Book review: Superfreakonomics, Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

Just finished reading Superfreakonomics, the follow up to Freakonomics (I'm only 14 years late with reading the follow up!). I had so wanted to enjoy this book, as I absolutely love the Freakonomics podcast. 

Unfortunately, it just felt all over the place, with a lot of focus on climate change. There were bits and pieces that were fairly interesting, like how the birth rate was controlled in India (not contraception, but the introduction of television), and that kangaroo farts don’t have methane (although, from a quick Google search, that is no longer true, they produce about the same amount of methane as animals similar in size). Fortunately, a quick read, so I don't feel that I wasted too much time on something I just didn’t enjoy. 

3/5

[Rather read Dan Ariely's Predictably Unpredictable.] 

Audiobook: What we Find, Robyn Carr

Read by Therese Plumber

Not exactly a literary masterpiece, but a light novel to listen to during the evening loadshedding slot; when you don’t have to think too hard, but still need something marginally entertaining to listen to while crocheting. 

A neuro surgeon decides to take time out at her Dad’s place, Sullivan’s Crossing, where hikers and campers go to during the summer. She happens to meet Cal, a  lawyer, also working through issues and taking time out. Feels like the characters are just a bit too strong for the author. It’s ok. 

The narrator is great. 

Audiobook: Wounds of the Father, Elizabeth Garrison

Read by: Hillary Hubar

Initially, I was a bit wary about the direction of this book. I find it troubling when authors become addicted to drugs and alcohol and social services don’t jump in, especially when they are so young. In another book that I’m currently listening to, it’s almost as if the author is romanticising the use of drugs. But fortunately, it's not the case with this book. 

Elizabeth shares how she became addicted to drugs and alcohol from a young age and her journey of dealing with the wrong crowd. The underlying cause of it all, her father’s abuse, and not getting the type of support needed to work through the issues.

 

What I did find surprising (as she did when she finally did clean herself up, and graduate from high school), was remembering the detail of scenarios that she had to deal with. One would have thought that this would be quite inconceivable with the amount of drugs that she had taken. But what is incredible, not only did she get clean and complete high school, but she also completed her PhD Summa Cum laude. As she puts it, she should have died on a number of occasions, but there is a reason that she went through everything she did so that she would be able to give others the support and hope that she so desperately needed.

Audiobook: The Man on the Beach, Anna Ihrén

Read by Imogen Wilde

This Swedish crime novel I enjoyed considerably more than the Secret Book and Scone Society, albeit not a Swedish novel, a crime novel nonetheless. I wonder if the Scone book had the same narrator, whether I might have enjoyed it marginally more. Probably not, as the characters in this book were considerably less grating.

What I really enjoyed about this book, was the insight into Swedish life. We are all very familiar with American and British traditions of Thanksgiving, Guy Fawkes and Halloween. So it was fascinating and refreshing to learn more about the celebration of Midsommar and how it is a family celebration with a May pole, all the delicious traditional fair of gravad lax, herring pie and all the berries and the beautiful daisy head wreaths. The celebration of Midsommar is something which is definitely now on my bucket list to experience.

Book review: My Year of Meat, Ruth L. Ozeki

Years ago a friend told me how this book had changed her life and how she no longer ate meat because of it. I don’t share this sentiment. It took me ages to finish reading it. I found the story lines rather tedious, and unnecessarily graphic in some places, which made it all feel very disjointed. 

There is however, quite a delicious stew recipe that I’ve made a few times (I used pork instead of beef); it’s really not all that healthy seeing that you stew the meet in Coca-Cola, but it is delicious! 

Audiobook: The Secret Book & Scone Society, Ellery Adams

Read by: Cris Dukehart

Not exactly the greatest literary piece of work I've listened to. I love 'whodunnits', scones and New York Times Bestselling authors. Unfortunately, this one just didn't hit the mark. 

It was OK for a December listen, but, for lack of a better word, it was 'fluff'. It got tedious, and perhaps because I wasn't too invested, all the names got confusing. 

Audiobook Review: Manhattan Cult Story, My Unbelievable True Story of Sex, Crimes, Chaos and Survival, Spencer Schneider

Read by: Austin Rising 

Intriguing to learn more about ‘School’, a cult that Spencer Schneider got involved with in the ‘80’s in Manhattan. He was a part of it for 20 years. I am all for the collective conscious but, the immediate alarm bells was that they were not allowed to speak about ‘School’, or even engage or recognise each other outside of ‘School’, not even to let their spouses know. Sharon Gans, the leader, controlled everything and even encouraged affairs. It all sounds very sordid.  

It is all a bit bizarre. What I don’t understand is that he is a highly qualified lawyer, and by the sounds of it, most of the people at ‘School’, were in high profile positions, so, pretty much, one would presume to be intelligent people. Yet, they were taken for a ride for a very long time. You can hear in the narrative that Spencer Schneider is very cross, hurt by the betrayal and disillusionment of it all. He does come across quite bitter towards the end. Who wouldn’t be after 20 years of your life being dictated to by someone like Sharon. 

I also asked myself why he stuck with it so long, I suppose that's what the manipulative nature and brainwashing of a cult is all about.