Thursday, 26 February 2009

D is for Deadbeat: Sue Grafton - Book 12, 2009

D is for Deadbeat: Sue Grafton
Topic: Crime/mystery
Rating: 7/10
Comment: Good train reading; reasonably written detective mystery with satisfying twist at the end.  Grafton does her stuff well

Friday, 20 February 2009

The Gruffalo: Julia Donaldson - Book 10, 2009

The Gruffalo: Julia Donaldson
Topic: Kids/humour
Rating: 10/10
Comments: I don't normally count picture books on my 'read' list but one that is so funny and well written that I go out and buy it even though I don't have kids is a rare thing.  A wily mouse evades the attention of various predators by telling them he is going to have a meal with the (fictional) gruffalo.  Then he meets the monster of his creation.  Wonderfully written with beautiful metre and rhyme.

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor - Book 11, 2009

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor
Topic: Science, medical, personal
Rating: 10/10
Commentary: What happens when a brain scientist has a stroke?  She gets a unique perspective into her own brain, has what would normally be described as a mystical experience and then strives to repair her brain motivated by the desire to help others access the usually submissive right hemisphere of their brain to also reach 'nirvana' - without having to have a stroke themselves.  This book is fantastic on many levels.  It gives an intelligent lay person an overview of the wonder and major components of the brain; it provides unique insights on the care and rehabilitation of someone with a stroke, from the perspective of the patient; it highlights the amazing wonder that is our brain; and celebrates life and living it as happily as possible. 

M Is for Malice: Sue Grafton - Book 9, 2009

M Is for Malice: Sue Grafton
Topic: Crime/mystery
Rating: 7/10
Comment: Good train reading; reasonably written detective mystery with satisfying twist at the end.

Monday, 2 February 2009

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing: Melissa Bank - Book 8, 2009

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing: Melissa Bank
Topic: Short-stories, chick-lit, relationships, humour
Rating: 10/10
Comments: This is one of the few books where I've found myself emotionally identifying with the protagonist.  Jane is an intelligent, funny, caring, self-aware woman who is completely clueless when it comes to most relationships.  The short stories span her life from the age of 14 to 28 as both a participant and observer of all kinds of relationships - romantic, family and in the workplace.  Both heart rendering and funny, I can't imagine a woman this book wouldn't appeal to.