Big & Fancy Words That Might Make You Smarter...er – Book Review

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Big & Fancy Words That Might Make You Smarter...er: A Vocabulary Builder For The Lexical Deficient Interlocutor Albeit Soon-To-Be Supercilious Smarty Pants Confabulator

by Albert B. Squid

Happy New Year, everybody! 🥳🎊🎉 The year 2024 ended with two great things: the presence of my sixth monster in Monster Rancher 2 DX, Wackosaurus; and the completion of my perusal of this vocabulary builder. 🥰

Big & Fancy Words That Might Make You Smarter...er by Albert B. Squid is an English-learning book with a difference. This vocabulary builder showcases "big & fancy words" (as the title says) presented in calendrically sequent order – you will learn one unusual but cool word for each day of the year, from January 1 to December 31. Apart from easy-to-digest definition(s), each word is accompanied with information on its part of speech (whether it is a noun, verb, etc.), an example sentence (which is often, if not always, funny or even hilarious!), and synonym(s) and antonym(s). Among the book's lexical selection are "opprobrious", "turpitude", "anathema", "peripatetic", and "crepuscular". It is not every day that we hear this sort of expression, is it? I guarantee that you will learn a plenitude of vocabulary in a fun way from this unique book!

Despite the positive things I have mentioned, there are some changes that I wish could be made to this vocab booster. First of all, as this book is intended to educate its readers on English language, the lack of linguistic accuracy is something to be dealt with. There are a number of mistakes, without which this book would be far more valuable. Here are several examples:

• A synonym for "antediluvian" should be "old-fashioned", not "old-fashion". (p. 43)
• The correct spelling for "consistant" is "consistent". (p. 72)
• The word "vengence" is a misspelling; the correct one is "vengeance". (p. 319)

I wish there was a pronunciation guide as well (we all know how exasperatingly unphonetic English is), and, if there was an index, it would be much easier for readers to revisit an entry (I bought the Kindle version, and, since the entries are in an image format, I cannot use the search function for this purpose).

All things considered, Big & Fancy Words That Might Make You Smarter...er is an amazing resource for enriching your lexical repertoire – Mr. Squid deserves scores of plaudits! Buy this book (it won't make you impecunious), read it, and impress your audience with your upgraded vocabulary!

Have you read Big & Fancy Words That Might Make You Smarter...er? What are your thoughts on this vocabulary builder? Share in the comment section below!

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"Books are pairs of magical wings that enable you to travel and explore limitless uncharted worlds boasting numberless life treasures." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms – Book Review

Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms

by Marvin Terban

English grammar may be a tough nut to crack for many people. But if you ask me what the most challenging part of learning English is, I'd say, without a doubt, it is learning idiomatic expressions. According to my favorite online dictionary, Macmillan Dictionary, an idiom is "an expression whose meaning is different from the meaning of the individual words." This kind of language potentially causes confusion among English learners, and it almost certainly would at some point in their learning journeys. Finding incredibly useful resources for learning idioms is a must-do, and the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms by Marvin Terban is a must-buy.

This book is a top-drawer idiom reference; I am absolutely blown away by its superb quality. Why should you read the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms? Firstly, it boasts a whopping over 700 idioms, listed in alphabetical order. The sheer number should massively enrich your idiomatic vocabulary. Next, the definitions given are as clear as a bell. This is crucial to the success of learners' acquisition of the idioms. Thirdly, a simple, easy-to-understand example is provided for every idiom. Definitions are quite indispensable, but examples give the necessary context in which the idioms can be used, and clarify the grammatical roles and behavior of the words making them up. As if these are not enough, the author treats readers to information about the origins of the idioms. I have only read about those which I thought I had to and found them very interesting and well written. Learning how these idioms came to be has helped me incorporate them in my brain. There are also occasional cross-references in this feature, which have further expanded my knowledge of English idioms. All of these make the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms an invaluable resource for those aiming to improve the idiomatic aspect of their English.

Part of the reason why I love this book so much is the author's fine writing style. Gorgeous, elegant, rich, and eloquent. I have to admit that I really admire Mr. Terban for this forte of his! I would also like you to note that all the idioms in this book are used in American English. This means that a British person might have difficulty in understanding some of them. For British idioms, you may want to check out Work on your Idioms by Sandra Anderson & Cheryl Pelteret.

If you want to be head and shoulders above your fellow English learners, idiom-wise, get the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms by Marvin Terban at the drop of a hat!

Have you read the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms? If so, share your two cents in the comment section below!

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Dinosaurs Without Bones – Book Review

Dinosaurs Without Bones

by Anthony J. Martin

Fossils. What does this paleontological word conjure up when you read or hear it? You may instantaneously get a vision of the humongous skeleton of Brontosaurus, the spine-tingling skull of T. rex, or something non-dinosaurian but memorable, such as the beautiful, coiled shells of ammonites. These are genuine fossils and there is nothing wrong with that. However, it seems that there is this strong tendency in the public mind to associate this term only with such relics of ancient life. We do need to realize it is not only body fossils (teeth, vertebrae, spikes, etc.) but also trace fossils which constitute the fossil record, the latter unfortunately appearing to be overlooked by a significant portion of the hoi polloi. Dinosaurs Without Bones by Anthony J. Martin is a book with a hugely important role to endow dinosaurian trace fossils with their well-deserved glory.

