Bad Science

Bad Science
Ben Goldacre
Fourth Estate, 2009

I picked up this book on impulse and am glad I did; in a sense you could say it's changed my life. I like to think of myself as a critical thinker, but the extent to which even I accept bullshit especially in the form of media science stories is quite frightening. What this book does is giving you an opportunity to -- at least to some extent -- choose for yourself. It encourages you to chase up data, look at the methods and statistics behind the stories, in order to examine them with a critical eye. I've already managed to puncture two folk science myths since I started reading it, and it feels good to know that I'm at least a little bit harder to deceive now when everything no longer sounds plausible because it's "complicated and sciencey". I strongly recommend this book to anyone who's spent too much money on hyped-up "miracle cures", or who worries sick over "new breakthroughs" showing that previously-thought harmless substances will in fact kill you instantly. Or just anyone who wants to be a bit better-informed.

Rating: Impressive

Språk Och Kön

Språk Och Kön

Ann-Catrine Edlund; Eva Erson; Karin Milles

Nordstedts, 2007

Recension:

I stort tyckte jag att boken lade en bra grund för att tänka på kön och språkbruk i vardagen; inte på det plan att män och kvinnor skulle tala olika, men varför de i så fall gör det, och hur språket och kulturen påverkar varandra i skapandet av könsidentiteter. Den var dock lite förenklande, och jag stördes av att de inte riktigt gick in på djupet i studierna som diskuterades-- det kunde funnits ännu mer utveckling av de tankar som fanns där. Överlag alltså en bra bok att börja med, men den innehöll ganska mycket som jag redan kände till och hade tänkt på, så jag skulle nog behövt något med lite mer fakta och stimulans.

Utlåtande: Bra

And God Said

And God Said: How Translations Conceal The Bible's Original Meaning
Joel M. Hoffman
Thomas Dunne Books, 2010

Review:
I'm just testing out my wings when it comes to non-fiction that isn't strictly university related, but as I've cultivated an interest in several of the book's central themes in the last couple of years (Biblical studies, Hebrew, translation) I felt compelled to read it and am glad I did. Even for someone with little knowledge in the field, the book provides a good overview to some important issues in Bible translation, taking the reader by the hand and moving forwards at a steady pace. Hoffman mainly highlights the importance of translating not only the literal, but also the implied and poetic meanings of phrases, showing how certain passages have been terribly mistranslated, and offering better options. My only issue with this was that I sometimes found the suggestions too simplistic, even though the reasoning behind them was sound. Overall, however, it's a deeply interesting work, relevant both to classical language studies and modern translation, and it makes me eager to start translating again.

Rating: Outstanding

The Tragedy Of The Norse Gods

The Tragedy Of The Norse Gods
Ruth J. Pitt
Illustrations by Jacomb-Hood & Brindley
Fisher Unwin, 1813

First impression:
I always find it strange to read Scandinavian literature in English; the tone becomes slightly unconvincing when the roots of the original language are lost. I also get the impression that some spellings have been changed to suit English-speaking readers better (although it may well be that the names I'm used to have been equally Swedified). Nevertheless, it's quite an easy read and an interesting look into Scandinavian mythology.

Review:
In the end I really enjoyed this book and devoured it by means of long, enjoyable stretches. As I love both folklore and traditional storytelling I found it easy on the eye (it didn't send me to sleep as books often do). Another great thing was that all the stories circled around the last, climactic chapter, which meant that there was a constant build-up of suspense and no room for boredom. I couldn't quite get used to the language, but for a book of that age I can't really hold it against it.

Rating: Impressive

Bad Language

Bad Language
Lars Andersson; Peter Trudgill
Basil Blackwell, 1990

Review:
As much as I think this book treats a very important issue, I can't help but feel that it does so a little trudgingly. I realise that it's written for readers with no linguistic background, but even so, I think the average reader would find the style too belittling. Other than that it's an excellent book; it gives several very good examples of why grammar-nazism is often founded in an irrational fear of change rather than any linguistic motivation, and how it tends to be arbitrary, inconsistent and rooted in snobbery and group membership. For this reason I think it could be a soothing read for those who work themselves up about "incorrect" language use, showing them that this "degeneration" is part of a normal evolutionary process, and that language inevitably sorts itself out.

Rating: Good

Timequake

Timequake
Kurt Vonnegut
Vintage Books, 1998

First impression:
So far I've been slightly disappointed with this Vonnegut's most autobiographical piece of work. As he points out in the beginning, it consists mainly of shrapnel of a much bigger book that his agent thought to be too indulgent-- and perhaps (s)he was right. I love Vonnegut's mind, but I think he might have been a bit too lenient on narrative coherence for this one. The idea of the Timequake I quite enjoy however.

