***** new theory of origin of life; consciousness explained; room for free will; amazing work of genius!

*** very well written short pieces on n'orleans

*** how unconscious processes rule our behavior

* nothing new but clearly written by a philosophy ph.d.

** good arguments against libet; fades at end with discussion of law

basic advice

** interesting profiles of trumpet greats; useful "family tree" of influences

*** quirky and fascinating study of deception and self-deception

* amusing cameo by leopold bloom

*** surprisingly moving ending

**** excellent history of the parthenon and its restauration/destruction over the ages

***** as thrilling as ever

**** if you think you're childhood was crazy, read this well-written memoir

**** grim but bracing

*** interesting insights

**** nifty overview of english lit

** codrescu-esque retelling of the 1001 nights

**** excellent history of the saxophone through its practitioners

*** definitely not a novel; entertaining guide to ulysses for those who have read it already

** full of info but badly written (as if by a sports illustrated hack when he was in high school)

*** quirky and full of obscure fun facts

***** hilarious, risqué, witty; what goes on in a teacher's mind while teaching...

***** unique; everyone should read this book

***** bouvard et pécuchet; great as always

** not a funny book; their theory does seem to explain all jokes

**** fascinating account of the making of the greatest jazz recording ever

** witty; drags a bit towards the end

*** starts off slow; better towards end; consciousness and culture regulate homeostasis

**** will change your mind!

**** basically the same as his previous books; very entertaining

**** enjoyable to read; revisionist account

**** another masterpiece; one of the world's great novelists

** quite accessible; nice illustrations

*** not a novel; fragmentary kafkaesque retellings

***** explains consciousness; ideas about afterlife and animals are off track

* starts out as proustian pastiche but becomes precious and tiresome by the end

*** novella-length, more on queiros' theme of repression

no original ideas; malcolm gladwell clone retreads well-worn turf

**** clear, fast-moving, thought-provoking

**** memorable, strange, well-written

**** chapter 10 was great: "Reality is what math feels like."

** "Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall in a sewer and die." —Mel Brooks

**** city mouse becomes country mouse

***** what a surprise! eça is on his way to becoming my favorite author!

***** un-put-down-able; very well written; enter the tiger's "umwelt"

**** another great one by portugal's flaubert

**** great science writing + interesting memoir = unusual combo

**** great essays; reminiscent of montaigne