a myriad of emotions. Each story is fairly brief. They are by turns curious, fascinating, amusing and sad. Some are also really dry and boring. I felt this had more to do with the variety of writing styles than the actual stories themselves. The awesome photographs more than make up for a few hard-to-read paragraphs. This is a book any animal lover will appreciate, and one skeptics of animal emotions would do good to read!
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A Measure of Endurance: The Unlikely Triumph of Steven Sharp
by
William Mishler
Jeane
, April 03, 2008
This book tells about Steven Sharp, who lived in a small farming community in Eastern Oregon. As a teenager he lost both his arms in an accident with a hay baler. After the accident he faced living with a hampering disability and constant pain. Yet Steven faced the whole ordeal with a very stoic frame of mind and avoided laying blame on anyone, seeking pity or commiserating his loss. Three years later, his family happened to discover that other farmers across the country had suffered similar accidents with the same equipment. So they sued the manufacturer, a huge corporation. A large part of the book describes the lawsuit, and the complicated preparations Sharp's lawyer made. I was glad that the terrible accident was not dwelt on or described in detail. Instead, the book really focuses on the strength of Steven's personality. He grew up with dyslexia, migraines, and a great love of the outdoors. This all affected his outlook on life and how he was able to deal with the trauma of loosing his arms. He is an amazing person, and his story is very inspirational.
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Reading Lolita in Tehran A Memoir in Books
by
Azar Nafisi
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
This doesn't really read like a memoir, and was not what I expected. I was picturing an intimate story about the women's lives and interactions with each other, facilitated by their book group. What I got was a bunch of essays on American authors of classic literature, Iranian politics, religion and the oppression of women. It jumps around a lot, moving from one subject to the next without much warning and going suddenly from the present back to Nafisi's experiences at the beginning of the Revolution. This can get confusing and detract from the focus of the book. But once I let go of my expectations, I did really enjoy this book.
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Pilots Wife
by
Anita Shreve
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
A woman dreads and finally meets the moment when her pilot husband goes down with his plane. As she deals with the aftermath of emotional turmoil caused by his death, the media and industry raise questions about her husband's activities. She uncovers an unwelcome truth: her husband was leading a double life. Determination leads her to uncover his secrets, despite the peace of mind it will cost her...
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The Tie That Binds
by
Haruf, Kent
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
Holt, Colorado is the setting of this dismal tale about a dysfunctional family of farmers. When the original homesteaders fail to make the farm thrive, their children inherit a bleak harsh life. The daughter Edith ends up taking on the brunt of responsibility, fulfilling her duty to her family, as unthankful as that was. In spite of the fact that I did not find the characters very likeable with their disagreeable dispositions and painful relationships, their faults make them very human and realistic. There was something admirable about their stoic nature in the face of challenges and bitter disappointments. I came away from the book uncertain if I should condemn or could possible condole Edith's final actions that sealed the tragedy of this story.
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The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
by
Anne Fadiman
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
Fadiman has written a fantastic book about the clash between two cultures met in the arena of medicine. At three months old Lia, daughter of Hmong immigrants, developed symptoms of epilepsy. Her parents viewed this condition as indication that her soul had been stolen by a malevolent spirit. Her team of doctors at the Merced Community Medical Center prescribed medicine that could halt her seizures. But her parents did not understand the doctors' diagnosis, routinely failed to administer her medications and preferred to treat her with traditional Hmong healing methods. Both the doctors and her parents cared deeply for Lia, but their complete failure to understand each other led to a disastrous series of events and tragedy. This book is a skillful woven story built of Lia's complex medical case, her family's stubborn solidarity and an exploration into Hmong culture, history and folklore. It presents both sides of the story fairly, looking in equal depth at the doctors' concerns and the deep-rooted beliefs of the Hmong.
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Map Of The World
by
Jane Hamilton
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
This quietly haunting story is about Alice, Howard, and their two daughters. They've recently moved to a small midwestern town to follow Howard's dream of being a dairy farmer. Unfortunately, Alice soon alienates the local people against her. Right as the story unfolds, her best friend and neighbors' daughter drowns in her backyard pond. Then she is accused of sexually abusing a child at the school where she works as a nurse. On the one hand dealing with profound guilt over a child's death, and on the other facing a courtroom full of people who think she's committed the most sordid act against another child, Alice struggles to hold onto her sanity and keep her family together while facing the ostracism of the entire town. This book can be depressing and heart-wrenching, or a startling clear look at how one small mistake can trigger other events and escalate into an unforseen catastrophe.
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Color Of Water A Black Mans Tribute To His White Mother
by
James Mcbride
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
This memoir tells the story of two members of a family: James McBride and his mother, Ruth. Ruth was the daughter of immigrant Orthodox Jews. She grew up in the South under the hand of an abusive father. As soon as she was old enough, Ruth fled north, where she married a Black man, converted to Christianity, founded a Baptist church, and eventually raised twelve children. James was the youngest of these. He tells the story of growing up in a poor, bi-racial household alongside the story of his mother's life, which he had to wheedle out of her. As much as The Color of Water addresses issues of racism, identity and religion, it is more about family values. It is about how one rather eccentric woman lived the way she wanted to without regard to anyone's opinion, and instilled in her children strong moral codes and work ethic. They learned above all from their mother the value of education and how to make do for themselves- for they all graduated from college. However, other examples of Ruth's parenting skills leave something to be desired. Her children suffered constantly from huger and poverty, and she was extremely secretive about her own past and family, even when questioned about it by her children. A very unsettling book, by any accounts.
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Plainsong
by
Kent Haruf
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
This is a quietly elegant portrait of a farming community in Holt, Colorado. It focuses on half a dozen characters: a high school history teacher whose depressed wife leaves him to raise two young boys alone, a shy teenage girl who becomes pregnant and decides to run away from home, and two crusty bachelor brothers who run a farm together. Another teacher in the same school becomes the catylist for all these characters' solitary lives to become intertwined and connected. Plainsong is full of guilt and pain, quiet passion and deeply felt compassion. It is a wonderful portrayal of how people's lives touch one another- for good more than ill.
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Step From Heaven
by
An Na
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
This is a quiet, elegant little book that tells the story of an immigrant family who moves from Korea to California. Narrated by the daughter Young Ju, it depicts the everyday struggles of adjusting to a new culture in a strange land. Everything is difficult: job searches, learning English, attending school, living as tenants; all these things slowly wear the family down. Disempowered by his inability to navigate through American culture, the father looses control as head of the family and slides into a pattern of drinking and abuse. Even as parents and siblings shift roles and come to live as strangers, Young Ju discovers the strength in herself to step forward and claim identity and hope in her new place.
