5 comments about Lopsided: How Having Breast Cancer Can Be Really Distracting.

1. There is light at the end of the tunnel... even if it means laughing, crying and struggling along the way. Lopsided was an opportunity to hear from someone just like me (although I am not nearly as funny)a 30 something, wife, mother and lover of life. When the author describes what she goes through, from strong denial to acceptance to treatment-- while constantly thinking about her son, who would raise him and how she would deal with his French/American upbringing-- that hit home. Thanks to Meredith Norton for allowing us to peek into her life, her memories and all of her thoughts as she figured out how to deal with a sharp turn in her life that came without a manual or a clear logical answer.



2. I thoroughly recommend this book. Meredith Norton is an incredible writer, and her story is inspirational and also very funny. A great read, highly recommended.



3. I was drawn to this book because it says "wickedly funny in the style of Augusten Burroughs and David Sedaris." I did find the book to be funny and entertaining, but I also found it harrowing and definitely not a pretty picture of what one goes through in the course of cancer treatment. At the end of the book, Meredith says that her experience with cancer was pretty normal or that it wasn't as bad as she expected. However, reading the book from the viewpoint of someone who has never had cancer or chemotherapy, I thought what she went through was gut-wrenching and certainly not something that I would think of as no big deal. And while I did find a significant amount of humor in her stories of her family and friends, the parts that were about her disease and treatment were not fun to read or funny or even entertaining. They made me very sad for her and for all of those around her during that horrible period of time. I originally bought the book to give to a fried of mine who is currently battling cancer, but I don't think she would find one bit of solace in the story, with the exception of the fact that Meredith is still alive to tell the tale.



4. This book is like a pint of haagen daaz mocha chip, a bag of lay's, a rubix cube, or a crack pipe (from what I've heard)...but without the diabetes, high blood pressure, cellulite, and hallucinations! It's hilarious, it's engaging, it's refreshing, it's the story of an experience lived as it is rather than as what anyone else thinks it should be. Lopsided makes symmetry look way overrated.



5. "Lopsided" is a jolt of reality and hilarity for those of us that have, tragically but understandably, almost become used to the idea of breast cancer. So many women are being diagnosed each year that unless it strikes someone you love, the shock of cancer doesn't seem to reach inside and grab you. Until now... Meredith Norton makes absolutely certain that readers become part of not only her breast cancer story, but of her life. A cancer diagnosis affects real, live, original people and their families. We must never forget that each diagnosis is personal, unique and frightening. What a gift and a bonus that we can be reminded with such an absolutely hysterical, irreverant and fabulous story.

5 comments about Drinking: A Love Story.

1. What a fantastic book. Not just about alcoholism but the human struggle to live in our own skin, face our problems, our losses and move forward. Also a moving story about an amazingly honest woman. I'm not an alcoholic, but I use the stuff many times to not deal with things, and this book helped me to see that there is something more noble in steering clear of that kind of behavior and seeking more authentic experience. She's done a wonderful job of letting us in on her struggle, and somehow illuminating our own. I was terribly sad to find out that she had passed away some years ago, but she certainly left behind a great gift of inspiration. Her father's quote is a wonderful gem: "Insight is almost always a rearrangement of fact." Her insights bear this out. I wish I had the guts to buy this book for all my girlfriends.



2. I loved this book. I reread it every once in a while because it's so intelligent and beautifully written. It gets a alot of attention as a memoir of addiction (and it's the best one I've ever read), but it stand on it's own as an exquisite piece of writing and a memoir - time spent with a brilliant and nuanced mind, a sophisticated and sensitive person. I wish wish wish I could spend more.



3. I'm not going to go on and on about how I analyzed this book and pretend like I'm an expert, but I will say that I loved it. I read it for a health and behavior class intended for exercise science majors. It is an excellent book for females to read and I know many females will be able to relate and feel comfort in Knapp's words, whether or not the reader herself is an alcoholic.



4. I loved this book. Caroline Knapp's description of why she drank rings true for casual drinkers as well as alcoholics. It is a wonderful memoir--well written and insightful.



