Rabid

Rabid by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy Summary: The most fatal virus known to science, rabies-a disease that spreads avidly from animals to humans-kills nearly one hundred percent of its victims once the infection takes root in the brain. In this critically acclaimed exploration, journalist Bill Wasik and veterinarian Monica Murphy chart four thousand years of the history, science, and cultural mythology of rabies. From Greek myths to zombie flicks, from the laboratory heroics of Louis Pasteur to the contemporary search for a lifesaving treatment, Rabid is a fresh and often wildly entertaining look at one of humankind's oldest and most fearsome foes. "A searing narrative." -The New York Times "In this keen and exceptionally well-written book, rife with surprises, narrative suspense and a steady flow of expansive insights, 'the world's most diabolical virus' conquers the unsuspecting reader's imaginative nervous system. . . . A smart, unsettling, and strangely stirring piece of work." -San Francisco Chronicle "Fascinating. . . . Wasik and Murphy chronicle more than two millennia of myths and discoveries about rabies and the animals that transmit it, including dogs, bats and raccoons." -The Wall Street Journal Angie's Comments: I liked Rabid. Other reviewers thought that parts were slow, especially in the beginning, and that the parts about vampires and werewolves was unnecessary. However, I loved it all. I enjoy hearing about the beginnings of vampire and werewolf legends, cultural views of diseases and animals, and scientific information. This book had it all. Depending on your interest, you may want to skip or skim through parts of the book.     Request this item

5-Minute Mug Cakes

5-Minute Mug Cakes: Nearly 100 Yummy Microwave Cakes by Jennifer Lee Summary: Don't think you can make a warm, gooey homemade cake in under five minutes? Think again! 5-Minute Mug Cakes is the perfect gift for anyone with a mug, a microwave, and a dream. With nearly 100 delectable recipes for cakes, brownies, cookies, and more, every single recipe can be made in an ordinary, microwave-safe mug in just a few minutes. Author Jennifer Lee, creator of Kirbie's Cravings, guides you through simple recipe favorites like: -2-Ingredient Flourless Nutella® Cake -Salted-Caramel Chocolate Cake -Funfetti Cake -S'mores Cake -Strawberries & Cream Cake -Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake -Red Velvet Cake -Lemon Dream Cake and dozens more! Featuring special chapters like Skinny Mug Cakes (all under 200 calories!), Gluten-Free Mug Cakes, and even 4-Ingredients-or-Less Mug Cakes, there is no excuse for eating tasteless, packaged desserts anymore. Every recipe in 5-Minute Mug Cakes is simple, fast, and delicious. The best part? If you mix your ingredients right in your favorite mug, there is next to no cleanup! Angie's Comments: Time for some snacks! The recipes in this book are great if you just want a small amount of cake in a fast time, with less dishes to wash up. I tried the chocolate mug cake, which was good – maybe not as good as regular chocolate cake, but still worth the effort. The instructions are easy to follow, and most of the ingredients are common. I look forward to making more mug cakes!     Request this item

Better by Mistake

Better by Mistake: The Unexpected Benefits of Being Wrong by Alina Tugend Summary: New York Times columnist Alina Tugend delivers an eye-opening big idea: Embracing mistakes can make us smarter, healthier, and happier in every facet of our lives. In this persuasive book, journalist Alina Tugend examines the delicate tension between what we’re told—we must make mistakes in order to learn—and the reality—we often get punished for them. She shows us that mistakes are everywhere, and when we acknowledge and identify them correctly, we can improve not only ourselves, but our families, our work, and the world around us as well. Bold and dynamic, insightful and provocative, Better by Mistake turns our cultural wisdom on its head to illustrate the downside of striving for perfection and the rewards of acknowledging and accepting mistakes and embracing the imperfection in all of us. Angie's Comments: Let’s start Monday off talking about mistakes! Sometimes being wrong is okay, as this book demonstrates. The book reminds me of the saying that “Every plane crash makes flying safer”. I don’t know who said it, but as long as you identify and correct the mistakes made that caused the crash, flying does become safer. This book is an overview of mistakes and how people and industries handle them, including medicine and aviation. If you are interested in how people handle mistakes, this is a good overview. It isn’t the best book I have read on the subject, but it was a solid overview with some interesting points to ponder.     Request this item

