Eats, Shoots and Leaves

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Can a book about grammar actually be fun and enjoyable? Well, yes, it can. Some good examples about grammar gone wrong, some history of the different punctuation marks, and some rules of when and where to put them. Language is constantly evolving, and there is no reason to stick with something just for the sake of it, but just as punctuation in music helps us find our rhythm as we play, there is something to be said for proper grammar and punctuation. It helps the flow of the text and conveys the intention of the author - without all the signs we'd be lost.



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Monsieur Linh and His Child

Monsieur Linh and His Child by Philippe Claudel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow. The (relatively) short story of Monsieur Linh and His Child is captivating from beginning to end. Short sentences, short chapters and an interesting story that takes you from an unnamed war-torn Asian country to an unnamed country accepting refugees. Monsieur Linh ends up daily sitting on a park bench, listening to Monsieur Bark, speaking a language he does not understand. Despite this, the friendship develops and grows, and they go to places. When Monsieur Linh is suddenly removed from his refugee home, he immediately sets his mind on meeting up again with his friend. The journey ends unexpectedly, with a true twist.
It's a quick and easy read, which really makes you reflect on your relationships, with both those near and far from you. I really recommend reading it, and it won't take you more than a day or two.



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there's still plenty of good in the world

here's an example. quora is a site that allows people to ask questions and get "answers and content from people who share your interests and people who have first-hand knowledge -- like real doctors, economists, screenwriters, police officers, and military veterans." the answers are often well-written, pedagogical and worth the read.

they have now released the best answers from 2012 to 2012 as an ebook, for free! there are answers from people like ashton kutcher, jimmy wales (founder of wikipedia) and many others with lots of experience answering the questions they're being asked. check it out at http://qsf.cf.quoracdn.net/best_of_quora_2010-2012.pdf!