"Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife" By Mary Roach

Title: Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife
Author: Mary Roach
Published Year: 2005
Pages: 311
Description:

Amazon.com Review

If author Mary Roach was a college professor, she'd have a zero drop-out rate. That's because when Roach tackles a subject--like the posthumous human body in her previous bestseller, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, or the soul in the winning Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife--she charges forth with such zeal, humor, and ingenuity that her students (er, readers) feel like they're witnessing the most interesting thing on Earth. Who the heck would skip that? As Roach informs us in her introduction, "This is a book for people who would like very much to believe in a soul and in an afterlife for it to hang around in, but who have trouble accepting these things on faith. It's a giggly, random, utterly earthbound assault on our most ponderous unanswered question." Talk about truth in advertising. With that, Roach grabs us by the wrist and hauls butt to India, England, and various points in between in search of human spiritual ephemera, consulting an earnest bunch of scientists, mystics, psychics, and kooks along the way. It's a heck of a journey and Roach, with one eyebrow mischievously cocked, is a fantastically entertaining tour guide, at once respectful and hilarious, dubious yet probing. And brother, does she bring the facts. Indeed, Spook's myriad footnotes are nearly as riveting as the principal text. To wit: "In reality, an X-ray of the head could not show the brain, because the skull blocks the rays. What appeared to be an X-ray of the folds and convolutions of a human brain inside a skull--an image circulated widely in 1896--was in fact an X-ray of artfully arranged cat intestines." Or this: "Medical treatises were eminently more readable in Sanctorius's day. Medicina statica delved fearlessly into subjects of unprecedented medical eccentricity: 'Cucumbers, how prejudicial,' and the tantalizing 'Leaping, its consequences.' There's even a full-page, near-infomercial-quality plug for something called the Flesh-Brush." While rigid students of theology might take exception to Roach's conclusions (namely, we're just a bag of bones killing time before donning a soil blanket) it's hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this impressively researched and immensely readable book. And since, as Roach suggests, each of us has only one go-round, we might as well waste downtime with something thoroughly fun. --Kim Hughes --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

 

My Take:

 

"Spook" is my second Mary Roach book that I have read, and I have already started a third of hers I love her works so much.  She brings whit to science aspects that are normally not so funny and enjoyable. Roach increases my want to learn more about the subjects she writes about. In "Spook" she researches the aspects of what happens after we die, from such subjects of reincarnation, mediums, and whether or not a soul could be weighed or seen, and also near-death experiences. Some of the research is done the traditional way of pouring through historical texts, magazines and papers, but also by trying hands on and actually speaking to people in the fields that interest her. My favorite part of her books is that at the end of each, she states how she feels about the subjects that she has presented. In the case of "Spook" she relates to whether or not she is a believer. For anyone that is curious about investigating the afterlife in a fun manor without too much seriousness, this book is for you. There are some skeptic points, but many people are skeptic about some of these aspects.

"The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" By Avi

Title: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Author: Avi
Published Year: 1990
Pages: 229
Awards: Newberry Honor
Description: On a long, grueling journey from England to Rhode Island in 1802, a 12 year old changes from a prim and proper girl to a swashbuckling mate of a mutinous crew and is accused of murder by the captain. Awash with shipboard activity, intense feelings, and a keen sense of time and place, the story is a throwback to good old-fashioned adventure yarns on the high seas.

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" By Garth Stein

Title: The Art of Racing in the Rain
Author: Garth Stein
Published Year: 2008
Pages: 321
Description: If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoë, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama.

My Take:

If you are going to read this, make sure you have enough time to sit and read the whole thing in one sitting. This book pulls you in and demands your attention. You do not need to be a racing fan as the title may suggest to enjoy this book. I of course am a racing fan, but I have had many friends who are not read this and fall in love with it. Be ready to go through all the emotions that a human is capable or, from anger, to sadness, joy and happiness, Stein manages to bring out all of these feelings.

A dog sees so much more is what I have felt, they just cannot speak and explain what they see in their everyday life. This book brings to light the idea that dogs do know what is going on and have their own emotions as well. In addition to the enlightenment of a dogs thoughts, reincarnation also is featured in this book. All in all I could not stop reading this book and loved every minute of it, despite some of the unhappier emotions I felt at times while reading it.

