This is not just about death, loss, and grief, although you know there'sgoing to be that, and it is heartbreaking. There is also violence, suffering, This is not just about death, loss, and grief, although you know there'sgoing to be that, and it is heartbreaking. There is also violence, suffering, pain, because the cat who found Carr had also endured a horrible beginning. But there is unconditional love, and companionship, and someone who understands, which is to say: grace.
Carr's memoir is remarkable because he paid such close attention from the beginning to Masha. His thoughts, like his feelings, had time to develop an exquisite complexity and richness. He wrote as if he had all the time in the world. He didn't, of course, none of us do, but he did have just enough. A beautiful memorial to a remarkable cat, who brought out all his finer qualities in a way people mostly didn't. I cannot believe in an afterlife that doesn't reunite them.
Thoughtful. I appreciate the variety of subjects and the diversity of narratives. The stories that people tell of their medical histories and diagnoseThoughtful. I appreciate the variety of subjects and the diversity of narratives. The stories that people tell of their medical histories and diagnoses are endlessly fascinating. They're not necessarily any more accurate than the stories medical practioners tell, but also not necessarily any less accurate, either.
When she's talking about her research and giving her chick list of how female autism can look, she is compelling andThis is kind of hard to nail down.
When she's talking about her research and giving her chick list of how female autism can look, she is compelling and funny and you understand why she would be a great speaker and why her Asperkids books are so popular.
And then there are segments on bullying she endured in school and on intimate partner violence and that is just excruciating because it is so visceral.
But it is also hard to read in other ways that aren't important, but just a little grating. Bits that pulled me out of the narrative entirely. At least a couple of times she mentions her IQ, which is pertinent in that one reason females with autism are not evaluated and if evaluated, not diagnosed, that is, they ate overlooked in part because they're smart, often very verbal, and well behaved. So it makes sense to pull from her life to illustrate a concept. Yes. But she brings it up more than once and doesn't give the number. Maybe it seemed like it made more sense to avoid a specific number in favor of a range, which is fine, but she doesn't exactly do that either.
Likewise, in the school section, she talks about her mom being kind of flabbergasted at stuff the child doesn't know or doesn't understand, stuff which seems so obvious to the mother. So yeah, her mother found her odd and without a recognized female phenotype of autism, the mother has no context for why her only child is like this. Again, this is totally central to the point of the book: Cook is alone with her mom for years and she doesn't have friends and her mother doesn't get her, so she throws herself into academics and performing and such for validation. I get it. But more than once she mentions being this performer on command for adults, and how it pissed off other kids the way she was showing off. Every time this comes up she gives a "but it wasn't showing off" because of the adult validation imperative. Multiple times, which I did not count. Until I am just gobsmacked that she doesn't understand that it doesn't matter to the other kids what the motivation is or who asked her to do it: it is still, explicitly, well within the connotation and denotation of "showing off." To be fair, this is one of the traits of autism: not getting it, I mean.
Last one, several times she refers to the things that other people are astounded that people with autism don't just understand. Things which people can't even explain properly because they do just get it, and it's never been explicit anywhere. And autism spectrum or not, that's always a thing that fascinates people. But we all assume other people are like us, so you might not realize until your 50s, to take an example at random, that when people say "I could see it in my mind" they aren't being metaphorical. They literally mean that they have a clear, precise image in the head. If you're aphantasic and have no visual imagination, you might not have realized that other people could really do such a thing. Right with the concept, and she talks about this in different anecdotes. And then, when she's writing about something, she says in effect, people with autism can't do this kind of detailed strategizing and tactical planning. Whoops! I have no idea how common or rare this ability is, but there are definitely people with autism who can do that. I can't, but some people are really good at it, which comes up a lot in gaming.
Okay, I am done with that, it's just some things that vexed me.
More importantly, when differentiating between the boy and girl phenotypes, Cook describes looking at the criteria and working out what the trait in question is for and then looking at things girls do that serve the same purpose even if it isn't "lining up their cars" or "studying traintables" and it's really some brilliant thinking on her part, and it is described so clearly that you get it. Girls without brothers probably don't even have cars. It's elegant.
There's a lot of good stuff about things she did for her kids when they were diagnosed, and stuff she does for others. I think she probably is a fabulous mentor for people with autism, and an amazing example of people studying what they think is important, rather than what researchers think is important from the outside.
Sacks is so good at taking a single case and using it to explore a quirk of the nervous system and to demonstrate what the science and philosophizing Sacks is so good at taking a single case and using it to explore a quirk of the nervous system and to demonstrate what the science and philosophizing mean in real life.
This is now a decade old, so many of the thoughts I had while reading were either addressed later in the book or by more recent research and writing. Several specific individuals are case studies for a broader theme of vision and visualization. Sacks' own loss of some vision as described in his journals of the time is included.
