Book of the Month

10 Bizarrely Human Animal Behaviors
We have compiled a list of mental illnesses in animals, but that is merely scratching the surface of a vast iceberg. It turns out that we are not as unique as we once believed, contrary to the claims of ignorant individuals. Animals also exhibit religious behaviors, proving that we are not the only creatures with such beliefs. Did you know that animals have been observed engaging in knowledge sharing? This exchange of knowledge, especially from one generation to the next, places humans at the top of the food chain and defines our culture. However, this phenomenon is not exclusive to humans. Baboons teach each other the best foraging techniques, fledgling birds learn to fly by observing their parents, and rats learn about safe foods by smelling each other's breath. Countless other examples exist, including fish that thrive in schools with experienced teachers. Even solitary animals demonstrate a rudimentary form of culture. Young tortoises, for instance, learn to navigate obstacles by observing others. Unfortunately, as species become extinct, their cultures vanish as well. The last remaining North Atlantic right whales, decimated by human whalers, have lost the knowledge of their ancestral feeding grounds, further endangering their survival. Culture, however, is not always beneficial. Sometimes, established ways of life become incompatible with the environment, leading to the downfall of a species. Humans are experiencing this firsthand. Strange trends are emerging in the age of TikTok, not only among humans but also among our animal counterparts. White-faced capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica, for instance, engage in peculiar traditions such as smelling each other's fingers (a trend we humans claim as our own) and playing a game where they bite off clumps of fur from another monkey and hold it in their mouth while the other tries to retrieve it. These trends may seem silly, but I have two more examples to share. Mate selection in certain species has been greatly influenced by a particular factor, resulting in females finding their potential mates much more attractive. This phenomenon has led to a significant impact on bird reproduction, and we are currently unsure of how to address this issue. Additionally, drug use is not exclusive to humans, as it is prevalent throughout the animal kingdom. Jaguars in the Amazon actively seek out yag Vine, which contains DMT, similar to its human usage. Lemurs have been observed chewing on narcotic millipedes, while dolphins indulge in puffer fish to experience a state of intoxication. Animals, like humans, are willing to endure the negative consequences associated with drug use. For instance, big horn sheep addicted to lyen grind their teeth down to the gums, spider monkeys intoxicated by fermented fruit may fall out of trees, and an intoxicated moose in Sweden once got stuck in a tree. Animals have also been observed using drugs to cope with negative emotions. Rats, when kept in small cages without mental stimulation, were more likely to choose a sweet and morphine solution over water, ultimately leading to their demise. Even fruit flies turn to alcohol when they are unable to find a mate. Facial expressions, often considered uniquely human, are also present in various other animals. Sheep, for example, not only display facial expressions but also possess the ability to recognize and differentiate between different emotions such as calmness, fear, and surprise in photographs of other sheep. They can even distinguish between different human faces. This ability showcases their perceptiveness, which may be challenging for humans to replicate when it comes to differentiating between multiple sheep and identifying their emotional state.Prairie dogs have the ability to form complete sentences and even describe things they have never seen before. In laboratory conditions, they have shown this capability by describing unfamiliar objects. However, we have only scratched the surface of their language so far. While we can understand their sounds and behaviors in relation to predators, it is difficult to decipher their communication among themselves. Similar to humans, storytelling sets us apart from other animals. Bees, for example, communicate the location of food through their waggle dance, which includes various details. This sharing of information can be seen as a form of storytelling. Dogs, too, may construct narratives when they exhibit certain behaviors, such as scratching the door to go out. Although not as complex as human communication, it can be argued that they are constructing narratives in their minds. Non-human storytelling should not be considered inferior to our own. Dolphins, for instance, may use their sonar capabilities to project son pictorial holograms, potentially telling stories in 3D to each other.It is worth noting that certain animals possess remarkable abilities, such as the bonobo mentioned earlier. This particular bonobo not only learned how to start a fire using fuel and matches provided by humans, but also utilized it to cook burgers and marshmallows. What is even more impressive is that the bonobo passed on this skill to its offspring. Admittedly, the bonobo was exposed to the film "A Quest for Fire," which likely sparked the idea in its mind. However, it still managed to acquire the skill independently, showcasing its formidable intelligence. Interestingly, there are many humans today who struggle to start a fire even under favorable conditions. The fact that a monkey could accomplish this task is somewhat embarrassing for us humans, who are unable to start fires as effortlessly as a bonobo. Of course, cooking involves much more than just fire, and humans excel in food preparation, whether it be for taste or digestion. For instance, some Japanese macaques wash sweet potatoes before consuming them, often using salt water solely for flavor. Pigs, known for their indiscriminate eating habits, have also been observed washing their food, including dirty apple chunks, in streams. It is worth noting that shrikes impale their food on thorns or barbed wire, allowing it to degrade before consumption, presumably aiding in digestion. Additionally, capuchin monkeys leave peanuts out in the sun to make them easier to crack open. On a fascinating note, bigheaded ants have developed a more advanced form of cooking. They place food on their larvae's bellies, which then secrete enzymes onto it, making it easier to digest.