Ichnology is a branch of science that deals with traces and trace fossils, and Dinosaurs Without Bones, written by an ichnologist, covers this academic discipline with a focus on the traces that dinosaurs left in their lifetimes; a few examples of these behavioral remnants are tracks, nests, burrows, and gastroliths. With his comprehensive coverage of the subject, the author has done a great job in making the case that this dinosaurian legacy is massively important to our understanding of this incredible group of animals and that we would be indigent without the knowledge acquired from studying these prehistoric clues. Although Dinosaurs Without Bones is intended as an ichnological discussion of non-avian dinosaurs, extant dinosaurs, namely birds, have their share as well, and this book ends with a commentary of the future of dinosaurian ichnology. Dr. Martin has also suffused this book with a good sprinkling of fresh humor, which has successfully made me burst out laughing now and then. In short, this volume on ichnology is a must-read if you want to see a more complete picture of the world of dinosaurs.

There are two other points I'd like to raise before I conclude this review. Firstly, I noticed that Dinosaurs Without Bones is special in respect of science education that it can impart to its readers. I have gained valuable insight into how science works, including the process scientific papers need to undergo in order to be published in a scientific journal. Secondly (and lastly), in my opinion, Dinosaurs Without Bones is the best book I have ever read in terms of sentence complexity. So *calling out to my EFL students*, if you badly need to prepare for the IELTS Writing test, you may want to consider perusing this superlative read.

Have you read Dinosaurs Without Bones? What are your thoughts on this book? Share your opinion in the comment section below!

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The Amazing World of Dinosaurs – Book Review

The Amazing World of Dinosaurs

by James Kuether

Needless to say, the world of dinosaurs is amazing. These unique creatures have ceaselessly captivated and intrigued the human race and prevail in the mind of numerous children all around the world. However, what we really encounter at present are their lifeless remnants in the form of fossils. By means of science, paleontologists attempt to work out the veritable reality of their world, but we need a kind of tool for "reviving" these remarkable animals in our mind, enabling us to visualize what the dinosaurs would have been like when they were alive. Paleoartists are people who fulfill this noble & crucial role, and it is a blessing that James Kuether, a member of this profession, brought to us The Amazing World of Dinosaurs, a dinosaur book that he wrote himself and filled with his own beautiful illustrations.

The Amazing World of Dinosaurs is a great summary that gracefully guides readers through the Mesozoic history of the non-avian dinosaurs. The author uses elegant language which is couched in conversational style, guaranteed to entertain the readers and keep them hooked on the subject throughout. His lifelike illustrations are absolutely stunning and they are certainly delights for those who appreciate these incredible creatures. To my mind, these are two things that stand out in this book.

This 176-page volume starts with a concise discussion on the history of dinosaurology, paleoart, and the importance of imagination in science as well in reconstructing these breathtaking animals. Then, the readers will be guided through the dawn of the dinosaurs in the Triassic Period up to the demise of the non-bird kind at the end of the Cretaceous Period around 66 million years ago. I am heartily glad that this book includes information about new discoveries such as Medusaceratops and Dakotaraptor, which I was not very familiar with. What is more, The Amazing World of Dinosaurs contains a pronunciation guide (which would help with the often daunting act of saying the names of prehistoric animals and plants correctly) as well as a glossary (which would greatly assist readers in understanding unfamiliar paleontological terminology used in this book). Overall, The Amazing World of Dinosaurs is well worth reading & collecting and it will be a nice addition to your dinosaur book pile.

This book is complemented by a deck of cards which is offered separately. Click here to purchase the cards.

Have you read The Amazing World of Dinosaurs? What do you think about this book? Share your opinion in the comment section below!

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Thoughts during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Something is severely afflicting humanity. The culprit is not a cascade of gigantic explosions of atomic bombs scattered around the planet or a global-scale war waged by a superpower country. Our current archenemy is a thing so small in size that our naked eyes cannot make out: a novel coronavirus with the official name SARS-CoV-2.

Most, if not all, of the countries in the world are presently being affected by this micro-entity, which, in huge numbers, causes a disease termed COVID-19. We are still battling this crown-shaped virus together and hoping to hurl the pandemic out of existence as soon as possible.

Indonesia is probably not one of the most heavily affected countries but it is still in the process of combating the pesky pestilence and Jakarta, the capital city as well as the country's economic hub, has been hit by the deadliest blow, with 2,335 confirmed cases and 241 deaths by Tuesday, April 14, 2020. As a denizen in this Homo floresiensis-yielding land who happens to reside in the metropolis, I have to practice social distancing and do my job by WFH. With all the haunting boredom and solitude, these days certainly are not the happiest in my life, but all of us need to unite and be responsible for not only ourselves, but also other people by following what authorities such as WHO advise and recommend, among which are washing hands properly and wearing masks.

During this quarantine period, a philosophical idea pierced through my brain with regard to the harrowing reality. We humans are fragile creatures, teetering on a precarious stage of life. A gust of wind such as this crazy little thing called the COVID-19 virus can make us tremble and topple over into the abyss of non-existence. We are certainly not a species endowed with an endless list of superior qualities; this global disaster really underscores how feeble we can be in the face of another resident of our planet.

