mental floss presents Instant Knowledge by the editors of mental floss
Published by Collins
2005
A pocket-sized reference guide to random trivia, this gem was created to let you annoy your friends in nerdier ways than you thought possible. Organized alphabetically, each of the 200-something facts is structured with keywords, fun anecdotes and a few social situations where the trivia might make a splash (cocktail parties, impressing mathematicians).
The best part about Instant Knowledge is how accessible the information becomes after reading it once. I found myself making references to how the inventor of Liquid Paper was the mother of one of the Monkees and that Ernest Hemingway crashed multiple airplanes in his time. As much as I enjoy it, I wish Instant Knowledge had an index so that when I want to confirm that lemmings don't actually commit mass suicide I wouldn't have to flip through trying to remember if it was listed under "lemming," "suicide," or "furry little creatures running for their lives." You get the idea.
a long way gone: memoirs of a boy soldier by Ishmael Beah
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux February 2007
I'm lucky. The first book I'm reviewing might be the best memoir I've ever read. Ishmael Beah's account of his time as a child soldier in Sierra Leone is heartbreaking, gruesome and beautiful. His storytelling captures the reader, forcing them to turn the page even as they blink back tears. This book is not for the weak of heart, nor to read while eating.
His story begins in 1993 as Ishmael first gets separated from his family and lives on the run with other boys. They must live in the forest to avoid death or becoming soldiers for the rebels. As each gleam of hope is abruptly destroyed, Ishmael is eventually forcefully recruited by the army and brainwashed and drugged into killing without remorse. After two years in the army he and other young men are taken to be rehabilitated. It takes a long time for the boys to overcome the violence they'd been exposed to and the withdraw from drugs. Ishmael is finally reunited with an uncle who lives in the city that the rehabilitation center is in, though he has lost his parents and brothers to the war.
Throughout his narrative, the author succeeds in conveying his intense emotions. He puts the reader right in the situation as he recounts the thoughts racing through his mind, his hellish nightmares and memories of happier times. He allows us to see his life, unashamed that we might judge his actions or pity his position. I challenge anyone to read this and walk away unmoved by the elegance, honesty and passion that A Long Way Gone offers.
Welcome to the 4 am book review. This blog is one person's opinions on current or soon-to-be released books. As a disclaimer: this blog in no way reflects the opinions or practices of the reviewer's employers, any book publisher, or really anyone at all other than said blogger. Why 4 am? That's what time I usually finish books, especially good ones that I couldn't put down at a decent time. Most of the reviews probably won't come out at that time, but you never know. If it's a good enough (or horrible enough) book, I might just have to share immediately. Who am I? I work part time at an independently owned bookstore in the Midwest. We get a good selection of galleys, so I get an advanced look at future bestsellers as well as a sweet discount for growing my own library. I don't claim to be an expert book reviewer, just someone who wants to share an opinion. Have a book you want reviewed? Send me an email at
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