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.
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.
I wish I had this book in my early 40s so I could be forwarned about what to expect, know how to discuss symptoms with my doctor, and know how to deal with the transitional chaos and the flooding. I really wish I had known about the flooding ahead of time. Warning: surfing the crimson tide is one thing, but after years of the same waves there will come random flood tides. Be prepared: these will be super plus AND extra heavy overnight situations.
Also it's good to know someone who isn't afraid to call out bullshit on medical advice from celebrities or misogyny on the internet. Gwyneth knows what she did. Also Oprah, and Suzanne Somers. Dr. Jen has zero toleration for doctors who are ill-informed, fat-blaming, or otherwise unacceptable.
Since it wasn't written yet, I've been reading this after the fact, and it is still helpful in practical advice for dealing with my much-interrupted sleep at night, which of course I thought was just me.
And the science geek in me really loves that, when applicable, she includes racial and ethnic breakdowns of the studies, as well as including disparities in outcomes by demographics.
Read this and be well.
Somers spelling corrected 30Apr2922
***
1 January 2024
Why, yes, I did reread it to go back over some material and take notes, because library copy.
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?
First, great story. Some mystery, some romance, some swashbuckling, some boarding-school story, but as if real sixteen -year-olds wer28 February, 2021
First, great story. Some mystery, some romance, some swashbuckling, some boarding-school story, but as if real sixteen -year-olds were in attendance, not the bizarre everyone -pair-off at eleven but no one actually has sex weirdness of Harry Potter, environmental concerns, and lots of other stuff, plus that's not all. There's a generous effort at modeling better options, whether it be recovering from trauma, or deciding what to be when you grow up, to not....
***
27 December 2022
Now that I start Seasparrow without re-reading them all again, I rather wish I had finished writing this up.
***
17 January 2023
Now I have come dull circle through the Graceling Realm. This is my favorite, not least of which, because it seems the ratio of female to male characters increases with each book. Also, foxen. Beautiful endpapers. My appreciation for art created by experienced artists has increased, so I would love for every book to have an exclusive piece of art on the cover, at least a few maps or something, AND original endpapers. It's the early Nancy Drew influence.
Anyway, I hope the dedicatee appreciates how special this book is, even if Seasparrow becomes my favorite when I read it next. The seriess'arc goes to a good (both interesting and thought provoking) place.
On a side note, Cashore comes up with fabulous plots, characters interactions, and I look forward to reading everything else she writes. This is the pinnacle of the series, at least until I re-read Seasparrow.
First: not enough hockey. Or at least, hockey makes a brief and violent appearance (of course!) but then it disappears. I'd have liked to see it mentiFirst: not enough hockey. Or at least, hockey makes a brief and violent appearance (of course!) but then it disappears. I'd have liked to see it mentioned again, if only to update whether it had any appeal of any kind ever again.
Second: both weirder and not as weird as I anticipated. The demons turn out to be ghosts but not in the way I'm used to thinking of them. The drug raids are very strange, but serve well as humorous anecdotes: unexpected details really go against stereotypes.
Third: see? my parenting isn't that bad. Actually, maybe it is that bad. Maybe there's a memoir coming about how weird it was to grow up with me.
Mostly I think my problem is I kind of expected it to be the stuff of sitcom, you know, zany. It's not zany. It's sad and distressing, which is really not how I had planned to focus my Halloween reading. Although to be fair, I suppose bad parenting really is horrific.
I can't wait to see what the next book is about, though.
