The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets - Simon Singh

I just finished this audio book today, and a few things come to mind about it. First, I think, given the opportunity to go back in time, knowing what I know now, I would have preferred reading this as opposed to the audio version. There are a couple reasons for this. First, some of the dialogue where the narrator would read a large string of numbers, could be easily skimmed over if read, but the audio version was quite mind numbing to listen to read out as a whole. And speaking of mind numbing experience, that brings us to the next reason that the book would have been better read than listened to: The narrator was dead boring!

They say that if you have to explain the joke, then it's not funny. Well imagine an entire book that is dedicated to explaining jokes; and not just jokes, but jokes that involve nerdy math humour! If you want to make a book like this interesting, you have to make the writing evocative and witty; emphasis on the witty. I mean this is a book about humour after all. And don't get me wrong, the book actually contains a great deal of humour within it. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the narrator either doesn't understand the concept of humour, or recorded the audio after reading the book for the millionth time. I mean, how difficult is it to make a book about The Simpsons interesting? It's The Simpsons! They're funny!

That being said, the actual content of this book was absolutely amazballs! It delves into the incredibly deep and nerdy humour of many of the Simpson's writers; virtually all of whom appear to be math savants...math savants who can make anything funny...including math! Now you might be thinking to yourself: How interesting can this book be? It's about math! But I really learned a lot about concepts they never really delved into in school. Concepts such as Mersenne primes, Euler’s equation, vampire primes,narcissistic numbers, infinity with subsets of infinity that are larger than infinity! What??? Finding out how these concepts work, actually had me proclaim "COOL" out loud many times, and I'm not a guy who was ever good in math! But the way these concepts were explained really help illustrate just how interesting math can be, and by extension, how funny and nerdy The Simpsons really are.

I am only giving this book a 4 star rating, but the reason for that is the lousy narration. Now, if you like DVD extras and interviews from the creators/writers/producers of The Simpsons, then you will love this book.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

This is the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy, and one that seemed to let a lot of readers down; according to the internets anyway.

In this book, we join up with Katniss Everdeen not long after she had been rescued from the arena in the previous book. She is still in shock after all she had gone through in the previous stories and unsure if she is willing to become the symbol of the rebellion.

After she makes a deal with the rebel leader become the Mockingjay, in exchange for the right to kill President Snow herself.  Katniss is put into various situations where she goes outside the boundaries of being a symbol, and instead becoming an active participant in the rebellion, and in doing so, becomes an even greater symbol.

Initially, I was a little taken aback that Katniss' attitude wasn't as heroic as you would expect a protagonist to be. But then I remembered that this heroine is only 17 years old, and in retrospect, many of her inner conflicts and how she dealt with the challenges she faced, are pretty much what you'd expect a kid going through a war to manage with.

I might be wrong, but I think what many of the readers were hoping for in this book was for Katniss to become a virtual perfect heroine, where each decision she made was the correct one, and where everything would be tied up in a nice neat bow at the conclusion, as a result of her actions. In the end, I was really compelled with the fact that the atrocities she witnessed in the war, affected her immeasurably! I found there was a real element of realism in the fact that she seemed to come out of the war with scars that would never heal.

This was a great book, and because of the various story lines within it, I am now a little more forgiving of the fact that the movie version will be split into two films.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Ok, almost everything I said about the Hunger Games in the previous post can pretty much be applied to this post, in that I saw the movie first, I was listening to an audio book, the characters were already solidified in my mind so there was a bit of a disconnect between the reader's version and what was already in my head. Ok? We're good?

Ok.

So first up, I'm glad I listened to this book, as the beginning, and even a wee bit of the end, was quite a bit different from the movie version.

In Catching Fire, we catch up with Katniss and Peeta and their families, to find that after the last hunger games, things have gotten much worse across many of the districts. There is civil unrest in various districts, and their own district has had its lax Peacekeepers replaced by a seemingly tyrannical new lot. This is all due to the fact that Katniss and Peeta have become a symbol of rebellion since the last Hunger Games.

What I really enjoyed about this book, is that Katniss was very often self reflective about the new and evolving role she would now have to play as she and Peeta were once again conscripted into the third quarter quell of the Hunger Games. She would often find herself arguing internally with her thoughts as she would accept the role, then deny the role, and the justifications of each.

Another thing I really liked about this book, are the hints that were missing from the second movie. The whispers about district 13, the hints about the alliances arranged by Hamish in the games, and many other things that were not in the movie.

I really enjoyed this one, and can't wait until the next book becomes available from the library.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Ok, a couple of things, before I get into the review: First, I saw the movie version of this book a couple years ago, and I loved it! Secondly I didn't actually read this book; I listened to it as an audio book. I don't generally read a lot of fiction as I'm an incredibly slow reader, and if it is going to take me a month or two to read a book, I want to get both enjoyment and increased knowledge out of it. So I decided to get an audio book from our public library.

