Anytime an author of a book offering dietary advice repeatedly reminds you that they are not a doctor or a nutritionist and that they aren’t qualifiedAnytime an author of a book offering dietary advice repeatedly reminds you that they are not a doctor or a nutritionist and that they aren’t qualified to give advice but will be more than happy to refer you to books that actually are written by qualified professionals, you should probably just move on. Save your money. Buy all the great books she recommends instead.
I get that some people might appreciate her simplification based on her understanding. I also appreciate that she lost 80 pounds and at the time of the writing had kept it off for two years. She has clearly beat the odds.
And to be honest I could have gotten over the oversimplification and slight misrepresentation of facts. The writing was just not that great. Exclamation points every other sentence. Silly jokes that add nothing.
Maybe others find her tone cute or endearing, I just found it annoying.
If you are really interested in benefits of intermittent fasting, read The Obesity Code or the Circadian Clock. If you are more interested in a personal testimonial and don’t mind amateurish writing with obnoxious punctuation, then go for it.
I am clearly in the minority based on rating here so there’s that. I just could not finish this relatively short book and returned about 1/4 of way through....more
Poorly written. Could not finish. Read a lot and I am generally pretty tolerant of stylistic issues and even "bad" writing. But the writing here was jPoorly written. Could not finish. Read a lot and I am generally pretty tolerant of stylistic issues and even "bad" writing. But the writing here was just awful, cringe-worthy awful. I returned my kindle edition for a full refund....more
It is very rare that I don't finish a book. I am generally a very patient and generous reader even if a book doesn't immediately grab me.
But this booIt is very rare that I don't finish a book. I am generally a very patient and generous reader even if a book doesn't immediately grab me.
But this book disappointed on several fronts.
One, I purchased this book because a friend recently had the Amish build a produce stand for her farm. I've always been fascinated by this plainly-dressed community whose members seem happy to shun the world at large.
Both the book title and the prologue indicates that this is a book, at least in part, about the Amish. Unfortunately, the author and her family were not Amish. Her stepfather ultimately wanted to live like the Amish but only managed a somewhat perverse interpretation at best.
Two, the characters lack depth and feel more like rough outlines of people rather than complex human beings, which is especially strange since this is supposed to be based on a true story. For example, the parents are repeatedly referred to a evil monsters who beat their two daughter multiple times a day, laughing and physically taking pleasure in the abuse. Then in the next breath, the author also tells us that there were other times where things were normal. The problem is the reader doesn't really get a sense of the dichotomy as the author doesn't paint a very clear portrait with her descriptions. And this brings me to the third point.
Three, the repetition is boring. Stylistically, this book is lacking. Every chapter feels like a duplicate of the previous. Now to be fair, I only made it 20% way through the book. Still, to me, the story lacked emotion and insight, which is something I think all good memoirs should have.
So how did this book manage to get an average 4 star rating? I have no clue. Maybe I simply gave up too soon. Maybe I had too my preconceptions or unrealistic expectations. Maybe the shocking and bizarre life this woman describes is enough for other readers to overlook its shortcomings.
This woman obviously had a horrendous childhood, and I applaud her for having the courage to write a book.
Perhaps at some point, I might pick this one back up and if I do I will be sure to update my review....more
I've been reading a lot of non-fiction with heavy topics and was looking for a light read and thought this sounded intriguing. Plus, I liked the cover I've been reading a lot of non-fiction with heavy topics and was looking for a light read and thought this sounded intriguing. Plus, I liked the cover. Also impressed by the high rating and raving five star reviews. Abandoned. Amateurish storytelling. Just not for me....more
The organization of this book didn't work for me. Obviously this is a complex topic, and hard to write/read about..Made it halfway and then abandoned.
The organization of this book didn't work for me. Obviously this is a complex topic, and hard to write/read about...not to mention everyone has the same name and there is a lot of jumping back and forth. I think I need a book which focuses more on one or two overriding themes and a better organization...at least a glossary of names and a condensed and collective timeline to help me keep track. I can see how an informed academic in this area of study would get more from this book.
Bottom line: mainly a personal problem.
It wasn't a complete waste of time, though. I feel I garnered something from the first half, just came to the conclusion that it was not the best book for me at the time. I may visit it again in the future....more
I generally love Neil Gaiman but got halfway through this book and lost interest. I happened to read the sequel first and liked it enough to award fouI generally love Neil Gaiman but got halfway through this book and lost interest. I happened to read the sequel first and liked it enough to award four stars...so who knows. Maybe just wasn't what I wanted at the time.
I rarely abandon a book, especially one that I didn't hate, but simply have too many other books on my TBR list to sit through another 300 pages of a book that I can appreciate (good writing, strong style, etc) but am only minimally engaged with.
Sorry, Neil. Still, think you're great, except I'm starting to wonder if maybe 600 plus pages of your style of magic realism is simply 300 pages too many.
Bottom line: lots of "good" stuff here and some "okay" stuff, simply not what I'm interested in reading right now.
I should mention, I began reading this online with a trial of scribd, but then had to switch to a library copy which took two weeks to get. During that time I simply lost interest. I tried picking it up a few times but just couldn't get back into it...so back to the library it goes where it will likely find a more deserving (or at least appreciative) reader....more
This is a comprehensive and systematic dismantling of the "God" theory among other things. Thorough and complete is an understatement.
I think more recThis is a comprehensive and systematic dismantling of the "God" theory among other things. Thorough and complete is an understatement.
I think more recently some have come to think of Richard Dawkins as epitomizing the "angry atheist," but personally, I think he's brilliant and articulate and a necessary voice, and I absolutely love his writing style. And when he talks about science, there are few people who can make you appreciate the freaking awesomeness and beauty of the universe and life as we know it the way that he can.
Four stars because I don't feel as if there was any new ground covered here, but I'm not sure this book was written for me (a "non-believer" and happy about it). Nor do I think it was written for the devout Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Jew...insert your religion here. Instead, I think it was written for those who have outgrown their faith, but are still struggling with their evolving views.
I did relate to the comparison equating "coming out" as an atheist to coming out as a homosexual...although, according to Dawkins, it's probably easier (at least in countries like the US) to admit to being gay than it is to being a non-believer. And you know...I have to say I've often felt that way. Not only do I feel as if I can't speak openly in my community about my atheism or non-belief for fear of being judged or offending someone, I have talked to many other non-theists who feel the same way.
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