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Book: The Sex Lives of Cannibals

Posted on April 16th, 2010 by Anna Zhan.
Categories: Books, Travel.

Because I promised myself that I would start blogging again…

Title: The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific
Author: J. Maarten Troost
Genre: Travel Essay
Anna’s Rating: 5/5

I have to admit that the sole reason I purchased this book was that my friend Chris called me as I was crawling into bed to rant and rave about a fabulous travel essay she’d just read that, in her words, made her time in Peace Corps feel normal.  It was so good, in fact, that she decided she didn’t care that she’d gotten me out of bed, because I had to hear about it.  (And she liked the book so much that she didn’t want to lend it to me, deciding that I could buy it because I’m rich [read: less poor].)

And I’ll have my readers, if you’re still out there, know that this book was, in fact, so good that it made me laugh out loud in public, with tears streaming down my face: in bus stations, on trains, in the hospital (my boyfriend’s mom thought I was crying for the man I love who was at that time having tubes shoved into his arteries and up into his heart, but alas, it was the book).

The joy was in the “ditches of digression”, as the author so eloquently put it (and let’s be honest, my writing has long since made its home there, too).  The book starts out slowly, introducing our hero and heroine, who shall rescue the victim of the American Rat Race and sequester them away on a journey to a time and a life that now seems too distant.  Things pick up pretty soon, and by Chapter 4, the tears of laughter start rolling; after that I just couldn’t put it down.

Author Maarten Troost delves into a variety of topics, from animals to history to culture and more, approaching each topic and showing how his time abroad changed his perspective and values, all in a voice that leads the reader to think he’s sitting on your living room sofa (or living room hammock, in my case, as I’m too cheap to buy a couch).  In all sincerity, I must commend the man who writes a history chapter that I find interesting; if all history books were as enjoyable as that, I’d likely have at least a minor in the subject.

In short, if you’re looking for a humorous way to convince yourself to move to a scant patch of polluted, over-populated sand in an under-developed and poorly organized nation, or if you just need a bit of escape from the realities of life, I highly recommend The Sex Lives of Cannibals, which apparently has very little to do with its title (except that cannibal tribes conquered the island in question in the past, and some of them made families with local women, making the unique people that populate the island nation of Tarawa today - see?  I DID follow some of that history!!)

2 comments.

Book: The Day of Reckoning

Posted on October 4th, 2008 by Anna Zhan.
Categories: Blog, Books, Star Wars.

Title: The Day of Reckoning
        (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice #8)
Author: Jude Watson
Genre: Young Readers
Anna’s Rating: 4/5

This was a fun book to read.  I found myself making those personal connections that I spend five days a week trying to get kids to do.  I totally would buy a second set of these and put them out in my classroom if I had 5th grade again.  (Speaking of, a kid from last just sent a book he forgot to return back to me…so awesome.)

I was swept away by the creative description of the natural wonders on the planet of Telos.  It made me think back to my own travels…it made me think a lot about China.  (And later, when you discover they’re being destroyed, how can a reader not think about China?  Three gorges, anyone?  I never got to see it.  I’m bitter.)

As for the plot, Qui-gon is rashly chasing after hid former Padawan-turned-Dark Jedi, Xanatos.  The Jedi Council doesn’t support him in the quest.  Obi-wan decides to go with him, in spite of his probation at the Jedi Temple…and also without the support of the Council. 

So we get to see the pattern of disobedience in Qui-gon and Obi-wan…it’s neat, because it makes me think back to the prequels, when Obi-wan implores his master: “Do not defy the Council, Master.  Not again.”  One starts to comprehend the history between this Master-Padawan pair, and it makes the movies more interesting.

QUOTES:

“With Qui-gon, he never knew when his next meal would come.  His former Jedi Master seemed to exist on a diet of fresh air and determination.”
- In the mind of Obi-wan Kenobi, p. 14

“Life does not treat you fairly or unfairly.  It merely is.  It is up to each of us to be fair, or unfair.”
- Qui-gon Jinn, p. 60

“Do not reflect on mishaps unless they have a lesson to give.”
- Qui-gon Jinn, as recalled by Obi-wan, p. 93

“Do not concern yourself with success or failure.  If you act rightly, those words lose their meaning.  There is only the good that you do.”
- Qui-gon Jinn, p. 132

2 comments.

Book: House of Many Ways

Posted on August 4th, 2008 by Anna Zhan.
Categories: Blog, Books, Star Wars.

Title: House of Many Ways
.       (Sequel to Howl’s Moving Castle)
Author: Diana Wynn Jones
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
Anna’s Rating: 2/5 (Rather disappointed…for pre-teen/teens, I might give it a 3/5…borrow it, but don’t buy it.)

I was rather disappointed in this book, which draws readers in by advertising itself as a sequel to the now-famous Howl’s Moving Castle.  Howl’s Moving Castle, while designed for young readers, was a fun, light read for adults.  House of Many Ways, however, sported only a frail connection to the characters from Jones’s earlier book.

