Summer Reading Celebration

Runs over the basics of abnormal psychology that makes it easier to digest over a medical textbook so you can understand it on a more human level for anyone rather then where one might feel overwhelmed by a more advanced medical textbook. Feels more of a stepping stone if you wanted to dive deeper into specific chapters the book covers.

Everything about Henrietta Lacks and her family was heartbreaking. Henrietta was lost to history and not even a footnote in her own story. Her genes were used over, and over again. Her DNA was used in so many breakthroughs in science and not even a mention. What a harrowing life. Henrietta's story was tragic, dying young of cancer and so riddled with tumors that pain was her only companion. What was more tragic was her children's mistreatment, malnuroshment and torture at the hands of the people that should have protected and sheltered them in their time of grief. Circumstances were just not on the Lacks family side. Most of the children were dead or imcarcerated before the book was even published. The author, Rebecca Skloot did so much research and talked to the family extensively even when said family was very against even that for a long time. This book was good and very interesting but oh so devastating. Please read this story, if not to hear this family's story but to get the true behind the immortal genes and where they really came from.

A heartbreaking sorry of what happens when children don't learn how to fail. The book highlights how social media tends to exacerbate problems for young perfectionists today as opposed to those of prior generations.

This was a very insightful book focused on the QAnon cult and how/why people are susceptible to believing conspiracy theories. The author follows a number of individuals and their loved ones, documenting the destruction of the American family by those who've bought into QAnon and it's insane conspiracy theories.

This gem from the late 1950s tells the adventurous tale of William Prendergast, father of James who founded Jamestown, who led other Hudson Valley area colonists in revolt against the manorial system in place there. William was the leader of the “levelers” who believed that they had claim to the land they leased and about 1,700 farmers followed him. William was arrested for treason, and sentenced to be hung, drawn, and quartered. His wife, Mehitabel Wing Prendergast, appealed to the governor for a reprieve and pardon. The family moved to Tennessee, didn’t care for it, and came to Chautauqua Lake. This book was written for middle grades, and contains lots of swashbuckling adventure from the point of view of a boy of about 13 who is a nephew. It uses very dated descriptions of Native Americans and of women. But it is a rollicking piece of historical fiction that relates the family back story of Jamestown’s First Family.

If you are a fan of Backman you will enjoy this little book filled with humor and a bit more serious insight on Father-Son relationships. It will give you some food for thought and perhaps a slightly different perspective on situations we encounter in life. Parents will understand and parents to be can get some insights!

This book was great! I really loved the entire trilogy.

Great book. Very well presented.

I read where someone compared this to an updated Huck Finn story, and that's pretty close. More of a fantasy-style fiction, but the setting is quite historically accurate, which made for a great read. Recommended!

If you are a fan of UFOs and Flying Saucers and government cover ups you will find this book, like the one he wrote about the Bermuda Triangle, interesting reading. He revisited this topic in the 70’s and much has been written since this book was written but this one started it all. It does kind of drag in places and goes off on tangents but it is an easy read and is referenced in more modern texts.