Ghost In The Wires

- Kevin Mitnick -

This books makes computer hacking sound super cool & full of action packed adventure (both in the virtual world and the real world). It is a mix between a crime novel and a computer hacker how to guide - great for a geek wannabe like myself.

This is a biography, which means it's laid out from Mitnick's point of view and chronicles his life, obviously paying special attention to the computer hacking parts...which you will find out made up about 110% of his life anyway. It starts out with Kevin's boyhood, which sounded pretty typical for a 'tech-hall' resident - learning the ins and outs of the telephone system to make free calls, modifying your HAM radio to jam the local McDonald's drive thru speakers, driving your computer science teacher nuts by constantly breaking his passwords.

These stories made me root for him to succeed. It was like him against the system, the man, the world...whatever term you use. Using his wits, and dorky knowledge, he managed to pull off lots of small pranks that would never really hurt anyone. Soon it seemed like all Kevin was doing was trying to find ways to get free phone calls, get free Internet, and hack into restricted files. Again, still nothing earthshattering. But, he was getting caught, kicked out of schools, off college campuses yet still he would try to find ways around this - he would just never follow the rules.

Eventually, he went just a bit too far and was rounded up by the FBI and tossed into jail. Since he had been doing this hacking thing for awhile and was very very successful at it he had gained a bit of a reputation. However, his reputation was getting him pinned for crimes he didn't commit. Every big hack the FBI would suspect Mitnick. This rep ended up putting him away for a lot longer than he really should have, had it been another person...oh well, that is how it works sometime right?

So, when he is released do you think he learned his lesson? No, of course not. He continues to hack until he is caught in dramatic fashion and put behind bars for another few years.

The best part of the book was Mitnick explaining exactly how he managed to hack into apparently secure systems. He wouldn't use just his computer, as I would have thought. Most of the time he 'social engineered' (his term) people, i.e. he tricked them into giving him information or access. He had many tricks. It would start by finding out tons of info on whatever company he was going to hack. He'd call and gather a few bits of jargon he could use, or a name of someone important he could use later. Then he'd keep calling different people and trick them into giving passwords. For eg, he'd call someone and say he was from the IT dept, throw in a bunch of internal jargon, mention a name, and find out whatever he needed. "Hey it's Bob from ESIT, the BPS is down and we need to run the BOPS. John Doe (a Sr. Executive) needs the system up for an big client meeting. I see your BOPSS system is running, but I'm getting an error while trying to patch in a fix. Is your password still 1234?....no? Ok, let me know what it is and I'll patch in the fix and call you back". Mitnick had this whole ingenious system for tricking people, oh sorry 'socially engineering'.

The overarching story was the whole FBI tracking him and trying to arrest him. Mitnick keeps coming across bits of info that eventually lead him to the FBI. He finds out they are about to arrest him so he runs for it, changes identities and stays on the run for years. The whole story is almost too surreal to believe, which of course makes for great reading!

Overall, a great geeky read.

RATING : READ

THE LIFE OF PI

- Yann Martel -

This is one of those books I've been hearing about for years. It has won a Mann Booker award, it is always on people's lists of favourite books, a recommendation for a book club book...and to top it off it was mentioned on one of my favourite TV shows Corner Gas. That funny episode where they form a bookclub and Lacey doesn't believe Brent could have read such a high brow literary book. Well, if he read it so could I! Why not, we had a copy of this book in our bookshelf downstairs, one of the many treasures from the 'box of books for $5' from that wonderful auction, where it was just waiting to be read.

All this hype gave me great expectations...I mean, especially if the book was recommended on a sarcastic Canadian comedy show. And (drum roll) ... the book did not live up to all this enthusiastic chatter. It was well written, no argument there, but the whole plot seemed very short and uninspiring.

