Review: Monsters in America by W. Scott Poole

Title: Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting

Author: W. Scott Poole

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Monsters are not just fears of the individual psyche, historian Scott Poole explains, but are concoctions of the public imagination, reactions to cultural influences, social change, and historical events. Conflicting anxieties about race, class, gender, sexuality, religious beliefs, science, and politics manifest as haunting beings among the populace. From Victorian-era mad scientists to modern-day serial killers, new monsters appear as American society evolves, paralleling fluctuating challenges to the cultural status quo. Consulting newspaper accounts, archival materials, personal papers, comic books, films, and oral histories, Poole adroitly illustrates how the creation of the monstrous 'other' not only reflects society's fears but shapes actual historical behavior and becomes a cultural reminder of inhuman acts."

Thoughts: What makes a monster a monster? More importantly, what is the definition of a monster? In Monsters in America, Scott Poole asks these thought-provoking questions while traveling through American history following the evolution of the monster over time.

Separated by significant eras in American history, a reader gets a clear picture of how the definition of a monster changes depending on the cultural and political events of an era. Poole presents his findings methodically through well-documented facts and similar studies. Starting with the Puritan era and the fear of witches and ending with the modern-day fascination with the monsters within us, i.e. serial killers, each generation faced its own challenges and highlighted its fear within its own monsters. Especially enlightening is the the animistic portrayal and subsequent fear of African-Americans that has permeated society since they were first brought to the Americas on slave ships. What's worse is how these monster images exist even until today.

Mr. Poole's evidence is as intriguing as it is informative. It is an alternative view of history through something that is not necessarily studied in such depth and over such a long period of time. Monsters highlight both the positives and negatives in any society, and as such, require the reader to open one's mind and accept that the history taught in history books may not be the truth. The fear of anything not considered "normal" or not well-understood - e.g. Indians, the physically disabled, African-Americans, deep-sea animals or mammals, science - is a powerful motivator and caused society to vilify those that do not fit the acceptable mold. Anything outside the norm brought about the birth of a monster, which can differ depending on the social, economic, cultural, or political influences of the time.

After reading Monsters in America, a reader will view monsters in a completely different light. No longer just something that goes bump in the night, Mr. Poole showcases that monsters have more meaning and shed more insight into society than one might have previously suspected. Well-written and engaging, Monsters in America is a must-read for anyone fascinated by history or monsters or both.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Kelly Hughes from Dechant-Hughes for my review copy!

Review: Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck

Title: Tortilla Flat

Author: John Steinbeck

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Like the knights of the Round Table, the dreamers who gather at Danny's house share joy and fellowship, triumphs and sorrows."

Thoughts: I confess that I am not a John Steinbeck fan. I find his work to be utterly depressing and uninspiring. I know I am in the minority here, so I am always on the lookout for a novel of his that will help me see why others consider him one of America's best writers. Unfortunately, Tortilla Flat is not that novel.

Tortilla Flat is the story about a group of men who all come together in friendship and in drink. They have no money, no jobs, and no ambition. They do have each other, but that does not make for an interesting novel. Instead, one is left questioning the point that Steinbeck was trying to make. Is it a character sketch? Is it an allegory? I honestly did not care to figure it out.

Don't get me wrong. Danny and his group understand the meaning of friendship in ways that are touching and yet hilarious. They do their best to protect each other and gladly share their good fortunes. Yet, a reader wishes that their fortunes involved earning and drinking more than a gallon or two of wine. It is a scenario that quickly becomes redundant.

The one thing Tortilla Flat does have going for it is the fact that it is completely unlike most of his other works. There is no morality story or expose of conditions of life for the underprivileged. Still, other than a picture of friendship, Tortilla Flat does not offer the reader much in the way of actual plot or action. Steinbeck fans will be impressed by his deviation from his standard writing. Those who remain on the fence about Steinbeck's supposed genius will do well to leave this one alone.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Audiobook Review: The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum

Title: The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

Author: Deborah Blum

Narrator: Coleen Marlo

Audiobook Length: 9 hours, 15 minutes

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"In early twentieth-century New York, poisons offered an easy path to the perfect crime. Science had no place in the Tammany Hall-controlled coroner's office, and corruption ran rampant. However, with the appointment of chief medical examiner Charles Norris in 1918, the poison game changed forever. Together with toxicologist Alexander Gettler, the duo set the justice system on fire with their trailblazing scientific detective work, triumphing over seemingly unbeatable odds to become the pioneers of forensic chemistry."

Thoughts: The Poisoner's Handbook is a fascinating expose on the evolution of poisons and the forensic science behind exposing death by poison. Poisons were ubiquitous throughout the Jazz Age because of an inability to identify murder by poison. Through the use of detailed scientific experiments and conscientious deductive reasoning, Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler changed the face of the coroner's office and forensic science forever.

Each chapter is divided by poison, with stories highlighting real cases of its use, the damage it causes, and what it took for Norris and Gettler to be able to definitively determine deaths caused by the highlighted substance. The substances range from arsenic to cyanide to radium to wood alcohol, with detailed descriptions of the effect of each poison on the human body. They are as scary as it is spellbinding.

In addition to being a collection of medical case studies, The Poisoner's Handbook is also a history lesson about Prohibition. While almost everyone will agree what a significant failure Prohibition was at eliminating drinking and curtailing the alcohol industry, what most people do not know are the substances people were willing to put into their body in lieu of the illegal alcohol. This introduction to the true dangers of Prohibition provides some of the most captivating content in the entire novel.

