8-12-12 Farm City by Novella Carpenter - Non-Fiction

5 - This book made me laugh.  Novella and her boyfriend start an urban farm.  Before you think of a pretty terraced backyard in the suburbs, this was in Oakland, California.  Yep.  "The Ghetto"  She converted a vacant lot and began growing there and kept bees, and chickens, and ducks in her yard.  She also did turkeys.  This book is the story of how that came about and how she helped advance a movement for people to know where there food is coming from and to have the opportunity for freshness.  She still has the farm and you can follow her blog, Ghost Town Farm.  A really great and, I hate to say it, inspiring read.

3-24-12 Bar Flower by Lea Jacobson - Non-Fiction

4 - Lea Jacobson gives the reader a look inside ukiyo, "the floating world" of Japan. Ukiyo is the entertainment industry mainly focused around sex and Jacobson was part of the highest rungs of that society, a bar hostess. Ironically, a bar hostess, even though the occupation is considered part of the sex trade, involves no sex and barely even any touching. The modern equivalent of a geisha, a hostess is meant to fawn over men. make them feel important, and convince them to part with the better part of their bank account to purchase drinks from the establishment they are patronizing. In Japan, many of the hostesses are foreign born and don't necessarily even have to speak Japanese. In this, the reader is lucky because Jacobson speaks Japanese fluently and studied Japanese culture before travelling to Japan to begin her work as an English teacher. This book is her memoir of her time in Japan and introduces the reader to how an American English teacher becomes a bar hostess and explains many of the cultural differences and beliefs of the Japanese people. A really good read and very entertaining.

3-14-12 Lost in Shangra-La by Mitchell Zuckoff - Non-Fiction

4 - This is a little known adventure that occurred toward the end of WWII after the European surrender but while the Pacific theater was still in full swing. A sightseeing plane full of army personnel went down in New Guinea in a hidden valley nicknamed Shangra-La by the local soldiers. The survivors had to deal with very limited supplies, potentially fatal injuries, and unknown local tribes rumored to be headhunters and cannibals. Zuckoff gives the background of each of the players and gathered his information from this book from army records, interviews with the tribes, and interviews with some of the people involved and their families. It was a nice little history lesson about some of the people and places that tend to be overlooked in the movies and books about WWII, including the WAC's, the Women's Army Corps. Interested in history or WWII? Check this book out.

2-20-12 Charlie Chan by Yunte Huang - Non-Fiction

4 - This was a very interesting look at the history not only of the Charlie Chan character, but also the history of Hawaii. Huang introduces the reader to the real life Charlie Chan, Chang Apana, a police officer in the soon to be state of Hawaii. He also looks at the people who portrayed Charlie Chan in the incredibly popular movies and at the author himself and his life. This book is full of history and information that has almost been lost on a period and area in American history that is often overshadowed by the gold rush. A fascinating read for history buffs.

1-26-12 In the Land of White Death by Valerian Albanov - Non-Fiction

5 - This is just an amazing book written as a diary by one of the two survivors of the Saint Anna, a Russian ship that was exploring the arctic for new hunting routes. The Saint Anna was icebound for one year before Albanov began to have doubts that the ship would ever be freed from the ice. Two years after the ship set sail, Albanov made it back to civilization having walked, skied, and kayaked across the frozen ocean. When he left the Saint Anna, his was a group of 13 that slowly began to dwindle as the journey became even more difficult than he could have imagined. Polar bears, walrus, and slowly melting ice floes were only part of the problems he and his men endured. If you are interested in stories of arctic exploration or the tale of the Endurance, you should read this, and account of arctic survival written by a survivors own hand.

12-26-11 Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman - Non-Fiction

2 - You know, I have to give this a 2 because even though I only read this about three weeks ago, I can't remember a thing about it except it had some funny parts and I didn't hate it. Even looking it up on www.bn.com and reading the reviews does not jar anything. So I would say read this if you've run out of stuff or just need to take up time. You won't remember anything about it anyway.