Review:
Again, I felt that a plotline was lacking, and that the present traces of one didn't quite make the cut. Though I am in love with many of Vonnegut's observations, I must also admit that I picked up on a streak hitherto unknown to me, of some form of social/intellectual elitism. This made me a little uncomfortable as I've always perceived the author as quite humble and, well, nice. I would like to give it a better rating because it made me think about a few things, but on the other hand, so did the Hunger Games.


Rating: Decent

The God Of Small Things

The God Of Small Things
Arundhati Roy
Harper Perennial, 2004

Review:
It's been a while since I read this, and also I did devour it, so I'm just going to get straight to the point. This is an amazing book, completely original and portraying a part of the world which I hitherto have been quite unfamiliar with. As I say for much of Kurt Vonnegut's work, it has one of my favourite qualities - a certain humanness - to it. Beautifully written, observant and well-planned so as to not satisfy the reader's curiosity until the very end. It made me so very sad and happy at the same time. Do your soul a favour and get your hands on this beautiful thing.

Rating: Outstanding!

Hundra år av ensamhet

Hundra år av ensamhet
Gabriel García Márquez (Karin Alin)
Wahlström & Widstrand, 1982

Första intryck:
Jag gillar verkligen att läsa äldre utländska böcker på svenska. Det är något med språket. Sedan kan det vara att just den här boken har något nästan ryskt över sig i sin djupa porträttering av människor som samtidigt har en väldigt bisarr och ofta rolig kvalitét. Jag är riktigt glad att jag blev tipsad om den här, tror att jag kommer tycka mycket om den.

Recension:
Som väntat blev jag väldigt fäst vid den här boken. Jag gillar stilen, och alla de små anekdoterna och personliga mytologierna. Hade lite svårt att förstå de passager som handlade om inbördeskrig och liknande och tyckte även ibland att berättelsen i sig var lite långdragen, men håller absolut inte med dem som haft svårt för boken endast på grund av att den inte "handlar om något". Det enda direkt negativa som jag har att anmärka på (eftersom jag i allmänhet har svårt att hålla reda på personer) är det faktum att alla verkar heta antingen José Arcadio eller Aureliano, vilket i jag i slutändan gav upp med att försöka hålla reda på. Annars är detta en fantastisk roman som jag verkligen rekommenderar!

Utlåtande: Oslagbar!

Igelkottens Elegans

Igelkottens Elegans
Muriel Barbery
Sekwa, 2009

Första intryck:
Som den bokmånglerska jag är får man mycket sug efter olika böcker, och blivit avskräckt av andra. Denna lilla godbit har jag suktat efter i säkert två år och hittills håller den verkligen måttet. Det kvasifilosofiska och de hel-udda protagonisterna faller mig helt i smaken. Pepp!

Recension:
Jag får använda mitt favoritord Fin. Detta är verkligen en fin bok. Karaktärernas utveckling i sakta mak och inte helt mot sin vilja, en klasskamp, ett socialt förtryck som visar sig vara självpåtaget. En balans mellan olika kulturer, med nudlar och gräddbakelser, med högkultur, en emo-tonåring, en fet katt, och lite ångest. Den tar upp livets stora frågor och är mer intressant än klyschig, samtidigt som den handlar om att våga släppa taget och vara sig själv, även om man råkat hamna på fel plats i samhället.

Utlåtande: Oslagbar!

Eating Animals

Eating Animals
Jonathan Safran Foer
Back Bay Books, 2010

First impression:
I really liked Everything Is Illuminated and enjoy Foer's writing style in general; he has this ability to turn anything into a good story, and also he likes indexing things, just like me. So far I'm enjoying the book, finding it quite compelling, but as I'm getting towards the middle it's becoming a little too statistic-y, like these sorts of books tend to, but I haven't lost hope.

Sad update:
Ironically, I didn't lose hope; I lost the book. As in, I misplaced it in a public place. It's gone. I really liked it, so I will get a new one at some point. But not right now. Sad times.

Review:
So I re-bought the book, I liked it that much. Then again, there is of course the element of preaching to the convinced; we all like to be told that we're doing the right thing, and so with me being a vegetarian, I didn't feel like this book really changed anything in my hands, and the kind of people who I think should read it naturally aren't interested. As I mentioned in the first impression, I thought the first half of the book was very strong, but it started straying a bit towards the end, and eventually became a little too sentimentalised. It did however serve as a great source of knowledge and I would encourage anyone who does eat meat (and/or fish) to read it.