Romancing the Duke

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare Summary: In the first in Tessa Dare's captivating Castles Ever After series, a mysterious fortress is the setting for an unlikely love . . . As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too.  The storybooks offered endless possibilities. And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off.  One by one by one. ·         Ugly duckling turned swan? ·         Abducted by handsome highwayman? ·         Rescued from drudgery by charming prince? No, no, and... Heh. Now Izzy's given up yearning for romance. She'll settle for a roof over her head.  What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who's never even been kissed? This one. Angie's Comments: Funny, yet serious romance book about identity and learning to handle life, and co-starring a weasel. The characters are unique. I enjoyed the characters who dress up and enact roles from Goodnight’s tales. They even have conventions, and in the end help save Ransom (even though he previously made fun of them). Izzy is a delight, a strong, forceful character. The mix of geeky (from the role playing) and the romance make a great match in this first of the “Castles Ever After” series.     Request this item

Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies

Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies by Janis Thornton Summary:  When it comes to murder, forget the butler . . . it’s the housekeeper who knows where the bodies are buried. Small-town newspaper editor Crystal Cropper can't resist a good mystery. Cleaning lady Gertie has a knack for sweeping skeletons out of closets—making her one of Crystal’s best informants. So when Gertie lands in the hospital, courtesy of an unknown assailant, Crystal starts snooping. The trail of dirt and gossip leads right to the doorsteps of several prominent local families—and to a decades-old murder and the disappearance of a young boy . . . Angie's Comments: Local author Janis Thornton did a great job with this book! It was fast paced, well written, and had many twists that I didn’t expect! It kept me guessing up right to the very end. This is Thornton’s debut book (which I wouldn’t have guessed). Crystal’s personality really comes through, as do all of the characters. I look forward to the next mystery featuring Crystal. Recommended for readers of cozy mysteries.     Request this item

Surviving Ebola

Surviving Ebola: NOVA Summary:  In December, 2013, in a small village in West Africa, a young boy died from the dreaded disease, Ebola. Over the next nine months the virulent killer would claim more victims than all previous Ebola epidemics put together. And for the first time, the disease escaped the isolated, rural villages where it had first appeared, and traveled in infected patients by air to densely populated cities in several African countries. As the epidemic threatens to spiral out of control, NOVA reports from the hot zone, where courageous medical teams struggle to cope with a flood of victims, to labs where scientists are racing to test vaccines and find a cure. Surviving Ebola includes chilling first-hand interviews of what it's like to catch-and-survive this terrible affliction. Angie's Comments: This is a special from the BBC and NOVA. The program gives an insight into the medical staff who volunteered to assist in the Ebola efforts and the efforts to create vaccines and medicine to fight off Ebola. The program is good, although I was expecting more interviews and information from the Africans who lived through the epidemic. This program really only interviews American and British medical staff.     Request this item

The Underachiever's Manifesto

The Underachiever's Manifesto by Ray Bennett Summary:  Lower the bar. Turn it down a notch. Get off the Stairmaster. The Underachiever's Manifesto is the playfully persuasive pocket guide to living life to the least and loving it. With sharp humor and genuine wisdom, this welcome little book extols the fabulous benefits of underachievement in our overextended society. A witty introduction makes the case for the right amount of effort, a lot less than we've been led to believe. Ten principles of underachievement establish the basics (#8: The tallest blade of grass is the surest to be cut); and practical applications show how mediocrity is the key to happiness at work, in relationships, dieting, exercise, investment, and more. Devilishly enlisting examples from philosophy, economics, science, and good common sense, The Underachiever's Manifesto is a lighthearted, life-changing rallying call for those who dare to do less and enjoy more. Angie's Comments: While this might be April Fools, I am not joking when I say I loved this book. If you only read one book this year, I would recommend this book. Tired of self-help books and trying to be all you can be? This book is a breath of fresh air. It’s okay to be you. I recommend this book for anyone who is stressed or who feels like they have to be perfect.    Request this item