THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS

Imagine, you have been around the world.  You traveled to outer space. You helped develop the polio vaccine. You have been cloned a countless number of times. You gave a first person account on the effects of the atomic bomb. And you accomplished all of this after you died.

This is one of many intriguing themes in the biography of an unknown woman, Henrietta Lacks, who posthumously affected the history of the world. The books welds together science, ethics, history and faith, all together in story of a family, trying to discover, Who is Henrietta Lacks?

Henrietta Lacks was a poor black woman, who went to John Hopkins Hospital with complaints of severe pain in her abdomen. The cause for her pain was discovered to be cervical cancer. When doctors could not treat the cancer, Henrietta died. Yet pieces of her tumor that where removed without her consent continued not only to live but grow.

While a few opportunistic personalities, profited off of the reproduction and distribution of Henrietta’s cells, her family lived penniless and unaware of Henrietta’s second life.

The story follows the author and Henrietta’s youngest daughter, who embark on detective journey, to find out who Henrietta Lacks was, and what was happening to her cells. A great story that is bolstered by the fact that it is true.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER

I haven’t done a book review in a while and this summer I have been reading a lot, so I decided now is as good a time as any. In between tackling some pretty heavy books, I like to throw in an easy read to give the old brain a break. Here I found a book that was not only easy but one of the best concepts I have heard of in a while.

What happens in a world where our 16th president, is living in a world that is about to burst at the seams over the conflict of slavery. Oh, wait… that did really happen! But what happens when in order to abolish slavery he has to confront the supporters behind that institution. Uh… that happened too! Well, what happens when the supporters and the driving force behind slavery are… , wait for it… , VAMPIRES!!!

Best concept ever! Written by the same author who wrote, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Seth Grahame-Smith rewrites history again with a supernatural twist. The premise of the story, begins with a down on his luck writer, unexpectedly gains possession of Abraham Lincoln’s diaries. In reading these priceless tomes, we find that the Honest Abe, we know and love has pledged his life to bring destruction to all vampires.

After discovering that the truth about the death of his mother being murder by a vampire, he vows vengeance. A torrid, tragic and oddly humorous story ensues. All in all, it is a simple read, nothing earth shattering. But it’s fun and interesting all the same. There are a few loose ends left at the end, but the book shouldn’t be taken so seriously. The publishers have also released an online trailer for the book. A funny short film that gives you an idea of what a kick-ass Vampire Hunter, Abraham Lincoln would have made. If you want something light and entertaining, this is definitely a good read.

ILLUSIONS: ADVENTURES OF A RELUCTANT MESSIAH

Usually when someone tells something will change your life, I usually take it with a grain of salt. This book however comes almost close of doing just that. It doesn’t endow you with any ideas you have not heard before but it packages it in a way that is easy to grasp and makes you think.

Illusions storyline follows a biplane pilot, Richard, who travels through middle America selling plane rides for $3. On one of these excursion days he meets Donald Shimoda who shares his profession but not much else. The two join each other is selling rides for a living, while Richard learns how to become a “Messiah” from Don.

There are a pearls of wisdom mixed with a great sense of humor. Its a short read but very engaging. It’s one of those books you can read over and over.

HOCUS POCUS

I consider it another failure of the New York Education Department, that until three years ago, I haven’t heard of Kurt Vonnegut. This should be considered criminal and I’m in talks with my lawyer to see if I have a case. In the meantime, I’m willing to share this new found treasure.

Kurt Vonnegut’s Hocus Pocus, is a satire that cover topics like, race, government, war, sex and wealth, and manages to be unbelievably funny. The story follows Eugene Hartke, a vet of the Vietnam War who becomes a professor for the disabled and illiterate. When we meet Hartke, he his currently awaiting trial being apart of a prison break that happens across the lake from the school where he was a professor. The story is told through sporadic recollections of the events that got him in prison but mixed with history lessons, little known facts and unrelated opinions. It is done in a fast paced way that makes it almost playful (caught myself giggling out loud on the subway. yes, men do giggle).

The continuing side story is the lead character spends part of the book adding up the amount of people he has slept with and killed, to only find out that its the same number. There is an awesome mathematic word problem at the end of book to figure out the total number.

Great read. Check this and his other books out!

THE WORTHY: A GHOST’S STORY

This is the second book I have read by Will Clarke. “The Worthy”, is a fast paced book that grabs you pretty quickly. It follows a well-to-do LSU student, who happens to be dead. He’s killed by his fraternity brother during a cruel hazing ritual. Witty commentary on frat life, but if you delve deeper, it makes some arguments about justice and forgiveness. A good, easy read. Definitely check out his first book Lord Vishnu’s Love Handles: A Spy Novel (Sort Of). Its on my favorites list.