As soldiers really live it

Tell us the title:

War

Who penned this work?:

Sebastian Junger
How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?:

This book was given to me for free at a library convention as an advance reading copy.  Which I did not read until long after the book was officially published.
Number of pages:

268
Time passed from start to finish?:

About 4 days
Describe the cover:

In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?:

Nonfiction, Current Events
Summary of the basic plot:

This story follows a single platoon in the most dangerous valley in Afghanistan during their 15-month deployment.
Background information on the story/author:

Sebastian Junger is a journalist who also wrote The Perfect Storm.
What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it):

This was nothing like what I expected.  I put off reading this again and again because I didn't think it would be interesting.  When I actually began reading, I was sucked in for days.  I became attached to all of the soldiers, and my mind strained to pretend this was fiction when people died.  It was a different experience than any I've had with nonfiction books.  After I finished, someone told me about the documentary about the same men (created by the author) -- called Restrepo.  I then watched that one afternoon.  It was very compelling, as I already knew the stories of the men, and I was putting faces to names, making it that much more in your face.  These are real men, not characters in a story. 
Which page was your favorite? Share why:

I don't know that I would call any of the pages "favorites," but I did find it very interesting when Junger discussed the biology of war.  He talks about what occurs in your body during war-time experiences such as firefights and attacks, and how those biological responses sometimes produce the opposite effect of what you need to be doing, bringing in the element of self-control.  He discusses what makes men good soldiers, how much of that is innate.  He also talks about how war is so much different now than it was historically, and how we have not evolved to survive automatic weapons (our reactions times cannot respond faster than bullets can fly). 
If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?

This story can never effectively be a cinematic movie with people pretending to be these men. I recommend watching Restrepo.
Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:

(Pretty self-explanatory, I feel):

"Civilians balk at recognizing that one of the most traumatic things about combat is having to give it up.  War is so obviously evil and wrong that the idea there could be anything good to it almost feels like a profanity.  And yet throughout history, men like Mac and Rice and O'Byrne have come home to find themselves desperately missing what should have been the worst experience of their lives.  To a combat vet, the civilian world can seem frivolous and dull, with very little at stake and all the wrong people in power.  These men come home and quickly find themselves getting berated by a rear-base major who's never seen combat or arguing with their girlfriend about some domestic issue they don't even understand.  When men say they miss combat, it's not that they actually miss getting shot at -- you'd have to be deranged -- it's that they miss being in a world where everything is important and nothing is taken for granted.  They miss being in a world where human relations are entirely governed by whether you can trust the other person with your life. 

It's such a pure, clean standard that men can completely remake themselves in war.  You could be anything back home -- shy, ugly, rich, poor, unpopular -- and it won't matter because it's of no consequence in a firefight, and therefore of no consequence, period."
Choose your rating:
Changed. My. Life.
I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
A definite page-turner
Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
Why did I waste my weekend on this?
A disgrace to paper everywhere
Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. 

"Toward the end of their tour they'd go through entire firefights in nothing but gym shorts and unlaced boots, cigarettes hanging out of their lips."

The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex

Tell us the title:

Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex

Who penned this work?:

Mary Roach

How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?:

I picked it up at Barnes & Noble after reading 3 pages in the store and laughing hysterically.  To be forewarned: If you buy this in person in a small conservative town, the clerk will look at you like you are a heathen. 

Number of pages:

303

Time passed from start to finish?:

About a week and a half

Describe the cover:

Light blue background with a microscope looped through the word "bonk" in bright yellow letters.  There are also two small people making out in the tray of the microscope. 

In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?:

Ooh good question!  Non-fiction... science, humor, relationship advice? (sort of kidding on the last one)

Summary of the basic plot:

An in-depth look at the science of sex, essentially.  Mary Roach covers a variety of topics, many of them common arguments or misconceptions, and uses science to try to gain answers.  She provides references from a wide variety of texts and interviews, and even volunteers for a study or two herself!

Background information on the story/author:

Roach is also the author of Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers and Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife.

What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it):

I really loved the author's open and blunt honesty, as well as her use of wit and humor to make it easier to discuss topics that typically make people rather uncomfortable.  Roach uses a tremendous amount of footnotes to sneak in her humorous tidbits, which makes me feel like we're watching a film about the topic and she keeps leaning over to whisper her thoughts.  She's a great writer, so the whole things flows smoothly.  I laughed a lot, but I also learned a lot and didn't have to feel awkward about it.  