"Eaters of the Dead" By Michael Crichton

Title: Eaters of the Dead
Author: Michael Crichton
Published Year: 1976
Pages: 289
Description: Michael Crichton takes the listener on a one-thousand-year-old journey in his adventure novel Eaters Of The Dead. This remarkable true story originated from actual journal entries of an Arab man who traveled with a group of Vikings throughout northern Europe. In 922 A.D, Ibn Fadlan, a devout Muslim, left his home in Baghdad on a mission to the King of Saqaliba. During his journey, he meets various groups of "barbarians" who have poor hygiene and gorge themselves on food, alcohol and sex. For Fadlan, his new traveling companions are a far stretch from society in the sophisticated "City of Peace." The conservative and slightly critical man describes the Vikings as "tall as palm trees with florid and ruddy complexions." Fadlan is astonished by their lustful aggression and their apathy towards death. He witnesses everything from group orgies to violent funeral ceremonies. Despite the language and cultural barriers, Ibn Fadlan is welcomed into the clan. The leader of the group, Buliwyf (who can communicate in Latin) takes Fadlan under his wing.

My take:

Beowulf anyone? I didn't realize initially when I picked this book up that is was the basis for the movie "The 13th Warrior". Watching  "The 13th Warrior" in high school, I was told that the movie was originally based upon the original story of Beowulf and Grendel. Partially true, but not completely. That was the year I read the original text of Beowulf and struggled through it. Being an avid reader, that is something I do not like to admit. However, reading this take on it (and make sure you read the introduction before you read the book, I know some people like to skip over it and then cannot figure out why they are so lost while reading the book), it made much more sense. I don't know if its just the way that Crichton "translates" it, or the fact that I am eight years older and I have developed a better comprehension when it comes to reading.

What I would suggest is if you are interested in reading the story of Beowulf, read this selection first and then move on to the original text. Also there are two movies I have seen on the subject, "The 13th Warrior" as I mentioned earlier and "Beowulf" (I may not be spelling that one right, there are numerous ways I have seen Beowulf spelled). The second one is a more accurate account from what I remember of it and would recommend seeing that one before "The 13th Warriors".

"Slaughterhouse-Five" By Kurt Vinnegut

Title: Slaughterhouse-Five

Author: Kurt Vinnegut

Published Year: 1969

Pages: 215

Description: Kurt Vonnegut's absurdist classic Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time after he is abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all phases of his life, concentrating on his (and Vonnegut's) shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden

My Take:

At first I wasn't sure about what I was going to get out of this book. I had heard mixed reviews from different people from "Oh my, this book changed my life!" all the way to "I cannot believe I wasted those hours of my life reading that piece of garbage". Personally, I was not on either of those spectrums, but more a little in the middle leaning more towards loving the book. Having mixed reviews encouraged me to read through the book more than I would if I had only heard negative reviews and I am happy that I made the commitment to finish the book.

One thing that keeps in my mind when I think of this book is the phrase "So it goes". If you have read the book you'll understand this, but if you haven't you should read it and find out what its all about.

The book is about how horrible war can be and what happens to those that fight in it, but there are other aspects that bring in other human emotions. I was continually reminding that life is what we make of it and not everything that we see is factual. Alien abductions in an anti-war book are fun too, and this one has a few to speak of.

Overall it is an enjoyable book that makes the reader think, well at least this reader.

"The First Book of Seconds" By Matthew Murrie & Steve Murrie

Title: The First Book of Seconds
Authors: Matthew Murrie & Steve Murrie
Published Year: 2010
Pages: 233
Description: Susan Lucci, Al Gore, and the Buffalo Bills all received top billing by coming in second. But that's not normally the case--most runners-up dwell in obscurity.
Finally, there's a book that celebrates the many unsung qualities of those who faltered on their way to the top! Inside, you'll discover little-known second-acts with entries that highlight their worthy achievements, such as:

• The second highest homerun hitter
• The second man to set foot on the moon
• The second most dangerous animal in the world
• The second-largest car rental chain (whose motto is fitting: "We try harder")

With more than 200 accounts of almost-claims-to-fame, this book leaves trivia junkies of all ages feeling like they won a gold medal--not a booby prize.