11-12-11 The Natural Laws of Good Luck by Ellen Graf - Non-Fiction

3 - This was a cute story about a woman, Ellen, who marries a Chinese man, Zhong-hua, who moves to upstate New York to live with her and her teenage daughter. The culture clash is extreme considering they each only speak a few words of each other's languages. But the most interesting part of the book is hearing the recollections of the husband's time living in China during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Those stories make this book worthwhile and add so much to letting the reader in on the character of Zhong-hua and the understanding and non-judgement of his new wife.

11-2-11 Still Life with Chickens by Catherine Goldhammer - Non-Fiction

3 - This was a semi-amusing story about a woman starting over from a divorce. She moves her daughter and herself to a little cottage on the Atlantic ocean where they get chickens as new pets. The trials of raising chickens in a semi-urban setting are very funny at times, but this story just lacked anything to truly interest me. It's the typical story of a woman starting over when she didn't believe she would have to and adjusting to being single and raising a child alone. OK I guess if that's the kind of story you are looking for.

10-9-11 My Friend the Mercenary by James Brabazon - Non-Fiction

3 - This is a real life story about a journalist who ended up in some of the most dangerous situations in Africa and through the experiences befriended a mercenary. Nick used to be in the South African Defense Force and became a freelancer when South Africa began changing after apartheid was thrown out. Brabazon and Nick become involved with the resistance force in Liberia and are threatened with bounties on their heads and death by gunfire and explosives in the field. This book almost reads like a military thriller (it's a little less gripping) with all the ins and outs of politics in Liberia including bribery and propaganda. Brabazon includes a lot of pictures in the book that give faces to the people involved and make the story more real. An inside look at the business of politics that takes place in Africa when the world isn't really watching.

9-14-11 Will to Live by Les Stroud - Non-Fiction

4 - This is a very interesting look at some real life survival situations, some with happy endings, some not so happy, as Les Stroud, also known as Survivorman, reviews what is known and what the people involved did correctly or could have done better. He is never condescending in the reviews and backs up all his suggestions with reason. These stories are about everyday people caught up in extraordinary situations which, in some cases, could have been prevented with a little bit of foresight. An intriguing read for anyone interested in what if scenarios.

8-30-11 The Search for Nefertiti by Joann Fletcher - Non-Fiction

4 - Written by an Egyptologist whose main specialty has been hair, dress, and cosmetics, this book makes a very compelling argument for the discovery of Nefertiti's body and her rule as Pharaoh. Easily readable, Fletcher starts at the beginning of her career and lays the path she followed to come to her well founded conclusions. An introduction written by another historian explains that although her theories have not been accepted by the scientific community at large, he believes she will be proven correct with time. This book reads like an adventure story and gives a lot of historical information about the time period of the 'Heretic Pharaoh'. A fascinating read for those who enjoy history or ancient Egypt.

8-15-11 Full Circle by Michael Palin - Non-Fiction

5 - Michael Palin gives the reader a spectacular and humorous look at the countries on the Pacific Rim starting in Alaska and working all the way around until he ends back at his starting point. He and his team travel by boat, canoe, train, car, and sometimes feet to see some of the most beautiful and wondrous spots surrounding the Pacific ocean. The book is his diary and is marked by the number of days into the journey they are. There are fabulous photographs, interesting facts, and intriguing people along the whole journey. If you enjoy travel reading or have any interest in any of the countries on the Pacific Rim I highly recommend this book.

7-13-11 My Korean Deli by Ben Ryder Howe - Non-Fiction

3 - This was a pretty average story about a man whose family decides to buy a deli in Brooklyn. There is some culture clash since he is a WASP that married into a Korean family, but nothing over the top or unexpected. How they learn the neighborhood and the characters in the neighborhood is interesting and sometimes amusing. I guess if you're interested in the convenience store business this may appeal to you.

6-29-11 Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson- Non-Fiction

5 - I loved this business book simply because I could see so many of the companies I've worked for described in it. Fried and Hansson founded a software company that makes a profit and defies all the traditional business rules and they've put their beliefs and wisdom on these pages for everyone to see. Micromanaging is out. So are meetings, business plans, 80 hour weeks, and resumes. Even though they contradict all the standard business wisdom, they continue to be successful and after reading this book you'll see why. I think that anyone in business, from the mail boy to the CEO should read this and consider ways that they too can trim responsibly and become more productive without creating a business full of zombies.

