Wicked Bugs

Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napolean’s Army and Other Diabolical Insects by Amy Stewart

Amazon.com Description:

“In this darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the natural world, Stewart has tracked down over one hundred of our worst entomological foes—creatures that infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. From the world’s most painful hornet, to the flies that transmit deadly diseases, to millipedes that stop traffic, to the“bookworms” that devour libraries, to the Japanese beetles munching on your roses, Wicked Bugs delves into the extraordinary powers of six- and eight-legged creatures.With wit, style, and exacting research, Stewart has uncovered the most terrifying and titillating stories of bugs gone wild. It’s an A to Z of insect enemies, interspersed with sections that explore bugs with kinky sex lives (“She’s Just Not That Into You”), creatures lurking in the cupboard (“Fear No Weevil”), insects eating your tomatoes (“Gardener’s Dirty Dozen”), and phobias that feed our (sometimes) irrational responses to bugs (“Have No Fear”). Intricate and strangely beautiful etchings and drawings by Briony Morrow-Cribbs capture diabolical bugs of all shapes and sizes in this mixture of history, science, murder, and intrigue that begins—but doesn’t end—in your own backyard.”

My thoughts:

Super creepy, but full of interesting facts. I really enjoyed.

Immoral

Immoral by Brian Freeman

I previously read a book by Freeman, which turned out to be in the midst of a series. Now I’m back to the beginning of his work…

This is Freeman’s debut and it is stunningly twisted. The reader is introduced to Lieutenant Jonathan Stride, a complex character that I immediately became engaged with. He is searching for a serial killer, uncovering secrets and dangers as he works the case. There are many twists and turns along the path to “who done it.”

Freeman is an accomplished thriller author. If you are a suspense, police drama or thriller reader I highly recommend his work.

An Artist of the Floating World

An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

When I want to enjoy beautiful, breathtaking prose I turn to Ishiguro. In this, his first novel, he earns a reputation for moving the reader with his words.

The story of an artist, now retired, expressing how his perceptions have been altered by WWII, Ono’s narration is descriptive and reminiscent. Set in Japan, the reader is given snippets of the post-war history and national dynamic. As I read Ishiguro I am filled with reverence. He writes so beautifully, but under the words is a subtle drama, a slight irony that causes me to look within myself for buried emotions.

A delight.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Hello, my name is Lindsay…and I’m a recovering YA snob. Yes, it’s true. I used to feel like my reading level was “above” the Young Adult section. I always assumed that these books were geared toward young (teen) readers and would not appeal to an adult reader. Over the past few years I have realized, in many cases, that this assumption was wrong. Sure, there are still some YA novels that I didn’t particularly engage in (aka Harry Potter series), but there are also a growing number that have been quite intriguing.

The Hunger Games did not seem like a book I would enjoy. First, the description threw me for a loop. I don’t typically love futuristic settings. Second, I knew parents with grade school children reading the series, so it seemed too young to appeal to me. However, I knew I needed to give it a try so I could pass a verdict and I’m so glad I did!

The story moves quickly, the characters are compelling and the disturbing nature of the plot keeps the reader engaged. Collins shows a rare talent for both character development and suspenseful timing.

I am surprised younger children are reading this series. I personally wouldn’t; the plot is brutal and portions are very violent. I would rate it for ages 13+.

Unequal Childhoods

Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race and Family Life by Annette Lareau

Amazon.com Description:
“Class does make a difference in the lives and futures of American children. Drawing on in-depth observations of black and white middle-class, working-class, and poor families, Unequal Childhoods explores this fact, offering a picture of childhood today. Here are the frenetic families managing their children's hectic schedules of "leisure" activities; and here are families with plenty of time but little economic security. Lareau shows how middle-class parents, whether black or white, engage in a process of "concerted cultivation" designed to draw out children's talents and skills, while working-class and poor families rely on "the accomplishment of natural growth," in which a child's development unfolds spontaneously—as long as basic comfort, food, and shelter are provided. Each of these approaches to childrearing brings its own benefits and its own drawbacks. In identifying and analyzing differences between the two, Lareau demonstrates the power, and limits, of social class in shaping the lives of America's children.”