Having said that, this should not discourage or even stop us from taking the necessary course of action to stamp out the predicament. If we are to survive as a species, our communal efforts to resolve this issue must be our top priority. We also have to give an enormous thank you and show great respect to all healthcare professionals, on whom we hugely rely to put an end to this worrisome situation. I believe many medical researchers are racing to develop a vaccine that can be used to halt this crisis too (let's keep our fingers crossed for its success). It is strongly urged that we give the required support to these people and the like who are scientifically involved in extirpating this dire state by whatever means we can employ.

The viral paroxysm is like a double-edged sword. It truly is devastating the human race by inflicting the disease on its members; however, it has also had a positive impact on Earth. For example, NASA stated that there has been a 30% reduction in the amount of air pollution in the Northeastern US due to some sort of lockdown imposed on the people living in the region. On a personal level, I feel that it is probably a moment to explore the many things that we could have done but haven't. Take reading for example. This is perhaps the dinosaurology, perhaps?). Look around your home; if it is a bit of a mess, you may want to clean it up and rejuvenate your domicile to a much fresher look. On a higher level, perhaps now is also a good opportunity to take a deep breath and reflect on your life more deeply: your achievements, regrets, ambitions, hopes, etc.

It seems to me that by the time this pandemic is over, a massive change will have occurred in the conduct of our society. Let's be hopeful that it will turn out to be positive, but the focus should be us ourselves because we, as always, are the assembling units: nothing more and nothing less.

Extra paragraph: Reading during this adverse situation reinforced my thought of how amazing the role that our imagination plays in our life. Our mighty brain processes the modest signals that we receive, whether they are ink impressions on paper sheets or sounds emitted by the vocal cords of our fellow humans, to create another realm of "reality" which we base our acts upon. This is, at least to me, absolutely mind-blowing and it is likely something many of us do not realize. Continue reading

Work on your Phrasal Verbs – Book Review

Work on your Phrasal Verbs

by Jamie Flockhart & Cheryl Pelteret

There are various reasons why people choose to read a particular book. I opted to purchase this book from the amazing British bookstore Blackwell's for the impressiveness of its sibling Work on your Idioms (read my review of the idiom book here). Phrasal verbs (things like run out, stand for, talk into, and give away) are an inextricable part of the English vocabulary and make up a large part of it (see what I did there?): mastering this area is undoubtedly crucial if you wish to be an excellent English speaker (and writer) and aim to sound more natural in using this language. I found this resource incredibly useful and this volume really lives up to my expectations; read on to discover the reasons why I heartily recommend it to fellow English learners.

Work on your Phrasal Verbs by Jamie Flockhart & Cheryl Pelteret covers not all phrasal verbs that exist in the English language. This may seem like a minus point of the book, but it is actually a plus one because what this book deals with are the 400 most common phrasal verbs: those you are most likely to meet (and use) in life. The book is divided into 25 units, each of which discusses phrasal verbs concerning a certain topic, for example money and spending. The phrasal verbs are arranged alphabetically and explained using extremely simple and easy-to-understand language (some of the definitions show labels such as [INFORMAL] and [BRITISH] so that readers can use the phrasal verbs appropriately). What's more, each meaning is equipped with at least one useful example sentence that shows a context in which the said phrasal verb can be used. These features ensure that readers understand and memorize the phrasal verbs effortlessly. I also appreciate the authors' endeavor to highlight that a particular phrasal verb is separable, for instance by giving appropriate examples. Another feature that I found really helpful is Notes, which give additional information about some phrasal verbs, e.g. alternative phrasal verbs or their opposites. Lastly, just like its close relative, Work on your Phrasal Verbs boasts numerous exercises stretched on two pages per unit to give readers opportunities to practice using the phrasal verbs that they have learned – the exercises I've done have really helped me fortify my learning.

Hold on, did I say "lastly"? Sorry for that because this book spoils its readers even more! Three appendices are present at the back of the book, the first one giving you highly useful tips for learning phrasal verbs, the second one listing the basic meanings of some common particles (such as in, from, and over), and the last one providing phrasal verb & noun collocations with example sentences. Working on your Phrasal Verbs is a perfect kit for building your phrasal verb reservoir and will be an invaluable English-learning resource on your bookshelf!

So, if you don't have the book yet, I guess you know what to do now: set off for a bookstore and opt for this book. Be careful so that you won't be run over by a vehicle and don't break into the bookstore if it is already closed – you'll have to pay for that! Just go back home, get up tomorrow morning, and head for it to get your copy of Work on your Phrasal Verbs! 😄

Have you read Work on your Phrasal Verbs? What are your thoughts on this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!

P.S. Did you realize that the title of this book contains a phrasal verb? 😉

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Quote #60

"Do not underestimate the power of books. The marriage between written words and the brain is stupendously impactful and plays an absolutely enormous part in a human's life." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Evolution in Minutes – Book Review

Evolution in Minutes

by Dr. Darren Naish

Evolution in Minutes by Dr. Darren Naish is the very first volume fully dedicated to discussing evolution in my book collection that I've read. There is the Indonesian saying "kecil-kecil cabe rawit," which would translate to something like this in English: "Although small, they're/it's a bird's eye chili". I think this reference to a person's/thing's superb quality despite their/its small size aptly describes what this little book is like – keep in mind that it is composed of over 400 pages, however.

