This moving excuse is going to last awhile, I guess

 Boxes are mostly all packed, movers are coming in 3 days and we are feeling quite overwhelmed!  And now to think about all of the unpacking and organization when we get to our new place...

So again, a very brief blog here.  I have read five books since my last post:

The Anatomy of Dreams by Chloe Benjamin-interesting premise about research into sleep disorder patient's dreams, with the intent of being able to change the patient's behavior through the dream work.  I found it quite interesting.

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue-another interesting novel about an Irish nurse working in an understaffed hospital during the 1918 pandemic in Ireland. She got an inexperienced volunteer to work with her and also worked with a female doctor who was a Rebel in the ongoing fighting in Ireland. Over three days working in the ward together, all three women's lives are changed by each other and their patients.  Good book. 

Normal People by Sally Rooney-about two young people (Connell and Marianne) who became friends, despite their differences.  Their lives intersected over the years, as they moved back and forth in their own lives.  They never seemed to stay apart for long.  I have read and talked to others who did not like this book at all.  I found it fascinating and it stayed with me for quite awhile.

The Color of Water-A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride-a great read that is non-fiction, but the story could have easily have been a novel.  The author's mother kept her earlier life and heritage a secret from her twelve children.  The children just always thought that she was "different".

This was a book club read and we all loved it.  I highly recommend it!

And lastly, Talk to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell.  I am a big fan of Malcolm's podcast, Revisionist History, and finally am getting around to reading his books. I loved this book, as I could hear Malcolm's voice as I read it!  That made it even better!  The book uses several stories to illustrate how we can be mistaken about what someone is saying if we don't actually listen and attempt to know the person.  We misread cues and make judgments from our perspectives instead of listening to what the person is saying or trying to say.  It really is a great read that offers a big impact.