Which page was your favorite? Share why:

Impossible to choose!

If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?

Yeah...not that much of a relevant question here, but I guess that the plot line of her researching all of this could be made into a pretty funny movie.  I'd cast Cameron Diaz as the author. And Jason Bateman as her husband, who continues to get roped into her experiments. Actually that would be a great movie!

Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:

"Unattached hiccuppers were advised that 'masturbation might be tried.' *Or, if they are followers of sixteenth-century naturalist Li Shih-chen, sun-dried, powdered wolf epiglottis.  Li's hiccup remedy, found in the Chinese Materia Medica, is probably quite effective, for in the time it takes to track a wolf and sun-dry its epiglottis, even the most stubborn case of hiccups will invariably have passed."

            Choose your rating:
          - Changed. My. Life.
          - I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
          - A definite page-turner
          - Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
          - Why did I waste my weekend on this?
          - A disgrace to paper everywhere

 Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page: 

"My point is that if you want to understand human sexual response, then studying animals is probably not the most productive way to go about it."

A memoir of survival in Darfur

Tell us the title: 

Tears of the Desert

Who penned this work?: 

Halima Bashir (with Damien Lewis)

How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?: 

It was a Christmas gift from my lovely sister

Number of pages: 

313

Time passed from start to finish?: 

About a week

Describe the cover: 

An earthy deep red frames a pensive and reflective picture of the author.

In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?: 

Memoir/Biography

Summary of the basic plot: 

This is the memoir of a young woman and her unique childhood and life experience with the war in Sudan.

Background information on the story/author:

Halima was the daughter of a cattle herder in the Zaghawa tribe in the Sudanese desert.  Her family was relatively wealthy, and she therefore had the opportunity to receive a formal education and become a doctor.  Having to flee the country because of her involvement in the conflict, she now lives in England with her husband and son. 

What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it):

You can't read a story like this and not be moved by it, in my opinion.  This woman was born the same year as my sister, and in her lifetime she experienced a brutal war, vicious rape, discrimination, the loss of family, isolation, and the emotional trauma of being a refugee.  I'm constantly amazed at the way people like Halima, who have experienced such intense situations at such young ages, continue to persevere, and their ability to present their stories without self-pity.  She is many things worth admiring and standing in awe of: a woman, a doctor, a mother, a survivor... 

Apart from this, there were a few things I found interesting.  First, as always surprises me, is the way that the local people from these small villages and remote areas treat each other.  Halima's father had a vehicle, and as he was driving her to town to attend school, he *of course* gave as many people as possible a ride so they would not have to walk.  This seemed to be pretty customary, to offer help like that.  On one such trip, they got a flat tire.  Halima tells how before they could even make a move, the male passengers were removing the tire and replacing it.  They wouldn't even allow Halima's father to help.  I always have to wonder: would that happen here?  I'd say no for the US as a whole, but yes for the town/state where I'm from.

Another fascinating part of Halima's story was her journey to become a physician.  In her village, people believed very strongly in traditional medicine, spiritual healing, and medicinal herbs and plants.  It was very interesting to read about her experience in blending these traditional treatments and beliefs with the traditional hard science of modern medicine.  There were things she realized weren't valid, and other beliefs she held to very strongly.  I can see how the combination of these approaches could make her a very good physician both in her home country but also abroad.  Medicine in the US is very hard, angular, and ruled by logic and science, leaving little room for the spiritual, natural, mystical.  Perhaps that is a pitfall? 

Which page was your favorite? Share why:

I didn't appear to mark the page or pages involved with this part of the story, but when Halima was in school in the city she experienced a lot of discrimination for being a black African in a school primarily filled with Arab girls.  One particular instance, she was punished unfairly for something another girl was responsible for.  Despite extreme punishment, verbal attacks, physical lashings, and much condescending talk, she stood up for herself.  I loved the visual of this young girl standing up for herself in the face of adults, with no one to back her up at the time.  That took amazing strength and resoluteness of character, and perhaps those traits helped prepare her for survival later in life.  

If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?

I have No. Idea.  Stories like this I can't really make those calls.  The only person I see as the main characters are the people themselves.  It's hard to cast a person in the role of a real individual.

Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:

I have two of them:

 "'If it wasn't for us black Africans the Arabs couldn't feel so superior,' I fumed.  'They need us -- they need someone to keep down, to keep under them.'"

This is something Halima said, and I was struck by the truth of it.  Not just in the context of the conflict in Sudan, but world-wide.  Go to any country and you will see groups of people cast into conflict over superiority of one race or religion or appearance or background over another.  Why humans do this I'm not sure, but it happens the world over, in every different dynamic possible.  We appear to feel some need to not only define ourselves by different groups we fit into, but then to rank those.  Is it possible we're all just horribly insecure? 

[upon returning to her village after it was suddenly raided and her family members were either killed or had fled]  

"I returned to our yard as if I were in a dream.  I dug up the valuables from where I knew they were hidden and stuffed them into my pocket.  I took a black plastic carrier bag, loaded into it a handful of dried dates, a spare tope, and a thick robe.  Then I said my goodbyes to Kadiga's uncle.  I took one last look at my childhood home, turned away, and started walking.  I knew in my heart that I would never be returning to this place again."

This is all Halima took with her as she said goodbye to her childhood home for the unforeseeable future.  I felt it was such a striking moment, as she set off all alone, with no idea where she would end up or if she would ever see her family again.  It makes that bad day at work not seem like such a valid complaint.

Choose your rating:

Changed. My. Life.

I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it

A definite page-turner
  Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
Why did I waste my weekend on this?
A disgrace to paper everywhere

~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. 

"There's no way we're leaving empty-handed."

tales of fate and fortune on the road

~ Tell us the title: the Kindness of Strangers

~ Who penned this work?: 26 different people

~ How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?: yet another fateful trip to Powells

~ Number of pages: 271

~ Time passed from start to finish?: about a month(ish)

~ Describe the cover: There is an outline of a human torso and strangely shaped head with a heart outline in the middle of the head and whimsical, childlike text declaring the title and basic information.

~ In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?: Probably travel, but I found it on a random shelf while passing by in hopes of escaping the store with only one book...

~ Summary of the basic plot: It is a collection of true short stories of adventures and encounters with strangers during travel all over the world.

~ Background information on the story/author: Each story in the book is shared by a different author, but they all get a little mini bio at the beginning of their story. Most authors have penned other works in newspapers, magazines and/or their own books.

~ What did you think of it? It was great! Each story is only a few pages long, so it was easy to read a story a day quickly and not feel that I should be using my time more wisely. :) It made me long to indulge my sense of adventure and either get lost somewhere in the world or pick up a hitchhiker and learn of their journey. It also reminded me that simple kindness towards one another no matter what barriers may exist is beautiful and powerful.

~ Which page was your favorite? Perhaps the table of contents because it represents the diversity that exists within the pages. :)

~ If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters? Um...this would be hard considering the whole 26 different stories thing...

~ Share a quote that was worth reading twice. "Here's what I love about travel: strangers get a chance to amaze you. Sometimes a single day can bring a blooming surprise, a simple kindness that opens a chink in the brittle shell of your heart and makes you a different person when you go to sleep - more tender, less jaded - than the one you were when you woke up."

Also: "DECENT UNDERWEAR: It's important."

~ Choose your rating: I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it

~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. Then, after a few moments of reflection, my host reached down to the floor next to his bed and picked up what I took to be his two most valuable belongings.

Words to live by

The title: The Other 90%: How to unlock your vast untapped potential for leadership and life

Who penned this work?: Robert K. Cooper

How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?: I like to wander down the aisles at the library. Seriously. I saw it and picked it up, thinking it would be a cheesy self-help book about sports or something. Flipped it open and read a page, realized I was wrong, checked it out, read half of it, and then my mom ordered me my own copy.

Number of pages: 273

Time passed from start to finish?: Hmm, that's hard to say. I started it back in November I think. Read it off and on. I'd say maybe about a month of consistent reading. I read one chapter per day when I got into the swing of things, and that worked out beautifully -- gave me a chance to reflect on what I read before moving on. It's not the type of book you can read in one sitting.

Describe the cover: Nice and cheesy. A picture of a mountain peak, with big bold lettering proclaiming the title.

In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?: Business, self-help

Summary of the basic plot: The author supposedly provides you with directions to become a more efficient self that conquers the world and becomes an awesome business person. (according to the back). In reality, I saw it as his advice on life. Not a promise to fix yourself. Just a list of things he's learned about life from the people he has known. He divides the book into what he calls the Four Keystones: Trust, Energy, Farsightedness, and Nerve. He includes several stories and snippets of wisdom from his life and his mentors (especially his two grandfathers), as well as stories about extraordinary people to emphasize his points. He not only gives advice, he offers practical suggestions for putting those ideas into action.

What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it): I really enjoyed it. In fact, I took notes, which I found helped. Distilling the information into an outline as I read allows me to go back later and reflect on his suggestions and ideas. I liked the structure (although I don't know if the four keystones were necessary), and liked that he included suggestions that were both idealistic (champion at least one underdog each day) and practical (exercises for improving posture). It rarely ran into the cheesy realm, and was unimposing...I never felt like he was speaking down to his readers.

Which page was your favorite? Share why: 89-91. The story about Art Tatum, a young boy in the early 1900s who loved music, though he was blind. He couldn't afford music lessons, so someone walked him down to saloons to practice on the player pianos. He learned music by feeling the keys move under his fingers, and eventually learned to play. What he didn't know is that when they created the rolls of paper music they used two pianists. Because he didn't know, and no one told him it was impossible, he was the first (and only?) person to learn to play FOUR hands of piano music.

Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why: Where do I start? He includes a lot of quotes from other people, which I enjoyed. There was at least one quote to go with each chapter. One of my favorites was by Thoreau (shocking): "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.
- I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
- A definite page-turner
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere

Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page: "He looked very old when I first saw him; I found out later he was fifty-nine."

Truth is more fascinating than fiction

~ Tell us the title: Louder Than Words: A new teen memoir series (sampler)
~ Who penned this work?: Several girls. This sampler contains excerpts from the stories by Chelsey Shannon, Marni Bates, and Emily Smucker
~ How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?: Picked up from the library convention
~ Number of pages: 44
~ Time passed from start to finish?: About an hour
~ Describe the cover: Photos of the books by these three authors. Each book has a picture of the author on the front.
~ In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?: Memoir/Biography or Teen
~ Summary of the basic plot: These are excerpts from three teen girls' stories of their unique lives. Chelsey's father was murdered. Marni has a disease where she compulsively pulls out her own hair. Emily learns she has West Nile.
~ Background information on the story/author: See above.
~ What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it): These excerpts were incredibly well-written and conveyed emotional accuracy. I am very eager to read the full stories. These are three from a series that contains at least 4 other books I believe.
~ Which page was your favorite? Share why: That's difficult to say without getting to read the entirety of each story. Perhaps the first page of the sampler, because it caught my attention enough to take it.
~ Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why: (from Marni's story): "Eyelashes have a completely different feel to them." She is talking about her disease (where she compulsively pulls out her own hair, eyelashes, eyebrows..) in great detail. I found such a fascination in this honest discussion. When I was in highschool, I knew a girl who had this disease. It was never talked about, however, which I always found frustrating because I wanted to understand it, to know what it felt like to her, and why she did it.
~ Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.
- I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
- A definite page-turner (and I want you to read it)
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere
~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. "It was sort of like deforestation."

A memoir

Tell us the title:

A Common Pornography

Who penned this work?:

Kevin Sampsell

How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?:

I got the book for free from the awesome library convention!

Number of pages:

218

Time passed from start to finish?:

About 36 hours

Describe the cover:

A chair stands alone in the corner of a room of uncomfortable brown shades.

In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?:

Biography

Summary of the basic plot:

This is the biography/memoir of Kevin Sampsell. It details his life really from childhood to present day.

Background information on the story/author:

Kevin Sampsell works for Powell's Books here in Portland. He grew up around the Spokane area, lived a few other places, and wound up in Oregon.

What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it):

I have to say I loved several things about it! The layout was wonderful. Each 'chapter' was essentially a different memory from his life, and lasted 4 pages at most. It made for a quick read, but it also felt like I was watching family videos, seeing just the highlights of what someone sees as the defining moments in their life. If I ever wrote a memoir of my own, I would want to do it in this style. He did a wonderful job carrying us from his childhood to his adult life with his manner of writing as the book progressed. His blatant honesty was shocking and refreshing, and added so much depth to the story, notably accenting his innocence as a child. His story shows that every family has some dirty little secrets, and sometimes the family itself doesn't know them.

Which page was your favorite? Share why:

Page 31, The chapter called Car-Mull. Whereupon him and his brother convince a neighbor boy to eat bird poo. It takes some guts to admit to doing such a thing.

If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?

