Book Review: Henry's Demons

I can't help it. I like reading books about mental illnesses, and this was a really good one!
Henry's Demons is a true story written from several perspectives: Henry (a young adult diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 18), his mother, and his father. We hear the experience from the first onset of Henry's illness, to the family's struggle with the British mental health care system, and then to recovery.

This story would be interesting even if it was fictional, but the incredible thing about it is that it is completely nonfiction and portrays a struggle that so many families around the world have to deal with. Many families know nothing about mental illness until it emerges in their own lives. I don't want to ruin the story for you so I won't go into great detail, but to hear the story from the different perspectives makes it feel very real.

My favorite narrator in the story is Henry. It was extremely interesting to hear his inner thought processes as he recalls his behavior. Many of the things he did while experiencing delusions and hallucinations were extremely dangerous and could have cost him his life, but in his mind at the time his actions were normal and practical. It is truly a miracle that he survived to tell his story.

I know I am a social worker and maybe my interests are be a little different from most. Actually, it was one of my professors who recommended this book to me. However, this book was not written as a text book. It's written as a readable story that anyone could enjoy and become immersed in. I could not put this book down, and I don't think you'll be able to, either!

Quote of the Week

"That's the kind of trouble you get when diverse groups of people actually cross paths with one another. That's why many of the worst things in the world happen in and around Starbucks bathrooms."
Tina Fey Bosslady

I am obsessed with Tina Fey's new book. I can't stop laughing through it, and this part especially made me crack up because I immediately thought about the bathroom at the Starbucks on West 6th and Waverly Place, and the large variety of people you see waiting to use it, most of whom are not actually Starbucks customers.

(image via weheartit)

What I'm Reading

The Wild Things by Dave Eggers.

Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are, asked Eggers to create an adult novelization of his children's story. It's based on the screen play that Eggers also wrote, and I found the novel on sale in Urban Outfitters. I'll be honest, I do often buy the books they have at Urban Outfitters, but I haven't always been too successful with that. However, The Wild Things is quite fantastic so far, and I've read a bunch of other books by Eggers such as You Shall Know Our Velocity and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I tried to start What is the What, but I don't think I was in the right mindset at the time, I'll have to go back.

I'm just getting to the part where Max reaches the island, and so far I am noticing significant differences in Eggers' style. It seems almost simpler, and is definitely more accessible to readers. One critique I had of the film was that I was dying to see a lot more about Max's home life before he ran away, and the book definitely goes into more detail. I love reading and seeing all the thought that Eggers puts into each and every word. And NO, I did NOT buy any fur covered edition. My copy is hardcover and quite tasteful, actually. I would never read a fur-covered book, I don't think, though apparently it is out there, and probably on sale at Urban Outfitters, too.

If you're interested in reading an interview with Eggers about The Wild Things, I found a rather interesting one on Rolling Stone.

JD Salinger

Rest in Peace, JD Salinger.

It is incredible how much you influenced my life.

I can safely say that you are the reason I became an English major, and your books will always hold a special place in my heart.

I am forever in gratitude to you for helping me discover my love of literature.

Thank you. You will not be forgotten.

"Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone. I know that's impossible, but it's too bad anyway."

My favorite quote ever, and it's from The Catcher in the Rye.

Reading

I've been waiting for this sort of day for months.

Laying in bed, drinking cup after cup of coffee, reading a book on my kindle.

Right now I'm reading the new Dan Brown book, The Lost Symbol.

It's moving pretty slowly right now, I am a little more than a third of the way through and hoping it'll pick up soon.

I'm kind of excited to finish and move on to the next book, which will probably be the new Foer book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. After that, who knows!

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Having a kindle is great, but there really is something special about holding a book in your hands, turning the pages, underlining your favorite lines to go back to later, and then lending your favorite books to your friends. Also, one of my favorite things to have happen is to have someone say, "I love this book, I think you will,too," and then they lend you theirs, with the worn in pages and bent spine. As much as I love a new book, it's somehow more special when it's already been read and experienced. There's something magical about it. But of course, kindles are so convenient and the books are often cheaper and you can have like a thousand books with you at a time, pretty excellent for vacations. Yet, I don't really think it would be a good idea to bring a kindle on a beach.

I just hope that the same thing doesn't happen to the book industry that happened to the record industry. It's a legitimate worry of mine.

There's something so beautiful about a stack of books.

And I love bookshops, and when I grow up, I want a humungous library.

I'll stop being a booknerd now and go back to my reading.

(images found on booklover.tumblr.com)

Book Review!

I recently finished reading How to Lose Friends and Alienate People by Toby Young. I was intrigued by the book because Toby Young was actually a guest judge on Top Chef last season, one of my absolute favorite TV shows. He would always come up with the weirdest comments, and even though the descriptions were entirely outlandish, they always made sense. Reading his memoir only proved to me that these comments are actually backed up by an intelligent, yet ridiculous, mind. Basically Toby talks about his time spent in New York City trying to be a big fish in a big pond and how he fails miserably. Not only are his experiences rather interesting, sort of a male, true life version of The Devil Wears Prada, but really funny and youthful. Toby has no problem being self-deprecating and sarcastic.

The memoir included a little extra something for me, though, because Toby is a British man who came to America and experienced the subtle, yet highly influential, culture differences. Since I just did the opposite journey myself quite recently, it was interesting to see how a Brit felt when encountering American culture, especially Manhattan culture. While I found Londoners to be incredibly kind and accommodating, Toby found Americans to be really snobby and impolite, which doesn't surprise me in the least.

The stereotype that British people are stuck up really seemed quite wrong once I spent some time in England. Sure they are extremely sarcastic and have a really dry sense of humor, but so do I! I almost felt like maybe my humor fit in a little bit better there. Toby, unfortunately, never really felt like he fit in. While many Americans, like myself, are always really excited to come across a Brit in the United States, apparently there are fewer of us than I thought! Toby felt like he would be applauded for his charm, yet found that Manhattanites were not really phased, or interested in the slightest, with his nationality.

Even if you haven't experienced the culture differences for yourself, this book is a great read. It all takes place in Manhattan and is a description of one hilarious anecdote after the next. Even though Toby describes himself as a total putz, you can't help but root for him the whole way through. I won't tell you how it ends though- that would ruin the whole thing! Do read it, its wonderful!