Typhoid Mary by Anthony Bourdain

Very good "urban historical". Mary Mallon was an Irish woman who came to America for a better life and became a cook in the early 1900's. Unfortunately, she had typhoid and thus infected others through the food she cooked. Actually, cooked food killed the bacteria, but other items, such as her specialty peach ice cream which does not get heated, is what is thought to have made others sick, and some even die. She cooked for rick New York families, so it is thought she must have been an exceptional cook. Throughout the book I found myself rooting for Mary, feeling sorry for her, but ultimately she was responsible for making many people sick and not cooperating. The worst part is that she kept cooking for others even after she knew she had typhoid, even going so far as to cooking at a maternity ward where she could have infected pregnant mothers and newborn babies. She was eventually sequestered to Riverside Hospital in North Brother Island in New York, where people sick with tuberculosis and other illnesses were sent. The story takes place at a time before there were vaccines or germ fighting drugs; it was a place where most never came back to live within society. Sad story, but lots of interesting facts...an enjoyable read that caused me to wash my hands with hot soapy water every time I put it down.

Sickened by Julie Gregory

I could not put this book down. Julie speaks about her mother that had Munchausen by Proxy. She always thought that Julie and her brother were sick. She would starve them because she said they had allergies or that many foods would make them sick, which made them become malnutritioned. Her mother spent most of Julie's childhood trying to get a doctor to give her open heart surgery. She bounced around from doctor to doctor, thank God no one ever obliged. And of course, surprise surprise, she did most of this in the name of God.

Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

I loved this one. Deborah goes to Kabul to open a beauty school after the war. Many ladies try to get into her school, but she can only let a few in as there are not enough funds for everyone. She teaches them all about perms, highlights, and make up with donations from American companies such as Paul Mitchell. Deborah ends up getting married to an Iranian, motsly for protection. If you are not a married woman you could be in trouble. People will percieve you as a prostitute. So, she gets married, even though she barely knows him. While her heart is in the right place, I think she is a little crazy as all her antics are quite dangerous. Does make for good reading, though. I also enjoyed learning about the Iranian culture and what life is like over there.

Here are some pictures of traditional Middle-Eastern make up. It's a little heavy for us Westerners, but absolutely gorgeous.

Manic by Terri Cheney

This book made me feel uncomfortable. And like Forrest, "That's all I have to say about that".

Life with my Sister Madonna by Christopher Ciccone

This book was sinfully fun to read. It was like reading a 200 page US magazine. Lots of dish about Madonna and her marriages as well as her celebrity friends. Can't feel too bad for Chris though. I know he wants sympathy for living in his sister's shadow, but he is a mini-celeb because of her. I can see how Madonna has likely lost all sense of reality. She has yes-people all around her, and if they don't say yes to her, they are fired. Still admire the way she is able to "keep it fresh" and she is still a mega-celeb who, thanks to her constant changes, is able to stay at the top of the charts again, and again, and again.

Here is a clip of Christopher Ciccone on the Chelsea Lately Show while he is promoting his book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHN7JoRyv-o

Jesus Land

Lots of similarities between Julia and me. Couldn't put down the book...read it in 2 days. Reminded me of the fanatical religious folk who I knew and how common sense goes out the window when religion is involved. People do all kind of unconscionable things in the name of God. The ending was very sad. Throughout the book I thought to myself, "Well, at least she has her brother to experience this with", as I am an only child I kind of went through this alone. And then at the end he dies. Heartbreaking. I found her on Facebook and now Julia is my "friend".

This was my "Jesus Land"

http://hwarmstrong.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwide_Church_of_God

The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl by Shauna Reid

I found this book so endearing! Shauna began her book as a blog (imagine that!) and before she knew it she had followers from all over the world watching her lose weight. We watch Shauna transform from a reclusive overweight individual to someone who changes on the outside and more importantly, on the inside. She becomes more social and meets the man she eventually marries. I also loved the fact that it takes place in Australia and Scotland. It motivated me and helped me get my ass in gear : ). I started working out shortly after I finished reading the book.