Colleen Marlo was an appropriate narrator for this nonfiction audiobook that reads like fiction. Earnest and matter-of-fact, she details the horrors of certain poisons without becoming melodramatic. Her voice is pleasant and provides easy listening while maintaining the seriousness of the subject matter.

The Poisoner's Handbook was as entertaining as it was enlightening. Anyone interested in history, science, medicine or true-life crime stories will be delighted by Ms. Blum's presentation of one little-known aspect of the Jazz Age.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

The Sunday Salon - November 27, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! I hope everyone has been enjoying their time with their loved ones, eating great food and just relaxing. We spent the weekend in Illinois with my family, watching The Muppets and lots and lots of football. Of course, there may have been some overeating involved too, but 'tis the season, right?

The big trip is tomorrow. I think I am prepared. I ended up having to complete two weeks' of work in three days. Somehow, I managed to finish it all. Well, I know how I finished everything; it's called no lunches and twelve-hour work days. After those three days, I know I am ready for anything and am even looking forward to the opportunity to get away for the craziness of this pending week, as people panic and speculate and worry about the official changeover, which happens on Thursday.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I kept it light for reviews this week. I figured everyone was going to be too busy shopping or recovering from their food comas to pay attention to blogs this week. I did review the following:

• Three-Ten to Yuma by Elmore Leonard (audiobook)
• When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
• Children of Paranoia by Trevor Shane (audiobook)

Since I will be spending at least twenty-four hours on the road this week, I am hoping to get through at least one chunkster to finish up the What's In a Name Challenge for the year. It means bringing a huge print copy with me, but the opportunity is too good to overlook.

That's about it for me. We need to get on the road to get home early enough for me to wash clothes, pack and prepare for the big trip. Have a great week, everyone. Happy reading!

Thanksgiving 2011

Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!

Audiobook Review: Children of Paranoia by Trevor Shane

Title: Children of Paranoia

Author: Trevor Shane

Narrator: Steven Boyer, Emma Galvin

Audiobook Length: 12 hours, 11 minutes

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"ALL WARS HAVE RULES.

Rule Number One: No killing innocent bystanders.

Rule Number Two: No killing anyone under the age of eighteen.

BREAK THE RULES, BECOME THE TARGET.

Since the age of eighteen, Joseph has been assassinating people on behalf of a cause that he believes in but doesn't fully understand. The War is ageless, hidden in the shadows, governed by a rigid set of rules, and fought by two distinct sides-one good, one evil. The only unknown is which side is which. Soldiers in the War hide in plain sight, their deeds disguised as accidents or random acts of violence amidst an unsuspecting population ignorant of the brutality that is always inches away.

Killing people is the only life Joseph has ever known, and he's one of the best at it. But when a job goes wrong and he's sent away to complete a punishingly dangerous assignment, Joseph meets a girl named Maria, and for the first time in his life his single-minded, bloody purpose fades away."

Thoughts: Children of Paranoia is like the love child of Franz Kafka and Jeff Lindsay, of Dexter fame. A reader is taken on a whirlwind of a ride, where answers are few and far between, and all anyone really knows is just what few answers exist. Not for the faint of heart, even through the graphic nature of the killings a reader maintains a level of sympathy and respect for Joseph because he really does believe he is on the right side. After Joseph meets Maria and his world turns upside-down, sympathy turns into empathy, and the heart of the novel grows in strength.

War is a powerful motivator. More importantly, can anyone say that they ever truly understand the causes of or motivation behind wars while they are being fought? While some may be skeptical of Joseph’s blind following of his leaders and enthusiasm for his job, there is one particular scene that is extremely telling in its use of propaganda and emotion used to instill conviction in new recruits. One could even take this scene and its lessons one step further and identify it as the clever warning it is. Mr. Shane does not hit the reader over the head with his politics, but a reader is left with no doubts as to the concerns Mr. Shane does have about the manipulation of people by its governments.

The format of the novel is both unique and a great communication tool that only serves to intrigue the reader. It is not apparent, at least on audio, that Joseph is telling his story via journal entries, and this confusion adds to the reader’s sense of unease, which in turn builds even more tension. Through the use of the journal entries, Joseph is able to maintain his emotional distance while obtaining a level of intimacy with the audience that is more believable than an omniscient third-person narrator or even if Joseph had been “talking” to his audience directly.

The two narrators, Steven Boyer and Emma Galvin, are perfect in their roles. Mr. Boyer plays an excellent Joseph, as he is able to convey the dispassionate, almost ruthless demeanor appropriate for an assassin but lets the emotional turmoil with which Joseph struggles creep into various words and phrases. Ms. Galvin’s performance is simply heartbreaking. The switch in the narrative is a brilliant stroke on the part of Mr. Shane, and having two narrators capitalizes on this change to eke out as much emotion and pathos as possible. Combined, their performances make Children of Paranoia one of the better audiobooks of the year.