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Sashas Tail Lessons From Life With Cats
by
Jacqueline Damian
Jeane
, April 02, 2008
For those of us who love the felines in our lives, Sasha's Tail is a great book! Not just a rehash of cat stories, it has a literary flair and fluid writing style. It doesn't follow a chronological order, but is more along the lines of a collection of reminisces and reflections on events in the author's life with cats; arranged more or less by subject. She talks about growing up with cats and moving from city to country with her current long-haired black cat, Sasha. Sasha adjusts well (and surprisingly quickly, at least in terms of terrorizing the local rodent population with her sudden-found hunting skills) and is soon joined by several feline additions to the household. Damian discusses everything of interest to cat owners: introducing new cats to the home, dominance issues, litterboxes, cat food, venturing outdoors, meeting dogs, neighbors and strange cats, etc. A delightful, warm and interesting book on living with cats.
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Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior
by
Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson
Jeane
, April 01, 2008
I found this book utterly fascinating. It looks at animal behavior, emotions and intelligence from the viewpoint and understanding of an autistic experience. Temple Grandin explains in depth how autism has lead her to identify with many ways in which animals feel, see and experience the world. She shares insights on many different species: dogs, cats, horses, pigs, chickens, cattle and others like prairie dogs, dolphins and elephants. Grandin repeatedly demonstrates how physical aspects of an animal's being affect their perception of and responses to the environment, and how their natural senses and intelligence give them specialized abilities we cannot readily understand (like dogs who predict seizures). Animals In Translation is one of the best non-fiction books on my shelf.
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Nobodys Horses The Dramatic Rescue of the Wild Herd of White Sands
by
Don Hoglund
Jeane
, March 29, 2008
In the 1940's the US Government appropriated land from ranchers in New Mexico surrounding the White Sands Missile Range, a top-secret testing site where the first atomic bomb was detonated. Most of the ranchers left their horses on the range, believing their land would be returned to them. But it never was. Eventually the horses became enclosed by the Missile Range security fences. They thrived in the severe desert, their numbers swelling until a drought pushed them towards starvation. In 1994, dozens were discovered dead near a dried-up water hole. Don Hoglund, an equine veterinarian experienced in working with wild horses, was called in to manage the complex and dangerous task of removing over 2,000 wild horses from the Range. Nobody's Horses tells the story of that rescue operation. In addition to describing harrowing roundups and careful handling techniques, the book also tells of all the conflicts between military personnel and animal rights activists, fears of anthrax contamination, reactions to the Oklahoma City bombing. Hoglund traces the ancestry of the wild bands back to the original homesteaders who lived on the land, recounting a lot of Western history. A very notable book, full of appreciation and respect for the magnificent wild horses.
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Leg To Stand On
by
Oliver Sacks
Jeane
, March 29, 2008
This book is about a doctor who must adjust to being the patient. As the result of a freak accidental encounter with a bull on a mountain, Oliver Sacks suffered a horrendous injury to his leg causing severe nerve damage and shock. After which he had the strange sensation that the leg was not part of his own body. During his long convalescence the neurologist strove to understand his own physical identity crisis, the psychological nature of illness, and the doctor-patient relationship. Although at times the writing got a bit tedious with complex analysis, I still found A Leg to Stand On a really engrossing book. And the role of music in his survival down the mountainside and subsequent healing process is utterly fascinating.
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All the Wild Horses Preserving the Spirit & Beauty of the Worlds Wild Horses
by
Dayton Hyde
Jeane
, March 29, 2008
Essays on various groups of wild horses around the world- the familiar Western mustangs, ponies of Chincoteague and Dartmoor, and less familiar horses of the Namib Desert, French Carmargue, and the Sorraia, Pryor Mountain and Kiger mustangs. There are chapters on the history of wild horses and the controversy surrounding wild horse protection, conservation and management. And a wonderful, lyric account of how the horses experience a year at Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, which was founded by the author. All the Wild Horses is a beautiful book with absolutely stunning photographs. One I definitely want adorning my coffee table someday.
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How To Steal A Dog
by
Barbara Oconnor
Jeane
, March 29, 2008
This story is about Georgina's issues with her family's homelessness, and her determination to change their situation. Her father's abandoned them, they've been evicted and are living out of a car while their mother struggles with two low-paying jobs, trying to save enough to get a new place to live. Georgiana is highly embarrassed and frustrated by their situation. One day she sees a lost-dog sign and makes up a plan to steal someone's dog, then collect the reward money. But her plan doesn't unfold smoothly, and she continually runs up against her conscience. Faced with the question: is it okay to do something wrong in dire circumstances? Georgina learns some powerful lessons about honesty, friendship, and that money isn't everything. A great read, thought-provoking and funny.
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Emergence Labeled Autistic
by
Temple Grandin
Jeane
, March 29, 2008
Emergence tells the story of a woman with autism. It is mostly a summary of her youth. She describes memories of being teased by other children, confused by their actions, and the reasons and feelings behind her own unusual behavior. She talks about teachers who mentored her, and how her own internal symbolism enabled her to make goals and finish high school and college. Included in this short book are letters by Grandin's psychiatrists and teachers (written to her mother), which give a different point of view; facts and data about autism, and the original checklist Grandin's mother filled out about her behavior when she was diagnosed. As it stands alone, this book can feel rather incomplete and brief. But read in conjunction with Thinking in Pictures, it completes the story, adding many new insights and details of this extraordinary woman's life.
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Old Yeller
by
Fred Gipson
Jeane
, March 29, 2008
is about a boy's coming of age on the Texas frontier in the late 1860's. When his father leaves on a trip, Travis has to take up the man's work and protect his mother and little brother. At first it's routine: plow the field, chop the wood, shoot something for dinner. But then several accidents occur, and Travis starts to feel he can't handle it all. Luckily a big ugly stray dog shows up. At first Travis hates him for stealing the family's meat, but then he comes to depend on the dog for protection and assistance with the half-wild livestock. Old Yeller becomes his closest companion, and invaluable to the homestead. Unfortunately, the dog isn't immune to accidents himself, and when he gets bitten by a rabid wolf, Travis has to face shooting the dog he loves in order to save his family. (Revealed on page one.) This is a really enjoyable book, in spite of its more serious elements. Told from young Travis' perspective, it's full of frank, humorous descriptions and funny moments. His little brother's antics are pretty hilarious too. And I loved the scene where the bull fell over backwards in a cart and rolled down a hill. Old Yeller has very similar themes to The Yearling (about a boy in Florida with a pet deer) and Where the Red Fern Grows (a boy in the Ozarks with 'coon dogs). All of these books show families living on small farms in isolated areas, the main character being a teenage boy who learns some harsh life lessons from nature.
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Horseplay
by
Judy Reene Singer
Jeane
, March 16, 2008
Judy van Brunt runs away from her cheating husband to live and work on a horse farm in North Carolina. Her riding skills deemed inadequate, she quickly gets relegated to the position of groom, while receiving lessons. Both the job and the lessons are exhausting work. She becomes infatuated with the first handsome, rich man she meets and incessantly talks men and horses with her fellow female grooms. The farm boards wealthy patrons' horses, as well as breeding, training, selling and showing in dressage competitions. More than a description of the horse world, this story is about romance, gossip and jostling for status among the rich and snobbish. I enjoyed the witty, sarcastic humor and amusing characters.
