Sunday, March 28, 2010

Patron Reviews - NonFiction



This Republic of Suffering by DG Faust

Non-fiction on the modes of death in the Civil War of the US from all sources: weapons, disease, and exposure.

While twice as many died from disease than injury, almost any modest injury could lead to gangrene infection & quick death due to the lack of antibiotic medicines.

She ran out of things to say in about the third chapter. This might have made a good short story or essay.

reviewed by J. Williams



Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

I've been interested in reading about the plight of the Middle Eastern women, especially the women of Afghanistan. Thanks to Suzanne Fisher, I got about 9 books to read. As you can imagine, many of the books were historical and many full of horrible atrocities. However, "Kabul Beauty School" was uplifting and even funny at times.

The author, Deborah Rodriguez of Holland, Michigan, told of her endeavor to start a beauty school in Kabul, which was anything but easy. She not only put herself in danger at times, she also made many cultural mistakes. Her determination and tenacity are truly admirable.

I think this is a must read for anyone interested in hearing about a truly selfless woman.

reviewed by D. Luci

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Recommendation from Julie




Voluntary Madness: Lost and Found in the Mental Healthcare System by Norah Vincent
Vincent, who calls herself an immersive journalist, wanted to find out where one could get the best mental health care. With a history of depression herself and one hospitalization behind her, this endeavor was both personal and professional. She checked herself into three hospitals. The first was a large urban hospital, the second a semi-rural, small-town one, and the third was an experimental therapy, group-living system. She discusses the treatments, the meds, the patients, and the staff with great insight and clarity. A fascinating look at mental health care.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford
This is a bittersweet story of young love between a Chinese boy and a Japanese girl during the time of the Japanese internment. Though I found it incredulous that a love at age 12 could be so overpowering the author did make it believable. I enjoyed it.

Blood Safari by Deon Meyer
When Emma Le Roux goes looking for her long lost brother, danger follows her. When she lands in a coma her bodyguard sets out to find out what's going on and who's trying to kill her. This all takes place in South Africa involving the conservation movement.