Sh*t My Dad Says - Justin Halpern

I picked up this book because A, it looked funny, and B, it was well recommended. I was definitely not disappointed.This was the kind of book that had me laughing so hard at my daughter's soccer practice that I was getting odd looks from the other parents - one of the funniest I have ever read. I'm sure the humor isn't for everyone (if you have an aversion to swearing or blunt talk, this isn't for you). I find it so hilarious because this is the blunt manner that I love (without the swearing for the kiddos!) but cannot break out very often. Along with being hilariously blunt, the father in this story really does care for his son in his own way and the book gets down right touching towards the end.
Verdict: Not for everyone, but worth a shot if you like telling it like it is.

March of the microbes : sighting the unseen - John L. Ingraham

Another fabulous book. This book is like a candy store for anyone who likes looking into the world too tiny to be seen with eyes. The book is about both interesting and unusual microbes and the processes that they help facilitate. Going along with the new bacteria that was found growing on arsenic, the book detailed the nitrogen cycle on the planet and how vital microbes were to keeping a balance through different chemical reactions in their metabolism. A little heavy on the chemical and biological reactions between microbes and their surroundings, it is nonetheless fascinating to contemplate how many things microbes are capable of and how life would be impossible without them.

Verdict: May be a little difficult to understand at times, but very well worth it.

Iconoclast : a neuroscientist reveals how to think differently - Gregory Berns

This book was fascinating. A little heavy on the neurology, this book takes an in depth look at those who buck convention (iconoclasts) and are very successful because of  it. It turns out, there are physical reasons for this. Some people are born this way, others can change the way they think to become more like that.

Verdict: This is a fabulous book for anyone who enjoys thinking and doing things differently and their own way. A little heavy on the physiological reasons for thinking, it can be a slow read, but totally worth it.

I Know I Am, But What Are You? - Samantha Bee

I picked up this book because I am a huge fan of the daily show and enjoy the bits done by Samantha Bee.

I found the book completely unexpected. To be sure it was funny, as intended, but was really drew me in was the autobiographical nature of the book and how I wouldn't have imagined that Samantha Bee would have had a childhood like she did.

Verdict: Read it if you know who Samantha Bee is and enjoy her brand of humor.

The fever : how malaria has ruled humankind for 500,000 years - Sonia Shah

This book was an interesting read, just from the point of view that someone from the west doesn't really think about how malaria has shaped the history of the world. There was a lot of mood swing type changes in the book between hope and tired resignation that malaria has and probably will continue to outwit any drugs that are developed to control it. The author touched a bit on the pathology of the malaria organisms and how they affect the human body. The author also touched on some of the cultural and personal reasons why people don't follow the directions that they get from aid organizations and doctors. Some advice is impractical, some destined to fail even if it is a good idea. The implications of how malaria shaped certain countries and regions is pretty interesting too.

Verdict: This is a great read to understand the malaria organism more and why it's still around. Don't expect many answers on fixing the problem, this is more of a study of the past, as the title mentions.

To hellholes and back : bribes, lies, and the art of extreme tourism - Chuck Thompson

This book was a surprise. I picked it up thinking it would be a cheeky look at how to get away with illicit behaviors in exotic places. It had nothing to do with that, but did not disappoint anyhow. The author (whom I had no previous experience with, but is supposedly famous) decided to challenge himself and travel to places that he never wanted to go. Africa, India, Mexico, and Disney World. As a travel writer, who consequently travels for a living, there weren't too many places that he wouldn't want to go. I enjoyed both his choices, with the exception of Disney World - lame, and his premise of challenging himself. As with most travel writers, there was the requisite philosophical admonition that traveling, especially to places you would be uncomfortable with, is good for you. I happen to agree. The African section of the book was the longest, and I found it the most interesting and informative as I have little experience with Africa and plenty of preconceived notions. Most of the sections on India and Mexico were pretty expected, but only because I am comfortable with both places.

Verdict: A great look on places not commonly visited. Read it.

