All the Books.

"A vague but still heart wrenching recollection of the hardships and depravity of slavery and what one woman must go through to secure her and her children's freedom."  3 Stars Pros: Well written/unflinching and honest in describing the brutality of slavery/A much needed look into the life of a female slave when all that was available at that time were recollection of male slaves, the sexual exploitation and depravity was endless and terrible. Cons: The author came off as incredibly well spoken and educated while all others, including other slaves seemed simple, ill mannered and unlearned, it hinted at a sense of arrogance from the author (my own personal opinion)./Sometimes a few too many characters that were intermingled and connected, the relationships became confused and it was difficult to decipher friend from foe. Full Review:  Harriet Jacobs, who is referred to as Linda in this account was born into slavery but did not know it until she was six years old. He...

"A compilation of stories that focus mainly on Mowgli, an orphaned human child who is accepted into the Seeonee Wolf Pack and lives in the jungle until he is grown. We are offered a glimpse of a wild, unknown world but one that is not so very different from our own. Through Mowgli's eyes and adventures we learn that the animals of the Jungle also live by rules, and all have a role; a part that they all must play." 3 Stars. Pros: Each high-lighted character, such as Baloo and Bhagheera had their own unique personalities, the stories that did not directly deal with Mowgli were still interesting since the protagonists had their own adventures etc. Cons: Sometimes the tone was a bit dry/long winded/If all of the Mowgli tales were told chronologically I think the book wouldn't have felt so tedious at the end. Full Review Unbeknownst to me, there are actually two Jungle Books. And within these books are stories about the "man cub" Mowgli, a young, orphaned...

"Horrifying in its grisly detail of the unsanitary way of life in Victorian London but educational and surprisingly endearing towards the quiet man, Joseph Lister who would rise to become a star in the world of Medicine." 4 Stars Pros: Detailed, Engrossing, Unflinching in the horrific health conditions in London in the 1800s Cons: Sometimes too many people/hard to keep track of who was who, Some medical jargon was a bit complex for the average reader, By the end of the book, the petty arguments and disagreements between the numerous medical societies was tedious and annoying. Full Review. The book opens with a scene that's more befitting a horror movie than what you would apparently find back in Victorian London. It's an operating theater, the patient must have his leg amputated below the knee and everyone is crowded in for this particular procedure, because something radical and new is about to be used, Ether. This miracle concoction can apparently render the ...

"Terrifying in the sense that your body can so easily betray you, but ultimately hopeful since she recovered, studied, the disease and is now an activist to help others who suffer from a mystery illness as she once did."  Stars: 3 Pros: Engrossing, Educational, Terrifying, Hopeful Cons: Mental Illness Stigma, Medical explanations sometimes a little complicated/overly detailed Full Review:  Chronicling a month where Susannah Cahalane descended into, basically, insanity, with no reason why, Brain on Fire is a detailed, enthralling tale of a mystery illness and a surprising/miraculous diagnosis and recovery. She's not sure how she contracted the illness that she was eventually diagnosed with. And she still feels that a small part of her that existed before the illness is missing, but for the most part, she's back to her old self, able to live, work and exist independently without the constant supervision and aid of her parents/boyfriend etc. For someone as st...