Since I am awake at 4 am (thanks, Calder) with my brain racing but processing slow (wow, so slow, just going through the drop down list of shelves tooSince I am awake at 4 am (thanks, Calder) with my brain racing but processing slow (wow, so slow, just going through the drop down list of shelves took forever, distracted by each word, but also having a hard time focusing enough to select appropriate options, and even so I missed "medicine") now seems like an excellent time to say a bit about this book. As a person with ADHD (pause to go look up types because I can't remember), subtype Inattentive (not physically manifesting the brain agitation, hardly ever fidgety, able to stay in my seat with no difficulty) I think this is an excellent book, albeit a very slow read (it took me six days because no matter how beneficial it might be in the long run, in the short term it is academic, and by the time I get home from work there isn't much concentration left and focusing enough to take in a sentence can take forever, even though you'd think this would be engaging enough because Relevance, but no). There is quite current research for a book (it often takes a year to publish a book, after a year to write (journals being electronic now can publish much more quickly, but most people would have to physically go to a university's library to have access, and even then I am not sure what the process would be to get to read them without a university log-in, although I have no doubt a librarian would be able to provide that access, and probably a computer too). Lots of stuff about brain imaging and observable differences in how people with ADHD think in a fMRI, as well as measurable differences in specific brain matter that I can't recall very well at all. There is a substantial body of research supporting the diagnosis of ADHD despite it being about symptoms everyone experiences sometimes just at a level that isn't impairment. One could present this material to an ADHD denier, of which there are a great many, but they can't be swayed by reproducible research or tests that are consistent across providers, or noticeable successes in treatment,and I don't understand why anyone not directly involved with a person with ADHD world care about anyone else's diagnosis or treatment, but I also don't understand why anyone who is involved would prefer to believe that a person is chronically late, unable to locate anything, incapable of doing tasks until a vital deadline is looming (often not even then), etcetera. People with ADHD have sadly common difficulties in adulthood, since most people are required to be at work at a specific time, and meet deadlines; are expected to pay their bills on time, to listen to instructions and be able to repeat them, to prioritize tasks and do the important ones, to finish tasks, to maintain tidy homes and workplaces in which other people can find a chair to sit down, etcetera. As if anyone would choose to disappoint everyone all the time. There is much here useful to professionals evaluating or treating people with ADHD, and also to people living with it, although untreated, one is unlikely to think of reading up on the topic, let alone being able to assimilate it. Good stuff about treatment options and evaluating and adjusting. I don't think I am very different from other people in nature, only in degree. My medication doesn't improve me in anyway compared to other people, it isn't fun. But this year I managed to renew my car registration only a few weeks late, rather than two years, and I was able to produce all the supporting documentation for an income tax audit slightly ahead of the deadline (I got my refund, and interest on it, which was an unanticipated tiny bonus) and since I am able to sit down and actually do my work, I got a really good performance review, the best ever. I still have to double -check my alarm, but without looking at my calendar I could tell you what I have to do at work tomorrow. That wouldn't seem like a miracle to most people, but it is to me. Brown infuses his book with understanding and empathy, even a little humor. Apparently specializing in ADHD means a disproportionate number of no-shows. Despite the emphasis on data and references that an academic text requires, one imagines he is an caring and kind clinician. Given that the vast majority of us will have little if any medical assistance and I'm going to guess a disproportionately low rate of insurance coverage, most of us won't ever see anyone like him. But may the primary physicians we see will have effectively assimilated both his very practical advice on treatment and his kind understanding. That's the first time I was ever using my kindle when the blue shade automatically turned off. Between that and the fact that I left behind my sleepy brain muddle some time ago, I think it would behoove me to get out of bed and start doing things. That's a happy-making thought now that it's likely I will actually complete something today. Another little miracle. To be clear, reading and writing up my reading have never been a problem as long as I got to choose the book. Required reading, on the other hand has been very nearly impossible. When I have been unlucky enough to take a class that I didn't choose for its syllabus, I have been a miserable failure. Literally. Could not read the text, couldn't process anything my eyes happened to pass over. It's why I rarely accept books for review and never join bookclubs: if my interest doesn't engage I cannot progress. Could not read Tolkien, hell, one of the most popular writers of the 20th century, the mind behind some very enjoyable movies, and not only could I not read him, I can't remember how to spell his name, and had to open another window to check.
It is terribly important that the most trusted figures in American politics right now are comedians: Al Franken, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert. It is iIt is terribly important that the most trusted figures in American politics right now are comedians: Al Franken, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert. It is important that our newest president has only ever actually been professionally successful as a television character.