Of course, evolutionary change cannot be detected in minutes since the process is gradual and generational; instead, the title refers to the organization of the book whereby readers can learn about a topic in evolution in a matter of minutes. Evolution in Minutes is divided into 13 chapters, each of them nesting a number of sub-chapters. Personally I love how this book is laid out: the sub-chapters typically consist of a left-hand page for discussion text (3 paragraphs maximum) and a right-hand page for an illustration related to the topic (mostly with a caption as well).

The breadth of the information contained by this book is breathtakingly vast (it even touches the subjects of racism, consciousness, language, and future evolution) and I have acquired a prodigious amount of knowledge about this biological phenomenon through this fascinatingly readable book. Dr. Naish, without a single shadow of a doubt, is one of my most favorite authors. He masterfully crafts this book with easily digestible language yet in an outstandingly elegant fashion – I highly admire his explanatory skills and educational endeavors in science communication. I would hugely recommend Evolution in Minutes to anyone interested in biology, paleontology, nature, (pre)history, and/or evolution. Read this wondrously illuminating book and you'll end up with a much greater understanding and appreciation of the natural history of our planet and its underlying force.

If you are a dinosaur enthusiast, you should also check out Dr. Naish's other book Dinosaurs: How they lived and evolved, which he co-authored with his colleague Paul M. Barrett (read my review of the first edition here).

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Work on your Idioms – Book Review

Work on your Idioms

by Sandra Anderson & Cheryl Pelteret

Before flying to Bangkok for the first time, I didn't expect at all that I would bring English treasures home from the Thai capital. The 47th National Book Fair & Bangkok International Book Fair 2019, at which I exhumed this idiom book as well as an illustrated dictionary, was definitely a highlight of my first-ever trip to Mario Maurer's homeland (click here to read about some of my experiences there). If you are trying to improve your vocabulary and in search of an idiom book, go get Work on your Idioms by Sandra Anderson & Cheryl Pelteret and here's why:

First of all, Work on your Idioms by Sandra Anderson & Cheryl Pelteret focuses on over 300 most commonly used idioms, those which you are highly likely to encounter in life. These idioms are grouped into 25 units based on their meanings or functions. For example, unit 1 deals with idioms related to knowledge and understanding, whilst unit 15 covers idioms that you can use to talk about success and failure. One of the most incredible features of this book is that the definitions are written in very simple English, which guarantees easy absorption and understanding of the idioms. Each entry is also accompanied with at least one example which will help you internalize the idiom in question. Not enough? Every unit is equipped with two-page exercises (with an answer key) to reinforce your learning -- the exercises I've done have been really helpful for me. This book is also peppered with Note sections, which give you more information about certain idioms. For instance, you can learn about the origins or other varieties of a particular idiom.

It seems too good to be true but this book really goes the extra mile. At the back of book, you can find three appendices. The first one gives ideas on how to understand idioms easily, the second one provides tips for learning idioms effectively (which I think can be applied more generally), and the third one covers the American versions of some of the idioms in the book (Collins is a publisher from the UK; thus, the contents of this book are British English-oriented).

All in all, Work on your Idioms is an absolute must-read if you need a vocabulary booster, particularly when it comes to idioms. Believe me, you will have a whale of a time reading this amazing book and make headway towards your vocab-enriching goal! This is straight from the horse's mouth. 😉

To read my review of its sibling Work on your Phrasal Verbs, click here.

Have you read Work on your Idioms? What is your opinion of this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!

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McGraw-Hill Education: English Illustrated Dictionary – Book Review

McGraw-Hill Education: English Illustrated Dictionary

by LiveABC

What surprises can you get from a trip abroad? At least for me, they are books! This English dictionary is one of two books -- the other being an idiom book -- that I brought home from the unexpectedly known 47th National Book Fair & Bangkok International Book Fair 2019, during my first visit to Thailand (click here to read about some of my experiences there). Now that I've finished imbibing it, here are my thoughts on McGraw-Hill Education: English Illustrated Dictionary by LiveABC:

McGraw-Hill Education: English Illustrated Dictionary by LiveABC is a shortcut to enlarging your English vocabulary at a fast pace. This dictionary contains scores of illustrations with the matching words and phrases, mostly conveying their meanings clearly. This book is chopped up into 15 sections, covering a wide range of lexical items used in our daily life (around the house, people, foods, clothing, education, animals & plants, etc.). It is written and designed for beginner-level learners but I found some vocabulary quite uncommon/difficult, for example "trapezoid", "fjord", and "French horn", so I reckon it could be be fitting for pre-intermediate learners as well. McGraw-Hill Education: English Illustrated Dictionary is also equipped with an accompanying MP3 disk filled with audio files to help you with the native-speaker pronunciation of each entry -- nevertheless, I didn't make use of this feature and employed my favorite online dictionary, Macmillan Dictionary, instead. One thing of this book that could be improved is consistency, as a bit lack of it can be confusing for low-level learners. For instance, the entries "hiking" (a gerund) and "to fish" (a to-infinitive) in the Pastimes and Hobbies sub-section can be baffling in respect of how to use them in a sentence. Please notice that this dictionary presents the vocabulary in American English (if you are looking for one that is written in British English, I'd suggest Oxford Picture Dictionary (OPD). Keep in mind that OPD is written in a more detailed and more complex fashion; thus, it is more suitable for higher-level learners).