Rating: Impressive

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

The Five People You Meet In Heaven
Mitch Albom
Timewarner Paperbacks, 2004

First impression:
I didn't like Tuesdays With Morrie very much, mainly because of its exaggerated sympathy. Unfortunately this seems to be one of Albom's signifying traits, but at least this story is fictional and therefore doesn't have the same meek ring to it. More readable, and, I would say, more interesting because of its surreal features.

Review:
In the end, I'm not much of an audience for this type of literature. The only thing I can think of when reading is how it's trying to be Vonnegutian and failing miserably. And I will instantly contradict myself by saying that I think it's too American. The melodrama, for the most part, doesn't touch me, and the book doesn't leave me with much of an afterthought. As far as bestsellers go, it's not below standard, but I don't like the author pressing the interpretation of the story into my palm and I think that's why I wasn't able to enjoy it more than by the satisfaction that I can now pass it on to someone who will like it better.

Rating: Decent

Under The Skin

Under The Skin
Michel Faber
Canongate Books, 2010

First impression:
I highly trust the taste of the person who recommended this to me, but I was still torn by the mere sight of the cover. It does resemble trash, even though I'm sure that doesn't mean it's all bad. I've got about halfway through it fairly quickly and even though I'm annoyed at knowing less than the narrator, it does keep the pages turning.

Review:
Even though I didn't particularly like the style of writing, I acknowledge that the idea is a good one, and I thought the ending with its intentional ambiguity lifted much of the book. There were certain words, too, that I enjoyed the twists on, but I feel that this could have been more developed. I didn't like being strung along for most of the first half, effective though it was to pull me in, and found much of the second half a bit too open in contrast. But as mentioned, the book did tickle the mind at times and though it is not a new favourite, I don't consider it a waste of anyone's time.

Rating: Good

Ljust & fräscht-boken

Ljust & fräscht-boken
Fredrik Lindström; Henrik Schyffert
Lindström & Schyffert, 2011

Första intryck:
Allra första intrycket när jag bläddrade i boken i affären vad att jag var tvungen att köpa den. Jag är inte bara en IKEA-slav på nedtrappning utan har dessutom numera en klandrande distans till svensk kultur och dess besatthet av konstant renovering. Det var alltså uppenbart redan från början att jag skulle komma väl överens med en bok som lyckas få en att le samtidigt som den levererar den tragiska sanningen.

Recension:
Trots att boken tidvis var lite repeterande tyckte jag väldigt mycket om strukturen och inte minst teorierna om varför svenskar har en så svår relation till sina hem. Kulturens utveckling mot nuet och motivationen bakom den blev tydlig på ett oklandrande sätt som jag har upptäckt att speciellt Fredrik Lindström är väldigt duktig på. För mig hjälpte det mycket i min strävan att komma över min svenskhet vad gäller just inredning - i alla fall i teorin. Man kan ju inte hjälpa att man dreglar till lite då och då när man utsätts för något så likt en IKEA-katalog.

Utlåtande: Imponerande

The Beach

The Beach
Alex Garland
Penguin Books, 1996

First impression:
Having seen the film first, I got the instant impression that the two don't seem that far apart. About half-way through the book now, I'm suspecting this is because most of the events are not plot-driving, and so if some were to be missed out, it wouldn't make a big difference. I am enjoying the read, though, and though I can't remember the ending, I have a hunch it's going to be good.

Review:
Although for the first half of the story I kept trying to remember what the film looked like, I've been able to appreciate the book in its own right. I liked the style of writing, especially the dreamy passages. Even though, as I mentioned, it was not heavily plot-based, I was never bored and there was a leisurely mesmerising effect to it. I imagine it would have made a greater impact if I was entirely new to it, but nevertheless it proved to be (ironically) quite a good holiday read.

Rating: Impressive

Valarna i Tanganyikasjön

Valarna i Tanganyikasjön
Lennart Hagerfors
Weyler, 1985

Första intryck:
Jag fastnade för boken i affären av okänd anledning och är glad att jag köpte den. Den är rolig men på ett bisarrt sätt som inte blir för pretentiöst, och texten i sig själv är lättläst och simpel utan att man tappar intresse.

Recension:
Jag kan fortfarande inte riktigt sätta fingret på vad det är med den här boken som jag tycker så mycket om. Den är ostrukturerad och förvirrande, verkar inte ha särskilt mycket av en poäng och jag är säker på att många skulle tycka att den är irriterande. Jag blir glad av den. Som jag tidigare sagt har den ett märkligt djup i sin enkelhet. Språket passar berättelsen mycket bättre än moderna romaners ofta gör. Tonen i allmänhet är lugnande och boken var fortläst. Jag vill redan läsa den igen.

