Bookworms united

When travelling, there is plenty of time to spend at the busstation, at the beach or in the hostel. Luckily, reading is one of Rebecca's favourite pastimes, and I pretty much like it as well. As a service to our faithful readers and the world at large, we decided to give a quick review of the books we read and left for the next reader at some hostel.

Gutenberg's Justification, Blake Morrison
The life of the inventor of bookprinting. However, the author admits that many details are fictional, based on what little is known of Gutenberg's life (e.g. court cases). Ok to read but it is not clear what is fact and what is fiction.

The Assessini, Thomas Gifford
It is written like a Da Vinci-code clone, only before Dan Brown did. Vatican, second world war and stolen artifacts are the ingredients. Rebecca thought it was a bit too obvious but Andreas enjoyed reading the book.

Bird Girl and the Man who followed the Sun, Velma Wallis
Two stories of the Athabascan Indians that are mixed into one story. Both are about a person who does not stick to the old traditions and thus stand out of their clan. Both stories are interesting.

Into thin air, John Krakauer
The story of Chris McCandells who renounces western lifestyle and values, goes on to live just outside Denali national park and dies there. Krakauer adds other chapters on people (like himself) who have tried to find out their boundaries and sometimes failed. Chris is an annoying character but a recommended book.

Aama in America, Broughton Coburn
Book about a 84-year old Nepali woman who travels through the USA with an American who used to live at her house. Her observations offer new insights into Americans and their lifestyles. Ok, slightly interesting.

So big, Edna Ferber
A young woman moves to the coutryside and finds herself in the world of the Dutch farmer immigrants in the USA. After years of hardship she becomes a succesful businesswoman and wants her son to grow up with all opportunities that she did not have. This spoils the boy.
The end was weird but a good book.

Alone, Richard Byrd (available online)
A researcher and explorer spends the winter of 1934 alone on the Southpole, away from Base Camp. He describes his state of mind and how he nearly dies of carbonmonoxide poisoning.
Good book, recommended for people who like explorers

Two old women, Velma Wallis
Two old women are expelled from their tribe, as the winter is harsh and the people have difficulties keeping themselves alive. When left alone, they refind their survival skills and make it through the winter. Interesting to read the stories of the indians

Tisha , Robert Specht
The true story of a young woman sent to Chicken, AK to teach the children there and who decided to treat the indians the same as the whites. This causes a lot of friction in the small town. After visiting Chicken, this became a must read. Rebecca found it an interesting book but Andreas gave up after 3 pages.

The curious incident of the dog in the night-time, Mark Haddon
An autistic boy finds a dead dog and describes his attempt to find out who did it. He finds out interesting facts about his father and family.Recommended, seems to give a good impression of what autism is like.

Nature's end, Whitley Strieber and James Kunetka
Futuristic story about environmental disasters and a group of people that want to stop the movement of voluntary depopulationists. Interesting to see what they thought 20 years ago about the enviroment. Good descriptions of environmental disasters but overall story a bit weak.

My life in Orange, Tim Guest
Life of a boy whose mother joins the Baghwan sect - the boy is basically left alone to grow up in the comune. Very interesting, especially considering the fact that he is our age and the same could have happened to us.

Mexico, James Michener
A Mexican-american returns to his hometown to write a newspaper sotry about a bullfight tournament. Mitchener blends in the Mexican, Spanish and American forebears of the main character. As always for a Michener book a bit too heavy to carry in a backpack but recommended reading for people who like to know about mexico or bull fithing. Another recommended read of the same author is the source.

Desert solitaire, Edward Abbey
A man becomes a ranger in the Arches national park in Utah and describes how he enjoys the emptiness. He also describes how he is disgusted by the need to pave all roads and put in more facilities for the car-minded tourists.Recommended reading for all those visiting national parks in the USA.

I heard the owl call my name, Margaret Craven
A young priest is sent to an Indian village in British Columbia and needs to gain the trust of the people there. Short book, simple story; good to read if you have an afternoon off

The plumed serpent, D.H. Lawrence
An Irish woman travels to Mexico and stays there. She finds out about the Mexican people and spirit, both disgusted and yet fascinated. Thus far the only book we both really did not like. Andreas is still struggling to finish this book.

Lullaby, Chuck Palahniuk
A journalist finds out about an ancient African culling song, that kills people. He tries to find copies of the book in which this song is printed to avoid more people being killed, but ends up in a mess.From the author of fight club, this book is recommended to all who like weird books.