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Codes and cryptic messages just don't have the ability to be dull; especially if the government is involved and they aren't exactly up to par.

Dan Brown's novel "Digital Fortress" began on a Saturday morning when two newly engaged people were ready to leave on a romantic getaway until their phones rang. David Becker was called to Spain for a mission which was declared a matter of national security. His fiance, Susan Fletcher, was called into work at Node 3 in Crypto. Little did they know both their lives were in danger and no one could be trusted, not even the most sincere of their old friends.

With David Becker looking for a pass key in Spain which could be anywhere and Susan Fletcher finding out an "unbreakable algorithm" was tainting the top secret TRANSLTR. The National Security Agency (NSA) has a corrupt seed and he happens to be dragging the leading cyptographer, Susan, into a game which he doesn't realize will be so deadly.

While in Spain David Becker finds himself running all over the blessed country trying to find a pass key which is engraved on a gold ring. Knocking on death's door the pass key creator removes the ring and gives it to a random stranger.

Susan Fletcher finds out about an unbreakable code which the agency hasn't been able to make heads or tails of. Could it be a virus, could it be bringing down the national top secret database? When two other system security technicians show up and wind up dead Susan realizes there's an inside job happening and her fiance is in danger.

The book was absolutely riveting; a page turner to say the least. I wish there were some sort of sequel. I do love a good thriller and mystery and Dan Brown seems to know just how to write them. This is the 3rd of his books I have loved. Of course you either love him or hate him and there are many sticklers who find the books are just too unbelievable. Luckily for me I read to be entertained and enthralled both of which are guaranteed if the author is Dan Brown.

Labels: Dan Brown, mystery, thriller

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| 9:25 AM | 0 comment(s)!

This might just be me, but I'm happy this book of short stories was not J.K. Rowling's first release to the shelves. I read it, I enjoyed it and now I'm feeling "eh" about it. Granted she gave herself quite a star to have to jump over with the Harry Potter series and that's the only reason this collection of stories probably did well.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a collection for five short stories or fairytales, but I would say they are more similar to Aesop's Fables than anything else I have ever read. Each one has a very noticeable moral at the end.

Each story is also followed up by a commentary by Albus Dumbledore, who Harry Potter readers know as the infamous headmaster at Hogwarts. His insight into each story was more interesting to me than the story itself.

I'm still happy I purchased the book, especially knowing proceeds went to the Children's High Level Group. The Children's High Level Group (CHLG) was founded in 2005 by author J.K. Rowling and MEP Baroness Emma Nicholson of Winterbourne to help the 1 million children across Europe still living in large residential institutions. Its aim is to improve the welfare of vulnerable children across Europe, operating both politically and practically to build capacity at a country level. CHLG activities focus on health, education and welfare. It was registered as a United Kingdom charity on 21 December 2005 and a Romanian charity on 25 January 2006.

Labels: JK Rowling, The Tales of Beedle the Bard

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| 9:46 AM | 0 comment(s)!

It's true the book "Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism" could have been read much quicker than I read it, but with the topic of autism it was something I wanted to slowly absorb from the beginning and through to the end.

For some reason I have always had a deep fascination in the autism spectrum disorder. Ever since I was a teenager I have researched the topic and wanted to know more. After reading Jenny McCarthy's book "Louder Than Words" I can tell you I am even more enamored with the topic than before.

Until reading this book I did not realize all the similarities between autism and other types of immune deficiencies. Essentially that is what autism seems to be, an immune deficiency, your body fighting itself. I know it is a neurological disorder and I am sure there are other genetic factors involved, although maybe I feel this way purely based on this one book. I am sure other children with autism have different symptoms and reactions and progressions.

When Jenny's son was three years old he began having seizures. Doctors diagnosed him with epilepsy even though the brain activity causing the seizures was coming from his frontal lobe which is not at all typical with epilepsy. They put him on medication which either made him act like a zombie or like a psychotic Tasmanian devil. Jenny knew this was not her boy, she knew something more was happening and she would not stop until she found out.

With much research, many doctors, many long nights and much borrowed money Jenny learned more and more about how vaccinations, diet and antibiotics all played a part in her son's behavior. While she agrees he does have developmental issues associated with autism and he has the stims including tip toe walking and hand flapping; a huge part of his issues came from how his body, his immune system, was functioning or rather malfunctioning.

I have to tell you, I could probably write all night about this one book. But I think if it interests you in anyway you should read it. I could read it again, even though at times it was emotionally draining to tackle. The information, the insight and revelations, the raw hope and faith of a mother with her son...well, let's just say it has penetrated into my brain and I am better for it.

My son has an IgA immune deficiency, one out of every 500 people have some extent of this deficiency. It means they are more susceptible to picking up viruses and bacterial infections and there's "nothing" you can do about it according to every doctor you speak with. Braeden has chronic infections, problems with his digestion and a whole slew of other issues. After reading this book I can tell you that I believe there is hope in improving him tenfold. I don't give a hoot what the doctors say anymore. Jenny has inspired me.

I can only hope this book helps to promote more and more autism awareness. I also hope people with children who have immunity problems will take the time to read it because I very much feel it will become a useful tool in their lives.

*~*~*

This morning I had an e-mail from someone who read this post and was concerned. They explained science is against most of what Jenny wrote in her book. She knows that, her son's doctors told her that. Fortunately the book is not a medical textbook, it's an account of her journey with her son. She talks about her opinions based on what she went through with her son, what worked, what didn't work and the progress he has made. She also explains that other parents tried the same things for their children with autism and it didn't work. Such is the mystery of autism. Thank you to the person who e-mailed me, I appreciate everything you said.

Labels: autism, jenny mccarthy, louder than words

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| 8:29 PM | 0 comment(s)!

Another recommendation from my Aunt Bobbie, I rather quickly was able to tackle "Summer By The Sea" by Susan Wiggs. I say quickly not only because it is an easy read, but because it's a good book, I really enjoyed it and didn't want put it down.

There is something unique about this book, every few chapters it begins with a quote and a recipe. The main character in the book own's a restaurant which she named after her mother. They are an Italian family and so naturally the food was good and the recipes were definitely share worthy.

Rosa and Alexander met as children. After Rosa's Mom passed away she went to work with her father. Her father was a gardener for some of the more affluent people in their neighborhood and all Rosa had to do was stay out of trouble. Of course all young kids get into mischief and after a few bee stings she was invited into the Montgomery house by the maid. While the maid took a phone call she wandered around and stumbled upon a pale little boy; Alexander.

Alexander was never allowed to do anything fun because he had severe asthma, but Rosa said they could walk down to the beach. Over the summer they did little things together like take walks, fly kites, play chess, etc. The Montgomery's were only a summer family in the neighborhood, but each summer Alexander and Rosa were the best of friends.

As the two get older the drama ensues. Mrs. Montgomery doesn't approve of Rosa, she is just the gardeners daughter after all. Alexander goes away to boarding school. He comes back one summer to sweep Rosa off her feet but after a tragic hit-and-run where her father almost lost his life, Alex leaves without so much as a goodbye.

It's not until Alexander's mom takes her own life that he comes back to the house by the sea and decides to stay and win back Rosa's heart.

That will have to be where my summary ends. You know I want you to read the book on your own if this piqued your interest. So get reading, Summer By The Sea!

Labels: susan wiggs

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| 8:33 AM | 0 comment(s)!