BOOKS I JUST READ

DAWKINS BOOK: FINISHED FINALLY

It took me a long time to read Richard Dawkins’ The Greatest Show on Earth because I’m not used to reading non-fiction.  I was incredibly interested in the subject matter and read my little heart out.  I felt like I was in college again, reading non-fiction!  It was fun, and inspired me to be more educational with the books I choose to read from now on.  And then I got to see a moderated discussion, featuring Dawkins himself discussing his book.  It was really amazing.

This book was at all times engaging and interesting, even though there is a definite period of “review” for people who paid attention during science classes throughout their life.  I was really into biology for a while- my teachers were always impressed with my abilities to name bones and muscles and whatever.  That was a long time ago, but this book brought it all back, along with all the Discovery channel watching I did with my father.  I think evolution is one of the most important scientific discoveries, and should be taught as such.  So does Dawkins.

He goes through, step by step, why evolution is true.  His methodology consists of thorough explanations of various experiments that prove evolution, the fossil record, carbon dating and dendrology, and more.  He even explains some linguistic ambiguities and the way words like “theory” contribute to miseducation and ignorance regarding evolution.  Most importantly, I feel armored against “history deniers,” as Dawkins calls them, and learned enough on the subject to defend my instincts and opinions.  I was even more pleased to learn that Dawkins is working on a children’s book equivalent, and plan on buying it for my children and all the children for whom I ever have gift giving opportunities.

My favorite part of the book was Dawkins description of a very interesting biological experiment involving the evolution of e-coli.  The experiment’s results prove undeniably that evolution happens, and the details and care that went into it are astounding.

If you read only one non-fiction book this year, make it The Greatest Show on Earth.

Books I just got signed: Richard Dawkins’ The Greatest Show on Earth. ps- Richard Dawkins touched my hand!

This is what happens when I try to read… http://twitpic.com/lvl5z

This Dawkins book is taking over my literary life… Even though I haven’t written in a while about books, I am reading and thinking a lot.

I just bought booksijustread.com… now i have to figure out what to do with it!

I thought “Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman” was a novel when I picked it up, so the short stories kind of threw me for a loop.

FORAY INTO MURAKAMI

I read a short story collection of Murakami’s, called Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman.  For some reason I was not prepared for the simplicity of these stories.  I don’t know what I expected.  Regardless, Murakami surprised me.

Murakami writes calmly.  His stories all ended unresolved and with lingering questions, but they were still calm.  His characters were collected, ethereal at some points.  They were accepting and rational to a fault.  Meanwhile, Murakami throws the reader constant curve-balls, like talking monkeys, tightrope walkers, suicides, coincidences and ghosts.  This collection had an eerie stateliness to it.  Even though it was calm, I never knew what would be next.  I was never anxious or in suspense.  I just read.  It was a strange experience.

I hope to read a novel of his soon.