The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It had the right mix of biographical stories, science facts, and moral questions to consider. Although non-fiction, it reads like a novel and was very engaging. Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer in the 1950s. At the time of her death, the doctors at Johns Hopkins took samples of her cells and were able to successfully grow and study them in the laboratory. Her cells have been vital in medical research throughout the years, and are still growing in labs today.

I found myself thinking about the Lacks family and medical research throughout the day as I was reading the book. I felt Rebecca Skloot did weave herself and her quest to research the Lacks family a bit much into the narrative, but her perspective added insights into the family and how they felt about Johns Hopkins, reporters, and the what happened to Henrietta's cells.

This would be a great book for a book club discussion, with the potential for rich dialogue regarding the potential moral repercussions and long-term advantages to medical research in general and specifically around cell research. Highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Science Week

Banner by Maddie

Science 

This week we each read a science book from one of the subtopics we laid out for Reading University.  Our subtopics needed to fit one of the following criteria:

Earth Science - fiction or non-fiction book about natural disasters, climate change, or located primarily in the ocean or underground.

Life Science - fiction or non-fictin book about plants or animals.

Applied Science - fiction or non-fiction book about a medical condition, disease, epidemic, or science breakthrough or where the main character is a medical professional or scientist.

Science Fiction - science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, or dystopian genres and magical worlds.

Books Selected:

Zach (Science Fiction: Dystopian)

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  A dystopian novel where certain people suddenly develop super powers, which they use for evil.  These people are called Epics.  Some members of society (most of them) do not develop powers, and they are held at the mercy of the Epics.

Michelle (Applied Science: Medicine)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It had the right mix of biographical stories, science facts, and moral questions to consider. Although non-fiction, it reads like a novel and was very engaging. Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer in the 1950s. At the time of her death, the doctors at Johns Hopkins took samples of her cells and were able to successfully grow and study them in the laboratory. Her cells have been vital in medical research throughout the years, and are still growing in labs today.

I found myself thinking about the Lacks family and medical research throughout the day as I was reading the book. I felt Rebecca Skloot did weave herself and her quest to research the Lacks family a bit much into the narrative, but her perspective added insights into the family and how they felt about Johns Hopkins, reporters, and the what happened to Henrietta's cells.

This would be a great book for a book club discussion, with the potential for rich dialogue regarding the potential moral repercussions and long-term advantages to medical research in general and specifically around cell research. Highly recommended.

Maddie (Science Fiction: Dystopian)

Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Earth, ruined by pollution, is a now dystopian society run almost entirely by robots.  Most people are unemployed, and are confined to cities to fight for survival.  Hiding from the thought police and overrun by gangs, a group of teens with diverse traits are invited to an exclusive, mysterious game.  A test of strength and teamwork, they must collect clues to gain the ultimate prize.

An absolutely excellent tale, with a twist ending of the ultimate prize.  I really enjoyed the character development, and wished there was a sequel.

A Year by the Sea

A Year by the Sea by Joan Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Year by the Sea chronicles Joan Anderson's life after she chooses to take a break from her marriage. Her children grown and on their own, her husband was offered a job in a new location. She chooses to move to their beach house instead of following him, reflecting on her feelings of repression and lack of appreciation on the years of marriage and motherhood. She takes time to find herself, her inner courage, and comes out the other side more confident and content.

Anyone who has been in a long-term marriage will be able to appreciate this book. Although her journey is different from mine (a beach house, really, Joan?), I could relate to her feelings and the experiences she gave herself during this year alone. It made me celebrate my relationship with my husband a little more and reminded me that regardless of our strong partnership, that I should always take time for myself.



View all my reviews

Summer Book Club: Reading University

Logo designed by Maddie

We are starting our annual summer book club this week.  The kids and I have had a summer book club every summer since 2010.  We choose a new genre each week and everyone selects a book within that genre to read and discuss. This year we have added a twist: Reading University.  Each week we will share out our books and our reviews in the selected subject, and by the time school starts again we will have earned our degrees.  I'll be updating the blog as we go.  Hope you find some good new reading suggestions from our choices!

Miss Buncle Married

Miss Buncle Married by D.E. Stevenson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Miss Buncle Married, the follow up to Miss Buncle's Book, continues on with her life as a newly married woman. Smart and clever, we follow Barbara and her husband to a new home in a new village, where Barbara inserts herself with the locals and changes lives in her trademark way.

View all my reviews

The Cuckoo's Calling

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wish I hadn't known this was written by JK Rowling prior to reading it. It's impossible for me to know if it colored my opinion of the book. But it's out there, and was part of the reason it was moved to the top of my long "to read" list, so I guess it's of no consequence now.

The good: I liked Cormoran Strike. He met my expectation of a struggling, down-on-his-luck PI. I also enjoyed Robin, his accidental assistant. I am looking forward to seeing their partnership develop in future books and found I cared about both characters by the end. The plot, while a traditional mystery format, was tightly woven and took intricate turns. Well done.

The bad: I hated Cormoran's ex-girlfriend. I'm not sure the Rowling wanted or expected that response, but I would be happy if she never came up in another novel. This may be caused by the lack of true backstory around their relationship and perspective on why they both seemed so done at the time of the mystery, but she adds nothing to Cormoran's character for me. He can be a wounded soldier with a past without wasting time on her.

Overall, a good start to the series. I will read the next one when it comes out.

View all my reviews

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book. Actually, I wanted to love this book. But I didn't. I am all for more women in leadership. I love my job and feel businesses need to continue to cultivate diversity in all areas, including diversity of thought. I am a wife, and mother, and have been in leadership my entire career, so I thought this book would be amazing and inspirational. I hoped it would be one I could recommend to my peers. Unfortunately...

This book showed me that I think, and often act, like the men Sheryl Sandberg has worked with throughout her career. Rarely did any of her stories or perspectives resonate with me. I would read her anecdote, pause, and think, "Huh. Do most women in business feel that way? I have never had that thought." Or, "I can't believe that was her reaction. I would have lost respect for her in that moment." If most women have similar thoughts, feelings, and reactions, it's no surprise that they struggle to achieve high levels of leadership success.

On the flip side, it did help me gain perspective on how some of my female peers might feel in the workplace. I can possibly use this to encourage differently, or help other women leaders work through some of their career stallers and provide an alternate point of view.

Overall, too much hype and a let-down for me. Men, if you read this book, do not assume every woman feels, thinks, or acts this way. Please and thank you.

TL:DR--I might be a man. Or Sheryl Sandberg is a big baby.

View all my reviews

Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Fast read, but no new info on leadership here.

1) Beyond a list of leadership qualities that you can adapt for any industry and argue they will lead to success, we are given bon mots like "you've got to want to lead" and "pick your enemies wisely".
2) Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Be sure you conduct yourself accordingly, because you are always being watched.
3) Take responsibility, be decisive, delegate, negotiate, be resilient, and reward and recognize great performance. Learn from your failures, and move on.

I have just saved you an hour of reading time. Go forth and lead.

View all my reviews