Don't get me wrong: I don't think actors, performers, and certainly not writers are somehow less valid as elected officials. While the primary business of senators and congress people is lawmaking, I recognize that they themselves don't (possibly ever anymore) write the laws; federal laws are written by interested parties, think tanks, and congressional staff. So it isn't necessary to be a lawyer in order to shape laws. What is necessary: I think a broad, general interest is good; literacy is useful; the ability to listen is huge; one has to judge sources, because I'm sure there's never less than two sides to any issue, and all of them purport to have data backing them up, of which some must be less valid or useful than others; a willingness to admit ignorance and to learn is key, because no one is an expert in everything, and hastily-formed judgements are unlikely to result in successful solutions to complex problems. And of course, one has to be able to work with many difficult people, but that's true of all work, isn't it? That list of qualities leaves previous work experience pretty open.
It's important that our emperor is naked, and that as many people as possible are pointing at the bare ass he's waggling at us, and laughing. It's not possible to bring him down by arguing with him or fact-checking him: he's a shameless liar, he just makes shit up, most of his shtick is just childish insults. You can't argue with him. He doesn't believe in the idea of a fair fight. But you can point and laugh: he has no defense against mockery.
Franken is a mensch. I would give that man an organ I can't spare, secure in the knowledge that he would use it only for good. He is everything one could hope for in an elected representative, just once I would like to vote for someone who was so progressive and also so pragmatic. Harvard has gone up in my esteem by being Franken's alma mater. If you've never read any of Franken's political books you're in for a treat.
First, I apologize for my absence. I have apparently reached the age when body parts begin to fail suddenly and inexplicably. Somehow what should haveFirst, I apologize for my absence. I have apparently reached the age when body parts begin to fail suddenly and inexplicably. Somehow what should have been an ...more
Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living - Nick Offerman Offerman is a lucky guy would had a good childhood, a good and mePaddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living - Nick Offerman Offerman is a lucky guy would had a good childhood, a good and meaningful college time, followed by the rest of his life, working hard at work and crafts he appreciates (which is mostly being silly, but also involves building canoes). He has a good work ethic and a seemingly kind heart, as well as a seriously advanced sense of humor. It's delightful to read a memoir by someone who understands that his life is very good and that he's lucky to have so many sources of pleasure. On the downside, he has a very strong personality which won't appeal to all readers and which can become rather much of a muchness. Everyone's mileage is likely to vary a great deal. Library copy...more
Turns out Poehler has accomplished so much in her life (so far) by working her ass off and never sleeping. She reveals a little about her life, but noTurns out Poehler has accomplished so much in her life (so far) by working her ass off and never sleeping. She reveals a little about her life, but not so much as to be embarrassing, mostly giving an overview of different aspects. The chapter on Parks & Rec gives a look into how such a thing is done and says nothing but the best about everyone involved. There are some jokes, some anecdotes about the kids, a lot about improv, atop a firm feminist stance.The lack of picture captions bugged me though.
From another author, I'd probably give this five stars. But Dessen has written so many marvelous books, that this one doesn't seem outstanding. It's aFrom another author, I'd probably give this five stars. But Dessen has written so many marvelous books, that this one doesn't seem outstanding. It's a great read, but not one that I imagine I'll come back to.
Short, highly readable pieces about a vast array of issues of chemistry in modern life. Many, not surprisingly, are about how things can't possibly woShort, highly readable pieces about a vast array of issues of chemistry in modern life. Many, not surprisingly, are about how things can't possibly work, like homeopathy. Other pieces consider new science discoveries, the worthlessness of all those "miracle food" stories (and the very thin research behind them), and how to critically evaluate some forms of risk. A good introduction to the subject for those who aren't already skeptically literate, and a fun browse for those who are.
Okay, mostly it's just a mind-tour through infinite possible worlds. And that's fine. There's also a bit of Star Trek: The Next Generation-like advisiOkay, mostly it's just a mind-tour through infinite possible worlds. And that's fine. There's also a bit of Star Trek: The Next Generation-like advising in a supremely wise manner. And I like that, too. There isn't a war, which I probably prefer to skip, although it does make the title misleading. There is also stuff that was just plain wrong, specifically about drug abuse. (Drug use and abuse isn't more common among poor people, it's just more visible, and more frequently and harshly punished; rape is a bad plot device, but really especially bad if it's just a lazy-ass way to justify a male character's vigilante "justice"*). And while there are several very interesting and nuanced characters, there are also quite a few who are pure stereotype. Although I appreciate the effort to include a major character of color, it's probably best not to play that game if you aren't going to commit, and pretending that a great big dark-skinned man from South Africa is going to be automatically deferred to, rather than targeted as a thug, is a whole new kind of fantasy.