Law of the jungle : the hunt for Colombian guerrillas, American hostages, and buried treasure - John Otis

I picked up this book because the subject of the FARC, the Columbian rebel group, seemed exotic and romantic in a dark and dangerous way. I get a yen for that every once in a while.  So this book was a pretty interesting look into a specific kidnapping event of some private contractors who were trolling the jungle in an airplane looking for drug kitchens.  They crash, are captured, and are subsequently taken as hostages. It is a rather meandering book, it goes into the past of the captives a bit more than I thought was necessary (see the opinions of the ex finance about one hostage's fishing habits), but it did provide a very interesting look into the daily lives of the FARC and some of their motivations. I felt that it was a pretty non-biased look at the interactions of the FARC and the government of Columbia and how the group rose to what it is today. There were parts that got a little slow, but the writing is pretty informal (language choices, tone, etc.) and keeps drawing you back in.

Verdict: Interesting - a good read.

Chef - Jaspreet Singh

A very interesting take on the Indian army from a Sikh perspective. The main character is a chef in the Indian army working in the house of a general. The book weaves together Indian cooking, a search for meaning in one's family history, a search for love, and a search for understanding of those who are almost exactly like you, but separated by a border and a war.

Verdict: Read it.

The Space Between Us - Thrity Umrigar

This one was a completely unexpected surprise for me. For all of the Indian pathos that I've written about, this one did not reek of it. It did touch on some of the unpleasant social mechanics that are a reality there and would be considered offensive/depressing here. The plot centers around a Parsi family and the maid they employ with her granddaughter. There are so many parallels in the family and many strong ties that are completely ripped apart after finding out that the rich family's son has impregnated (not completely voluntarily) the maids granddaughter, who subsequently has an abortion. In order to protect his family (he also has an expecting wife) he accuses the maid of theft, destroying decades of caring, yet unequal ties.


Verdict: Read it.

Half Life - Roopa Farooki

This book brings Indian pathos to a whole new level. Think a woman's decent into manic depression and then finding out her lover/fiancee is actually her brother through adoption when they were infants. Absolutely heart wrenching to think about the mental implications to yourself was it you. The book is very well written, but disturbing.

Verdict: A very heavy read, especially if you contemplate for a while, but well written.

The Heretic's Daughter - Kathleen Kent

This was one depressing book. Very well written and a wonderful peek into the Salem witch trial days and hysteria that resulted in the accusations of innocent people that resulted. I almost couldn't put this book down because I was waiting for the axe to fall. The author has beautifully captured the grace and strength of a woman who would not bend to community expectations or hysteria.

Verdict: Depressing, but totally worth it.

Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

I like this book. It's a good introduction to Geishas in Japan and dispenses some myths that surround them. It's set in an autobiographical tone and is very well written.


Verdict: Read it.

The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger

After reading so many other heavy books, this seems down right decadent and ridiculous to read. That's pretty much all there is to this. The book was not significantly better than the movie and it just leaves you with a feeling that you spent/wasted your time reading chick lit. If that's what you're after, dig in.


Verdict: Chick Lit and not that well written.

The Age of Shiva - Manil Suri

A lot of typical Indian pathos in this story. It's very interesting from a cultural point of view.

Verdict - Read it.

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

Another excellent book from Khaled Hosseini. A slightly heavier read than Kite Runner, but a great book to read.
Verdict - Read it.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories - Salman Rushdie

Back to Rushdie.  This story was SO different from Midnight's Children. I am positive that I missed the entire allusion of this story. It is so simply written and quite short (quite different from his other works!) that it fools readers into thinking that's all there is too it, but being Rushdie, that can't be all there is to it.

Verdict: Read it for further appreciation of what Rushdie has to offer.

The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

This book has been on everyone's list for quite some time, but I wanted to read this book simply to get a feel of an Afghani writer. I was completely taken off guard by the absense of pathos that is present in books written by Indian folks. Now to be sure, it isn't all sunshine and roses, but it is conspicuously absent of the sense of hopelessness that you would expect from someone from Afghanistan.


Verdict: Read it.

Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie

I love Rushdie. He has got to be one of one of my favorite author if for no other reason than he will confuse the hell out of you in simple words on the first page. If you don't have a fundamental understanding of world events, India, and Islam, give up hope all ye who enter here. It really is a little crazy. For those who persevere, Rushdie weaves incredible stories that come together in the end like magic. Nothing is without a separate meaning and everything is significant. It's exhausting reading, but you have to appreciate the brilliance of being able to weave words into a story like he does - it's so brilliant it demands that respect. This story parallels the birth of Pakistan.
I won't give any further description, I wouldn't do it justice.

Verdict: Read it for the sheer job of watching Rushdie weave a story.

The Toss of a Lemon - Padma Viswanathan

There aren't many fiction books that I would rave over, but this is one of them. Months after I read this book, I'm still contemplating it. If you are not familiar with Indian authors, let me give you a heads up. Most, if not all, of them are super deep and hold a pessimistic view of the world and personal relationships. This heavily colors the story lines and characters in their writing. There is no bubble gum candy pop lit like we have in the US. The book follows the historical life story of a Tamil Brahman (high class for those of you unfamiliar) woman through out her life. She is widowed with 2 small children at a young age. If nothing else, the book is a startling introduction to that aspect of Indian culture for those who do not have exposure to that segment of the world's population. I found it wildly exotic and interesting even though my family's history has nothing to do with anything in this book.

Verdict - Read it!

You say tomato, I say shut up : a love story - Annabelle Gurwitch & Jeff Kahn

I think this was supposed to be a humorous book.  It missed the mark by quite a bit. I get it that your marriage may not be all roses and rainbows and lovey dovey unicorns, but the rest of us really aren't all that interested in watching you feel free to snipe at each other and say that while you love each other, divorce is not out of the picture some day. This is exactly the kind of drama I avoid in real life, I'm not too keen on reading about it either.

Working in the shadows : a year of doing the jobs (most) Americans won't do - Gabrielle Thompson

I loved this book. How many people can gain an accurate view of jobs that are so menial and labor intensive that they are usually left for illegal workers? Not so many. Even Mike Rowe doesn't capture the same brutal working conditions or the types of jobs that this author went after. I will never look at salad or chicken the same again, and not in a gross way either. More like a wow, someone nearly broke their legs, back, or fingers so that didn't have to grow my own produce or chickens.

Verdict: Read it so that you get an understanding of how difficult these types of jobs are for illegals and even legal people who can't get much work elsewhere.

This is getting old : Zen thoughts on aging with humor and dignity - Susan Moore

Not sure why I picked up a book on aging or Zen, but that's how the cards went. I didn't care for this book, but that is just my opinion. Aging is a complicated subject. It's both the same and intensely individual at the same time.

Verdict - not my style, but if you have an interest in Buddhism, this may be interesting for you.

So sue me, jackass! : avoiding legal pitfalls that can come back to bite you at work, at home, and at play - Amy Epstein Feldman and Robin Epstein

This was one of those books that I picked up just because it looked randomly interesting. It was a little bit disappointing. The sisters who wrote this used an informal tone and generally a slightly hokey manner meant to make legalese and legal issues accessible. None of the issues in this book struck me as particularly crucial to know, though some of it was interesting to find out.

Verdict: Not all that interesting. Google could serve the same function without the hokey older sister/younger sister bit.

The poisoner's handbook : murder and the birth of forensic medicine in Jazz Age New York - Deborah Blum

This was by far the coolest book I have read in quite some time. It easily could have been a bone dry book on chemical analysis on poisonous substances. The author created an interesting, educational narrative around the subject that sucks you in. I found the New York angle and the Jazz age angle icing on the cake as there is a certain amount of romance around Poison, New York in the Jazz age, and prohibition. It was a very interesting take on the medical forensics in New York city at the time also.

Verdict: Read it. Not much practical use, but a very entertaining read for general knowledge purposes.

I'll Mature When I'm Dead - Dave Barry

Dave has long been a favorite of mine. I find his writing goes very well with my sense of sophomoric humor. His new book is along much of the same lines as his previous books and newspaper articles with the exception that he now seems to be getting older at a rapid pace. While this was a little depressing to see, it was still a nice time pass book.

Verdict: Nice mindless humor if you like that sort of thing.