Mine is too big (pages and content, not number of books), and a good chunk of Christmas break has already past. That said, I set a goal for myself to read more books. And to read better books. Reading “The Age of Autism” and “Callous Disregard” had some small value. It is good to challenge one’s ideas. But these books are just poorly done and poorly written. I figured it’s time to devote some time to something that could be a bit of a benefit in education, entertainment or both.
The two main books on my shelf right now are
“The Developing Human. Clinically Oriented Embryology“.
The first was suggested to me when I expressed an interest in learning more about human development, especially very early development and the brain. I got a copy very cheap, somewhat used. As long as I was perusing used books, I picked up a copy of “Send in the Idiots” as well. That one is new, with the exception of the tag put on it by the used bookstore. Send in the Idiots has been in the back of my mind since I heard the author interviewed on the NPR program “Fresh Air”.
Another book on my shelf, which will come as no surprise, is “Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All”. This is Paul Offit’s new book. I’ve read that already and will be discussing it here on LeftBrainRightBrain soon.
While I feel like I should be virtuous and read “The Developing Human”, I started on “Send in the Idiots” first. I don’t know if I will finish anything before I head back to work, but if I finish that I will write about it here.
Left Brain Right Brain 
I am currently reading The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. Always been one of the topics I have been fascinated with and I was glad to find some material from the Muslim side of that time period and see how they saw things, their reactions, and response. I find it rather well written. I am also contimplating finding the writings of the Muslim historians mentioned in the book to see the direct material. Just letting that nerd flag fly proud!! 🙂
I am going to see if my library has Deadly Choices, and just by the title, I am now interested in Send in the Idiots! Sounds like my kind of author! I am currently waiting on my copy of Faust to come in through the mail. I’ve been on a bit of a classics benge lately. I am hoping to aquire a copy of the Song of Roland next! 🙂 And some writings of the church fathers such as St. Augustine’s City of God to further my study into theology and history.
I have been reading and struggling to review “Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention”. It is good, with some serious flaws (mostly having to do with insufficient coverage) — but I recommend to families affected by ADHD and attentional issues in general.
I forgot to list “the autism matrix” which a friend sent me.
Life’s got a bit busy so I wonder if I’ll be able to finish anything this break.
I have just started to read Tabloid Medicine, which is how the internet discredits actual medicine. I have only read the introduction, and the author has a personal stake in this because his daughter bought into not taking medication for her medical condition and that almost killed her, twice.
I picked it up from the library when I returned The Deadly Dinner Party, which consists of a series of medical detective essays involving food and other infectious agents (I think Mark Crislip could relate to it!). Botulism is not your friend, and neither are several other pathogens!
I am first in line for my library’s copy of Deadly Choices, which I saw several copies of at a bookstore today.