Have you read McGraw-Hill Education: English Illustrated Dictionary? What is your take on this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!
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King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand: From Prince to King (Vol. 1) – Book Review

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand: From Prince to King (Vol. 1)

by Danai Chanchaochai

Thailand is a wonderful country. My first trip to the "land of white elephants" has left me hungry for more exciting experiences (you can read my account of the adventure here). This little book about the late king of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is also known as King Rama IX, is a gift from my kind and generous Thai sister, who happens to have the same name: Gift. Pee Gift ("Pee" means "sister" in Thai) is literally a gift, and the trip would not have been as thrilling without her (khob khun khab!).

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand: From Prince to King (Vol. 1) by Danai Chanchaochai is the first of a three-volume biographical series of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. As the title suggests, this volume tells readers about the early years of the Thai monarch, but it is more than that. It is a concise yet highly informative book, and I have learned a great deal of knowledge from it, not only about the king himself, but also the history of Thailand. Made up of 17 chapters, this book, in large part, covers King Bhumibol Adulyadej's life stages such as his birth in the U.S., his childhood in Switzerland, as well as his first meeting with Queen Sirikit in France. On top of that, it touches on the origin of Bangkok as the capital city, the transition of the country from Siam to Thailand as we know it today, and some predecessors of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, such as his own grandfather King Chulalongkorn. Before I started reading this book, I had already heard the great reputation of the king and after finishing it, I find it easier to understand why Thai people love this king so much. This book is written in simple English, so readers should not be afraid of having considerable difficulty comprehending the contents. Nevertheless, certain vocabulary might not be familiar to some readers, in which case a glossary is provided at the back of the book as a help. Moreover, there are also exercises at the very end of the book to reinforce your learning and understanding. If you are curious about Thailand and especially the much loved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, this is an excellent source from which to learn.

Have you read King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand: From Prince to King (Vol. 1)? What do you think of this book? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Dig: A Personal Prehistoric Journey – Book Review

Dig: A Personal Prehistoric Journey

by Sam Chiarelli

As there is a term for a person who loves cats -- that is "ailurophile" -- there is also one for those who are smitten with dinosaurs: "dinophile". I am one of them, and so is Sam Chiarelli, the author of Dig: A Personal Prehistoric Journey.

To begin with, this is a very special book on dinosaurs. It is a scintillating concoction of a memoir, science, and adventures with dinosaurs at its core -- I've never read a dinosaur book like this before. In this dino-craze–filled volume, Sam carries you on an exhilarating tour through the many dinosaurian places he has visited, from museums & prep labs to a dino-themed hotel & a paleontologist's office. Personal interviews with paleo-profiles are a point of appeal of this book -- you will gain a boatload of insights into their views on the dinosaur world, to which they dedicate their lives. Another reason to engulf this book is that it is beautifully crafted with the author's creative writing, which is spellbinding and certain to hypnotize readers into his blazing passion for the ancient behemoths (I am really grateful for the existence of such a book in dinosaurian literature). Through his linguistic work, Sam also invites us to ponder about the philosophical and psychological connections between the dinosaurs and us, humans. As you read this book, you will realize that Dig: A Personal Prehistoric Journey is an example of a manifestation of someone's genuine love for something that they are deeply passionate about. A heightened understanding of Dinosauria is guaranteed, and -- you are warned -- devouring this book can cause the following side effects: childhood nostalgia/reminiscences, passion reinvigoration, and, of course, love of dinosaurs -- dinophilia, a word that the author has embedded in this book countless times. I highly recommend anyone, including fellow dinophiles, to dig through Dig: A Personal Prehistoric Journey, a magnificent addition to your dinosaur book heap.

Have you read Dig: A Personal Prehistoric Journey? What are your thoughts on this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!
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My Beloved Brontosaurus – Book Review

My Beloved Brontosaurus

by Brian Switek

Nearing the close of last year, I stumbled upon a Tweet by Goodreads asking its tweeps for a 3-word description of the books they were reading. Coincidentally I was in the midst of my immersion in this little book, and, as it wished, I replied to the book reader platform with three words whose attached qualities thoroughly emanate from the dinosaurian volume: superb, beauteous, and entrancing.

My Beloved Brontosaurus by Brian Switek is a passionate fête of one of the most exciting stories in the history of our planet – that of the dinosaurs. Bearing their own experiences with fervor for dinosauriana, the author captivatingly drives readers to examine and explore the many facets of dinosaur life. The first encounter of the author's younger self with "Brontosaurus" is the starting point, and from there Brian invites us to probe into a broad range of dinosaurian topics which include the animals' sex lives, the evolution of feathers, sauropod gigantism, dinosaur pathologies (the diseases and injuries inflicted on the marvelous creatures), as well as the annihilation of the non-avian forms. The author is a hybrid of a real dino geek and an adept raconteur. Their vast knowledge of the "fearfully great lizards", fused with a flair for writing, has yielded an impressive read to be consumed by any dinosaur fan. (Note: Some caution has to be exercised in regard to the colorful cover – which freezes the interaction between the author and their much loved "Brontosaurus" – as MBB actually takes a more serious approach than a typical illustration-packed dinosaur book for young children.)

