My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

My Family and Other Animals
Gerald Durrell
1956, 1977, Penguin, London
0140282599
301p.

Gerald and his family moved to a Greek Island from England when he was a young boy. He spends time exploring, discovering animals, insects and birds, and generally avoiding an education.

This is an enjoyable read, written in a modern style - I was surprised when I read the publication date. It sounds like a great place to be a child, and Gerald was a very inquisitive one!

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Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

Freakonomics
Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner
2005, 2006, Penguin, London
9780141019017
284p.

An economist and a journalist look at the economics of everyday life.  From asking questions about real estate agents incentives, to the effect of specific baby names on a child's future potential.

This was a very interesting, if sometimes uncomfortable (the parts on the abortion-crime link), read.  It is data analysis for the morbidly curious.  The only disappointment is that the book portion ends about two-thirds of the way in and the rest is bonus material.

The Gift by Roger Dunn

The Gift
Roger Dunn
1988, McPhee Gribble Publishers, Fitzroy
0140110631
136p.

Little novel based on an Australian children's mini-series in which two children win 1000 acres of bushland in Western Australia.

It was an enjoyable story - the characters were well fleshed out and it had good morals. I like that it was set in a recognisable Australia.

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The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick

The Simulacra
Philip K. Dick
1964, Ace Books. New York
no isbn
192p.

A novel of the future about a government system headed by a beautiful First Lady and her simulation husband.

This little novel was multi-layered - there were many different aspects that I really enjoyed. And the science behind it all has not dated, even 40 years later.

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Star Trek: New Frontier: Missing in Action by Peter David

Star Trek: New Frontier: Missing in Action
Peter David
2006, Pocket Books, New York
978141651080X
341p.

The USS Excalibur encounters a large and powerful ship while attempting to keep peace in the New Thallonian region. They find themselves transported to another universe where two warring races threaten to destroy each other.

I am unfamiliar with most of these characters and backstories; it was explained a little bit in the book but it seemed forced. It had traces of the David humour I'm used to, but none of the sparkle. Overall, I was disappointed.

Booked to Die by John Dunning

Booked to Die
John Dunning
1992, 2001, Pocket Books, New York
0743410653
398p.

Cliff Janeway, homicide detective and booklover, is investigating the death of a bookscout called Bobby. He becomes entangled in the world of rare and collectible book stores trying to find the killer.

Literary crime. Fantastic. I loved reading about the world of the rare and collectable book seller. Janeway is a cool detective, and the constant references to other books was super.

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Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond

Guns, Germs and Steel
Jared Diamond
1997, Random House, London
0224038095
425p.

This book discusses human history and the evolution of different societies in the world. It attempts to answer the question of why Europeans dominate the modern world, rather than Australian Aboriginals or Africans.

A very heavy read, but interesting topic. I found it a bit repetitive once the basic facts were established. One tiny annoying thing was the author's assumption that the reader was North American.

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Doctor Who and the Image of the Fendahl by Terrance Dicks

Doctor Who and the Image of the Fendahl
Terrance Dicks
1979, Target, London
0426200772
109p.

The Doctor and Leela are brought to Earth by the TARDIS when she senses a disturbance in Space/Time. There they discover the Fendahl, a creature which lives on death and threatens to devour the planet.

A great Doctor Who story with everything. The Fendahl is an interesting creature and I could just picture the worm coming to eat the characters. At the end of every chapter I got the theme song in my head. :)

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True Lies by Dewey Gram and Duane Dell'amico

True Lies
Dewey Gram and Duane Dell'amico
1994, Signet, London
0451182650
236p.

Book based on the movie in which Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a special agent who has kept his life as a spy secret from his wife for fifteen years. A terrorist organisation obtains nuclear weapons and threaten to detonate Miami.

This had a lot more detail in it than the movie did, but in fleshing out the story, the wit and dry humour that made the movie great has been lost. Also, I didn't like the characters in the book - Harry was just an ass, but I think that is a reflection on the authors more than anything. The book was teeming with prejudice, it got rather tired rather quickly ... I think this was written by sociopaths with little respect for human life. Plus they obviously hate dogs.

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The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

The Tiger Rising
Kate DiCamillo
2001, Scholastic, Cambridge
043938995X
116p.

Rob lives in a motel in Florida with his father after his mother died from cancer. One day he finds a tiger locked in a cage just behind the motel, and also meets a new girl on the school bus. They become friends and decide to let the tiger go free.

This is a lovely little story, if a bit sappy. I liked how the characters had to work through their problems, and that it showed that it's ok to change. The imagery of the little green bird flying free at the end was beautiful.

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Seldom by Dawn Rae Downton

Seldom: A searing memoir of secrets and lies in a Newfoundland fishing village
Dawn Rae Downton
2003. Headline, London
0755311981
292p.

Story of a family from Newfoundland, told by the grand-daughter of the mother figure, Ethel. This sweeping book tells of their lives and their secrets.

The writing style was inconsistent and not very engaging. Some vignettes are written so well to the point of being heart breaking, other passages will bore you to tears. It's best not to concentrate too hard on the story, but just to go along for the ride.

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