The Godhead Machine by Thomas K. Carpenter

The Godhead Machine by Thomas K. Carpenter

The Digital Sea Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Black Moon Books (November 2011)

365 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and References to Rape

Zel Aurora is back and this time she is pulled into the global expansion of the cult-like Wiki-religion, the conspiracy surrounding it, and struggling to get free of its hold. Though a few familiar characters return from the first book in this series, this book also introduces a host of new characters and it took me a while to get into it and get everyone sorted out, but once that happened it was great. I loved Zel’s two new allies: the little orphan girl, Sigh, and the celebrity, Nari. And I thought the mystery surrounding the reappearance of Sasha, from the first book, was fascinating. I look forward to reading the last book in this trilogy, Neochrome Aurora (expected out early 2013).

The Digital Sea by Thomas K. Carpenter

The Digital Sea by Thomas K. Carpenter

The Digital Sea Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Black Moon Books (December 2010)

368 pages, Paperback (provided by the Author)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Sexual Situations and Swearing

With only a few cursory explanations, this story plunges you into a futuristic world in which mere thoughts can not only access the vast amounts of information available on the internet and through other sources, but can also alter your perception of the world around you as well as others' perception of you. Zel Aurora, a highly-skilled hacker with Asperger's, must sift through others actions and motivations as she attempts to fulfill her deal with the Djed, and in doing so, she hopes to save her daughter's life. This story contains multiple stories that are followed throughout the book and though some of them only converge briefly with the main storyline, I found them all interesting and the characters therein were very engaging. It took a bit of effort in the beginning to keep all the storylines straight, but you quickly come up to speed and it was definitely worth it in the end. I thought the story and characters explored many interesting questions, all in shades of gray without over-simplification. This book is the first in a trilogy, followed by The Godhead Machine and Neochrome Aurora (expected out early 2013). Excellent read!

In the Midst of Life by Jennifer Worth

In the Midst of Life by Jennifer Worth

Publisher: Phoenix (August 2011)

432 pages, Paperback (purchased myself for $7.96)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

A mixture of nursing stories, and stories of family and friends, with accompanying statistics and other background information on death and dying, this insightful work questions the manner in which we die in modern society and the prudence of modern medical intervention at the time of death. I found the information and stories within, to be at times sad, others beautiful, but always thought-provoking. This work raises important questions that every person living in a modern society should not only think about, but discuss with their family. Highly recommended!

A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc (January 2012)

226 pages, Audiobook (purchased myself for $11.95)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

In a book filled with scientific theory and detailed observations, Lawrence Krauss weaves together an intricate picture of how there can be something from nothing.  Using the latest research and theory in cosmology and quantum mechanics, Krauss dives into much detail from the Big Bang to virtual particles in order to outline how the underlying physics of our universe requires that some will always come from nothing.

Another purpose of this book is to continue a debate between scientists and philosophers/theologians on the concept of first cause (that there must be a creator/god). This is an attempt to try to prove that by the current understanding of physics, that science can now prove that there is no longer a first cause. It's not quite there yet; there are many holes to be filled, but it provides a great deal to think about. 

The book is a thick read, I personally had to read it twice. One chapter I had to read 5 times.  It isn't an easy read, but well worth it in the end.

Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth

Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 3

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

240 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This memoir, much like the first in this trilogy, includes midwife and nurse’s stories from London’s East End. Many of the stories in this volume are arranged to highlight certain health issues of the day (twins/triplets, infanticide, tuberculosis, abortion), and include accompanying statistics and historical information. It is also worth noting that some of the stories included are of a bit more seedy nature than those included in the first two volumes, but I felt they were tastefully presented and the people therein were depicted with dignity. Happily, the last few chapters let you know what happened to all the nurses and nuns that you have come to know throughout the three volumes in this series. Wonderful series!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

223 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

In her first book, Jennifer Worth introduced us to the life of a midwife in London’s East End in the 1950’s, and in this second book, we take up the stories of some secondary characters from the first book (Jane, Frank & Peggy, and Sister Monica Joan) as well as the story of an old soldier by the name of Joseph Collett. This book contains much less of Worth’s own experiences and more of the stories of others that she encountered while working as a midwife. Some of the stories within have more to do with the institutional workhouse than others, but most have some connection thereto. I enjoyed the layout of the stories, logically arranged into three parts and appreciated the author’s reflective, non-judgmental voice throughout the telling never condemning a person for actions or choices that were clearly a product of the times and the situations people found themselves in. Wonderful read and an excellent continuation of the first book in this series!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

279 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This is Jennifer Worth’s memoir of life as a midwife in London’s East End in the 1950’s. This story was not only interesting, but also very entertaining, and provides a look at 1950’s midwifery, the culture of the East End and a way of life that is now gone. The collection of anecdotes about patients, nuns, fellow midwives, and East End culture are threaded together in a seamless presentation that is at times poignant and others hilarious. It is worth noting that this book is the first book in a trilogy, followed by Shadows of the Workhouse and Farewell to the East End. Also, if you are watching the TV series currently airing on PBS, that TV series contains stories from all three books in the trilogy and is not confined to the content from the first book. Highly recommended read!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry