Year Two Book Two: 
The Good Nurse, Charles Graeber
Thursday November 6, 2014

Amy: I give this book 4 out of 5. Though Charles Cullen’s crimes are alarming and the administrative failure of all the hospitals involved is blood-boiling, I thought this book was perfect storytelling. Because Cullen is so tight lipped about his actions, writing a book that could capture a reader’s imagination would be very challenging, but Charles Graeber did a wonderful job! I wish I would have had this book for a beach vacation because it would have been a perfect read! 

Laura: My first book in this wonderful book club!

The first half of the book read like a series of magazine articles; a recap of facts where the writer didn't have enough certainty to fill in completely. While reading the first half, I found this style difficult. Only once I finished the book, could I appreciate that the author did not have the full story from Charles Cullen, and didn't want to take any liberties with the "true crime".

The second half was much easier to read. Perhaps Charles Graeber got as much detail as he wanted from the detectives and from Amy.

This is the first true crime book I've read, possibly ever. So I wonder if this is a common problem with the genre.

Despite the lack of detail in the first half, the author does a good job of setting up a few potential contributing factors to Charles Cullen's behavior; rough childhood, tough time fitting in in the military, starting his nursing career on the burn unit.  

Would Charles Cullen have had the same "success" if he worked in Canada? Does the private health care system "profit first" model end up enabling this type of crime?

Rating: 3 out of 5

Lindsay: I felt this was better late than never! Anyway, here goes ...

I have to admit, I didn’t expect to be super-into anything “true-crime”, but I was! Obviously I knew Charlie was going to get caught, but I was eager to find out how … I give this book a 4 out of 5.

I liked reading about the “personal” parts of the story (like his childhood and relationships) as much as the “crime” part. I generally enjoy learning about peoples’ histories and life circumstances as they help me to understand why they are the way they are today (both in books and real life!). In the case of Charles Cullen, his horrendous childhood in no way excuses his actions, but knowing pieces of his background did help me to wrap my head around his person, and his story. That background info allowed me to see him not only as the “Angel of Death” but also as a human. 

Year Two Book One: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Thursday September 25, 2014

Year Two Book One: The Giver, Lois Lowry

Amy: I rate this book 5 out of 5. I have become obsessed with the concepts in this books and could probably dedicate as least half of the year's discussions with my thoughts, but I will just focus on a few. 

First of all, why was this book assigned in grade school!?!? After digging through trenches of my memory, I think I was in grade 5 when I read this book for English class. The only thing I remember from that first reading was the idea of precision of language especially with the concept of feeling "starving" vs "hungry". I also remember thinking the book was about controlling a community as to avoid pain or danger and thinking it was a metaphor to listen to my parents. 

My problem with the age group that this book is often associated with as appropriate age range is too young! A major theme that struck me in reading the Giver as an adult, is the portrayal of the pain and pleasure of choice. The community Jonas grows up in has decided that leaving the individual to make their own choices, will lead to their own pain and suffering and potential harm the community itself. To truly understand the concept, I think a person has to have the ability to choose and as a 10 or 11 year old grade 5 student, my range of decision making was very limited. I think this would be a better fit for the end of junior high or high school, where we are starting to branch out from the oversight of our parents and begin to live the potential pain and pleasure of our choices. 

My second thought was I loved reading a book knowing I was about to watch the movie. It forced me to really focus and use my own imagination. Though the movie was very different from the book, I think the adjustments were warranted and I actually felt a bit teary eyed at the end with the transfer of courageous and brave memories from human history. Oh! Even now, I feel emotional thinking about how bad-ass humans can be when they stand up for justice! It reminded me of the Kid President videos! I will attach my favorites below....

In short, best book ever! 

A Pep Talk from Kid President
A Letter To A Person Their First Day Here(Robyn, you can watch that on January 15th!!!)

Lacey: it was pretty fun to dig out my copy of "The Giver" from grade 6 with my name written all in the cover with various gel pens. Anyway it was pretty cool reading this book as an adult, the same with Amy I really think assigning this is elementary is a shame, so much was missed for me at that age that I was able to pick up on this time around. I really enjoy the way the book was written, its short but its deep and I was inspired to read the three companion books that go with the giver, for sure worth the read, I give its a 4/5 stars.

Brianne: I love this story. I think that it is so layered and suggestive. It intrigued me enough in Elementary but most of it went over my head. I've reread it a couple times (like the first time I met Lacey at camp!) and each time I've gotten something different out of it. I know the first time I read it I definitely glazed over the killing babies part. 

I have been mulling over a part of our book club discussion for a couple of weeks now. In the book, no one experiences pain, disappointment, rejection, failure. Everything is managed. All of us, because we know the merit of those things, can rationalize that it wouldn't be much of a life without that. I can't remember who mentioned it but the gist was that, if you had no framework, no understanding of those negative feelings, you wouldn't know the need for them, in a way. You could blissfully go about a life that, yes, is very small, and one-dimensional, but you would go through a life that is exactly what you want it to be. I haven't been able to stop thinking about that. 

Love this book. I would definitely give it 5/5 because it started me on a dystopian/utopian/post society love affair that has lasted.  

Retreat Weekend Book Two: Stumbling on Happiness

Retreat Weekend Book Two: Stumbling on Happiness, Daniel Gilbert

Amy: I rate this book a 2 out of 5. This topic really freaks me out because it highlights how my brain can trick me. I then spiral into a, sort of, existential crisis thinking "Who is me anyways if my brain really has such influence on me!?!?". 

Once I calmed down and got through the first half of the book, I could see where the author was going and can appreciate his attempts at encouraging the masses that happiness is more likely an evolutionary slight of hand trick to get one to keep on keeping on, the proverbial carrot on a stick. But still, it all, kind of short circuits my belief systems. 

I did like the chapter on the brain's "immune system" though, where the author describes a persons ability to "re-frame" negative situations so that the person can cope with stressful situations. That kind of tricky I like!

Retreat Weekend Book One: Prisoner of Tehran

Retreat Weekend Book One: Prisoner of Tehran, Marina Nemat

Amy: I rate this book 4.5 out of 5. I really liked this book. In comparison to "House In the Sky", this gave me far more insight into how a country can become so hostile to it's own people. I love the descriptions of Marina's favorite book store and summers at her families beach house, riding bikes and kissing boys! It seemed like a childhood most Westerners would totally understand. To go from summers in short shorts, to being hiding her books and having to protest in order to get a proper education is something I know I will never be able to fully comprehend.

Parts of Marina's story play out like a movie. Actually, if this was a movie I would probably roll my eyes, with a "As if!" in my best Cher Horowitz impression. However, this women faced a nearly impossible situation, that threatened her safety and the safety of the people she loved, and required an equally drastic solution. I am glad things turned out the way they did for Marina, despite her losses. I am glad she found the courage to share her story. And I am glad she found herself in a country she can purse her potential in peace.