The Secret Life of Fat: The Science Behind the Body's Least Understood Organ and What It Means for You by Sylvia Tara

I read The Secret Life of Fat: The Science Behind the Body's Least Understood Organ and What It Means for You by Sylvia Tara at the recommendation of my husband.  He participates in triathlons and has become interested in losing 15 pounds.  He read this book when he happened to stumble upon it.  He found it interesting, I only mildly so.  Sure, it's interesting to me that there is a possibility of someone becoming fat from being scratched by a chicken.  It's crazy, right?  Apparently, maybe not.  Other than that, the only thing that really resonated with me from this book is that we're all different.  We all have to find what works for each of us to maintain/lose weight.  No ONE program is going to work for every person.  Yes, it's a fascinating concept, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a book like this.  Or, maybe the way the information was put forth just didn't excite me.  I mean, the 3 types of fat... meh, just bored me.  There are informative parts of the book that were just that, information... almost like a textbook feel.  I'm not sure a person could make that stuff exciting though.  With all that being said, I'm one of the lucky ones.  I don't try hard, yet I'm thin.  So, if you're not one of the thin ones and you struggle with weight and feel like you've tried everything out there, then I WOULD recommend that you pick up this book.  There are topics and ideas in it that I would have NEVER thought about with regards to weight.  It's not your typical "eat right and exercise" propaganda.  Not to say that you won't have to actually eat right and exercise.  You probably will.  But, this book could help you find the way to go about it that will actually work for you.  You may not like what works for your body, but it's a choice you can make.  So, I would only recommend this book if you are looking to find a way to lose weight or if you are just simply fascinated by the craziness that is fat.  I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower was an o.k. book, nothing super special.  There were some interesting tidbits throughout the book like the details of LBJ's shower, Hillary Clinton during her husband's famous affair, and Nancy Reagan's crazy request for a state dinner dessert just 2 days prior to the dinner.  It's a book that is told from the perspective of the massive staff that runs everything behind the scenes at the white house... the chefs, the butlers, the maids, the nannies, etc.  Most people probably don't think about the white house in the eyes of these people.  These are people that stay at the white house for decades sometimes, from administration to administration.  There are no REAL juicy details of gossip sort of information.  It's just not that kind of book, and I feel as though these staff members aren't really the type to spread that type of information.  They seem very loyal.  Like I said though, there are several interesting stories.  I'd say if you have any interest in the white house and what it's like behind the scenes, then you might want to check this book out.  It wasn't great, but interesting, nothing life-changing.  I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.

A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic's Wild Ride to the Edge and Back

A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic's Wild Ride to the Edge and Back by Kevin Hazzard was an interesting read.  I wouldn't recommend it if you're squeamish with possible gory medical emergencies.  There really weren't that many gross ones but the ones that were could be a pretty disgusting image in your head.  I did "enjoy" reading the stories though.  I put that word in quotes because it's weird to say that I enjoyed reading stories about medical emergencies.  It was hard to consider some of them as they didn't all end well.  However, I've always been curious about the odd and interesting things EMTs must see and do all day.  This book was the answer to that curiosity.  For example, one story was about a man that nailed his elbow to a wall... on purpose.  I'll let you read the book to find out why.  It's a book that shows a different side to life and was well written.  If you are considering going into the field, I would definitely recommend you read this.  I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

I really enjoyed Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth.  It's about gritty people and how their grit helps them succeed and that talent is not always an indicator in success.  The author pulls from research in West Point, the Seattle Seahawks and JP Morgan among others.  The research was really interesting.  I wouldn't say that the information coming out of the research was surprising, it's just interesting to have it come together in so many different, unrelated corners of life.  The part concerning the National Spelling Bee candidates probably surprised me the most.  The book definitely made me want to "pick a hard thing" (read the book to find out what that means).  I'm even planning to have my 11-year-old son read it.  I hope he understands it and draws something from it that will help him understand why I am always holding him to such high standards.  I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** by Mark Manson

The Subtle Are of Not Giving a F*** by Mark Manson was not a good choice for me.  I get his message, I think, but he has a horrible way of telling it.  If you don't like reading the F word A LOT, then don't bother reading this.  He can't seem to stop using it.  Apparently, he has few words in his vocabulary.  He's trying to tell you not to care about the things in life that don't really matter, but he goes about it in a way that made me feel like I was in front of my doctor and she was telling me I have cancer and only 6 weeks to live while blowing cigarette smoke in my face and texting on her cell phone.  Maybe I felt that way because I listened to the audiobook and the author was not the reader.  It could be that the reader didn't read it the way the author intended.  It's hard to say that though with the number of F bombs that were dropped.  If you're thinking of reading this book, just tell yourself that it doesn't matter how much money everyone else has.  It doesn't matter what car everyone else drives.  Material things don't really matter.  What matters are the things and activities that make me happy in life.  Then, you'll save yourself the trouble of being cursed at for an entire book.  I give this book a 1 out of 5 stars... not sure I even want to give it that, but the message is there if you sort through it all.