This book held within it no deeper lessons to take home.  There was no suspense or excitement.  The main characters weren’t even endearing.  The language was horribly plain and uninspiring - my imagination went into complete disuse in this 400-page span of what we refer to in elementary school as “telling, not showing.”  It was just an all-around disappointment.

And being a young adult’s book is not an excuse - I’ve read many a young reader books, and even children’s books, that have more depth and richer stories, not to mention the obligatory take-away life lesson that, as a teacher, I feel really should be obligatory in young reader books.

Sigh.  I can’t believe I’m upset about this, but I am.

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Book: Star Wars: Bloodlines

Posted on December 31st, 2007 by Anna Zhan.
Categories: Blog, Books, Star Wars.

Note: I continue with my “No Spoilers” policy.

Title: Bloodlines
.        (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, book 2)
Author: Karen Traviss
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Anna’s Rating: 3/5 (Slow start, but pulls together very well)

I can’t say that I enjoyed this installment of Legacy of the Force as much as I did the others thus far, although it did get better towards the end.  Still, I was a bit disappointed, as I greatly enjoyed the last book I’d read by Karen Traviss.

It’s helpful, I think, to understand more about Luke and Ben’s relationship, so you can appreciate the developments between them later in the series (although I still don’t understand how things got to the point they’re at - perhaps I need to suck it up and read the NJO series, as painful as it is.)

Also, I did enjoy the Boba Fett storyline, which was surprising, because I’ve never really been a Boba Fett fan.  I liked the way everything came together in the last hundred pages, which is what perhaps made the last part of the book so much better.

Now, perhaps some of the magic is lost on me because I already know what’s coming (although I still don’t know how it all ends…two books left…two books…)  But this also just wasn’t as fun of a book…it really wasn’t very quotable…although the author did well adding in slang.  Boba Fett learns to curse in Mandalorian.  Pilots are fond of saying “Watch my six,” instead of “Watch my back.”  And the secret police force has acronyms for everything, such as REBJ, or Rapid Entry By Jedi.  Also, areas of Coruscant were clearly named, and defined in terms of their distance and location from one another, so it helped gain a sense of reality there.

Anyway, what few quotes I have are here:

“I get the proverbial bad feeling about this.”
- Leia Solo, p. 46

“Just give me a blaster.  Not an office.”
- Han Solo, p. 67

“Time means lives.  Time means chaos.  We always think that time will resolve things, but it never has.”
- Thoughts of Jacen Solo, p. 219

“They all muttered ’su’cuy gar‘ like a chorus.  It was a pretty logical greeting for warriors, apparently: ‘So you’re still alive.’ ”
-Author’s narrative on Mandalorian greeting, p. 241

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Book: Star Wars: Fury

Posted on December 1st, 2007 by Anna Zhan.
Categories: Blog, Books, Star Wars.

NO Spoilers - I’m nice like that.

Title: Fury
.       (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, book 7)
Author: Aaron Allston
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Anna’s Rating: 4/5 (Highly enjoyable - author has a great sense of humor.)

This book is largely about Darth Caedus trying to find love in his life, but he feels betrayed by everyone and everything.  While he’s powerful, he’s also losing his grip…he’s losing his ability to reason in a clear, logical fashion, and he’s becoming more and more the image of Darth Vader.  In that was, it’s interesting, because it helps us understand more of what was perhaps going through Vader’s mind in the original trilogy.

Back on the home front (assuming your home team is the Jedi, of course), Luke finally starts to get a grip.  Less development of Ben Skywalker in this novel, but I still have no complaints about him.

I do very much like the character of Jagged Fel as well.  He’s being developed very well, with patterns and personality that make him real.  It’s interesting to see him as an average person, trying to find a way to earn his keep amongst a group of Jedi.  It would be daunting for anyone, and I think most would give up…it’s interesting to see how he copes.

QUOTE Time:

“Let’s go with weird.  Much better than nothing.”
-Han Solo, p. 27

“Sacred brandy, you’ve failed me.  My daughter is talking and I don’t understand her anymore.”
-Han Solo, p. 28

Jania: “Jag, do you even know how to use a lightsaber?”
Jag: “I know Lesson One.  Don’t grab the glowy end.”
- Jagged Fel’s response to Jaina Solo, p. 108

“You’re an irritant, like itching powder in an enviro-suit.  On top of that, you’ve got no sense of humor, you’re more Force-blind than a rock, you handle a lightsaber like a drunken Hutt, and you’re short.”
- Zekk dissing Jagged Fel, p. 114

“Just send your message to wherever the noise is the loudest.  It’ll be either us or Luke.”
-Han Solo, p. 122

Luke: “Your feelings betray you, Ben.”
Ben: “Betray me?  Do they stab me in the back, or just give me a swift kick in the butt?”
- Ben Skywalker to Luke Skywalker, p. 261
(Someone inherited Mom’s sense of humor, huh?)

