Unnatural Selection

Unnatural Selection: How We Are Changing Life, Gene by Gene Emily Monosson 4/5	Published 2014 First Sentence "'I see resistant staph all the time,' says nurse practitioner Maggie G."
Publisher's Description: Gonorrhea. Bed bugs. Weeds. Salamanders. People. All are evolving, some surprisingly rapidly, in response to our chemical age. In Unnatural Selection, Emily Monosson shows how our drugs, pesticides, and pollution are exerting intense selection pressure on all manner of species. And we humans might not like the result. Monosson reveals that the very code of life is more fluid than once imagined. When our powerful chemicals put the pressure on to evolve or die, beneficial traits can sweep rapidly through a population. Species with explosive population growth—the bugs, bacteria, and weeds—tend to thrive, while bigger, slower-to-reproduce creatures, like ourselves, are more likely to succumb. Monosson explores contemporary evolution in all its guises. She examines the species that we are actively trying to beat back, from agricultural pests to life-threatening bacteria, and those that are collateral damage—creatures struggling to adapt to a polluted world. Monosson also presents cutting-edge science on gene expression, showing how environmental stressors are leaving their mark on plants, animals, and possibly humans for generations to come. Unnatural Selection is eye-opening and more than a little disquieting. But it also suggests how we might lessen our impact: manage pests without creating super bugs; protect individuals from disease without inviting epidemics; and benefit from technology without threatening the health of our children.
Dear Reader, Have you ever thought about evolution and what the human race will evolve to next? I do all the time. I even have this theory that “the spectrum” is the next step in our evolution. What we might think is a hindrance for autistic and Asperger syndrome might actually be an advancement in thinking. Think about it, evolution goes slowly right? Plus it’ll learn from its mistakes. What if we are in the beginning stages and down the line our brain capacity will increase without the social disabilities attached to the syndromes? However, I am digressing and this book mentions nothing about that, it’s just a theory I’ve hashed around. Even though the book doesn’t discuss much of where humans are evolving to, you will learn the evolution of things around us (and scare you to death). The book does a good job setting us up with a little history of antibiotics, mainly because the points lead to the future of bacteria and the human resistance to potential super-bugs. If the mention of super-bugs doesn’t make you shake, this book will be a cake walk to read. However, if you are ready to hunker down in a fallout shelter, you might want to tread carefully with this information. A great quote from the book that sums up the fear I felt, “We beat life back with our drugs, pesticides, and pollutants, but life responds. It evolves.” Doesn’t that almost seem like a tag line for a horror movie? See, Scary! Why does the author focus on bacteria to discuss evolution? “The first step is understanding how our choices impact life’s evolutionary course. And so we begin close to home, with an impending public health disaster: antibiotic resistance.” It’s easier to see and understand, we can draw a timeline of how things are evolving because germs, bugs and bacteria evolve faster due to the size and population growth. Humans and animals reproduce more slowly, therefore they will evolve slow, for example, “we won’t see the evolution of tusk-free African elephants in heavily hunted populations or containment-resistant polar bears”. Let’s just say, the Author is really smart to use infections and antibiotics as the source of discussion, the statistics speak and they don’t paint a very pretty picture. Every antibiotic we swallow brings us closer to a resistant superbug that will be sure to attempt a wipe of humanity. What was once easily treatable is now potentially fatal. We are told that every year “nearly 37 million pounds of antibiotics are used in the United States”. Of that number, only a percentage is willingly swallowed, some of them are being introduced in our livestock. Think again about swallowing those eggs at breakfast, you could be slowly dosing yourself with antibiotics. Actually, not “could be”… I’m pretty sure you are. One of my favorite quotes from this book, “Antibiotics weren’t just for the sick and dying anymore – they had become an integral part of ‘what’s for dinner.’” *Shivers* I could probably go on and on about this because I have another two pages of notes and highlights but I need to save some of this for you. I’m pretty sure you should read this. The Author has a purpose for this book, “Rather than risk heading off into a near future filled with “superbugs”, we can change how we interact with pests and pathogens, reduce the pressure, and still maintain some degree of control.” I’m hoping the awareness spreads and the Author accomplishes this because this terrifies me. I’m not saying you “have” to read this but I “want” you to read this. Happy Reading, AmberBug P.S. - I was graciously given this digital book from Netgalley and the Publishers to read and give my thoughts. Thank you!