Research into minblindness at the time of the book writing and since then has cleared up much of the ambiguity of that time. Likewise, research into the autism spectrum of presentations has broadened our understanding of what is neurotypical, and the broad outlines of what is not neurotypical, but still normal.
It's fascinating stuff and Sacks is a great writer with varied interests that allow unexpected connections. Plus it's always fun to learn what things people assume everyone does vs. what things people think are unique to themselves, and how often those assumptions are wrong. The writing is thoughtful but it also encourages thought in the reader, which is less common than one would like.
Reading, I was inexplicably grudging. There is no obvious reason; there's nothing wrong with the book. And yet, I kept second-guessing historical detaReading, I was inexplicably grudging. There is no obvious reason; there's nothing wrong with the book. And yet, I kept second-guessing historical details, looking them up in order to think "Ah ha! Caught you!" Never did, of course, logically an author wouldn't include period details that were easily googled and found wanting, but I couldn't stop myself. Well, I learned some interesting stuff about what an amazing paper The Springfield Republican has been, which is irrelevant.
Anyway, it's a post-war noir with women in the leads as detective and protégé, and it deals realistically with disability and the failure of police in domestic violence. Maybe noir is too much of a downer for me right now? Whatever, I will keep away from Spotswood in the future only because he doesn't deserve a begrudging review saying the book is just fine, and I shouldn't have carried on. And to compound my sin, the book was overdue to be returned, and I kept it to finish, and no doubt inconvenienced someone waiting for it who would whole-heartedly love it. Blame the imp of perversity.
It delighted me when Father Divine came up, someone I only recently learned of, so plate o' shrimp! Also, Patience and Fortitude got a shout out, and I love them. Many mystery writers of the Golden Age were name checked, again, to my delight. I don't know what's wrong with me for not loving it, maybe the Adderall shortage is wrecking my life more than I realized.
A great mood-lifter, on par with a ballpark full of puppies. Hunger does a great job of explaining her work, her experiment, further research that is A great mood-lifter, on par with a ballpark full of puppies. Hunger does a great job of explaining her work, her experiment, further research that is needed, etc. In a way that is scientific and accessible. Quality communication, this hits criteria I could not have guessed would develop around the idea "perfect work of nonfiction."
Kowal makes some bold choices and I loved them all. Tell The Thin Man with Nora as the primary character? Send the leads on a honeymoon trip to Mars? Kowal makes some bold choices and I loved them all. Tell The Thin Man with Nora as the primary character? Send the leads on a honeymoon trip to Mars? I mean, most cruises seem like hell to me, but a space cruise is cool, and succeeds at recapturing the glamour of Murder on the Orient Express, or cean crossings via first class. The most amazing feat is to make the leads just as rich and privileged as Nick and Nora but not the kind of egomaniacal super-rich assholes we've come to accept they mostly are. Of course, the cute dog helps. Literally. Gimlet is a service-animal, and everybody loves a good dog. The only disappointment I have is that reading a novel I was deprived of what would surely be fabulous costumes in the film. Well, that's something to look forward to, right?
I was not previously aware of this anecdote, and it is charming and thoughtful and sweet. The art is a nice accompaniment, with the autumnal shades anI was not previously aware of this anecdote, and it is charming and thoughtful and sweet. The art is a nice accompaniment, with the autumnal shades and unfussy style.
The author's note at the back explains a bit more and says the author changed the text of the last letter, a decision I disagree with. A hundred years on one can criticize or disagree with Kafka's choice. One can do that well enough in an author's note, or even invent a bit of dialog or inner thoughts of Irma. But one should not take a true story, present it as a true story, and then change the end. The copyright page says it is "historical fiction," the flap blurb says "inspired by a true story," but few people will read, let alone remember, those caveats.
It's a lovely book, and I am happy to learn the story, but also a little vexed. Perhaps this will spur me to read a biography.
Another one cultivating the reader's sense of dread. And the horsiness charmed me. I wanted to be sure and leave myself a clue for when I later forgetAnother one cultivating the reader's sense of dread. And the horsiness charmed me. I wanted to be sure and leave myself a clue for when I later forget what I thought. Took me back to my years in thrall to Dick Francis and steeplechase racing.
The Windham family is a hoot, Megan is relatable, and it's good to see PTSD in a book that isn't depressing. Her characters are practical, affectionatThe Windham family is a hoot, Megan is relatable, and it's good to see PTSD in a book that isn't depressing. Her characters are practical, affectionate, and they have hibbies and interests. But one thing that's common these days is off-putting ro me. I have no quarrel with using word choice as characterization, but I really hate dialogue written in dialect. It's condescending to Scots in a way "she loved listening to the way he said 'Ptarmigan'" isn't. English is not a phonetic language, and this is not going to age well cf., slave dialect in 19th and 20th century fiction.