In a sentence the plot goes: boy gets stuck in lifeboat with a tiger for hundreds of days floating in the middle of the ocean. So, there is the survival aspect (which I found slightly interesting), the fear aspect (what, with a tiger only 10 feet away from you), and the hours of lonely solitude to reflect on life and religion (the main part of the story I found boring!). I guess I'm more partial to action - no storming of castles on the backs of Dragons in this book. The ending did bring the book up a notch. It's a surprise so I won't spoil it for you.

You could tell the book was written by a storyteller. By that I mean definitely falls under literature, where one thing really means another. Obviously there is deeper meaning in everything, and I'm sure if you spent some time analyzing, like what or who the Tiger represents or what the heck that magic meerkat island was supposed to have to do with anything, the book would be much richer and a more worthwhile experience. I did not do that, nor could not come up with anything that made any sense...I'm thinking it has to do with religion. There is a lot of comparisons between the worlds religions. This is a subject I have very little knowledge or interest in.

What I did like was the Canadian connection. Had no idea this was written by a Canadian and is in part a 'Canadian' book. The lifeboat boy is headed to Canada, Winnipeg to be exact, before he is stranded on the ocean. Just surprised me when I started reading it.
I guess I'm mostly mad that my expectations were set really really high and then I was left feeling disappointed. If I take a neutral step back and revisit the book, it was ok overall, I wouldn't recommend it, but I can see the appeal of it for some.

Rating: Do not read.

LOVE TIMES THREE

Love Times Three

- Darger Family -

A real life account of Joe and his three wives. They try to bring to light the life of a modern polygamous family; from their fears of social and legal punishments to their daily challenges raising a big family.

This book attempts to erase the stereotype of a polygamous. You know? The ultra conservative, high necked dress wearin', child abusin', male dominated, oppressive, backwoods, cult. The Dargers (Joe, Vicki, Alina, & Val) tell stories about their modern life, which sounds very middle class - they live in the suburbs, have cell phones, go shopping at the mall and Costco, and have jobs (yes, even the women). If you've watched the HBO show Big Love, a show about Bill and his three wives, you'll get a pretty good idea of what the Darger's life is like...well, without all the overdramatized 'compound' stuff.

In my mind there were three parts to this book. The first part was the Darger family explaining why they wanted to 'go public' on this semi-illegal socially shunned lifestyle. What sorts of things they have done so far, like radio shows and Oprah (yes, Oprah!). And, what they hope to achieve by coming out. Already being a liberal minded person, it was like preaching to choir.

The second part of this book is Joe and his wives all telling the story of how they met and became the family they are. This part is a little repetitive; Joe tells the story, Alina tells the story, Vicki tells the story, then Val tells the story. Interesting in a way, BUT, could have been condensed a bit to save on trees.

The next part of the book is what I found the most interesting. Tales of their day to day life, mostly the logistics of a huge family of 24 (or more)! The stats are mind boggling - Ten loads of laundry a day, 5 dozen eggs at brunch, ten cars, kids of all shapes and sizes ranging from the age of two to twenty two! Poor Joe's Sunday 'to-do' list was pages long, ranging from changing lightbulbs to small construction projects. There are also accounts from the children telling their stories on how 'normal' their life is. All of the kids seemed to love their huge family, but, surprisingly not all of them intended to pursue a polygamous life.

I found this book was great to read in conjunction with watching Big Love. There is a bit of jargon used in the book and on the TV show that we don't hear much in life - righteous, priesthood holder, LDS, Fundamentalist. I found since I've watched most of Big Love I already had a good idea what these words meant. So, strangely, I'd recommend watching TV over reading in this case - to really be able to put the jargon into context.

I did not find the writing in this book to be all that wonderful. The stories were not that dramatic and didn't leave that big of an impression on my mind. But, I think it would be a great book to read in a book club. It brings up so many issues that could be discussed.

1. Should Polygamy still be considered illegal? Should it be legalized?


2. Is it even ethical?


3. Have your views on Polygamy changed after reading this book?


4. Compare and contrast the gains and losses of polygamy for the husband and wife(ives).


5. Large families, like this one of 20 odd members. Beneficial or a hindrance for children?


6. How would you deal with one of your children coming to you one day and saying they are marrying into a polygamous family?


