"Between Man and Beast" by Monte Reel

An ok biography of Paul Du Chaillu who explored parts of Africa during the Victorian era and was key to introducing gorilla specimens to England and the United States. Paul was also an adventure writer and a writer of children's stories. Aspects of the book I didn't like included ugly displays of human nature re evolution, personal jealousies etc. I did enjoying reading about Darwin and Huxley and other people of their ilk. This biography was very distant from its subject. It felt like reading hearsay, and I did not feel close to Paul, ever.

"Quicker than the Eye" by Ray Bradbury

I'm glad to be finally finished this collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury. The only story I remember loving is the one about 2 senior citizens trying to murder each othe. The black humour was great. For the most part, though, I did not like the stories. I find that Ray Bradbury's voice is often too lyrical for the subject matter, and I got tired of hearing the same mental voice over and over again.

"Homesick" by Guy Vanderhaeghe

This was a well written book, centred around an obtusely stubborn relationship between an old man and  his daughter. It dealt with the kind of people I'm not really interested in reading about; the adults had too many rough edges for my taste. Daniel, the grandson, was appealing. Hopefully the mother eventually learns to see who he really is, and stops living in fear that he won't live up to his potential. I do believe the mother does grow by the time the book ends

"The Elfstones of Shannara" by Terry Brooks

Never have I skimmed a book to the great extent that I skimmed this one. The story is such a cliche that I only had to skim every 10 pages or so to know what as going on. And the writer puts thousands of words too many of exposition into his writing. No one really talks or thinks the way Brooks has them talking and thinking. I am never reading another book by this author.

"Naked" by David Sedaris

At first I thought that these snippets from David's life were depressing, showing just how shallow life can be. But after reading a few of his essays, I really got into them, and will read more Sedaris books. Because the essays are fairly short, and entertaining as well as intelligent, they are great for reading during travelling, when I have trouble focussing.

"Beowulf" translated by Burton Raffel

I read this book for a course at Carleton. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

"Undermajordomo Minor" by Patrick deWitt

This was an odd little fable that included sexual orgies in an odd castle with unexplained battles raging outside. Lucy, the protagonist, who is prone to lying, actually becomes likeable by the end.