What's Been on my Kindle? - February 2013
Elimination Night: A Novel by Anonymous
Honestly I was skeptical of this one but I took interest in it after I read a review in People Magazine. Still I filed it under a trashy read book. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Written as an expose of an assistant producer's life on the television hit "Project Icon" (think "American Idol"), the book is really entertaining and I was quickly surprised at how invested I became in the characters. Ultimately this may be because I hate "American Idol" and that the characters of this book are written in a veiled attempt to mask who they are inspired by that I found so much enjoyment, but I dare anyone not to get sucked into this book.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This book was amazeballs. I know I am late to the party, but wow. I honestly feel like I can barely right anything about this book without giving too much away. It is the story of Nick and his wife Amy, who disappears from their home on their 5th wedding anniversary and the criminal investigation that follows. You follow Amy via diary entries, while Nick tells his story real time. It is a gripping read that makes you question how well you can ever know another person.
Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in History by Ben Mezrich
What an interesting story that almost none of us ever heard about. Ben Mezrich makes real life come alive in his writing and his work is so suspenseful that it is almost impossible to believe that what you are reading is actually a true story. The best story you may never know unless you read this book. (I may be biased by my Aerospace background) but still, so cool!
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
Another great book by Ann Patchett, State of Wonder forces you to think hard about the advancement of science when compared to the limits of our own evolution. The plot is centered around Dr. Marina Singh and her former mentor Dr. Annick Swenson. Marina is sent into the jungle to locate Dr. Swenson after her co-worker dies working with her in the Amazon. Dr. Swenson is working on a new drug that will stop the effects of menopause and biological aging when it comes to women's ability to reproduce and their biological clock. The drug's research is based around a tribe in the Amazon where women into their 70's continue to give birth to healthy children. It is to be the end of in vitro fertilization and hormone therapies in the modern world, but at what cost? A great read which forces its readers to reflect on how far they would push science and their bodies to get what they want.
Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum
A story that brings back some favorite characters from earlier books, like Shaggy Man, Polychrome and Tik-Tok as well as a previous enemy, Ruggedo, the Nome King, Tik-Tok of Oz is a great story that explores some of the lesser known corners of Oz and its boarding Kingdoms. You learn of the Kingdom of Oogaboo and the Metal Kingdom, as well as magical worlds on the opposite side of the globe. A dragon plays an integral part of the story, and a new Dorothy like character, Betsy Bobbins, is introduced as a new heroine. But Dorothy fans do not fear, Dorothy and Ozma make late appearances in the story. I really enjoyed the departure from what we already knew about Oz to meet some new characters and story lines. The story helps to refresh the series.
