A Non-Fiction Read for the Fiction Lover

I'm a reader of both fiction and non-fiction, and I usually have one of each going at the same time. However, I know that not everyone enjoys reading non-fiction, and understandably so. The purpose and delivery are often so different from that of fiction, that it's hard to appreciate when you're not used to it. It's hard enough going between different genres of fiction, and it's an even greater leap to cross the fiction/non-fiction barrier.

If you're the fiction lover that's apprehensive about non-fiction books, I highly suggest you start with The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum. The various components in the writing and content work smoothly together to produce a piece of work that a wide variety of readers can enjoy. Like a science book, it lectures and informs about the properties and dangers of different poisons. Like a reverent biography, it follows the careers of two men who forged and shaped the path of forensic medicine and toxicology in this country, Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler. Like a thoughtful piece of sociopolitical commentary, it criticizes the choices of the American government during the Prohibition years, from the ratification of the 18th amendment to its undoing in the 21st amendment. Like an unputdownable thriller, this book takes you on a journey filled with poisoners, suspicious deaths, and dramatic courtroom scenes, and like a properly-written whodunnit it keeps you guessing until the very last minute.

This book reads just like a novel, but another reason I think it's a good first step towards non fiction is its great potential for pointing you in a new direction of interest. Part of the reason non-fiction can be so intimidating is the wide array of topics and the diverse levels of detail within those topics that are available to you. After reading The Poisoner's Handbook, you may discover you have an interest in poisons, or ever chemistry in general. You may also be drawn in by the history and find yourself wanting to know more about The Prohibition. The possibilites are endless, but at the very least, you will have walked away with a pleasant first encounter with non-fiction.

I do hope you pick this book up and give it a try. If you do, come back and let me know how it went!

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

What Makes Us Human?

As some of you may already know, I am a member of several book clubs in real life. On of them is called People, Places, and Perspectives. The books tend to be non-fiction and cover a variety of topics. While I love novels, a good non-fiction book can give me the insight and new perspective that I need from time to time.

The book we discussed was The Most Human Human by Brian Christian. It is based on Christian's experience as a confederate for the Turing test that occurs every year. In a Turing test, a judge sits before a screen and chats with someone for 5 minutes. They then give their best guess as to whether they were chatting with a computer or a human. Pretty cool, right?

Every year, The Most Human Computer prize is awarded to the programmers of the computer that fooled the most judges. Another prize that is given is The Most Human Human, awarded to the human (referred to as the "confederate") that convinced the most judges that they were indeed human.

What is it that separates us from computers? What parts of our dialogue, conversations, and thinking separate us from everything else? For centuries, we have prided ourselves as the only beings that could think, separating ourselves from all other animals. But now that computers can think and make calculations, what separates us from them?

This book was a great read, and the dynamic discussion made it even better. Good food, good company, and a good book -isn't that all we really want out of life? Ok, maybe not all of us.

I really learned a lot from this book. He covered a lot of different topics that I had no idea would tie into the subject, like early philosophy, chess, etc. Some parts are very technical, but skimming them won't hurt. I wouldn't recommend this to someone who has not read much non-fiction because it can be heavy at times. If philosophy and science is your thing, this would be a great read for you.

If you decide to pick it up, let me know what you think! Also, I'm always taking book recommendations, so if you know of a similar book, tell me about it.

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

ROOM by Emma Donoghue

I've heard lots of mixed reviews about this book, but I for one belong to the camp that really enjoyed it. Reading a book narrated by a 5-year-old, not an ordinary one at that, takes some getting used to. However, there really was no other way to tell this story. Part of what makes this book great is the unique perspective Jack has to offer. I think Donogue should be commended on her ability to communicate to her readers the entirety of a situation while still using the plausible perceptions of a 5-year-old. My background is in psychology, mainly social psychology, which is one of the reasons this book was so interesting to me. It is most definitely a tragic premise, one that is very disturbing yet, unfortunately, very possible in our world.

{There are minor spoilers beyond this point, but nothing you wouldn't get from reading the back of the book (which is not something I usually do, hence the warning.)}

What was most interesting to me was Jack's perception of the outside world. You and I, having lived in relative freedom ever since we can remember, would describe Jack's coming out of ROOM as a "rescue" from a "horrible place." But what happens when that is all you've ever know, and it never crossed your mind that it was bad? We are all creatures of habit. What happens when your habits were confined to a small room for the first 5 years of your life and you were suddenly thrust into a world you never knew existed? I think Donoghue did a great job of envisioning the issues that would arise from such a strange situation and how it would affect a child's emotional, cognitive, and physiological development. While my meager 4 years in college hardly makes me an authority on the subject, I found most of Donoghue's speculations to be consistent with what we know about child development.

The book briefly addresses something that had not even occurred to me while reading, but which seemed so obvious once they talked about it. What would your perception of the mother be, and what judgments would you make about her choices? Some of her actions towards the end did not resonate with me, but I thought that she did the best she could with what she had.