Children of Paranoia is an adrenaline rush of the best kind. The final chapters leave the reader simultaneously sobbing and pumped up, ready for action. The ending is at once a suitable conclusion to this thrilling read while also leaving the reader breathless in anticipation for the next novel is this amazing trilogy. It is going to be a long wait to find out what happens next.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Review: When She Woke by Hillary Jordan

Title: When She Woke

Author: Hillary Jordan

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Hannah Payne's life has been devoted to church and family, but after her arrest, she awakens to a nightmare: she is lying on a table in a bare room, covered only by a paper gown, with cameras broadcasting her every move to millions at home, for whom observing new Chromes — criminals whose skin color has been genetically altered to match the class of their crime — is a new and sinister form of entertainment. Hannah is a Red; her crime is murder. The victim, according to the State of Texas, was her unborn child, and Hannah is determined to protect the identity of the father, a public figure with whom she's shared a fierce and forbidden love.

When She Woke is a fable about a stigmatized woman struggling to navigate an America of a not-too-distant future — where the line between church and state has been eradicated and convicted felons are no longer imprisoned and rehabilitated but chromed and released back into the population to survive as best they can. In seeking a path to safety in an alien and hostile world, Hannah unknowingly embarks on a path of self-discovery that forces her to question the values she once held true and the righteousness of a country that politicizes faith."

Thoughts: When She Woke is a simultaneously horrifying and inspiring novel about finding inner strength. It serves as a warning to those paying attention to the increasing politicization of faith as well as a reminder that blind faith and self-righteousness can be as dangerous as anything else out there. In a country that has never truly overcome its prejudices to skin color, Hannah’s experiences as a Red are disturbing and yet all too familiar.

The topics are heady - capital punishment, abortion, murder, faith, obedience, and choice - and they all deserve, nay require, open dialogue to allow citizens to take back the reigns from befuddled Washington politicians. Of even more importance, as the lines between church and state become increasingly blurred due to a growing conservative, right-wing government, When She Woke serves as a wake-up call and a reminder of why the two were separated in the first place.

Ms. Jordan deserves a huge round of applause for her ability to tackle such controversial subjects directly. Regardless of one's opinion of abortion, Ms. Jordan ensures that all readers sympathize with Hannah and the choices she felt she was required to make due to the weak men that surround her, of which there are many. Hannah's experiences as a Chrome will force the reader to reevaluate his or her stance on capital punishment. As Hannah starts to grow and discover her strengths, she inadvertently shines a spotlight on the hypocrisy that occurs through blind and absolute faith.  If ever one wanted confirmation that women do not need men to survive, or even that the world would be a better place if it were run by women, When She Woke is it.

Set aside the politics and When She Woke is still an incredible novel of survival in a world that is unforgiving. Hannah endears herself to the reader through her initial naivety, her struggle to survive in a world for which she is hopelessly unprepared, and her growing self-awareness. It is a story that lingers, as the reader applies the lessons Hannah learns to oneself.

More than anything, When She Woke is truly about female empowerment. Through her punishment for her crime, Hannah develops a capacity to cope and survive that previously had been frowned upon, if not outright forbidden, by everyone in her life - her parents, her church, her lover. Eerily prescient of the most recent elections and the defeated life at conception amendment in Mississippi, Ms. Jordan's timeliness serves to drive home the cautionary tale behind When She Woke.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

Audiobook Review: Three-Ten to Yuma by Elmore Leonard

Title: Three-Ten to Yuma

Author: Elmore Leonard

Narrator: Henry Rollins

Audiobook Length: 33 minutes

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Trust was rare and precious in the wide-open towns that sprung up like weeds on America's frontier — with hustlers and hucksters arriving in droves by horse, coach, wagon, and rail, and gunmen working both sides of the law, all too eager to end a man's life with a well-placed bullet."

Thoughts: Three-Ten to Yuma was recommended to me as a great audiobook. As westerns are not my usual genre, and I have never seen the movie, I was not certain what to expect. What I found was a suspenseful short story that packed a lot of drama into a very small amount of time.

As a short story, there is no character development, no big insights into the characters’ thought processes. The entire story itself hinges on one main, rather simplistic, plot point: a sheriff is trying to get his detainee, an infamous outlaw, onto a train without getting killed by the outlaw’s friends or without the detainee escaping. The story itself starts out with no explanation, and the reader is left to fill in the details through clues in the dialogue. There is even the surprise addition of philosophical discussions on why one works and continues in the face of great odds. This discussion helps to build the tension, which increases subtly until it reaches the climactic moment by the train.

Henry Rollins is a great choice for narrator of this gruff little story. He does not add nor detract from the unfolding drama. Better yet, his voice contains the perfect world weariness and cynicism to vocalize both the detainee and the sheriff.

Short stories and westerns are not my thing, but Three-Ten to Yuma was a great way to break out into a different genre and different format. The story was engaging enough to keep my interest in spite of my dubiousness at the overall subject matter. I felt sympathy for both the sheriff and the detainee, who were both just trying to do their jobs. Three-Ten to Yuma is definitely a little story that packs a punch.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

The Sunday Salon - November 18, 2011

It has been another exciting week here in the Shannon household. For those who are checking in for the first time this week, what do you think of the revamps? All the kudos goes to April from April Showers Designs, about whom I cannot rave enough. She did an excellent job, don't you think?

Thank you for all the well wishes last week. Everyone is definitely 100 percent better. In fact, Jim is feeling so well he headed down to Texas to visit with his family for a long weekend. Yes, that means I am by myself again with the pup, but he'll get his soon enough.