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Wild Horses I Have Known
by
Hope Ryden
Jeane
, March 16, 2008
This book describes experiences the author had observing and photographing wild horses. Most of the brief chapters describe behavior, survival tactics and social organization of the horses. The last chapter explains that horses are not really a non-native species brought to the American continent by Spaniards, but were actually re-introduced. Horses were once native to North America, evolving "from tiny Eohippus to might Equus, the true horse" which roamed across North America for two million years before becoming extinct. Full of personal experiences and gorgeous photographs. A lovely book.
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Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat
by
Oliver Sacks
Jeane
, March 16, 2008
This book is a collection of twenty-four stories describing various neurological patients. They suffer from a wide variety of maladies involving perception- a woman who cannot tell where parts of her body are located, a man who has entirely lost his sense of balance, various patients with phantom limbs, Tourette's syndrome, strange kinds of memory loss and more. Fascinating account.
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Horse People: Scenes from the Riding Life
by
Michael Korda
Jeane
, March 16, 2008
A wide-ranging yet well-focused narrative on experiences with horses. It follows the author's personal journey into the world of horses, from rented rides in New York's Central Park to a privately owned stable in the countryside. Along the way he relates many stories of friends and acquaintances with horses, as well as the relationship of horse to man throughout history. In the background there is a romance and divorce, with the narrator/main character leaving city life to be closer to horses. The book touches on horses in art, horses owned by famous people, little girls and their ponies, and the worlds of formal dressage, small-town rodeos, foxhunting, three-day eventing, and thoroughbreds rescued from the racetrack. It expounds a bit on Arabian, quarter horse and thoroughbred breed histories and characteristics. Excellently written, thoughtful and full of information; replete with humor, interesting anecdotes and lots of good sense, this is a great book.
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Midwives
by
Chris Bohjalian
Jeane
, March 16, 2008
Connie Danforth tells the story of her mother- a midwife who is on trial for murdering a patient. During a difficult delivery on a freezing winter night in an isolated farmhouse, Sibyl Danforth made a desperate decision to save the baby's life, when she thought the mother had died of a sudden stroke. But what if she'd been wrong? Through Connie's eyes we see Sibyl struggle to keep her life from unraveling under the ensuing onslaught of hostility from traditional doctors, men of the law, neighbors and friends alike. Supported by other midwives, Sibyl stands by her decision and defends her occupation, even as she is plagued with disapproval and her own doubt and guilt. Midwives deals with a very controversial issue and winds up in a courtroom. It seemed a bit sensationalized, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. The kind of book that you really can't put down.
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Girl With A Pearl Earring
by
Tracy Chevalier
Jeane
, March 16, 2008
A fictional account of Johannes Vermeer's household, told through the eyes of a young maid, Griet. Vermeer puts her to work in his private studio, cleaning and doing rudimentary preparations for his paintings (like grinding pigments). The continual mundane labor of Griet's days is described in a slow, poetic fashion against building emotional friction in the household. Griet alone is privledged to enter the master's sacrosanct studio, and pretty enough that one day Vermeer asks her to pose for him. Eventually the novel builds into a tense household drama and scandal, over the painting of one of Vermeer's most famous portraits. Griet is something of an anomaly. She is very quiet, observant, and hardworking, but also (for an uneducated maid) surprisingly outspoken and forward-thinking. Much of the book is about the slow awakening of her intellect and spirit. My only complaint is the lack of illustrations; I would have liked to see the paintings as I read about them.
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One Day On Beetle Rock
by
Sally Carrighar
Jeane
, March 16, 2008
Based on several summers' observations of wildlife in Sequoia National Park, One Day on Beetle Rock describes the lives of nine different animals, crossing paths and spanning twenty-four hours on a singular location. Each chapter outlines events of the same day through the experience of a different animal: weasel, Sierra grouse, chickadee, black bear, lizard, coyote, deer mouse, stellar jay and mule deer. Written like a novel and full of detailed information on each species, this is one of my favorite pieces of nature writing. If you've ever wondered what the business of day-to-day life is like for another species, this book is an excellent read. It gives a strong picture of what each creature's sensations, concerns and consciousness might be like, without over-anthropomorphizing them.
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Anthropologist On Mars
by
Oliver Sacks
Jeane
, March 07, 2008
Oliver Sacks, neurologist and author, takes us inside the experiences of his patients in An Anthropologist on Mars. Here are the lives of a painter who went color blind after an accident, a man with a brain tumor that eclipsed all his memories except for those prior to 1970, a surgeon with Tourrette's syndrom whose symptoms disappeared while he performed surgery, a man who after forty-five years of blindness had cataracts removed and could make no sense of the visual world, an artist whose photographic memories of a certain place overwhelmed his life, and two autistic individuals- one severely disabled yet an extraordinary artist and the other a professor who understood animals' interactions better than people's- using that to build herself a successful career. Written not as an examination of illness, but an exploration of the world of the mind, these studies demonstrate how the perception of the brain creates the reality we live in. It's a very fascinating book, one I highly recommend.
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Staircase Of A Thousand Steps
by
Masha Hamilton
Jeane
, March 06, 2008
This poignant, insightful story is set in a small, ancient village near Jordan called Ein Fadr. Young Jammana goes there for one last visit to her mother's birthplace, before leaving to America. In Ein Fadr, people live the same way they have for centuries. Jammana is troubled by the conflict between the traditional Arabic lifestyle in Ein Fadr and the modern world she is headed for in America. She has an unsettling gift of experiencing other people's memories in her dreams. She wants to find answers about the past from a midwife in the village who delivered her mother. In her quest for truth, Jammana begins to uncover buried secrets and dig up painful memories between villagers. Woven throughout this story of ancient culture, women's power and one girl's coming of age in troubled times, is an unsanctioned love affair. The ending is tragic, but in ways you might not expect. Staircase of a Thousand Steps is full of powerful language, vivid imagery and raw, touching moments. It definitely caught my attention.
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Wolves At Our Door
by
Jim Dutcher
Jeane
, March 06, 2008
This book is about the making of a documentary film on wolves. Its focus was to show the family life of wolves and their social interaction in detail. About half of the book describes methods used to gain the wolves' trust and record natural behavior, difficulties involved in film production, negotiation with various organizations and their Idaho rancher neighbors who hated wolves. The rest of the book covers the life of the pack. The Dutchers write about both the wolves' patient, family-orientated nature and their fierce, sometimes brutal competition for social position. Wolves at Our Door is an insightful portrait of both wolf nature and the involvement of a wolf advocate. There are many gorgeous photographs as well.
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Housekeeping Vs the Dirt Fourteen Months of Massively Witty Adventures in Reading Chronicled by the National Book Critics Circle Finalist for C
by
Hornby, Nick
Jeane
, March 06, 2008
I love reading what Nick Hornby says about books and the reading experience. I found that I related more to Housekeeping vs the Dirt than its predecessor, The Polysyllabic Spree, perhaps because he mentioned more American works, and I have either heard of, read or want to read about a third of what was discussed. So it was nice to be able to relate more directly, and not just in the general sense of being a book lover. All in all, an astonishing good and funny collection of thoughts on reading.
