REWIND, REPLAY, REPEAT by Jeff Bell

My reading has had a very narrow focus of late. Zoloft, risperdal, OCD, SSRIs, anxiety, CBT, high schools, AIMS tests-I am a veritable wealth of information. In my research I came across a very good book about OCD and what it does to the mind. Written by Jeff Bell, a regular guy with an MBA and a successful career in radio, he tells the story of his experience with the disorder. While the TV show Monk and people like Howie Mandel have raised awareness of OCD, it's too often seen as a joke or "So what? So he can't shake hands-what's the big deal?" This book does a good job of portraying the dark side of being OC.

The writing is good and kept me interested but I already had a compelling reason to be interested. I do think it was about 50 pages too long but that may be part of his OCD-he had to make sure the story was told and told and told. That being said, I think it's a book that would be of interest to anyone.

~Judy

A TWO-FER

Having nearly drowned in a tsunami of out-of-town guests during the past week -- such a flood that we had to house the overflow at a friend's -- I come to you sleep-deprived, on the edge of a cold and with a neck spasm that does not permit head-turning to the left. And you wonder why I feel this way about Christmas...Nonetheless, I am all excited about the last two books I've read.

One is The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold, author of The Lovely Bones (and if you haven't read that one, HURRY UP!). The story begins with the narrator killing her aged mother and the events that unfold afterward, and also shows us pieces of her earlier life with her mother that give some clues about why she did it. It's a vicarious exploration of what it's like to do something really terrible that you can't take back. I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending, but Sebold isn't one for a nice, neat conclusion. If you can tolerate the plotline, I think you'll enjoy the writing.

And then Ann Patchett's got a new one out titled, simply, Run. Patchett writes these characters with such skill that by book's end, I felt like I knew what it was like to be the adopted black son of a wealthy white politician -- and she explores each of her characters with that same kind of depth. The book takes a look at what makes a family: is it blood or devotion or presence? Can you still be family if those elements aren't there? Can you make a family from fragments of those elements? I was so wowed by the writing, I want everyone to read it.

I'm off to the airport to pick up guest #7, then to the chiropractor. Happy New Year, everybody!

Michelle

The Business of Being Born

At the end of this trailer there is a a mom saying "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" with that orgasmic rise in her voice as she gives birth. As long as I live, I hope I never forget that awesome, joyous, overwhelming feeling. I hope others continue to have the opportunity.

This film is being shown at Duval Aud (UMC) on January 19 at 2pm-lunch and a movie anyone?

Click here

~Judy

So it ain't Agatha Christie...

I honestly have been reading in absentia, but all I can get into are magazines and books like this one...my new favorite. I was embarrassed to post any review of what I had been reading, but damn all convention! My instant favorite book, Brunch by Louise Pickford. Reading and comfort food in one, quick read, tasty portaits, the mystery of which one tastes best. Fantastic reading!

Cinnamon soaked granola, pannetone french toast with coconut milk, baby custard tarts with cardamom coffee...

These are sure a far cry from the dry milquetoast world of organizational management readings that are required of Olga & me.

Merry Christmas to All,
Fondly,
Robin

Passing it on

Going Back To Bisbee by Richard Shelton, comes highly recommended by my Uncle Bill (Aunt Gail concurs) who says he rarely re-reads books but decided to last night for lack of anything else on hand. He says Shelton, a poet, writes wonderfully and the trip goes thru Sonoita, Mustang Corners, Tombstone and to Bisbee. All of that is familiar territory to us, but since the story includes geology, geography, history and all manner of -ologies written beautifully, so much the better!

Another one added to my long list of "after grad school is done" books.

Olga

For those who can't get enough David Sedaris:

Journey Into Night

~Judy