Book Review: The Passage

The Passage by Justin Cronin

This was just a great read.  I picked it up, started reading, got engrossed in the story, and was sorry when it ended.  (In that regard I'm glad it's the first part of a trilogy, because I know there will be more ... eventually!)  The story starts out by detailing a scientific event that derails society as we know it and gives the background on several people involved in that event.  Then it jumps ahead a couple of generations to a time when people have adjusted and adapted to life post-event.  The story continues from there with a (mostly) new cast of characters.  

Overall, I loved this book.  Storytelling at its best.

Note:  I received this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Review originally posted to LibraryThing (LT review, 5/17/10) as part of its Early Reviewers program.

Book Review: Talking Tails

Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets by Ann Love

This was a very cute and very informative book about pets.  I thought it might be more of a picture book, but it's a bit older than that.  There was great information, stories, and illustrations.  I also enjoyed the running timeline at the bottom of each page showing pet-related events throughout history.

Very enjoyable!

Note:  I received this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Review originally posted to LibraryThing (LT review, 5/17/10) as part of its Early Reviewers program.

Book Review: The Spirit Level

The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger by Richard Wilkinson

The book is broken into different chapters, each showing how a particular social issue is impacted by the level of equality in society.  It compares different countries as well as different US states.  The premise is that countries (or states) with higher levels of equality are better off than those with lower levels.  I can't speak to how valid the research methods are or whether data was accurate, as other reviewers have.  I did find myself skimming over much of the data and details and just glancing at the graphs ... especially as I got further into the book.  In that regard it seemed very repetitive ... different topic, same analysis, same result ... the same countries (or states) ranking poorly each time.  

Overall, it was a worthwhile read and raised some very interesting points, but it took me a while to finish it.

Note:  I received this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Review originally posted to LibraryThing (LT review, 5/17/10) as part of its Early Reviewers program.

Book Review: Half Moon

Half Moon: Henry Hudson and the Voyage That Redrew the Map of the New World by Douglas Hunter

This is the history of Henry Hudson's voyage where he discovered the Hudson River. While the story was interesting, ultimately I found it buried too deeply for me to enjoy. The details on ship construction, sailing, and navigation were just too distracting for someone (like me) with no background in these areas. The narrative also often jumped from the main story to a description of a previous or even a subsequent voyage, which interrupted the flow.

Overall, it was a worthwhile read, but it took me a long time to get through it because I kept losing interest. I must say that the second half of the book seemed to move along much more smoothly than the first half.

Note:  I received this book as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Review originally posted to LibraryThing (LT review, 3/9/10) as part of its Early Reviewers program.