Ape House by Sara Gruen

September 26, 2014 by Christina

Fiction — audiobook. Read by Paul Boehmer. Books on Tape, 2010. 11 hours, 7 minutes. Library copy. John Thigpen, a journalist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, traveled to Kansas to meet the bonobos — Sam, Bonzi, Lola, Mbongo, Jelani, and Makena — learning to communicate with computers and in American Sign Language for a study on language acquisition at the university’s Great Ape Language Lab. Intrigued by both the bonobos and the scientist who cares for them, John has begun to […]

Categories: 2014 Reads, Animals, Audiobook, Fiction, North America, United States • Tags: Paul Boehmer, Sara Gruen

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

June 21, 2014 by Christina

Fiction — print. Algonquin Books, 2007. 335 pgs. Purchased. After the tragic death of his parents, Jacob Jankowski leaves veterinary college during his final exams and jumps a freight train in the dark not realizing the train is actually owned by a circus, the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Jacob is hired on once his experience as a veterinary students becomes known and travels across the country caring for the animals used in the glittery, sensual show. But […]

Categories: 2014 Reads, Animals, Fiction, North America, United States • Tags: Sara Gruen