Meaning of Stars. Again.

Because I DO keep going back to read this, I decided to repost Anthony's take on what the stars mean... :D Take it away, Anthony:


Before I get started with the book reviewing, I'd like to address a problem I tend to have at times such as this- numerical rating. If you are anything like me, tying yourself down to a number rating can be hard. One begins to wonder, “What, exactly, is the difference between a 2 and a 3? Or a 7 and an 8? What if I give a 5 star book a 6 star rating? How can I accurately assign the right number to all these books? AHHHHHHHH!” So, in the interest of my own sanity, I'd like to articulate what I feel each number really means in terms of merit. When I review a book, I'll try to be as consistent to this scale as I can, and anyone else who wants to use it can too. If you don't like it or want to do your own thing, go ahead and use whatever works for you.

1 star- There is nothing to redeem this book. Poor characters, a poor plot, a poor topic, and poor descriptions all combine into a single monstrous piece of writing that makes you wonder whether life has any meaning. Reading even small portions of this book makes you want to weep, and then die.

2 stars- Overall, this book was terrible. Embarrassing. Painful. However, there was a little something that saved it from oblivion. Perhaps it was funny scene, or a surprising plot twist. Whatever it was, you were grateful for it, because it provided relief from the tedious trudge that was the rest of this book.

3 stars- Something about this book was done right. Because of that, the book could have been enjoyable. Unfortunately, the wrong outweighed the right overall. Had you been an editor, you'd have sent it back to the author and encouraged them to keep working on it.

4 stars- Nothing about this book is really that bad. Unfortunately, nothing about the book is really that good either. You were a little frustrated sometimes, and other times you were mildly amused. You will likely forget this book soon after reading, for nothing much stood out.

5 stars- This book had potential. It really did. But it fizzled and simmered when it should have blazed. There were good bits that could have been great bits. You don't regret reading the book, but you wouldn't really recommend it either.

6 stars- A good book. Not a great one, but a good one. There might have been a problem or two, but they didn't break the book. It made you smile, or it made you think. You probably won't read it again, but it was worth one read.

7 stars- A fine book indeed. A good idea that was well written. Any problems that it had were small or insignificant. You'd likely recommend this book to anyone who seemed interested.

8 stars- A solid book, with no real weakness. There was even a time or two that it really glowed. You could see yourself reading this book again in a few years. You even find yourself loyal to the author, eager to read other things that they have written.

9 stars- This book made you laugh, cry, and everything in between. It was nearly impossible to put the book down, and every twist and turn kept you begging for more. Upon finishing, you felt a little sad, because a great and enjoyable journey was complete. You'd heartily recommend this book to just about anyone.

10 stars- It was everything a 9 was, plus a little more. You know that you'll read this book again and again, and you'll enjoy it every time. You feel the book represents creativity, ingenuity, and the English language in a way few people or things can. You weep for those who haven't yet read this book.

There you have it. Two more points, for those of you who haven't fallen asleep.

1. Regarding nonfiction, I would like to give a separate rating for “Experts” and “Newcomers” whenever it seems applicable. Sometimes a book can only be good if you know something about the topic, and a newcomer would only be frustrated by. Other times a book can be enjoyed by anyone. I'd like my ratings to reflect that.

2. I would also like to establish a scale of -1, -2, -3, or unreadable for profane or otherwise explicit content. Sometimes an interesting book is frustratingly peppered with offensive language or some other problem. Such things can effect readability, based on the reader's preferences.

The Book of Arthur: Lost Tales from the Round Table by: John Matthews

8 stars

I should first apologize for not posting in a while. I have four or five books that I need to review, but lately I have had no interest in blogging. Fear not, I am now repenting of my sin and will hopefully get the reviews up in the next couple of days.

This book is a collection of original tales about King Arthur and the Round Table that have fallen by the wayside. There are 28 stories total. They are translated into modern prose, and are easy to understand. They certainly aren't for children, but any adult who likes Arthurian legend will love this book.