My thoughts:
I found this to be very insightful and thought provoking. I often think about how circumstances mold a child and I believe that children are born with only a slim chance to go beyond the economic situation of their family. While a majority of Americans seem to negate the effect of class on success, the reality is that social status is one of the most important factors in determining future success. The mobility between classes is limited; and only becoming more so. Sure, everyone can name at least one person that has broken from this mold, but statistics show that these people are among the minority. Equal opportunity is not really equal. Many people blame the poor for their situation in life, if only they would work harder, seems to be a motto I often hear. However, studying the cycle of socioeconomic factors and class structure shows a different reality.  Lareau is an awarded sociologist and I appreciated her research and views. I wish more people would take the time to study and understand the impact of class on the future.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks

The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond

My daughter loves to watch Food Network and "The Pioneer Woman" is one of her favorite series. I watched a few episodes with her and decided to check out one of Drummond's books. I really enjoyed it! Infused with love for her husband and children, good recipes and sweet stories--I highly recommend to the cookbook enthusiast.

Broken

Broken by Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter is a talented, proven mystery author. I have enjoyed her novels in the past, but I had issues with this one. I would give the storyline of this one an A. But the characters?--D, at best.

Who was the reader supposed to like in this story? The main characters were all flawed, and not in an endearing way. I cared about Will Trent a tiny bit but Lena was unstable and Sara was obnoxious.

For me, characters are the most important part of a novel. If I can’t engage with the characters I have a hard time caring about the plot. I kind of hoped she would kill all these characters at the end because I just didn’t care.

The Emperor of All Maladies

The Emperor of all Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Mukherjee provides research on cancer, from the first documented cases, to today; very informative and riveting.

I highly recommend to the scientific or otherwise inquisitive mind.

Red

Red by Erica Spindler—

I have read a few books by Spindler that I really enjoyed. This was not one of them. I really don’t have anything good to say…

Brain Trust

Brain Trust: 93 Top Scientists Reveal Lab-Tested Secrets to Surfing, Dating, Dieting, Gambling, Growing Man-Eating Plants and More! by Garth Sundem

Random information…my favorite! Sundem interviews many impressive thinkers on a variety of subjects. Not a book to read straight through; better taken in snippets.

A recommend for those who enjoy learning new information.

Mistress of Nothing

Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger
This is a compelling story based on the lives of Lady Duff Gordon and her maid, Sally. The powers of race, class and love clash between strong characters in the exotic Egyptian setting.

Sally learns that she is not a person to Lady Duff Gordon, but a possession. Gordon throws her to the wind when she falls in love with another servant and they have a child. Gordon does not accept it. She casts Sally out of her house, forces her to give up her child, and leaves her with no other options.

My heart ached as Sally struggles to overcome her status in life. I followed her thoughts through culture changes, oppression due to gender and class, struggles with health, and finding independence. The part that really hit me was her relationship with her child. Heartbreaking.

Gripping and beautifully written, I strongly recommend Pullinger’s novel to historical and classic literature lovers.

You Can Buy Happiness

You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap): How One Woman Radically Simplified Her Life and How You Can Too by Tammy Strobel

Strobel is easy to connect with. She relates her struggle with “stuff” and the decision she made to change the focus of their life. Strobel and her husband trade in their hectic, middle class suburban lifestyle for a small home with less stuff. This allows them to focus more on their true priorities in life.

I admire her for the choices she has made and find her new lifestyle very intriguing.

Clean

Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body’s Natural Ability to Heal Itself by Alejandro Junger

Junger presents a doctor-approved program to cleanse your body. His system is designed to be easy and sustainable. He believes that purging toxins helps to increase your health, weight loss and energy levels. The information is well researched and Junger is very respected in the health community.

A recommend for those interested in health/weight loss.

A Warrant to Kill

A Warrant to Kill: A True Story of Obsession, Lies and a Killer Cop by Kathryn Casey—

A recommend for the true crime reader.

