Books

We finally have time to read some books! As we finish them, we shall tell you the story of the stories.


Alison's Books
Book: Amulet: The Cloud Searchers series, Book Three, by Kazu Kibuishi
Lost and Found: I found this book in the seat back in an airplane! I was so excited. I gave it to a bookstore in Byron Bay.
The Story: This is about a kid who has to find a place and do something there. I kept thinking as I was reading, "boy, they sure make you figure out a lot on your own." Near the end I realized that this is book three. Although there is a cute fox character, I would not recommend reading this. Out of order.

Book: The White Bone by Barbara Gowdy
Lost and Found: Nora gave me this book when I left. She wasn't going to give me anything, which I was happy about (she had read that people going on long trips don't need anything. True. My amount of stuff has multiplied exponentially as it is). When she heard I was looking for a book, she gave me this. I left the book at the Girls' Hostel in Cairns, AZ.
The Story: This book stressed me out. Don't get me wrong, it was very very good. It's about elephants, from the elephants' perspectives, and how they're trying to reach this Safe Place (a reserve, we assume). When you're an elephant in the time of ivory poaching, AND in a time of drought (!!!), topped with regular dangers, life is stressful. Therefore, because it is so well written, my life was stressful. There are only a few breaks from the trauma - seeing the world from a fly's eye view, and the funny mongooses. I recommend this book if you are interested in elephants or animals: the animals' cultures were very well done. Elephant mores outlined are totally believable and very cool. 

Book: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
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Book: Room
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Caryn's Books
Book:  The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
Lost and Found:  Patrycja and Darren gave me this book for my birthday a couple of years ago!  I finished it while we were with Jen in Brisbane, and i left it for her to read.
The Story:  Callem Quirk and his wife Maureen move to Littleton, Colorado and both get jobs at Columbine High School.  While Callem is away attending to a family emergency, Maureen finds herself in the midst of the Columbine shooting.  Maureen is unable to recover and suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  The couple move back to Callem's family farm, hoping to put the tragedy behind them. 
There are many story lines skillfully woven together in this book, many interesting characters and twists.  Definitely worth reading.

Book: My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor PhD.
Lost and Found: Picked it up at Audrey's bookstore at lunch one day before i left.  Right now it is living in my backpack....i might mail it home.
The Story: Non fiction.  Jill is a Harvard trained Neuroanatomist who experienced a hemorrhagic stroke in the Left side of her brain. She first goes through what having a stroke was like and the Nirvana she experienced due to her Right brain taking over, she briefly documents her long (8 years) of recovery and gives good perspective for those who have experienced a stroke or are providing care for people who have experienced a stroke.  Her last chapters are focused on what she learned through this experience, the insights she has gained and how to be more balanced (ie. tap into the right brain's strengths) in a world that values and is very left brain driven.  These last chapters have a spiritual tone to them.  This is a VERY good read.  It is the perfect balance of informative, narrative, and thought provoking.

Book: Room
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Book: My Sister's Keeper
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