Brief Book Briefing: "The Lost City of Z"

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Part detective story, part travelogue, part adventure from a gifted writer and dogged researcher.

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Brief Book Briefing: "Naked"

Fraud: Essays by David Rakoff


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Listened to the audiobook, read by the author. He makes David Sedaris seem macho -- and that's not a criticism. Hilarious -- and at times, poignant -- essays.

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Happy Anniversay, Continental Junto!

Ironically, I just decided to look back at when this blog started and realised it was one year ago today, April 20, 2008--a day that will live in infamy.

Apparently, it's a holiday of sorts as well for those so inclined. Oh yeah, and it's Earth Week, too. Those of you with weak hearts try not to be overwhelmed by this amazing triumpharate.

By the way, I heartily recommend the brilliant author Michael Pollan's (The Omnivore's Dilemma) older work, The Botany of Desire. He puts forth some interesting theories as to how plants have used humans to advance their place in this world through coevolution by exploring our ongoing relationship with four plants: the apple, the tulip, the potato, and marijuana. Pollan combines a journalistic eye with the passion of a gardener and intriguing philosopical ideas in one of the better books I've read in a while. Check it out and celebrate.