7. Compare and contract this book with Big Love.

Even though I'd recommend this book for a book club, I wouldn't say it's a 'read'. There are many books out there that are a better read than this one.

Rating: Do not read

MEDIUM RAW

MEDIUM RAW

- Anthony Bourdain -

If you want a book that is written well, by a full-of-himself jackass, with some heavy New York city crass...well, this is your book. The writing style is wonderful. You can't argue that Bourdain has a way with words (and uses the four letter ones more than most) and can pull you into a story, even if the contents is worlds away. But, when the content is just Tony griping about 'sell out' celebrity chefs and cream of the crop food critics it makes for less than appetizing reading.

In my mind the book was split into three parts. The first dozen or two dozen pages were great. A quick story about eating an Ortolan Bunting (read the wikipedia link, it's very interesting). It's a 'meal' where you shove an entire bird in your mouth and eat it all except the feet, which is kind of used like a handle to put the bird in. You cover your head with a napkin, b/c I'm sure it is disgusting to watch. Anthony writes in graphic detail about the tastes and the textures and the brains. His attitude is bang on Bourdain - I'm part of this elite club of 'chefs' who eat endangered birds in the most disgusting way possible and I think I'm so cool about it. The kind of content that makes your blood boil, but, keeps your eyes glued to the page to see what other egotistical things Tony is going to say.

He then opens up a bit and loses his elitist attitude. He talks about his struggles with drugs and the breakdown of his marriage. It is raw writing, not medium raw (if you'll forgive the pun). I actually felt a bit of compassion for the guy and was drawn in. Then you flip a page and boom the attitude hits you.

The second part of the book, the next two hundred or so pages (about 95% of the book) were pretty raw too. But, this kind of writing was not baring your soul raw, it was ripping someone's arm off raw...with a lot of swearing in the process. Bourdain bashes countless people, with extreme overuse of profanity - just to prove he is a bad boy I suppose? He fries up The Food Network. He burns celebrity chefs. He cuts up chefs I've never heard of, but, probably would know if I were in the food business. He broils up a pan full of food critics. He even hacks a piece off of the meat slaughtering industry. Two hundred pages of his rantings. He is mad at the world for some unknown reason and his misplaced anger leads to the bulk of this book. Sum it up, the content is bland...but, the prose is excellent. If you get past the lack of a story or any sense of purpose (and that 'I'm a badboy' attitude) the actual writing is wonderful. Bourdain makes great analogies, and his descriptions of places and food is hard to beat.

The last dozen pages or so are also wonderful. Again, Anthony drops the attitude and the anger and just shares a couple of memories. I love his stories of strange things that happen in the kitchen or even stranger people that work them - that is what made Kitchen Confidential so great to read. This 'sequel' was another book I've thrown on the sequels-that-sucked bookshelf.

RATING: DO NOT READ*

*Actually, just read the first few pages and the last few pages.

I think this link will give you at least an attempt at understanding Bourdain's attitude LINK

THE CONFESSION

The Confession

- John Grisham -

Like a stick of dynamite. That's how I'd describe this book. Just like the dynamite stick in cartoons, with the really long fuse, then it disappears, and just as you think the dynamite will not explode...it blows off Wylie Coyote's head! This book is like that, only in a good way?

It starts off with a confession, as the title implies, and the clock starts ticking.

We are given a situation, a young black man on death row who's execution date is a few days away. A minister is told a confession from a sketchy serial rapist that he was the one who actually committed the crime, hence, the young man who is about to die is innocent. The clock ticks as the minister convinces both the real criminal to come clean and the innocent man's lawyer to believe the crazy story this hardened criminal is telling. Sounds like it could be a real nail biter of a story. However, I found it reminded me of a lazy Sunday afternoon. The story slowly revealed itself and progressed, but, at a drawn out easy pace. It seemed very predictable; it would come down to the last minute but everything would be fine in the end.

