Kelly

A book about what happens to bodies donated to science and what we can learn from the dead. Probably not for those that are too squeamish. Somehow Mary Roach makes donating your body to science seem interesting, funny and almost cool. She easily tricks you into enjoying and laughing at a book that provides lots of (sometimes gross) facts and information about how dead bodies help the living more than we could imagine. Very clever and informative, Stiff makes you appreciate and admire those selfless enough to give their body to further science and help others even after they are no longer with us.

When Caitlin recommended I read this book because, “It's about a kid who lives at a zoo! And there's a tiger in it,” I figured I would at least like it. Needless to say, Caitlin knows me well, because I really loved this book. I don't want to give anything away, but telling a survival story in this way is so original and clever. Combine great writing with the fact that the book is woven with animals and animal facts and you've got a book I love. I never expected myself to end up loving the tiger as much as the boy in the end but [a:Yann Martel 811 Yann Martel http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1196019014p2/811.jpg] makes it completely impossible to do anything else.

Very smart and funny writing. I couldn't wait to read the next seemingly wacky story about Sedaris' life.

I think my thoughts on this book can be simply summed up in one amazing Sedaris quote...
“You think you know everything about your faithful follower, but it turns out that he's actually an orphaned fox who can change his shape at will. It was he who spoke my favorite line of the evening, five words that perfectly conveyed just how enchanting and full of surprises this Kabuki business really is: ‘That drum is my parents.'”

Witty and hilarious. Reading some parts of this book was like someone had actually written down my thoughts, but obviously much smarter, snarkier and funnier. Even things that would seem completely implausible and far-fetched any other time, are realistic and inevitable when Crosley writes about them. You'll finish reading it thinking that you and Crosley should either be best friends or were perhaps separated at birth. Great stuff.

Hosseini's second effort is equally good as his first. The story of the women of Afghanistan not only spans five decades, but also tells of the joys and horrors of growing up as a woman in a country known for its strict laws and conservative religion. The book was steeped in history but allows you to connect to the characters and understand their struggles. Great read with a compelling plot. Makes you want to do something good in the world.