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Sand County Almanac & Sketches Here & There
by
Aldo Leopold
Jeane
, March 06, 2008
A Sand County Almanac is a classic, one of the best pieces of nature writing I have ever read. It is full of beautiful lyric prose, detailed and poetic descriptions of wildlife, and thoughtful, convincing arguments for land conservation. In the first part of the book Leopold describes a year on his farm in Wisconsin, describing the seasons, the land, the animals that live there. The second part describes the natural history and local fauna/flora of different parts of the country: Idaho, Illinois, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, etc. In the final section of the book Leopold expounds his famous Land Ethic.
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Keeper & Kid
by
Edward Hardy
Jeane
, March 06, 2008
The best thing about this book is that I really, really could relate. My daughter is the exact same age as this kid. Raising a toddler really can make you feel like you're always dealing with one demand or disaster after another. But at least I was somewhat expecting that. It's not the case with Hardy's main character, James Keeper. One day out of the blue he gets a phone call: his ex-wife is in the hospital. Nearly on her deathbed (though he doesn't know it yet) she asks him to promise to take his dog back. Only later when he shows up to collect, it's not a canine but a child: his child. This guy doesn't know how to deal with kids, but he has one now. Worse, his girlfriend doesn't want to have anything to do with kids at all. In the ensuing winter months, James slides around trying to find his footing in the new, strange territory of fatherhood. I had a hard time putting Keeper and Kid down. Though I got a bit tired of Keeper's hopelessness and self-pity his friends prove themselves to be true, and he learns that no one can raise a child alone.
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Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
by
Gregory Maguire
Jeane
, February 26, 2008
This book takes the story of Cinderella and sets it in Holland. There are no mice or pumpkins, and "Cinderella" is a beautiful, intractable girl named Clara. The two stepsisters are Iris (homely but intelligent) and her sister Ruth (mentally handicapped). The story is told by Iris, who wants nothing more than to learn painting but gets caught up in her mother's quest for monetary security and power. The story was delightful. It introduced me to the tulip craze of Holland in the 1630's, which I knew little about. In some ways it's almost more historical fiction than fantasy. The characters are so realistic, with their various virtues and flaws. Even though most of the people are predominantly good or evil, kind or cruel, intelligent or dumb, nothing is that black and white. Iris' mother has got to be the most complex person of all. Everyone is trying to achieve something: Clara to be seen as something other than a beautiful face, Iris seeks self-confidence, her mother wants money's security, nobody seems to think about what Ruth wants. This book is full of personality contrasts, human folly, intrigue and admirable compassion. And the end has some satisfying and curious twists.
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Stolen Child: Aspects of Autism and Asperger Syndrome
by
Ann Hewetson
Jeane
, February 26, 2008
Pretty much a resource book and so comprehensive it just might be the last one I read on the subject, aside from interesting personal accounts. The Stolen Child begins with the portraits of three very distinctive individuals with autism, written quite eloquently. Next is a section from the professional viewpoint: Hewetson traces our understandings of autism from the first descriptions by Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger up to the most current research and findings. Then there's lots of useful information on various treatment and teaching methods, explanations of various terms used to define autism, comparisons of related or accompanying disorders, examinations of what might cause autism and the question of finding a cure. The last chapter includes excerpts of writings from autistic adults and parents of autistic children. Finally, there's loads of reference listings, resource organizations, and a glossary of terms. The most amazing thing about a book full of such technical and specific information is that it is relatively short, and very very readable. I really enjoyed reading it, for curiosity sake alone.
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Speak
by
Laurie Halse Anderson
Jeane
, February 23, 2008
I have never been so tempted to turn to the end and find out early what happened in a book. Because it is all about the impact one traumatic incident at a party had on a teenager's entire year in high school. Not knowing the whole story, the other students hate or ostracize her. She's riddled with guilt to the point of feeling physically ill and fear and confusion sit on her so heavy she cannot bring herself to talk to anyone: parents, teachers, friends. The self-incriminating, melodramatic inner dialog reveals it all. Of the many books I've read, this is one of the most realistic (and bitterly humorous) pictures of what high school is like. Attitudes of teachers and students, cliques and popularity struggles, how pointless it all can seem. Some passages just made me laugh out loud. I thoroughly recommend this book. It's funny, sad, attention-grabbing (translation: I couldn't put it down) and short enough that no matter how tempting, you can make it all the way to the revelation at the end without peeking.
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The Tribe of Tiger
by
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
Jeane
, February 19, 2008
This is not a scientific examination of cat behavior, but rather a collection of anecdotal stories from the author's life, friends and acquaintances, together with her personal thoughts and speculations. The first part of the book talks about housecats: their social organization, communication methods and whether or not they have "culture". The second part is about time Marshall spent in Africa, and relates in detail relationships between groups of lions with native Kalahari bushmen who were hunter-gatherers, and later how that relationship changed when the bushmen were forced to leave or keep livestock, particularly cattle. The last section discusses mountain lions in America, and tigers in captivity. Throughout the book there are observations on various other cat species, and comparisons between the big cats and our domesticated housecats. I found this book very interesting, but some of her conclusions I really questioned.
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Bridge Across Forever
by
Richard Bach
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
When i first read this book I was pretty dubious about it. In the first place, I'm not much into romances or love stories. In the second, the out of body experiences, astral projections and dreams in which the author visits the future seemed a little far-fetched to me. But I found myself really enjoying it. It is an engrossing story, partly because it describes a life so different from mine: a writer finds himself a sudden success, and goes through a bunch of ups and downs as he alternately spends his money on airplanes and looses it again. The descriptions of what it feels like to fly an airplane enthralled me. But the heart of the story is about a man seeking a perfect relationship. The problem is that he isn't perfect, and the woman he finally finds is portrayed as being so. It is full of phrases of wisdom and philosophical advice on life and love. The dialog between the lovers is very frank and realistic, and made me laugh quite a number of times.
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Don Coyote
by
Dayton Hyde
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
Surrounded by sheep ranchers who hate, revile and try to exterminate the coyote, Dayton Hyde takes a stand to protect and study this fascinating and resourceful animal on his cattle ranch in Oregon. His informal investigations include examining the ecological benefits of having coyotes on his land and hand-raising a litter of coyote pups. Through his first-hand experiences with coyotes, Hyde proved wrong the long-held belief that they prey upon cattle. Don Coyote was a ground-breaking wildlife study in its day, and the American Library Association named it one of the ten top books of the 1980s. Far from being a dry, scientific volume, this book is full of humor and set against the background of the author's life with his family-- who view his coyote dealings with long-suffering patience and continual amusement. It is a very personable story, and an old favorite of mine.