But does it all work out?

No!

What?!

That is when all heck breaks loose. The story explodes with every angle coming together in a brilliant climax. The lawyers, the victims, the courts, the judges, the angry mobs, the Texas Governor...everyone and their dog is involved! What made the reading really interesting is all of the different ways all of these people were effected.

What I like about John Grisham books is that they typically focus on one legal issue. After finishing a book you feel just that much smarter, because you now know all the details around whatever legal aspect the book took on. By smart, I mean lawyer smrt (sic)...that makes one feel good inside.

The Confession was all about the death penalty. How the inmates are treated on death row. How the appeals work. How the Governor can stop the executions right down to the last minute. After reading this book you will probably leave with that prolife feeling because the story takes on the worst possible scenario - an innocent man is executed.

Rating: Read

Mockingjay

MOCKINGJAY

- Suzanne Collins -

A good end to the trilogy. Everything was all wrapped up like a nice little burrito...but, a burrito lacking spice. I had high expectations for the end, but, I always do in with these long drawn out book series/trilogies/epics. Endings never seem to make me happy. The rest of the book was pretty good, lots of action, lots of unexpected twists, but the biggest surprise right at the end fell a bit flat for me. Also, Katniss seemed to lose her fiery character which, to me, turned her from the star of the show to an almost mediocre character.

I did find this book, and the series in general, very imaginative. The strange scenarios and even stranger 'weapons' that appear make for good reading. The supporting cast of Peeta, Haymitch, and Gale add some much needed depth to the story. I liked how their personalities were a nice mix of quirky, extreme, and realistic. The rest of the world of Panem was very well described, I thought. It was really easy to become immersed in this possible future of mankind.

Katniss. Hmm, what can I say? I guess, I'll go with her title - The Mockingjay. By the end of the third book she had become just that - a copy cat with no personality! The change in her character over the trilogy was drastic. She went from a self determined fighter to a push over. The epilogue was the icing on the cake, when it mentioned she had a couple of kids b/c her partner (I won't spoil it and tell you who) wanted them. She was so adamant about not having kids in the beginning, and then by the end, boom, pops out a couple?!

Even though I may sound harsh by criticizing the character development, well, that is just my opinion...I guess I just like happier endings. I will give praise to the Collins on the wonderful writing of this drastic change. It was almost too subtle to detect until you look at the big picture. The journey through Katniss' breakdown was interesting, even thought it was often repetitive - with psychological breakdown after psychological breakdown.

The whole 'love story' (blah) was ok, even by my standards. It was very familiar - I kept thinking Team Edward Team Jacob, but in this case Team Gale Team Peetah? So, again left you guessing and wanting to read on to find out the eventual victor.

Another aspect of this book that made it interesting for me was all of the chatter online. It seemed like everyone was reading this series or predicting who would star in the upcoming movie. I found it added another level, outside of reading, to become engaged in the book. I also found myself wondering about the movie...so much so I have a strong opinion on what song should be on the soundtrack. Everytime I hear Sprawl II by Arcade Fire I think of this future world described in the Hunger games. I can see the flashy young kids in the Capitol dancing away to this song.

Overall, this is a good book. It does not compare to the first of the series, The Hunger Games, but it is a must read if you make it through Catching Fire. I don't think you'll be disappointed, per se, but just a little bummed that the ending was not mindblowing!

RATING : READ

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

SQUIRREL SEEKS CHIPMUNK

- David Sedaris -

Strange. Funny. Original. It's hard to describe this book the way I want to. While reading it I went from laughing (out loud) to almost vomiting in disgust...what book can do that, all while keeping a light airy feel to it? Overall this is a humourous book that delves into the really dark humour a fair bit. But, the content is just...strange at some points. It kind of reminded me of a mix of Monty Python type humour and some no-name crude stand up comedian who relies on swearing and sextalk to make jokes. So, appealing to all people in some way!?

