Book Review #4: Don't Panic

Book 4: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

Many of us have heard bits and pieces of the story, but perhaps not the whole thing. Arthur Dent is a man living in England whose house is about to be torn down to build a highway. While he is busy worrying about it, his friend Ford Prefect -- who is actually an alien -- tries to convince him that the end of the world is coming. Shortly thereafter, a spaceship shows up to demolish the Earth to make way for a hyperspace bypass. After the planet's untimely demise, Arthur becomes a hitchhiker, like Ford. They travel space together, having adventures and evading danger.

The book is short, with a lot packed in. Everything about it is funny. Before things ever get too serious, the narrator makes a comment to make it lighthearted again. The first time I tried to read it, I got about halfway through and then was distracted reading other things. This time, I was convinced by my friends to give it another try, and so re-read it from start to finish. It's definitely enjoyable, and lightweight enough that I can get bits read here and there while still having a very busy university life. Soon, I want to read a more involved book, but right now I just don't have the time. This is not the only book in the trilogy, either, and I plan to read all five. Yes, five books in a trilogy. A taste of the author's writing style. I've been told that if you like Monty Python, you'll enjoy it. Personally, I enjoyed it more than Monty Python.

Stay tuned for reviews of the rest of the books. And remember to bring your towel.

Book Review #3: A Cozy Cat Crime Novel

This next book I read slowly over the course of January, while my classes began and I got back into "university mode." I received it as a gift from my godmother for Christmas. She's a cat lover, a quilter, a crossword puzzler, and a great snail-mail pen pal in this age of technology. I don't get many books as gifts when I don't know they're coming; I always enjoy it.

Book 3: Cat Coming Home, by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

This is exactly the sort of book that's fun to read around Christmas. It's a fairly standard crime novel, not too gory or violent, with a fantastical twist--the cat "detectives" can talk. Corny as that may sound and unrealistic as it is, it was a fun read. I've never read any cat-solves-the-crime sorts of books, though I know many exist, and I'm glad I finally did. Good for when you don't want something too involved or deep, but still interesting enough to sink your teeth into.

It's by no means a literary masterpiece, but it did keep me interested enough to read to the end. I probably won't seek out more of this kind of book on my own (particularly because there are so many more books I've been meaning to read), but if I come across one by chance, I might give it a try.

Book Review #2: If You Like Suspense...

I've been keeping up with my 25 book goal for the year fairly well, but I seem to be getting behind with the reviews. I finished this book just over a month ago, right after the holiday break. If you're interested, I wrote a review of the previous book in the series as well.

Book 2: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson

Yet again, Larsson proves he can write a great suspense thriller. It follows the separate investigations of the police, government, and secretive journalists, as well as the criminals behind the overarching plotline of the whole series. This book's first 100 or so pages weren't anywhere as slow as the first or second books'; however, it doesn't have the same climactic action scenes as the first two books, which to some may be undesirable. However, given all the danger, sneaking around, and dramatic irony, together with the fact that I wanted the bastards behind the whole crime put away so badly, it kept me hooked until the end. It only took me about a week to read this book's 600 pages.

This entire series has been excellent. If all you've heard about it is the rape scene in the first book and that's keeping you away, you are sorely missing out. There is so much to the story, the heroes and heroines are clever and likable (Lisbeth is so badass), and once you're in, it'll keep you on the edge of your seat. I wish I could look forward to more books, but Larsson isn't with us anymore. I'll just have to keep on the lookout for more good books in the crime/drama/thriller genre. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

The Gut-Feeling Coin Toss

You've likely heard of the coin-tossing technique to help you make a decision. Pick one side of a coin to mean yes, you'll do it, you'll go through with the decision, and the other to mean no. Flip it. If the outcome makes you feel uneasy, or unhappy, it probably means you should do the opposite. The process helps you decipher your gut feeling on the matter.

I feel like I've done this, on a bigger scale. I decided yes, I want to go to the US after graduation, absolutely. I want to get a job there and possibly stay indefinitely. Then, Microsoft got back to me and told me nicely that no, there are no positions available for my skills. I had been hoping too much to get the job, completely ignoring that new grads would have a tough time getting into such a huge, long-established company. I wasn't sure anymore that this was what I wanted. I started to understand that gut feeling.

The next day I went to a presentation at my uni by a small software company based in Glasgow. They make 3D imaging software for engineers in the oil and gas industry, to understand the shape, density, etc. of oil reservoirs underground. Despite my reservations about working in that field, it opened my eyes to other possibilities. They came across as a friendly, well-organized company that were doing well and would be a great start for a young Computing Science graduate. In a small company, I would have more influence in decisions and my job wouldn't be rigidly defined; I could work on a number of things that I'd have the skills for.

Ultimately, I realized I might not be ready to leave the UK. I've made friends here, and am still making more and strengthening the ones I have. I've moved around a lot my whole life and am getting tired of starting over again. I'll likely have to do it eventually, but if I can keep it at bay, I will. I also have a boyfriend here who would have a very hard time getting a work visa in the US, since he'd essentially need to be at the very top of his class, have a PhD, or marry me. He--and I--aren't prepared for any of those things.

I've also spent a good year and a half here and still haven't managed to travel much. If I stayed, I could do all the traveling that work would allow--and that would definitely be more than employers in the US offer. The rest of the UK, Ireland, and Europe are a cheap flight or train ride away, and I'm still young and able to travel and see the world.

All of this has been rattling around my head lately, and I think I've finally made a decision. Job market allowing, I'll go with the other side of the coin.