Mmm, that's the thing about a memoir...I can't see anyone but him playing...himself. His dad would definitely be Jon Gries though.

Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:

(Describing his experience at his dad's funeral): "I hadn't brought a jacket and I was pretty cold. I could barely hear the last formulaic words of the priest and I just wanted to get back in my car. I saw the backhoe behind the crowd, behind a tree, like it was an animal trying to hide from us." To me, this is heartbreaking yet relieving, which I believe the funeral was for him. He's not focused on memories of his dad, and he just sees the blunt honesty of death (the backhoe 'hiding'). He's not listening to the priest, and he just wants to leave. It speaks to the poor relationship he had with his father, which is sad, but also to his acceptance of the loss.

Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.

-I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it.

- A definite page-turner
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere
Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page.

"It was the first time I gave up."

"...on the third, you join our family..."

Title:
Three Cups of Tea
Who penned this work?
Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
How did this piece find its way to your nightstand?
My friend Cindy gave it to me for my birthday and then I put it there.
Number of Pages: 349
Time passed from start to finish: Less than two weeks, although the last 80% was consumed in about two days.
Describe the cover: Calming tones of stone, blue and red support a photo (taken by the author) of three young girls adorned with headscarves and books unfolded on their laps. There is nothing flashy or presumptuous about the cover, even as it boasts being a #1 New York Times bestseller and the Kiriyama Prize Winner as well as being graced by an inviting quote from Tom Brokaw.
In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this book?
At the store I am in right now, the book is placed in “world history”. However, I feel it could be placed in the biography, non-fiction, inspirational or the “this is one of the most amazing stories ever” section.
Summary of the basic plot/Background information on the story/author:
A young man who has already seen and endured much in his life survives a failed attempt at climbing K2 and mistakenly makes his way into a Pakistani village that has never seen a foreigner before. By the time he leaves, he is in love with these people and has promised to build them a school. Climbing the worlds highest peaks takes on new meaning as he pursues fulfilling his promise while living in his car and renting a typewriter to seek additional support. As time unfolds, this one man proves education an effective tool for peace as he returns time and again to a land where injustice and unrest are commonplace for people with golden hearts and emerges as a true hero in more ways than one.
What did you think of it?
Where do I start? I expected this story to be encouraging. My expectations were WAY too low. I have been moved beyond words. I didn't expect a thrilling survival story on one of the worlds highest peaks. I didn't expect a sudden love story that challenges the greatest I've ever heard. I didn't expect to learn so much about Pakistan, Afghanistan and India and want to learn so much more. I didn't expect to cry during every single chapter. And more than anything, I didn't expect to be shocked by the relevance of this story to the war we are "fighting" against terror. This book has fueled my passion against ignorance and for community, increased my desire to be educated and changed me forever. So, what did I think of it? I think it is one of the most amazing stories ever lived and shared.
Which page was your favorite? Share why.
I tagged about 30 pages in the process of reading, so the choice is not easy, but I think I will choose the last page as my favorite. Not only was I balling my eyes out for the millionth time as I read the poignant last sentence, but the realization that this was not the end of this amazing story flooded over me and sealed all of the hope, humility, frustration, passion, challenge and inspiration I had experienced through every page.
If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?
Hmmmmm……the main character would have to be able to scale mountains, keep promises and fall in love in an instant. He would need to posses massive amounts of both gentleness and strength. An Indiana Jones of sorts perhaps? I can't think of anyone besides Harrison Ford right now that could take on the role. (I just have to note that I did not notice the commentary on the back cover calling Mortenson a "real-life Indiana Jones" until about five minutes after writing this.)
Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:
"The Enemy is Ignorance"
I want to share handfuls of quotes, the whole text, really, but I am going to choose just one. The title of the 22nd chapter is quoted above and it is a phrase I will remember forever. Several pages into the chapter, the context presents itself:
"...You have to attack the source of your enemy's strength. In America's case, that's not Osama or Saddam or anyone else. The enemy is ignorance. The only way to defeat it is to build relationships with these people, to draw them into the modern world with education and business. Otherwise, the fight will go on forever."
-Brigadier General Bashir Baz of Pakistan, during a conversation with Mortenson in 2003.
Rating: Changed. My. Life.
The 7th sentence on page 22:
"Zindabad! Good! Mr. Gireg," Mouzafer said after the third cup, pounding Mortenson delightedly on the shoulder, clouding the tiny cave with more of Mortensons surplus of dust.