BOOK REVIEW

Jennie by Douglas J. Preston

In ten words or less: A chimp taught to sign raises questions about man’s experiments.

Jennie is an orphan chimpanzee brought to America by an anthropologist and is raised with his family and taught American Sign Language. Quickly learning to behave much like a human spoiled brat, Jennie steals, shops, meets celebrities, and is arrested. When she reaches sexual maturity, she becomes uncontrollable and is sent to a wildlife refuge. She feels betrayed and misses her freedom. This book raises questions about our relationship to, and treatment of, other species.

Why bother? What happens to animals when humans are done with their experiments? If animals are taught to communicate outside of their species, can man ignore what he has already done? This novel raises questions that have yet to be addressed by the scientific community.

February’s Books

The staff of “The Onion” lets us know what’s really in the minds of cats with their latest “The devious book for cats.” This book offers cats advice on everything they need to know, from in-depth guides on cardboard boxes and catnip to a history of the Felinism movement. It provides tips on working a human when you want to get fed, staring like a pro, and for black cats, making the most of superstitions. Explained are the allure of the Window, the terrifying specter of the Vacuum, and Extraordinary Cats in History. Cats! Discover the devious fun you can have when you’re the one in charge!

An unlikely cat lady by Nina Malkin
Gun shy by Donna Ball
All souls by Christine Schutt
Devious book for cats by Fluffy and Bonkers
Last days of old Beijing by Michael Meyer
Obsessions by Marshall Cook
Bomb detection dogs by Charles George
The chemical muse by D.C.A. Hillman
Night sisters by Sara Rath
You can write a mystery by Gillian Roberts
Wreck of the Carl D. by Michael Schumacher
Black and white and dead all over by John Darnton
Fodor’s New York City 2008
Land of a hundred wonders by Lesley Kagen
How to write mysteries by Shannon Ocork
Done gone wrong by Cathy Pickens
Kinky gazpacho by Lori Tharps
Dog on it by Spencer Quinn