Smart Read

Book Reviews for Health and Human Interest

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Why recommend books anymore?

Does anyone read? A friend of mine said frankly, “I don’t have time to read. I get my information from the Internet and TV.” Many people evidently feel that way, since the print circulation of newspapers and magazines has fallen dramatically in recent years, and many once robust publications have gone out of business.

Despite these trends

We thought it would be fun and informative to share recommended book reviews on this blog. Summer is a great time to think about bringing a book to the pool or beach and soaking up information while listening to water sounds in the background. We hope to review books that will positively impact your health, nutrition, and fitness.

A stack of books

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

A few years ago, I read a newspaper article about a 65 year old physician who died climbing Mt. Everest. My first reaction was “how wonderful”, not THAT he died,…
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Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has The Time by Brigid Schulte

It seems that many of us in modern U.S. life feel overrun, overwhelmed and constantly pressed for time. But did you know that the average American man has 40 plus hours…
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Slow Dancing with a Stranger: Lost and Found in the Age of Alzheimer’s

Imagine writing down the most difficult and depressing moments of your life, researching the topics associated with those moments, and then publishing them into a book for everyone to read. Then…
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Heal Your Headache: The 1-2-3 Program for Taking Charge of Your Pain by David Buchholz, M.D.

Have you ever had such a terrible headache that you had to lie down? Are you one of the millions of people that suffer from headaches that affect your work, play,…
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The Caregivers: A Support Group’s Stories of Slow Loss, Courage and Love by Nell Lake

The unsung heroes of our society often labor without recognition, and outsiders may wonder how they cope. This book chronicles the grief process of a small group of caregivers who find…
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Recently I had the opportunity

To tour the Evergreen House in Baltimore, which is the restored 19th century home of the Garrett Family, of B&O Railroad fame. If you get a chance to see this unique place, do visit! http://www.museums.jhu.edu/evergreen.php

The Garretts were significant patrons of artists, dancers, and actors, and their home is full of BOOKS! The books date back to the 1500s, fill at least 5 rooms floor to ceiling, and are used by scholars of rare books today. This display emphasized the significant role books had on everyday life for those who could read in the 1800s. Because there was no internet, TV, or other forms of communication, people spent a significant amount of their day thinking of and pondering the written word. Although life has changed significantly since that time, we hope that reading a few great books every year will improve your intellectual, as well as physical, well-being. Enjoy summer and enjoy reading!

Linda Yau, M.D.

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