Why Gender Matters by Leonard Sax MD PhD

Synopsis: An examination of the science of sex differences. Review: Apart from some outdated and irresponsible advice about breastfeeding (says the LLL leader), I got a lot out of Why Gender Matters, which I listened to on audiobook. Dr. Sax talks about how the neurological differences between men and women, and how that influences how we perceive the world and the choices we make. He applies it to teaching and to childrearing. In short, his argument is that gender blind education is harmful because it…

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Divided Allegiance by Elizabeth Moon (The Deed of Paksenarrion, Book 2)

Synopsis: A free lance after leaving Duke Phelan’s company, Paksenarrion finds high adventure and faces an evil that changes her irrevocably. Review: Divided Allegiance was much darker than Sheepfarmer’s Daughter, with Elizabeth Moon taking Paksenarrion to some very dark places. Yet Moon never loses her connection with the ideals of goodness, courage, and loyalty that made Paks such an appealing heroine, even as she’s shaking that idealism to its very foundation. I always find middle books in trilogies difficult to discuss. I don’t want to…

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The Vampire’s Assistant–Giveaway!

Many thanks to Little, Brown for offering 2 of my readers a chance to win prizes for The Vampire’s Assistant movie release, in theaters 10/23. Two (2) winners will receive: Cirque du Freak book Set (3 titles in one book) Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Locker Mirror To enter, leave a comment on this post. For a second chance to win, post about the contest on your blog and leave the link below. The contest runs until 10/15/09 at 11:59pm EST. And vote for…

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The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates

Synopsis: A close look at several generations of a family living in Niagara Falls, begun by a woman widowed by suicide on her wedding day who married one of the men who helped her look for her dead husband’s body. Review: I don’t want to waste much time on a review of The Falls at all, because quite frankly it bored me. The characters were well-drawn, the prose thoughtful, the situations dramatic, but none of it added up to a damn story. I didn’t know…

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Sheepfarmer’s Daughter by Elizabeth Moon (The Deed of Paksenarrion)

Synopsis: A country girl enlists as a recruit in a band of mercenary soldiers, where she excels–and may be receiving supernatural aid from a saint she doesn’t know about or believe in. Review: Oddly enough, Sheepfarmer’s Daughter reminded me a lot of Battlestar Galactica, with its preoccupations over military honor and what makes for goodness in wartime. And anyone who knows me will let you know that this is a compliment of the highest order. There are no starships or robots in the first book…

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