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Slade House

Slade House David Mitchell 4/5	Published Oct 27th, 2015 First Sentence "Whatever Mum's saying's drowned out by the grimy roar of the bus pulling away, revealing a pub called The Fox and Hounds."
Publisher's Description: Walk down narrow, clammy Slade Alley. Open the black iron door in the right-hand wall. Enter the sunlit garden of an old house that doesn't exactly make sense. A stranger greets you by name and invites you inside. At first, you won't want to leave. Too late, you find you can't . . . A taut, intricately woven, reality-warping tale that begins in 1979 and comes to its turbulent conclusion at the wintry end of October, 2015. Born out of the short story David Mitchell published on Twitter in 2014 and inhabiting the same universe as his latest bestselling novel The Bone Clocks, this is the perfect book to curl up with on a dark and stormy night.
Dear Reader, This is the perfect Halloween treat for any David Mitchell fan. A question I'm sure many people will be asking is if you have to know or like Mitchell to read this? Not at all. I think it'll work great as a stand-alone as well. I'm new to the Mitchell fan group and with every book of his that I read, I'm starting to understand why he has such a following. Even though this book could be read without all the others, I felt a sense of glee when I came across a theme or character that deja vu'd me into his other novels. Not only was there clear hints from his most recent The Bone Clocks but he managed to write this shorter novella with that same structure. I don't know many Authors that would attempt to write a novella made up of shorter/connected stories. THIS is exactly what I'm not too fond of, short stories but maintain a tight connection or flow between them and I fall in love. Maybe that's why Mitchell is fast becoming a reliable Author to lean on. Getting down to the plot, it's spooky and gave me a few chills. With each story, the sense of what's happening begins to become clear. Slade House mysteriously opens up a certain time of year and swallows up someone in the process. Each section of this novella follows another person caught in the trap of this house. The best part is... Mitchell does it his style and spans each story nine years. This means we get characters and different eras from 1979 all the way to 2015.Here's the thing, this book can be appreciated by many... horror fans, definitely some creep factors for you... science fiction fans, without a doubt (now go back and read the Bone Clocks)... historical fiction fans, the multiple timeline stories will be your thing. I guess I don't have to state the obvious... David Mitchell fans... you know why you'd want to read this AND you should. Happy Reading, AmberBug P.S. - I want to thank NetGalley and Random House for giving me the chance to read this in advance and review it.