I know some people may be hesitant to start a book with such a disturbing and dark concept, but this is ultimately a story of redemption. Delay no further; pick up a copy and report back here, whether you loved it or hated it. If you've already read it, let me know what you though in the comments or post a link to your review.

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

I was originally drawn to this book by its cover. The cover photo is haunting and filled with intrigue. After reading the synopsis on Amazon, it really seemed like my kind of story, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I found myself really enjoying the book, but it left me wanting more. I think Riggs had a great concept with this story, but instead of running with it he sort of cut it short. When I consider the goals he had with the photographs, I can understand why the story was not as epic as it could have been. Riggs had photos from several photograph collectors, and wrote the story around each of these photos. I think the integration of photographs from various collections into a unified concept was brilliant. However, the story really was the star to me. I wish the characters had been developed more, and the plot had much more promise than the resulting product.

Overall, it's a great summer read with an interesting concept. The photographs add an intriguing and fresh element that will appeal to many. I was willing to invest much more in it than it required. I believe it had potential to become a series, but also stands alone well.

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

A Reflection on Bossypants by Tina Fey

See, this is why I don't give point system ratings. Let me explain: If you are a fan of Tina Fey and want to know more about her as a person, read the Wikipedia article about her. If, however, you want to read something very funny and witty that will make a Starbucks frappuccino squirt out your nose, pick up her memoir.

Somehow, Tina Fey (is it weird that I can't call her just Tina or just Fey?) manages to talk about her life while keeping us at more than arm's length. Between reading her memoir and asking the produce guy if they'll have eggplants anytime soon, I feel more of a personal connection to the produce guy. Just to be clear, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Tina Fey's stalkers will be greatly disappointed at the lack of full disclosure, but anyone looking for a good read will be more than satisfied.

It really was hilarious, and her witty and self-depreciating tone was very charming. She did touch on some of  her awkward childhood and college years, being a mom, and much of her professional career. I guess I was wanting to know how she even chose that career. When did she know she was funny? Has she always been funny? Is funny a gene or course you take in college? No answers here.

Overall, this is a great, light read to pick up for summer; just be careful when you have any liquids in your mouth because you *will* laugh out loud.

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body

I read this book for a Science Book Club in my area that I meet with once a month. It was a nice break from our previous book, which was much more technical with its discussions of physics and chemistry. Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream was an easy read, illustrating how your circadian rhythms affect your daily life.

I found myself having to adapt to her style of writing when it comes to a scientific topic because of my background in research, but I really liked it after I let myself enjoy it for what it is. It reads much like a collection of news articles, highlighting the most interesting results while glossing over the details and methods of the research study. This is where I struggled most, since the researcher in me wanted to know about the control groups used and the statistical methods applied to the study, but I realize this text is not the place for those discussions.

 Here are some fun facts from this book:

• The bacteria in your mouth easily outnumber the world's population
• Trace amounts of skatole, the substance that gives feces its foul odor, are used in vanilla flavoring
• 17 hours of sleep deprivation makes you perform as if you had a .05% Blood Alcohol Content
• You put as much as 128 pounds of pressure on your teeth when you chew

Overall, this book is engaging and is something that any one with a high school knowledge of biology can enjoy. If you are more scientifically inclined, know not to expect much scientific detail -just sit back and relax. 

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

Reflection on The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

"Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

Click here to read the blurb on Goodreads.

This novel was such a joy to read. The authors' interesting choice of using a compilation of letters (the more formal term is epistolary) was refreshing and gave the book a very unique perspective. There are certain elements that letters provide that you don't get in the conventional narrative form. I don't remember the last time I wrote a letter, but my guess would be that one would include only bits that were important to them or the reader. This is where each person's individuality shone through. Also, there is no all-knowing narrator, which is common in many books, but there is also no inner dialogue. Everything you're reading is someone's opinion or personal account of an event. This reflects real life a lot and makes the characters seems that much more real.

Along with the quirky, witty, idiosyncratic, lovable characters came a history of an island during the German occupation in the 1940s. It was very eye-opening to read about their hardships and every-day life for 5 years. It made me appreciate what I have and think twice about complaining about my circumstances.

All the members of this society became dear to my heart. You'll love the story of how the society was formed. (No spoilers here.) I loved that the members are so entirely different from one another, yet they are brought together by the thing you and I love most -reading. This book made me realize that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is a reader. They just haven't found the book that's right for them. OR, to reiterate the quote above, maybe the right book hasn't found *them* yet.

All in all, this book was a quick read and very enjoyable. I still find myself looking forward to reading it, only to remember that I've finished it.

