Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It

Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It by Gary Taubes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very interesting theory on why we are getting fact. This book debunk the calorie in calorie out theory. Instead of eating too much or not exercising enough, the thesis proposes that it's the carbohydrates that is making us fat.

I enjoyed the logical progression of Mr. Taubes thesis. Propose a theory, use examples and anecdote to prove or disprove the theory. I was able the follow each step of this logic and understand his logic.

The book is also very fun read, and educational too.



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Shutter Island

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Shutter Island the book is just like Shutter Island the movie. Since I saw the movie before reading the book, I was over prepared for the plot's twists and turns. Since the movie was an exact representation of the book, there was nothing new that I found in the book. And, throughout my reading, I saw all the actors' faces. The movie took away the need for my imagination while reading the book. Therefore, Shutter Island the book wasn't as enjoyable as if I didn't watch the movie.
The story is still extremely thought provoking. Mr. Lehane did a great job painting the despair and fear felt by the main character on the island house the dangerous mental patients.



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The Meowmorphosis

The Meowmorphosis by Cook Coleridge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Meowmorphosis is an interesting enough rewrite of Kafka's classic. All the plot points remained intact. I can almost replace the word "kitten" with "insect" and get the original book. This cuter version doesn't have as much impact as the original version. The image of a ugly giant issue living amongst the bland family is more shocking than a cute kitten. However, the cute factor did make me giggle a little while reading it.
The Meowmorphosis is fun. It makes me want to read Kafka's version again.



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Time Out - Lost in Translation

Supernanny is not going to approve.  The little girl has officially entered her terrible 2'.   Screaming, kicking, yada yada, the usual.  We (I) watched enough of the Supernanny to know, time out is a great way to nib the problem in the bud.  After putting her at the time out corner several times, toddler-tantrum still rares its ugly head.

Now, I tell her, "stop doing XYZ, or you'll go to time out.  Do you want a time out?"  Her answer, "Yes!".  She wants a time out.  Or at least she answers positively to being sent to the "bad girl corner".  So, I comply.  "Bad girl corner" she goes.  Of course, she cries until she had enough.  Just like Supernanny, I go over, gives her a hug and explains to her why she was sent to time out.  She apologizes.  Time out over.

I'm not sure she understands what time out means.  Maybe in her mind, time-out means, I sit at the corner, then mommy give me hugs.  Need to get it in her little thick skull, I sit at the corner because I did something bad.

 
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These Things Hidden

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How does one define the love for a child, a sibling, a parent? These Things Hidden slowly reveals how that love can be defined by each character. This elegantly written book draws me in from the first page. Each character opened up to me as I went from page to page.
No one is perfect. They all tried to do their best at the situation they are in at the moment. The consequences, however, are not what anyone had planned.
These Things Hidden is beautiful yet haunting. Kudos to Ms. Gudenkauf.



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The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I fell in love with the three main characters. Through their eyes, I saw the difficulty each had to face in their station as women in the segregated world. Their challenges are not only that of race, but also of age. Each had a role in live because of their age, their marital status, and their skin color.
Before reading The Help, I had an inkling of the relations between blacks and white in the South during the Civil Rights movement, mostly from newsreels and history books. Ms. Stockett's characters gave life and meaning to the flickering images and faded photographs that identified that era with vivid impact.



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