fairywhispers's "2008 Bookshelf" on Lists of Bests

Comments

Pages: Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Added 'Ebola' by William T. Close, M.D. — 1 year ago

Ebola is a very frightening look at the Ebola outbreak in Zaire in 1976. Ebola is a virulent form of haemorrhagic fever. There are three strains of Ebola with Zaïre ebolavirus (the strain featuring in this book) being the most potent. While this strain has an average mortality rate of around 83%, individual outbreaks have shown it can be much higher. The case-fatality rates for this strain were 88% in 1976 (this is the outbreak covered by Ebola), 100% in 1977, 59% in 1994, 81% in 1995, 73% in 1996, 80% in 2001-2002 and 90% in 2003. There have been more outbreaks of Zaïre ebolavirus than any other strain.

Ebola was an interesting, and frightening, look at the progress of this disease and the fear it can instil in those affected. It is written in novel form, making it easy to read and understand and I recommend this to anyone with an interest in medicine, science or communicable diseases.

Oct 26, 08:49PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'The Fat Man in History' by Peter Carey — 1 year ago

Crabs:This story starts off slowly, but turns out OK.

Peeling:This story advocates some interesting life views but soon becomes a nightmare.

She Wakes:A very short story about an unfulfilling relationship.

Life & Death in the Southside Pavilion:One feels very sorry for the horses in this story.

Room No. 5 (Escribo):This is quite a good story and raises some interesting questions. Who is the smiling lady? Where did she come from? Why is she there? The answers to these questions are left to us to surmise.

Happy Story:A very interesting story about the desire for flight.

A Windmill in the West:The story of a lonely soldier’s slow descent into madness.

Withdrawal:This was a great story about the owner of an antique store with macabre taste.

Report on the Shadow Industry:A surreal story about the sale of “shadows” and the problems and addictions that result. This story takes third place in the collection.

Conversations with Unicorns:Is death a gift or a curse? Sometimes the fact that we can help doesn’t mean that we should… I give this story second place in the collection.

American Dreams:The story of one man’s revenge on a small American town.

The Fat Man in History: This is my favourite story in the collection. An interesting experiment in social dependency.

Overall, these stories are a little odd (some are just downright weird) but they each have an important message to impart. Most importantly they are all enjoyable to read. In my opinion the three best stories in this collection are (in order) The Fat Man in History, Conversations with Unicorns and Report on the Shadow Industry.

Oct 23, 11:33PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Shadow Warrior' by David Everett — 1 year ago

Shadow Warrior is written in a relaxed, conversational style that is very easy on the eyes. The story of how David Everett went from one of the military’s elite to Australia’s most wanted is an interesting one. Each step was a logical progression from the one before until he found himself on the run from the law and out of contact with his family and friends.

While I found some of the war chapters a little repetitive (war is like that sometimes), the plight of the Karen is a sad indictment of Australia’s political and social conscience. One can forgive David much of his behaviour with the knowledge of the reasoning behind it.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and informative book to read and the reader is left feeling sympathetic to David’s plight. I would definitely recommend this to a friend.

Oct 20, 08:17PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'One Red Paperclip: How A Small Piece of Stationary Turned into a Great Big Adventure' by Nigel Cawthorne — 1 year ago

What a brilliant idea! If only I’d thought of it first…

If you have ever found yourself thinking these words, then you’ll love this book! This is the story of an ordinary guy who managed to trade up from one red paperclip to a house (yes, a house!) in just fourteen trades. Written with style and not a little humour, One Red Paperclip details the incredible journey Kyle travelled in order to fulfil his dream of owning a home.

Where most of us would have thought it couldn’t be done, Kyle took the plunge, making some incredible trades and having a lot of fun along the way. This is a highly amusing and inspiring book and I encourage everyone to read it.

Oct 14, 03:36AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'House of Horrors' by Nigel Cawthorne — 1 year ago

I was kind of surprised that a book about the Fritzl’s was published so soon. The author certainly didn’t waste any time! We all saw the news about this poor woman and her children, but the truth is much more horrifying than even the media hype. The nightmare life these people were forced to endure for twenty-four years would have sent many people insane, but Elisabeth managed to survive with enough presence of mind to seize her chance at escaping.

House of Horrors is not an enjoyable read, but it is an informative one. The author has shown sensitivity to the emotional and psychological needs of the victims by refraining from publishing intimate details of the crime (unlike the paparazzi, who insist on imposing on their privacy) and the book is written in a casual style that makes it easy to read.

Whether you are interested in true crime or simply wish to learn about this particular case, this book is worth reading.

Oct 14, 02:25AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Silver Rose' by David A. Kaufelt — 1 year ago

I was a little unsure about reading this book at first. The whole Jew trying to survive in NAZI Germany is so overdone. I was pleasantly surprised. Silver Rose was a suspenseful and enthralling read. Once I started reading it, I was unable to put it down. In the end, I read it in one sitting. There is something in this novel for everyone – adventure, action, suspense, evil, romance – and I highly recommend reading it.

Oct 14, 12:29AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'The Nightmare Machine' by John Nicholas Datesh — 1 year ago

This was a surprisingly boring book, considering the subject matter. I had expected that this would be a little scarier. I very much enjoyed the character of Madelaine, but on the whole I would not recommend this book.

Oct 13, 11:16PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'The Winds of Tara' by Katherine Pinotti — 1 year ago

I really enjoyed Gone With the Wind and Scarlett so, when I heard about The Winds of Tara, I was quite keen to read it. Unfortunately, despite several attempts, I simply haven’t been able to get into this book. It takes a special person to write a sequel to another author’s book, particularly one as well known as Margaret Mitchell. I have not read any of Katherine Pinotti’s work before now, but The Winds of Tara was a disappointment, seeming to lack the ‘spark’ one expects from a Scarlett O’Hara novel.

Oct 13, 10:26PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Attack of the Mutant (Goosebumps)' by R.L. Stine — 1 year ago

This is a great story for kids that are into comic books. Unfortunately if, like me, you aren’t a big comic book fan, this won’t be as enjoyable. Attack of the Mutant was OK but I wouldn’t read it again

Oct 13, 12:33AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

fairywhispers
Rockhampton

Added 'Pigs Might Fly' by Emily Rodda — 1 year ago

This was one of my favourite books as a child and I loved it just as much as an adult. I highly recommend it – you will not be bored for a second. If you read it to your kids, I guarantee Pigs Might Fly will have everyone in fits of laughter!

Oct 13, 12:03AM | 0 comments | Reply to this

Add a comment

Pages: Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

fairywhispers's "2008 Bookshelf"

Comments

Added 'Ebola' by William T. Close, M.D. — 1 year ago

Added 'The Fat Man in History' by Peter Carey — 1 year ago

Added 'Shadow Warrior' by David Everett — 1 year ago

Added 'One Red Paperclip: How A Small Piece of Stationary Turned into a Great Big Adventure' by Nigel Cawthorne — 1 year ago

Added 'House of Horrors' by Nigel Cawthorne — 1 year ago

Added 'Silver Rose' by David A. Kaufelt — 1 year ago

Added 'The Nightmare Machine' by John Nicholas Datesh — 1 year ago

Added 'The Winds of Tara' by Katherine Pinotti — 1 year ago

Added 'Attack of the Mutant (Goosebumps)' by R.L. Stine — 1 year ago

Added 'Pigs Might Fly' by Emily Rodda — 1 year ago

How people describe this list

People who have this list