Brian once claimed that "no dinosaur bookshelf is complete without a copy of My Beloved Brontosaurus." After swallowing the contents of this book, I can clearly see the truthfulness of this statement. If you are a dinophile, you are guaranteed to love and enjoy this highly insightful written work on dinosaurs.

Have you read My Beloved Brontosaurus? What is your opinion on this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!
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The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs – Book Review

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

by Steve Brusatte

I bet it is not very hard for the majority of people to grasp the content of this book just by scanning its title. The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte is an epically written summary of the amazing history of the dinosaurs, from their modest beginnings in the Triassic supercontinent called Pangea, through their remarkably widespread dominance all across the Earth, to the tragic demise of most of them at the end of the Cretaceous Period, around 66 million years ago. It is probably not easy to crunch over 150 million years of dinosaur existence in the Mesozoic Era into a single book in an organized and comprehensive way, but the author has proven himself by successfully executing this noble, monumental task.

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs is a thrilling journey both in the present and ancient past. Steve takes readers from place to place on the globe, using his personal experiences and stories to guide the dinosaur-curious minds through the long, wondrous evolutionary tale of our distant reptilian cousins. Along the way, you'll meet many paleontological figures – before reading the book I had known or at least heard of many of them and it is nice to have furthered my knowledge of them through the oft witty descriptions given by the author. Steve presents the story in this book with his amazing rhetorical writing skills, producing a fantastic marriage between art and science that keeps the readers riveted along the ride. Throughout the book you will bone-deeply feel his immense passion for dinosaurs, and science more generally, as well as clearly see that Steve is a man of humility – I'd really love to chew the fat with him over a ketoprak dinner in Jakarta, if I have the chance. Tyrannosaurus rex is undoubtedly the most famous non-bird dinosaur and Steve treats us to one chapter fully devoted to the "tyrant lizard king". The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs certainly deserves a place on any dinophile's bookshelf and is too good to be left unread.

The book that you see in the picture above was published by Macmillan (UK version). A U.S. version was released by William Morrow and you can buy it here. You might also want to watch a brief video of Steve talking about the book here.

Have you read The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs? What is your take on this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!
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Why Dinosaurs Matter – Book Review

Why Dinosaurs Matter

by Kenneth Lacovara

This is it. This is just the book the world needs. This is more or less what was in my mind before I purchased this book. Now that I finished it, all I can say is it really is.

Gazing at the intriguing title – and after reading the previous paragraph – you might be frowning with several shadows of a doubt: Do they really matter? Aren't they just long-gone creatures intended merely for children's entertainment? Grab this book and let Kenneth Lacovara obliterate any reservations of yours and convert you into an ardent dinosaur defender.

Why Dinosaurs Matter is definitely "a dinosaur book with a difference," as Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE puts it in her review. You won't find numerous dinosaur illustrations accompanied with a great deal of information on the diet, behavior, and other aspects of hosts of dinosaur genera. No, you won't. Instead, this book will take you into deep contemplation of your very existence on this planet. It will take you into a clearer understanding of the world through the medium of dinosaurology. It will take you into a period of reflection that will eventually lead you to genuine humility. The small size of this book shouldn't delude you into thinking that it is nothing. Why Dinosaurs Matter is made up of 12 chapters, each of which is filled with Ken's sublime scientific writing, which shows that he is a remarkable science communicator. I found that Ken's poetical prose, which was composed with his linguistic prowess, is a supreme point of this book, and with its content of scientific nature, Why Dinosaur Matters is a treasure of (dinosaurian) paleontology. You might be asking: Are there any particular dinosaurs covered in this book? The answer is yes! These include the world's most famous dinosaur: Tyrannosaurus rex, and the mighty Late Cretaceous sauropod Dreadnoughtus schrani, which was discovered by Kenneth Lacovara himself in southern Patagonia over a decade ago. In a nutshell, Why Dinosaurs Matter is a brilliantly & beauteously enlightening book.

As you may have noticed, Why Dinosaurs Matter is a TED Book, which means that it expands on a related TED Talk. Be amazed at Kenneth Lacovara's 2016 marvelous speech: Hunting for dinosaurs showed me our place in the universe (to access it on YouTube, click here). You might also want to have a glimpse into the book by navigating through these useful links:

• Here's Why Dinosaurs Matter (TED)
• In Defense Of Dinosaurs (Science Friday)
• Q&A with Paleontologist Kenneth Lacovara (Natural History Museum of Utah)
• Why T. Rex's Puny Arms Are a Sign of Strength (National Geographic)
• Why Dinosaurs Matter... (Live Science)
• How a Boy Who Was Obsessed with Dinosaurs Discovered Dreadnoughtus (Live Science)
• Kenneth Lacovara Tells Us ‘Why Dinosaurs Matter’ (GeekDad)
• We are all walking natural history museums (INKtalks) (to watch it on YouTube, click here)
• Why Dinosaurs Matter - Kenneth Lacovara, at USI (Unexpected Sources of Inspiration)

Beware! Reading Why Dinosaurs Matter has a side effect: it will astronomically enlarge your vocabulary, owing to the innumerable expressions Ken poured into it. You might want to get a reliable English dictionary ready before you start reading this eye-opening book.