So now that I got that out of the way, let's get into the book. No, wait, let me just say one more thing. I want to talk about the difference between an audio book and a real book. You know, besides one being print and one being audio...kind of thought that would have been implied. Personally, while I found listening to audio to be a much quicker way to get through a book, I also found that listening to the author's words being read to you by a reader, rather than having the character's voices be imagined in your own mind can deliver quite a different experience.

I found that the reader would read the lines AS the character of the book. So Katniss Everdeen had a particular voice and cadence , and Rue would have a particular voice and lilt, and Hamish would have a particular voice. And I think that is where I had the biggest issue. Now this may be because I had already seen the movie, and the characters were already seeded into my imagination, but I found the voices she used didn't suit the characters. Hamish, played by Woody Harrelson in the movie, was a drunkard and an uncouth, short fused blow hard. But the way Harrelson played him in the movie, is the only way I can envision him now. I thought that the reader tried and failed to capture Hamish's personality. She slurred her words too much when in that character's voice, something I don't think a person with a 25 year drinking problem would have.

...just an opinion there.

Ok, back to the book review itself. No wait, one more thing. I have heard that there were tonnes of critics of the movie who had issues with Jennifer Lawrence playing Katniss as she wasn't thin enough, or they had issues with the movie being too different from the book. I won't get into the who Hollywood version of skinny vs reality thing, and I'm glad Jennifer Lawrence didn't bow to the pressures to become like all other actresses. But to that point, the book doesn't really talk about Katniss being this emaciated waif of a girl. Katniss was a skilled outdoorswoman and hunter, who kept her whole family stocked in meat, as well as catching enough game to trade on the black market. I don't picture Kantiss as small or emaciated. I envisioned her as strong, lean, and powerful. Now as for how closely the book and the movie resembled each other, except for a few changes to the ending, I thought the movie pretty much nailed the book!

Ok, now onto the review. Oh wait, we're out of time! Ok, long story short, I really enjoyed the book even though I watched the movie first. I'm currently listening to the second book now. Now if people want to complain about the differences between this book and the movie...well, I'll have to address those concerns after I listen to the book.

Overkill - Vanda Symon

In a nutshell

Set in the small town of Mataura on the South Island of New Zealand, this is in some ways a conventional murder mystery.  It opens with what seems to be a suicide, but the officer on the case (Sam Shephard) quickly determines that it was actually a murder.  As Sam begins to investigate, her superior officers soon decide that given her previous romantic relationship with the murder victim's husband that she may actually be a suspect.  Suspended from duty, Sam is left to her own devices to solve this case.

Did I like it?

I loved it!  Although I identified it as fairly conventional, that did not take away from the experience of reading this book at all.  I loved how Symon pulled in contemporary events to make the story topical.  In addition, Symon is fabulous at creating a sense of place (her later stories set in Dunedin are equally fabulous).  I felt like I was right there in small town New Zealand with the plucky heroine. 

Will you like it?

If you're looking for a really page turner with a sympathetic main character and a rip roaring plot, this is the book for you.  It's a book to take on vacation when you want something both readable and compelling, but that isn't too taxing.  It's also a great read for individuals wanting to get a feel for rural New Zealand.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Another beautiful weekend accompanied by a lovely treat from Wellington's Cafe Polo.  'nough said.

Strangle Hold by Richard Rotenberg

In a nutshell

This book is part of a series that follows investigations being carried out by members of the Toronto justice system.  In his fourth book, Rotenberg turns the tables on one of the cops. Head of the homicide unit, Ari Greene finds himself accused of murder when the woman with whom he was having an affair is brutally murdered.  The story follows Greene as he tries to clear his name.  One of the things that I enjoy about Rotenberg's books is that he tells the story from a range of perspectives.  It keeps things fresh and interesting.

Did I like it?

Strangle Hold finds itself in the enviable position of following the much condemened (by me) The Secret History.  This may have coloured my reacation, but I really loved it.  The characters are becoming familiar to me by this point (#4 in the series) and they are all very engaging.  Moreover, Toronto itself is a character in the books and I enjoy reading about the familiar scenery (brings me back to Canada for a wee while).  The book also managed to surprise me.  I didn't find the ending to be in any way predictable, which is pretty important in a murder mystery.  This was the second book that I read over my holiday and this one did the trick.  It was the perfect holiday read and I raced through it in a day.

Will you like it?

Those who enjoy murder mysteries with a legal twist will have fun with this book.  Rotenberg is a solid writer and his character development is improving with each novel in the series.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Hung out in Waikanae at the beach with Leo and the dogs, while enjoying a delicious breakfast from the Old Beach Bakery.  Saw and enjoyed the Dallas Buyers Club that evening.  Oh, and had a delicious lunch on a cool old school bus at Te Horo.  