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Time Travelers Wife
by
Audrey Niffenegger
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a love story in a pseudo sci-fi setting of time travel. Unlike other books about time travel, in this one there's no machines or tunnels through space. Instead, Henry has a genetic condition that causes him to spontaneously time-travel to moments in his own past or future. As the story progresses, Henry's unpredictable disappearances into the past and future become increasingly dangerous. The story is full of twists. It can be really confusing, but if you avoid trying to match every event up, you can sit back and enjoy it. I had a difficult time putting this book down. It was one of the best reads I'd had in a while!
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Roverandom
by
J R R Tolkien
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
Tolkien created this delightful little story in 1925, when his family was visiting the Yorkshire seashore. His young son lost a toy on the beach and to console him Tolkien invented a tale about a puppy who was turned into a toy by a grumpy wizard. The toy dog Rover wants to become real again so he sets off on an adventure to find the wizard. He goes to the moon and the bottom of the sea, meets lots of strange and magical creatures and gets into plenty of mischief along the way. Lighthearted, whimsical and charming, this book is sure to please anyone fond of Kingsley's The Water Babies or Tolkien's other children's stories such as Mr. Bliss and Farmer Giles of Ham.
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Red Sky At Morning
by
Richard Bradford
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
About a southern kid who spends the summer in Corazon Sagrado, New Mexico. While his mother shuns the locals for being coarse and unrefined, enclosing herself in the house to play bridge and get drunk, Josh makes friends with the servants, kids at school and a disreputable artist in town. He doesn't pay attention to all the cultural and racial boundaries his mother upholds. He learns Spanish and local customs. A classic coming of age story, it is a very entertaining portrayal of a year in the life of a high school boy, who goes from being a cocky spoiled kid to a responsible, level-headed young man. His ribald banter with friends and subtle insults masked in politeness (to unwanted dinner guests) are just hilarious.
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Magic Street
by
Orson Scott Card
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
This book is about a boy who is polite, friendly, and has a very uninspiring bland personality. He has dreams that bring people's deepest desires to life in horrible ways. Just as you're beginning to think the story is all about motivations, wishes and dreams, it takes a sudden slide into the realm of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. There's a whole parallel world peopled with Puck, Titania and strange creatures, right behind someone's back door. As pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place, Mack finds himself in the middle of a battle against evil he never chose to fight. Although the mixture of Fairyland and black suburbia can be incongruous, this book is rather captivating. It moves at a quick pace, unraveling a story that is a fantastic medley of disparate themes.
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Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time
by
Mark Haddon
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
This book is not about a dog. Nor is it a mystery story. It is a monologue with many digressions into mathematical musings, from the point of view of an autistic teenager. It have a very unique voice. But the story is rather simple: Christopher finds his neighbor's dog dead in her yard. He determines to find out who did it. His investigations lead him to discover not only who killed the dog (halfway through the book) but to uncover a hidden family secret that throws his orderly life into chaos and unsettles his already dysfunctional family. The most poignant aspect of it all is that he relates the most emotionally wrenching incidents with no hint of emotion at all, or even understanding. A very poignant description of what it might be like inside an autistic child's mind.
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Doomsday Book
by
Connie Willis
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
The year is 2054. Kivrin is a history student who travels back to the 14th century. She's supposed to arrive a decade before the black plague breaks out in Europe, but there's a mistake and she shows up in 1348, right when plague starts appearing. The story is told in two parallels: one of Kivrin struggling to understand medieval Europe, which is not at all what she expected. The other is a confusion of woefully inept technicians and students in the future trying to figure out what went wrong so they can bring her back, while dealing with an outbreak of influenza. This book was pretty fascinating. The medieval setting was the most interesting part. Connie Willis spent five years researching and writing it. It won Hugo and Nebula Awards for science fiction. I found it a very good read.
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Stargirl
by
Jerry Spinelli
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
Susan Caraway calls herself Stargirl. She is the ultimate non-conformist. She doesn't even care about trying to fit in. Her daily mission in life appears to be showering utter strangers with random acts of kindness. When she arrives at high school in a small Arizona town, nobody knows what to make of her. This book has strong themes of conformity, individualism and friendship. It has an unadorned writing style that flows easily. A quick read that is sobering and thought-provoking.
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Naturalist In Alaska
by
Adolph Murie
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
In the 1930's Adolph Murie and his brother Olaus traveled by dog team and on foot through Mt. McKinley National Park in Alaska, working as field biologists for the National Park Service. Their main goal was to study populations of Dall sheep and wolves in the park. The Park had just opened in 1917, and the Murie brothers were among the first men to observe wildlife in the area. In order to fully understand the balance of wolves and sheep, they also considered other species whose lives intertwined: arctic foxes, coyotes, caribou, grizzly bears, black bears, wolverine, lynx, snowshoe hares, even gulls and mice. This book is mostly about the general habits and movements of the various animals. There are a number of unique descriptions: mice who create weasel-proof tunnels and make hay, porcupines which are mistaken for bears, gulls that wash their food. Most interesting the chapter on the wolves' hunting methods and tactics the sheep used to escape them. This is a very informative volume on nature and animal behavior.
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Plague Dogs
by
Richard Adams
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
Two hapless dogs escape from an animal research lab into the barren wilderness of England's Lake District, where they take up company with a wild fox. A journalist finds out about them and spreads inflamed reports that the dogs carry bubonic plague, causing the whole countryside to rise up against them in fear and horror. There are two strong appeals to this book: the fast-paced adventure of the dogs fleeing for their lives; and the wonderful characterization and word play that bring them to life. The mongrel's sober speech and the terrier's wandering hallucinatory nonsense are offset by the language of the fox, who speaks a local dialect . It is the dialog between the three that gives the story its life: full of pathos, humor and courage.
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Princess Sultana's Daughters
by
Jean Sasson
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
This book picks up where Princess left off. It tells more about the traditions, customs, religious beliefs and societal woes of a Muslim country. There are several chapters in particular describing a family pilgrimage to Mecca. The heightened conflicts of religious and social ideas are expressed in Sultana's own family division: one of her daughters became a religious fundamentalist, preaching to and condemning family and friends. The other reacted to her horror of how men treated women by engaging in a love affair with a female friend. The book describes many injustices and abuse experienced by women in Saudi Arabia. Although I admired Sultana's cause, I found myself uneasy about some of the means she used to promote her ideas and defend other women: verbal insults, hysterics, physical assaults, even blackmail and petty theft. Perhaps these were the only way to get results when her life was so controlled by men, but all this alongside the tales of scandals and scenes of high drama made me feel at times like I was reading a soap opera. A very dramatic, intense book!
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Snow White Blood Red
by
Ellen Datlow
Jeane
, February 13, 2008
This collection of adult fairy tale writings by various authors is full of stories dark and sensual. They have much more violent implications and endings than the pap we see Disney regurgitating today. They are strange and dreamlike, and don't shy away from the darker side of human nature. Deliciously frightening at times, if you want to curl up under a blanket and explore stories of wild imagination that sometimes feel a little too close to home.