I love stories about King Arthur and Camelot, and these were no exception. I had only heard of a few of the stories in this book, so almost all of it was new to me. I absolutely loved a few of them, and didn't really dislike any. I will say that some of the stories were a bit strange, and it was obvious that a medieval audience would understand them better than I do. Some of the stories have humorous medieval morals. For instance, in one story the hero of the story concludes that all women are evil, and therefore no righteous knight would ever trust them. Things like this made me laugh a little.

At any rate, I can recommend this to anyone with the same taste as I. The Orem Public Library has a copy of it for anyone who is interested

The Devil and Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession by: David Grann

7 stars- 3 for language = 4 stars

This book is a collection of 12 truly unique articles by New Yorker staff writer David Grann. They are strange, creepy, interesting, and at times disturbing. Here is a sample of a few of the articles.

- A real life murder mystery involving a scholar who studied Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes.

-My personal favorite, a con man pretends to be a family's missing child. A suspicious personal investigator discovers that the family may have killed their 'missing' child and know full well the the con man isn't their child. Who has really been conned?

-A firefighter loses his memory shortly after the events of 9/11and tries to retrace his steps, struggling to learn whether he was a hero or a coward when the towers fell.

-A man convicted in what seems to be a clear cut arson case is revealed to be innocent after certain advancements in science.

-The world's largest prison gang is investigated and disturbing insights are revealed.

-And more!

The stories range from real life mysteries to strange events to bios of obsessive people. All are nonfiction and all are very interesting. I must say that I enjoyed the articles in this book a great deal. Unfortunately, the language is simply terrible. The author himself doesn't use any bad language but he quotes many gangsters, criminals, and tough characters that can swear up a storm. Although I found it very interesting, I can't recommend it to anyone who dislikes bad language in books.

Questing in Camelot

Lately I've been in the mood for Arthurian stories. Since I work at the library, I had easy to access to several books in the genre. I couldn't resist! I thought that I would do a single large post about them all, rather than a post about each.


Merlin and the Making of the King- Margaret Hodges

We'll start with one I didn't like as much. Although I like the illustrations in this one, I didn't much like the writing. I felt that the writing was a bit rushed, skipping over too much. In addition, this version focuses on the Christian elements of the Arthurian legends, which isn't my favorite. I don't really like mixing Christianity and magic together, so I generally prefer Arthurian storytelling that focuses on the magical elements over the Christian ones. I know its impossible to ignore it all together, what with things like the Holy Grail, but nonetheless I like it minimized.



Merlin and the Dragons by: Jane Yolen

A wonderful picture book about Merlin's past. Beautifully illustrated and accurately told, this is wonderful picture book. I enjoyed it! Good for young and older children as well as adults.











King Arthur by: Sir Thomas Mallory

One again, beautifully illustrated. The writing here is average. Along the far sides of the pages there are various facts about Arthurian legends and history to supplement the writing. Overall an enjoyable experience. I'd say the target audience is 8-12.












The Fall of Camelot by: "Time-Life Classics"

This is my favorite of the bunch. It is written for a more adult audience, but I enjoyed it's tone and flow quite a lot. In my opinion, the best written of the bunch. It also has some of my favorite illustrations.













King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Sir Thomas Mallory

This one is more of a chapter book for preteens. The writing feels pretty bland in comparison to some of the others, but it still decent. There are a few scattered illustrations, but they are nothing special.













And that's it for now. I also have a book about the themes within Arthurian stories, and during my breaks at work I'm reading a compilation of relatively unknown or forgotten Arthurian legends. At some later date hopefully I can tell you about them.

Funny In Farsi by: Firoozeh Dumas

7 stars

Funny In Farsi is a memoir of an Iranian girl growing up in America. Firoozeh Dumas first came to the U.S. from Iran in the early '70s when her father was sent to California on a two-year contract from the National Iranian Oil Company. Her family soon discovered that his presumed skill in English was basically limited to "vectors, surface tension and fluid mechanics." In short, humorous vignettes, the author recounts their resulting difficulties and Americans' almost total ignorance of Iran, illustrating the kindness of people and her father's absolute love of this country. - From Amazon.com

I must say that I enjoyed this book. I was led in a playful way through some of the culture of Iran, laughing as I went. Firoozeh amusingly describes the hilarity that ensues when as two very different cultures clash. The easy pace and friendly tone made it a quick and easy read, and one I would recommend to those looking for a little humor or a peek into Iranian culture. My only possible complaint was that in seemed a little rushed at times. I would have liked to have read a little more.

