Reviews and Comments

Wow, Tana French is such a good writer! It's easy to characterize her books as "crime dramas" but the stories are populated by such rich individuals that any genre-tag is going to be insufficient.

Her three novels so far have been set in Ireland. I was able to hear the dialogue in my head, and see the houses and pubs, thanks to her terrific writing.

Although this is a work of fiction, this book make the Middle East conflict much more real to me, and doesn't provide any simple solutions.

Some characters specialize in pulling pain inward and hardening the heart; others become terrorists. In either case, the toll on humanity is devastating.

I found myself stutter-reading a few of the Arabic passages. For example, Dalia is also referred to as "Um Yousef," meaning "mother of Yousef." (There's a glossary, as well as a family tree...needed both!)

How often do we hear/read true stories about people who do something because it's the Right Thing To Do?

This is the story of the hardware, software, and people that comprise the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, an attempt to map the characteristics of the universe.

Many of the scientists in this book knew from an early age that they were interested in astronomy, and they acted on that conviction. Several of them worked on the project for free; others sacrificed academic opportunities. The project resulted in a massive amount of publicly available data - how refreshing, in this age of proprietorship, copyrights and litigation to know that collaboration is possible.

I know people who seriously, honestly, truly believe in reincarnation. And I occasionally find myself saying things like "In my next life, I'm going to learn to draw" or "In my next life, I'm going to learn to speak more languages." However, I would actually count myself among the nonbelievers. (Well, I hedge my bets. I think reincarnation is wishful thinking; if there is an afterlife, it's really unlikely that we're going to figure out what It is.)

Mary Roach's book is more entertainment and anecdote than a serious look at various beliefs about the afterlife. Tired of reading about hucksters and scammers, I ended up skipping through some of the later chapters.

I know people who seriously, honestly, truly believe in reincarnation. And I occasionally find myself saying things like "In my next life, I'm going to learn to draw" or "In my next life, I'm going to learn to speak more languages." However, I would actually count myself among the nonbelievers. (Well, I hedge my bets. I think reincarnation is wishful thinking; if there is an afterlife, it's really unlikely that we're going to figure out what It is.)

Mary Roach's book is more entertainment and anecdote than a serious look at various beliefs about the afterlife. Tired of reading about hucksters and scammers, I ended up skipping through some of the later chapters.

The title essay is terrific - funny and erudite. The section on the annual porn awards ("Big Red Son") went on far too long. There's also a touching portrayal of immediate reactions to 9/11.

I have to admit that I listened to an audio recording of some of these essays, and did not listen to/read the entire book (although I would like to). I really enjoyed hearing DFW read his own work.

Touching book about betrayal, justice, rage, respect, and connectedness. What happens to Native American teenager "Zits" as he time-travels and inhabits various bodies feel like a series of short stories laced together by tragedy.

Easy to read, and had a hope-filled ending.

David Grann's story underscores the dangers of Western imperialism and the immense power of nature. The perils (and tribes) of the Amazon jungle have consumed many of those who were filled with wanderlust, confidence, greed, and arrogance enough to explore it.

The story (which centers on the disappearance of explorer Percy Fawcett in the Amazon in the early part of the 20th century) was unavoidably choppy. Like an archaeological dig, the book has various layers: we get Fawcett's story, as well as those of others who attempted to find him (à la Stanley, of "Dr. Livingstone, I presume" fame). The author even inserts himself into the narrative, to good effect. The mystery of what happened to Fawcett and his companions (including his son) will likely never be "solved."

Chickenhearted homebody that I am, I was horrified by the descriptions of voracious stinging insects, piranha, intestinal parasites, swollen limbs, and the like. I've never been camping, and I never intend to.

David Grann's story underscores the dangers of Western imperialism and the immense power of nature. The perils (and tribes) of the Amazon jungle have consumed many of those who were filled with wanderlust, confidence, greed, and arrogance enough to explore it.

The story (which centers on the disappearance of explorer Percy Fawcett in the Amazon in the early part of the 20th century) was unavoidably choppy. Like an archaeological dig, the book has various layers: we get Fawcett's story, as well as those of others who attempted to find him (à la Stanley, of "Dr. Livingstone, I presume" fame). The author even inserts himself into the narrative, to good effect. The mystery of what happened to Fawcett and his companions (including his son) will likely never be "solved."

Chickenhearted homebody that I am, I was horrified by the descriptions of voracious stinging insects, piranha, intestinal parasites, swollen limbs, and the like. I've never been camping, and I never intend to.