The Many Faces of Political Islam by Mohammed Ayoob

Title: The Many Faces of Political Islam: Religion and Politics in the Muslim World
Author: Mohammed Ayoob
Type: Non-Fiction
Genre: Politics
Series: No
Pages: 213
Copyright: 2008
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Rating:  3 out of 5

Summary: Summary from Good Reads

Analysts and pundits from across the American political spectrum describe Islamic fundamentalism as one of the greatest threats to modern, Western-style democracy. Yet very few non-Muslims would be able to venture an accurate definition of political Islam. Mohammed Ayoob's The Many Faces of Political Islam thoroughly describes the myriad manifestations of this rising ideology and analyzes its impact on global relations.

Feelings:
This is an academic book, don't be confused. That being said, it is an informative look at different political ideas in Islam. I liked that this book didn't see every group as the same but showed the differences. Many scholars look at Islamic groups as one and don't see that they can differ.

...interpretation of Islam as "civilization" (in the singular) rather than as a religion and code of ethics that affects and is, in turn, affected by multiple cultural and geographic milieus. Consequently, its popularization has augmented a unitary impression of Islam and Muslims in the West that conceals the enormous diversity not only among Muslim opinions in general but even among those groups characterized as fundamentalists or Islamists. (p. 23)

The book sets out to counter and show that political Islam is not the monolith that many scholars in the west lead us to believe.

In looking at the difference between countries and groups Ayoob demonstrates the diversity of political Islam and even makes a pretty convincing argument that Islam and Democracy are compatible. I recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a better understanding of political Islam.

Fruits Basket Volume 20 by Natsuki Takaya

Title: Fruits Basket, Volume 20 
Author: Natsuki Takaya 
Type: Manga 
Genre: Shoujo 
Series: Yes, Vol. 20 of 23 
Pages: 192 
Copyright: 2008 
Publisher: TOKYOPOP Inc. 
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary: from Good Reads
Kagura and Kazuma hotly discuss Tohru liking Kyo. With Kagura's forceful encouragement, will Tohru be able to muster up the courage to tell Kyo how she feels? Meanwhile, Ren is determined to get her hands on Akito's mystery box--even if it means killing for it!

Feelnings:
Members of the zodiac are breaking free of the curse but they don't know why it is happening. Akito is very distressed by these developments. The tension in this volume has gone up. There are many things at stake and decisions have to be made.

I think this volume held my interest more than some of the past volumes. The end is near.

In The After Light by Alexandra Bracken

Title: In The After Light 
Author: Alexandra Bracken 
Type: Young Adult Novel  
Genre: Fantasy 
Series: Yes, The Darkest Minds #3 
Pages: 535 
Copyright: 2014 
Publisher: Hyperion 
Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from Goodreads
Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds.

They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.

Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.

Feelings: 
I enjoyed In The After Light, the last book in the series. It was a little less exciting that the previous books. I also found the Ruby Liam drama to be getting old. I felt a little like the drama had been concocted to keep the book moving forward when the rest of the plot had slowed. I did enjoy the book and was a little disappointed to see the series come to an end. I was surprised to find that I was alright with the ending and I don't feel like I need more from the characters.

I recommend the series that started with The Darkest Minds it was a different look at a dystopian future.

Quiet by Susan Cain

Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking 
Author: Susan Cain 
Type: Audiobook 
Narrator: Kathe Mazur 
Genre: Non-Fiction 
Series: No 
Copyright: 2012 
Publisher: Random House Audio 
Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Summary: from Goodreads
At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.

Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Taking the reader on a journey from Dale Carnegie’s birthplace to Harvard Business School, from a Tony Robbins seminar to an evangelical megachurch, Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects. She talks to Asian-American students who feel alienated from the brash, backslapping atmosphere of American schools. She questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. And she draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to reveal the surprising differences between extroverts and introverts.

Perhaps most inspiring, she introduces us to successful introverts--from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Finally, she offers invaluable advice on everything from how to better negotiate differences in introvert-extrovert relationships to how to empower an introverted child to when it makes sense to be a "pretend extrovert."

This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.