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The Library at Mount Char

The Library at Mount Char Scott Hawkins 4/5	Published 2015 First Sentence "Carolyn, blood-drenched and barefoot, walked alone down the two-lane stretch of blacktop that the Americans called Highway 78."
Publisher's Description: Neil Gaiman meets Joe Hill in this astonishingly original, terrifying, and darkly funny contemporary fantasy. Carolyn's not so different from the other human beings around her. She's sure of it. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. She even remembers what clothes are for. After all, she was a normal American herself, once. That was a long time ago, of course—before the time she calls “adoption day,” when she and a dozen other children found themselves being raised by a man they learned to call Father. Father could do strange things. He could call light from darkness. Sometimes he raised the dead. And when he was disobeyed, the consequences were terrible. In the years since Father took her in, Carolyn hasn't gotten out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient Pelapi customs. They've studied the books in his library and learned some of the secrets behind his equally ancient power. Sometimes, they've wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God. Now, Father is missing. And if God truly is dead, the only thing that matters is who will inherit his library—and with it, power over all of creation. As Carolyn gathers the tools she needs for the battle to come, fierce competitors for this prize align against her. But Carolyn can win. She's sure of it. What she doesn't realize is that her victory may come at an unacceptable price—because in becoming a God, she's forgotten a great deal about being human.
Dear Reader, Let me start off by saying how STRANGE this book is. It reminded me a little of how confused (in a good way) I was when reading "John Dies at the End" by David Wong. I liked this one ten times better, though. Scott Hawkins is now in my pocket, categorized under "must read horror - on release date". Hopefully, this guy is planning on doing more. Recently, I have been pleasantly surprised by two upcoming Authors in the horror genre, this one and Josh Malerman who wrote "Bird Box". Anyways, back to this book. I finished this almost a month ago, so this is going to be difficult to review, but I'll try. What did I love so much about this book? Not only is it UBER strange but freakin hilarious. I can't even count how many times this book had me chuckling, most of it very random. The characters in this book grew up away from society, under extremely odd circumstances. Each child was "selected" to become a librarian (very loose term - not the type we think of), where they learn a specific topic and ONLY that topic. They aren't allowed to talk about their topic extensively to the others. The leader is a pretty messed up dude who doesn't treat them like children but more like minions. This is all very hard to explain. The point I'm getting at is this... because they don't know much about the world outside of the "library", they look at things from a humorous perspective. For example... "In the corner was a box called a "television" or "teevee" that could show moving pictures, but you couldn't step inside it or touch things." I loved getting to know these characters, even though they were unlikable gremlins. I love books that show things from that perspective... the evil one. As much as I hated the main character, I loved her too. I think the comedic relief helped with that. But before you think the only thing the book offers is humor... you would be VERY mistaken. I would not recommend this one to Arianna (squeamish), the blood and gut scenes even made me a little queasy. I felt terrified of certain characters in the book, reminiscent of "Hellraiser". If you love that kind of stuff, I would highly recommend checking this one out (with an open mind). This was a unique style of the horror genre and I'm glad to have come across it. Happy Reading, AmberBug P.S. - I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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Helter Skelter

Helter Skelter Vincent Bugliosi 3.5/5	Published 1974 First Sentence "It was so quiet, one of the killers would later say, you could almost hear the sound of ice rattling in cocktail shakers in the homes way down the canyon."
Publisher's Description: In the summer of 1969, in Los Angeles, a series of brutal, seemingly random murders captured headlines across America. A famous actress (and her unborn child), an heiress to a coffee fortune, a supermarket owner and his wife were among the seven victims. A thin trail of circumstances eventually tied the Tate-LeBianca murders to Charles Manson, a would-be pop singer of small talent living in the desert with his "family" of devoted young women and men. What was his hold over them? And what was the motivation behind such savagery? In the public imagination, over time, the case assumed the proportions of myth. The murders marked the end of the sixties and became an immediate symbol of the dark underside of that era. Vincent Bugliosi was the prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial, and this book is his enthralling account of how he built his case from what a defense attorney dismissed as only "two fingerprints and Vince Bugliosi." The meticulous detective work with which the story begins, the prosecutor's view of a complex murder trial, the reconstruction of the philosophy Manson inculcated in his fervent followers... these elements make for a true crime classic. ​Helter Skelter ​is not merely a spellbinding murder case and courtroom drama but also, in the words of ​The New Republic​, a "social document of rare importance."
Dear Reader, I don't know what I was expecting with this book. Half of me felt like I was pleased but the other half kept thinking how long winded and unnecessary it was for Attorney Bugliosi to tell us EVERY tiny detail of the crime. Maybe this would appeal to those who like to watch "who-dun-it" shows to try and guess what happened... but doesn't EVERYONE know what happened? I guess if you were into criminology or this was taught as a class... but even then, this case is so UNIQUE! I find great fascination in the Manson murders and trial, mostly due to the brutality and crazy mindedness of it all. Manson was truly bonkers and after listening to this audiobook, I know that more than ever. I also learned that he wasn't the craziest of them all, he had an entire gang of looney toons following him. How terrifying is that. I honestly had trouble sleeping a few nights during the intricately detailed sections that dealt with the murders. Some might ask me, why didn't you like this that much if you found it to be so scary? Yes, you might be right because this was one of the most terrifying books I've read BUT also one of the most boring. It all comes down to Bugliosi, I mean look at this way, the guy is a LAWYER, not a writer... so how can we hope that he will write this without a little dull lawyer speak? Okay, let me give him a little credit because he was the lawyer for the case, so he was the most informed and likely candidate to write a book about the case... I'll give him that. I guess I might have been expecting something else, maybe they could have chopped out half of this book and I would have rated it higher. Sure, Helter Skelter is an important piece of work, but the scary thought is this; what if the importance behind it, doesn't have anything to do with the Author. Stay with me here, we could even say that MANSON made a notch in history "important" because he ordered all these people murdered and brainwashed a bunch of teen hippies. I'm not quite sure I'd like to give him that credit... but the ratings of this book and the famousness of the case are like a flashing neon sign that says "look at me!" What do you think? Do you think Manson had fame in mind or was he just a crazy senseless killer? Oh, and for your terror, I have posted a few pictures below of the culprits and the case. Happy Reading, AmberBug The Victims Manson being taken away Some of his main female followers How the disgusting mess looks today