Have you read Why Dinosaurs Matter? What do you think of this book? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

P.S. I love how Ken addresses young Earth creationism in this book. ;)

Related article by me: Why Dinosaurs?

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Dinosaurs: How They Lived and Evolved – Book Review

Dinosaurs: How They Lived and Evolved

by Darren Naish and Paul Barrett

I am writingless because this dinosaur book is too good to exist. But I will do it anyway because you need to know about (and read) this before you die.

Dinosaurs: How They Lived and Evolved is simply a must-have for anyone who would like to learn about these amazing creatures which include the world-famous, ferocious-looking Tyrannosaurus and the rhino-like, ornament-headed Triceratops. I repeat: it is a MUST-HAVE. This book teaches dinosaurology in a fun and engaging manner: the writing is really absorbing and keeps you hooked throughout the book. The co-authors, I'd say, are teaching masters and they do great work in using language that is varied, but easy to understand. They also do not use a lot of technical terms in such a way that I believe this book will suit those who even have a very limited knowledge of dinosaurs.The fact that there are 'only' six chapters in this book, which discuss topics ranging from dinosaur physiology to the origin of birds, shouldn't mislead you: the amount of information stored in it is tremendous. This book is also equipped with a great many fantastic illustrations which definitely will help you gain a better understanding of the subject.

In my opinion, the cover, which shows a Giganotosaurus gaping its mouth in a menacing posture, looks cool, although the co-author Darren Naish seems to be not quite satisfied with it (watch Darren talk about the book here).

For your information, aside from the NHM version (which is shown in the picture above), Dinosaurs: How They Lived and Evolved was also published by Smithsonian Books with no difference in contents.

Have you read Dinosaurs: How They Lived and Evolved? What do you think of this book? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

The second edition, published by the Natural History Museum on September 6, 2018, can be purchased here. Check Darren's article to get an idea of how it differs from its predecessor.

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Raptor Red – Book Review

Raptor Red

by Robert T. Bakker

I should have written this review a long time ago as I finished this little dino novel before Velociraptor came into scene – you know I'm kidding. But they say "better late then never", so here I am, slouching in front of my Lenovo, typing my opinion on this not-authored-by-Robert-T.-Kiyosaki book.

Raptor Red is a novel about the life of an adult female dinosaur belonging to the genus Utahraptor – that is a kind of medium-sized predatory dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Period that was discovered, as is easy to guess, in Utah, the  U.S., and is a close cousin of the more famous Velociraptor. This story is based on the discovery of the animal and was written by world-famous American paleontologist Dr. Robert T. Bakker, casually called Bob Bakker – does it ring a bell? Yeah, in the movie Jurassic Park Tim Murphy, who is the grandson of John Hammond, mentions this dinosaur expert when conversing with paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant. So there are two points that make this novel stand out from others: there are NO humans involved (as it takes place hundreds of millions of years ago before the first humans appeared) and it was written by a REAL paleontologist! Before enjoying the story, you are welcomed by the preface, which revolves around the discovery of Utahraptor and discusses its relation to the blockbuster movie. And then the show begins. Bob Bakker exquisitely tells the tale of this bird-like creature in a gripping as well as emotional way. With his background as a dinosaurian scientist, the author successfully mixes science with extremely vivid and imaginative descriptions. In addition, the plot is riveting and will definitely keep the reader enthralled during the ride. Bob Bakker knows how to satisfy readers with his highly descriptive writing and engaging story-telling skills – honestly, I didn't expect to be as wowed as I am when reading it. In short, this novel deserves standing applause. If you are an adventure novel addict and/or dinophile, I am sure you will fall in love with this book in a brief second.

Unfortunately I think this novel is one of a kind (any other novels of this sort? tell me!). To be brutally honest, I need MORE of this. I do hope Bakker (or other paleontologists) will come out with this type of novel in the (near) future.

Have you read Raptor Red? What do you think of this novel? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Dragon Teeth – Book Review

Dragon Teeth: A Novel

by Michael Crichton

Who doesn't know Jurassic Park, a 1993 blockbuster movie featuring one of the most incredible animal groups ever? I believe (virtually) everyone does. However, perhaps some people don't realize that the flick and the sequel, Jurassic Park: The Lost World, are based on novels by Michael Crichton, a famous American author who, unfortunately, passed away in 2008.

Michael Crichton is certainly a marvelous author. I am not a novel expert (is there such a thing?) but his writing style is really lovable and admirable, and I'm not sure anyone can be comparable to him. His decease is such a loss for the novel industry. However, something unexpected, at least for me, came: another "dino" novel of Crichton's was recently discovered in his archives – but it somehow didn't get published during his lifetime. The novel, titled Dragon Teeth, posthumously came out in May this year and I was one of those overwhelmed with euphoria.

In a nutshell, Dragon Teeth tells the story of a young American man named William Johnson (fictional character) who goes on a fossil expedition to the American West due to a bet with his college archrival. It takes place in the part of the 19th century when there was the infamous feud between two real giant American paleontological figures, Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh – the period is widely known as the "Bone Wars". This novel is special because it mixes fact and fiction in a brilliant and engaging way. Crichton takes readers to the old American history with its rich elements, including Indian culture, which I wasn't familar with and found intriguing. The real characters in this novel, besides Cope and Marsh, include Charles H. Sternberg and Wyatt Earp. Reading this novel certainly gives you insights into what the U.S. was like during that period of history (something I enjoyed about this novel); however, one must realize that this book is not intended as a historical reference. 