I Shall Wear Midnight by: Sir Terry Pratchett

7 stars

I Shall Wear Midnight is a discworld novel by my fantasy favorite Terry Pratchett. The main character, Tiffany Aching, is a young witch in training. This is Pratchett's fourth novel about Tiffany Aching. In this particular novel Tiffany and the Nac Mac Feegles (tiny angry blue faeries) must battle an ancient ghost of a witchhunter.

Like all of Pratchett's novels, it is filled with fun, humor, and has an excellent point. Since it is the fourth Tiffany Aching novel, I wouldn't recommend it to those who haven't read any of the other Tiffany Aching novels. I will say that the Tiffany Aching novels are great read for both adults and children. They were written with a young audience and will be easy for kids and adults to enjoy.

Of this book in particular, I think that I liked the other three Tiffany Aching novels more than this one. However, I still greatly enjoyed it and can comfortably give it a 7.

Finally, I was pleasantly surprised when reading the bio of Terry Pratchett on the back cover to learn that last year Terry Pratchett was knighted for his "contributions to literature". He is now Sir Terry Pratchett. I couldn't agree more.

Life of a Colossus by: Adrian Goldsworthy

8 stars

Life of a Colossus is a biography of Julius Caesar. Though I have not read any other biographies of Caesar, I am tempted to call it the authoritative biography. It chronicles everything we know about Caesar, from his early years on the run from the dictator Sulla to his conquests in Gaul and Britannia as a proconsul to the civil war against Pompey to his assassination at the hands of Brutus. In short, Caesar lived a very exciting life during an exciting time in history.

Adrian Goldsworthy manages a good balance storytelling and historical accuracy. He has no qualms admitting when our knowledge is limited or missing, but he doesn't bogged down in scholarly quagmires. Goldsworthy focuses on Caesar, but you will also learn a good deal about the Roman Republic in its last years, as well as several other famous Romans, including Pompey, Crassus Curio, Cicero, Cato, Mark Antony, Brutus, and Sulla. Though the book is long, it is well paced and there is always something interesting happening. I thoroughly enjoy it all, and often I found myself wishing I was a Roman aristocrat rubbing elbows with these men.

I would add a small warning. At a little over 500 pages of nonfiction, the book is not for the faint of heart. Those who love history, especially ancient history, will enjoy it, but it is surely not a causal reading.

In Defense of Elitism by: William A. Henry III

3 Stars

I picked up In Defense of Elitism because it sounded like an interesting philosophical read. The basic premise is this: Those people who are more valuable to society deserve greater privileges and respect. In the past such value was measured by blood and lineage, but in modern America this can simply be those who contribute the most to society. The author does a good job of outlining this premise. I was hoping that he would offer multiple arguments to support this premise, as well as discuss multiple arguments against it, ideally offering counters to such arguments.

Instead, the author focuses on only one argument in favor of this premise: elitism works better than egalitarianism. To support this argument, Henry examines the state of the work force, school systems, culture, and other things. He paints the failings of all of these areas due to a leaning towards egalitarianism and away from elitism, and suggests that by focusing on more elite systems the failings would disappear.

Though it was not the book I had hoped to read, I have a different, rather larger problem with the book. All information and research contrary to his argument he assaults with a hefty sledgehammer of skepticism. He attacks any and every possible weakness, at times dismissing strong reasonable pieces of research. After he does this, he presents his own information, but does very little to support or defend it. He merely asserts his claims and assumes that we should accept it. As a result, I felt that he was being unfair to the opposition and overly generous to his own claims.

