Hello All,
It's time for the next Bookshare blog! We met at Geri Christensen's home for our last gathering and some great books were discussed. Here is the list so you can find some new reading ideas for cold winter days.
SUE DE MARTINI
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
We went to the recently released animated movie “The Wild Robot” and loved it. Such a beautiful message of parental care. So, I thought I would read this sequel. It is much more episodic and very much a middle grade book. I’m having a hard time getting through it. But it is good for putting me to sleep at night!
Acqua Alta by Donna Leon
#5 in the Guido Brunetti series. Set in Venice, as always. Police Commisario Brunetti unravels another mystery without ever missing a long lunch at home. Venice is flooding and Brunetti spends a lot of time sloshing through the calles of Venice. His old friend has been beaten at opera singer Flavia Petrelli’s home. Then the museum director is found murdered. What is the connection? And can he solve the mystery before someone else is hurt? Brunetti is a kind and calm detective. Leon is an excellent writer, making this very enjoyable reading, like a vacation in Venice with a mystery attached.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
An old classic which was interesting to read again at an older age and in a different time. Kit Tyler has been raised in comfort in warm, exotic Barbados, but when her grandfather dies, she must go live with her mother’s sister in Connecticut. The time is 1687 and life is harsh in New England, and her aunt’s husband is austere. Kit finds comfort at the tiny cottage of Hannah, a Quaker who fled from Massachusetts and is shunned by the Puritans of the village. When Hannah is accused of witchcraft, Kit must decide what to do. She also must decide between 3 young men. Very good historical fiction.
The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous by Joseph Henrich
Henrich is an American anthropologist and professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University. He weaves together extensive research in anthropology, psychology, economics and evolutionary biology to offer an explanation for what makes the Western mind so unusual, starting with the early Middle Ages, around the 5th century, as the early Catholic church was spreading throughout Europe. His main thesis is that the Church disrupted the natural organization of clans and tribes by outlawing cousin marriage and polygamy. The rise of the nuclear family led to more individual striving and the rise of “impersonal markets, occupational specialization, and free competition”—the foundation of the Western world. Very interesting.
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Such an interesting (and disturbing) book about what happens to human bodies after death and how they are used for science. From the Amazon blurb: “An oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem.
For two thousand years, cadavers (some willingly, some unwittingly) have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure, from heart transplants to gender reassignment surgery, cadavers have been there alongside surgeons, making history in their quiet way.
In this fascinating, ennobling account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries from the anatomy labs and human-sourced pharmacies of medieval and nineteenth-century Europe to a human decay research facility in Tennessee, to a plastic surgery practice lab, to a Scandinavian funeral directors' conference on human composting. In her droll, inimitable voice, Roach tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them.”
ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction—from Childhood Through Adulthoodby Edward M. Hallowell, MD and John J. Ratey, MD (c. 2022)
Written by the authors of the landmark books on ADHD, 1994’s Driven to Distraction, these psychiatrists explain the recent scientific knowledge on this not uncommon disorder (5% of the population, including children and adults), as well as best practices for treatment. They maintain that ADHD is the “most treatable disorder in psychiatry, bar none.” They say, “A person with ADHD has the power of a Ferrari engine but with bicycle-strength brakes. It’s the mismatch of engine power to braking capability that causes the problems. Strengthening one’s brakes is the name of the game.” Best book on ADHD I’ve read so far.
KARLA COX
he Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
Another history-based fiction by an author who does her research - and her beliefs - well. Once again, I note an odd connection between completely un-connected stories: this WWII-era novel and the previous books I read are based in historical fact. They both involve characters deeply influenced by unrelated, mission-driven, strangely gifted individuals. There are so many ties and connections with other books I’ve read or listened to, I’m beginning to think I’m in a library file somewhere! Rather than review, here are two quotes that tell well the character of two main characters, and the essential message of the book:
“Perhaps they need only know whether you are kind, decent, capable, well-intentioned. It is within your own heart that you find God. And we all walk our own path toward him.”~Yona
“In the times of greatest darkness, the light always shines through, because there are people who stand up to do brave, decent things. …In [times] like this, it doesn’t matter [where or how you were born]. It matters what you choose to become.” ~Zusia, or Zus
Go to www.wolfing.info for details, even photos of the Naliboki Forest of Poland (now Nalibocka Forest of Belarus)
“Be nice if at all possible.” ~Aron Bielski, a Jewish superhero of the Naliboki; with his brothers, he saved over 1,000 Jews by hiding in the forest. He lived to be 93 years old.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
This story, set in Tehran, Iran, sweeping 1953 to the 1980s and eventually the present day, (and later also New York City), is the story of Iran’s constant struggle to define itself under changing regimes, and the near-constant struggle of its women. It is the story of Elleheh and Homa, two girls from vastly different backgrounds but whose heart is one. Their friendship, the walls that separate them, and their desire to be Lion Women, teeshran. The incredible slogan adopted by Iranian and Kurdish women translates to Women, Life, Freedom. How noble and lioness-like is that?!