I found it in the short story section in the library. The book has a strange set up, almost like chapters but almost like short stories. The book is a made up of about a dozen small stories/jokes, some range from a few pages to maybe twenty. They are all quips from different animal's points of view. There are birds, dogs, mice, hippos...and to top it off, there are some illustrations from Ian Falconer (you may know him from the best selling children's series Olivia the pig). The stories/jokes are definitely one's that will stay with you for awhile. They are not easy to retell, say around the water cooler at the office, but they are satisfying jokes to read.

The jokes/stories seemed to favour stereotyping. When read they make you laugh, but, then upon further reflection, I found them almost a jab at humanity - how cruel and awful we can sometimes be.

There was a joke about a black watersnake and a white duck who makes a mistaken racist remark. A faithful dog who is sold out to breed purebreds, but, comes home to his 'wife' everynight. Birds who migrate south and complain about the lazy southern birds. The namesake, a squirrel and chipmunk who cannot date because the parents do not believe in inter-species mixing. These were a few I found laughable.

However, there were many I felt were just strange and didn't leave a good taste in my mouth. The one I found the most disturbing was the sick rat & healthy rat.

The healthy rat is put in a cage with this other rat who has cancer and all these tumors or whatnot. The healthy rat gets on his soap box and rants about how the sick rat should have made healthy choices in life and that cancers and such are a direct result of lifestyle...turns out these rats are in a lab that pumps chemicals into them causing these cancers for research. Anyone order some extreme dark humour? Disturbing in a way, but, so easy to relate to! Turn it around and throw a human in there...how cruel!

RATING: DO NOT READ*

*Unless you want to be left with a strange feeling of disturbed happiness.

Catching Fire

CATCHING FIRE

- Suzanne Collins -

What a follow up to The Hunger Games! This series just keeps building up to something huge. Just as in THG (The Hunger Games), there is still that wonderful unexpected feeling that keeps the story exciting. There is also another cliffhanger of an ending...so make sure you have the next book on hand.

The story starts off seamlessly continuing from THG, which you will recall ended when Peeta and Katniss had that 'break up' at the train station. The beginning is rather lackluster, Katniss narrates her confused (somewhat selfish) thoughts for the first fifty pages or so...which I found very slow and near boring. A lot of it was her debating her feelings for Peeta (love story, blah!) In fact, if this were any random book I picked up at the library or garage sale for a quarter I would consider putting it down. But, there was this feeling that something big was on the horizon; there were small clues, a scene with President Snow, and a gradual description of life worsening in Katniss' district. Then the unexpected happens - the victors are thrown back into the arena to duel it out again! Peeta & Katniss are pitted against each other...what are they to do?

Well, as it turns out Katniss' stunt with the berries in the first Hunger Games was the spark needed to ignite a rebellion...hence the title Catching Fire. There is clues and hints that a revolt is starting and there is some sort of underground movement or organization that is looking out for Katniss and Peeta, since they were the ones to strike the match on this whole thing. This comes to light when The Hunger Games start again.

The second time through the game for Katniss is much quicker, only a hundred or two hundred pages. There is less time spent worrying, as they are experienced players now, and more time strategizing. Oh, and they form an alliance this time, which is an interesting twist to the games experience. Again, full of action and excitement and unexpected turns of events. Then a nailbiting ending where the game and the capital are turned on their heads! To be cliche: the world will never be the same again!

RATING: READ

The Hunger Games

THE HUNGER GAMES!!!

- Suzanne Collins -

As I've mentioned, in some earlier posts, I love books about future dystopian societies. I also happen to love watching that ever popular (and frequently repeating) tv show Survivor. How about a mash-up? Survivor set in a future dystopian society? Ah yes, the ultimate mash-up!

That, in a nutshell, is what The Hunger Games are. Just an extreme version of reality tv survival show where instead of getting voted off you are killed off. This kind of storyline could be taken in many directions. There is high potential for some coat tail riding on the reality tv wave (is it still popular?). However, Collins has not taken the easy ride, instead she has created a literary masterpiece. She has the perfect blend of action, mystery, imagination, even (ugh) a half decent love story.

