Una Chica

67. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat - Oliver Sacks - 256 pages (8/10)

I like how the cover matches my usericon, hah. Yay, Magritte.

I've been meaning to read this book for years. How could you not with a title like that? Dr. Oliver Sacks is a guest star on a podcast I regularly listen to, Radio Lab, and after hearing certain cases, I knew it was long past time I read his book. Sacks has been a neurologist for many years, and this book was his first. Published in 1985, it details the strange and amazing cases he's come across during his career. This book is amusing, fascinating, and touching.

One interesting case was a man who had alcohol amnesia. He was in his late fifties, but he thought he was 19 in 1945. Whenever he mentioned his brother, he mentioned that he was in accountancy school and was engaged to a nice girl, even though at the time of the book his brother had been an accountant for thirty years. Up until the age of 19 he could remember his life perfectly, but everything after that was a blur. Sacks would see the man one day and the next day the patient would introduce himself again. Each case detailed in this book is unique and varied.

The book is well-organized: "The book comprises 24 essays split into 4 sections which each deal with a particular aspect of brain function such as deficits and excesses in the first two sections (with particular emphasis on the right hemisphere of the brain) while the third and fourth describe phenomenological manifestations with reference to spontaneous reminiscences, altered perceptions, and extraordinary qualities of mind found in "retardates" (Sacks, 163)

I always took advantage what it was like to go through day-to-day life with no neurological disorders. I can't fathom what it must be like to not be able to trust your sight, or to not be sure where your body parts are, or to not remember ten minutes ago. Sack's main thesis of the book is that human identity is still preserved, no matter how debilitating a disorder an individual has. A person with severe amnesia can still recognize someone he or she loves. A person with severe mental disabilities can still love deeply and find passion in past times. Identity persists.


Booksforfood is my book reviewing journal. I like new friends :)

I hate Romeo and Juliet and Jane Austen, and I'm not looking for the Harlequin romance sort of love story, but those are really the only criteria I have. It would be nice if it focused on the actual love, falling, being, whatever, not the angsty 'they love me, they love me not' stuff, but I realize that most books are going to have plenty of that because most people would find it boring to read a book all about someone's happy romance (I would love it, for the record). I wish I could be more specific about what I want but I'm finding it difficult to explain what's in my head and I can't really give examples, because I haven't really read the sort of thing I'm after. But I'm sure it must exist.

So, what are your favorite love stories? Classic, modern, I like it all. I can't usually get into fantasy/sci-fi so much, but if it's exceptionally good I'll give it a try. Preferably not unrequited love, at least not unrequited from beginning to end. And no fluff, although that's how I'm making it sound--troubles and hardships are fine, just as long as they work out. I just want details, emotion, depth ... I don't know. I'll shut up now, my ramblings aren't really helping :) Anyone?

Edit: I feel incredibly silly :), "Time Traveler's Wife" is absolutely my favorite book of all time, ever, and I forgot it. So that's the perfect example, anything else like it? Thanks you guys for reminding me!

I'd greatly appreciate some suggestions for books with well written, satisfying girl-meets-girl love stories. This can be the focal point of the book or a side plot, but here's the catch: unless it's an absolute must-read, I'd very much prefer the books suggested to fall into the fantasy or science fiction genres, or have a classic pseudo-medieval setting. I'd also rather read something that doesn't beat one over the head with feminist rhetoric, GRRRL POWER or (current) politics. I guess the male equivalent would be something like Mercedes Lackey's "Last Herald-Mage" series.

I am planning on reading "Ash" by Melinda Lo, which is a retelling of Cinderella where the Prince loses his princess to his huntress. Sounds like a fun read.

Thanks in advance, fellow bibliophiles! :)

Hi there.

I am very interested in reading Michael Moorcock's 'Elric of Melnibone' series. However there seem to be so many books in the series I am confused by which one to start with! If there are any Elric fans on this community I would be so greatful if you could tell me which book i should begin with. Thank you very much ^^

-Torment2romance

In September 2009, Seanan McGuire published her first novel Rosemary and Rue. This urban fantasy debut quickly received attention as one of the best debuts of 2009. Now the multi-talented author has three new books scheduled for publication in 2010. Two are continuations of her Toby Daye series: A Local Habitation and An Artificial Night. The third will be published under the pseudonym 'Mira Grant' and will be titled Feed. As McGuire says: "Who needs sleep?"

Today author Seanan McGuire is answering questions at Book Love Affair. Go leave a comment to ask this wonderful author what you'd like to know! (Also, participating in the interview earns extra entries in the BLA Leviathan giveaway!)

( Check out the interview at Book Love Affair? )

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SAN ANTONIO—Immediately after releasing a 12-foot jump shot Tuesday night, Spurs center Tim Duncan called out the angle necessary for the ball to bank off the backboard and into the basket.

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So I picked this up last weekend, before Black Friday, and thought it would be a great read. I personally am infatuated with Russell Brand, so I jumped at the chance to get it.

Review: It's definitly 'mature'. There is a-plenty of swears and obscene phrases. It's written in 'proper' British language, using were in place of was, and things like that. It uses traditional British spellings, such as colour or favourite. Although you might think that it would be a jovial, comedic read, it contained some pretty heavy material. It starts off with his entrance into a Pennsylvania sex addiction treatment center. Split into four parts, the book is written in the chronological order of his childhood and adolescence which describes the hard times his family went though. It delves into a pretty dark realm as he shares his battles with drug experimentation which leads to addiction, especially of the substance heroin. He tells about his traditional schooling, and when he first realized that his place was in front of the spotlight.