The countdown to new ownership is in full swing, and rumors are flying after more than half the staff visited the new headquarters in Beloit, Wisconsin this week. As for me, I was told on Monday that I was needed in Kerry Mexico. They wanted me to head down last week and then the week of Thanksgiving. we finally agreed on the Monday after Thanksgiving. To say I was rattled and freaking out is a bit of an understatement. I have never been to Mexico, I do not speak Spanish, and I will be traveling by myself. I will also be leaving as a Cargill employee and coming back home as a Kerry employee; I will be missing the last day events as well as the Day One events planned. I am a little bummed and nervous. If anyone has any helpful hints about a business trip in San Juan del Rio, Mexico, I am all ears!

Is everyone ready for Thanksgiving? We are heading to Illinois to celebrate the holiday and spend the weekend with my family. It is almost unbelievable that we are in the final weeks of the year. I am not necessarily sorry to see it end; it has been one hell of a year. Still, I am not quite prepared for winter or the holidays. I still have Halloween decor out, and as of yesterday hadn't switched out my winter and summer clothes yet. Sometimes, I wish we could freeze time so I could get caught up on everything I want to do without missing out on more of life.

It was another week of eclectic reviews. Did you check out all the bookish goodness?

• The Taste of Salt by Martha Southgate
• Sybil Exposed by Debbie Nathan
• Ashfall by Mike Mullin
• The Winters in Bloom by Lisa Tucker

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday, resting up before Turkey Day (for those here in the United States). Happy reading!

Review: The Winters in Bloom by Lisa Tucker

Title: The Winters in Bloom

Author: Lisa Tucker

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Together for over a decade, Kyra and David Winter are happier than they ever thought they could be. They have a comfortable home, stable careers, and a young son, Michael, who they love more than anything. Yet because of their complicated histories, Kyra and David have always feared that this domestic bliss couldn’t last - that the life they created was destined to be disrupted. And on one perfectly average summer day, it is: Michael disappears from his own backyard.

The only question is whose past has finally caught up with them: David feels sure that Michael was taken by his troubled ex-wife, while Kyra believes the kidnapper must be someone from her estranged family, someone she betrayed years ago.

As the Winters embark on a journey of time and memory to find Michael, they will be forced to admit these suspicions, revealing secrets about themselves they’ve always kept hidden. But they will also have a chance to discover that it’s not too late to have the family they’ve dreamed of; that even if the world is full of risks, as long as they have hope, the future can bloom."

Thoughts: The Winters in Bloom is a chilling portrait of a modern family and how they react when their greatest fear is realized. As the story goes back and forth from David and Kyra's memories to their present-day sufferings, the reader is left to guess as to Michael's whereabouts and to the identity of his kidnapper. Ms. Tucker explores the long-lasting impact of secrets on relationships.

Kyra and David are so filled with fear that they make one uncomfortable. How they can say they are living life is completely questionable. As for the impact of their fears on Michael, one's heart goes out to him for being hampered by his parents' rules, which do nothing to protect him in the end anyway. In seeing Kyra and David's rules through Michael's eyes, the reader is left questioning whether Michael's parents are causing more harm than good.

As for the much-touted secrets harbored by both Kyra and David, they are decidedly anti-climactic. Both are so scared, that the reader's expectations are artificially raised. The secrets, when finally exposed, are serious but nothing that would require keeping it private from everyone, at least in my opinion. The reader can all but feel the tension leave the story after the big reveal as a result.

There is something fundamentally lacking in The Winters in Bloom that prevented me from enjoying the novel as much as I hoped. Considering a large majority of the action dealt around keeping secrets from loved ones, I struggled finding common ground with any of the characters. I do not buy the fact that two people who are supposedly so in love would hide such secrets for such a long time. The fact that they do is ultimately the root of all their problems and is depressing for how avoidable it all is. While I understand that this is the point, it is a rather gloomy image of trust in relationships that forces the book to fall flat for me.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Atria Books for my review copy!

So, what do you think?

Ever since I started blogging, I have absolutely adored the look of those blogs with custom avatars in their headers. I just love the idea of injecting an extra little slice of personality. While I have had a lot of blog headers over the past few years, I missed having me in there. The original dahlia was pretty but not very bookish. The second header I had added a little more personality but it was too clunky. The one I've had the longest has definitely been the most simplistic, and as much as I love it, the ponytail on the silhouette bothered me. I have never had long hair, and it has been years, if not a decade or more, since I have been able to put my hair into a ponytail. Silly, I know, but my blog is me, and I want it to reflect who I am in every aspect.

Enter April from April Showers Design Studio. She patiently listened to what I was hoping to achieve and, based on a few photos of me, knocked it out of the park on the first try. After almost three years, I finally have an avatar of my very own that looks like me. There are a few other changes too that are subtle but dovetail all of my previous designs together nicely. I am absolutely thrilled with the new look for That's What She Read. I hope you like it too!

REVIEW - Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Title: Ashfall

Author: Mike Mullin

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Many visitors to Yellowstone National Park dont realize that the boiling hot springs and spraying geysers are caused by an underlying supervolcano, so large that the caldera can only be seen by plane or satellite. And by some scientific measurements, it could be overdue for an eruption.

For Alex, being left alone for the weekend means having the freedom to play computer games and hang out with his friends without hassle from his mother. Then the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, plunging his hometown into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence. Alex begins a harrowing trek to search for his family and finds help in Darla, a travel partner he meets along the way. Together they must find the strength and skills to survive and outlast an epic disaster."

