The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism & Asperger’s

The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism & Asperger’s
Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
4 out of 5

Part biography, part self aggrandizing, part text book, Dr. Grandin takes you into her world of Autism through magazine articles previously published and reorganized into an easier to follow format that incorporates her opinions on the inner workings of Autism and Asperger’s.

Temple Grandin lost me in a couple of places where she seems to be a bit redundant, but overall it’s a fascinating look at Autism from a different perspective. The how and why of an Autistic’s inner world from a perspective that is not always apparent.

I loved her comment about -- if it wasn’t for Autism we would be a world full of highly social people who would accomplish very little. The Social people are not going to want to spend the time necessary to create great art, beautiful music, or masterworks of engineering that require a great attention to detail.

Instead of thinking about Asperger’s as a detriment, it’s now easier to see that it can be a gift, the ability to use different parts of the brain that the rest of the population is clueless about. So, some people are wired differently, may not have the same social skills, but in the long run, if it wasn’t for people thinking differently, would I be able use this computer. Would there even be computers?

I highly recommend this fascinating book; I just suggest that you take it in small bits so you can digest the full meaning that Dr. Grandin is trying to get across.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TGEZGMQJEH9S/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Oxygen

Oxygen

Carol Cassella

5 out of 5

Mesmerizing

That is the only word to describe this book.

Dr Marie Heaton never thought that Anesthesiology would be where her medical training would take her; but it is where her passion lies. The closeness she feels with her patients and their families, the ebb and flow of life in her hands makes her want to get up in the morning and do the very best she can for those that are in desperate need of her and her abilities.

Funny how life can change in a split second, and that’s exactly what it did when Marie’s life collided with that of 8 year old Jolene Jansen. What started out as a routine surgery ends up making Marie question every aspect of her life. And when her safety net, the hospital and staff that she has given her life to turn on her, where is she to go. Joe Hillary, her friend and ex-lover is there for her, but at what cost. If she could just stop the demons in her head and think through what went wrong, maybe, she alone could find the answer.

At least she has her sister, her rock of support, but to go home, she must also confront her father and their fractured relationship. Maybe it’s never too late to go home; they both just need for it to be home.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2GC0EMVHXRUI1/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

44 Cranberry Point

44 Cranberry Point

Debbie Macomber

3 out of 5

There just seemed to be too much rehashing of the previous books. If you have been reading this series from the beginning you already knew what Macomber was telling you in the first third of this book.

Cranberry Point finally ties up the story behind Max Russell and why he died at the B&B. Marriages and babies abound and a couple new love interests are sparked. And who would have thought that a dog and bachelor auction would ignite so much.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3JJOQ0GQ1APNN/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Besides the repeating of old stories lines, this book hit me a little wrong with the tone of voice of many of the women. I just wish that they didn't sound so whiney and unsure of themselves. Even Olivia, the judge, sounds whiney and at times pathetic. Macomber needs to get back on track and give these women some more strength and backbone.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3JJOQ0GQ1APNN/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

American Lightning

American Lightning

Howard Blum

3 out of 5



There are so many names swirling around in this book that you have to keep a pen and paper close by. Who is who and what do they do does get a bit confusing.

This book covers the before, during, and after of the explosion that destroyed the Los Angeles Times building on October 1, 1910. One of many planned attacks to bring this country to its knees. Labor Activists, Hollywood, Big Names Business Leader, Leading Attorney's, wanna be Land Baron and Common Criminals all had a part in this story that was toted as the Crime of the Century.

Unfortunately, it is billed as a Can't-Put-It-Down Thriller, unfortunately for me it was a Really-Do-I-Have-To-Finish-It.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/RB8MX0X7JHQTC/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Death Perception

Death Perception
Victoria Laurie
4 out of 5

Best One So Far

Sometimes being a professional psychic is hard work so the idea of going to Las Vegas with Dutch sounds like a good idea, that is until she realizes that it’s because Chase, Dutch’s cousin, has been kidnapped and he really needs Abby’s help in finding him.

As they rush to find Chase, Abby is confronted with things that she didn’t know about Dutch, things that might change their relationship forever, that is if she can find Dutch, who has now also missing, and get to the bottom of all the half truths that the FBI is saying.

This book has you back and forth wondering what the truth is and why Abby wasn’t aware of what was going on. Is everyone who they seem to be or are there lies upon lies.

Finally the characters of Cat and Candice play dominate roles in this book and it’s about time. Two great women, who have you laughing and wondering when they will get a series of their own.

I highly recommend this series of mad cap adventure.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3209BCC0HUKXJ/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Up For Renewal: What Magazines Taught Me ABout Love, Sex and Starting Over

Up For Renewal: What Magazines Taught Me About Love, Sex, and Starting Over

Cathy Alter

3 out of 5

What is more annoying than a twenty-five year old who is trying to find her self? That would a forty year old who thinks and acts like she’s twenty-five and wonders why her life is spinning out of control.

What seems like a semi-autobiographical peek into the insecurities of a big city girl, Alter shares her life. A divorce, bad relationships and overall bad choices lead her to wonder if the large display of shinny flashy women’s magazines know something that she doesn’t. So she plans to live the life that the magazines tell her to for one year and see what happens. Each month she picks a new topic and decides to work on it. And coincidentally, that month the magazines address her specific issues. Funny how that worked out.

I don’t know if I got used to her antics and anxieties, but by the end of the book I was actually laughing along with her. I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone, or even most, but if you have any tolerance for women that are slow to grow up and overly anxious about the world in general give it a try. Other wise, just know that magazines are designed to entertain and make you insecure and if you’re wise enough you don’t live your life according to what other anxiety ridden writers tell you is important .

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1Q3AOJI1L9IR8/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm