Tuesday, 21 August 2007

What will happen in 2100 ?

This is a review of one of the best books I have read so far. Strangely again the author seemed to have gone largely unnoticed by the media and book gurus. So here is the review of this absolutely fascinating book.

Turn of the Century 2100
By Charlie Pedersen
448 pages, Outskirts Press
Price varies depending on format
Genre: Fiction/ Sci-Fi Thriller
ISBN: 1-59800-329-1

This is not just another science fiction book. It is different for four reasons. One, the characters don’t follow stereotypes, are multidimensional and strong, especially the female characters. Two, it is a global thriller laced with humour which combines genres of romance, espionage, science, fantasy, adventure and suspense. Three, apart from being informative and inspiring, this brilliant book tries to address and attempt to provide real solutions to contemporary issues plaguing today’s society on a global scale. Four, it makes you think about the state of affairs at the turn of our century (21st) and wonder if we are squandering away the possibilities of a fabulous future, individually and globally because of our state of denial.

The story goes something like this – Alyson Higgs and her team who are particle physicists working in a Berkeley lab are visited by a photon probe from the year 2108. This happens simultaneously across 13 nations across the globe. The unmanned probe has a message from scientists from 2108 essentially from our great, great grandchildren. It contains warnings of our immediate future, and provides five oracles, which could save humanity from destroying itself and them (great, great grandchildren). What happens? Read to find out.

Many readers might wonder, if the probe is from the future then humanity wasn’t exterminated, right? Then, why send a message at all? This is where Pedersen proves he is a talented author. He manages to explain complex science concepts in simple language that even a child can understand. Pedersen has worked on the Apollo Lunar module and his career includes different fields like finance, aerospace and information technology. This is the first book to come with its own soundtracks, with lyrics and music composed by the author. The book is available in various formats like hardcover, paperback, e-book, CD, audio book and even on an USB memory stick which is a book publishing first .
Go here to select your option Author's Website and listen to the songs. It is available on Google Books ,Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, etc. but only as hardcover and paperback, which contains only the transcript of the songs. This book is necessary read for people from all professions.

© 2007 by Deepa Kandaswamy



Don't judge a book by the cover

Good writers don't get PR, at least most don't. This blog is for those who write fabulous books but don't get the required publicity. I'm a reviewer. I get irritated when an editor has the gumption not even to read the book or the review but edits it anyway.

I spend days reading books and try to get the essence of it in 250-300 words. My first post is therefore a book review -- one rejected by one of my editors because she didn't like the cover image of the book. Hmmm... Judge for yourself by clicking on the Title of this post.



Love without a Net…
By Karen Ligon
138 Pages, Publish America
$ 19.95, Paperback
Genre: Poetry
Available on Amazon.com
ISBN: 1-4241-1771-2

What happens when you love without a net, a belt or something to keep you safe in case your love is not reciprocated? The book examines relationships and the various emotions one feels from anger to ecstasy. It also explores the imagined or fleeting relationships like when a youngster is convinced that the attractive girl/guy on the bus is in love with him/her and for the period of the trip forms an imaginary relationship. The poem Not Think of Me will make you laugh or remind you of the one-sided love which you never expressed towards someone. Are You is another poem most readers will be able to relate to as well as Cried a Little. Almost all women want what the poet describes in Unexpected and would agree with what is said in Extra Credit. The poem Your New Woman Said I Rolled My Eyes at Her is what most readers would like to send to their ex.

Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, Love without a Net is the second book of poetry by award winning poet and writer, Karen Ligon. The author writes in free verse and uses simple, clear language to capture complex emotions beautifully. The strength of the book is that you do not have to be a poetry connoisseur to understand what is being said. The poems manage to cut across boundaries of culture, race, religion and region making it truly global as only love can.

© 2007 by Deepa Kandaswamy


Book Review : Bald is Beautiful: A letter for a fabulous girl

    Bald is Beautiful: A letter for a fabulous girl by Dr. Carola Schmidt When a loved one - be it a family or friend especially a child get...