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The best book I read all year was  A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute. This book took place during the time of the WW2 and was about a group of women prisoners who were marched on a death march through Malaysia. The books main character Jean is Englishwoman working in Malay. She ends up becoming the defacto leader of the women marching through the jungle in the hot heat and humidity. The women were definitely not treated very well. Another main character Joe, an Austrailian man, comes to the rescue of the women and tries to help in any way he can. A love story begins between Joe and Jean, and the rest is beautiful. I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys reading Nevil Shute books (he also wrote On the Beach which was EXCELLENT) or anyone who enjoys a great Love story. it was also made into a movie back in 1981. I haven't been able to find the movie to watch it, so if NEONE knows where I can find it pleaze let me know!!

I recently saw the movie Memiors of a Geisha directed by Rob Marshall which was based on the book by Arthur Golden. This movie and the book also take a look into the lives of the Geisha women who lived in Japan back in the early 1900's. The lives of Geisha were very interesting, especially when you find out how much work they put into their training. There is a misconception that Geisha is synonomous with prostitution, but that is definitely not the case. These women were artisans, and musicians. Yes, they did eventually look for men with money to be their benefactors, but in that time, you had to do that if you wanted an easier life for yourself. I very much enjoyed the book moreso than the movie, but I would reccommend either for anyone interested in learning more about what Geisha were and how their lives were lived. Any one else have any comments on this movie?

Apparently out in Seattle they have a whole freaking museum dedicated to my favorite subject in the entire world..... SCIENCE FICTION!!!  I will have to save up money so that I can go. I am so excited to find out that all of my favorite Star Wars, Star Trek, and other great SCI-FI stories can be found documented in this one museum. It's only 12.95 to get into the museum. Now I just have to find cheapo airline tickets. Maybe I should hop on my land cruiser lol. Anyone want to hit up the SCI-FI museum in Seattle with me sometime this summer? Anyone? Is there anybody out there? or am I alone in the universe :(

I think that "The Long Emergency" is the scariest book I've ever read - and it's non-fiction!   
 
It discusses the "fact" that the world is past peak production of oil and natural gas, and that all the "alternatives" are bogus...  Nuclear energy generation seems like the only mega-alternative, but since I live in Washington State - home to the Hanford nuclear dump (which is near a volcanic zone and right next to the Columbia River) I'm mega-fearful of the problems with nuclear waste storage.
 
Frankly, I have hopes for geothermal electricity generation but there doesn't seem to be much research in that area.   
 
Does anyone have a "debunking The Long Emergency" type book or article to suggest?   
 
It looks to me like almost all of our federal government leaders have their heads in the sand with respect to alternative and sustainable energy - except for Washington Congressman Jay Inslee with his $300 billion "Apollo Alliance".  (Washington Senator Maria Cantwell is on the advisory board.)  
 
Here's the "fluffy" intro from http://www.apolloalliance.org/:
"Americans have always pulled together during tough times to accomplish great missions. We can do it again. This time we need a moonshot for energy independence and good jobs. A crash program for sustainable energy independence would create three million good jobs, free the nation from imported oil, and promote a healthier environment. States and cities are leading the way toward a clean energy future. Now, the time has come for our nation to take up the challenge."