Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes

Can the medical procedures used to create artificial intelligence really correct nature's 'mistakes', or do they merely mask them until the subjects of experiment - in this case, Algernon the mouse and Charlie the little boy/man - inevitability return to their original state.

Not a happy book, but thought-provoking. It made me ask: what is normal, what is perfection, and what is happiness - and does one depend on the other? What are the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical consequences of trying to correct nature's imperfect design?

This one will leave you with sad unease, to say the least. I did not enjoy reading this author's perspective - it was almost unholy, showing science and intellect at its worst and removing any thread of hope or enlightenment.

Angels & Demons - Dan Brown

Suspenseful, entertaining, and commercial – all words which describe this book well. Not an award winner, but enough twists and turns and creative folklore (or not?) to impress. How does Dan Brown connect all those dots...The Vatican, Antimatter, Bernini, Illuminati?? I still think I liked Da Vinci Code better, though.

The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova

This novel is about Dracula (Vlad Tepes III, the Impaler) and his burial whereabouts.

It was very entertaining and suspenseful, with enough encouragement to go on and find out the truth about Dracula's past – and possible future. However, although I really did like this book, in the end I was a little disappointed with what I found: just the burial whereabouts. I guess I expected a little more insight into the man himself (he's interesting, right?).

I would still definitely recommend this book - it somehow captivated me.

Disgrace - J.M. Coetzee

This is a depressing book and the main character is frustrating. However, it is also the kind that wakes you up at 5 am with new insight which makes you go "Ah huh, now I understand why it's an award winner".

This one challenged me. It tries to pry open your mind...and this can be uncomfortable.

The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand

One of the most intelligent and TIMELESS novels I have ever read. Unlike Catcher in the Rye, which is most appreciated early in life, this one is best with much more life experience. So incredibly coherent. Unique and amazing stuff!

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

Water for Elephants is about circus life during the Great Depression.

Although the book doesn't focus on animals all that much, there was enough reference to keep me satisfied. The Author's love of animals and what they have to teach us, definitely came through.

The ending was great...actually a conclusion to the opening of the book. I especially enjoyed the Author’s Notes, which revealed that much of the inspiration for this novel came from actual historical events. One note was about an elephant who could only understand German!, and was therefore mistaken as stupid because it did not do as it was told...when spoken to in English.

I wasn't blown away, but I did enjoy this novel, or at least parts of it.

Hey Nostradamus! - Douglas Coupland

I wanted to read this book for a long time, mostly because I found the cover and title intriguing (so wrong, I know).

There are four main views which make up the story, which focuses on a high school shooting and those involved. Each character has a different perspective on God and loss, and the novel basically leaves it at that.

I found it hard to put this book down at times, actually rushing and talking out loud, wondering what will happen (especially regarding the psychic and how she knows what she knows - and, of course, the shooting scene). Other times I felt bored or disconnected.

I think the main points that came through for me is that we are all connected in teaching each other about God, spirituality, and life in general - sometimes through horrific events and actions.