People also need to note that, although Dragon Teeth is considered a dinosaur novel, it is mainly about a quest for dinosaur fossils and not dinosaurs themselves. In this novel you will not find living non-avian dinosaurs chasing people in a Jeep screaming and dashing off frantically.

Overall I am entertained by the new Crichton, although I think it is not really his masterpiece as I feel the plot is somewhat less gripping than that in his previous dino novels. But still, this is a novel worth reading and has a unique taste that makes it stand out from others.

Have you read Dragon Teeth? What are your thoughts on the latest novel of Crichton's? Write your comment below!

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The Best Places to Buy Books

I must be honest – the title might be misleading since what you are going to read is based on my experience of buying books. However, I hope this article could be of great help for you guys seeking to expand your knowledge (or anything else) through magical sets of paper sheets.

Before I decide whether or not to buy a book, I always research it on Amazon, which I believe all of you are familiar with, with the CEO, Jeff Bezos, recently announced as the richest man on the planet – albeit for a short while. Reading the book description is a must and perusing editorial and customer reviews gives me good insights into what the book is like. If a book has a 4 or 5-star rating, you could be pretty sure that it is worth reading. What's more, the website has a feature named "Look inside", which gives you a privilege to peek into some books – such as this one – allowing for further consideration. Apparently, Amazon possesses the largest book collection of all and, therefore, can be a great reference for book information. I used the service once (through my friend's account though) and was satisfied with the service with my book arriving in good condition as well as in a timely fashion. The prices are more or less reasonable and there are other sellers that sell books through Amazon as well (unfortunately many of those books aren't delivered to Indonesia for some reason).

The second bookstore you might want to consider is AbeBooks. Unlike Amazon, AbeBooks only acts as a marketplace, which means the sellers are all independent bookstores. What I like about this website is it is very convenient to browse through the items, with only 1 click needed to show a pop-up window displaying the shipping fee for your country. Some sellers offer reductions in shipping fees if you buy more than one book from them, so don't miss great chances to save more. My second last purchase was a very good deal although there was an unexpected delay in delivery, which was later handled professionally by the seller. AbeBooks is currently one of my favorites and I will definitely return to it again to place more orders.

There are two other companies that are also relatively popular in the book-selling industry: Better World Books (BWB) and Book Depository. Like that of Amazon, I used the services of these companies only once and all in all I didn't have much of a problem – I waited quite long for the BWB book to arrive (over two months), though. BWB is similar to Amazon in that they sell their own books as well as let other sellers to take part in their business. It also seems that BWB is a giving-back-to-the-community company (just visit the site and you'll know what I mean). On the other hand, Book Depository only provides NEW books and delivers them worldwide with NO SHIPPING FEE. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean you will always get books at the lowest prices possible as what matters is the total price. Comparing prices is the name of the game.

Tips: Make sure you buy from reputable sellers and read the information about the book carefully (Is the book new? If it's not, how good is the condition? Very good? Good? Fair? Acceptable? Is the spine broken? Is there any wear on the cover or inside the book? Are there any markings, writings, or highlightings?). You would want the item to meet your expectations, wouldn't you? To compare book prices, I recommend BookFinder.

Now, as I'm Indonesian, it seems to be a responsibility for me to share my experiences of dealing with Indonesian bookstores (Indonesians, get close!). Please note that all of the above (online) bookstores require a credit card as their payment option. So if you don't have a credit card, what can you do to satisfy your reading appetite? Periplus is the first bookstore that you must check out. I have been a customer for years and am overall very satisfied with it - in fact, most of my books came from this store. While Vietnam has Fahasa and the Philippines has Fully Booked, I'd say Periplus, with a vast collection of books, relatively low prices, and excellent service, is the best Indonesian bookstore. By making purchases you can collect points, which can later be redeemed for more books. In addition, there are a slew of tempting promotions (discounts, cashback, etc.) which probably happen year-round. One of the most interesting benefits of being a member is a 15% discount on all books on your birthday. Books & Beyond and OpenTrolley are two contenders, yet, in terms of prices, Periplus is unsurpassed. Nevertheless, speaking of local books, I think Gramedia is still the most leading with most likely the biggest number of stores around the country.

It is probably advantageous for you to buy from foreign book distributors in your country (Indonesia, in this case), as the books seem to be less expensive. If you're looking for English textbooks, you might want to try Mentari Bookstore (online: Mentaripedia and PT Chandranaya Laksana. The former is the exclusive distributor for Cambridge University Press as well as a partner and distributor for Oxford University Press, whereas the latter is an authorized distributor for Pearson, of which Longman is a part of. I have ordered books from both and their competitive prices really made my day. I just found a company that is the exclusive distributor for McGraw-Hill and Cambridge University Press (I know it's weird): Global Books Indonesia. I haven't really explored the site and never purchased anything from it so I can't give any further comments – hopefully it delivers high quality service and offers good prices as well.

What are your thoughts on these? Do you think there are even better places to purchase books? Share your ideas in the comment section below! Continue reading