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Sight Hound
by
Pam Houston
Jeane
, February 10, 2008
An Irish wolfhound in motion is a beautiful creature of grace, speed and power. Missing a leg, it's just another big, hairy awkward dog. Or is it? This story by Pam Houston of a woman's struggle to save her cancer-ridden dog's life against all odds is inspiring and heart-wrenching. Not just because of the strong bond of love between Rae and her wolfhound Dante, the endless, painful treatments he suffers with patience, the strong rallying support of friends and family. But because this dog knows great dignity and wisdom, and is determined to pass on his steadfast confidence and hope to his human owner. He's not just a dog, he's a philosopher. His observations on life soar above the simplistic remarks of the other animals and the gossip of the people. Told through the voices of a many different characters, this story shows how the lives of twelve beings weave together in support of one grief-stricken dog owner. In spite of some wandering, it all comes back to Dante and centers on Rae's deep attachment to her dog.
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Good Good Pig The Extraordinary Life Of Christopher Hogwood
by
Sy Montgomery
Jeane
, February 10, 2008
Christopher Hogwood was the smallest of the runts. But he was so endearingly cute and plucky that his owners couldn't bring themselves to kill him. So Sy Montgomery and her husband Howard adopted the little pink-and-black pig and took him home. Unlike most pigs who are raised for slaughter, Christopher Hogwood was granted life just for the sake of living. Montgomery did everything she could to keep him healthy and happy. A lifelong naturalist with a deep love and connection to animals, she found herself enjoying his company and tending to his every need and sensitivity. The pig returned the favor. In ways simple and surprising, he brought neighbors, local children and people from the community at large into her circle of friends. If you want to know anything about pigs, or how they can be so appealing, this is a great book. It is full of lore about pigs in art, hogs in history, wild swine in nature. Pigs and their place in different cultures around the world. Montgomery explores possibilities about why pork is forbidden to Jews and Muslims, yet other cultures seem to venerate the pig. Examples of their intelligence are abundant. As well as pigs, a flock of hens with lots of spunk and good sense and a troubled border collie named Tess live between these pages. Together they and Christopher Hogwood make Sy Montgomery's home a little bit of animal heaven on earth.
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Nop's Trials
by
Donald McCaig
Jeane
, February 10, 2008
Nop, Lewis Burkholder's newest and promising border collie, is stolen on Christmas day by a pair of rednecks who keep dogs for bear hunting and dogfights. He is then sold to an unscrupulous dog owner (Burkholder's enemy), and begins a long terrifying journey. He passes through many different people's hands, suffering abuse from most of them. Told in conjunction with his trials is the story of life back home on the farm: Burkholder's depression and anger at loosing his dog, difficulties working the farm without a dog to handle the cattle and sheep, friction between Burkholder, his wife, daughter and son-in-law, and almost in the background is the Stink Dog, once a champion border collie but now rendered crippled by an accident. In this book there are very interesting insights into how the dogs think and work. Border collies are not at all like other dogs, and Nop is a very strong character. Burkholder himself is also quite stubborn and tenacious, and the surprising methods he uses to pursue his lost dog make a good page-turner. However, the examples of almost every kind of cruelty and abuse a dog can suffer could make this book very disturbing to some readers.
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Bark If You Love Me: A Woman-Meets-Dog Story
by
Louise Bernikow
Jeane
, February 10, 2008
This is the story of a sophisticated New Yorker who adopts a dog, apparently on a whim. A journalist and lecturer on women's history, Louise had never owned an animal before and was in fact was full of allergies and aversions to dogs. Jogging in the park one day, she came across a crowd around a police car, where an emaciated and injured boxer was sitting in the back seat. She took him home and slowly, unwittingly, began a conversion into "a dog person." Her new pet shifts Lousie's circle of friends and acquaintances to those who own (or at least like) dogs, and leads her to talk to many people on the street she never would have even notice before. She becomes a frequenter of dog parks, dog-friendly shops and even a bar that hands out biscuits. A very funny and light-hearted story.
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Clan of the Cave Bear Earths Children 1
by
Jean M Auel
Jeane
, February 10, 2008
Reading this book you feel like being plunged into another world; you can see the prehistoric jungle, the vast flora and fauna, the great beasts and brutality. The premise hinges on the idea that two early races briefly co-existed: Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon man. Auel portrays Neaderthals as being short, swarthy, dull and brutal, whereas the Cro-Magnon are tall, blonde, blue-eyed, intelligent and open-minded. The story is centered on the conflicts caused by their differences. A young Cro-Magnon child named Ayla is orphaned during an earthquake. She is found and adopted by a group of Neaderthals. As Ayla grows and matures, her differences become unmistakable. She challenges the authority of all the powerful men in the clan, friends and foes alike, simply by being a woman who is smarter than they are. Eventually her defiance of the Clan's way of life reaches a crisis, and they must decide whether to allow her to remain with them (and take advantage of her skills) or throw her out and rid themselves of the threat she poses. In spite of some unrealistic scenes, this book is full of rich descriptions. The wealth of detailed information on herbal lore, weapon making, cooking methods and other survival skills of primitive man are very interesting. There are many strong themes present in The Clan of the Cave Bear. Survival, acceptance, and what it means to be true to yourself. More than anything else, it is a story about human nature, the dynamics of power, and the strength of courage and love in the face of betrayal.
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Power Of One
by
Bryce Courtenay
Jeane
, February 10, 2008
The story of an English boy growing up in South Africa, obsessed with the dream of being a professional boxer. This is a powerful book that deals with issues of racism, oppression and prejudice. It is moving and profound. The characters are vividly depicted through riveting scenes and well-written dialog. The descriptions of boarding school, prison life, naturalist expeditions, literary correspondence and the world of boxing make it rich indeed. This is no light-weight reading! It may be a bit melodramatic at times, but overall an excellent book.
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Good Dog The Story Of Orson Who Changed
by
Jon Katz
Jeane
, February 10, 2008
Orson the dog (originally named Devon) marked a major turning point in the author's life, leading him from a suburban house in New Jersey to an old rambling farm in rural Hebron, near Vermont. Rescued from a failed life as a show dog, Orson came full of trouble, a very confused and stressed animal. Jon Katz became determined to do everything he could to rehabilitate and heal Orson. He went to great lengths, consulting a holistic vet and spiritual animal shaman as well as traditional vets and dog trainers. His trials in the life and psyche of Orson were also a passage of growth and discovery for himself. Unlike many stories about dogs that anthropomorphize and wax maudlin, A Good Dog is very down-to-earth and sensible. Continually Katz refuses to see human attributes in his dogs, and views them within the limits of their animal nature. "Animals live in their own sphere," he says. This is a wonderful, intriguing and insightful book. I love its honesty and frankness.
