Dr. and Mr. = Dr. and Ms.

Henrietta and Eleanor is a new version of Jekyll and Hyde, adapted by Libby Spurrier, who has adapted a lot of books for audio.  I like this.  I like most audible originals.  I have never read the real Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Hyde.  Nor have I even been to Jekyll Island.   I loved this J and H book a lot...but this one just was decent for me anyway. 

Pornography

I guess that I just don't understand pornography's appeal to adults.  Teenagers, okay.  I mean, I can see why the curious minds and bodies would have an interest in finding out what intimacy is (NOT) like, but to me, porn and books like 50 Shades of Grey have absolutely zero appeal.  After listening to The Last Days of August I am even more anti-porn. The reason I am is because it dehumanizes people.  I know that some may argue to each their own, but personally and as a Christian, I can't support it because it seems to me that the industry and the product both deny (and certainly do NOT affirm) the beauty and the beloved nature of each Child of God.  Even the people in the industry who were interviewed for this book admit how terrible the life is and industry is.
That said, Jon Ronson does an excellent job investigating the suicide of August Ames, her real name Mercedes Grabowski.  The way in which he handled the whole thing just really, I don't know how to put it-- showed something about his character?  His heart?  Very well done.  Very sad. 

Too Much of a Good Thing

The Man on the Mountain was really good!  At first....
And I actually would give it 3.5 stars.  If it had been shorter.  And this is not just me, liking shorter books rather than long ones.  And in fact, this is a combo performance of two books, The Holy Man and The Holy Man's Journey. I really liked it.  It was just like a sermon that is awesome, but just went on a little too long.

Prejudice

I had to acknowledge my bias before I read The Diary of a Hounslow Girl.  As I have stated many times, I am NOT a fan of off-putting Briticisms or what I perceive to be arrogance on the part of the British in general.  But this was worth reading despite of all of that, so I am glad that I gave it a chance.  I am so glad that I did.  Ambreen Razia has written a one-woman drama and wow, this is really, really good.  Very insightful and eye-opening and compelling.  No matter where it is set!  Haha!  I mean, I know it's setting is important, it's just that I was able to learn from it and enjoy it even though I am NOT a fan of the UK!  But I am working on it.

SO GLAD

That I read New Family Values by Andrew Solomon.  I had tried him before but couldn't get into the book, but man, this was just so good.  So good.  It was an audible original and he talks about it being a series.  Will it be a podcast?  Will it be one of those channels on audible?  I just really thought that this was an important, powerful and well done look into the American family and how family is defined.  There are SO many different kinds of families.  And when will we ALL understand that God is far more concerned THAT we love than WHOM we love and that families come in all shapes and sizes.  A great, great book. 

It's Kinda Funny

that when I started doing comedy I met some of the most unhappiest people ever.
But no, when I really think about it, it isn't that comics are more unhappy that most people, but I do think they are more aware.
You know the whole "the unexamined life isn't worth living" thing?
And "ignorance is bliss?"
Well it's true.
If you don't look too deeply, or think too much, life is grand.
And comics make their laughs by being very observant.  By picking up on the "funny" in all senses of the word (a little off, a little weird) elements in the every day.
There are a lot of "funny" things about the world in which we live.
And maybe comics who are especially good are those who are examining life, even the difficult parts.
Or maybe I just say that to make myself feel humbly superior to those who don't, instead of just admitting that I am a paranoid dork.
That could very well be true!
But Strong Ending:  A Journey from Combat to Comedy features people who have the seen some of the worst of the worst that humanity has to offer, in the from of violence.  In the form of combat. 
This book is truly funny and truly touching.  I highly recommend a listen.