Summer Reading

Well, as summer nears to an end, I am catching up on my summer reading before all hell breaks loose in the fall (mainly, dealing with the start-up of school, work etc.). I am a lover of non-fiction and rarely read fiction, perhaps because I find reality so much more fascinating. As a kid, I loved reading biographies of famous people who made their mark in the world–as a future psychologist, I wondered what traits those who made a difference had that helped them produce and live up to their potential. I still wonder about this and am always fascinated by the resilience of some people and the victimhood and excuses of others.br /br /Anyway, back to summer reading. I am currently engrossed in Walter Laqueur’s book, a href=”http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=as2path=ASIN/0195304292tag=wwwviolentkicomcamp=1789creative=9325″emThe Changing Face of Anti-Semitism: From Ancient Times to the Present Day/em./aimg src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwviolentkicoml=as2o=1a=0195304292″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” / With all that is going on right now with Israel, this is a great read and is a terrific review of antisemitism throughout history up until the present day. My favorite chapter so far in the book is chapter nine on “Antisemitism and the Left” in which the author discusses how antisemitism has moved from a preoccupation of Christian and right-wing movements to one of Muslims and left-wing groups. br /br /If the prior book isn’t enough light reading for you, then perhaps you should take a look at some solutions to healthcare in Arnold Kling’s book, a href=”http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=as2path=ASIN/1930865899tag=wwwviolentkicomcamp=1789creative=9325″emCrisis of Abundance: Rethinking How We Pay for Health Care/em./aimg src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwviolentkicoml=as2o=1a=1930865899″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” / Like a true dork, I read this on my vacation at the beach while other less dorky (or maybe better at taking it easy) women were reading lighter fare such as a href=”http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=as2path=ASIN/0060562536tag=wwwviolentkicomcamp=1789creative=9325″emScandal in Spring. /em/aimg src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwviolentkicoml=as2o=1a=0060562536″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” / Seriously, why do women read romance novels–does anyone out there know? I have never read one and have zero interest in them but apparently women love them. If you know why, drop me the reason in the comment section.br /br /Finally, I just ordered a book from Amazon that I have been meaning to read for years, a href=”http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=as2path=ASIN/0060391979tag=wwwviolentkicomcamp=1789creative=9325″emWhores of the Court: The Fraud of Psychiatric Testimony and the Rape of American Justice./em/aimg src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=wwwviolentkicoml=as2o=1a=0060391979″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” / The book details how mental health experts use excuses and junk science in court to clear criminals and sway juries. I may post a review of the book after I get a chance to read it.br /br /Anyone got any other suggestions for good non-fiction books to read before summer ends? Or do you have any advice for me as to why so many women love romance novels or is this just a stereotype?br /br /Update: a href=”http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=5249″Bitter at The Bitch Girls’ blog /ahas an interesting take on chick lit–I guess this would include romance novels.