In it he explains his views on religion, not trying to convince anyone but himself of his choices. He identifies greatly with the Hare Krishnas, and shares an unsuccessful attempt to write a play based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Russell Brand talks about his early friendships and how he has always felt more secure in the company of women, especially his mother. He tells of his many animal ownings, especially his beloved cat, Morrissey.

The book isn't for the type of reader who prefers to lose themselves in a fantasy world. It jumps right in to many problems that face all of us today, including common topics of self-acceptance, career choices, and love. However, it deals with a darker side of alcoholism, drug and sex addiction, and finding one's meaning and purpose in an otherwise meaningless world. It does have many funny parts, but it isn't all stand up. I give this book five stars, but the cost may prevent many from outright buying it, and waiting to check it out at the local library.

Title: Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office
Author: Jen Lancaster
Page Count: 416
Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir
Rating:

My Review:
I desperately want to give this book 5 stars. I'll explain why I didn't.

This book is a memoir about a stuck-up bitch who went from being on top of the world one day to not being able to afford an apartment in the ghetto the next. The adventure is superb to read about - a woman who once looked down on everyone and went everywhere in expensive everything, obsessed to the point of insanity over her hair and nails. She lives in a fantastic Chicago apartment that she pays way too much a month for. Then 9/11 happens and ... lay-offs.

As much as I want to give this book a 5 because it is hilarious, its writing style is a bit busted up and I'm holding a grudge because she slams vegans [ouch] in it on several occasions. The writing style is somewhat amusing, though at first I wasn't sure how I felt about the footnotes. Since it is a memoir, I wasn't expecting perfectly formed anything, neither any stroke of literary genius. I was told this book is very funny and I have to say that for what I hoped of it - it delivered.

I found this book to be an incredibly easy read, something that I just bullied right through without even noticing until I burned into the Epilogue. It's easy to relate to and it's a great, uplifting and amusing read. This book is perfect for someone who is looking for something that they don't have to take seriously, but just laugh at uncontrollably.

Spoilers for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as well as previous books in the series. Hence the cut.

( Read more... )

Rating: four stars
Length: 757 pages
Source: shelf
Other books I've read by this author: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (my review), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (my review), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (my review), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (my review), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (my review), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (my review) , Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch through the Ages, The Tales of Beedle the Bard (my review)

xposted to bookish and temporaryworlds

With Christmas and New Years' Break approaching, I am looking for recommendations for reading. I am usually a non-fiction reader, but I've lately wanted to balance my load with fiction. I prefer stories taking place in the eighteenth century - America, Great Britain, or France - but I also enjoy late seventeenth and early nineteenth century backgrounds. I've reread Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, am currently reading Stendhal's The Red and the Black, and have Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel and de Laclos' Les Liaisons Dangereuses for later. Are there any other pieces of great literature centering around these eras that you can recommend? Thank you.

What would you recommend for a 12 year old boy (who reads at a mature level, maybe grade 10 or so) in the way of fantasy and scifi? He's already read Lord of the Rings, Eragon, ect. What were your favorites at that age?
Oh, and since he's only 12, age appropriate books would be appreciated. Thanks.

I just thought I would pass along that Threadless.com is having a 24 hour sale where all tees are $9! They have a whole section of literature-based designs. I just bought the following and I thought I would share it with you lovely people:

I used to watch CSI: Vegas all the time, but (for a number of reasons) I stopped a while ago. Anyway. I just watched an episode (Harvest - S5 Epi 3) and it's really reminded me why I loved the show so much! Now I just have to catch up with about three series of Vegas, Miami and NY so I'm up to date!


Edit: By the way, hello! I'm new here!

Title: Gone With The Wind
Author: Margaret Mitchell
Grade: A
Pages: 862
Date of Publication: May, 1936

I've been meaning to review this book for quite some time now, ever since I joined this community in fact, but other reading commitments and, well, real life keep getting in the way. Gone With The Wind, due to its complexity, length, and the number of issues it raises is not an easy novel to tackle, but it really is an amazing work. It's not to be missed out on even if you have watched the film, which leaves out a lot of the original source material along with some crucial character depth and development. For those who might still be unfamiliar with the story, it's about the life of Scarlett O'Hara, a Southern Belle and daughter of a plantation owner, who struggles to live and survive amidst the America Civil War and the aftermath. Along with this she has to deal with her love for Ashley Wilkes, her childhood friend, and her attraction towards Rhett Butler, a roguish man with a notorious reputation. Because of this it tends to be classified a 'romance'; but in reality it is so much more than that.

( Longish review under the cut - slight spoilers )

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INDIANAPOLIS—While watching a recent Pacers-Cavaliers game with his 31-year-old son Daniel, Paul Steitzer, 64, began talking about former Jazz and Hawks legend "Pistol" Pete Maravich, marking the sixth time this season that Steitzer has brought up the Hall of Fame point guard from out of nowhere.

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BALTIMORE—Midway through Friday night's quadruple-bypass procedure at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, the celebrated but moody cardiac surgeon...

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Flibanserin, a drug developed unsuccessfully as a treatment for depression, was shown to increase and enhance sex drive in women. What do you...

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At a press conference today, the AGU announced it will not even acknowledge Mike Greenman until he begins dressing better and loses some weight.