Customer Comments

Marie Angell has commented on (37) products.

The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist's Quest for What Makes Us Human by V.S. Ramachandran

Marie Angell, September 1, 2011

Whether you're a zombie or not, if you like brains and reading about them, you'll likely find this book fascinating. It is full of interesting tidbits about what makes humans human.

The book is fast-paced, sardonically amusing and, despite that, very educational. Dr. Ramachandran is a clever and learned writer. My only quibble, and it is minor, is that the good doctor sometimes comes off as a bit full of himself, much in the way of Sherlock Holmes, but I also think many of his comments are to be taken in a spirit of irony. And, let's face it, he's got the goods--no use hiding his light under a bushel.

You may also find that this book explains so much about your loved ones--and yourself.

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Life by Keith Richards and James Fox

Marie Angell, December 9, 2010

Keith Richards has nurtured his reputation as a doped out, wacky rock star, but underneath his persona lies a bright mind with a clever way of describing his fascinating life.

Far better than most celebrity memoirs, Keith intersperses helpful information about how he developed his guitar style as well as a bit of gossip about his friends and a lot about his life and literature (yes, literature!).

Although written with a professional writer, this book reads just as if you were having a conversation with Keith himself. In fact, you may find yourself speaking with a British accent even if you're from Texas.

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The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks

Marie Angell, December 9, 2010

If you have any interest in the neurological function of the brain (and you should), this is an excellent book for thinking about how to cope with disorders that may happen to any of us. (But fortunately, probably won't.)

Dr. Sacks is witty and erudite who makes medical explanations fascinating without being patronizing.

Highly recommended!

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The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told about Genetics, Talent, and IQ Is Wrong by David Shenk

Marie Angell, July 28, 2010

Oh, the pain of throwing away our assumptions about genius and talent! It really does come down to hard work (the right kind though) much of the time.

Biology is complex, y'all. But David Shenk does an excellent job of sorting out and explaining the ways we are shaped by our genes, our environment and our experiences.

Although I was already sold on the idea that we are not pre-destined for greatness, even I had to re-orient my thinking about how the excellent learn to excel and how little, as well as how much, our genetic heritage influences us.

This book, or at least portions of it, makes excellent required reading in biology classes.

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The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes

Marie Angell, May 26, 2010

Let's face it--this is beach reading, chick lit, whatever appellation you want to give it. But it's well done for the genre, full of good humor and realistic characters without the frantic, look-at-me-ha-ha-ha quality that a lot of these kinds of books have these days.

I found the "sprite" device a bit unnecessary as a literary device but it didn't get in the way of the story too much.

My reading tastes run the gamut, but lately I've been turning to Marian Keyes when I want to lighten up.

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