There are so many level to this book. The action is there, the complex complicated love triangle, then all the symbolic names & sayings & mutated animals (which I'm sure all mean something much deeper that will hopefully be revealed as the trilogy goes on...either that or just leave us all guessing). In other words, this book makes you think, even as you are caught up in all of the fast paced action. If there was foreshadowing I missed it, which made me attempt to predict what was going to happen...and to my delight, time after time I was wrong! The unexpected keeps you moving through the book - you want to hurry along to find that next shocking moment where the unpredictable (yet logical) thing happens. The sense of anticipation in this book is great. Collins does a superb job of keep us readers on our toes.

I'm still pondering the deeper meanings and the symbolisms in this book. I'm attempting to work through the names - Katniss, HAYmitch, Thresh, Clove, Rue...all food related. Cinna (singe? cinder?), coal, fire...seems to me a lot of basic surival references - the basics; FIRE, FOOD, WATER? Ah, I'm lost, but in a good way...I feel like I need some Coles notes. Remember those? Now, don't get me started on my mockingjay theories.

The best part of this book...it is only the first in a trilogy. I have two more books to continue on with. I hope they are just as good (b/c I actually bought these books...NEW!). This book left us with a great base to build off of. We have a handful of strong, deep characters that must have some interesting back stories.

If it is any indication of how good the book was - I read it in about 4 days!

RATING: READ

Note - Funny, the last three books I've read (The Book Thief, The Wishsong of Shannara, & The Hunger Games) have all had strong heroines?!

The Wishsong of Shannara

The Wishsong of Shannara

- Terry Brooks -

Ah, what could be better than curling up with a nice cool glass of wine, on a hot humid night, with an action packed Fantasy epic...not much! Ok, ok, if that is not your ideal situation, but, for some reason you find yourself in that exact scenario The Wishsong of Shannara is the book to have in your hand.

This is the third book in the original Shannara series, following the mega hits The Sword of Shannara and The Elfstones of Shannara. If you like the Sword & the Elfstones you'll like the Wishsong - they follow pretty much the same story line (even characters for the most part). Personally, I loved the other books which I believe led me to love this book.

The story starts off with the Olmsfords (the same family from the previous books) being paid a visit by the mysterious all-knowing Allanon. Now, you know when Allanon shows up at your doorstep the world is on the brink of ending. As with the other stories, the Olmsfords have special gifts, magic or whatever...it is just in their blood; they are destined to be the only people in the world who can defeat whatever evil is threatening world domination. This time it is a young girl named Brin. She has the Wishsong. When she sings magic things happen, she can manipulate behaviours of anything. Allanon needs her to open a passageway to the evil pit of death & evil on the other side of the world, and only her magic song can do it. There starts the journey.

What I like about these books is they have a goal. The goal is always to get somewhere, or find something, that will defeat the evil. So, at least you know where the book is headed. Now, it's the journey that makes it so much fun.

This book is set up like the others, as in there is two story lines that sway far apart...but, will eventually meet up. First, Brin & Allanon head for the evil pit. Next, Brin's brother (who was supposed to stay at home) gets caught up in the adventure as well. Both stories have that eventual goal/finish line they are headed for, but, constant interruptions cause them to veer off track. This leads to lots of adventure filled mini-climax moments, and the introduction of many interesting characters. The sidetracking and meeting of sometimes strange people/characters leads us, the reader, to never know what is coming around that next bend. It really does make you want to keep turning the pages.

I've read books before where a hockey-sock full of characters makes the book hard to follow, but, somehow Brooks keeps everything in order. I think it is because even though there are lots of different characters they all have their purposes for moving the story along - they are not just added for useless dialogue.

There was a funny author's note in the book, or at least the version I had from the library. Terry mentions this is the first book he wrote on a computer. This is also the book that takes him from lawyer and part time author to full time writer and retired lawyer.

Rating - READ