Thoughts: Out of all the apocalypse books that exist, Ashfall and the supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park hits home as an extremely possible scenario. Mr. Mullin's post-eruption world is frightening in its realism. Add to that the growth of a self-absorbed teenage boy, a population that has lost almost all vestiges of humanity, unimaginable trials and tribulations, and the early stages of a poignant love affair and Ashfall is one hot addition to a growing list of excellent YA novels.

Mr. Mullin does not shy away from the fact that his hero is still a boy. Alex's reactions to certain events are short-sighted and childish, especially given the circumstances in which he finds himself. Because of this, Alex is not always an enjoyable hero. This only serves to make the entire story more believable, as a sixteen-year-old is not expected to act 100 percent responsibly at all points in time during a catastrophe and proves that he has much room for growth and improvement.

Mr. Mullin's post-eruption Iowa is as bleak and stark as one would envision. His ability to paint a picture with words is impressive, if simplistic. He chooses, however, to spend a large majority of the time allowing the reader to get into the mind of Alex, which only serves to further build the connection between the reader and the hero.

Having met Mr. Mullin at the GLiBA trade show this past October, and having seen firsthand his proficiency at tae kwan do, it was quite amusing to read about Alex's own skills at this sport. It definitely comes in handy in certain scenarios. I can envision quite a few boys taking up the sport after reading Ashfall.

In all, I was quite impressed with Mr. Mullin's debut novel. While it presents a bleak picture of humanity in the face of a life-changing global event, it offers enough hope to want to read more. However, for those who are loathe to start yet another series, it does end with enough answered questions and resolved conflicts to satisfy most readers. For those who are interested in seeing what life may be like if or when the volcano at Yellowstone erupts, Ashfall presents a realistic and frightening picture of what may be in store for the Midwest.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to GLiBA for my copy!

REVIEW - Sybil Exposed by Debbie Nathan

Title: Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case

Author: Debbie Nathan

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"A bestselling book published in 1973, and a television movie starring Sally Field and Joanne Woodward, Sybil was both a pop culture phenomenon and a revolutionary force in the therapeutic industry. Sybil sold more than 6 million copies worldwide and influenced the way millions of people, young and old, saw themselves, their families, their sexuality, and their own psyches. Before Sybil was published, there had been fewer than 200 known cases of multiple personality disorder in history; afterwards, approximately 40,000 people were diagnosed with it in just a few years. Now in her news-breaking book, journalist Debbie Nathan gives proof that the supposed “true” story was largely fabricated.

Sybil Exposed combines fascinating, near mythic drama with serious journalism to reveal what really powered the legend: a trio of women—the willing patient, her devoted shrink, and the ambitious journalist who spun their story into bestseller gold. Nathan followed an enormous trail of papers, records, photos, and tapes to unearth the lives of these three women and tell the real tale. The result is an intensely fascinating portrait not just of the pop culture phenomenon, but of the complex psychological factors that primed the nation to receive it."

Thoughts: Sybil Exposed is an absolutely fascinating look at the field of psychiatry in the 1940s and 1950s and a heart-wrenching dive into the absolute power psychiatrists hold over their patients. Misunderstanding the workings of the human mind, or a lack of ethics on the part of the doctor can result in horrible mental damage to a patient. If anything, Sybil Exposed serves as a warning to listen to one's inner voice about any doctor. If one feels worse after obtaining treatment of any kind, then it is probably time to seek a new doctor!

While there is no doubt that Ms. Nathan prepared thoroughly before writing this expose, one cannot help but notice the complete bias that she portrays towards her subject matter. Her anger and disgust at all three participants - Sybil, her doctor, and the author of the novel itself, are palpable with every word. This diminishes the story she is trying to tell because the reader cannot help but wonder how much her vendetta against those involved fueled her research. Such non-fiction novels should be devoid of bias and the feelings of disgust on the part of Ms. Nathan make the entire work uncomfortable reading.

That being said, there is no wonder why Ms. Nathan is as indignant as she is throughout her story. What Sybil is forced to experience, all in the name of medical science and posited as a cure, is absolutely horrifying. To suggest that Dr. Wilbur maliciously intended to harm Shirley Mason, the real Sybil, however, seems a bit of a stretch, no matter what "facts" Ms. Nathan presents. Similarly, one doubts that Flora Schreiber, as the author of the best-selling book, is the money-grubbing soulless author that Ms. Nathan makes her out to be. If anything, all three were victims of the times, wherein a new psychological disorder was both fascinating and extremely lucrative.

A reader finishes Sybil Exposed with nothing but pity at all those involved. Shirley Mason earns the most as the hapless patient. She wanted nothing more than to be cured of these supposed alternate personalities and put her faith and trust in her doctor, as we all would in a similar situation. Dr. Wilbur comes out as the true criminal of the story, but one cannot help but believe that Ms. Nathan also does her a disservice. Yes, she violates the most essential of doctor-patient rules, but a reader cannot help but feel that she honestly thought she was helping more than she was harming her patients. The understanding of the human brain and human medicine in general were not advanced far enough for her to be able to understand clearly what damage she was wreaking. As for Ms. Nathan's attack of Ms. Schreiber, it is also understandable, if not a bit too extreme. Yes, she falsified "facts" to better serve the plot of her book, but she is not the only author to be accused of playing loose with the truth.