Amazon.com Description:

“She tried to tell her friends. She even went to the police. No one would believe her--and now she was dead. Problems had always followed Susan White, but when she remarried and moved to Houston's posh suburbs, she thought the past was behind her--until she met a deputy sheriff named Kent McGowen who would soon become her worst nightmare. McGowen was an aggressive cop with a spotty record. When Susan rebuffed his advances, she claimed he stalked and harassed her, using her troubled teenage son as bait. And then, in an act of arrogance and revenge, he made good on his threats, setting her up for the kill. In A Warrant to Kill, Kathryn Casey meticulously pieces together the tragic shards of the case to create a riveting story of vengeance, fear, and justice--of the terrifying power a badge can have in the wrong hands.”

The Weird Sisters

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

Description from Amazon.com:

“Three sisters have returned to their childhood home, reuniting the eccentric Andreas family. Here, books are a passion (there is no problem a library card can't solve) and TV is something other people watch. Their father-a professor of Shakespeare who speaks almost exclusively in verse-named them after the Bard's heroines. It's a lot to live up to. The sisters have a hard time communicating with their parents and their lovers, but especially with one another. What can the shy homebody eldest sister, the fast-living middle child, and the bohemian youngest sibling have in common? Only that none has found life to be what was expected; and now, faced with their parents' frailty and their own personal disappointments, not even a book can solve what ails them...”

My Thoughts:

I was not overly impressed with this book. First, the narration is strange. The narrator is a collective of the sisters. So everything is “we.” I never got used to that, and it kept throwing me off. Another area of annoyance were the frequent Shakespeare quotes. They were overdone and didn’t really seem to fit. One redeeming quality was that the sisters were fairly engaging. I could see bits of myself in each one.

Overall, there was just too much going on for me to really focus and enjoy the story.  

Between Two Worlds

Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran by Roxana Saberi

Description from Amazon.com:

“On the morning of January 31, 2009, Roxana Saberi, a brilliant and fearless Iranian-American journalist working in Iran, was dragged from her home by four men and secretly arrested. The intelligence agents who captured her accused her of espionage - a charge she denied. For eleven days, Saberi was cut off from the outside world, forbidden even a phone call. For weeks, neither her family, friends, nor colleagues had any knowledge of her whereabouts. After a sham trial that made headlines around the world, the 32-year-old reporter was sentenced to eight years in Iran's notorious Evin prison. But following broad-based international pressure, she was released on appeal on May 11, 2009. Now, Saberi breaks her silence to share the full story of her ordeal. In this compelling and inspirational true story, she writes movingly of her imprisonment, her trial, her ultimate release, and the faith that helped her through it. Her recollections are interwoven with stories of her fellow prisoners - many of whom were women, student and labor activists, researchers, and academics - many of whom were jailed for their pursuit of human rights, including freedom of speech and religious belief. "Between Two Worlds" is also a deeply revealing account of this complex nation and the six years Saberi lived there. A citizen of both the United States and Iran, Saberi sheds new light on the Iranian regime's inner political workings and the restrictions to basic freedoms that have intensified since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory in 2005. The recent uprisings in Iran - and the astonishing outbreak of support for Iranian citizens from across the globe - mark a critical turning point as the nation hangs on the precipice between democracy and dictatorship. From her nuanced perspective, Saberi offers a rich, dramatic, and illuminating portrait of the country as it undergoes a striking transformation.”

I recommend it…A very interesting memoir about life in Iran.

Empty Chairs

Empty Chairs: Much More Than a Story About Child Abuse by Stacey Danson

Stacey Danson survived a childhood of horrific abuse. I’m glad that she was able to tell her story. She takes the reader through the abuse that she suffered from the beginning of her memory. Such an awful existence for an innocent child. I cannot fathom the evil of her Mother.

She was able to run away at 11, but then she lived alone on the streets. Although she was scared, she was grateful to be free from the abuse.  

I wish Ms. Danson many years of peace. Her story reminds me how important it is to support abused children. These children have no voice and are tied to the control of their abusers.

The Deep Dark

The Deep Dark: Disaster and Redemption in America’s Richest Silver Mine by Gregg Olsen

Olsen tells the story of Sunshine Mine in Kellogg, Idaho. Though this mine was thought to be fire-proof, in 1972, there was a fire. Over a hundred people were trapped, too deep in the Earth to get out. Many died instantly. Many others lingered.

Olsen gives voice to the families who waited to discover if their loved ones were alive. He brings the life of the working class to the page. I found this to be a very moving account of a town that has never fully recovered from this tragedy