3.30.2015

February I Heart Books

An Absent Mind by Eric Rill
I can relate to the slow, heart-breaking realization that your parent is dying. Although my Mom didn't die from Alzheimer's, I was her care-giver and watched as COPD and congestive heart failure slowly took her life. An Absent Mind is about Saul, and his family as they navigate the progression of Alzheimer's, and explore what their relationships will look like during his final years. Rill's father had Alzheimer's and he felt the need to write about it. You will learn more about this horrible disease than you probably want to know, but it's true, honest, and touching. Excellent.

E-Squared by Pam Grout
My friend, Teena has wanted me to read this book for years, and I finally caved. I'm so glad I did!!
E-Squared is a easy to read, humorous take on visualization/quantum physics -- a sort of lab manual full of simple experiments to prove that you create your own reality and that you shape your life with your mind. The nine, 48-hour experiments are fun and at least for me, resulted in several ah-ha moments. Highly recommended.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Set in Ohio in the 70's, when you thought the US was finally over the race thing, but nooo. Lydia is the daughter of Marilyn Walker, a white Virginian, and James Lee, a first-generation Chinese-American. Lydia, along with her brother and sister are stuggling to figure out just where they belong in society. Will a relationship with the 'bad boy' next door help? When Lydia, an over-acheiver and favorite child, is found dead in a nearby lake, the family begins to fall apart.The story is about expectations, death, secrets, race, un-realized dreams and what length you would go to finally realize them.  Excellent book.

See How Small by Scott Blackwood
The story is based on a similar and still unsolved 1991 case in Austin, Texas-- which is where See How Smal is set. Elizabeth, Zadie, and Meredith, are three teenage girls working the front counter at Sandra’s ice cream shop. Unknown killers assault and bind them, and set the building on fire. The story as told through the eyes of the girls themselves, the devastated mother Kate, town firefighter Jack, and the criminals themselves form the core of the story. Excellent book.

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