Monday, March 30, 2009

The Truth About Past Life Regression by Florence Wagner McClain

The Truth about Past Life Regression
Florence Wagner McClain
1989, 1994, Llewellyn, St. Paul
0875423590
50p.

A very short overview of past life regression - theories concerning the phenomenon and its implications.

I guess this was a good little guide - but way too short! I wanted more information - more practical things to do, and more exploration into the phenomenon. I suppose this book is just to whet your appetite, but I think it would be more successful if they put more in this volume instead of assuming you'll go out and pick up another.

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Unlocking the Meaning of Lost: An Unauthorized Guide by Lynette Porter and David Lavery


Unlocking the Meaning of Lost: An Unauthorized Guide
Lynette Porter, David Lavery
2006, Sourcebooks, Naperville
1402207263
252p.

This book was written half-way through season two of the TV show Lost and takes an in-depth look at the show, its characters, hidden meanings, and fandom.

I thought this was a good guide to the show, even if it's now terribly out of date. But it was good to read about some of the stuff I'd forgotten especially now that we're currently looking at the history of the island in greater detail.

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Driving over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia by Christ Stewart


Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia
Christ Stewart
1999, Sort Of Books, London
09535222709
247p.

Chris Stewart is an English-born sheep-shearer who decides to move to Spain and buy a farm in Andalucia with his wife. The farm they purchase has no running water, road access or electricity and is on the other side of a temperamental river.

This is a beautifully told story of a foreigner making a new life in Spain. Stewart exquisitely describes the beauty of the country, and the true enticement of the idyllic rural culture. It sure makes me want to pack up and try!

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Monday, March 16, 2009

The Surgeon of Crowthorne by Simon Winchester


The Surgeon of Crowthorne
Simon Winchester
1998, 1999, Viking, London
0140271287
193p.

This is the story of the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary. One of the most prolific contributors to the dictionary was Dr. WC Minor, a murderer and inmate of an insane asylum.

I really loved reading about this story. The author writes coherently and with great precision ... he also uses some nice big words! I thought the writing style and the research was brilliant - the story was certainly done justice.

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson


Dragonkeeper
Carole Wilkinson
2003, 2005, Black Dog Books, Fitzroy
1876372893
343p.

A small slave girl with no name and no family helps a dragon escape from the Imperial Dragonkeeper. They go through many trials in their quest to reach the ocean.

It's a fantastic story for children, and very well researched. I felt like I was constantly learning something, whether it be Chinese history, or little morals at the end of every chapter! I guess children aren't supposed to notice that though.

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Monday, March 9, 2009

The Last Oracle by James Rollins


The Last Oracle
James Rollins
2008, Orion Books, London
9780752889337
430p.

Russian scientists have been researching the genetics of a rare gypsy tribe, and discover that the children of this tribe have extra-sensory savant talents. They attempt to bring destruction to the Earth by nuclear radiation, and use the children to begin a new world order.

Sounds like a James Bond novel, and reads a bit like one. Plenty of fun action sequences, and paper-thin plotlines. I thought it could have done with a final edit, as it tended to repeat itself in places, but I did enjoy the story.

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