SMALL GODS

SMALL GODS

(Discworld #13)

- Terry Pratchett -

Another wonderful Discworld novel. One of the many Pratchett books that is full of funny from front to back. Terry's writing is bang on with Small Gods; endless one liners, hard hitting (hence, hilarious) satire, and a cast of comedic characters...'onna stick' anyone?

As with other Discworld novels, it's not the actual plot that makes this a book you want to tell your friends about (provided they have a similar sense of humour, mind you), it's the rest. The actual plot involves Brutha having his religion challenged by a small God named Om. Om is a tortoise with one follower -  Brutha. But, the journey (a very mocking journey) through a strict religious order, over the desert, around some philosophers, and back is (as it sounds) very entertaining. It's one of those situation where you take a step back, remove yourself emotionally, and take out that 'critical-eye' magnifying glass you ordered on amazon...and laugh at the absurd way religion, philosophy, and democracy run themselves...add in the 'onna stick' street vendor and you've got some good laughs.

Call your Gods and tell them to tell their followers to read this book.

RATING : READ

HIGH LONESOME

HIGH LONESOME

- Louis L'Amour -

In all of the previous L'Amour books I have read the protagonist is always a straight shootin', law abiding, good-right-down-to-the-last-corner-of-their-heart, hardworking cowboy. This book has an outlaw as the main character. You'd think, quite a change?

No.

As it turns out, in the end this outlaw was just as good hearted as the others. A point that Louis points out various times through the book. It's just the way of the Western Man...you gotta love it.

As I mentioned above we have a bank robber. Him and a posse of similar criminals plan to rob a bank that has never been robbed before. The untouchable bank. One located in a town where their civic pride is that their bank has never been robbed. The entire population's second job is to keep watch over this bank...ok, maybe not that far, but, you get the point. This is an impossible mission.

However, there is one weakness: the Sheriff. Him and this bank robber, Considine, were once friends but are now on either side of the law...and they both fought over the same woman. Considine uses this to his advantage. He rides into town, picks a fist fight with the Sheriff and draws a crowd, thereby distracting everyone from the bank, which can now be robbed.

The plan works and the outlaws get away. Then comes the travel through the desert, which I think is L'Amour specialty, where upon they come across some tracks. Turns out there is a young lady and her Father being followed by Apache.

What are the outlaws to do?

Keep running from the law or risk death and capture by staying to help these semi-strangers.

Any decent Western Man would stay.

The ending in this one is great, full of action and suspense...and a bit of a surprise. Definitely ended on a high note. Almost makes you sad when you turn that last page.

RATING : READ

BRAIN RULES FOR BABIES

BRAIN RULES FOR BABIES

How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five

- John Medina -

Just one of the numerous parenting books I've read - first since having our third. So, I consider myself an old hat at the parenting book game. I found this one refreshing and different, yet not overly original on the parenting front.

What makes this book different from the wall of parenting books at the library? This book takes an indepth scientific look at the brain. Medina is a brain scientist guy (neuroscientist?), so it makes sense.

This book delves deep into the nitty-gritty details of how baby brains are made; neurons, systosebisistis (or some similar scientific word)...how all the grey matter connects, how long it actually takes, and what we can do to make things work better. Medina does a great job of taking these very complex topics and putting them into understandable, 'layman's terms'. He throws in some relevant personal anecdotes and research findings (peer reviewed and trustworthy research only).

Medina attempted to give a few guiding principles on how to raise a happy and smart child based on the science he knows about brain growth. However, it felt like one of those books that works well in theory, but, might not prove so well in the real world. The guidance was rather generic and broad, taking into account the wide variety of brains (and personalities) we all have. If you are looking for a specific plan this is not your book.

To sum up his theory - you need to give your baby a stressfree and stable environment, while treating them with empathy...something you've probably run across in other books. The only difference is that this book backs up this theory with hard scientific facts on brain behaviour.

For a parenting book it is very readable and very interesting. I would recommend it. Especially if you only plan on reading a handful of books.

RATING : READ

THE EMPTY LAND

THE EMPTY LAND

- Louis L'Amour -

A boom town springs up in the middle the wild west desert, full to bursting with miners, law abiding traders, and also the outlaws that smell the chance to make a quick buck. The opportunity to create a prosperous settlement is threatened by a gang of drifting thugs who do not think twice about using violence to get their way - killing a couple of Marshalls in the process.

There is only one man who can take them on - Matt Colburn. A good hearted, 'street' smart man with a lightning fast draw. The only concern is that he doesn't think twice about shooting to get his way either.

Is he no better than a murderer himself?

I had the feeling L'Amour was posing this tough question to the reader. It would make for a good debate seeing as Colburn ends up using some questionable methods to rid the town of these outlaws, including; killing, fist fighting, public threats and naming/shaming, and of course the *DRAW* gun battles. But, taken into the context of a lawless community this was all fair game, and it did end up working in the end.

After reading a small pile of L'Amour books I have found this one to be the best so far. There was lots of action and cowboy things, but, more importantly there was something deeper - that ethical question of when is it, if ever, ok to kill?

RATING : READ

*I know it is hard, but, you have to get past the covers on these books. I know they are a bit cheesy, but, as the old saying goes 'never judge a book by it's cover'.

SH*T MY DAD SAYS

SH*T MY DAD SAYS

- Justin Halpern - 

A mix of laugh your a$$ off and the realization that your are not the only one in the world with a strange family. There is so much in this book to laugh at and so much to relate to. I'm sure we've all had those moments where we question what our parents say then laugh till you cry with siblings when retelling it later. Halpern has a great way of sharing his moments like this with us through short stories and straight up quotes. I think it also helps that his Dad uses a lot of profane language.

The 'stuff' his Dad says ranges from almost random thoughts to just annoying jackass sayings. One of the more random quotes I found hilarious was on the topic of lying. It went something like, son do not lie. The worst thing is to be a liar, well actually being a Nazi is worse. So, first being a Nazi, but, then being a liar.

I also laughed so hard at the scene where Halpern's Dad makes a jackass out of himself. It starts off at baseball practice when some kid comes up to Halpern and says, 'my Dad says your Dad is an a*****'.  Halpern is just about to defend his Dad when he is hit hard in the shins by a ball. "Get your head outta your a$$ and pay attention!" The voice - his Father. The ball that hit his shin, on purpose - from his Father. Great timing Dad!

By then end of the book you are left sore from laughing and, strangely, filled with a sense of admiration for Halpern's Dad. Even though he is sometimes a hard ass who should think before he talks it's very apparent he always has the best intentions in mind and truly loves his kids.

RATING : READ

*If you liked this book you may also like : Tuesday with Morrie and Medium Raw. That is the sh*t my library website says. Which is true, I read both and like them.