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

In a nutshell

Detective Gamache of Penny's Three Pines series returns to investigate a murder in this small town.  Clara is a key player in the Three Pines universe and this book opens with her art show, followed quickly by a murder victim being found in her back yard. The novel then moves off in a a direction that you'd expect for a murder mystery.  Despite being a fairly traditional murder mystery, this book was interesting in that some of the gloss is coming off the characters.  You start to see, for example, the challenges that Gamache faces in interacting with someone who he wrongly accused of murder in an earlier book.

Did I like it?

As always, I love Louise Penny and as mentioned above, I am really enjoying the increasing complexity of the characters and their relationships.  An event that was set up in an earlier book continues to have fallout for the police officers involved.  It is compelling to see Beauvoir struggle and become more human to readers as a result.

Will you like it?

If you like a fairly typical (but not mundane) murder mystery with an engaging cast of characters, you'll love it.  

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Sounds lame...but being able to read this book outside while overlooking Wellington harbour was a total highlight.

You - Nuala Ní Chonchúir

In a nutshell

A beautifully written story set in Dublin that tells the story of a 10-year old girl during a few traumatic months where she loses some key people in her life.  Through the eyes of this girl, you come to understand her community and how she perceives the related people and events.

Did I like it?

This book really appealed to me.  The author's writing style was beautiful, almost poetic.  It was written entirely in the second person, which was actually quite cool.

Will you like it?

If you enjoy books written from the perspective of child protaganists, you should quite like this one.  The central character is fantastic and you can really relate to her plight.

Instructions for a Heat Wave by Maggie O'Farrell

In a nutshell

This story begins with the disappearance of the patriarch of an Irish family now living (mostly) in London.  The rest of the story explores the family dynamics that result from the disappearance, with wounds exposed and sometimes healed.

Did I like it?

Really enjoyable, particularly having just finished the dark and dreary Tale for the Time Being.  O'Farrell is a very readable author and I find that I frequently race through her novels.  There were also many likeable characters, with whom I could relate.  So, all in all, no complaints.

Will you like it?

If you enjoy a readable book, but with some depth, this may be the book for you.  Readers who enjoy Irish novels may be particularly delighted with this one.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Summer came back (again).  Discovered Wellington's best muffins in the heart of Seatoun (perfect post-run snack).  Continued my allegiance to House of Cards.

Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen

In a nutshell

This book explores the trajectory of a wide range of "spillover" events, where a disease spills over from animals into the human population.  The number of diseases he explores is vast and includes AIDS, SARS, Parrot Fever, Lyme Disease, Herpes B, Ebola and many more.

Did I like it?

I found this book really interesting, though there were definitely some parts that I enjoyed more than others.  The opening chapter on the Hendra virus in Australia was fascinating and I enjoyed learning how the disease was transmitted from an equine to human population.  The chapters on Lyme Disease, SARS, Q Fever, Herpes B, and Parrot Fever were also very good.  I thought that the chapters on AIDS and the Ebola Virus were the weakest and I suspect this is because they were just a bit too long.  They needed to be tighter to hold my interest.

Will you like it?

People who enjoy books about the social history of medicine will be fascinated by Quammen's book.  It's a good fit for those who enjoyed The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Summer arrived!!!!!  Does anything else matter?  Though we did see two great movies: Saving Mr. Banks and 12 Years a Slave.

In the Woods - Tana French

In a nutshell

This book has an interesting take on the detective genre, which may be why it picked up a heap of awards when it was published in 2008.  The lead character/detective was one of three children who were victims of a horrific crime.   He escaped, but the other two have been missing ever since.  Flash forward twenty or so years and the detective is investigating a crime in the small community where the original crime took place.  Inevitably, it is a mystery after all, potential links between the past and present start to appear.

Did I like it?

I found myself really enjoying this book.  It managed to surprise me, which is always refreshing.  Tana French also has a pretty good sense of humour, so this helped to lighten the darker tone.  While the detective was the brooding type, he also was adept at  self deprecation, which somehow made him more appealing.  The supporting characters and the setting were also well drawn out, helping to build an "immersive" community.  All in all, a good book that has encouraged me to pick up Tana French's subsequent murder mysteries.

Will you like it?

If you enjoy a good murder mystery, this one will appeal as it has all the elements of a great one.  An interest in Ireland will also help you generate interest in this book.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Went to see Jack Ryan: Shadow Recurit (not too bad - entertaining but forgettable).  Made an amazing new salad  of black beans, avocado, and roasted carrots (thank-you New York Times).  Celebrated Wellington Anniversary over the long weekend.  A tropical cyclone headed our way.