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Bird Box

Bird Box Josh Malerman 5/5	Published 2014 First Sentence "Malorie stands in the kitchen, thinking."
Publisher's Description: Most people ignored the outrageous reports on the news. But they became too frequent, they became too real. And soon, they began happening down the street. Then the Internet died. The television and radio went silent. The phones stopped ringing. And we couldn't look outside anymore. Malorie raises the children the only way she can; indoors. The house is quiet. The doors are locked, the curtains are closed, mattresses are nailed over the windows. They are out there. She might let them in. The children sleep in the bedroom across the hall. Soon she will have to wake them. Soon she will have to blindfold them. Today they must leave the house. Today they will risk everything.
Dear Reader, I just want to gush all over this book, and I probably will, reader be warned! Everything I love about creepy, scary books is hidden inside this gem. It reminded me of "Blindness" (which I just read and reviewed) mixed with a King novel (or something along those lines). I loved that it didn't follow the regular formula and how the story was broken up in two parts; essentially working back and forth through a timeline. Bird Box delivers a chilling future of darkness and paranoia, with particular attention to the main characters unique storyline, delving into even more horrific circumstances of an already twisted world. To be clear, there is something out there. This something has the ability to cause massive havoc with a glance, you can't open your eyes because if you do... you'll see one of these "things" and kill yourself and anyone around you. To counter this, some survivors have determined to live life hidden indoors with the windows boarded, venturing outside with blindfolds only. As I was saying earlier, the Author went a little further and decided to make the main character pregnant! The survivability of a woman going through birth and then raising kids in this new world!?? A fantastically chilling concept. It worked.The part that had me freaked out the most was related to the title of the book, BUT... I really don't want to say too much about this book because I think you have to experience it for yourself. So... Although this review is short, it by no means reflects any negativity towards Bird Box. I'd love to discuss this book with those who've read it, so if you've delved into this one, please let me know what you thought. And for those of you looking for the next book to prickle your skin, this is the one I would pick up. I dub this one of my favorite books of 2014! Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Left: Hardcover -- Right: Kindle:

