Adultery

I am a newlywed. I was actually quite interested to read this book until I opened it and read the first paragraph.

"Unless you consciously (or unconsciously) want to jet-propel yourself into committing adultery, reading about it isn't such a good idea. Because reading about it, I can assure you, will almost certainly result in your thinking about doing it, and perhaps even in your doing it."

Hint taken. I'm sure my husband will appreciate the fact that I am putting the book down and moving on. If any of you would like to take a crack at it (the book, not the act), let me know how it is.

Rating - 0

Adult Leukemia

Some books aren't meant to be enjoyed.

This one is VERY informative and well organized by topic. It is directed to patients, but I would recommend it for a leukemia patient's loved one, so they can find the best way to disseminate the information when it is most useful. It is neither wishy-washy nor without feeling.

Since leukemia does not have personal meaning in my life, a lot of the information was overwhelming and seemed repetitive. I did love the section on various ways to find help and comfort. There was an interesting section about how children respond when their parents are diagnosed and how much responsibility can be expected of them.

"Human children are inclined, by biology, to think the world revolves around them. Very young infants do not understand, for instance, that Mommy is a separate person who can leave them with Daddy and go grocery shopping, and they may become quite upset when they discover that Mommy is gone...This egocentric thought process lingers well through childhood, though, and causes children to think that the bad things that happen are their fault. They may think that you developed cancer because they were very angry with you when you once punished them, for example. They may even have wished you were dead, and now it appears to be coming true."

Rating = 3

Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea

I'm back! Got married to this Tyler fellow in August and I guess life happens. Not that I have to apologize to the internet or anything. ;)

So I started back up with a first-hand account of a solo boating excursion gone wrong. I don't know why I enjoy sea stories so much. I guess it's just the version of romanticism that speaks to me. So, all in all, this book has good things going for it.

1. It's a true story. I guess I should lump in the fact that it's written by the one who experienced it, but I'm not too naive to guess that he probably had a ghost writer anyway. These things happen. If this were a work of fiction, it would be a bit boring. Seventy-six days is a long time, and if you're alone at sea, there's only so much variety a day can hold. The biggest downside to this particular book is that the reader has to experience some of the monotony of day to day details. Again, since it's a true story, I stomach the boredom because it's a far cry from the agony of the one who actually lived through it.

2. It's informative. I know for a fact that I will never be in the author's situation, but I still feel I learned something about how to survive at sea. How to prepare fresh fish, distill sea water, keep a raft afloat, etc.

3. It's dangerous. The fact that the ending is spoiled before you read the book, doesn't deter from the excitement in reading about various near-death experiences along the way.

I'd recommend this book to someone interested in sea-faring stuff.

Rating - 3