My latest podcast is up on the New Books Network website! In it, I interview historian Mike Wallace about the second volume of his monumental history of New York City (which I reviewed here). Enjoy!

Ralphy the Rabbit: Finds Himself - David...

Here is a summary of what the book is about. The story is about a rabbit named Ralphy. He knew he was different from his brothers and sisters. Ralphy couldn't hop very far but the thing that drove him nuts was his ears. Ralphy ears were larger and crooked than a normal rabbit. When kids came into the pet shop they would laugh at him as they pass by him. One day a little girl named Marta noticed Ralphy jumping  around in his cage. From that moment everything changed for Ralphy.

What an incredible story to read to children.

There are some wonderful adventures that teach great moral lessons.

It has a wonderful message about friendship and accepting yourself just the way you are. Also, don't worry about what other people think of you.

I feel this book is geared toward the age range of 6 to preteen.

I believe the message is also saying it's ok to be different.

Happy Reading Everyone! 

Slate asks, "What happens when literary novelists experiment with science fiction."

I answer, "Lots of wonderful things."

What a good title. An alternative list. That's my kind of list. 

I've read some of the books on the list, so I would list them out. 

3. Beloved by Toni Morrison  

Read it long ago. And it is a literature kind of book. Good read but painful. As the characters in the story were going through so much internal emotional pain. So not an easy read. 

4. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood 

At first, I dislike it so much. How do the future world fall into the hands of religious fanatics so much that women were used for sex and breeding. But then, I found out that it is a warning for people to not let religious fanatics run the world according to religious rule. Look at ISIS and you know that this kind of came to reality. Good people tolerate religious craziness without challenging them out of politeness. But then when this religious ideas went unchallenged for so long to reach the point of harm, it is too late. 

6. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry 

A haunting book about poor in India. The cultural contexts imagined is so strange, and so based on mystery that you could not look away. 

7. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace 

Great book that make you think and rethink about human, individual. It is like watching a man go naked and revealing himself, with all his vulnerability. In the end, you kind of comprehend, and get to know the character. Good book. Highly recommended. 

8.Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Another good book. Short and thoughtful. If you like the TV series M.A.S.H., you would probably love this one. 

9.  The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien 

One great book about a world where good and defeat evil. Where nature being destroyed by industry could fight back. It is a good story and the language of the book is great. Unforgettable characters, complex story, good read.

10. I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan 

So happy this make the list. I have this book and I like it. It is a story about the devil. The devil is not the cardboard character that many books describe, but the devil has a mind and his psychology and philosophy. 

11. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

I love Harry Potter. Good story about a boy who lost his parents could grow up to become a a good person, a  sorcerer, a great friend. 

Book about magic, adventure and friendship. What's not to love?

12. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A Heinlein

This is on my to-read pile. I got it already somewhere but now it make it to the list. I think I would move this one up.