As I mentioned in a comment, Libby suggested with all the autism books. It isn't about autism, althougj executive function does get some attention. BuAs I mentioned in a comment, Libby suggested with all the autism books. It isn't about autism, althougj executive function does get some attention. But much of the 21st century world gets some attention. Price has brought together a lot of research, paid particular attention to those most at risk, united it with a simple (but not shallow) message. It's about how to navigate life through the urgent issues. How to cope with every damn thing in terminal stage capitalism while respecting our specific needs which may include physical and/or mental health issues, disabilities, or marginalization for appearance, presentation, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, etc.
Everyone is dealing with something. This book is an opportunity to check in with ourselves to see how well our lives are working for us. And if they aren't, some small, pragmatic steps to improve them. To be clear, there aren't any prescriptions and nothing is required. There are a few tips, some ways to evaluate different aspects of our lives, but mostly I feel like the book took a lot of things I kind of knew about and showed me how to put them together to think better. Price must be a brilliant professor, because I have been gently guided to having some particular insights into aspects of my life, which invariably were followed on the next page by that thought I just noted.
I have a lot to think about, and I'm looking forward to it. Sometimes it feels as though everything demands an opinion, preferably outrage, and then a contribution to the fight. Maybe that's just my inbox, though. I need something to think about that isn't the erectile in frustration that shopping for flossers has become.
April 18, 2022. 97 of 228 pages Update here because I am too damn wordy for the actual update box.
I love a compelling story of a medical and legal conuApril 18, 2022. 97 of 228 pages Update here because I am too damn wordy for the actual update box.
I love a compelling story of a medical and legal conundrum, like The Day of St. Anthony's Fire. I wonder if any country has a good response team established to deal with catastrophes like this that aren't about property. As far as I know there isn't anything in place in the US's insane monster of a "medical system." There would be investigations, but nothing to cover the immediate medical and social services assistance, as far as I know. And Oxycontin has shown us that even when a source of funding is finally found in lawsuits, there is little likelihood of timely care to those harmed, or even to non-specific treatment such as substance abuse clinics. Did any tobacco-settlement money go to providing treatment for chronic breathing disorders or lung cancer? It isn't as if we didn't know that more disasters like this will occur, and that victims won't necessarily be in close proximity. If anyone can recommend a good source for what kind of treatment, if any, has been provided to the Flint lead-poisoning victims, I would be grateful.
***
Apr 19, 2022
The writers always focused on people which provides the connection that unites the very different emphasis of each chapter. Nuanced and well-rounded, it's an outstanding example of covering a difficult subject without belittling viewpoints, except those of actual Nazis who were trying to avoid prosecution. And even then it wasn't a simplistic "Nazis are evil" hot take. They referred to specific aspects of the whole hideous machinery of genocide that would predispose doctors in particular to a callous disregard for others.
If you're interested in real and terrifying topics, there are a lot of nightmares to choose from. Body horror of many different kinds, legal shenanigans from Kafka and Dickens, and so very many wrongs perpetrated against the children of thalidomide. As if that weren't enough there is also some high-level political/corporate malfeasance and an array of upsetting diseases. For all that it isn't a grim book: we are also shown people who made decisions and fought the good fight at every level from struggling families all the way up. More than one hero is just trying to do their job the best they can.
There is one specter raised, though, that is almost funny to me now. Throughout the book the authors return to how relentlessly the children shaped by thalidomide were studied and experimented upon. There is mention of a doctor finding an unexpectedly high incidence of autism among them. When the expected number was more like 16 out of 10,000 people, among thalidomiders it was more like 5%. (This is current in 2000.) The incidence of autism in 2022 is estimated at 1% in all countries reporting. And there is reason to consider it higher. Anyway, I'm cynically amused because an autism panic started around then, just as wrongly invested in the need to fix a new batch of broken children, without consulting people with the same lived experience.
Three geeky friends in their last year of high school have the chance to attend SupaCon together, because one of them is a vlogger who landed a film rThree geeky friends in their last year of high school have the chance to attend SupaCon together, because one of them is a vlogger who landed a film role that went big. There is so much fandom in the best possible way: new friendships, new experiences, new romance. There are struggles, laughter, tears, etc., and lots of bonding. Unusually for a contemporary romance, we don't get two POV characters alternating their two versions of the same romance, but instead we get two POV characters who are best friends, alternating their two separate romances. But really, this is much more a romance between two young women and fandom-at-large. There's cosplay, and games, art, and comics, vloggers and big studio film promotions, writers and the adoring readers who stand in line for hours to get a signature. It's also very much a story about young women and the culture they have created and enjoy. It doesn't pass a reverse-Bechdel I don't think, which is such a refreshing change. Seriously it's the most girl-powery thing since Spice World and the same heady mix of empowering and just plain fun.