Broken Monsters

Broken Monsters Lauren Beukes 4/5	Expected Publication: Sept. 16th, 2014 First Sentence "The body."
Publisher's Description: New York Times bestselling author Lauren Beukes returns with her next smash crossover thriller. Detective Gabriella Versado has seen a lot of bodies. But this one is unique even by Detroit's standards; half-boy, half-deer, somehow fused. The cops nickname him "Bambi," but as stranger and more disturbing bodies are discovered, how can the city hold on to a reality that is already tearing at its seams? If you're Detective Versado's over-achieving teenage daughter, Layla, you commence a dangerous flirtation with a potential predator online. If you are the disgraced journalist, Jonno, you do whatever it takes to investigate what may become the most heinous crime story in memory. If you're Thomas Keen, you'll do what you can to keep clean, keep your head down, and try to help the broken and possibly visionary artist obsessed with setting loose The Dream, tearing reality, assembling the city anew. If Lauren Beukes' internationally bestselling The Shining Girls was a time-jumping thrill ride through the past, her BROKEN MONSTERS is the genre-redefining thriller about the horror of our city's future.
Dear Reader, This book! I needed a book like this. Not that I didn't love all those other books I've read this year (well some of them anyways) but I feel like a long, lost lover has come back to me (sorry hun). I forgot how much I love a GOOD horror, even if this is borderline. I really needed this to perk me out of that funk, a good murder or two. Okay, so maybe I shouldn't be admitting that... but I'm sorry, someone who likes horror will tell you the same thing... sometimes you have that itch that needs scratching. Lately I've been ignoring it. No longer! Lauren Beukes has invigorated me, not only has she given me a horror novel, but one that is REALLY well written with a great plot. I truly would have given this book 5 stars if it didn't get a little odd at the end there (not going to give that away, just sayin'). Okay, let's get past my gushing on horror and get to what the book is about. Beukes introduces us to a few main characters and quite a few background ones. We have Detective Gabriella Versado, the strong - single mother police figure that thinks she can carry the world on her shoulder. I think what I really liked about this book was how far the Author strayed from mystery/police detective cliches but Detective Versado was the closest she came to making one. I loved hearing all the perspectives from the mind of the killer, the detective, the detective's teen daughter, a homeless guy and a failing journalist. Each character has great depth to them and brings many angles to the main plot, I'm a sucker when this is done well. Telling the story this way also gives the Author ways to drop little hints and clues and possibly explain things that another character would not have caught or noticed. Another thing I particularly love in books is getting into the mind of a killer. I think it might be that horrible curiosity that begs to ask the question "why? why? why?". After a few of my favorite novels that have featured a serial killer, I may have learned a little of the why (broken homes, tragedy, psychological damage, etc) but I still can't seem to get a real grasp on how that switch gets flipped. I think it's only natural to be curious about something that you could never imagine yourself doing... we, the human race, love questioning why people do the things they do and this is no different. In this particular novel, Art is the desire and motivation behind the killer and this is quite a different take from other books I have read. In a way, I can almost bring myself close enough to have that slight flickering of understanding, obviously not that Art is a reason to end someone's life, because it isn't. However, almost every artist knows that the best art is created during stressful and hurtful situations, and what could be more stressful/hurtful than murder?! I know. Sounds bad, but you have to admit, there is truth to it. Steering clear of that topic (it makes me uncomfortable to express my feelings about why it fascinates me or why I think there is something to be said about it), the clear reason this book is something to be read is the writing. Beukes has a way with creating real to life characters that come to life a little too much, and the fact that her books center around horrific people make them even more intriguing. I haven't read her previous success "The Shining Girls" but I think I'll be diving into that the next time an itch comes up - I know what to reach for. Be advised readers, this book does have a funky dunky ending and some might not like it BUT the book is worth the trip and I would hardly say that is something to deter anyone from reading this. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Left: Hardcover - Right: E-Book

Locke & Key, Volume 1

Locke & Key, Vol.1: Welcome to Lovecraft Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez 4/5	First Sentence "Mendocino Valley - Before"
Publisher's Description: Acclaimed suspense novelist and New York Times best-selling author Joe Hill(Heart-Shaped Box) creates an all-new story of dark fantasy and wonder: Locke & Key. Written by Hill and featuring astounding artwork from Gabriel Rodriguez, Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse Locke & Key creatorHill has received the Bram Stoker Award for Best Fiction Collection, the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection and Best Short Story, and the Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award-2007, among his growing collection of critical accolades. This collection of Locke & Key, in development as a major motion picture by Dimension Films, features an introduction by Robert Crais, author of the best-selling Elvis Cole novels.
Dear Reader, I'm not an avid comic book reader, only ocasionally and I'm usually late to the game if I decide to pick one up. This caught my attention because the creator is Joe Hill and I've become a fan after reading "NOS4A2", which I loved. The apple hasn't fallen far from the tree, Stephen King birthed his legacy and Joe Hill has taken the cup. The imagination he has is fantastic, the story is very compelling and I can't wait to read what happens next. The comic starts tragically and the story starts to unfold backward. Each comic will reveal a little bit more of the secrets and it's really very creepy. The comic isn't for the weak of heart, it definitely has some disturbing scenes and might make an unseasoned horror reader queasy. But, for those of us who can handle the grotesque, this will be quite entertaining. I haven't been this enamored with a comic in a long time. Stay tuned for my review on volume 2... Happy Reading, AmberBug