6-21-11 Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain - Non-Fiction

5 - I love reading his books. Bourdain really does not mince words and if he doesn't like something he's not shy about saying so. In turn, if he loves or adores or respects something he hands out accolades. As you readers know by now, I love food books and this one was no exception. Bourdain is now older and, perhaps, wiser and has gone a different direction since he wrote Kitchen Confidential. He has traveled the world, eaten incredible dishes, rubbed elbows with the culinary elite, and has entered the realm of television. His stories are entertaining and raw, telling it exactly how he sees it with no apology. And his food porn will make your mouth water and you will almost be able to taste the dish he is describing. And then you'll look at your boxed mac & cheese and go "ugh."

5-17-11 American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half of Its Food (and What We Can Do About It) by Jonathan Bloom - Non-Fiction

5 - This is a fascinating and shameful look at how much food waste is created in the United States every day. From restaurants to home kitchens to processing plants, Bloom lays out why and where so much waste is created: farmers who harvest only 60% of their crops; restaurants that throw out prepared food every night; general consumers who are confused about sell by and enjoy by and best by dates. What makes this book great is that he doesn't only show us our faults but he also proposes solutions and features groups and companies that are already trying to cut down or salvage some of the waste. We are a fortunate country and yet we are not aware of how much more we can do. I recommend that everyone read this book if for no other reason than that every consumer will be able to make more informed decisions and maybe effect a change, no matter how slight, that will help to cut down this waste.

3-15-11 Ferran by Colman Andrews - Non-Fiction

5 - This is a very informative biography of Ferran Adria and how he and El Bulli came to be the culinary powerhouses they are today. If you don't recognize the name perhaps you'll recognise what Adria is best known for: his culinary foams. Yes, he's the guy who makes food into foams but this book shows there is so much more to him than just that one culinary creation. Plus the history of the restaurant itself is fascinating. If you enjoy food, as I do, you should check out this book about one of the culinary visionaries of our time.

2-8-11 We Have Met the Enemy : Self-Control in an Age of Excess by Daniel Akst - Non-Fiction

4 - Akst reviews self control in modern society in a way that is amusing and informative. By looking back into history and comparing to today, he helps the reader gain insight on whether or not we truly have any self control or if the idea of willpower is a myth. He also provides helpful information that can assist the reader in forcing self control to help achieve a goal. Regardless of whether you believe everything we do and are is due to our own choices or if you believe that everything is prewritten by our genes, this is an interesting book that will make you see both sides of the argument.

1-12-11 On a Dollar a Day by Christopher Greenslate & Kerri Leonard - Non-Fiction

4 - This was a fascinating look at poverty and health in our nation. Greenslate & Leonard did an experiment where they limited themselves to spending only a dollar a day each on food for a month. This stemmed from Greenslate's observation that a large portion of the world survives on that amount of food. After a month of this experiment, they tried to live on the average food stamp allotment for a family of four. The nutritional value of these experiments left much to be desired and showed that although people are able to eat, their lives aren't necessarily enriched in any way. If you are interested in food (like I am) and/or social issues facing our country and the world I recommend you check this book out.

6-15-10 The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz - Non-Fiction

5 - This is my favorite type of non-fiction: a true story that is so exceptional that it reads like fiction. Seven men walked out of northeastern Russia (when it was still the Soviet Union) and continued walking all the way to India to escape the Russian work camp where they had been imprisoned. The hardships they endured are awesome and the fact that any of them made it to India is astounding. This story is a testament to determination and willpower and also highlights the bonds of friendship and camaraderie that form between men in times of hardship. I can't even describe the trials these men went through running from a totalitarian military and fighting against nature the whole way. Having Slavomir Rawicz decide to finally tell the story of this moment in history displays his courage even more fully than just his actions could have done. When many men would have kept this terrible experience locked away in a dark corner of their mind Rawicz chose to share his story with the world and shows the horrors that men do and the hope that allows men to survive those horrors. A fantastic non-fiction read.