Jaina: “A mission.  Simple stuff.  Rescue a princess - a Solo family tradition.  Blow up a big space station.”
Jag: “Also a Solo family tradition.”
- Jaina Solo and Jagged Fel, p. 282

Kyp: “What’s our motto?”
Jedi: (unison) “Let the enemy do the work!”
Kyp: “That’s the spirit.”
- Master Kyp Durron to a Jedi commando team, p. 295

Ben: “Sorry, Master.”
Saba: “Do not be sorry.  Learn.”
- Master Saba Sebatyne to Ben Skywalker, p. 323

“Facts, exact numbers, reassurance…a Jedi seeks not these things.”
-Kyp Durron, expressing frustration through sarcasm, p. 328

1 comment.

Book: Star Wars: Inferno

Posted on November 29th, 2007 by Anna Zhan.
Categories: Blog, Books, Star Wars.

NO SPOILERS: Yes, I will continue with my non-spoiler reviews, for all those out there who, like me, are huge fans, but have fallen a decade behind on their Star Wars reading.

Title: Inferno
.       (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, book 6)
Author: Troy Denning
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Anna’s Rating: 4/5 (Highly enjoyable - made me smile.)

When I started reading Inferno, I thought that I didn’t connect as much with this author’s writing, but I soon found myself picking up the book at every random opportunity, so I guess I rather enjoyed it.

It had some neat insights into Darth Caedus’s thoughts and revelations: “The Sith way was one of deep sacrifice, and only now was Caedus coming to understand that he had not sacrificed the ability to love - only the ability to be loved in return.” (p. 104)  It’s interesting, to understand the Sith from the viewpoint that they want to love and care for others, but are constantly rejected because they have done things so atrocious that no one, friend or foe, could ever trust them or sympathize with them, much less love them.

I also started, at this point, to think about the implications of the titles of the last two books in the Legacy of the Force series.  Revelations and Invincible - anyone out there who’s been reading have any thoughts?  I still have to read Fury, but…I can’t stop thinking about it…

It’s great to be reading for fun again.

More quotes:

“It was hard to imagine his uncle having the strength to probe for guilty emotions right now, but the galaxy was littered with the body parts of those who had underestimated the strength of Luke Skywalker.”
- Thoughts of Jacen Solo regarding Luke Skywalker, p. 30

“Take only focused action; never react, only act.”
- Author’s insights on Jedi training, p. 175

“And they fell to arguing, Han insisting that nobody was going after Jacen without him, Luke and the Masters using the weakest of all weapons against his stubborness - logic - to argue otherwise.”
- Author’s insights on Han Solo, p. 200

“It did not seem possible, as if by some natural law the galaxy had to end before Luke did.”
- Author’s insights on Han Solo’s thoughts about Luke Skywalker’s mortality, p. 235 (and yours truly shares the same logic wrt Luke’s motality.)

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Book: Star Wars: Sacrifice

Posted on November 24th, 2007 by Anna Zhan.
Categories: Blog, Books, Star Wars.

No spoilers here: I’ll be vague.

Title: Sacrifice
.       (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force series, book 5)
Author: Karen Traviss
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Anna’s Rating: 5/5 (most emotionally charged book I’ve ever read)

I stumbled across a huge spoiler with no spoiler warning on the ‘net this week - whoever you are, may Darth Caedus find you torture you until you lose the will to live.

Anyways, knowing WHAT happened, it then became necessary to find out exactly HOW it happened, but neither aspect will I spoil here.

That said, I’m OK with what happened in this book.  I was upset.  I cried for about an hour.  But it was done well.  Not all characters are the type to grow old and gray, slow down and end up in the Corellian Senior Citizens’ Home, you know?  Some people are upset about it, and I thought I would be one of them, but I’m not.  I’m OK with it.

On another note (mind you I’m about ten years behind on my Star Wars reading) I have to say that I really liked the character of Ben Skywalker in this book.  A fitting character to carry on the Skywalker legacy.

These books are so quotable that I must start adding a few quotes to my reviews:

“Well, our economic policy right now seems to be to earn foreign credits…get killed…and neglect the planet.”
- Purple Man, p. 20 (hardcover)

“The ambition of most beings is to stay alive, overeat, spend too much, and avoid hard work.  I’m happy that I can achieve much more than that…and we all die sooner or later.  A death in service of a great ideal is a fine thing.”
- Lumiya, p. 148 (hardcover)

Jacen Solo: “Possessions are burdens.  What you have can always be taken away, so wealth breeds fear.”
Wirut: “I’ll willingly face that kind of fear, sir.  And a nice big SoroSuub yacht.  That would scare me very nicely.”
- Jacen Solo to a GAG trooper, p. 238 (hardcover)

Kyp: “…Jacen and Niathal are within their rights.”
Mara: “There’s rights, and there’s right.”
Kyp: “And the semantics thought for the day was brought to you by our sponsors…”
- Kyp Durron to Mara Jade Skywalker, p. 251 (hardcover)

“You know why I trust you, Mom?  Because you didn’t tell me to trust you.  Everyone else tells me to trust them, and that’s usually the cue that I shouldn’t.”
-Ben Skywalker to Mara Jade Skywalker, p. 265 (hardcover)

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