A Guide for the Perplexed
I always feel smarter after reading a Dara Horn novel. They are always filled with historical nuggets that often too strange to be true -- but are. Her novels also often read as modern fables and always raise big questions for the reader to ponder. She is a joy to read, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have gotten an advance copy of The Guide for the Perplexed.
Granta 123: Best of Young British Novelists 4 (Granta: The Magazine of New Writing)
I have a ton of great books to look forward to now.
Expeditioners
A fun alternate-history adventure novel read with my 9-year old. We both enjoyed it and are waiting for the next adventure of the West kids.
Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation
A good look at the difficulties in "proving" the local health impacts that can result from environmental contamination. The author can stray from what is a good story at times in order to provide the necessary background in epidemiology, toxicology, hydrology, genetics, biomarkers, law, and other technical issues - but it's always in the service of understanding the big picture. And Jan Schlichtmann is back! for A Civil Action fans.
Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project
When EPA was founded in 1970, the Administrator sent photographers out across the country to document the state of the environment. Selected photos will soon be on exhibit at the National Archives - and this is the exhibit's catalog. This is an amazing collection of pics, and a time-capsule to the 70s. You can check out some of the pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/collections/72157620729903309There is a new project underway to document the US now, called State of the Environment. Check out that collection on Flickr as well: http://www.flickr.com/groups/ourenvironment/
Bad Pharma: How Drug Companies Mislead Doctors and Harm Patients
Excellent. All the shady dealings of the pharma industry laid bare. You'll never take medicine the same way again.
Who Could That Be at This Hour?
Fun read with my 8 year old. We're both bummed that we have to wait until fall for the next one.
Rage Is Back: A Novel
Old school graffiti bombers and hip hop, rastas, mystical shamen, coming down on The Man...what more do you need.
Old Man's War
Sure. There are space ships on the cover and an exploding planet on the cover - not usually my thing. But like Scalzi's Red Shirts, it was an entertaining read.
Doubt is Their Product: How Industry's Assault on Science Threatens Your Health
Excellent look at environmental & regulatory issues. Highly recommended.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette?
Fantastic novel. A must read for my Seattle friends. You know who you are.
Song Reader
This book of sheet music, put out by McSweeney's is a thing of beauty. Working on learning some of the songs now, but you can check out the versions of others (not Beck) on songreader.com. Best idea in music in recent memory.
Pump Six and Other Stories
In the end, this collection of short stories is a grim sledgehammer. A relentlessly dismal view of our future. The writing and ideas are often sharp and insightful, but it's too much over and over. Read one of the author's novels instead.
