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The Deserter's Tale | 10/10 |
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Author: Joshua Key, Lawrence Hill
Genre: Biography and MemoirsThis book is about Joshua Key's role in the Iraq war and his choice to go AWOL rather than going back to Iraq to serve in the Army.
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While I suspect some people would rather not be aware of what is happening in the war, I for one do appreciate the honest non-sugarcoated facts from Key's perspective.
It was a quick read that went further than just shocking me. Very sad but informative. It really gave me a feel for what it could be like first hand to be involved in war... a REAL war where no rules exist and humans are capable of anything.
It is difficult not to be opinionated and upset. The fact that the mighty US not only allows these atrocities to happen, but actually encourages them, recruits for them, misinforms them and more... really makes me rethink who the terrorists are.
The ass that is Bush (and his people) should seriously go to jail for the innumerable laws they break.
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If you can not have a great day without experiencing some bad ones to know the difference, this book will make you thankful for many things you probably take for granted each day.
Reviewed: July 21 2008
Average Rating: 9.5/10 - 2 reviews
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Tuesdays with Morrie | 10/10 |
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Author: Mitch Albom
Genre: Biography and MemoirsA beautiful story.
Only because I have read relatively few books in my time, I can not imagine a better written book about life, love and the reality of death.
Very enlightening and highly recommended. You will want to read this sooner rather than later. Reviewed: April 23 2007
Average Rating: 9.7/10 - 4 reviews
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The DaVinci Code | 10/10 |
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Author: Dan Brown
Genre: Mystery and SuspenseAn excellent read! I read this book in one sitting. It was quick moving story that wasn't just mindless. The DaVinci Code required a little thinking but at the same time tempted you to read faster and faster. Overall one of the best books, as in -entertaining, that I have ever read. Reviewed: June 01 2006
Average Rating: 9.4/10 - 10 reviews
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Lafcadio, The Lion Who Shot Back | 9/10 |
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Author: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Children's LiteratureThis was a great book I can remember reading when I was *younger*. Illustrated well and a very creative story. Great for a fun quick read! Reviewed: March 13 2005
Rating: 9/10 - 1 review
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Night | 8/10 |
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Author: Elie Wiesel
Genre: Biography and MemoirsAn important read written succinctly to allow easy access for the next generation of youth. I understand there are still things to this day Mr. Wiesel has not divulged in any form because of his difficultly to do so. A horrific and educational read. I learned from the book not only were the furnaces a means of death, but that the possibility of death was all around the prisoners, at nearly all times. I really didn?t know or imagine the multiplicity of ways in which people suffered during those years. Truly a sad realization of the capabilities of human beings. Reviewed: July 09 2006
Average Rating: 8.1/10 - 5 reviews
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Blindness | 6/10 |
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Author: Jose Saramago
Genre: General FictionWhile I thought the book was somewhat powerful (in the examination of humans at different states of despair) and had a very interesting premise, I didn?t quite feel it was all that it could be. With such an out of the ordinary first few chapters, I felt the author could have taken us even further in the ups and downs of the story. Maybe I was missing the point and it was meant to read more like a character study, but I personally wished for more depth, or rather - breadth - to the storyline because so much more was available given the premise. Reviewed: July 09 2006
Average Rating: 8.2/10 - 6 reviews
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time | 6/10 |
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Author: Mark Haddon
Genre: General FictionThis book was really quite humorous, for the first few chapters ? as we learned from whose point of view the story was told, and began to understand the world in which this boy lived. Unfortunately the story itself was simple and somewhat sad. Which is not to say that it wasn?t interesting or well written, only that it didn?t leave me with an overwhelming sense of, um, anything - come the end. While I would read more from Mark Haddon in the future I wouldn?t highly recommend this book to my friends. Reviewed: July 09 2006
Average Rating: 6.9/10 - 5 reviews
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Freakonomics | 3/10 |
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Author: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
Genre: Social and Cultural StudiesAfter hearing much hype I have to say that I was disappointed with this book. The cover touts 'a rogue economists explores the hidden side of everything' and quotes 'prepare to be dazzled'. Well...
The book does not explore 'everything' - and in fact only explores a few data sets that in my mind were quite boring. The authors extrapolate meanings from the data sets that are supposed to wow or surprise you - as in, 'You may have thought this... but really this is what the data suggests.'
I guess if you were the type of person that believed all the stats and numbers people throw at you each day, you may say, ohhh I see - neat.
Myself, I believe most conclusions from stats and numbers we come across each day are used to manipulate and are meant to sway you one way or another. Therefore being critical of what I am 'told' is commonplace in my life. If you don't think about where data comes from, how it is collected, and what bias is presented with their statement - then indeed you may find this book somehow enlightening.
I thought it was weak, slow and boring. Reviewed: June 01 2006
Average Rating: 4/10 - 2 reviews
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Odd Thomas | 2/10 |
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Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: General FictionThere was so much wrong with this book I almost want to just leave the review and recommended the one word - pass! But I won't do that, so here are a few reasons why you will want to skip this one:
1) very little happens;
2) the text is way too descriptive... "We passed Jenny's house... it was painted blue as it always had been. I remember it when little Jenny used to play..." I only wanted the book to go SOMEWHERE or to end. It upsets me recollecting the wasted time;
3) it's wacky. OK - so with a title like Odd Thomas you expect there to be some - wack ... but it's not in a good way.
The reason why it receives a two is only because it helped me greatly increase my speed reading abilities. Sigh - though sadly, it was still too much time wasted.
SKIP IT... find almost anything else to pick up.
Reviewed: April 23 2007
Rating: 2/10 - 1 review
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