Stas Nekrasov Nekrasov itibaren Texas itibaren Texas

Egan, a Westerner and New York Times correspondent, writes: "What is the West, beyond an incongruous grouping of eleven American states holding basin, range, and plenty of room to hide, a place where people think that geography alone makes them different? It was, until recently, a process instead of a place." The one thing I don't get about Egan's assessment is "until recently," because as far as I can tell, the process never ends. Following it by way of his essays was a delight, and left me feeling much as I imagine an actual trek through such a grand landscape would, assuming one could actually trek back and forth between the old west and new, meeting all manner of provocative and odd characters along the way. Chapters meander through diverse but quintessentially western places, from the remote and ancient Acoma, New Mexico ("possibly the oldest continuously inhabited place in the United States") to Vegas, culminating in a big picture full of engrossing and telling details. "In all their plumbing and engineering, the water czars made one monumental error. As it turns out, the people of this most daring of American cities (Las Vegas) draw their drinking water just six miles from the same spot where they dump their waste, a stream of barely treated effluents that are particularly heavy with pesticides from hotels trying to make sure that not a single mosquito visits the Strip." The scope of Egan's historical and personal perspectives impressed, and the writing entertained. There's plenty of empathy, humor and consternation but nothing sentimental about it, especially when it comes to the ongoing and sometimes deadly issues, all having to do with land use. "If land and religion are what people most often kill each other over, then the West is different only in that land is the religion." More than any other, this seems to be the religion that has made America what it is.

Having read the back of this book, I knew not to expect anything cheery. But still, I didn't expect to feel like this. The story of Hannah Baker is told to us as Clay Jensen takes his turn in receiving her tapes. I loved getting his responses as we heard her story, how he saw the same incident and how things played out from his side of things. I really think this book should be made mandatory reading in schools all across the world. I suffered from rumours and lies being spread about me, and how people treated me in a result of them. We're taught from an early age to treat others how we ourselves want to be treated. But it's impossible to do 24/7. What I hope Hannah's story will teach everyone who reads it are there are consequences for every action. It was a tough book to get through, and though it is on the short side, it is one to be savoured as long as possible. Usually I storm through books, but with this one I tried to take my time. Hannah's story seemed more poignant that way. It was wonderfully written and though it is on a taboo subject (which I hate - nothing can be solved if we forever turn away from the people who need help) it is a brilliant read. One that, even though I've said it in the past, WILL stay with you long after the final page.