> The Things You Can Read: Review in Miniature: The Violinist's Thumb And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code by Sam Kean

The Things You Can Read welcomes you and thanks you for your readership. We, here at The Things You Can Read, ask your help, if you visit our site regularly, please follow us either via email or Google Friend Connect.  Launched on June 7, 2012, our site has already attracted a great deal of attention.  One of the goals of the site is to feature reviews of Children's Picture Books, Young Adult novels and Adult Literary Fiction/Nonfiction.  A second goal for the blog is to be a resource for teachers of English and writing--with examples of student created writing, writing tips, resource links, and the opportunity to pick the brain of a seasoned English teacher.  To spice things up...every now and then, we'll also include random quotes and thoughts on education and life in general, but our ultimate goal is to reach out into the blogosphere and be a "Book Whisperer" and "Writing Whisperer" to children and adults of all ages.   Thank you for your readership.  Here is to a lifetime filled with reading and writing.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Review in Miniature: The Violinist's Thumb And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code by Sam Kean


In recent years I have grown to love nonfiction. I didn't always. It has to do with the methodology/structural choices that modern-day nonfiction writers use to share their information. Here's what it boils down to...when the information unfolds like a story it makes it so enjoyable to read that I forget I’m reading nonfiction. Then couple that with the ability of the author to take a complicated idea and bring it down to a level that my non-sciency-self can understand and you have a great read. This is why Sam Kean’s books are so enjoyable to read.

I have to admit that it was the title that grabbed me on this one along with the reference to Paganini, the famous violinists. Interesting what will make one open a book. I certainly learned a great deal about what made Paganini more accomplished than other violinist, but the author didn't stop there. Kean takes the reader on a DNA ride of titanic proportions. He shares terms, anecdotal stories, and other science stuff a non-sciency person like myself never expected to enjoy. A big thanks to Mr. Kean for making science accessible and interesting.

If you want to know more about DNA, but were afraid the science was too complicated then grab a copy of The Violinist's Thumb and start reading!

Thank you Net Galley and Little, Brown and Company for the review copy of The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean.

Happy Reading
The Things You Can Read!
Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

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