In addition to this, I felt that he was arguing for some unsavory things that didn't necessarily have all that much to do with the arguments concerning elitism and egalitarianism. I won't go into detail, but at times it felt more like a personal rant than anything else. As a result, I found the book quite disappointing, and I would not recommend it to anyone.

Dark Lady's Chosen by: Gail Z Martin

Series rating: 6 stars

Dark Lady's Chosen is the fourth book of the Chronicles of the Necromancer series. In thought I would review the series, since I haven't reviewed any of the other books on this blog. The first three books are The Summoner, The Blood King, and Dark Haven. The Summoner and The Blood King were excellent fantasy books. I wouldn't say that they were particularly unique in any way, or groundbreaking, but well written, fairly paced, and very entertaining. If the series rating was based solely on those two, I think that I would give the series a 7 or an 8.

Unfortunately, the third book, Dark Haven, was a 500+ page book with probably about 100 pages of plot development. It was a long book with very little to show for it. Dark Haven was also too wordy, though not nearly to the same degree. In my opinion, Dark Haven and Dark Lady's Chosen should have been one book. I feel like there was only one book worth of content between the two of them.

Despite the excessive wordiness of the last two books, they were still enjoyable. I think I would recommend the series to fantasy lovers. Those uninterested in fantasy novels should probably give these a skip.

As end note, I would just like to say that Gail Martin's middle initial "Z" is a bit silly. I don't know what she or her publishers were thinking.

The Classics Reclassified by Richard Armour

7 stars

The Classics Reclassified is for those who hate classics. It is also for those who love classics. The Iliad, Julius Caesar, Ivanhoe, The Scarlet Letter, Moby Dick, Silas Marner, and David Copperfield all receive a humorous summary. Richard Armour's sharp wit spears the plot holes, the characters that don't make sense, the things that ought to have been left out, the excessive details, and everything else that your English teacher was too proud to point out.

Those of you who love the classics will enjoy a hearty chuckle. Those of you who hate the classics can laugh at their expense. Either way, laughter will ensue.

The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells

6 stars

The Island of Dr. Moreau is stereotypical Wells. For those who haven't read any H.G. Wells, he is famous for science fiction novels such as The Time Machine, War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man. All of Wells' novels that I've read have had a similar theme- the degeneration of man due to science. The Island of Dr. Moreau is no exception- the main character is trapped on an island with the amoral scientist Dr. Moreau, who creates human-like beings out of animals.

The Island of Dr. Moreau is probably the grossest Wells novel that I've read, and therefore I wouldn't really recommend it to someone who wanted to read a science fiction book. However, if you like the amoral mad scientist theme, or you like H.G. Wells, go for it.

People of the Lie by: Morgan Scott Peck

5 stars

People of the Lie is a psychiatrist's attempt to fuse science and religion by explaining the phenomenon of evil people with psychiatry. In a sentence, it was an interesting read, but I believe he was ultimately wrong.

According to Peck, evil is basically a kind of disease: malignant narcissism. The evil person is one who refuses to submit one's will to a higher power, be it God or some other virtue or discipline. Believing they are right and refusing to accept otherwise, they force others to live according to their worldview. Because they believe they are right, they will lie to themselves and others in order to convince others of their virtue (hence the title of the book, People of the Lie).

While using psychiatry terms to describe evil can be useful, I think that equating evil with narcissism is a mistake. First and foremost, narcissism is sometimes a medical condition, and other times a choice. Evil doesn't work that way. Evil isn't a medical condition that afflicts people. Second, calling evil a disease possibly suggests a genetic element, which is just wrong. The dichotomy of good and evil isn't about one's genetic structure, nor should it be.

As I said before, People of the Lie was an interesting read, but he simply wasn't right. It was fairly well written. I feel that it did dip too far into the occult for a nonfiction book, but only occasionally.

