Author: Mary Roach
Rating: 3 Stars
Review By: Shana

A rare miss (or at least slightly off target) for Mary Roach. Grunt has its high points, moments of genuine humor, and interesting vignettes. But, on the whole, the subject of war is not given to Roach's typical (and usually so effective) irreverent tone. It isn't so much that every topic covered in her book needs grave and solemn treatment - humor naturally bubbles up when talking about issues of body odor and bodily functions, of weapons premised on terrible smells. Instead, some chapters felt like Roach was trying to shoehorn serious topics into her trademark, light-hearted tone. When discussing IED maiming and penile transplants it just feels awkward when the tone is forced jocularity. If Roach had just let humor arise where it came naturally and let a few of the passages go by without forced humor, I think the entire book would have been better. Entertaining and informative, but not her best work.

Author: Mary Norris
Rating: 4 Stars
Review By: Shana

A fun romp through grammar, punctuation, pronunciation, and irreverence. Norris, a New Yorker copy editor, mixes the nitpicking exactitude needed for her job with an eye for humor and a flexibility not stereo-typically associated with those in her line of work. A wonderful ride for grammarians who don't take themselves too seriously and avid readers who'd like a peek into a copy editor's life.

Author: Peter Frankopan
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review By: Shana

A sweeping history told from a perspective all too often lacking - that is, world history where the West is not the central player and its current dominance is not fated. Dr. Frankopan tells the engrossing and intricate history of the world from the vantage point of the vital Silk Road. This shifts the reader's gaze from a Euro-centric (and later American-centric) narrative to a broader vantage point, seeing power and commerce, politics and religion, as it coursed along the all-important trade routes connecting Asia and the Mediterranean. 

Author: Dean Koontz
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Review By: Shana

Dean Koontz knows how to build an interesting premise: we meet Jane Hawk and we know from the beginning that she has suffered a great loss, that she is being pursued, and that all is not right in the world. Hawk is on leave from the FBI, cautious of surveillance, and appears to be skeptical about surviving for a few more months, let alone a few more years. 

Author: John Wyndham
Rating: 4 Stars
Review By: Shana

This science fiction classic has aged remarkably well. It is not quite so groundbreaking or sweeping as George Stewart's "Earth Abides," but like that bellwether and progenitor of post-apocalyptic fiction, Wyndham's slimmer novel has a deep thoughtfulness and an observant eye for human behavior. Likewise, its deconstruction of modern civilization is less bombastic and more realistic than 21st century entertainment likes to project.