Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex August 29, 2008
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, Nonfiction.Tags: Best Sellers, Bonk, Mary Roach, Nonfiction, Spook, The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
1 comment so far
—4.5—
What a great book! Mary Roach has redeemed herself following the (in my opinion) less-than-satisfying book Spookwith a phenomenal third work Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex. As the title hints, this is a fascinating and funny book in which Roach explores the history of sex research. In Bonk, Roach goes beyond Kinsey to try to explain to us readers what we really want to know: what exactly is an orgasm? Can paraplegics have sex? Is orgasm linked to fertility? Why is Viagra useless for women? And she answers some things we didn’t have questions on before, but are good fun to learn about anyway, such as why Panda’s have such a crappy sex-life, and how female pigs are inseminated. Roach also explores why it has taken so long for sex research to catch up with other forms of medicine, although it is just as important, just more taboo. She makes the point that can be quite difficult to get funding and approval for sex studies, cause they do often seem a little perverted, despite their good intentions. Plus, where do you find subjects?
If you enjoyed Spook or Stiff, I definately recommend you pick up Bonk. And if you haven’t read either of the other two, pick it up anyway! Roach is definately one of the most unique and funny science authors out there. And as always, her almost always irrelevant footnotes get the biggest laughs! Can’t wait for another book by her.
4.5/5
Check out my review of Spook as well!
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon August 27, 2008
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction.Tags: Best Sellers, Fiction, Horror, Stephen King, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, The Stand
2 comments
—3.5—
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon was my third Stephen King, the first being The Tommyknockers in late middle school or early high school, and the second being The Stand about a year ago. And while I never found it particularly eerie, like I did the first two, I enjoyed this little book. Trisha McFarland is 9 and going on a day trip to part of the Appalachian Trail with her newly single mother and her obnoxious brother. Her mom and brother fight constantly now that they live separate from Trisha’s dad, and it has become Trisha’s job to keep the peace. However, Trisha has gotten tired of this role, and on that hike decides that the two bickering family members wont even notice if she steps off the trail for a moment to pee. And so wrong descion number one occurs. Soon, Trisha is hopelessly lost, without enough food or water, and with something sinister stalking her.
King succeeds on many levels with The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. Although I often found myself disbelieving that these were the thoughts and words of a 9 year old, Trisha was a powerful narrator that carried the story well. I wanted to scream at her when I knew she was making a poor decision, or tell her to run when the mysterious something in the forest seemed nearby. I especially liked when she began to teeter on the edge of insanity and exhaustion, always seeming to pull herself back just enough to take the next step. I think I may pick up another Stephen King sometime. Any suggestions?
3.5/5
Read my review of The Stand by Stephen King.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir August 25, 2008
Posted by sadiejean in Anderson Book Club, Book Reviews, Nonfiction.Tags: Bill Bryson, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
4 comments
—4—
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson, is an excellent book for any person who experienced the 1950’s firsthand, or, anyone (like me) who is a fan of this amazingly witty and funny author. Bryson takes us back to a simpler time, growing up in 1950’s Iowa and enjoying all that life has to offer. My favorite recollections were when the family doctor told Bryson’s parents to just give him some aspirin for a gushing head wound, because he could not be torn from watching a golf tournament; and when we hear all about the atomic-toilets (you read right) at the Bryson Family’s favorite restaurant. Bryson ’s use of hyperbole hilariously conveys the sheer ridiculousness of the time, while still instilling in the reader a desire to go back to a time where there were no chain stores, when people didn’t worry about their kids playing alone until dark, and when a toilet seat could be cleaned by radiation when you flushed it.
4/5
I’m Back! August 25, 2008
Posted by sadiejean in Randomness.add a comment
Hey loyal readers (all two of you), I’m on my first break from Physician Assistant school! All went well. I believe I got 4 A’s and a B and am super excited! I am also super excited to write some new book reviews. I’ve been reading a little, and listening to some audiobooks, and I hope I remember them enough to write up a little something! You may also notice the new design I’m playing with. Gotta keep things interesting.
New York Times Bestsellers 8.25.08 August 25, 2008
Posted by sadiejean in Randomness.add a comment
Top 5
1. SMOKE SCREEN, by Sandra Brown
2. THE BOURNE SANCTION, by Eric Van Lustbader
3. ACHERON, by Sherrilyn Kenyon
4. THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
5. MOSCOW RULES, by Daniel Silva
Top 5
1. THE OBAMA NATION, by Jerome R. Corsi
2. STORI TELLING, by Tori Spelling with Hilary Liftin
3. THE WAY OF THE WORLD, by Ron Suskind
4. ARE YOU THERE, VODKA? IT’S ME, CHELSEA, by Chelsea Handler
5. WHEN YOU ARE ENGULFED IN FLAMES, by David Sedaris