Going Postal By Terry Pratchett

8 stars

Summary from Amazon.com:
Soon after Moist von Lipwig barely avoids hanging, Lord Havelock Vetinari, the despotic but pretty cool ruler of Ankh-Morpork, makes him a job offer he can't refuse—postmaster general of the Ankh-Morpork Post Office. The post office hasn't been open for 20 years since the advent of the Internet-like clacks communication system. Moist's first impulse is to try to escape, but Mr. Pump, his golem parole officer, quickly catches him. Moist must then deal with the musty mounds of undelivered mail that fill every room of the decaying Post Office building maintained by the ancient Junior Postman Groat and his callow assistant, Apprentice Postman Stanley. Readers will cheer Moist on as he eventually finds himself in a race with the dysfunctional clacks system to see whose message can be delivered first.

Going Postal is but one of the many books written by Terry Pratchett, who is my favorite fiction author of all time. Pratchett is a hilarious writer whose books contain many subtle and not-so-subtle parallels of the real world. Within the humor you will find thoughtful critiques and dilemmas about some aspect of the real world. All of his books are intended to make you laugh, and as you laugh you think. I am always in awe of Pratchett's ability to do both at the same time.

I would say that Going Postal is probably in the high middle range of Pratchett's writing. If you haven't read any of Pratchett's books, Going Postal is an excellent place to enter. I own a copy (and many other Pratchett books) and would be happy to loan it out.

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

9 stars

Plot from amazon.com:
To keep a treaty made long ago, the king of Idris must send his daughter to marry Susebron, the God King of Hallandren. Loath to part with his eldest daughter, Vivenna, King Dedelin instead sends his youngest daughter, tomboyish 17-year-old Siri, who struggles to make sense of the schemers and spies in Susebron's court. Hoping to rescue her sister, Vivenna joins a group of Idrian operatives with questionable motives. As Vivenna comes to terms with her magical abilities, resurrected hero Lightsong questions the role of the undead Returned Gods, who command Hallandren's mighty army of zombie soldiers.

Warbreaker is a truly unique fantasy novel. Within these pages you won't find any fireballs, wizards, elves, or the like. Instead, you will find a system of magic based on color and Breath, a new world that includes men who die and come back to life as Gods, clothes that move as if alive, a religion that fears color, and many other unique and intriguing surprises.

Perhaps the highest praise I can give to Warbreaker is that I was truly surprised by some of the plot twists. I don't know about you, but sometimes books, especially fantasy books, are all too predictable. I didn't have this problem with Warbreaker. Once or twice there were true “huwhaaaaaaat!?!?!?!?!?!?” moments. The characters within Warbreaker are unique, complex, and believable, as is the world they live in. Finally, there were moments that made me laugh out loud. I'm usually not a laugh-while-reading kind of person, so this too is high praise.

Anyone who loves fantasy =needs to read Brandon Sanderson. In addition to Warbreaker, Sanderson has also written The Mistborn Trilogy and Elantris, which I also greatly enjoyed. I happen to own The Mistborn Trilogy and Elantris and anyone who wants to can borrow them.

Golem Written and illustrated by David Wisniewski

8 Stars

Golem is a picture book about the legend of the golem of Prague. For those who don't know the story, here is a quick summary. The Jews of Prague are being slandered and mistreated by the rest of the city. In desperation, the chief rabbi summons a man made of clay to protect the Jews. The golem protects the Jews, but grows in size and starts to gain a will of its own. When at last the emperor agrees to protect the Jews, the chief rabbi destroys the golem.

Golem is beautifully illustrated and well written. One can clearly see and hear the emotions of all involved in this wonderful retelling. I have read Golem before, and it remains one of my favorite picture books. I would recommend it to any who likes mythology, especially children.

The Tao Speaks Adapted & Illustrated By Tsai Chih Chung

Expert Rating: 6 stars

Newcomer Rating: 3 stars

Before I review this book, I’d like to take a step back so everybody is on the same page. Taoism is a Chinese philosophical and religious school of thought founded by the legendary (and possibly fictitious!) figure Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu wrote a book called the Tao Te Ching. The Tao Te Ching argues for a certain way of living, which includes following the Tao, refraining from wealth or honor, and living a simple life.

