Gluten Freedom by Alessio Fasano, M.D.and Susie Flaherty

This book was suggested by a library patron who has read extensively on this subject.

Although it reads like a textbook, it is extremely well organized and very informative.  Many different contributors added thoughts and ideas to the subject. It has a complete appendix, glossary of terms, reading list and resources.  One cannot come away from reading this title and not be well-informed of the scope of this condition.

The book is sectioned into four parts.  Part One deals with the onset of gluten as a concern in our diets and addresses differrent conditions that are manifested as a result of gluten in the diet.  The authors speak about how important it is to get the correct diagnoses.

Part Two is all about learning to live without gluten. It gives recipe suggestions as well as how to dine out and address any concerns you might have.

Part Three shows how to live gluten free for life.  If offers a myriad of ideas that cover the span of a lifetime, beginning with pregnancy and continuing through the later years.

Part Four defines preventative measures that can be taken which provide alternatives to the gluten-free diet. Several studies that were conducted are also discussed in part four.

All in all, this is a well-written book that addresses much of the mystery surrounding gluten and its' adverse effects.  If you have any difficulty with gluten, this would be a good book to include on your bookshelf.

Ladybookbug!

Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline

The title of this novel refers to a condition known as Obsessive Compulsion Disorder.  A teenaged boy with this condition has just begun treatment with Dr. Eric Parrish.  In his initial interview with the doctor, Max admits that he strings a sentence in his head every fifteen minutes of the day.

Dr. Parrish is chief of the psychiatric unit of a prestigous hospital and is both envied and respected by his colleagues.  He does not realize that there are people who want to dethrone him from his position and will go to any length to do so.

The author brings up several interesting topics in this story including the preponderence of sociopaths in society, usage of "virtual" medical records and doctors receiving kickbacks from drug companies, any of which might be a book in itself.

Ms. Scottoline has had much success in writing thrillers.  I have read many of them and can tell you they are exciting and hard to put down.  This one was no exception. Her ability to motivate the reader by introducing a variety of suspects who may be behind the entire deception is amazing.  I was totally surprised when the culprits were ultimately revealed.

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The Reluctant Midwife by Patricia Harman

Becky Myers is a registered nurse.  She has become esconced in the hills of West Virginia during the depression.  A difficult time for most Americans, West Virginia is a place that has widespread unemployment, food shortages and sickness.  However, women still become pregnant and Becky is pulled in to help with childbirth.

Becky is accompanied by her former employer, Dr Blum who suffers with an unexplained sickness. They are both destitute and have no place to live.  They discover an abandoned cottage and take up housekeeping.

Becky finds employment delivering groceries and eventually as a part-time nurse working for the Civilian Conservation Corps.

This is a good book to add to a bibliography for older students studying the Great Depression.  It explores some of the issues of that time and gives the reader a human interest story as a backdrop.

Ms. Harman has written a previous novel about the same character entitled The Midife of Hope River, as well as two memoirs.

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Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova

Many, many prolific authors and some one- hit wonders have been given the distinction of being called "New York Times Bestselling".  Unfortunately good writing and this New York Times handle do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.  This author is the exception.

Ms. Genova has a Doctorate in neuroscience and all of her books combine scientific infomation with the human story.  I have had the pleasure of reading all of her novels which include Love Anthony, Left Neglected and Still Alice. Each addresses a specific human malady and explores the condition from the viewpoint of the afflicted.

Inside the O'Briens focuses on Huntington' Chorea, a devastating progressive disease for which there is no cure.  Joe, the patriarch of the family, is a member of Boston's police force.  He is married to Rosie and they have four children.

Ms. Genova takes great pains to explore the family dynamics, as well as portraying Joe as a likeable everyday guy who is at first confused by what he is experiencing and then is facing the unthinkable.

I'd be hard-pressed to say that this is a happy story although it has moments where the depth of love is beautifully presented.  At its best this novel tells the story of the tenacity of family love and the resilience of human beings faced with insurmountable circumstances.  The novel also includes pertinent information about this disease.

Well done!

Lady Bookbug!

Someone is Watching by Joy Fielding

Bailey Carpenter is a special investigator for a law firm.  One night she is scoping out a deadbeat dad and is oblivious to the danger she has put herself in.  Suddenly she is brutally attacked and nearly killed.

As a result of the attack her firm hold on life is visibly shaken.  She decides to hole up in her apartment. She takes on a harmless diversion of looking at a neighbor in a nearby apartment complex. After a while the diversion begins to consume her and she becomes convinced that the neighbor may be the very person who committed the crime against her.

As you read this novel, you will easily connect it with Hitchcock's Rear Window.   Nevertheless, it is equally exciting in its' own right.

Ms. Fielding is the author of several previous novels including Charley's Web and Mad River Road both of which are highly recommended.

Ladybookbug!

The Dog Who Saved Me by Susan Wilson

Ms  Wilson has written several books about dogs. Having read one of her previous books entitled, One Good Dog, I was looking forward to this one.

Cooper Harrison, a former member of the K-9 Unit at the Boston Police Department has returned to his hometown of Harmony to take on the position of animal control person.  His marriage is on the skids and his demeanor is as well and he hopes the new position will change his life for the better.

Unfortunately, returning to his hometown was not the best choice.  Old memories haunt him and he finds himself slipping back to old fears and concerns.  The good news is that Cooper has an innate ability to relate to dogs and other animals.  This ability bodes well with both the human and animal counterparts.

A comparatively gentle read that is interspersed with drama, Ms Wilson has lured us into another heartwarming story about a damaged dog and man who manage to get healed and move forward.

Ladybookbug!

Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

This is a very prolific author.  While I have not read all of her books, the ones that I have are stories that seem connected to the headlines.  They are stories that speak of ordinary lives transformed by unexpected events.  In many instances, the plots are constructed with every attention to detail and they keep the reader immersed in the storyline as if listening to every conversation.

Keep Quiet has a beginning scene that has been presented in several other stories recently.  However, the body of the book offers a different slant.  This is a technique that is often used in the teaching of writing.  Would-be authors are given a simple sentence and asked to continue the story,  The results are varied and interesting.

Jake is the owner of a small investment firm.  His wife, Pam is a lawyer.  They have one son who is a star basketball player at a local school.  Jake picks his son up one night to take him home.  They take a shortcut on a dark road.  Jake agrees to let Ryan drive even though he only has a learner's permit.While driving, Ryan hears a thump.  They get out of the car and discover a body laying on th ground.  The story takes off from there.

This was a well written story about the unraveling of a family unit.  It speaks volumes about how a family that appears to be perfect on the surface can suddenly be thrown into a turbulent situation that shakes their very foundations.

It is also a story about the strength of family and how an invisible bond helps it to stand strong in the face of adversity.   It is a story about love and that despite unfavorable circumstances in life can move forward.

Well done.

Ladybookbug!