Books Update

The refrigerator and the universe:
Very detailed book on the science of thermodynamics, for what I was looking for perhaps a bit too much. But very thorough, approachable and very informative.

A short history of nearly everything:
still reviewing

Gödel, Escher, Bach : an eternal golden braid:
still reviewing

The ten most beautiful experiments:
A must read for science junkies, very insightful and inspiring

Your inner fish : a journey into the 3.5-billion-year history of the human body:
A great book about evolution and the whys of how we are put together (some neat points too on how evolution compensates for the growing complexity of organisms and so quirks along the way)

Home cheese making : recipes for 75 homemade cheeses:
If you plan on doing more than trying your hand at some basic mozzarella or cheddar this is the book for you. Detailed recipe after recipe

The bread baker's apprentice : mastering the art of extraordinary bread:
still reviewing

The backyard beekeeper : an absolute beginner's guide to keeping bees in your yard and garden:
A one stop reference for all of your apiary needs - incredibly complete and infromative

Artisan bread in five minutes a day:
still reviewing -- but I've looked up some internet video clips and I have to say, this is the first time I've ever been able to successfully make bread. Really GOOD bread too!

The backyard homestead:
A good general reference but very vague on many points - a helpful starting point to get inspired

World War Z : an oral history of the zombie war:
I did not think I was going to like this (I was concerned that the characters would act like most stupid people in horror movies, "No! don't go down in the basement!"), but I have to say that I was impressed. Aside from the zombies there was very little "fictional" events. All the characters normally acted in character and it was very true to human nature. A good book for those who would like to tackle the extreme of self preparedness.

Neverwhere:
Perhaps not terribly believable but a very good compelling story (my impression was that the author attempted to blend a fantastical world with the real one - and for the most part it worked - there were just a few points where you would just not think it would happen that way).

Earth Abides:
If you have not read it or something like it (see the amazon page for this book and look at the comparable books), then please go check one out. It is a great work on the fragility of the human society.