Feelings:
I found this a very interesting audiobook. It was 10 hours and 3 minutes long which can be long. There were times when I did think maybe something had gone a little longer than it should have and the point was really being hammered home. In a book about the gentle nature of introverts this seemed a bit much to me. However, I did find the topic very interesting and it made me really think about what I like and why I might like it. For instance reading a book at home instead of going out.

I did find that there were some things that made me feel more extroverted. However, I think we are all contradictions and little of both.

I recommend the book it was a well researched and engaging listen.

Fruits Basket Volume 19 by Natsuki Takaya

Title: Fruits Basket, Volume 19 
Author: Natsuki Takaya 
Type: Manga 
Genre: Shoujo 
Series: Yes, Vol. 19 of 23 
Pages: 209 
Copyright: 2008 
Publisher: TOKYOPOP Inc. 
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary: from Good Reads
As the Fruits Basket saga continues, the relationship between Tohru and Kyo becomes increasingly complicated. Tohru realizes that she'll have to create some sort of trigger to break Kyo's curse to save him. But what can cure Kyo? The answer is right inside this next volume of the super-popular Fruits Basket!  

Feelings:
In here we get more of Tohru and Kyo's past as well as seeing more of Yuki with the student council. Kakeru and Yuki spend some time together outside of student council and Kakeru tries to huck Yuki up with his half sister Machi. I thought this volume was good. It didn't really advance Tohru and Kyo's relationship any. Still it was an enjoyable read and I'm beginning to see how an ending will arrive.

Ruby: The Adventures of a galactic Gumshoe

Title: Ruby: The Adventures of a Galactic Gumshoe 
Author: Thomas Manuel Lopez 
Type: Radio Story   
Genre: Science Fiction 
Series: Yes 
Copyright: 1982 (radio production) 1993 (audio cd) 
Publisher: ZBS Foundation 
Rating: 4 out of 5 
Actors and Production Team:

• Ruby: Laura Esterman
• T.J. Teru: Bill Raymond
• Angel Lips: Robin Karfo
• And/Or, Rodant Kapoor, and Mother Kapoor: Tom Stewart
• The Android Sisters: Ruth Breuer & Valaria Vasilevski
• Chief Moliere, the Tookah: Fred Neuman
• Onoffon and Moleena Mole: Honora Ferguson
• Offonoff: Valaria Vasilevski
• Monet: Count Stovall
• Moonbeam: Elaine Graham
• Toots Mutant: Cara Duff-McCormick
• Harold Matisse: Chris McCaan
• The Vocoder Chorus: Tim Clark
• The Announcer: Dave Herman
• Executive Producer & Director: Thomas Manuel Lopez
• Author: Meatball Fulton
• Music: Original score for Ruby, composed and performed by Tim Clark

Summary: from Gooreads
Ruby: The Adventures of a Galactic Gumshoe is fast-paced and funny intergalactic entertainment the Marx Brothers would be proud of, with slick, splashy high-tech music and effects created by Tim Clark. The music and sound effects are stunning.

On the planet Summa Nulla (the "high point of nothing") someone is manipulating the media. And Ruby, our hip, tough-talking detective is hired to track down the malefactors.

The Android Sisters perform their satirical speak-songs as Ruby, the galactic gumshoe, encounters some pretty weird planetary inhabitants on her quest for truth and the intergalactic way: The Tookah, with four tentacles, three eyes, a blue mustache and red fez, TJ Teru the archaeologist, Chief Molierre of the Mole People, sneaky little Rodant Kapoor, Angel Lips (the femme fatale of androids) and the Slimeys, genetically engineered assassins.

Originally broadcast around the world in 23 foreign countries: including the CBC, Canada, BBC, England and ABC, Australia.

The Mark Time Award for Best Science Fiction of the Year.

Ruby officially entered Science Fiction's Audio Hall of Fame for Best Science Fiction of 1982. 

Feelings:
I almost gave up on this because I found the background music a bit difficult to listen to. I am so glad I didn't though. Even thought this is now over 20 years old it still is a satire on modern life that rings true.

Ruby was a character that I ended up really enjoying. Most of the story is told from her point of view but it does also have segments that are a radio broadcast with the android sisters. Every time I hear the word "money" now I think of the android sisters and how they messed with peoples minds talking about money.

I highly recommend listening to this. It is a fun adventure in a space world. I hope to be able to find the rest of the series.