The Language of Goldfish by Zibby Oneal

The Language of Goldfish by Zibby Oneal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of the few books I remember from reading when I was 11. Even though I can't clearly recall details of the book, I remember the mental illness theme, and I remember being very engaged by the main character in the book and how she experiences the world. Possibly I have a clearer memory of it because I reread it as I got older as well.

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The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My impression as an adult is that it’s outlandish. Drew puts herself in mortal danger and her father doesn’t even mind. However, I appreciate what the book suggests about values with regard to money and inheritance.

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The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A classic jam. My favorite part is that the young man sets up his own bad answers.

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5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great by Terri L. Orbuch

5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great by Terri L. Orbuch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The part I thought was most valuable was Chapter 2 on Incentives and Rewards (p.56-86). Although the first chapter had good information as well, I don't think it was organized in the best way possible. The rest of the book didn't feel that helpful but as other reviewers have stated maybe this is just because our marriage is already on really solid footing.

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The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Decent book with a straight-forward concept. Worth reading and discussing with spouse, but I don't think it's life-changing or marriage-changing on its own as it claims.

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The Alternate-Day Diet by James B. Johnson

The Alternate-Day Diet Revised: The Original Up-Day, Down-Day Eating Plan to Turn on Your "Skinny Gene," Shed the Pounds, and Live a Longer and Healthier Life by James B. Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read the 5:2 diet book first, and I thought the nutrition and food politics was presented better in that book. Although I do think it's necessary to follow to the more rigorous ADF diet instead of 5:2 to lose weight. (Or at least 4:3.)

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How Fiction Works by James Wood

How Fiction Works by James Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is great. I've been reading all wrong. Haha. Really great discussion of various elements to good literary writing. And now I want to read every book listed in the bibliography.

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The What When Wine Diet by Melanie Avalon

The What When Wine Diet: Paleo and Intermittent Fasting for Health and Weight Loss by Melanie Avalon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

She's probably right about everything, as most of the things she says in this book are consistent with what I've read about nutrition and exercise studies. (Current real studies- Not the old vaguely mythological things people repeat about food and exercise.) I withheld one star only because the statements are not footnoted/endnoted directly. Instead she has a bibliography at the end but that makes it difficult to verify individual claims. Also I really don't want to eat Paleo ... of course, that is not her fault.

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Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this is tricky. I want to be convinced, but this failed to convince me that God or Christianity are real. Part of the problem is that his main argument for why it is real is our internal sense of justice. In fact, many animals have a sense justice that has been studied at length. This does not disprove or prove Christianity, but it leaves that one point less persuasive than I would hope.

Second, I think it's a good explanation of Christianity and how it works, and it's a great exploration of how Christians should endeavor to live. It's especially refreshing to see that a devout man sees no inconsistency between God and evolution. They are of course, not mutually exclusive. But all the wonderful language and philosophy in this section is marred by his thoughts on homosexuality which are outdated. It's hard to get past that.

Is it worth reading? Yes. Is it a great masterpiece of religion and philosophy? I am less persuaded on that point.

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The FastDiet by Michael Mosley 2015

The FastDiet: Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Live Longer with the Simple Secret of Intermittent Fasting by Michael Mosley
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This book has totally changed the way I eat and feel. For the last year or two I've felt so tired that I asked my doctor to check my thyroid. I was disappointed when I found out it was fine because I'd have to keep feeling awful. After my first fast, I immediately felt better. (I know that seems crazy but I did.) I've done 3.5 weeks on the diet and I've lost 3 very stubborn pounds but I've only "dieted" for 7 days total in those 3.5 weeks. It actually feels like for the first time since I was 13 (or younger?) that I'm not dieting.

But most importantly, this diet is supposed to cut your risk of cancer. Clinical trials are underway now to see the long-term results of intermittent fasting on cancer and heart-health.

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