I'll be the first to admit that I only received decent grades in my high school science courses because I had the good sense to choose lab partners who were much more gifted than I in biology, physics, etc. So when I picked The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for my book club to read, I knew I'd have to work to get myself into a science frame of mind while reading. While I found myself reading in smaller chunks than I might normally with a faster-paced fictional story (a couple pages a night rather than a couple of chapters, which I'll blame partially on pregnancy sleepiness), I remained glued to the story of Henrietta. She was being treated for cancer in the early 1950s at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and without her knowledge or consent, doctors took some of her cells to use for various tests. Her cells, nicknamed HeLa cells, turned out to provide doctors and scientists with more information and opportunity than they could have ever imagined, and have made millions of dollars. This book gives detailed accounts of the science behind Henrietta's cells, and what has made HeLa so valuable over the years. It also tells the story of a family whose members have lived in poverty for generations while scientists made medical gains and a lot of money with the help of their relative's cells. I highly recommend this book; it's fascinating.
Recently the 8th grade honors English classes started reading Fahrenheit 451. In a conversation with some of them about the book, I decided it was time for me to reread it. This is going to sound crazy (or maybe not), but I now know that I will never read this book again. Just like a movie we watched early in my pregnancy with Sara, I know that my brain will forever associate this book with feeling like crap and having the rusty nail taste in my mouth. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Anyway, if you've never read this classic about a future in which firemen don't put out fires, but instead start them wherever books are found, you should pick it up. It's short and easy to read. I think Ray Bradbury is a genius; I love his short stories, and I am a huge fan this novel in which fireman Guy Montag finds himself being made aware of a past when people weren't afraid to learn and a future where people are allowed to think. Such knowledge sets Montag's actions into motion, and he finds himself defying everything he's ever been told to believe. It's like an extended Twilight Zone episode.
"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours."
I enjoy Kelly Kapoor more than almost any other character on The Office, and I've been wanting to pick up her memoir, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) since it came out a few months back. After loving Tina Fey's book when I read it last year, I prepared myself for a similar read. While not as funny or laugh-out-loud as Tina's book (a fact that Mindy acknowledges in her opening pages), I remained highly entertained throughout. The book follows Mindy through years of being the nerdy daughter of immigrant parents (a doctor and an architect) to Dartmouth to NYC - where she hopes to "make it" - to L.A. and The Office, which she writes, directs, sometimes produces, and acts in during most episodes. A quick and enjoyable read, whether or not you're a fan of her show, I know you'll enjoy this book (particularly if you are of the female persuasion).
John Locke
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