|
August 19
|
|
Brian
gave
 
to:
The Other End of the Leash (Paperback)
by Patricia McConnell
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in August, 2008
Brian said:
"A fascinating examination of psychology, sociology, and even politics in both canids and primates. While focused on dog-human relations, McConnell examines both broad catergories, looking not just at dogs and humans, but also wolves and other primat...more
A fascinating examination of psychology, sociology, and even politics in both canids and primates. While focused on dog-human relations, McConnell examines both broad catergories, looking not just at dogs and humans, but also wolves and other primates, for examples of how our species behave similarly and differently, why we behave the ways we do, and how we interpret (or misinterpret) each other's signals. Recommended to any dog lover that wants to communicate better and improve their relationship with their four-legged friend(s)....less
"
|
|
August 12
|
|
Brian
gave
to:
How to be the Leader of the Pack...And have Your Dog Love You For It. ("How to" booklets from Dog's Best Friend)
by Patricia B. McConnell
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
|
|
Brian
gave
to:
Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies (Paperback)
by Lee Livingood
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
|
|
Brian
gave
to:
Adopting the Racing Greyhound (Paperback)
by Cynthia A. Branigan
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
|
|
July 29
|
|
Brian
is currently reading:
Life of Pi (Paperback)
by Yann Martel
bookshelves:
currently-reading
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
|
|
Brian
gave
to:
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Hardcover)
by Jonathan Safran Foer
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in July, 2008
Brian said:
"Extremely poignant and deft handling of the events of September 11, 2001 and their impact on the precocious protagonist Oskar Schell. The intertwining of Oskar's quest and his grandparents' story is at first jarring and confusing, but they ultimatel...more
Extremely poignant and deft handling of the events of September 11, 2001 and their impact on the precocious protagonist Oskar Schell. The intertwining of Oskar's quest and his grandparents' story is at first jarring and confusing, but they ultimately inform each other. These two disparate pieces tie together in the end, but that does not mean there is a contrived "happy ending." This story centers around very real events, and its conclusions (or lack thereof) are in keeping with the struggles of its characters throughout....less
"
|
|
May 28
|
|
Brian
gave
to:
Closing Time (Paperback)
by Joseph Heller
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in April, 2008
Brian said:
" Closing Time has moments that are reminiscent of the biting, ridiculously hilarious satire of Catch 22, but it also suffers from slow pacing and a...more
Closing Time has moments that are reminiscent of the biting, ridiculously hilarious satire of Catch 22, but it also suffers from slow pacing and a somewhat scattered narrative. Overall, the characters are compelling, but the situations don't always resonate, and Heller fails to make the connection to readers of a younger generation than the characters. In Catch 22 the insanity of war is clear even to those who have never seen a battle, but Closing Time doesn't accomplish the same now that the the story is told from the perspective of the "old-timers" from the original. Still an enjoyable read, but not as powerful as its predecessor....less
"
|
|
January 15
|
|
Brian
gave
to:
Death Trilogy (Hardcover)
by Terry Pratchett
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in January, 2008
Brian said:
"Pratchett--puns and parody aplenty! Lots of silliness, but a some substance, too. The use of Death as a means of questioning/understanding life is quite effective--not that the author hits you over the head with it. These books are prime examples ...more
Pratchett--puns and parody aplenty! Lots of silliness, but a some substance, too. The use of Death as a means of questioning/understanding life is quite effective--not that the author hits you over the head with it. These books are prime examples of the "fun read." Extra points to "Soul Music" for its jabs at numerous musician cliches--too many of which I have experienced firsthand....less
"
|
|
January 10
|
|
Brian
gave
to:
How we Got Insipid (Hardcover)
by Jonathan Lethem
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in December, 2007
Brian said:
"This volume collects two of Jonathan Lethem's longer short stories not included in his previously published collections. I have enjoyed Lethem's evolution from his early mostly-sf novels to his recent work--grounded in our world, but still containin...more
This volume collects two of Jonathan Lethem's longer short stories not included in his previously published collections. I have enjoyed Lethem's evolution from his early mostly-sf novels to his recent work--grounded in our world, but still containing touches of the fantastic. These two stories demonstrate that evolution and remind me, quite succinctly, of what hooked me on Lethem originally and why I consider him my favorite contemporary author....less
"
|
|
October 30
|
|
Brian
gave
to:
American Gods (Paperback)
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads author!)
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
|
| |
read in October, 2007
Brian said:
"Excellent weaving of varied mythology in a story of America's general soullessness. The story that is really being told ends up being even better than the story that appears to be being told for most of the novel. Enjoyable both as simple fantasy a...more
Excellent weaving of varied mythology in a story of America's general soullessness. The story that is really being told ends up being even better than the story that appears to be being told for most of the novel. Enjoyable both as simple fantasy and as commentary on the vapidness of modern American culture, which consumes even gods....less
"
|
