Welcome to bruneiONS.com

The Bruneions Monthly Book Reviews features a list of book reviews of popular titles available from dBookHaus, Brunei.
This month we highlight six titles:  A World Without Islam, Before I Fall, Lunatics, A Dance With Dragons, Manchester United : The Biography and I Don't Know What I Want, But I know It's Not This.

TITLE  . A World Without Islam
AUTHOR . GRAHAM E. FULLER

What if Islam never existed?  Graham E. Fuller, ex-CIA vice chairman brings an illuminating journey through history, geopolitics, and religion to investigate whether or not Islam is indeed the cause of some of today's most emotional and important international crises. He shares the history of conflicts between East and West and identifies them mainly not about religion but power, dominance and freedom.

He examines and analyzes the roots of terrorism, the conflict in Israel, and the role of Islam in supporting and energizing the anti-imperial struggle. Provocatively, he finds that contrary to the claims of many politicians, thinkers, theologians, and soldiers, a world without Islam might not look vastly different from what we know today.

Filled with fascinating details and counter-intuitive conclusions, A World Without Islam is certain to inspire debate and reshape the way we think about Islam's relationship with the West.  This book is a must for those who want to understand the bigger picture in today’s West vs. Islam debate.

	TITLE . Before I Fall AUTHOR . LAUREN OLIVER What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life? Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High - from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing. Uplifting and saddening at the same time. It’s the kind of book which will make you look at the world in a slightly different way and to remind us that we only live once. Overall, it’s a fantastic debut novel which will especially capture a lot of young readers attention.
	TITLE . Lunatics AUTHOR . DAVE BERRY AND ALAN ZWEIBEL SOON TO BE RELEASED! 10 JANUARY 2012 One of them is a bestselling Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist. The other is a winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Together, they form the League of Comic Justice, battling evildoers in the name of . . . Okay, that line was made up. What they do form is a writing team of pure comic genius, and they will have you laughing like idiots. Philip Horkman is a happy man-the owner of a pet store called The Wine Shop, and on Sundays a referee for kids’ soccer. Jeffrey Peckerman is the sole sane person in a world filled with goddamned jerks and morons, and he’s having a really bad day. The two of them are about to collide in a swiftly escalating series of events that will send them running for their lives, pursued by the police, soldiers, terrorists, subversives, bears, and a man dressed as Chuck E. Cheese. Where that all takes them you can’t begin to guess, but the literary journey there is a masterpiece of inspiration and mayhem. But what else would you expect from the League of Comic Justice? If you want an entertaining ride, a slapstick adventure, you will enjoy this!
	TITLE  . A Dance With Dragons AUTHOR  . GEORGE R.R.MARTIN Dubbed “the American Tolkien” by Time magazine, George R. R. Martin has earned international acclaim for his monumental cycle of epic fantasy. In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance once again--beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has three times three thousand enemies, and many have set out to find her. Yet, as they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind. To the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone - a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, will face his greatest challenge yet. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice. And from all corners, bitter conflicts soon reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skin changers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all. Keeps you spellbound throughout and follows the tradition of the previous titles in this Song of Ice & Fire series.
	TITLE . Manchester United : The Biography AUTHOR . JIM WHITE This is another excellent book about Manchester United by Jim White. Far from the usual dull collection of facts and figures, this is an incisive, insightful journey through the history of MU. The book follows the club's extraordinary journey from its birth in the railway works of Newton Heath to its current status as Premier League and European champions. The key stages in United's history will, of course, be covered: the Munich Air Crash of 1958, which saw the best part of an entire team (the Busby Babes) being killed; becoming the first English team to win the European Cup in 1968 (with Bobby Charlton and George Best); the dominance of the club in the Premiership; the controversial sale to American tycoon Malcolm Glazer, right up to Moscow 2008. But by drawing on the recollections of everyone from players and managers to fans and backroom staff, Jim has unearthed enough new material to interest die-hard fans and casual supporters alike. A fascinating history of a remarkable football club, by one of Britain's best-known and most popular sports writers.
	TITLE . I Don't Know What I Want, But I know It's Not This AUTHOR . JULIE JANSEN In this helpful book, career coach Julie Jansen addresses this work-dissatisfaction epidemic. Using career assessment quizzes and personality exercises, Jansen helps readers understand their present work or career situation, discover the type of work for which they're best suited, and learn how to create the changes they need. Filled with real-life examples and including a useful resource section, this guide provides the inspiration and know-how to implement positive career change. A great interactive book that helps you focus on your true needs and find what truly inspires you!

Tweet