Light Boxes: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)Based on the Edward Gorey-esque cover illustration, the back cover copy and it's slender profile, I thought Shane Jones's Light Boxes was going to be a quirky, whimsical allegory. But this is no children's tale. As a matter of fact, despite its modest length, it's packed with so many agonizing moments, I found it difficult to get through quickly.
This strange fantasia tells the story of a town being punished by an unseen God-like figure for their love of flying (kites, balloons, even the local birds), which is surely a metaphor for the freedom and joy inherent in the creative urge. The despot sentences them to live eternally in the bleak month that happens to share his name - February. As the month's frigid days drag on into the hundreds, children begin to disappear or turn up dead and several disastrous attempts at revolt only deepen the townsfolk's suffering and leave them in state of black despair. February itself symbolizes the soul-sucking effects of depression on creativity.
The publisher employs some rather precious gimmickry to get the author's point across; most notably changes in typeface and font size to indicate the various different points of view, tones of voice or the relative significance of a particular passage. While I personally found this effective and appealing, other readers might be annoyed by it. Most of the characters are mere sketches, but Jones's prose is evocative enough that I was able to build on them in my imagination as if I was fleshing out a hazy dream. Which is really what this novel most resembles. A gorgeously atmospheric dream that one has to surrender to in order to enjoy its full impact.
While the material is pretty surreal, I still felt emotionally invested in the struggles of these people and was worn out by their repeated failure to bring back Spring, so I was surprised by the almost childlike simplicity to their long-awaited salvation. Jones is perhaps suggesting that we are ultimately the architects of our own happiness. Much like Dorothy's escape from Oz, the power to overcome the bleakest sorrow has been inside us all along.

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Turbulent Journey: A mother's perspective on Mental Illness and Addiction Review

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(More customer reviews)Turbulent Journey is is one of those must read books - informative, spiritual in it's message and heart-warming in the love and care required to support someone suffering from mental illness and/or addiction. Being part of generation Y, I have numerous friends who have mental illness and addictive problems, so this book opened my mind by providing me with a more homely insight into their ongoing problems and the family support required. This behind closed doors viewpoint is something other books rarely offer. I love the ending with the focus being on the misconceptions of mental health and the lack of community awareness. I highly recommend purchase of this book and believe you will be better for reading it.

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A mother's perspective on Mental Illness and Addiction offers a powerful look through a mother's eyes at the ways her son's drug addiction and mental health issues have affected the family. This compelling and moving story focuses on the struggles of her son and her family in dealing with her son's addiction and mental illness. Her love, anguish, frustration, and passion will touch readers-not only those dealing with similar issues in their own families, but any reader who has experienced the anxiety that comes with a loved one having an ongoing health crisis. In addition to painting a vivid portrait of the daily life and the crisis points in her journey, Caring Mother gives a wonderful gift to other caregivers by reassuring them about the range of emotions they feel and describing ways she found to cope and maintain her focus on her son and her family.Caring Mother takes time to set the stage at the beginning of the book by telling her own family's health history. The concluding chapters are insightful, as the author looks at the misconceptions and stereotypes involving the mentally ill and how images in the media play a role. This true story is a book with the capacity to send a heart warming message of strength to readers - one that can radically improve their lives.

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Life After Cigarettes: Why Women Smoke and How to Quit, Look Great, and Manage Your Weight Review

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(More customer reviews)As an RN and a recovering smoker I am always interested in material on how to quite the habit. It has been my experience that most of the "How to Quit" material is sadly lacking. This is not, however, true with Cynthia Pomerleau's fine little book "Life After Cigarettes".
The main thing that sets this book apart from the others is the author's willingness to talk about the elephant in the living room; cigarettes are an effective method of weight control. The weight gain that follows quitting is a major factor in the high remission rate of quitters. This is especially difficult for females in this culture of hyper body awareness.
Dr. Pomerleau outlines a total program of diet, exercise and medication that are the tools for the lifestyle changes that are the basis for changing any major dependency. But most of all she provides insight into the process of going from being a smoker to being a non smoker.
The book includes an extensive section of additional reading and resources.
Overall this is a wonderful asset for the woman who wants to quit smoking and contains enough good general material to be of help to a male reader as well. I would recommend this to any smoker and especially to the women who smoke.


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Women started smoking in huge numbers in the mid-20th century, thanks to massive campaigns by the tobacco industry. The result has been generations of smokers whose health has been compromised and whose lives have been shortened. This book helps women understand why they smoke, how to quit, and how to make sure they don't start again. Smoking cessation expert Cynthia Pomerleau emphasizes proven strategies that demystify this most potent and pervasive of drugs. She explains the effects of quitting, how to do so without gaining weight, and the use of support systems and the latest drug therapies. Featuring photographs and illustrations, the book is divided into four sections: What Every Woman Who Ever Smoked Should know (covering the why); Managing Weight and Looking Great (personal transformation after kicking the habit); Special Concerns (dealing with relationships, depression, and other causes for concern); and A Lifetime Perspective (inspirational tips for maintaining a smoke-free life). Additional readings and resources help keep readers on track.

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Webs of Smoke: Smugglers, Warlords, Spies, and the History of the International Drug Trade (State & Society East Asia) Review

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(More customer reviews)Webs of Smoke contains an interesting account of the pre-20th century Asian narcotics trade. The first 4 or 5 chapters will hold your attention.
As the book approaches more contemporary events, the authors lose their grip. The 20th century events are told as a series of individual case studies which provide only a partial view of the Asian drug industry. The book seems to conclude that the communist revolution in China solved China's drug problems. This seems an odd way to end the book. 1998, the year of the book's publication, was a record year for Chinese narcotics seizures. The authors seem to stick with official records and avoid analysis. This is a satisfactory strategy for pre-20th century events, but becomes increasingly problematic as the subject matter becomes more contemporary.
The chapter titles suggest the book provides an overview of infrastructure roles. Chapter titles are 'Bureaucrats,' 'Merchants,' 'Monopolies,' 'Europeans,' 'War Lords,' 'Soldiers of Fortune,' 'Spies,' 'Americans' and 'Communists.' Perhaps a 'role' based review would be a good book, but the chapters are really sequential case histories of leading individuals. A broad based analysis of the users and infrastructure is never really attempted. The case studies provide the reader with a good start on understanding the 'big picture.' It is a pity the authors avoided the issue.

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Smoke and Ashes: The Story of the Holocaust Review

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(More customer reviews)This book was wonderful. By the time I finished reading it, I was crying. The story of the holocaust is well expressed in the pages of this book. I felt that when I was reading it I was actually in a concentration camp witnessing the events. I never knew that all that happened to Jews. They were baked in ovens, put in gas chambers, shot on spot, or attacked by dogs. They had to endure long periods of time without health care or food. This book had pictures, maps and great writing. I think that this book is great but I don't reccomend it for children under 12 because of pictures, and describtions on treatment of Jews. Great job Baraba!

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