2 Minute Book Review: Fall of Giants

Estimated reading time for this post: 1 minute 52 seconds. Read it Later?


Book: The Fall of Giants (first book in Century Trilogy)
Author: Ken Follett
Narrator:  John Lee

This intricately woven, epic story is yet again another masterpiece by what is becoming my favorite author, Ken Follett. This is the third book of his that I have read (listened to). The other two, The Pillars of the Earth and it’s sequel, World Without End were engrossing. Some of the credit for my love of the audiobook is the narrator, John Lee. John’s ability to give personality and management of each the different accents of speech are admirable. This book in particular follows five families in Wales, England, Russia, Germany and the United States at the early 1910s up until the end of the first World War. The depth of each character plays key as does their local idioms to construct a detailed world that revolves around the the heroics, indiscretion or diffidence whether real or fiction.

This novel is not just about war, it’s about humanity, family, love, hate, revenge, loyalty and the legacy we leave for our children. I can’t imagine the amount of research that is involved with Follett’s novels but I appreciate the detail and historical accuracy he is able to include in his books. The intricacy of how each story is intertwined is beautiful. I love that I learned things about the early 20th century in addition to being entertained and it's clear the author understand that the average reader it not going to have this much knowledge about this time in history. Woman’s suffrage, trade unions, protocols and manners of societal classes, politics, government, revolutions and wars, these topics were never covered in my history classes with such clarity and thoughtfulness, it was fascinating.

If I had but one negative thing to say, it would be that I felt like the ending was rushed. Explanations of how loose ends were tied seemed lacking in the details that were so complete in the beginning and middle of the book. It seemed like there were odd jumps in the time-line near the very end but it could have just been my misinterpretation.

In all, I can’t wait until the second installment is published.  As for the narration work of John Lee, he could read the phone book and I would listen with a smile! The fact is, I have looked for books he’s narrated just to hear him read. Granted, I have logged many hours driving so I go through books rather quickly and am always looking for my next one.

If you have any book suggestions, please leave me a comment!

If You Like PAWS...

Estimated reading time for this post: 2 minute 48 seconds. Read it Later?

My family has gotten our pet from PAWS in the past and although we currently do not have any pets, I respect what the Aberdeen PAWS is doing. I would love to volunteer time or money but just like many others, both are in short supply these days. I know I tend to forget that we are not a large community and there are not many options for stray or unwanted animals in Grays Harbor. That is why I believe it's so very important that we help keep these important organizations open.

I saw an article in the local newspaper this morning and they are so shorthanded/ understaffed that they are taking the month of March off from accepting animals. The article listed a few things that they are in need of so I'll list them here:

• Paper towels
• Dry cat and dog food
• Kitty litter
• Garbage bags
• Clorox(r) wipes
• Hand sanitizer 
• Copy paper

And of course monetary donations are greatly needed and appreciated.

*** This group doesn't even have a website! Imagine how many more animals might be placed in homes if they had pictures on the internet! ***

For those who have time but not the money, they can use your help. If you only have an hour a week to spare, which is NOT much at all, they will be glad for the help. Simple things like doing laundry, cleaning pens, feeding and watering the animals are all easy tasks that anyone can be shown how to do.

My main reason for writing about this is that I know the core group of volunteers are getting older. The time is coming soon for them to pass the responsibility of keeping PAWS' doors open to a younger generation.

It breaks my heart that animals are neglected, abused or forgotten. I might not agree with every political view involved with animal rescue services, and this blog isn't about that anyways. What I do agree with is that we humans, created this domestic animal problem, and (particularly if you are a pet owner) it's our job to help correct it. Maybe I have seen too many episodes of Confessions: Animal Hoarding but I really want people to be responsible pet owners. If you have a pet, why not buy two bags of dog food and drop one off at PAWS. If you have a cat or two, maybe pick up an extra bag of kitty litter. I am sure every little bit helps.

I don't currently have any pets but I have every intention of calling Val West (360-533-1141) and donating a little bit of money. And when we get ready to adopt a dog, I know that the money I pay for my new little buddy will go towards spaying and neutering more just like him. All in helps to control the pet population and to give these animals a second chance on life.

If you'd like to make a donation of any kind please call Val West at 360-533-1141. I wouldn't recommend dropping anything off unless you have called first to make sure someone is there and available to accept your donation.

PAWS
800 W. 1st Street
Aberdeen, Washington 98520
Phone: 360-533-1141


And in the immortal words of Bob Barker,
"Remember, have your pets spayed or neutered!"

A Letter to Microsoft

Estimated reading time for this post: 1 minute 3 seconds. Read it Later?


Dear Microsoft®,

I just saw your latest commercial for your search engine Bing™. Your tag line was “the decision engine” which I find particularly fitting since you have been making decisions for millions of us every day. Not even giving us a choice. Sometime I don’t even know you have made a decision FOR ME until it’s too late. Like when I need to update my software, or what programs are considered malicious and what needs to be blocked “automatically.” I like making my own decisions thank you.

Now you’ve gone and done it again, Microsoft. Politely telling me I am not smart enough to make my own decisions without your guidance or worse, your total control. Actually, it doesn’t feel polite at all. It feels manipulative and I don’t like it. Microsoft, you have become “the man” or rather, you have been “the man” for quite some time and I want you to know, I choose Firefox. I choose Google. I choose Adobe. And when I can, I choose freeware because it’s a free country.

And you thought your biggest competitor was Apple… Microsoft, I am breaking up with you. 

Respectfully, (despite your utter lack of respect for me.)

Natalie