Some interesting ideas, but the most disappointing book I've ever read with Pratchett's name on it.
Library copy
*And really, the ease of moving between worlds in this scenario creates a nightmare for anyone thinking about sexual or domestic violence. The bad people have a literal infinity to hide in, or keep victims in. You really don't want to get your reader's minds set on that horrific track....more
Her mother was nuts, somewhat. But that's beside the point. What Marshall and her co-writer have managed to do is give a fairly straightforward accounHer mother was nuts, somewhat. But that's beside the point. What Marshall and her co-writer have managed to do is give a fairly straightforward account of the big moments, people, and formative experiences in Marshall's life, in what sounds like her voice. It's not a tell-all (thank goodness, that would have been exhausting) but it fills in the major players. Play is the appropriate word here, because Marshall's entire life seems based on being in the moment and having fun with it. What they have chosen to tell is enormously entertaining: her childhood dance classes, her teenage crushes, her start in acting, the success of Laverne and Shirley, Saturday Night Live, Simon and Garfunkle, enormous birthday parties shared with best friend Carrie Fisher, making movies, charity work. She recognizes her weaknesses (not the best mom ever) but focuses on her strengths. And despite the deaths of loved ones, health issues, etc., her strengths are magnificent.
Before reading this, I wouldn't have said Marshall loomed large in my mind. I feel as though I've spent a few nights hanging with her, smoking and talking, and she is now my best friend. She has enjoyed more fun than any other fifteen people put together. Those parties must have been legendary.
I enjoyed reading this, and there were elements I really liked, but there were a few things that I didn't like so much. People on a space ship solvingI enjoyed reading this, and there were elements I really liked, but there were a few things that I didn't like so much. People on a space ship solving a mystery: cool. The protagonists running around like the musical scene in Scooby Doo: not so much. Exploring the idea of what kind of leadership people need: cool. Never taking one second to think any of this through: not cool. Com links which allow for instant communication: cool. The way no one ever bothers to have a real conversation: not cool. That I figured out the villain(s) on practically the first page: disappointing. That the only people with any creativity or personality are the young people and that they are all also mentally unstable: really not cool. Rape as a character motivator and plot point: horrifically not cool
Mostly my problem was with the frenetic pace. The two protagonists are literally always running off to deal with some new crisis, and they never stop to consider their options. Which wouldn't be so much of an issue, except on of these two is the political leader of this ship and its 3,000 humans. The absence of self-recognition, of thought, keeps it from being as powerful as it might otherwise have been.
I get that these are teenagers, and that their emotions are controlling them, that they are impulsive and mercurial and go off half-cocked. But if they don't recognize this, and none of the adults around them bother to point it out, there's no effort to think and thus, no growth.
The ideas really appeal to me, so I'll keep reading the rest of the series, and probably anything else Revis writes. And I'll hope for more thoughtfulness and communication in the next book, an occasional break in the relentless pace of events.
Natasha has gone crazy for the Basher series. They are very high-style, high-concept, and high-production values. Plus, weird factoids about the subjeNatasha has gone crazy for the Basher series. They are very high-style, high-concept, and high-production values. Plus, weird factoids about the subject in question. I don't know how much real data they provide, but they're cool-looking, combining the cute of anime with slick computer graphics. Of course, most 11-year-olds aren't reading current science research papers, so a good-looking overview is a plus.
I have two reasons for rereading this book: watching Nore trying to retrace his childhood, and watching him c1 Jan 1985 1 Jan 1998 19 Feb 1998 2 Sep 2016
I have two reasons for rereading this book: watching Nore trying to retrace his childhood, and watching him change as an adult. And also this book has the memorable scene of Nore sitting on the stairs in pain, waiting for it to pass. Gripping, and also surprisingly funny, which one probably wouldn't expect. The only reason not to read it is because you'll be stuck listening to the chorus of a Duran Duran song in your head on repeat.
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