A quote from Homa in the epilogue:
“…I recently read theory about ocean waves… to our eyes, waves appear suddenly upon the shore; their abruptness is an illusion. Waves begin their journey thousands of miles out at sea; they accumulate shape and power from winds and undersea currents… So when you see the women in Iran screaming for their rights, please remember…that the force and fury of our screams have been gathering power for years.”
It is, in the words of the official review, “a mesmerizing tale of love and courage, and a sweeping exploration of how profoundly we are shaped by those we meet when we are young.”
For me, it goes in the category of paradigm-shifting, life-altering wonders. I’m so grateful for books, and people who write them.
Live Nourished by Shana Minei Spence
“There is no disease that presents only in larger bodies. So, what are people in thinner bodies prescribed for the same illness? It’s certainly not weight loss!” This is an eye-opening clarification presented by the author of this book that aims, arrow-like, to split the notions of diet culture wide open and expose them for what they are: money-makers for the few, and preconceived notions of the masses.
Though a little repetitive, it was nevertheless a worthwhile viewpoint, backed with some nutritional science, a lot of defense for marginalized and discriminated societies - and a LOT of attitude. Bottom line: diet culture and body judgement is not just frustrating, it’s dangerous to many, and futile to most. The best advice is the name of the book: Live Nourished. We have the appropriate guidelines in our faith practices; how many of us follow them? Food for thought. Pun intended. “It’s overwhelming to think about the various ways we are taught to be dissatisfied with our appearance,” declares the author. Oh my, yes.
Outlive by Peter Attia
This book, written by a cancer surgeon and overwhelming promoter of good health and long life, seemed at first and at times to be in direct opposition to Live Nourished. But in reality they are preaching the same worthwhile message (albeit in dramatically different styles): Take care of, and love yourself. Outlive does it powerfully with the backing of science and medicine, LN emotionally, with a rebellion against social norms and diet culture. If I were to recommend one of them for its overall educational value and benefit, it would be Attia’s book, without a doubt.
While highly scientific and cerebral, it’s an interesting and even entertaining listen. I’m not sure I would make it through our hard copy. But now I can go back and highlight important and personally relevant details.
The most significant for me personally was the last chapter, when Attia goes full-board vulnerable, talking about his extensive and intensive struggles due to Big T and little t trauma. And he declares unequivocally that without good mental and emotional health, long life is meaningless and pointless. Fabulous, helpful book by a brilliant veteran of hard life.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
It’s been a while since I’ve had such a hard time summarizing a story. It’s fantasy/sci-fi, but the idea was ignited by a real British expedition in the 1840s to find the Northwest Passage and a shorter route for Great Britain to the countries of Asia. It’s otherwise purely fiction, and has a distinctive dystopian feel, as it’s set in the future - and the past. It’s about time travel (apparently something else I enjoy reading about), and the notions that have long fascinated mankind: what could be changed? What would be inexorably broken? Are men’s - and women’s - powers limited for a reason? An interesting read, though a little graphic sexually and with some violence (I listened quite high speed, so none of this was on my mind for long). The hero is timeless, enigmatic and dependable, the heroine is brilliant and surprisingly consistent. The ending is hopeful, but left somewhat unfinished, to make your own conclusion.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
A beloved British, highly stylized mystery series, with which many of you are familiar. This book is the intro to the Flavia DeLuce tomes. So well and intelligently written. Great fun!
ADHD 2.0 by Edward M. Hallowell, MD and John J. Ratey, MD
A completely scientific approach to coping with ADHD, in ourselves and by helping others. As opposed to the entertaining but helpful ADHD is Awesome, this book is specific, structured, and verifiable. But it’s not for entertainment. It does introduce many helpful and important tools, from exercise to sleep patterns, and suggests different ways to view the increasing neurodivergence in our society.
In addition to ADHD, Drs Hallowell and Ratey - who have authored other ground-breaking books on the topic - elaborate on lesser-known but equally important traits and helps: for example, VAST - Variable Attention Stimulus Trait; And ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis; and balancing on a wobbly board to improve cerebral and vestibular function.
Remarkably - or perhaps logically - this book also preaches some of the same health aspects focused on by Dr Attia in Outlive, and Shana Spence in Live Nourished.
I will be buying this book. Its clear message and helps just might save my family - from each other!
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews, read by Kathleen McInerney
Pure fiction, pure entertainment, a little bit of mystery (pretty easy to figure out the who’s and why’s), and a little too much language and sizzle for this girl. Mary Kay Andrews is a prolific writer; I’m realizing that, though the stories are fun and entertaining, they’re written for a different, less spicy reader than I.