Utlåtande: Imponerande

All My Friends Are Superheroes

All My Friends Are Superheroes
Andrew Kaufman
Telegram, 2010

First impression:
I can tell that I will like this one because it's brief in a good way and doesn't faff about just to use up paper. The style is slightly reminiscent of Kurt Vonnegut, simple and sentimental, but it occasionally feels a bit forced. My main concern however is that I wish some of the superheroes would have wittier names.

Review:
Though not life-changing, I must admit I fell a little bit in love with this one. It contained a number of very astute observations and charming metaphors which, although quite transparent, in their modesty did not annoy me. I liked the idealist images, the way reality was twisted, the melancholy of the characters. I did not so much like the added miniscule details, and I had hoped it would be slightly funnier. But I won't complain; this is definitely one of the better books I have encountered, and I do want to read The Waterproof Bible.

Rating: Impressive

Låt den rätte komma in

Låt den rätte komma in
John Ajvide Lindqvist
Ordfront, 2008

Första intryck:
Jag har läste den här för många år sedan och minns att jag gillade den mer än Hanteringen av odöda, men jag kan fortfarande inte komma ifrån att den mesta litteratur som är skriven i original på svenska har en smått krystad stämning som gör det svårt att helt leva sig in. Trots det tycker jag att boken står stark bland andra svenska verk och för att vara en ungdomsbok.

Recension:
Jag står fast vid vad jag skrev om språket men i övrigt tycker jag boken är bra, har bara svårt att avgöra riktigt för vilken läsarkrets den är menad och ännu svårare att visualisera vissa scener som ens tillåtna i filmen som jag planerar att se ikväll. Boken är sannerligen mer spännande och annorlunda än vad som normalt skrivs i Sverige, men samtidigt kan jag inte hjälpa att jag i bakhuvudet är kritisk, därför faller betyget något. Kan det vara för att den utspelar sig i Stockholm kanske.

Utlåtande: Bra

Dreamwords

Dreamwords
Paul Story
Honesty Edition, 2011

First impression:
The most special thing about this book is that it was delivered to the students of my university in large outdoor bunches for people to pick up, read at their leisure, and pay for if they wished to see the sequel in print. This is such a unique and wonderful idea I feel a bit bad about reviewing the book itself, being far from the genre I normally gravitate towards. So I will leave it, I think, until I've finished it.

Review:
Being a book largely concerned with dreams, I was not surprised to find it quite surreal and confusing, however, as my attention span is rather short, I spent a lot of time struggling to remember where I was and how I got there. I did enjoy the science fiction bits, though, and found it a nice twist to a traditional adventure novel. Once into the plot, the book was captivating but I'm afraid it lacked the kind of depth I need to fully submerge myself. Nevertheless I will pass it on and continue to promote the project as I think the attention is definitely deserved.

Rating: Decent

Slaughterhouse-Five

Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt Vonnegut
Dial Press, 2009

First impression:
I know this author from before and had forgotten how utterly wonderful he is to read. In my first sitting I got through about 50 pages, which is unusual for me, especially since I generally don't think much of war literature. The main theme is reminiscent of one from Svålhålet by Mikael Niemi, so if you enjoyed that as much as I did, this is a recommendation.

Review:
I can't help myself when it comes to this style of writing; there is just something special about the way complex ideas are expressed in such simple terms that the ideas in turn become elementary. Having read two other books by him, too, the intertextuality is stimulating. The plot wasn't very elaborate but more or less a description of various settings, but this did not provide any difficulty for me in getting through the almost 300 pages. There is a sincere, silly sentimentality about Vonnegut which always manages to plant the most wonderful seeds of thought in me.

Rating: Impressive

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Children's Books, 2009

First impression:
The first warning bell went off when I saw Stephenie Meyer's name on the cover saying this book "is amazing". The sole reason why I opened it in the first place is because I'd heard from a more reliable source that it was, but I'm not won over and doubt that I will be. The idea is interesting enough, but the quality of the text is uneven, the narrative one-sided and the descriptions shallow. It is very noticeably a book for inexperienced or possibly even reluctant readers, requiring little cognitive effort to get through, but for that very reason I'm determined to do it.

Review:
I wasn't charmed, did not find the characters lovable or the portrayal of any of the events very captivating. What kept me reading, I believe, was the fact that cliffhangers were inserted at regular intervals, however I found that the absolution of most of the impossibly critical scenarios tended to rely on variables that the writer just happened to feel like introducing at that point. I will still grant Collins that the underlying concept is a good one, but even the initial choice of a first-person present narrative set the odds against her as the reader is bound to know from sentence one that the main character is going to get away unscathed. I won't be too harsh, however, as I realise the book is aimed at a younger audience, who, I'm sure, would enjoy it.

Rating: Decent