349. A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie by Kathryn Harkup

BOOK REVIEW: A is for Arsenic - The Poisons of Agatha Christie by Kathryn Harkup

I have heard many illuminating reviews of Agatha Christie's murder mystery novels. Through my first AC novel, Hercule Poirot's Christmas, I was instantly hooked and I exactly knew why. The red herrings in her novels paired with interesting characters and murder methods can keep one hooked.

AC revelled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books: indeed, she employed it more than any other murder method, with the poison itself often being a central part of the novel.

Her choice of deadly substances was far from random - the characteristics of each often provide vital clues to the discovery of the murderer. 

Christie's extensive knowledge provides the backdrop for this book, in which the author investigates the poisons used by the murderer in 14 classic AC mysteries. It looks at why certain chemicals kill, how they interact with the body, the cases that may have inspired Christie and the feasibility of obtaining, administering and detecting these poisons, both at the time the novel was written and today.

Written by a chemist herself, this book will definitely make a good companion alongside AC's novels. Further information of the poisons leads to further enjoyment of the books but don't get the wrong ideas to be a poisoner.

 

348. A Curious History of Food and Drink by Ian Crofton

BOOK REVIEW: A Curious History of Food and Drink by Ian Crofton

As we dine, I'm sure we have contemplated at one point or another the origins of a certain dish or the roots of a dish's name (Rocky Mountain oysters anyone?). Be amused and enthralled by the curious history of food and drink.

Beginning with the hippo soup eaten in Africa in 6000BC, through to the giant rabbits guzzled by the late 'Dear Leader' of North Korea, this book contains a cornucopia of intriguing stories about the things we humans have put into our mouths from the earliest times to the present.

Including the surprising origins of various well-known dishes, such as pasta and potato crisps, as well as a host of historical recipes, this is the perfect book for the inquisitive food lover. 

I found this book to be a gem in my collection of cookbooks and food-related books. Some of the origins even tickled my funny bone, others were more unbelievable. And now we shall feast upon the food laid out on yeh table....

 

347. Fasting Girls: The History of Anorexia Nervosa by Joan Jacobs Brumberg

BOOK REVIEW: Fasting Girls - The History of Anorexia Nervosa by Joan Jacobs Brumberg

Let's face reality, women are always trying their best to look good. Most importantly, the figure has to be an eye-catcher and what better way than to be svelte. I too was unhappy with my weight of 45kg and constantly felt "fat" although my weight and height was just perfect. When I started working, and my weight drastically dropped to a measly 30kg, I was startled to see a skeleton instead of being happy with the weight loss.

Weight and the idea of thinness have always plagued the female mind and turned to worries. Looking at myself, I finally understood that weight loss doesn't mean anything if it was going to make you look sick instead of the opposite. This book too made me realize how important it is to keep educating people on accepting themselves no matter what size they are.

When this book first appeared in 1988, anorexia nervosa was widely considered a new disease. In fact, most people thought it would go away. The author changed that perception by demonstrating when and where anorexia nervosa originated and why it has become so "popular" in our time.

A classic work that is both a biography of the disease and a sustained inquiry into the cultural forces that perpetuate it, this book - newly revised and updated - will stand for years as the authoritative book oj the subject.

I found this book very absorbing and at some points made me feel quite uneasy when vivid descriptions of anorexic patients were put forward. However, all these have served to enlighten that physical beauty isn't everything and that skills and brains are equally important.

 

346. The Wasp That Brainwashed the Caterpillar: Evolution's Most Unbelievable Solutions to Life's Biggest Problems by Matt Simon

BOOK REVIEW: The Wasp That Brainwashed the Caterpillar - Evolution's Most Unbelievable Solutions to Life's Biggest Problems by Matt Simon

The animal kingdom is a weird place to be. Still shrouded in mystery at times and shocked by facts with others, the inhabitants of the fauna world will confound both scientist amd reader.

For example, to find a meal, the female bolas spider releases pheromones that mimic a female moth, luring male moths into her sticky lasso web.

This is among the curious critters of the book, a jaunt through evolution's most unbelievable, most ingenious solutions to the problems of everyday life, from trying to get laid to finding food. 

Join the author as he introduces us to the creatures that have it figured out, the ones that joust with their mustaches or choke sharks to death with snot, all in a wild struggle to survive and, of course, find that special someone. 

Written in a humorous and raw way, it is a fascinating exploration of the awe-inspiring, weird and unsettling ingenuity of evolution. 

345. The Dead Men Stood Together by Chris Priestley

BOOK REVIEW: The Dead Men Stood Together by Chris Priestley

Edgar Allan Poe's stories are dark and have caused many a disturbing nightmare. Along the same tones, this author has managed to create an even darker world that will leave you gasping for air.

Chris Priestley retells old folk tales and fables to bring horror alive. In this book, he retells the famous old Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Crazy words begin a gripping story of madness, demons and death.

Home from the sea, a boy's uncle entrances him with tales of life aboard ship and of foreign lands. Soon the boy decides to join his uncle on his next voyage.

But a violent storm blows the ship off course and the crew find themselves marooned in a sea of ice. As their despair grows, an albatross seems to befriend the sailors and restore hope. But seized by an evil madness, the uncle kills the great bird with his crossbow, and so condemns all on board to unimaginable horrors in which life in death is the greatest...

In this original and darkly compelling fable, the author does for the Ancient Mariner what he did for Frankenstein's Monster in the highly acclaimed Mister Creecher. This story will grab you by the neck and shake you violently, be ready for the tremors...

344. Alice, Let's Eat: Further Adventures of a Happy Eater by Calvin Trillin

BOOK REVIEW: Alice, Let's Eat - Further Adventures of a Happy Eater by Calvin Trillin

Food writing that invokes all five senses is incredibly hard to come by. Excellent food writing enables one to imagine the scenario, taste and smell the food (well, almost) as well as enjoy the overall atmosphere. The author of this book has done all of these justice and more.

In this delightful and delicious tome, the author, guided by an insatiable appetite, embarks on a hilarious odyssey in search of "something decent to eat". 

Across time zones and cultures, and often with his wife, Alice at his side, the author shares his triumphs in the art of culinary discovery. His eating companions includes but are not limited too Fats Goldberg, the New York pizza baron and the author's own 6-year-old daughter.

And though Alice "has a weird predilection for limiting our family to three meals a day", on the road she proves to be a serious eater - despite "seemingly uncontrollable attacks of moderation".

Personally, I have to say that this is one of the most brilliantly written food book of our times. It definitely makes for a good read.

 

343. Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

BOOK REVIEW: Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

I have always been a strong fan of Nancy Drew novels when I was growing up. Mystery and detective novels hold a special place in my heart. The hype around Agatha Christie's novels was so rife that I decided to give her book a go, and boy, am I hooked!

Christmas is a time of goodwill and of family reunion - except for the Lee family. This year will be different. Millionaire twice over, tyrannical and ruthless - has Simeon Lee become sentimental about his children in his old age? Or does he have a more sinister motive in bringing them all together?

With unseasonal trepidation, the family assembles. In a brilliantly created atmosphere of jealousy and suspicion, a brutal murder is committed. Hercule Poirot will need all his mastery to solve this audacious crime.

The way Agatha weaves the characters in the story is meaningful and leads the reader towards tbe unexpected ending. I will definitely delve further into more of her books for these tantalizing murder mysteries.