Tainted - Ross Pennie

When I read about this book in the Globe and Mail, I got super excited.  I work in a public health context, so really, why wouldn't I want to read more about it in my time off ;)?

Tainted is described as a medical mystery and follows a Public Health Specialist as he tries to uncover the cause of a mysterious illness.  While it did not go into incredible depth, I did enjoy that it was science being used to solve this mystery.  The characters were engaging and it was a great book to escape  with over the Christmas holidays.

For something a little bit different, that is also a real page turner, I would recommend picking this up (particularly if you're a public health geek like me).

ACB with Honora Lee

A lovely New Zealand book that explores a young girl's relationship with her Grandmother (who has dementia).  Beautiful story with amazing illustrations.  Great gift for young readers!!

A little Iceland with that?

I recently found myself in the midst of an odd coincidence...  I somehow managed to read two Icelandic-themed novels back-to-back (this despite having never read a book set in Iceland before).

The first book was called The Tricking of Freya and although I'd had it on my to-read  list for quite some time, I was drawn to it recently because it was partially set in the Manitoba town of Gimli.  I recently had the opportunity to visit Gimli for my sister's wedding, so was keen to learn a bit more about this wee, beautiful community.  The Tricking of Freya describes the story of one girl's yearly visits from Connecticut to the shores of Gimli every summer from the time she is seven until she is fourteen.  She catches up with family while there, but her aunt's ultimate betrayal when the girl turns fourteen halts these visits.  It's not until she is thirty that she goes back and becomes intent on finding a cousin that she believes to exist (having been born to her aunt).  This journey takes from Gimli to Iceland, where things are ultimately resolved.

While the writing of this book was good and I really enjoyed the story, I did find the ending to be quite predictable.  If you can get past that, it is an enjoyable book.  3/5 stars.

I next picked up a "modern" re-telling of Jayne Eyre, called the Flight of Gemma Hardy.  It takes place primarily in Scotland, but we again find this heroine ultimately ending up in Iceland.

I particularly enjoyed the early parts of this book, where Gemma encountered much strife before she meets here "Mr. Rochester".  This book is a great adventure and would make a wonderful book to read while on holidays--either on a beach or curled up in front of a fire. 4/5 Stars.

Four More...

And here I find myself again with four books to review at once.  With that in mind, the goal of this blog post is succinct!!

The Cookbook Collector - Allegra Goodman.  This book was neither good, nor bad--it just was.  It tells the story of two sisters living in Berkeley/San Fransisco during the dotcom boom (and then bust).  As with many sisterly tales, the sisters are opposites in taste and manner.  One is a dotcom "genius", while the other is a somewhat flaky philosophy major.  The book follows the sisters' mutual relationships during this rather turbulent time.  3-stars.

The Informationist - Taylor Stevens.  This book was fine and is likely an appropriate beach/holiday read.  However, I have grown somewhat weary of seeing versions of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo character cropping up all over the show.  Give me something new!!!  2-stars.

The High Road - Terry Fallis.  I really enjoyed Fallis' previous novel "Best Laid Plans" and while "The High Road" isn't quite as good, I still rather liked hanging out with these characters.  From the unconventional Scottish politician Angus McClintock to his assistant Daniel Addision, these characters are all great.  Well worth picking up.  4-stars.

The Glass Room - Simon Mawer.  This was an interesting take on World War 2 and the Nazi Regime.  The house (which holds the glass room) is the focal point for this novel and we follow the home's story as its original builders are forced to flee due to the influx of Nazi troops.  Beyond just its original role as a domestic residence, the home becomes a home to Nazi experiments, and later to a physical therapy facility.  I liked the fact that Mawer found a way to breathe new life into the World War 2 genre.  4-stars.

Fatal Grace - Louise Penny

I have a new guilty pleasure in the form of Louise Penny.  I can't get enough of her mysteries.  I've mentioned to others that I really enjoy her main detective, Armand Gamache.  I suspect this is primarily because he is different from most other literary detectives.  He's a nice guy, who happens to be a really good detective (no dark, flawed personality lurking beneath the surface).  Like Penny's previous novel, this one is set in the small Quebecois village of Three Pines and is filled with the same quirky and engaging characters.  To sum up the story, an unwelcome and disliked newcomer (not without cause) to the village is murdered.  Gamache's team is assembled and descends upon the village.  The twists and turns associated with a mystery case ensue and my Saturday afternoon disappears.  A great piece of escapist fiction!

Round-Up of the Recent

Historical Fiction

Birth House - Ami McKay - 5 Stars

Virgin Cure - Ami McKay - 5 Stars

The Conductor - Sarah Quigley - 4 Stars

The Report - Jessica Frances Kane - 4 Stars

Crime Fiction

Containment - Vanda Symon - 4 Stars

Bound - Vanda Symon - 4 Stars

A Darker Domain - Val McDermind - 4 Stars