The Anatomist By Bill Hayes
I was so excited to write about this great book that I tried sneaking it in on my May Read's Post. I finished it in June though so saved it for this month's post. It is the true story or back story of the two men who produced the book Gray's Anatomy: Henry Gray (author) and Henry Carter (illustrator). The author who wrote this book knows how to write. He had a brilliant way of weaving current day story with the back story and flashback story of these two men who brought the production of one of the most utilized anatomy books known to health care providers and the general public.
Bill Hayes set out to get the real story behind the production of this book. This book, Gray's Anatomy, was not written when digital photography, computer processing, scrivener, or other current day publishing tools are possible. I found it interesting that most of this book really focused on the illustrator Henry Carter. His illustrations, attention to detail and knowledge of the body was AMAZE BALLS!
I also really appreciated the way in which Bill Hayes wrote about his own life and different ways in which this book connected to his own personal life (have to read it to understand what I mean). Again, well written, easy to read and totally made me want to go back and re-read my own anatomy books and try to remember my own gross anatomy class.
So glad I found this book on the New Nonfiction shelf at my public library.
Marriage Illustrated with Crappy Pictures by Amber Dusick
This was another book I found on the New Nonfiction shelf. It was a book that my husband and I both enjoyed. It was spot on in some aspects of our own marriage. The first illustration in chapter one couldn't have been anymore true: Husband lying in bed with no sheets on and asking when, oh when can we turn the air conditioning on. Wife on the other side of bed huddled up under her pile of covers, trying to find the heat radiating off her husband to keep her warm.
It was a pretty funny book, but not the funniest, not funny like "Sh*t My Dad Says" by Justin Halpren. The pictures add to the comic relief felt when reading it. It is an easy read and I suggest a good book for any husband/wife duo to read together.
10% Happier ... by Dan Harris
This was our June book club read. It was a book I likely wouldn't have picked up, but as always with book club I'm so thankful for this group of women who challenge my reading brain.
It is a memoir/creative nonfiction genre about Dan Harris, ABC newsman, who finds meditation, Buddhism, mindfulness, and becomes 10 % happier. I think he did what most newsman do researched, studied it, but then he actually put it in practice. Again don't want to spoil his story, so want you to read it if you are looking for something that could possibly help you: become more even keeled, less angry, more in the moment, really more present.
The topic of being "present" is something I continually struggle with. Just the other day I was telling someone that this book has made me realize that I need something to change my thinking, and meditation/mindfulness sounds pretty good. I don't want to wish away time just to hurry up and get to another time. I don't want to miss some really important moment in my life or my family's life because I'm too busy moving forward, looking forward.
I liked this book because it spoke to me, but I'm not sure that it was the best written book or that I connected with Dan Harris. However, it has helped me connect with my hubby. He is finishing the book now and we have had some great conversations already about ways in which the book has spoken to us in different ways.
If anything I can say "thanks" to Dan Harris for bringing to light that "being present" is really besides being "happy" one of my ultimate life goals. Thanks Dan Harris!
Liberty By Ellen Miles
Yep, another Puppy Place. saga. Appropriate one for this time of year a story of a lost puppy found on the night of the 4th of July fireworks. Some of you may wonder why I put these type of books in my "monthly read" posts, but these books are just as important as the other ones, because I have read them with one or both of my kids. My daughter really loves these books, because she loves dogs, and dogs will never be a part of our immediate family.
So as horses, real horses, weren't a real part of my immediate family growing up, I lived vicariously through reading books with my father, and checking out any horse book I can from the library. Even during my late elementary school days when I thought I'd become a "big animal vet" I'd go to the adult section of the library and check out horse anatomy books. I know I was a library nerd even back then.
This is a great series that teaches kids about what it takes to take care of animals and how animals aren't for everyone. This book even had some teenage angst in it. Thanks Ellen Miles for letting my daughter live vicariously through the puppy place books to fulfill her love for dogs for the time being.
She and my niece have already figured out that when they are older, after college, they will both have dogs and live together. Can't wait to see that come to fruition.
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