The Know-it-all: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World, A.J. Jacobs. 2004
This novel by A.J. Jacobs is a tribute to a feat he managed to accomplish in 2004: he read the entire 2002 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. In this yearlong project, Jacobs reads all thirty-two volumes, 65,000 entries and 44 million words all the while managing to maintain his humour... and his job as an editor at Esquire Magazine.
This novel could have been incredibly dry and as boring as reading a shortened version of an encyclopaedia, but Jacobs keeps the reader entertained with his antics and his attempts at becoming "the smartest person alive". He tries to get on Jeopardy! and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He takes classes on speed reading and memory retention. He finds a loop-hole to join Mensa and takes part in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Through all of these seemingly intellectual pursuits, does A.J. Jacobs become the smartest person alive? Well he certainly does become a man full of trivial, mindless and yet still impertinent information... I certainly wouldn't want to play against him in Trivial Pursuit now!
My recommendation for this book is that it is for anyone looking for something lighthearted, but be careful you might just end up learning something. Definitely something anyone would enjoy thanks to Jacobs' style of writing. It's witty and interesting and the background story has enough substance so that the reader doesn't feel like they are actually reading the encyclopaedia along with him.
Other books by Jacobs, soon to be reviewed:
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment
*****
xoxo
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Not so miraculous
Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures: Vincent Lam, 2005
This novel, Lam's first, is a collection of stories revolving around young Canadian doctors as they make their way from University to residency and eventually to practicing medicine themselves. We begin with Ming and Fitzgerald trying to get into medical school and dealing with new developments in their relationship. They are the two main characters, and even separate they carry the story between them. With them we also learn about what they learn, from acyclovir to vertiginous (Thank you glossary!) Through their tumultuous relationship and the trials of becoming doctors, we end up identifying with both of these characters at different times, really depending on the which one is speaking in first person. When we understand their thoughts, we can understand their actions. Yet somehow, the characters still remain characters and not people (which is one thing I believe is necessary for a good book). I feel nothing for them.
While some may enjoy the factual and descriptive novels, I personally found it dull and a little pretentious. Lam even included a glossary so the average reader without a medical background would be able to understand, and maybe even finish this book. I may be alone in my low opinion of this work, as Lam did win the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
My recommendation would be that this novel is not for the faint of heart. If you enjoy medical dramas (although there is not much drama here!) maybe this book is for you, but I doubt it. There is nothing to grab you, nothing to entice you to read more... simply a book full of facts and a simple storyline that is used to move the reader from one fact to another. It lacks heart, which is ironic since it is a medical book that centres around organs.
Give this one a miss.
*
xoxo
This novel, Lam's first, is a collection of stories revolving around young Canadian doctors as they make their way from University to residency and eventually to practicing medicine themselves. We begin with Ming and Fitzgerald trying to get into medical school and dealing with new developments in their relationship. They are the two main characters, and even separate they carry the story between them. With them we also learn about what they learn, from acyclovir to vertiginous (Thank you glossary!) Through their tumultuous relationship and the trials of becoming doctors, we end up identifying with both of these characters at different times, really depending on the which one is speaking in first person. When we understand their thoughts, we can understand their actions. Yet somehow, the characters still remain characters and not people (which is one thing I believe is necessary for a good book). I feel nothing for them.
While some may enjoy the factual and descriptive novels, I personally found it dull and a little pretentious. Lam even included a glossary so the average reader without a medical background would be able to understand, and maybe even finish this book. I may be alone in my low opinion of this work, as Lam did win the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
My recommendation would be that this novel is not for the faint of heart. If you enjoy medical dramas (although there is not much drama here!) maybe this book is for you, but I doubt it. There is nothing to grab you, nothing to entice you to read more... simply a book full of facts and a simple storyline that is used to move the reader from one fact to another. It lacks heart, which is ironic since it is a medical book that centres around organs.
Give this one a miss.
*
xoxo
Monday, June 14, 2010
A Reliable Read!
A Reliable Wife: Robert Goolrick, 2009.
This novel takes place in a small Wisconsin town in the late 1800s. It centres around a man named Ralph Truitt and his quest to find a wife, along with his eventual partner Catherine Land. Ralph wants a companion in his lonley, solitary life, while Catherine chooses Ralph to benefit someone in her past, whom she actively seeks approval and love. When we first meet Ralph, we see him as a hard and unyeilding character. As the story unfolds we begin to see him as a deeply hurt man who lives with sorrow that seems to have permeated him completely. Despite his undeniable anguish, Ralph believes he needs to move forward and so he places an ad in newspapers across the United States looking for a reliable wife, hence the title. He sends for Catherine, and with the subsequent marriage he initially believes he can forget his past and focus only on his future and the life he intends to lead. Once he has married, we learn the reason behind his sadness and we also see from Catherine's perspective on why and how she could marry a man after answering a newspaper ad. As the story moves on the love that develops in one from understanding and of questions not asked.
Now I haven't given away the story, I just wanted to give some background. I must say that this was an interesting read. Goolrick has reminded us, in our present day, of life after the Great Depression. While initially I found the idea of placing an ad in multiple newspapers, advertising for a wife, an archaic and outdated practice for the desperate, I later realized that it is much like today's online dating. Once I established this connection with the modern day, I felt that Ralph Truitt was less a lonely and pathetic loser, desperate for affection and more of an honest (if not oblivious and mildly ignorant to what is in front of him) individual who could see his own failings and wanted to advance in life rather than stay stagnant. After this revelation I found this to be a charming and interesting read.
I believe that this book is meant for those (like me!) that enjoy reading about love (and sometimes loss of love) in a none-too- sappy form. I personally end up despising the heroine that gets the guy, the perfect body and the effortless style without too realistic of a struggle. If I can't identify with the issues while reading, I will not enjoy the story once it has ended. This was not an issue while reading Goolrick's novel.
Please let me know how I can improve on my writing style (I feel like it might be a little disjointed... but that's me... I just want to get the information and my reccomendations out there. I don't want to give too much away but I do want to give a little more than a synopsis. Did I succeed? Do you want less of my observations? Is it too wordy? Please let me know.. but do be nice :)
My recommedation? Definitely worth the read. Interesting, intriguing and entertaining! Not a fluffy read, despite the romantic undercurrent within the story. More about the forgiveness and happiness. Give it a try and let me know what you think :)
****
xoxo
This novel takes place in a small Wisconsin town in the late 1800s. It centres around a man named Ralph Truitt and his quest to find a wife, along with his eventual partner Catherine Land. Ralph wants a companion in his lonley, solitary life, while Catherine chooses Ralph to benefit someone in her past, whom she actively seeks approval and love. When we first meet Ralph, we see him as a hard and unyeilding character. As the story unfolds we begin to see him as a deeply hurt man who lives with sorrow that seems to have permeated him completely. Despite his undeniable anguish, Ralph believes he needs to move forward and so he places an ad in newspapers across the United States looking for a reliable wife, hence the title. He sends for Catherine, and with the subsequent marriage he initially believes he can forget his past and focus only on his future and the life he intends to lead. Once he has married, we learn the reason behind his sadness and we also see from Catherine's perspective on why and how she could marry a man after answering a newspaper ad. As the story moves on the love that develops in one from understanding and of questions not asked.
Now I haven't given away the story, I just wanted to give some background. I must say that this was an interesting read. Goolrick has reminded us, in our present day, of life after the Great Depression. While initially I found the idea of placing an ad in multiple newspapers, advertising for a wife, an archaic and outdated practice for the desperate, I later realized that it is much like today's online dating. Once I established this connection with the modern day, I felt that Ralph Truitt was less a lonely and pathetic loser, desperate for affection and more of an honest (if not oblivious and mildly ignorant to what is in front of him) individual who could see his own failings and wanted to advance in life rather than stay stagnant. After this revelation I found this to be a charming and interesting read.
I believe that this book is meant for those (like me!) that enjoy reading about love (and sometimes loss of love) in a none-too- sappy form. I personally end up despising the heroine that gets the guy, the perfect body and the effortless style without too realistic of a struggle. If I can't identify with the issues while reading, I will not enjoy the story once it has ended. This was not an issue while reading Goolrick's novel.
Please let me know how I can improve on my writing style (I feel like it might be a little disjointed... but that's me... I just want to get the information and my reccomendations out there. I don't want to give too much away but I do want to give a little more than a synopsis. Did I succeed? Do you want less of my observations? Is it too wordy? Please let me know.. but do be nice :)
My recommedation? Definitely worth the read. Interesting, intriguing and entertaining! Not a fluffy read, despite the romantic undercurrent within the story. More about the forgiveness and happiness. Give it a try and let me know what you think :)
****
xoxo
And so it begins!
Hello everyone!
I'm new to this so bear with me. I love reading and I'm always looking for a new book that I can't put down. I will read almost anything from romance to thriller to drama and mystery. Suggestions are always appreciated!
Here is my plan: I'm going to write a review for the books that I read (either through suggestions, word of mouth or just something that I happened to stumble on) I want to review books as often as possible. It's not going to be a regimented and structured as some other book review sites. I want this to be accessible and fun! If there is anything you would like me to change, please let me know!
Next post is the first of many reviews to come!
xoxo
I'm new to this so bear with me. I love reading and I'm always looking for a new book that I can't put down. I will read almost anything from romance to thriller to drama and mystery. Suggestions are always appreciated!
Here is my plan: I'm going to write a review for the books that I read (either through suggestions, word of mouth or just something that I happened to stumble on) I want to review books as often as possible. It's not going to be a regimented and structured as some other book review sites. I want this to be accessible and fun! If there is anything you would like me to change, please let me know!
Next post is the first of many reviews to come!
xoxo
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