5. This book was great. I am 24 and I think that it was for an older audience. A slow start, but once I was in the story I didn't want to put the book down. She writes her song and dace about alcoholism to help the reader out, but I don't think it would make someone put down their bottle. Though they might take a step back and look around and see that there could be a problem. I like that she still loved the drink even after all it did. She can make it seem that a classic working drunk like herself is not so bad, but towards the end it's all bad. Even if you go to work everyday, don't get a DUI, and pay your taxes. An eye opener on that respect.

5 comments about The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary (P.S.).

1. Many academics and scholars border on creative madness, take Kierkegaard and Nietzsche for example. This book is marvellous reading since the dull subject of dictionary making is enlivened by eccentric personalities and mental disturbance. It reveals how a dictionary as prestigious as the Oxford English Dictionary was put together. Any author who can make such a dry subject as exciting as a murder mystery deserves a good deal of credit and acclaim.



2. There is a certain "Did you know..." factor about the "new" genre of creative nonfiction: we read it for both the informative componenet, and the fact that quite a bit of history is, well, interesting. Did you know, for example, that the main contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary was insane?
   
   Dr. W.C. Minor was an American soldier in the Civil War, who later moved to England, where he wound up shooting a man. He was placed in an asylum (not the greatest of places in those days), where he was given a few more perks than the other inmates, simply because he was non-violent (despite the reason for his incarceration) and intelligent. One day, he happened to come across an advertisement: Professor James Murray, along with an elite group of gentlemen, was creating the single-greatest compilation of the English language ever conceived. Minor, with nothing but time on his hands, decided to pitch in. Over ten-thousand words later, Minor was the single-greatest contributor to the single-greatest dictionary ever created.
   
   It is a compelling, surprising story, told in Winchester's usual novel-meets-nonfiction style. While I enjoy a good piece of creative nonfiction, I find myself time and time again returning to Winchester's work not necessarily because of the topic, but because I enjoy his style so much. (It just so happens he chooses interesting topics to write upon.) The "P.S." section of this book, as with the others, doesn't offer too much, though there is an intriguing little section: Winchester's favorite words from the OED. Still, you'll purchase "The Professor and the Madman" for the story itself--and it's a doozy. True, too. Funny, how facts can sometimes be more interesting--and harder to believe--than fiction.



3. Simon Winchester has come up with a nifty little tale of the making of the OED. It's a fun little gem from history, and worth the read. My only complaints are: the book would have been more interesting if he had included some pictures, and the tale itself is pretty small. The publisher makes up for this by using large type, double spaced, with wide paragraph separation. But it's still a footnote in history, and you can't hide that fact.



4. This book was simply marvelous, if you are into the story of the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary, this is a book that captures the makings and includes the story of two gentlemen who's lives inevitably come together in bizzare but wonderful order of circumstances, if you Love words and their origins, you will be astounded by this book!



5. Perhaps no where is that more in evidence, than in this story, the story of a man, Dr. Minor, confined to an insane asylum, becoming one of the leading contributors to the Oxford English Dictionary.
   
   His story, the story of Dr. Murray, editor of the OED, how they got together and how the dictionary was compiled and edited makes for fascinating, marvelous reading. An intriguing, fascinating story well told, well written. Surprises, twists and concerns every few pages.
   
   The book does deserve criticism for its sometimes long and laborous detail about putting the dictionary together, but as a story, the story of the two men, Murray and Minor, it is a worthwhile and fascinating read.
   
   Winchester tells the story well, with an eye for detail, then and now, and with an empathetic if not sympathetic perspective for the humanity and the odd twists and turns involved. Good read. Buy it. Read it.

5 comments about Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence.

1. This book is a keeper. Luke speaks from experience and shares his experience and suggestions for kids with aspergers, parents, friends and physicians on how a an AS kid can handle real-life situations by sharing what has worked for him. This book is an easy read and would be good for teens and adults to read whether they have AS themselves or are related to or know someone who does.



2. This was a great resource for us as parents of an Asperger son to get an idea of how the adolescent with Asperger thinks and relates to others. It will eventually be a great book to let our son read. The adolescent author of this book feels very strongly that all Asperger children should be told what they have (by name) so that they won't feel like something is wrong with them, but will come to understand that they are the way they are because of Aspergers.



