Anthropology of an American Girl: A Novel by Hilary Thayer Hamann

Born and grew up in a very conservative country until after college when I came over for graduate school, I was curious to learn about how American girls grew up in the relatively conservative decades. Will this novel represent the rite of passages of American girls from girlhood to womanhood in the 70's? I am not sure that it does since I didn't grew up here. It would be a hard way for girls to grow up if this novel does represent the culture. I felt sorry for the heroine, Evie.

This novel is long, from Evie's first love in high school, the turns and twists of her relationships, her financial struggles while in college, and her realization of her place at the end. I wouldn't say this is a classic, only time will tell. However, it's a novel worth reading if one has the patience.

In the Grip of Bereavement, by Dr. Chaim Licht

When it comes to deal with the loss of loved one, everyone grieves differently and every culture has its own unique custom as to the proper way of mourning.

Dr. Licht's daughter didn't live to see her thirtieth birthday. In his grief, he turned to Jewish literature of the Aggada to explore the responses of the sages to similar situation. In this three-part book, he meticulously analyzed the ten aggadic stories on death and bereavement from Jewish perspective.

Initially, this book didn't hold my interest as I have had very little exposure of ancient Jewish history and literature. It took me awhile to finish reading it and I am glad that I did. I feel that I just took an ancient Jewish literature course.

While this book may not be for me and I am neutral about it, however, I believe that for Jews or those with deep knowledge of ancient Jewish history and literature, this book would be a nice addition to their book collection.

Restful Insomnia, by Sondra Kornblatt

I sleep like baby, so I was not very thrilled when LibraryThing notified me that I had won the right to review this book. However, as I was reading this book I felt very sorry for those who suffer from insomnia. Not only sleep doesn't easily come by for them, but also the complicated techniques and tips to deal with sleepless weaving throughout this book that I had hard time get it.

I am neutral about this book. Maybe someone else with chronicle sleep disorder will find it useful.

Prime-Time Health, by William Sears, MD

This is a great book that covers head-to-toe, inside-and-outside of how human body changes as we age. Based on scientific evidence, his own medical practice, and his own experience as cancer survivor, Dr. Sears, in a easy to understand and sometimes humorous way, presents a wealth of information as to what to do, what to eat, and how to do it so to live a healthy, happy life in prime-time as we age.

I couldn't put this book down when I was reading it. Though I have already maintain quite a healthy diet and exercise program for may years, I find that I can fine tune my ways based on the information that Dr. Sears shares in this book.

I highly recommend this book without any reservation.