MARYANN STEVENS
️ Diane Carlson is raised on Minnesota farm. Greatly influenced by her mother, a dedicated nurse, Diane decides to enlist as an army nurse in 1968 & volunteers for service in Vietnam. She describes her service on the frontlines in detail & I’m drawn in. In the San Francisco airport upon her return she is confronted by an anti-war activist & decides never to tell anyone about her experiences in Vietnam. Shortly after returning home, she leaves Minnesota & goes to Washington state where no one knows her to return to nursing. She marries an Army surgeon & has four children but early in their relationship she forbids him to tell anyone she served in Vietnam & warns him to never ask her about her time there. She is very proud of her service & of the brave men & women who served there but is disgusted with the politics that lead to so many needless deaths. Years later she decides to go to the dedication of the Vietnam Wall memorial. She then spends the next ten years working for a memorial to honor the women who also served. Just like the Hello Girls she is met with rabid misogyny & endless regulations. Description of her efforts got a little tedious but the war stories were fascinating.
The Curiosity by Stephen Kiernan 4️ Dr Kate Philo joins a prestigious research team en route to the Arctic Sea to find pure ice; the kind of ice that instantly freezes any life forms that are enveloped. The project head has for years been reanimating low life forms with electric shocks. Now he wants to try his methods on larger life forms, like a fish or a seal. Imagine the surprise when the dive team brings up a completely frozen human being. The story reveals the troubling ethics of ‘reanimating’ an human encountered by both members of the research team and the Christian protestors who insists life & death decisions belong to God. During the research, Kate & “subject one” as the project head refers to him, are in such close contact they slowly & innocently begin to care for each other. How will all this end?
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold 4.5 This is a classic early conservationist who lived and taught at University of Wisconsin -Madison. He lives in Madison but returns to his farm every weekend and more, as often as he can. This book records his observations of local flora and fauna in each month of the year in such beauty language it is almost poetry.
“the county clerk records that I own 140 acres but he never looks at his books until nine o’clock. On an early July morning I own all I trod on.”
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway 4.5 The author studies the tragic civil war through the eyes of 4 citizens of Sarajevo. Snipers shoot innocents, disrupt all the basic necessities of life. Each of his subject struggles through the hideous nature of the city’s destruction differently. There is no water system and people have to literally dodge snipers to make the journey to the ancient brewery with a spring to fill jugs and then dodge them again to return to waiting families. One man delivers water every four days to an old woman he doesn’t even like. The premier cellist of the city’s famous symphony & opera sees 22 people gunned down in one afternoon while they waited in line for bread. He dresses in his tux and sits in the square where they were murdered every day at 4 o’clock and plays the same sorrowful melody for 22 days. A young woman is drafted into the resistance as a counter-sniper because she was the best sharpshooter in the university’s rifle club. She agrees only if she works alone and chooses her targets, she follows no orders in an attempt to kill only those who are obviously enemy soldiers. The commander who agreed to this arrangement is assassinated by a rival member of the resistance. She is ordered by those who assassinated her commander to shoot an old man who might be an uncover enemy. She refuses and pays with her life. A foreign photographer sees a victim of an enemy sniper who is still laying in the road in his blood. Before he can record the event on his camera, passerby moves the lifeless man out of the road and covers his body. No one is going to record a body on the street in his once-beautiful city. None these actions changes the trajectory of the war, but it allows each citizen to live with the life they are forced now to endure. So poignant.
Mrs. Polifax Unveiled by Dorothy Gillman 3.5 Mrs. Polifax is contacted to find and return an American woman who has been kidnapped by terrorists in Syria. She and her partner escape death multiple times.
GERI CHRISTENSEN
THE HOUSEMAID by Freida MacDonald
This is a great book with a fun story and good characters. I highly recommend it. I have read two other books by this author and have enjoyed both.
THE PERFECT SON by Freida MacDonald
Another good read by this author. It was fast-moving and interesting right up to the end. She really keeps you guessing.
MRS. POLIFAX AND THE HONG KONG BUDDHA by Dorothy Gilman
I love this author and can read her books over and over again. They are like going back to visit an old friend and the stories never disappointment. In this book Emily is sent to Hong Kong to find out why Carstairs, her contact at the CIA, hasn't heard from Mr. Detweiler, an agent in Hong Kong. Of course, she gets into all kinds of entanglements, but triumphs in the end, as always.
AGATHA RAISIN AND THE VICIOUS VET by M.C. Beaton
Agatha Raisin has been described as "Miss Marple on steroids". She is a high-class publicity agent (semi-retired) from London who moves to the Cotswolds in England and, due to boredom, decides to become a private detective. She is a 40-something single woman whom the whole village believes is nothing but a busy-body, but she always manages to solve the mystery in the end, thanks to Bill Wong, the real detective who works with Agatha.
HALLOWEEN PARTY by Agatha Christie
Some people believe this is one of Mrs. Christie's best mysteries, but not all would agree. I did enjoy the story, though, and found it to be one of the best cases of "finding the least obvious killer" in this killer of a "who-done-it". If you are a Christie fan, you will enjoy this one.
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