Sybil Exposed is an extremely enlightening read, even if the vilification of each person involved is a bit too extreme. Ms. Nathan's vendetta against the three participants is too noticeable for the book to be considered good, and unbiased, nonfiction. This is unfortunate, as the story she exposes is immensely interesting and a great warning on the dangers of any medical treatment given without complete understanding of the illness.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to NetGalley and Giselle Roig from Free Press for my e-galley!

REVIEW - The Taste of Salt by Martha Southgate

Title: The Taste of Salt

Author: Martha Southgate

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Josie Henderson loves the water and is fulfilled by her position as the only senior-level black scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. In building this impressive life for herself, she has tried to shed the one thing she cannot: her family back in landlocked Cleveland. Her adored brother, Tick, was her childhood ally as they watched their drinking father push away all the love that his wife and children were trying to give him. Now Tick himself has been coming apart and demands to be heard.

Weaving four voices into a beautiful tapestry, Southgate charts the lives of the Hendersons from the parents' first charmed meeting to Josie's realization that the ways of the human heart are more complex than anything seen under a microscope."

Thoughts: The Taste of Salt is one of those novels that requires time to sit and stew on what was just read. The power of the novel only comes after the reader has had time to reflect. While it could be construed as depressingly realistic in its portrayal of family and addiction, there is an underlying beauty that rises to the top after time.

The name of the novel itself is a subtle hint to the pleasures and pain that await the reader. Salt itself can be delicious and necessary for life. At the same time, too much of it can be deadly. Salt, in this instance, can symbolize anything that is simultaneously good and bad for you - family, love, booze. In this instance, Josie's own love of the ocean is both a hindrance and a boon for her. She uses her position to keep her distance from her estranged father and her beloved brother as he spirals downward. Yet, she also uses it to maintain a tremendous chip on her shoulder about her position as a lone black female in a white male-dominated field. This chip also impacts her relationship with her family and with her husband and prevents the reader from completely sympathizing with her.

No one in The Taste of Salt is completely without guilt at the eventual outcomes of certain plot points. Therein lies the strength of the novel, as it forces the reader to question his or her own relationships and biases that one carries and that impact those relationships. Ms. Southgate also shines a light on the messiness of family and how interdependent family members are on one another. One simple hurt can impact familial relationships forever. It is a stark reminder that family is all that one has in the end and that no matter how far one runs away from them, that link always exists.

The Taste of Salt is a deceptively simple novel that stays with the reader for a long time after finishing it. None of the characters are truly likable, but all readers can relate to Josie's struggle to find her place in her field and balance her need for her family with her disgust for what has occurred. Ms. Southgate captures brilliantly the lack of absolutes that surrounds familial love and guilt. The Taste of Salt is a must-read for those who are interested in a thoughtful novel about family and love.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to GLiBA for my copy!

The Sunday Salon - November 13, 2011

If ever I was feeling inclined to have another child, this week completely disillusioned me to the possibility - not that I was feeling that way. A better way to put it is that this week only confirmed my horror at the thought of another baby. Taking care of the puppy has been a brutal reminder of the fuss and bother, not to mention the sleepless nights. I am definitely anxious for this puppy phase to be over.

In hindsight, last weekend was probably not the best weekend to get a new dog. As adorable as she is, she is a lot of work. Unfortunately, Jim spent the majority of the week working off-shifts as the company performed its annual inventory count, something he was spearheading and in complete control. This meant almost every evening by myself. Adding to that was the fact that Jim got horribly ill towards the latter half of the week - fevers of 103, the shakes, complete exhaustion, no appetite. So, when he was home, he was in bed sleeping. I can't begrudge him the fact that he was ill, but it did make it much more difficult on me. (He's still recovering but is definitely doing better.)

To make matters worse, we ended up going into the ER Vet last Sunday night. We noticed something was wrong when she couldn't go more than two steps without squatting and trying to pee. When she started whimpering non-stop, we knew we had to do something. So, after putting the kids to bed, Jim and I bundled her up and heading to the closest emergency pet care hospital in the area, thirty minutes away. That was a three-hour trip for a bladder infection. We also had the "pleasure" of watching two families grieve over the loss of their beloved pets. It was an interesting night.

So, the bladder infection did not help with the house-breaking. At all. She appears to be on the mend and is doing much better. I fear that the infection put us a week behind in training her that the backyard is her bathroom. Considering what she was doing to my carpet last Sunday, anything is an improvement. Still, I'll feel better when I know I can trust her for longer than 30 minutes and know she can hold it while in her "house" for longer than two hours.

On top of semi-sleepless nights, half-listening for tell-tale whimpers that indicate she is up and needs to go outside, work keeps moving along. The official Day 1 with the new company is December 1st. Plans are in place, but I still cannot talk to anyone at the new company until after the papers are signed. There are definite benefits to having access to every single trade secret in the company, but there are drawbacks too, this being one of them. There is a ton of posturing and maneuvering as people try to make themselves more powerful, give themselves more responsibility than they actually have in order to give themselves a leg up with the new company. It is SO frustrating and enraging, but I am just biding my time and praying that the new owners realize the truth behind all of this. That is all I can hope for at this point in time.

Being half brain-dead this week made for a slow week on the blog. I did posit some more questions that have been pinging around my brain in a new edition of Inside Michelle's Brain. I also posted reviews for the following:

• Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (audiobook)
• The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev
• The Death Cure by James Dashner

I am winding my way down with review copies. It is not that I have read all of those I have received. It is more that I am ready to read my own books for a while. An occasional review book may pop up from time to time, but from now until the end of the calendar year, I plan to read what I want. I hope this helps me get through some of those books I've been wanting to read forever but have not gotten around to it. I also feel that the holiday season is too hectic enough to through in any more self-induced stress. So, that's my plan for the rest of the year.