Lippman is brilliant and scary. How can any reader not love all the variations on writers and modern fiction? I am always on about novels in which no Lippman is brilliant and scary. How can any reader not love all the variations on writers and modern fiction? I am always on about novels in which no one ever reads, or in which someone is a reader but isn't shown reading, or talking about books. This is just marvelously book-rich.
And Gerry Anderson feels at once archetypal and plausibly real. Not that I imagine he is based on a real person, but we've all encountered goys who resemble him in various ways. He is such a mediocre sort of guy, and also so defensive, and horrible, and clueless.
Highly recommended to just about everyone for the sheer readerly fandom, but also because Lippman is so great at creating expectations and fulfilling them in unexpected ways. Just the thing if one is looking for a riff on classic crime novel themes, writer themes, horror themes, or a combination thereof for Halloween.
Read for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
Because I do not follow the sports I was previously unaware of MalcRead for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
Because I do not follow the sports I was previously unaware of Malcolm Mitchell. This is one of those "the cover grabbed my eye" things.
And I am so happy that it did! What a wonderful picture book about representation and the importance of seeing ourselves, and of sharing our invisible struggles with others. I am delighted that Mr. Mitchell shared his story and I hope that kids who need to see themselves will find it, and that those who don't have the same problem will have greater understanding.
Great decision to focus on the aspects of the challenge rather than any diagnosis. Kids who have the same or similar difficulties will have an idea of how to talk about them to adults, which will get them more help sooner.
So, this is me taking back everything bad I ever said about celebrity authors.
There is so much to adore and cherish, but "Awkwarding Brings Us Together" is a gift to humanity greater than fire. Apparently we are most likely to mThere is so much to adore and cherish, but "Awkwarding Brings Us Together" is a gift to humanity greater than fire. Apparently we are most likely to mortify ourselves at funerals. It's a relief to know it's not just me. Which is the brilliance of Lawson: whether she's providing details of her worst moments of anxiety and depression or her best adventures (some are both at once) she is always reassuring the reader that we aren't alone. This is the most comforting message one human can give another.
And also, American medical insurance is the privilege of paying someone to make everything worse for those who have it as well as those who don't.
***
Lawson makes me laugh so hard I cry, and sometimes also, so sad for all the broken people (which is probably all people, but if not, a huge percentage of the population) that I almost cry but usually don't because she has something encouraging to say that also gives me hope. And that's pretty much life right there, isn't it? Shared laughter, shared pain, because we are social animals, even those of us who aren't quite.
***
A question: how many people are there who see a black plastic bag on the side of the road and immediately think "body?" Besides me and Jenny Lawson? Anyone?
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books onThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. Yay, Reviewers list is fixed, as far as I can tell. Still waiting for the Readers list to be fixed, though.
Most of the books I've read have been picture books, because I am, after all trying to read and review twice as many books as normal this year and I need to sleep sometimes. But Rundell's books are just too good to ignore.
It's a heist and Vita is putting together a gang. Meanwhile, New York is crawling with the organized crime that fills a Prohibition vacuum. There's action, adventure, fights, revenge, plotting, lots of critters, jewels, a castle, poverty, and eating. This is not a book with kissing in it. This is the film script Dickens would have written for the Ocean's franchise.
Capers are not to everyone's taste, but if anything can change your mind, it's probably this. Also, it would be a fabulous film.
They're both kind of awful at the beginning, and the reader warms to them as they warm to each other. It's a risky move, because how many people won'tThey're both kind of awful at the beginning, and the reader warms to them as they warm to each other. It's a risky move, because how many people won't make it past the awful? I do like authors giving more time to non-traditional main characters.
Overall I'm kind of meh about Quinn, and her over-reliance on virginity tropes and compromising positions, but I enjoyed this one.
#21 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and request to GoodReads that the Top Readers, etc. lists be fixed. For a full explanation see my review for 101 Am#21 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and request to GoodReads that the Top Readers, etc. lists be fixed. For a full explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
For a while my meeting schedule at work put me in just the right place to see the hospital-pups-in-training as they were leaving work each week. Guaranteed joy. The handlers were always so good about answering all the questions, and the ring of people taking turns petting the pups was humanity at its best. And so is this book.
Since today's theme has been about what providing strength and comfort to one another can achieve, and has had me crying most of the day, this seemed like an appropriate choice, even before I understood the horror that precedes the story. This is resilience, this is grace.
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