More reading, more good books

"The Evolution of Faith" by Philip Gulley was one of the most challenging books I have ever read. I loved Gulley's fiction novels about the kind and good Quaker minister who struggles to do his best with his family and congregation in a small town in Indiana. However, Gulley's non-fiction shows just how far his faith has evolved from that of his novels' protagonist. I would only suggest this book to those who are really strong in their faith or those who are so far removed from "the church" and its teachings that they will not be devastated by Gulley's theology. "The Male Brain" is written by Louann Brizendine, a scientist/psychologist. I certainly wish I had known all this before I raised two sons! I sent copies to both of my daughters-in-law so they will have a heads-up on what their sons are thinking - subconsciously and consciously. Many thanks to my friend Pat Graham, who recommended this to me. Whoa! What the he(double hockey sticks)! Gail Collins has written "As Texas Goes", a non-fiction account of the dealings (underhanded and political) that have been going on for the past few decades and are creating policies that affect every one of us in the U.S.A. I was flabbergasted and frankly am very worried about our future. Those crazy under-educated rednecks are undermining our democracy and our education system and more! Let's stop them.

Better late than never... I hope

It has been months since my last post. I've been so busy and this is the first Saturday for months that I have either not been at work or on the road somewhere. So I'll post this list of books I've read since the last post and hope that I can do a better job of keeping up with some book reviews and reactions from now on. One of my favorite reads was "The Fitzosbornes in Exile" by Michelle Cooper, the second in the series about a WWII era royal family from the island of Montmaray. I love the feisty heroines and the handsome young men whom they encounter. Chick-lit with a feminist touch and a bit of history. My hubby and I listened to the audiobook for "V is for Vengeance" by Sue Grafton while on our road trip to Florida... Good, gritty murder detective adventures. Then we listened to "My Lucky Life" by Dick Van Dyke on the road trip home. We always liked DvD and all his wonderful shows and now we know why. If they ever make a movie from this book my son David should play the lead. He bears a resemblance to Mr. VanDyke and is also a talented singer/actor/dancer. My book club read and discussed "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skoot. It was fascinating and troubling at the same time. It recounts the incredible gift to science and to all humanity that has come through the cells taken from the body of Henrietta Lacks. It also describes the prejudice and injustice done to minorities by scientists and doctors who did not think it necessary to ask blacks (and other minorities or handicapped persons) for permission before taking tissue samples. There was much to provide fodder for the discussion of this book. Then I read "Naftali the Storyteller" by Isaac Singer. I can't remember anything about it now, so I guess it didn't make much of an impression on me. "Blasphemy" by Douglas Preston did make and impression. When you want to get involved in a discussion about God and the creation of the universe, this is an interesting novel that centers around that theme. It gets a little crazy - or rather the people get crazy wild and violent. Our book club tried something new and different in August as everyone was told to pick any book from the library in the 300's (Dewey Decimal) section. I read "County: Life, Death & Politics at Chicago's Public Hospital" by David Ansell, M.D. I grew up in Illinois and have often heard stories about Cook County Hospital. Ansell provides a direct, unromantic view of the factors that caused controversy over the three decades in which he worked at the hospital. He also makes a strong point which supports Obama's health care plan and the need for universal health insurance.