My take:

I have to admit I am a fan of books that just present facts. Some of these tend to stay in my memory for long periods of time and when I state them they can get you a double-take look from people who are not used to it. This book fits perfectly into the whole fact book thing. Seconds are not always mentioned and finding out the seconds to many well known facts was entertaining, well at least to me. Not only do they present the seconds in the facts world, but the book also splits up the facts into separate categorize so it is easier to find something that interests them. I find facts categorized awesome for when I want to go back and find something at a later time after I have already finished the book. Of course there is some information on some firsts too, since it is a logic question of what could have possibly outdo the second.

"Jack's Magic Beans" By Brian Keene

Title: Jack's Magic Beans
Author: Brian Keene
Published Year: 2011
Pages: 98
Synopsis: It happens in a split-second. One moment, customers are happily shopping in the Save-A-Lot grocery store. The next instant, they are transformed into bloodthirsty psychotics, interested only in slaughtering one another and committing unimaginably atrocious and frenzied acts of violent depravity. Only Jack, Sammi, Angie and Marcel seem immune to the insanity that has infected the rest of the town. But can they stay alive long enough -- and trust each other long enough -- to unravel the secret of Jack's magic beans... Deadite Press is proud to bring one of Brian Keene's bleakest and most violent novellas back into print once more. This edition also includes four bonus short stories: "Without You", "I Am An Exit", "This Is Not An Exit", and "The King, in: YELLOW".

My take:

Brian Keene is not for every reader. He is very gory and violent in his writings. Not for the weak stomach at all. For some reason I just cannot get enough of his works though. I am always on the look out for his next work, and previous works I am unfamiliar with. This is one of those previous works that was put back into print in 2011 which was originally written in 2007. The bonus of this novella is that a few short stories were also added for extra reading pleasures. How this man comes up with his ideas I would love to know. He is a genius of taking everyday normal things and turning them into visions of horror.

You have got to read the story to figure out what Jack's Magic Beans are. I sure was surprised, as I was in the short stories following about the more in depth meaning Keene provided to things.

"ISPR Investigates the Ghosts of New Orleans" By Larry Montz, Ph.D. & Daena Smoller

Title: ISPR Investigates the Ghosts of New Orleans
Authors: Larry Montz Ph.D. & Daena Smoller
Published Year: 2000
Pages: 158
Genre: Metaphysical
Synopsis: "No doubt about it, New Orleans is haunted. Its rich culture and stormy history make the city a haven for supernatural activity. Based on a six-year scientific study by the International Society for Paranormal Research (ISPR), this book separates facts from folklore and local legends, taking the reader on a fascinating trip through more than 25 different haunted properties. Spend a night in the Bourbon-Orleans Hotel, where there are many guests besides the ones on the registry. Stop by the O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Pub, and find out why there are security bars on the third-floor windows. Step aboard light aircraft carrier USS Cabot to encounter crew members who were lost years ago in a kamikaze attack. These locations are often inhabited by several entities from different eras, that provide rare and personal glimpses into the colorful past of New Orleans. These entities often reach out and willing interact with the team members.

My take:

158 pages is pretty short to go through investigations of 25 different properties. Grainy photos also appear throughout the entire book that help the reader put an image with the place they are talking about. There are short history lessons and not all the properties have a detailed history to work from. This is one thing that I was disappointed in. Many hauntings are better understood when a history of the haunting and how it may have come to be is presented. The main focus is on what has happened to people on their ghost tours and their own team members during investigations. Other people that have investigated these same hauntings and their stories would be helpful for me to piece together the information that is provided in this book.

"Monster Dog" By R.L. Stine

Title: Monster Dog
Author: R.L. Stine
Published Year: 1997
Pages: 109
Series: Ghosts of Fear Street #24

Just like this young adult fiction selection I'll keep this entry short. What happens when a vet decides they want to change the genetic code on dogs without all the scientific warning to get kids interest? You get this book.