By Thando T2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: The Sisterhood by Katherine Bradley
In Oceania, whoever you are, Big Brother is always watching you. Trust is a luxury that no one has. Julia is the seemingly perfect example of what women in Oceania should be: dutiful, useful, subservient, meek. But Julia hides a secret. A secret that would lead to her death if discovered. For Julia is part of the underground movement called The Sisterhood, whose main goal is to find members of The Brotherhood, the anti-Party vigilante group, and help them to overthrow Big Brother. Only then can everyone be truly free. When Julia thinks she’s found a potential member of The Brotherhood, it seems like their goal might finally be in their grasp. But as she gets closer to Winston Smith, Julia’s past starts to catch up with her and we soon realise that she has many more secrets than we’d first imagined – and that overthrowing Big Brother might cost her everything – but if you have nothing left to lose then you don’t mind playing the game . . .
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Veiled Affections: A Tale of Unrevealed Love
In the heart of a bustling city, amidst the ceaseless rhythm of life, there existed a love that remained hidden, known only to the whispering winds and the silent stars above. It was a love born in the quiet corners of the soul, where words faltered and emotions danced in the shadows.
By MAD2 years ago in BookClub
The Haunting Of Love: Ghostly Romance Stories
In the small village of Whispering Pines, nestled deep in the heart of the forest, there stood an old, decrepit mansion known as Rosewood Manor. It was said that the mansion was haunted by the spirits of its former owners, lovers who had tragically met their end in a forbidden romance centuries ago. This tale, passed down through generations, told of a love so powerful that it transcended death itself.
By Virus Oinam2 years ago in BookClub
Exploring the Mystical Beauty of Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali. Content Warning.
Rabindranath Tagore, the celebrated poet from Bengal, crafted a literary gem that transcends the boundaries of time and culture: Gitanjali. This revered collection of poems, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, delves into the realms of mysticism, nature's splendor, human compassion, mortality's acceptance, and love's profound essence. Through simple yet profound verses, Tagore invites readers on an enchanting journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, unveiling the mystic beauty that lies within the pages of Gitanjali.
By Avhishek Agarwal2 years ago in BookClub
Leo’s Legacy: Tales from the Savannah
Amidst the rugged landscapes of the Luangwa Valley, where the golden grasses sway under the African sun, Leo, a young lion cub, emerges into the world within the Mbala pride. From his first moments, the pride's rich history and the vast expanse of the wilderness around them shape Leo's destiny.
By MAD2 years ago in BookClub
Philippine Mythology's Impact on Filipino Middle-Grade Minds
Legend and myth make up the fabric of stories, where layers of cultural heritage are sewn making it tangible to a lot of who hear it. Filipino mythology which is made up of various entities such as Engkantos, Aswangs as well as fantastical creatures helps kids to develop their creativity. Along with the exciting and thrilling stories they are reading, young Filipino minds are also exposed to the cultural elements of their ancestors through the works of notable authors such as Arnold Arre, Eliza Victoria, Paulo Chikiamco, Budjette Tan, and Yvette Tan.
By Shella Mae Villanueva2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: House of Roots and Ruin
About the Author Erin A. Craig is a New York Times bestselling author. Her published titles include, “House of Salt and Sorrow”, “Small Favors”, “Together, Apart”, and of course this book, “House of Root and Ruin” which is the second book of the Sisters of the Salt series. Her bio mentions that she’s always loved telling stories, and that’s pretty clear based on the Sisters of the Salt series. I’ve not struggled to put a book down too often, but her books always hook me.
By Shiny2 years ago in BookClub
The Filipino Aswang Book Tales in Middle-Grade Literature
Among the diverse literature, there comes the Filipino Aswang Book as an exquisite piece of art made up of cultural heritage, folk-drawn threads, and mysteriously charmed middle-grade stories. During the reading of literary journeys, one cannot deny the magic that we find when titles such as “Marikit and The Ocean Of Stars” by Caris Avendaño Cruz or Vampires of Portlandia By Jason Tanamor and Dark Folk Tales from Philippine Countryside Louises Bulaong appear.
By Shella Mae Villanueva2 years ago in BookClub
What I Read: January 2024
2024 started with a bang for me. From home maintenance emergencies to unexpected dental procedures, it was a month of great transformation, and also of great stress. Managing stress has always been difficult for me, but as I enter my thirties I am learning different ways to cope with the stresses in life that are inevitable, instead of simply ignoring them the way I did in my twenties. One of those coping mechanisms has been escapism through reading. And as the stresses in January were plentiful, so were the books.
By Alys Revna2 years ago in BookClub
Best Books to Cozy Up With This Winter
Best Books to Cozy Up With This Winter Books / By Lynne Black When you are looking for the best books to cozy up with this Winter; I have lots of suggestions for you to read. So, get ready to find a quiet place and start reading.
By Lynne Black2 years ago in BookClub
Mindscape Haven
In the quiet town of Reflection Springs, nestled beside a serene lake and surrounded by lush forests, lived a woman named Elena. Although the town was picturesque, Elena found herself captivated by the invisible landscapes of the mind.
By Med Karim2 years ago in BookClub