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Princess
by
Jean Sasson
Jeane
, February 10, 2008
This is the story of a woman's life in Saudi Arabia. Not any woman, but an anonymous princess (called Sultana in the book) from a high-ranking royal family. Apparently she secretly conveyed information to the author in order to have her story written, and changed all the names to protect herself and her family. From reading the book, one would think that repercussions would be great upon this woman if her family knew she had publicly revealed what goes on behind the walls of their palaces. Princess begins with Sultana's childhood, where she quickly learns of the disparity in treatment between men and women. Even though she lives in astonishing luxury, her life is constricted by many rules. She has to submit in everything to her domineering father, cruel older brother, and later her husband. She is married at sixteen to this man she never met before. Although throughout the story Sultana herself is fairly well-treated and even receives a measure of education, the dismal situation of many women surrounding her is revealed in awful detail: double standards of allowed behavior, extreme punishments, forcible separations from family when married or divorced, denials of education, constrictions on where they can go and to whom they may speak, etc. etc. This book was dismaying, riveting and at the same time admirable, for in spite of all the oppression Sultana felt, she never looses her spirit and independent thought.
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Unstrange Minds Remapping the World of Autism
by
Roy Richard Grinker
Jeane
, February 09, 2008
Unstrange Minds is an in-depth look at the history and cultural context of autism, in conjunction with personal accounts of living with the disorder. The first half of the book looks at autism in the US- especially the issue of the growing rate of reported cases, which Grinker argues is due to greater public awareness and improved medical diagnoses, not outside causes like vaccines. In short, he posits that we see more autism now than a decade ago because it is easier to recognize, not because more people have it. The author explores different attitudes towards autism in other cultures, from the Navajo in America to India, South Africa and South Korea. The second half of the book is a memoir of his own life with his autistic daughter. Including a wide range of information: statistical numbers, diagnoses and treatment, cultural perceptions and individual anecdotal stories, this book is a beautifully written examination of autism. It is very easy to read and quite interesting.
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Book of Jhereg Contains the Complete Text of Jhereg Yendi & Teckla
by
Steven Brust
Jeane
, February 09, 2008
In Steven Brust's imagined world, Dragaera, aliens once visited the planet and genetically mixed humans with native animals, creating seventeen different humanoid forms and factions. They have special abilities, live to be hundreds of years, and are over seven feet tall. Normal humans are despised and on the bottom of society. Vlad Taltos is a human who inveigled his way into one of the lower factions, the House of Jhereg. He becomes a successful assassin, using disreputable methods of sorcery and the dangerous companionship of a dragon-like jhereg as protection and leverage. These fantastic stories are all about a mafia-like organization, crime, intrigue, power struggles and death duels, with animal figures and magic on the side. Written fluidly, with humorous observations by the young, ambitious Vlad, this book is enjoyable even for readers who aren't usually into the murder-and-mayhem type.
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Lady Into Fox
by
David Garnett
Jeane
, February 03, 2008
One day while out walking with her husband, Sylvia Tebrick suddenly becomes a fox. Dismayed, her husband nevertheless still loves her strongly. He sends away the household dogs and servants in an attempt to keep her condition secret. Sylvia the fox is at first distressed with her animal form, trying to walk upright, play cards, wear clothes like usual. But gradually, to the grief of her husband, she behaves more and more like a wild fox, until he can no longer keep her safely in the house. Sadly, the ending is inevitable and not very well disguised from the reader. The strength of this book lies in its examination of emotional and psychological reactions to a sudden irreversible change in a loved one. Lady Into Fox has a strongly mythical feeling, haunting like a dream that remains with you long after waking.
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Bone People
by
Keri Hulme
Jeane
, February 02, 2008
This strange, beautiful book is written in almost a stream of consciousness fashion, alternating between present and past tense. The words swing from vivid, poetic descriptions to crude, rough talk and exotic-sounding Maori phrases (glossary included). The style is so unique it is a book you will either love or hate. I think it depends on whether you can like the characters or not: Kerewin, a reclusive New Zealand artist estranged from her family and her art. Joe, a Maori laborer with a drinking problem. And Simon, a small, strangely mute child. All three of them are terribly dysfunctional and do awful things to each other, in spite of their love and friendship. There is a strong sense of mystery and magic about the story, which addresses grief, love, isolation, violence and redemption. Also the conflict and meeting of Maori and European cultures. A powerful and enthralling book.
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Ordinary Princess
by
M M Kaye
Jeane
, January 29, 2008
If you ever get tired of fairy stories full of beautiful, blonde princesses, you'll love the Ordinary Princess! She's cursed with Ordinariness at her christening, and turns out to be a nice, pleasant girl, not at all gorgeous. In spite of disappointing her royal family with her lack of beauty and penchant for climbing trees, the Ordinary Princess finds a way to sidestep convention and end up with a Prince who loves her for who she is- an ordinary girl. Delightful!
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V&A Cats
by
Beryl Reid, V&a Publications
Jeane
, January 29, 2008
A collection of paintings, drawings and figures from the Victoria and Albert Museum, tastefully arranged with selected writings by various authors over the centuries, (from as far back as the year 1260) all regarding cats. Quotes by Lewis Carroll, T.S Eliot, May Sarton, and many other writers and notables. Drawings and paintings by Beatrix Potter, Sir John Tenniel, Louis Wain, Sir Edwin Landseer and many others. Altogether a delightful and pleasant book on the nature of cats.
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Down and Out in Paris and London
by
George Orwell
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
This is a detailed account of living in poverty in Paris and London. The narrator, an impoverished writer, describes his experiences living in Paris as a dishwasher for a posh French restaurant, and wandering the streets of London usually homeless, searching for lodging and food, consorting with pawnshops, sleeping in charity shelters, rubbing shoulders with bag ladies and tramps. His descriptions of what goes on in the bowels of the French hotel where the restaurant food is prepared are nauseating. The attitudes of British law towards vagrants was appalling. Mostly the book described pure misery and frustration trying to live without stable income and thus, a proper roof over one's head. In spite of how depressing it is, this remains one of my favorites of Orwell's books. It's a very engaging read.
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In The Company Of Newfies
by
Rhoda Lerman
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
Rhoda Lerman is a breeder of Newfoundlands. But this book is not a technical description of the breed, or a training manual. Rather, it is a novel about one year in her life with nine adult dogs and a litter of new puppies. There is a lot of information on the history of the breed and what breeders go through to raise the dogs included as part of the narrative. Mostly, though, the book deals with the dogs' personalities, and their relationship with Lerman herself. These giant, gentle dogs are really part of Lerman's family, as she makes quite clear. Her communication with them is so intuitive that she makes them appear nearly human. The story is well-written, interesting and prosaic. A great book for anyone interested in dogs or animal behavior, one to sit and cherish for the beauty of its words.
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Hungry Ocean A Swordboat Captains Journe
by
Linda Greenlaw
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
This fascinating, adventuresome book details one trip aboard a swordfishing boat captained by Greenlaw with a crew of four. The book starts out at the beginning of the trip, and follows every step through to the end. From the moment they load the boat with some $40,000 of supplies, the crew is racing against the clock to catch enough swordfish to make the trip profitable. Their work is painstaking, backbreaking and dirty, and the reader is spared no details. Besides just telling the story of what it's like the work in the fishing industry, Greenlaw also shares legendary tales, funny stories about fishing and her own thoughts and philosophical musings on life. She is a successful woman captain in an occupation dominated by men, and you can see why. She put her whole heart into her work. She is stubborn, humorous, and smart. And a good writer. It's a great book.