REVIEW - The Death Cure by James Dashner

Title: The Death Cure (Maze Runner Trilogy #3)

Author: James Dashner

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.

Will anyone survive the Death Cure?"

Thoughts: If one goes into reading The Death Cure hoping for definite answers, one is going to be severely disappointed. Just as with the first two novels in the series, answers are there but they are so vague that they can be easily missed if a reader is not paying close attention. Then again, perhaps that is the point Mr. Dashner is trying to make - that no one can ever know the truth. If so, it is not a very satisfying lesson in this highly creative but anti-climactic series.

Part of the problem is that Thomas is one of the few Gladers to never get his full memories restored, so the reader is left to continue to question as much as Thomas still does. He has no idea who to trust, and the reader is left as much in the dark as ever. The answers, when they do come, leave the reader as suspicious as ever. Even though the synopsis states that the time for lies is over, it feels as if The Death Cure is as full of lies as ever.

There are a few moments of brilliance as Thomas is forced to make two of the two most difficult decisions a person can ever make. He finally shows signs of the man that he is slated to become. It is a welcome change.

As much as I loved the first two books, I cannot help but feel slightly disappointed with this last novel and the overall series. The demise of certain characters feels too contrived and surprisingly simplistic, as if they were easy ways to resolve looming conflicts. While there were some surprising twists and turns, I wanted more definitive answers. The saving grace is that the ultimate resolution is neither fairy tale-lie nor fantastically artificial. It is as realistic an ending as one could hope for in such a series. In the end, one can only feel satisfied at that.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

REVIEW - The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev

Title: The Tigress of Forli: Renaissance Italy's Most Courageous and Notorious Countess, Caterina Riario Sforza de' Medici

Author: Elizabeth Lev

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"The astonishing life of a long-misunderstood Renaissance virago Wife, mother, leader, warrior. Caterina Riario Sforza was one of the most prominent women in Renaissance Italy - and one of the most vilified. In this glittering biography, Elizabeth Lev reexamines her extraordinary life and accomplishments. Raised in the court of Milan and wed at age ten to the pope's corrupt nephew, Caterina was ensnared in Italy's political intrigues early in life. After turbulent years in Rome's papal court, she moved to the Romagnol province of Forli. Following her husband's assassination, she ruled Italy's crossroads with iron will, martial strength, political savvy - and an icon's fashion sense. In finally losing her lands to the Borgia family, she put up a resistance that inspired all of Europe and set the stage for her progeny - including Cosimo de' Medici - to follow her example to greatness. A rich evocation the Renaissance, The Tigress of Forli reveals Caterina Riario Sforza as a brilliant and fearless ruler, and a tragic but unbowed figure."

Thoughts: The Tigress of Forli covers the life and death of one of the most fascinating women of the Renaissance. While Ms. Lev strives to present as impartial a picture of Caterina as possible, citing both the negative and positive depictions and rumors that occurred both during her life and well after her death, her appreciation for this remarkable woman peeks through her words. A reader is not bothered by this partiality however, as Caterina’s courage and tenacity at standing up to the most powerful and dangerous men of the time are both astonishing and extremely admirable. Caterina Riario Sforza’s exploits are enough to make women everywhere proud to call her a sister.

Using as many written documents, diaries, and portrayals of Caterina as possible, Ms. Lev drives home the challenges Caterina faced as a woman and as a ruler. Ms. Lev does not apologize for Caterina’s seemingly erratic or ruthless behavior at certain crossroads in her life but rather attempts to explain it using the best data available. The reader is left with a very clear picture of this remarkable woman and greater insight into what drove her to make the decisions she made.

Renaissance Italy was an absolute mess, but Ms. Lev does excellent work explaining the factions, betrayals, families, and everything else that comprised Italy during the reign of the Borgias. Understanding these political machinations are not necessary to understanding the novel or anything else but make the entire biography more enjoyable and heighten the reader's admiration for Caterina.

The Tigress of Forli is an excellent example of a biography done right. Enjoyable and easy to read, it has a real-life heroine who, while ruthless and at times vengeful, still manages to inspire modern day women everywhere. Feminism has nothing on Caterina Riario Sforza.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to NetGalley and HMH Galleys for my e-galley!

Inside Michelle's Brain: Writing Expertise

These are my thoughts on various trends that have me rolling my eyes, raising my eyebrows and in general wondering about the state of book blogging. I've discussed readathons, giveaways, blog hops, rules and reasons to start blogging, followers, comments, overdoing guest blogging, and reviewing. 

I was sitting in a conference at work one day, one which was trying to teach me all about becoming a better manager and dealing with difficult employees, and I was struck by this idea of improving oneself. There are literally millions of how-to books out there, as well as employer-sponsored training, that are designed to help one improve one's work skills. In fact, at most places of business, attending such training is all but mandatory. Now, jump to one's personal life. Do we, or do we not, also strive to improve outside of work? We attend classes, seek out lessons, and practice, practice, practice to improve in whatever area we want - cooking, exercise, rock climbing. Is this because we are driven to get better or because of the lure of a challenge?

