Review

Rachel Reviews: The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer
For those of you not in the know, Bob Mortimer is a well-known British comedian known for his surrealist humour and his tall story telling, which is not always fictional but is always outrageous.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in BookClub
The Forgotten Note. Content Warning.
Once upon a time, in a quaint little town nestled among rolling hills, there lived a young girl named Lily. Lily was an inquisitive soul with a love for adventure and a keen eye for details. One sunny afternoon, while exploring the attic of her family's old farmhouse, she stumbled upon a dusty old trunk hidden beneath a pile of forgotten treasures.
By haider 2 years ago in BookClub
Unveiling the Strategies of Conflict: A Summary of "The 33 Strategies of War" by Robert Greene. Content Warning.
Robert Greene's "The 33 Strategies of War" is a captivating exploration of the timeless principles and tactics employed by history's most cunning and strategic minds in times of conflict. Drawing from a diverse array of sources, including military campaigns, political maneuvers, and psychological warfare, Greene offers readers a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of human conflict. In this summary, we'll delve into the key themes and strategies outlined in the book, providing insights into how they can be applied in various facets of life.
By haider 2 years ago in BookClub
[Book Review] Julia: A Retelling of George Orwell’s 1984 by Sandra Newman
SYNOPSIS: Julia Worthing is a mechanic, working in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. It’s 1984, and Britain (now called Airstrip One) has long been absorbed into the larger trans-Atlantic nation of Oceania. Oceania has been at war for as long as anyone can remember, and is ruled by an ultra-totalitarian Party, whose leader is a quasi-mythical figure called Big Brother. In short, everything about this world is as it is in Orwell’s 1984. All her life, Julia has known only Oceania, and, until she meets Winston Smith, she has never imagined anything else. She is an ideal citizen: cheerfully cynical, always ready with a bribe, piously repeating every political slogan while believing in nothing. She routinely breaks the rules, but also collaborates with the regime when necessary. Everyone likes Julia. Then one day she finds herself walking toward Winston Smith in a corridor and impulsively slips him a note, setting in motion the devastating, unforgettable events of the classic story.
By Meg Ilsley2 years ago in BookClub
Adiel and the Führer by Elyse Hoffman
A chance to prevent the rise of Hitler… but at what cost? Adiel Goldstein has a good life. Despite the anti-Semitism he faces as a German Jew, he has everything he wants. A dream job as an art professor, good friends, a loving father, and a precious nine-year-old daughter, Kaia. But his life is about to be upended. An old comrade from his time fighting in the Great War is gaining power: a man named Hitler. Adiel’s father insists that they need to leave the country before Hitler becomes the leader of Germany. Adiel and his family plan to move to America, but before they can even pack their bags, he and Kaia make a shocking discovery. Adiel’s father, Natan Goldstein, is from the future. A Holocaust survivor who lost his family to unspeakable tragedy, Natan was given the chance to go back in time and take the life of Adolf Hitler. But when he failed to kill the future Führer, he devoted himself to his new family and awaited the inevitable. Natan can’t face the Holocaust again, but Adiel’s unique connection to Hitler means he might be able to succeed where his father failed. Adiel now has a choice: escape as planned and let history repeat itself, or sacrifice everything to stop the Holocaust before it can begin.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
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
Rachel Reviews: The Whispering Palms by Annette Leigh
The Whispering Palms is an accomplished read which has pace throughout. It tells the story of Andie Yates who is asked by a woman called Maureen Daniels to look for her daughter, Summer who has disappeared without trace. Andie is an investigator with previous police experience and so you know that you are in the presence of someone who will pursue the truth until it is found.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in BookClub
A Story with a Deep Impact
Book Stats: The Man Who Knew Infinity by Robert Kanigel published in 1991. Getting up early has a major advantage; you get to admire nature's beauty. The serenity of the morning nourishes your soul like no other. Knowing that I had time to spare before heading off to campus, I got comfortable on the bench in my backyard garden with a book in hand, surrounded by nature. Opening the book, I submerged myself into the world of letters and words, while nature provided a soothing backdrop. Here's my opinion on it.
By Staringale2 years ago in BookClub
Rachel Reviews: The Many Adventures of Donnie Malone by Paul E. Doutrich
The Many Adventures of Donnie Malone is just that: a book which describes the adventures of one man, mainly in aviation. However, that career and those adventures include the major wars of the last century, pilots being required to fight, and so, you have a war novel as well as one that charts the more personal struggles and triumphs of Donnie as an individual.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in BookClub
Rachel Reviews: The Farm by Randy O'Brien
There was much to like about this book. The action is set mainly on the farm where Mary Lou and Brother live, the older members of the Wright family with Mary Lou's daughters, Millie, Annie and Snaps, whose real name is Ginger. The novel focuses mainly on Snaps but we learn about the lives of the other characters throughout the narrative as well.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in BookClub
Book with the Blue Cover
Cozy Winter Nights: Read a book (from start to finish) with a blue cover, then publish a review, rant, or recommendation. TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in BookClub