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Pastwatch The Redemption Of Christopher Columbus
by
Orson Scott Card
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
Constructed around a future hundreds of years ahead of our time, and the life of Christopher Columbus in the past, this book is both a science-fiction mind-bender and a thoughtful historical novel. The premise is that in the future, historians can use machines to look back in time and study any person they want. They fixate on Columbus as having been a key figure in propagating misery upon humankind, and aim to go back in time and change what he did, at a great cost to themselves. Card is a great writer about human relationships. There were lots of observations on marriage and the subtle balance of control between men and women. The issues of slavery, racism and how religion was used as an oppressive force are a very large presence in this book. But the biggest idea raised is: if you could really go back in time and change the past, would you do it?
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Thinking in Pictures & Other Reports from My Life with Autism
by
Grandin, Temple
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
Before I read this book, all I knew of autism was the stereotypical idea of a kid huddled in a corner, mute and closed out from the world. But I learned that there are many forms of autism, some quite high-functioning, most unrecognizable from my assumptions. Temple Grandin describes her own experiences with autism, and how she channeled an obsessive interest and turned it into a career. Grandin used her empathetic ability to understand animals along with solid drawing skills to design more humane livestock-handling systems. Her work was innovative and award-winning. This is a fascinating book on many levels.
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Alive Sixteen Men Seventy Two Days & Insurmountable Odds The Classic Adventure of Survival in the Andes
by
Piers Paul Read
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
Relates the harrowing experience of survivors of a plane crash in the Andes mountains in 1972. They were traveling to Santiago, Chile: fifteen teenage boys from a Catholic school headed for a rugby match, and twenty-five relatives and other people. When the plane crashed high in the cordillera, it landed in deep snow in an area totally barren of any plant or animal life. Of the forty passengers and several crew members on board, thirty-two survived the crash. At the end of their seventy-two day ordeal, only sixteen were left alive. They managed to live by consuming the bodies of those who died in the crash. The details are gruesome and it can be difficult to read. After their rescue, many of the survivors' attitudes towards life had been irrevocably changed. Reading this book was very unsettling, but at the same time I could not put it down.
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Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court
by
Mark Twain
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
A 19th century engineer gets hit on the head and wakes up in medieval England in King Arthur's court, where he uses his superior knowledge to make himself appear powerful and magical, frightening everyone and landing himself a position as King's advisor. Before long he's practically taken control and uses his ingenuity to introduce technological advances and uproot supersitions. He runs up again Merlin, who is portrayed as a charlatan and fool, but dangerously in the people's favor. More than an adventure story, this book is a satire on English society, criticizing the power of monarchy, poking fun at the knights, ridiculing the ignorance and squalor of medieval society. It is uproariously funny with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor.
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Annapurna A Womans Place
by
Arlene Blum
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
In 1978, the American Women's Himalayan Expedition attempted the summit of Annapurna I, the world's tenth highest peak. At the time, no woman had ever climbed a 8,000 meter peak. No American team had previous climbed Annapurna. I really had no idea what mountain climbing is like before reading this book. The amount of planning, logistics, manpower and supplies was staggering. The ten-women team had to overcome male prejudice, disagreements amongst themselves, fatigue, frostbite, altitude sickness, and disgruntled porters. The colorful character of Nepal contrasted sharply with the austere beauty and danger up on the mountain. Blum makes it clear that mountain-climbing is not just about the challenge, thrills or proving that women can do it. There is a serenity and peace to be found at high altitudes- they climb because they love to do so, in spite of how difficult it is.
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Helen Lincoln; A Tale
by
Carrie Capron
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
This poignant animal story was written by the same author of the original Bambi. It tells about the day to day life of a group of rabbits in the forest. Naturally, the rabbits face many dangers, yet still keep up their hope and zest for life. This book isn't a cute children's story, it has many serious moments and sober scenes. Even though they talk, their speech is presented so tastefully the rabbits don't feel too personified. It's a very realistic fictional account of what life is like for such a humble creature as a rabbit.
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Zamba The True Story of the Greatest Lion That Ever Lived
by
Ralph Helfer
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
Ralph Helfer always dreamed of working with animals. From his beginnings as an assistant in a small pet store, he worked his way up to owning his own establishment, a ranch full of exotic animals which he trained and performed with in movies, commercials and other productions. Helfer believed that it was safer and more humane to train animals with affection, communication and trust rather than the fear, domination and force commonly used on large exotic beasts at the time. He got his chance to prove his methods when a friend brought home a four-month old lion cub from Africa. Named Zamba, the lion was raised in Helfer's home (he even shared his bed!) and their bond of love and trust was complete. Zamba was the only lion trustworthy enough to perform in films with child actors. His remarkable story unfolds smoothly in these pages, full of laughs as well as sad moments.
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Clergymans Daughter
by
George Orwell
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
A pious, dutiful girl, Dorothy's entire days are spent doing housework and endless jobs for her father and his church. Her one break from the drudgery is occasional visits to the town scoundrel, who fascinates her. Then in a sudden incident, Dorothy looses her memory and wakes up on the streets, far from home. She begins a journey through London's lower class society, spending time picking hops with itinerant workers in Kent, teaching in a shabby private school, and attempting to survive living on the streets. Dorothy never really changes. She suffers everything in a very docile manner, and it becomes apparent that this novel is not about growth of character but an exposé of social conditions in London. Small town life, gossip, greed, the condition of private schools, the deplorable situations of homeless people. Quite interesting and a very good read.
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Nanny Diaries
by
Emma Mclaughlin
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
This is about a college student in New York who nannies for a rich family. It's kind of funny, but the characters and storyline are rather flat. Basically, it's all about how badly the "X" parents treat their child, each other and their domestic help. The sad thing is that even though the nanny was a smart college girl, she didn't quit and get a better job when her employer started making unreasonable demands. She stayed and took loads of abuse, claiming it was because she cared so much for the kid, but unable to stand up to the parents or make much of a difference for him. She admitted to being there for the money... A quick read, somewhat entertaining, but in the end mostly I just felt sad for the poor kid.
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Thread That Runs So True
by
Jesse Stuart
Jeane
, January 26, 2008
Jesse Stuart taught the seventy students in his one-room schoolhouse in rural Kentucky to love learning, take responsibility for their education, and apply their knowledge to everyday life in the community. He made such a difference for these students and their community that he was asked to be the principal of a city high school, then the superintendent of the county's schools. Through his entire career as an educator, Stuart worked hard to improve the school system, against bitter opposition. This book is mostly about his efforts to make positive changes, the importance of education and the wide-ranging influence good teachers have. It reads very easily, in economic sentences that sound, after a while, as if the author were speaking aloud.
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(12 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)
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