"Ghosts of Franklin" By Margie Gould Thessin

Title: Ghosts of Franklin
Author: Margie Gould Thessin
Published Year: 2008
Pages: 168
Genre: Metaphysical

No this isn't a book about ghosts related to Benjamin Franklin, it is about the haunted town of Franklin, TN. According to the author this is the most haunted town in Tennessee. Each story is about a different property within the town and one that is on the ghost tour that the author produces.

As I have mentioned in other entries of my blog, I love ghost stories for the unknown and also for the history that they bring to life. "Ghosts of Franklin" is no exception to this. Many times facts about the Civil War are brought up and told as they relate to some of the hauntings featured in this book.

"Sh*t My Kids Ruined" By Julie Haas Brophy

Title: Sh*t My Kids Ruined
Author: Julie Haas Brophy
Published Year: 2010
Pages: 141

For those of you that enjoy pictures in books rather than reading the books this would fit your style. It is a collection of pictures with descriptions of what the pictures actually represent under the pictures. As the title suggests it is a book filled with actual pictures of things kids have destroyed and how they have brought destruction and lack of sleep into the lives of their parents.

Since I will becoming a new parent this coming fall, I couldn't help but resist picking this book up. With 3 younger siblings and countless hours or babysitting not only them but other kids as well, I have had my moments of utter destruction. However, this book just brings on a whole new meaning to destruction. I am just hoping I can avoid at least some of the scenarios shown in the book. At the same time, there were awesome tips about what actually can help with cleaning up some of the harder messes.

Perfect gift for any parents to be. Get them warned early, but after its too late.

"The Adromeda Strain" By Michael Crichton

Title: The Andromeda Strain
Author: Michael Crichton
Published Year: 1969
Pages: 364
Genre: Science Fiction

Recently I have gotten myself into a Michael Crichton kick. I just cannot help but gobble up his books as soon as I start them. I have a few more to go to say I have been able to complete all his works.

Crichton is a fascinating author who comes across as an exceptionally bright person to me. I took my science classes in high school and college, yet he brings on whole new ideas and consequences to my imagination and learning. I specifically picked this book of his up due to the fact that I have seen both editions of the film work based on the book and wanted a first hand look at what those ideas came from. Stephen King's work The Stand also filtered into my thoughts many times while reading this book. You do not have to be a science geek to like this book. Its the what-ifs that kept me hooked. I didn't fully comprehend all the scientific jargon, but that jargon did make the book that much more interesting to read.

Here is a basic synopsis about what it is about:

Taking place during the great space race with the Soviet Union, the United States runs across the issue of what happens if one of the satellites they send into space picks up an extraterrestrial life form and brings it back to earth? This what if scenario actual happens in the book when one of the satellites crashes back to the earth in an area without a dense population in the southwest. One of the locals opens up the capsule and almost the whole town dies. A special team of scientists are brought in to find out how the survivors actually survived and what this alien life form actually is. The novel follows the trials and errors of these scientists with their times of panics.

"State of Fear" By Michael Crichton

Title: State of Fear
Author: Michael Crichton
Published Year: 2004
Pages: 672
Genre: Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Does global warming really exist? We have been taught that global warming is affecting our planet and that we are pushing ourselves to extinction. What if all the data did not really add up to prove that global warming existed and that there were people out in the world willing to do and spend anything to make it seem a reality? That is the premise of Crichton's "State of Fear". Of course being written by someone like Crichton who performs research on every aspect of their works of fiction, the book is packed with actual references to both sides to the arguments.

After finishing this fast paced novel, I am left wondering "What if" once again. Any book that can add to my curiosity and encourage me to find out the facts for myself are a success in my opinion. The book being fast paced also helped in my loving it, I didn't want to put it down and I wanted to connect all the dots. Some of them I was able to do before the book brought them together, but the whole book was worth the read.

"The Long Walk" By Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman

Title: The Long Walk
Author: Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman
Published Year: 1979
Pages: 370
Genre: Horror Fiction

The more I read King's earlier works, the more I love reading his books in general. Each one brings a whole new world to life which grabs my attention and runs with it.