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

A Reflection on The Art of Racing in the Rain

Last night I finished The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Let me tell you that I was misty-eyed throughout the whole book, but I was a gross ball of torrential tears by the end. On my last post, I introduced you to Enzo, the endearing, relatable, wise-beyond-his-species canine of a narrator. Enzo takes us through his life, from the moment he was chosen by his master and friend, Denny, among a litter of puppies, through all of Denny's hardships, joys, defeats, and victories. Enzo holds strongly to the belief that his next life will be as a man, resisting animal instincts as much as caninely possible, proving to himself and, perhaps, to fate that he is ready to be a man. Enzo truly is the best friend a man can have, protecting Denny's wife, Eve, and daughter, Zoe as much as he can.

This is such a powerful account of loyalty, friendship, hope, and faith. Denny is also a great character. As he goes through his many trials, you can't help but be infuriated by the unfair circumstances thrust upon him. You are also inspired and uplifted by his will and determination to not be broken; when he falters, Enzo is there guiding him and rooting him on with his gestures.

 There were so many good quotes from this book, as my frequent Kindle posts on my Facebook page can prove. This is easily one of my favorite books of all time. It is such an easy read, yet so profound and heartwarming. There are many references to racecar driving, as that is what Denny does, but they are integrated beautifully and seamlessly into the book. I knew absolutely nothing about racecars (cars in general, really), but reading Enzo's passion and enthusiasm for a human sport was invigorating.

Add it to your to-read list! Although it's an easy read, you may not want to read this at the beach or in any other public place where you are afraid of being judged, because you WILL cry (assuming you have a soul).

Love and (a book) light,

~Dorothy

A Reflection on Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Spoiler Rating: 3/5 No major spoilers, but read at your own risk.


As I mentioned in the Introductions post, I don't like to view these blurbs as reviews but as reflections. Such a commitment is that much easier when the writing is flawless, brilliant, and above critique. (Okay, that did sound a bit like a review, but that's as much as I'll ever say.) That being said, I was absolutely moved by this novel. 


You know how there are characters that you get attached to in a book, and by the end you feel like they're your best friend? Lily is that character. You follow her as she recounts her life of sorrow and tragedy, friendship and betrayal. She takes you to 19th century China with vivid images of the culture and society and the secret language of Nushu. You find yourself stepping into a different time and place with such ease and familiarity that we all seek in a book. 
Lily's friendship with Snow Flower is one of the most highly regarded relationships that one could have in their culture. They were matched at a young age, and their lives are forever intertwined. Together, they encounter deaths of loved ones, footbinding, marriage, famines, and war. 


My heart broke many times during this novel. I usually get emotionally invested in whatever book I'm reading, but the tragedy and sorrow of reality in this piece was especially moving. It is written as Lily's reflection of her whole life (which you learn within the first couple pages), and this perspective added another emotional element. It made me think of what I would say when I'm old and trying to write a story about my life. What things would stand out? What events would matter? What would I regret? I'm glad that I was able to take a step back, and see my life through Lily's eyes.


This book is for you if: you like learning about different times and cultures, and if you are moved by the power of friendship.

A Reflection on Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Spoiler Rating: 2/5 Nothing you won't learn by reading the back of the book.

Sarah's Key is a wonderful, uplifting, heartbreaking novel about a woman's quest to find a survivor of the Vel d'Hiv roundup of 1942 in Paris. (Click here to purchase the book from Barnes & Noble or to read a synopsis.) 

If Vel d'Hiv rings no bells for you, you're not alone. It was the first time I had ever heard of France's active involvement in one of the most horrifying events in history: the Holocaust. It was also the first time that American journalist, Julia Jarmond, fully grasped the horror of the events Paris during 1942. She soon becomes consumed by her connection to one of the Vel d'Hiv survivors, Sarah Starzynski, and embarks on a journey to find her.

It was very difficult for me to read some parts knowing that even though this is a novel, what Sarah went through is what thousands of Parisian Jews experienced that year. It is through stories like this that I begin to question our humanity, both then, in the actions of French soldiers and the inactions of French citizens, and now, in our ignorance and indifference of and towards the events of that year. It seems like an episode of T w i l i g h t  Z o n e -thousands of people murdered and, less than a century later, forgotten. Maybe I am being unfair; surely some people remember. One thing is for sure, the silence of the victims is deafening. But alas, I have strayed from the book.

I found myself asking "Why?" many times throughout this book. (If you decide to read it, you'll see exactly why.) Why are some consumed with the need to know while others turn a blind eye and are content with ignorance? Why do we make the choices we do? 
Julia asks a lot of "why" questions, too. Fortunately for her, she gets a lot of answers. The beauty of everything is that in searching for Sarah, Julia finds herself. I wish all tragedies led to salvation, if only a few decades too late.

From Sarah's Key, I learned that just because you come out of something alive, it doesn't mean you survived; just because you escaped, it doesn't mean you are free. It reminded me how delicate the healing process is; it requires time, love, and whole-hearted acceptance from the ones you love, among other things.

Overall, I highly recommend it. There is something in this book for everyone whether it's healing, forgiveness, understanding, or like Julia, meaning.