Comet Chaser beautifully shows and tells the story of Caroline Herschel, the first professional woman astronomer. Originally from Hannover, Germany, Comet Chaser beautifully shows and tells the story of Caroline Herschel, the first professional woman astronomer. Originally from Hannover, Germany, Herschel moved to England to live with her brother William. Together, they mapped the sky using powerful telescopes that they built. Caroline Herschel discovered a comet and so impressed King George III that he placed her on his payroll. This children’s book introduces astronomy and women in astronomy in a lovely and inspiring manner....more
I read Kamala Harris's The Truths We Hold to get to know her a little better. I wanted to learn about her family, her growing up, her educational and I read Kamala Harris's The Truths We Hold to get to know her a little better. I wanted to learn about her family, her growing up, her educational and career journey, etc. I read J.D. Vance's book for the same purpose.
In Hillbilly Elegy, Vance describes his upbringing in Kentucky and Ohio, areas of Appalachia and the Rust Belt. He credits his mamaw and papaw as the pair who raised him, making a profound difference in how he could climb out from his oppressed circumstances and reach for success via the Marine Corps, education, a career, a lovely wife, and to establish boundaries with his mother for a healthy relationship....more
This book is really weird. I wasn’t going to rate and certainly not write a review as I fear it went over my head. However, it was a fun, positive expThis book is really weird. I wasn’t going to rate and certainly not write a review as I fear it went over my head. However, it was a fun, positive experience for me and I should make note of that. I was confounded but never bored!
Irena Rey, a famous Polish author, is holding a summit at her home and eight of her favored translators are staying with her to work on translating her newest novel. The translators at first are called by their native language instead of their given names.
Irena disappears. Is it on purpose or did someone kidnap her?
The story is told from the perspective of the Spanish translator (but translated into English by the English translator). Oh by the way, Spanish does not get along with English. Due to Swedish, a man that Spanish wants all to herself. Peppered in the text are various footnotes that either clear up or muddy the waters about all of this.
The story unfolds as to what the group does to either find Irena or to find out what happened to her. It gets crazy.
I can tell Jennifer Croft is a fine writer and must be a terrific translator, hence the four stars. I did admire her command of language within the text. ...more
This guide is very convincing in its advice to achieve the best health as possible for middle aged and older adults.
There is a lot to like about this This guide is very convincing in its advice to achieve the best health as possible for middle aged and older adults.
There is a lot to like about this book. The authors' goal is not for the reader to reverse or stall the aging process. It is to make a lifestyle change to improve the body, mind, and spirit while going through the aging process.
The main of the book is getting the physical body in shape to live to the best quality of life at age 50, 60, and beyond. The authors contend that the quality of life as an older person is improved if the person can remain ambulatory (like being able to to sustain a fall without breaking a hip) and to be metabolically free of diseases.
They assert that if a woman exercises six days a week (4 aerobic; 2 weight training) for 40-60 minutes a day she can stave off the risks of heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, diabetes, etc. The continued exercise prevents hardening of the arteries and aerobic-intense exercise produce C-10 cells, which repair the body and reduce the production of C-6 cells, which inflame the body. That is a very basic statement--they go into greater detail.
Their diet advice is to "not eat junk." It's not to go on a diet per se but to do the exercises and eat as many whole foods as possible, rich in nutrition and fiber. They claim that the body will even out and manage it's proper weight after a year or so of living this lifestyle.
The last section deals with being sociable and having good relationships with people as a healthy social life ties into a healthy lifestyle. When we are older we may outlive our spouse or family members--would we have enough enriching connections with the persons in our circle?
Exercise. Eat less junk. Move and groove in your social circle. These factors help to make up a healthy lifestyle and lead to a great quality of life.
The book's drawbacks? The authors are both wealthy white men and I feel that they think their audience are just wealthy white WASPs in good health with maybe 20 pounds to lose.
Their financial advice for going into retirement? Downgrade your Lexus to another maker and sell your summer house (to only buy another summer home in a lesser desired location to save money). With the summer home, I thought they were going to suggest if you own multiple properties to sell them save one, not to downgrade them.
They try to use humor to get their points across but for many readers I fear the humor would be interpreted as insults made by two privileged (albeit hard-working and who I think have their hearts in the right place) men. I personally don't mind being called or thought of as a "fatty" or "walrus" as I am very fat. Some women would not care for that, though. The humor cloaks to my mind their personal judgmental behaviors, which I can tolerate. But I can't fully recommend the book to all women.
I've been slowly working toward the exercise/eating routine that they suggest.
There are other versions of Younger Next Year. I'm currently reading the "original" version. It seems to be geared more toward a male readership....more
This book reads very much like the women's version that I finished recently (my review on that book is more detailed). The authors advise that to age This book reads very much like the women's version that I finished recently (my review on that book is more detailed). The authors advise that to age well and healthfully we need to exercise six days a week (four aerobic and two strength training) for 40-60 minutes.
They advise to "eat less junk" ; not to necessarily try to go on a diet. Avoid the fried foods, the heavily processed foods, drink in moderation (if at all).
A goodly portion of the book is dedicated to the limbic system of the brain--that is to be connected with people. Longevity and good social relationships go hand-in-hand. Keep your friends and deepen friendships. Make new friends. Volunteer. Be part of things. Being a pet owner helps too!
They feel that if you do these things consistently, you'll be able to sustain a longer life and one that is not riddled with metabolic disease. The body can withstand more movement and injury prevention if it is worked every day.
They admit that sometimes in life we get dealt an unlucky hand and get diseases (such as cancer) that we may not have preventative control over simply by doing all the right things (diet, exercise, and social/spiritual connections). This one personally is really hard for me right now as my friend shared her serious cancer diagnosis with me yesterday. She's the epitome of health: she runs, hikes, bikes, swims, eats a very healthy diet, has never been overweight, etc. I look up to her. Why is my healthy friend at facing a cancer diagnosis in her early 50s?
I'm working their plan but I have a long way to go. I'm getting 10 minutes of good aerobic exercise during the weekdays and the recommended 40-60 minutes on the weekends. I'm eating less junk, simply because there are boatloads of veggies coming ready from our garden and we're getting and giving veggies from/to friends and family.
I'm personally doing better with social connectivity than with diet/exercise. I like the idea of volunteering. I lend a hand here and there but I'd like to do more. Lately I've been thinking about 5k races. There's one coming up that I'd like to help with set-up/take down and spectate if not participate in. ...more
A beautiful picture book formatted story about the American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her move to New Mexico to homestead, garden, and paint. A beautiful picture book formatted story about the American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her move to New Mexico to homestead, garden, and paint. ...more
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