BOOK: The Book Of Everything - Guus Kuijer

Title: Het Boek Van Alle Dingen (The Book Of Everything)
Author: Guus Kuijer
Genre: Children's tragedy
Publisher: Querido 2004
Pages: Hardcover 102
Language: Dutch (available in English!)
Rating: 9/10

Summary: Thomas knows what he wants to be when he grows up: happy. But how do you do that? His neighbour, whom he's sure is a witch, knows: 'if you want to be happy you have to stop being afraid'. But Thomas has a lot to worry about: his religious father is very controlling and the rest of the family has to move around cautiously as not to do anything that will invoke his wrath.

Review
I don't want to give anything away and that is not easy with a book about everything. It's a children's book written in a very mature style. As usual Guus Kuijer addresses the readers with a sincerity that is not very common in children's literature. It's what I love about his books. The voice of main character Thomas is taken very seriously; his thoughts and actions are of the same importance as all the decisions made by the adults in his life.
Thomas is not allowed to read any other books than the Bible, but he manages to get his hands on some classic literature (like Nobody's Boy by Hector Malot) and he learns to think for himself and starts to question his father's opinion and power.
The story is not all doom and gloom; Thomas is not completely alone is his quest for happiness. His sister has a mind of her own and challenges their dad too, his neighbour not only introduces him to books, but also to music and Thomas talks to Jesus about his problems. And even though the latter doesn't offer much practical support, he does give Thomas perspective on his father's way of thinking.

This is a gripping story about coming of age and dealing with the constricting side of religion. I highly recommend it.

BOOK: Bonk - Mary Roach

Title: Bonk - The Curious Coupling Of Sex And Science
Author: Mary Roach
Genre: Non fiction, Science
Publisher: Canongate 2008
Pages: Paperback, 303
Language: English
Rating: 7,5/10

Summary: Mary Roach went behind closed doors to find out the how and why of research into human sexual physiology. What has been going on for centuries in laboratories, brothels, Alfred Kinsey's attic, and, more recently, MRI centers, pig farms, and sex-toy labs?

Review
This is very informative and funny book. The only critique I have is that Roach sometimes tries to be funnier than the subject. As if people observing others having sex in the name of science isn't amusing enough. But giggling aside, this is an interesting look into laboratories and other research facilities. It makes you wonder why investigating this essential part of human life doesn't get the funding it deserves. Most researchers have to be incredibily inventive to manage to do the tests, because the subject of sex is surrounded with suspicion. (Because obviously people who are interested are perverts) I was pleasantly surprised to learn they don't have any problems finding willing subjects. And it is to everyone's credit they were all willing to talk to Roach about the experiments; we get an incredibily insightful look from both sides of the testing experience.

An entertaining and educational read. Recommended.

BOOK: Girls Are Weirdos - Todd Harris Goldman

Title: Girls Are Weirdos (but they smell pretty)
Author: Todd Harris Goldman
Genre: Comic
Publisher: Workman Publishing 2007
Pages: Hardcover, 80
Language: English
Rating: 6/10

Summary: Single picture cartoons with a lot of text about all kinds of supposedly girly subjects -from Accesorizing to Undies- by a man who proofs men really never grow up.

Review: Meh. I loved the title and some of the cartoons are funny and even clever, but a lot of the observations are rather familiar and/or insulting, and made me roll my eyes. ("I'm a huge fan of the silent treatment and wish you girls used it more often". haha). Good for a little giggle, but not very original.