3. This book is intended for a person with Asperger's however, it can also be used by a child being bullied.



4. This is a MUST READ for everyone who has a child or adult in the Autistic Spectrom!! Gives first hand information into the reasons why they react like they do to different situations daily in life!! Thanks to the author, Luke Jackson, we can now have a better insite into how to help them have less stress and help ourselves in the process!! Verleen (our 17 yr old grandson, Zachary has AS)



5. My son read this book when at age 12, we finally began to learn the reasons why he felt so "different." Reading Luke's book he laughed aloud and wanted to share everything Luke had to say. His self-image shot up as he realized he was not alone, indeed not a "freak," but that many other children and adults share the same feelings and frustrations as he. My son became much more outgoing and willing to put himself "out there." He's more accepting of himself and others now. This book really freed my son to embrace who he is. What more could a parent want for their child? Bravo, Luke, for sharing your life! It is a must read for every child/teen with Aspergers and for their teachers, friends and loved ones as well.

5 comments about Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia (P.S.).

1. The book was great. It wasn't at all a phony "inspirational" or advice type book, and the author speaks in a refreshingly honest tone; none of the whiney "woe is me" you might expect. Overall an excellent book, although I will say that I was mildly put off by the ending. But I suppose that no one really picks up this book with the intention of using it to replace therapy. She's not going to "cure" you, or even tell you how she was "cured". As long as you know that before hand, it's a great read.



2. This was exceptionally written. Marya is a girl who suffers from severe anorexia and bulimia and lived to tell about it. When she begins her story and talks about when she first started her bulimia, her observations of things at this young age seemed far beyond her years. Her feelings and thoughts are described in the most intricate detail and intelligence. It isn't a surprise that Marya won awards for her writing.
   I grew up during the 70's and 80's but I can't really relate to the obsession with body, weight and food. Society may play a part in her eating disorder but I think her family, their lifestyle, her relationship with her parents and their eating habits all contributed to Marya's eating disorder.
   I am amazed at how well Marya was able to put her experience, thoughts, feelings and diagnosis into words. Her ability to go back and interpret her disease and why she did the things she did is truly amazing.
   I think all girls, teenagers and adult woman should read this book. Not only for the perspective of the eating disorder but to get a true picture of how everywhere you go women are talking about their weight and the parts of their bodies they hate.



3. Marya Hornbacher is witty, honest, and surprisingly insightful. Marya does not hold back. I can not imagine what it is like to have the truth (pretty much, the bad, the ugly, and the uglier) out on paper, much less published and widely circulated. It certainly takes courage. There is always a little part of the human psyche that does not want to "look in the mirror" to face the self-created and self-destroyed reality. I was equally impressed to find out that Marya was 23 years old when she wrote this memoir, the maturity of her voice, philosophical discussions, and the depth of her experiences do not betray this fact. This is definitely a must read for anybody looking to find out more about life (and death) with EDs.



4. Marya Hornbacher is the mediator between the everyday human being and the world's most widely misunderstood creatures of society: the eating-disordered. In "Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia", she explains to readers that eating disorders are not just "phases" that teenage "girls" go through, but rather an intense, passionate desire for power that "strips you of all power" instead.
   Hornbacher, a freelance journalist who is also the author of "The Center of Winter" and "Madness: A Bipolar Life", developed bulimia at age nine, developed alcohol and drug issues at the age of thirteen, and became anorexic at the age of fifteen. After her release from a residential treatment hospital, she attended the University of Minnesota and wrote for the local paper, accepting her scholarship to American University later in 1992. She later developed other physical problems following her continued eating disorders.
   Although a rather sullen story of the highs and lows of her struggle with weight, Hornbacher addresses the point that eating disorders, cultural obsession with weight and body, food, and control have a lot in common. In one section of the book, she writes that an eating disorder is



