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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Bad Twin by Gary Troup

Bad Twin
Gary Troup (Touchstone Television)
2006, Hyperion, New York
1401302769
258p.

This is the manuscript written by one of the victims of Oceanic Flight 815 and read by Sawyer in the first season of the television show Lost. It tells the story of Paul Artisan, a private detective who investigates the disappearance of a rich man's twin brother.

This was great as a stand-alone story. And I enjoyed all the references to Lost. I'm not sure it helped explain anything, but it sure was fun to spot them all.

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Merde: Excursions into Scientific, Cultural and Socio-Historical Coprology by Ralph A. Lewin

Merde: Excursions into Scientific, Cultural and Socio-Historical Coprology
Ralph. A Lewin
1999, 2000, Aurum, London
1854107321
147p.

This book deals with many wide-ranging aspects of defecation.

I think I now know everything worth knowing about shit. This is an incredible little book - so much detail, so many topics covered. Parts are very conversational, other parts are scientific. Overall, it's just a fascinating book. Makes me want to become a coprologist!

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World War: In the Balance by Harry Turtledove

World War: In the Balance
Harry Turtledove
1994, Hodder and Stoughton, London
0340618396
656p.

It is the 1940s, during WWII, an invading fleet of reptilian aliens disrupt the sparring humans who then must unite against a common and technologically superior foe. But the reptiles are underprepared, as their scouting probe had sent back images of the Middle Ages, and when they arrived on Earth, they found humans had advanced more rapidly then they could have anticipated.

This book has an interesting premise and it's well executed but frankly it's far too long. I think if I knew more about WWII I would have enjoyed it more, but I'm a hard sci-fi fan and need a fair bit of action involving technology or sociological commentary to keep me interested. This was just a war tactics books with intelligent reptiles.

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Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood

Wilderness Tips
Margaret Atwood
1991, 1992, Virago, London
1853813958
247p.

A collection of short stories written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. This collection tackles themes of relationships and human behaviour.

This is classic Atwood. Her characters are so fragile and beautiful, and I love the intellectualism of her writing. I felt this collection was a little too repetitive, it could have been more rounded.

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Abduction by John E. Mack

Abduction: Human encounters with aliens
John E. Mack
1994, Macmillan, New York
0684195399
422p.

John Mack is a psychologist who has been investigating the alien abduction phenomenon. In this book, he interviews 13 people under hypnosis about their experiences of abduction.

I like how the people Mack chose for this book are from diverse backgrounds and have diverse encounters with aliens. It is interesting to read each person's reaction to and interpretation of events. As the author is a psychologist, the book did get a little dry at time. But overall, it has given me some new perspectives on the issue to ponder over.

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Therapy by David Lodge

Therapy
David Lodge
1995, Penguin, London
0140249001
321p.

Laurence Passmore is a TV sitcom writer living in London. This book is his journal as he goes through therapy, divorce, sexual encounters and an obsession with Kierkegaaard.

Passmore is a bit of an annoying character, but you can't help but love him! I really enjoyed all his philosophical theories, they were so amusing. The reader becomes a part of Passmore's life as he goes through his highs and lows. I think that this author captures people really well - all the characters are believable.

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