That said, The Tao Speaks is a book that describes and explains the principles contained within the Tao Te Ching. It is not really intended as an introduction to Taoism, but instead a further explanation for those who have already read the Tao Te Ching. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend it to newcomers. For those interested, I do have a couple of books that would do a fine job of introducing you to Taoist philosophy.

For those of you who know a little about Taoism, let me say a few things more about this book. The Tao Speaks does offer a pleasant romp through Taoist thought. Both the illustrations and the text are simple, minimal, and beautiful. The text will not be hard to understand, but so much meaning is packed into so few words it might be hard to comprehend. (Did that make sense?) While enjoyable, I felt that The Tao Speaks only offers explanation on the most traditional understanding of Tao Te Ching, rather than a new or unique interpretation. Therefore, you won't learn a whole lot of information. Truth be told, most everything from The Tao Speaks could be gleaned from other sources, if you knew where to look. Therefore, I would say that the The Tao Speaks is a unique artist experience, but as academically edifying as other texts.

In conclusion, The Tao Speaks isn't for newcomers, but is a fair book for those who already know a thing or two about Taoism.

Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne

10 stars!

I won't be giving 10 stars to many books, but I feel Winnie-The-Pooh deserves it. I have read Winnie-The-Pooh many times and plan to read it many times more. Besides being funny, whimsical, and insightful, I feel like there is something timeless about Winnie-The-Pooh that will never get old.

Since the book is short and so well known, I don't feel like I need to summarize it. Just read it! And read The House At Pooh Corner while you're at it. They won't take much time, and they can be unbelievably enjoyable. Read them yourself. Read them with your significant other. Read them to your children. You won't regret it.

Mao and Me by Chen Jiang Hong

6 Stars

Mao and Me is a very short but intriguing read. Less than a hundred pages and illustrated in a way reminiscent of ancient Chinese art, it doesn't take more than an afternoon to read. It offers a small autobiographical glimpse into a boy growing up during Mao's declared cultural revolution. Since I am young and foolish, I don't know anything about China's recent history. This story offers a story both happy and sad. One gets to hear a story about a boy who grew up living simply but happily with his family. One also hears about book burnings, forced public disgraces, and a harsh government that forces people to live a certain way.

I'm sure that those who know about China's history will learn very little new information. I'm also sure that those like me, with little knowledge on this subject, will not gain a full picture of what happened. However, Mao and Me does provide a little look into a very foreign world. It was enough to pique my curiosity to look further, and it could do the same for you.

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

I thought I would repost the book reviews I did on my family blog. So Professor and the Madman, Mao and Me, and Winnie the Pooh are from that site.

7 Stars

How to make the first complete English dictionary:

Step One: Read all English literature.

Step Two: Copy down every single word.

Step Three: For each word, write a clear definition for every use. Track the word's history. Illustrate each use with a quote from literature. If possible, find the earliest use of the word.

Step Four: Alphabetize and organize all words. Put into typeset. (Backwards and reverse order)

As per the Admiral's orders, I am now reviewing the books I read. I finished The Professor and the Madman about a week ago. Although the making of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) may not sound like an interesting reading topic, I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the world of the internet, computers, laser printers, and readily available dictionaries, it is hard to imagine the sheer amount of work required to create the world's first complete dictionary. As you'll learn from this book, it took thousands of contributors and nearly a century of work to make it happen. Dedicated volunteers from all over America and English read, wrote, and sent words to a single address. There, a full time staff was dedicated solely to struggling to control the madness of thousands of words being sent daily. The paper alone weighed in the tons, and had to be kept on a specially reinforced floor.

Added this amazing story of the OED is one more strange fact: one of the greatest contributors to the OED was a man who was completely and incurably insane. Articulate, educated, helpful, but insane.

In short, The Professor and the Madman provides a vivid and interesting account of a unique piece of history. Fittingly for a book about a dictionary, the vocabulary was challenging and the tone was educated. I was rarely bored, and I was always curious about what was going to happen next. The final chapter raises some interesting questions that make you think. I would recommend it for anyone looking for some interesting nonfiction.