5. Marya wasn't always the way she is today. She used to be the all American girl eating PB and J's while she watched her cartoons, but when Marya was eight years old something in her brain changed and since then she has never been the same.
   Author Marya Hornbacher beautifully illustrates her struggles with bulimia and anorexia in her autobiography Wasted. She shows a world that people hardly get to see and explains the life and ways of bulimics and anorectics that is both compelling and inspiring.
   Wasted takes you through 10 years of Marya's life as she slowly jumps back and forth between anorexia and bulimia. It depicts the everyday struggles of the disease; how the body slowly stops to care about what is occurring, the constant worries about food, and the fear that someone might find out and God forbid, possibly try to help you! It goes in depth about the psychological factors of the disease and explains it all in a way that is understandable and relevant. This book will both shock and sicken you as you discover what goes behind closed doors of these two heartless diseases.
   My praise is endless for this novel and I thank it for opening my eyes to the mysterious world that is impossible to fully understand unless you've experienced the ordeal first hand. Many people could benefit from taking the time to read Wasted, which will help to clue people in and provide a better understanding to the problems in our society and what goes on to the people who are enduring these struggles daily. However this book is not a constant thriller and amongst the eye opening and realization moments there will be a few parts that are tedious and almost seem to drag on. In spite of the occasional drowsy sections this book offers an incredible insight inside the secret lives of bulimics and anorectics and I would confidently recommend it to anyone who wants a brilliant and inspiring read.

5 comments about Girl, Interrupted.

1. "Girl, Interrupted", probably known better by the film adaptation, is a memoir of a woman recounting the two years she spent in a mental institution in the 1960s when she was a teenager. Some liken it to a "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" but from a woman's perspective. But this analogy doesn't work for me. Firstly, the institution in question is not some barbaric hell hole. While decidedly not a country club, it is an institution for the mentally disturbed with lots of financial backing. Secondly, "Girl, Interrupted" is a memoir, not a novel. The author recounts everything from her perspective, and therefore delves heavily into introspection ... perhaps a bit too much. Ultimately all the self-analysis, especially when taken from the longer view many years after leaving the institution, grows tiresome. In the end I really didn't know if the author deserved to be institutionalized and, sadly, I sort of didn't care. Royalties from this book and the film probably helped ease the rotten memories of her lost two teenage years.
   
   
   Bottom line: while very readable and often thought-provoking, I think this book might be of most interest to those involved/interested in psychiatric care.



2. A great read! "Girl, Interrupted" is not one of those wildly popular memoirs on mental illness in which the author exposes his/her most intimate feelings and sufferings. I think a lot of the people who reviewed this book and disliked it were expecting a heart-breaking memoir on how a person feels when she's "insane". Instead, I got the impression that the author was poking fun at the ridiculousness of some of the procedures in the Mental Health field, how a lot of people were (and still are) diagnosed with a mental illness more readily if they were women, and how psychiatric hospitals are so very regimented that they stop making sense. Susanna Kaysen criticizes a growing obsession with sanity and insanity, in a nation where pills are giving freely and "defects of character" are quickly diagnosed as "personality disorders".



3. Girl, Interrupted is a pretty basic book. The author did not delve too deeply into her own depression or accompanying emotions. The writing seemed very basic, and it did not force me to think. I think that the author left a lot of things out-too many things out. I loved the movie, though.



4. This memoir, I must admit is quite a boring read. I watched the movie first, which some say is a travesty, but honestly, I believe if I had read the book first, I would not have wanted to watch the movie. The book is dull and lifeless and jumps around too much.
   
   Although, this is a mimick of the illness she faced during her stay, it can be annoying to the reader. There is no indication of how close she was to any of the girls she befriended during her stay, although at the end you witness some closeness between Susanna and one of the girls that managed to get out, there is not a powerful pull here.
   
   This is not a very englightening read. I suggest you skip reading this book and read something like Prozac Nation instead. Or, just watch the movie for this book, it's definitely better even if the events are not true.



5. I don't knwo what all the fuss is about this book. I read it as an assignment and forced myself to finish it despite the overwhelming dullness present in this book. Funny parts? One. Cruelty the author is subject to? being forced to take pills. Maybe this book would be more interesting to a psychology student or such, but to an average reader it's a 160 page essay on mental illness. Boring, overinflated and melodramatic was how this book came through to me.

No comments about Against Medical Advice: One Family's Struggle with an Agonizing Medical Mystery.

No comments about It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life.

5 comments about Born On A Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant.

1. Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet is an autobiography that you will either find totally engrossing or terribly tedious. Fortunately, I was one who was enthralled by Tammet and his incredible story.
   
   Tammet is unusual in many ways. First, he was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome (a high level form of Autism), but not until he was 24 years old. He describes in great detail his childhood experiences and how different he was from others. Second, he is a savant with extraordinary abilities in math and languages. In fact, he is so unique that he was featured in a documentary called "Brainman," a take-off on the movie about another savant, "Rainman." And last, what makes him truly incredible is that he is able to express and explain to others how he views his world--something very difficult for people with Autism.
   
