A Primate's Memoir

By Robert M. SapolskyThis book is hilarious. It was recommended to Andrew by our friend Robin. After hearing him laugh out loud several times, I decided that I needed to read it too. The book is a non-fiction account, written by a neuroscientist who studies a troop of baboons in Africa. Robert, the neuroscientist, has an easily apparent love for the baboons. The baboons are mostly named after Old Testament characters. Robert has a funny perspective on their lives and on their very unique personalities. Much of the book focuses not only on the baboons, but on what is happening to him, living in Africa, as he is studying the baboons.

Andrew and I were discussing what we liked about this book, and we decided that it had something to do with the way that the author writes about himself. Robert is frequently getting into predicaments and having hilarious things happen to him. But he doesn't try to make himself look better or like he always new what he was doing. He is brutally honest about how he got into many of his predicaments. And he had some great stories to tell.

The Lost Symbol

By Dan BrownIf you liked Dan Brown's other books you will like this one. More of the same style of writing, "smart thriller", I think is one of the quotes on the cover of the book. Robert Langdon is the main character in this one as well, with The Lost Symbol taking place after Angels and Demons and Da Vinci Code. The subject matter of this one focused on the Masons and Noetics, a newer branch of science. I did find myself interested in the science aspects of it, ALMOST enough to prompt me to go do some research on Noetics and the Masons. Just to see how much was fact and how much was fiction. It is funny, I feel the same way after reading all of Dan Brown's books. I am curious and want to know how much is fact and how much is fiction. And I think once or twice about researching the topic more. And then I decide that I really don't care. What does that say about me?

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

By Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie BarrowsMy mother-in law recommended this book to my mom, who also liked it, so I decided that I should probably read it. It is a very fast read, and very enjoyable. The story takes place just after the end of World War II and the characters, who are all British, are trying to figure out what life after the war is like. The book is written in the form of letters between an author, various friends, and a group of people that she becomes pen pals with. The premise of the book doesn't sound amazing or fascinating but the characters are. All of the characters are readers, some unintentionally. I like that about them. And they have interesting, funny conversations about books. The characters are all struggling to come to terms with what has happened to their lives, but are amazingly happy and resilient and kind hearted. The book is funny, with little everyday humor and people who are hilarious and don't even know it. And it is very personable, with the characters really coming to life through the letters that they write to each other.

I recommend it. It really won't take much time to read either. I was sad when it was over. And had this funny urge to write someone a letter.

Mistborn: The Hero of Ages

By Brandon Sanderson
Do you notice that I haven't told you much about the plot of the book yet? That's because it is complicated and detailed and I would give a lot away if I described it to you. But those of you who know me know that I care a lot about how a story ends. Let me tell you that this story, the third and final book, ends perfectly. Not a mushy, happy, fairy tale ending. That wouldn't fit with the book and realness of the characters. But not a sad, hopeless ending either. The end of the story perfectly matches the bulk of the saga. Full of struggle and tragedy and perseverance and strength and hope.

P.S. I read the ending. And then the next day picked up the book and reread the last 6 or 7 chapters again. Just because I wanted to experience it one more time.

Mistborn: The Well of Ascension

By Brandon SandersonSo I realized a few other things that I like about these books:

1) The plot is fast paced. And not in a bad way. Sometimes authors tend to throw in action packed scenes or mushy details that are interesting but don't really move the story along. This story is always moving along. And it doesn't bog down. There are battles and action, but it is very practical without being dry.

2) I think I mention this in the post about the first book. But the characters doubt themselves. And realize that they don't always know what they are doing or what to believe in. But they keep trying to do what they think is right anyway.

3) The author worked out the entire story before he started writing. I like when the fantasy world that is created is well thought out. Lord of the Rings style. Without writing each little detail down and explaining it so minutely.

Mistborn: The Final Empire

By Brandon Sanderson
So I actually read this book while we were in Priest Lake, ID, way back in August. And I liked it so much that I came home, bought the entire trilogy, and promptly reread it. Yes, that is right. I finished my borrowed copy, gave it back, bought a new copy, and promptly started rereading it. I liked it that much. I also felt like I was so caught up in the action and the plot the first time that I was missing some of the important details about this world and the skills that the Mistborn have.

This book could have stood alone and I would have been pretty happy. It is thought out down to the detail, full of action, good thinking, and great characters. It falls into the fantasy/science fiction category but I hate to put that label on it as it doesn't fit the stereotype. The characters have more depth and they aren't perfect. They question themselves and give you the freedom to question them too. I found myself respecting each of the characters, but not to the point of wanting to be them. They had to go through too much to really want to be them. Yet they were happy and they keep on surviving. I liked it. And I was pretty happy when I found out that there were two more more books to read.