Tanti Libri

Another Science Book...

2008-05-04T19:23:00.005-04:00

As a chemist, I enjoy reading books about the science of everyday things as well as more bizarre items. Spook by Mary Roach, a follow-up to her first novel Stiff, delves into the science of the afterlife. It covers topics such as ectoplasm, reincarnation, and near-death experiences. I never had thought about whether people studied such phenomena, but there are numerous universities which have programs in these paranormal area. My favorite portion of the book discusses how people attempted to determine whether the soul existed by weighing people as they were dying. A loss in their mass was suspected to be the soul leaving the body. The author also attended a school on how to become a medium! While I enjoyed Stiff much more than Spook, I am definitely going to be reading Ms. Roach's newest book, Bonk.

Certain Girls

2008-05-04T19:15:00.002-04:00

I finished listening to Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner a few days ago. I just recently discovered Jennifer Weiner's books at a used bookstore. In my usual manner, I bought one of her novels, read it, and went back to buy many more. Thus far I was thoroughly enjoyed reading about unique female characters in the modern world. Certain Girls, the sequel to Good in Bed, brings the reading into the life of Cannie as her daughter is coming of age. This book never engaged me as her earlier books did. I was unable to connect with any of the characters as I had in the past. If you are looking for a quick read for your summer vacation, this is a good book to bring along. I will definitely continue to read Ms. Weiner's novels in the future.

Austenland

2008-04-08T13:10:00.003-04:00

I recently finished listening to "Austenland" by Shannon Hale, another modern novel built around Jane Austen's body of work. This one was actually a pretty good listen, especially since if you miss a few minutes you are not destined to be lost for days. It is the story of Jane Hayes' journey to discover just what it is she is looking for in a man. Is she really looking for a Mr. Darcy? I laughed aloud when Jane described some of her past boyfriends, and thought of some of my experiences as well as some of my friends'. If you are starting to compile your beach reading for the year, add this one to your list. Until next time, happy reading!

A Bad Book...

2008-04-02T12:18:00.002-04:00

I just finished listening to "Dance of the Dead" by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. It was a pretty typical psychological thriller, but its only purpose was to get you ready for the next book. I really dislike that in both books and movies. A book should tell a complete story, even if in a series. Its purpose should not be to simply set you up for the next installment. Needless to say I wasted quite a few hours listening to this book. But I am one of those people who has to finish a book that she has started. It is really a terrible trait to have, especially when I complain to my husband about how terrible a book is.

The Telephone Gambit

2008-03-30T12:50:00.002-04:00

I recently finished reading "The Telephone Gambit: Chasing Alexander Graham Bell's Secret" by Seth Shulman. The author takes the reader through his investigation of who really invented the telephone. Children are taught from an early age that Bell was the inventor of the telephone, but they are never taught about the battle Bell went through to prove he was the true inventor. For those interested in the history of science, I think this is a great read. It also brings to light some of the flaws in the systems of the Patent Office in its early years. As a scientist, I found this aspect of the book quite interesting. Did you know that at one time the U.S. Patent Office required inventors to submit working models of their inventions? Imagine the storage facility they would need today if this practice were still in place.

A few days of no reading...

2008-03-26T16:00:00.002-04:00

It is terrible when you don't have a chance to read for a few days. Last week I finish up "Change of Heart" by Jodi Picoult, and then we had visitors all weekend. It was not until yesterday that I finally had a chance to pick up a book. Right now I am reading multiple books. I am trying to finish up one of my Spring Reading Thing Challenge books, "Persuasion". At the same time I am reading a book called "The Telephone Gambit", which discusses who really invented the telephone. This one is due back at the library next week, so Jane Austen will have to wait. As soon as I have a spare minute I will write a review of Change of Heart. Let's hope tomorrow we can get to that. Until then...

Story on NPR about Book Social Networking

2008-03-20T21:59:00.004-04:00

I heard a great story on NPR this afternoon about a variety of book social networks on the web. The one that was of particular interest to me was www.Librarything.com. This site allows you to list all of the books in your library, or those that you have read. It then will match you up with other readers with "eerily" similar interests. Sounds like fun, I am definitely going to sign up! I will add a link to my library on my blog as soon as I complete it.

Spring Reading Thing 2008

2008-03-20T08:32:00.002-04:00

After watching the movie "The Jane Austen Book Club" (and reading the book), I realized that I had read so few classic novels. So a few weeks ago I went out and bought several Jane Austen books. I have added these to my Spring Reading Thing 2008 List, as well as an Oscar Wilde book given to me for my birthday. So as of today, here is my list:

Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Mansfield Park

The Doctor's Office

2008-03-17T14:47:00.003-04:00

I went to the doctor today for my annual physical. As always, I carried a book along with me. You just never know when you are going to have time fit a few pages of reading in. While I waited in the office, at least ten to fifteen people were called into the examination area. I noticed that not one of them was reading. They simply sat there waiting. To me this is the worst torture, to have to sit idly waiting. I crave a book whenever I am forced to wait for anything. Luckily today I had "Changes of Heart" in hand.

Let's Try A Reading Challenge...

2008-03-16T15:22:00.030-04:00

I discovered a neat Reading Challenge hosted by Joy. The requirements are:

align the author's last name or the title of a book (excluding "the", "a", etc.) with its corresponding letter in the alphabet
enter a different book for each author and title (total of 52 books)
complete the alphabet lists anyway that suits your fancy
(i.e.: complete each list separately in alphabetical order, read both "A" entries, then "B" entries, fit whatever you're reading into either list, etc.)
complete the challenge in the year 2008
enjoy the experience!

Since I am getting started a little late, I am going to include the books that I have read since the first of the year. This should be interesting...I will probably include some audiobooks as well since I am a book listener as well.

A to Z Title List:
Atonement Ian McEwan

B
Change of Heart Jodi Picoult
Devil's Bones Jefferson Bass
E
F
G
H
I Am Legend Richard Matheson
J
K
Leviathan Paul Auster
Murder in the Sentier Cara Black
N
O
Persuasion Jane Austen
Q
R
Small Steps Louis Sachar
Timbuktu Paul Auster
U
V
World Without End Ken Follett
X
Y
Z

A to Z Author List

Black, Cara "Murder in Marais"
Cornwell, Patricia "Book of the Dead"
D
E
F
Gore, Al "The Assault on Reason"
Hale, Shannon "Austenland"
I
Jungersen, Christian "The Exception: A Novel"
K
L
M
N
Oates, Joyce Carol "After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread my Wings, and Flew Away"
Patchett, Ann "The Magician's Assistant"
Q
Roach, Mary "Spook"
Shulman, Seth "The Telephone Gambit: Chasing Alexander Graham Bell's Secret"
T
U
V
Weiner, Jennifer "Certain Girls"
X
Y
Z

My First Post...

2008-03-16T10:56:00.003-04:00

Here is my first post, and what a great way to start but with a Jodi Picoult book. Last night I started reading "Changes of Heart" before I went to bed. It is amazing how her books grab you from the first page. I read the Prologue and I wanted to stay up all night and read. Alas, sleepiness got the best of me.

Jodi Picoult is truely one of my favorite authors. I love how her books tell a story from the perspective of so many different people. The first of her books that I read was "My Sister's Keeper", and since then I have made my way through most of her books.

I am going to try to slowly update my blog with various books that I have read, what is in my queue to be read, as well as some of my favorite authors. Until then, happy reading!