Since I do the 3-Day Walk, this one was more interesting that previous ones were. Its a story about 100 boys that are in a contest for whatever the request if they win. However this contest is deadly, it is a walk that starts in Maine and continues along the East Coast until there is only one boy left alive. Ray Garraty shares his views and experiences as a "Long Walker" as the main character of the book. Struggles and travels into the world of insanity are frequent as many of the boys lose their grips on reality. If you use up your 3 warnings, the soldiers making sure you don't ditch the walk shoot you.

Harrowing at times, it is a strong picture of desperation and what people will do to win that ultimate prize. 99 boys gone and only wins, who will it be? And are they truly the winner in the competition?

"A Ghost A Day" By Maureen Wood & Ron Kolek

Title: A Ghost A Day
Author: Maureen Wood & Ron Kolek
Published Year: 2010
Pages: 372
Genre: Metaphysical Non-Fiction

I have read many of the ghost stories that were included in this selection, but there were several more than those that I had not read before. Ghost stories are intriguing to me, and they have been as long as I can remember. Not only do they question me with the "What If" many of them also provide a history lesson behind them. I have loved history all my life and reading about ghosts bring me another way to learn about history in a way that I find fascinating. This book is one of those that shares history lessons that I had either forgotten or never learned in the first place.

Another great aspect of this particular ghost story book is the length of the stories. Each day has a story relevant to that specific fay at some point in history and the stories are usually limited to just one page. This enables the reader to glance at a quick story for the day. In addition to this there are stories not only from all over the United States but also stories from around the world. The reader has a good chance of finding a story that is close to home.

"Breathless" By Dean Koontz

Title: Breathless
Author: Dean Koontz
Published Year: 2009
Pages: 337
Genre: Horror Fiction

Upon finishing this book I couldn't help but feel that there is a hope for humanity after all. Despite some dark sections of this book, it turns out to be a beautiful work of fiction in my own opinion. Things can come together so nicely.

In order to actually appreciate this piece of work you need to read the whole book. Stopping and starting again weeks later is highly discouraged by me. My reasoning is that there are several different personal accounts of various people and the book continues these stories one at a time. As the book proceeds you become aware of why each story is related to the overall story of the book.

Here is a quick synopsis of the book without giving away the secret of the actual book:

A strange event happens to several different people and animals. They all notice something is different but they are unable to pinpoint exactly what it is. One of the characters discovers strange creatures that have entered his home and he cannot identify what exactly they are. He calls his friend who is a vet and she struggles with what they are as well. The rest of the book ties the other characters in other areas into how these creatures will change how humans look at nature and the stunning effect they have on everyone they encounter.

"Creepers" By David Morrell

Title: Creepers
Author: David Morrell
Published Year: 2005
Pages: 388
Genre: Horror Fiction

Sometimes I pick up books by just browsing the isles of book stores with no real direction of what I am looking for. This is one of those books that I found in this method. The bright green print of the author's name on the spine of the book along with the bright orange of the title grabbed my attention along with the title. Design does help in selling books, it just grabbed my attention. Reading the description on the back only peaked my interest even further.

The book is about a group of urban adventurers, also known as "Creepers" in their lingo. These people sneak into abandoned buildings and look at the history and items that were left behind. They make no marks and leave nothing behind in order to maintain the present condition of the building they are exploring. Only pictures and footsteps are what they leave behind. Many of the buildings they investigate are ones that are scheduled for demolition so it is a last chance to get an idea of eras past.

However, this trip turns into something that is not the normal. A reporter comes along with them to do an article on the growing trend of "Creepers". The year is 2005 and they are investigating an old hotel that was closed to the public since the last 1960's and whose owner had died in the late 1980's. Supposedly no one had been in the building since then. The story is about their adventures into this supposed empty building and the obstacles and strange things they find along the way.

It is more of a thriller than a horror novel in my opinion with lots of action packed scenes. I finished it in less than two full days and didn't want to put it down. Books that hook me like this are the ones I love and I am planning on seeking out some more of Morrell's work. With some of the scenes though it is not for the faint of heart of those that do not like gore.