   I found Tammet's entire story fascinating--how he sees numbers as colors and shapes, how his loving family supported this difficult but gifted child, his schooling, his journeys to other countries to teach English, the scientific studies that have been done on him and most of all, how he copes as an adult. I found it especially interesting as an educator to see how the Autistic mind works.
   
   How very fortunate we are that Daniel Tammet was able to give us his story in Born on a Blue Day.



2. Having read a little on Synesthesia in Diane Ackerman's ' A Natural History of Senses'.. I did believe Daniel Timmet's visual experiences of numbers and words.. A little into his childhood.. I was scared as to what will happen to him as an autistic child.. But with his diverse experiences in another country.. he has gone way far where he can answer the question of Allie Cone's(a mountaineer character) students "Do you know what its like when the only direction is down?"



3. The information on the cd is great to hear. This author is fascinating to hear about. It helped me see why my son who is autistic does some of the things that he does. THough I was disappointed in the product. It would not play in my car cd player and that is why I bought it. I had to take the time to copy and burn it to 6 discs so that I could listen to it. It would not play in anyones car. Besides that, it was great.



4. After I saw the author on television, I had to get his book. As an analytical person with a background in mathematics, I had to see how someone could do calculations in their head that would take me hours to run.
   
   The book takes Daniel through his life in his own words. He explains what went on in his mind and what he felt that made him act or act out. An absolutely fascinating look into how an autistic savant (Asperger's Syndrome) experiences the world.
   
   He sees numbers as having shape, texture and color, fitting them together like a puzzle to solve complex math problems. He can even tell what day of the week a date will fall on in the past or future.
   
   Who's to say his mind isn't working correctly and mine isn't? Do the math.



5. This is an excellent, 1st person, account of Asperger's Syndrome. Anyone who knows a person, or has an ASD (autism spectrum disorder) should read this book. Any health care professional should read this book. I am a physician and know persons with this disorder.Born On A Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant

5 comments about Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depressive Illness.

1. Anna ( Patty Duke), is a great lady! This book, An excellent and sad look at what a bipolar person goes through with and without help, I*m so happy that there is a name and treatment for this very sad illness. Anna tells it like it is and does it with class! May God Bless Anna Duke!



2. Can someone please give this book to Britney Spears? I'm not joking. I first read this book about 9 years ago when I was studying psychology in college and it was always one of my very favorite books on this subject. Because Ms. Duke is able to speak to the reader in such simple (yet interesting) words. Except for the old-fashioned term "manic depressive illness" (according to the APA, the correct term is bipolar, which sounds way more PC) this book is totally on the money. Another great book I recommend is Undercurrents: A Life Beneath the Surface. In 2008 it seems rather common for celebrities to discuss their dementia, and anything else that the public wants to know. So it may seem hard to fathom that less than thirty years ago none of this was discussed publicly because it was considered "career suicide." But Patty Duke was the very first star who candidly discussed her own mental illness in her autobiography . In my eyes, she is a true shero.



3. Celebrities who come out about a physical or mental illness help us get past shame, but Patty Duke does a lot more in this autobiography where she alternates her memories with professionally written chapters about bipolar illness. As a mental health advocate, I recommend this book especially to give to people with the illness who aren't ready for technical or self-help books.



4. If you want to know some of the unbelieveable, unbearable pain and suffering of an un-treated manic-depressive, read this book. How Patty Duke lived to tell her story is a miracle. Thank God she finally found her way out of her madness She gives hope to her fellow sufferers. From the perspective of gut-wrenching pain just reading her account, the book works wonderfully. But as a narrative, I found it hard to follow. I felt jerked around from eposide to eposide. There didn't seem to be a timeline I could follow to know what happened, when. Also, it was very distracting to have to plow through the pages of medical, technical information that were dispersed throughout the book. Overall, it's a fine description of the illness, but frustrating to read.



5. I just finished this book, and I thought it was very readable and an excellent memoir describing issues related to bipolar. The honesty with which the book is written is commendable. I highly recommend it for anyone wishing to learn more about this disorder and how helpful appropriate treatment can be.