A few weeks ago, I discussed the importance of having a well-written blog and being professional in everything written. Writing well is a skill that takes time and practice to learn. Then I started thinking, even if a large majority of bloggers never hope to/ plan to/ expect to make any money from blogging, should we or should we not approach blogging in a similar fashion as we do other passions? If I want to be a better cook, I will take cooking lessons and will practice  at home with my family as my guinea pigs. Do I owe it to myself and to my readers to work on improving my writing skills as well? Better yet, if I hope to portray myself as a professional writing hobbyist, can I do this without working on improving my writing? Even if it is just a hobby, does it not necessitate the same drive to improve as in other areas of our lives? If it does not, why not? Why is blogging "just a hobby" but rock-climbing or running is not? Is there such a thing as just a hobby?

I ask this because I do feel that bloggers get a bum rap some times. Everyone from Mommy bloggers to book bloggers to fashion bloggers and beyond are stereotypically viewed as somewhat anti-social, shy people who feel their words are important and feel the need to share them with the Interwebz. In spite of their popularity and power to influence the masses, I feel that certain people still view blogs as whims or delusions of grandeur. It is almost as if no one expects a blogger to strive to improve, and I cannot help but feel that poorly written blogs only perpetuate this stereotype.

I throw these thoughts out there because it is something with which I have wrestled for quite some time now. Having never considered myself a writer, it was an epiphany for me to realize that even though I am not published in the traditional sense, through blogging successfully for almost three years now I really am one. Don't get me wrong; I have no desire to write a novel of any sort. I just want to put forth the best blog posts that I can. Yet blogging is the one area of my life that I have ignored when it comes to self-improvement. Is this fair?  Is this a good representation of who I am, especially when I strive to improve in everything else I do? If I do hope to improve my writing skills, is writing posts enough? Are there other exercises I should be doing?

What do you think?

REVIEW - Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Leviathan

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Narrator: Alan Cumming

Audiobook Length: 8 hours, 20 minutes

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"It is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure….One that will change both their lives forever.”

Thoughts: In Leviathan, Scott Westerfeld combines the popularity of steampunk with history to create an intriguing alternative to the beginnings of World War I. Alternating between Alek’s escape from Austria and those who want to end the possibility of him taking the crown and Deryn’s experiences aboard the Leviathan, the action is non-stop as both are impacted by the looming war.

Unfortunately, in spite of all the drama and tension, the book fell flat. There are relatively large jumps in time that are jolting to the narrative and leave rather gaping holes in the plot. At the same time, the reader does not get the chance to truly get into the minds of either main character. Both Alek and Deryn remain fairly one-dimensional, leaving it difficult for the reader to summon up any sympathy for either of their plights. Adding to all of this is the repetitiveness of the dialogue. While it is understandable for a girl pretending to be a boy to use curse words to help with her “transformation”, the use of the same epithets repeatedly becomes tiresome and difficult to bear. In light of such redundancies, Deryn’s dialogue quickly became irritating and greatly detracts from one’s overall enjoyment of the story.

Thankfully, Mr. Cumming’s performance makes the entire novel worthwhile. I have always admired his ability to capture so many different accents, and Leviathan showcases this ability perfectly. He also shows a true enthusiasm for the story itself, breathing extra emotion and tension into an already action-packed novel. He definitely makes up for the inability to view the drawings that are incorporated in the print version.

Leviathan is fun alternative to the true past. Mr. Westerfeld incorporates enough actual fact to render the majority of the novel plausible, even if the science-fiction portions take some suspension of belief and time to adjust and absorb this alternative world. While Leviathan did not rock my world and leave me awed by its awesomeness, it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

The Sunday Salon - November 6, 2011

We celebrated birthdays galore this week! Gretchen, our beautiful Golden, turned eight on Tuesday. You would think that now that she is officially an elderly dog, she would slow down. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Whenever she is around people, they always comment on "the beautiful puppy". In spite of the gray face, she is eight years going on eight months!

It was Jim's birthday yesterday. Besides his homemade carrot cake and gourmet dinner, his birthday present was the new dog and his new motorcycle, which he picked up in October. We went to his favorite breakfast restaurant this morning as well, since yesterday was a little harried.

Talullah Belle

Being at the vet is tiring!

Speaking of new puppies, we picked her up on Friday night and have fallen in love. She is one of the quietest and happiest dogs I have ever met. Housebreaking her is going to be quite an experience because she does not bark or whine when she is in her crate. Still, Connor absolutely adores her and has been a huge help keeping an eye on her or taking her outside. Holly loves her too but is a little unsure of carrying her. Gretchen has even warmed up to her today. Watching the two of them play together is an exercise in hilarity and patience. It looks so rough, but they are having so much fun. We also took her on her first walk today. At nine weeks old, I didn't think she would be able to go very far. Imagine my surprise when she trotted for an entire mile! I am afraid that I have the one high-energy basset in existence. I know that as she becomes adjusted to her new home and to her new family, she will settle down. In the meantime, the entire family is enjoying our new family member!

I did manage to finish a few books before mayhem ensued this weekend. Here are my reviews in case you missed them the first time:

• The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
• Water for Elephants (the movie)
• The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• Before Versailles by Karleen Koen (audiobook)

With that, I hear that Talullah is awake again. I have a feeling I have more towels to wash. Have a great and relaxing Sunday, everyone. Happy reading!

To my special man

I love you!