fairywhispers's "2009 Bookshelf"

Before reading this book, I had no idea my favourite sweet was ultimately produced using child slavery. I knew about people smuggling, of course, and the enslavement of children for use as whores and soldiers. I knew also that slaves were used in the production of most resources way back when. But modern slaves producing my chocolate? I’d never heard of such a thing. Surely the UN, useless though it is, would be outraged by such a practice? Surely international child welfare groups would be jumping up and down? I knew Big Business wouldn’t give a toss, but what is the point of all these committees and organisations if such issues are not made a part of general public awareness, let alone acted upon?

This expose is extremely well written. It is a chronological history of cocoa production from the time of the Olmec Empire to today’s Big Chocolate that will have you shaking with outrage by the time you finish. That such practices could go unremarked in today’s society is an indictment on us all and I am disgusted and ashamed that I could have received pleasure from the blood, sweat and tears of these children.

For those who, like me, cannot knowingly buy a product produced by child-slaves, there is hope at hand. There are some companies committed to producing ethical chocolate. Stop Chocolate Slavery (http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslavery/main.html) is a website that contains information about Fair Trade chocolate, organic chocolate, or chocolate otherwise believed to be slavery-free. The higher shelf price on these chocolates is a small price to pay to ensure that farmers are treated fairly and slaves are not used in the production of what is, ultimately, a luxury item.

Never to be Released was a very interesting look at some of Australia’s worst crimes. Many of them I hadn’t heard about before. Others, such as the Anita Cobby murder, were so famous I couldn’t help but know something about them, though not all the facts presented here. This book is presented in an easy-to-read journalistic style that keeps it from becoming too heavy, but it is certainly not for the squeamish. The crimes described are particularly heinous – the kind that make you wonder if the death penalty ought to be brought back, after all – and few details are omitted.

The term ‘Never to be Released’ is actually only a recommendation tacked onto a criminals file, not an official sentence, so let us hope that none of these vicious men and women ever leave their cells to walk Australia’s streets again. I feel a lot safer with them behind bars.

Never to be Released is a great introduction to the ‘True Crime’ genre, but it is detailed enough to hold the interest of old pros.

This was certainly interesting to read, though many of these rules would be difficult to implement, particularly for the shy and reserved. I liked how the etiquette of e-mail and mobile phones were included as well as other modern phenomena, such as meeting celebrities, one night stands and trips in a private jet. My main beef with this guide is that it is heavily slanted towards the British market and many of the rules would be inappropriate in the more relaxed Australian social scene. Having said that, however, basic courtesy will always be appreciated and Debrett’s Etiquette for Girls would be handy to have sitting on the shelf for constant consultation.

I have always been interested in science, but usually find science books difficult to understand. This book is different. A Short History of Nearly Everything is science for the non-scientist, and it is absolutely fascinating. Peppered with Bryson’s characteristic humour and, for the most part, perfectly understandable, this book is a perfect way for the average person to learn about the world around them and the history of, well, us. From just before the big bang to life as we know it today – and everything in between – Bryson outlines the most current scientific theories, and all the steps it took to get there.

While I do recommend reading the entire book, those determined to browse will be happy to note that the book is divided into easy-to-navigate chapters with clear titles, such as Welcome to the Solar System, Einstein’s Universe and The Mighty Atom, making it easy to skip directly to topics of interest.

While there is a non-illustrated version of this book, I highly recommend getting the illustrated version if you are able. It is a little bulkier and heavier to carry around, but the beautiful photographs are absolutely worth it. As well as stunning photos and sketches of the universe and the Earth in its various stages, there are microscopic shots of various bacteria and viruses, and photographs of scientists, allowing us to put a face to the name. There is also an occasional amusing cartoon, to lighten the heavier topics.

A Short History of Nearly Everything (Illustrated Edition) is definitely a book I would love to have in my permanent collection.

As with most general books on the paranormal, this book does not go into enough detail. However, the stories are more in-depth than others I have read. I am impressed by the sheer number of stories the author was able to gather and it was refreshing to read such a high percentage of Australian content – something that is hard to come by in a field that concentrates on the UK and US.

A Paranormal File covers a wide range of topics and includes genuine photographs of spirits and UFO’s. Unusually, Pinkney also includes a number of events experienced by Australian public figures. Overall, this book is worth reading if you are interested in paranormal phenomena in general, and Australian phenomena in particular.

I began this novel with great trepidation, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved how Marsden added a bit of background to some of characters (Horatio is a good example of this). I also liked how he left the time ambiguous. Hamlet could be any teenager in any time going through a very trying experience.

The beautiful language of Shakespeare is absent, of course, though Marsden has made an effort to use some of the original lines. At least part of Ophelia’s mad soliloquy is intact (I haven’t compared it to my copy of Hamlet yet, but I recognised some of the lines) and the more famous lines (‘To be or not to be’ & ‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark’ for example) are included. Hamlet: a novel is definitely worth reading, and is a great way to introduce tweens to wonderful world of Shakespeare.

Blood and Chocolate is a great novel about knowing yourself and embracing your differences (in this case being a werewolf) rather than trying to be something you’re not (human). It also highlights the folly of fearing what we don’t understand and the heartbreak that can result. It is a great book – not preachy at all – and is great for tweens and teens who enjoy fantasy or werewolf stories.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover was originally published in 1928, and was banned in many places. Now it is a classic, readily available to all and sundry and – like many classics – it isn’t worth bothering with. The language and style of writing are fine – the problem lies in content. I found this novel to be bleak, depressing and pessimistic and, if this is truly Lawrence’s view of life and love, then I pity him. Even given the era this was written, with it’s increased industrialisation, collier strikes, the aftermath of one war and the spectre of another, surely there was still room for hope? Many people enjoy this work, but it is not for me.

Breath is an enjoyable coming-of-age novel written in a refreshingly light style that is easy to read. Tim Winton captures the feel of small-time Australia well, and the characters could be anyone from our own childhood. Despite its simplicity, Pikelet’s story is filled with hidden sinkholes and rips, reminiscent of the ocean that plays such an important role in his life. The thrills and exhilaration of surfing are described with such intensity that we almost feel as though we are there, and the hidden pitfalls of everyday relationships are aptly demonstrated.

Breath is a simple but memorable read and I recommend it for adults and teens alike. I will certainly be seeking out more of this author’s work.

What an absolutely wonderful book! The author has captured the essence of food and the importance it plays in many cultures, while gracing us with a hugely sensual and romantic novel. Like Water for Chocolate is a feast for the eyes, the mind and the palate, using the unique format of a cookbook to demonstrate the daily life and frustrations for women in civil war era Mexico. I would love to try out some of the recipes, if I could figure out what many of the ingredients are! I highly recommend this book.