#20

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything is a 2005 non-fiction book by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. It was fascinating. My favorite part, by far, is the end whereas the author asks, 'what is the purpose of this information' and they answer a resounding 'um...no real purpose except to make you think'. Basically, it is a book that makes one think. It gives a totally new perspective on the world and to speak frankly, I like it. The book discussing cheating, parenting, drug dealing, the KKK, naming kids, and abortion. Just a quick glance at the topic matter would give someone an immediate indication that this is literature that truly runs the gamut. There isn't too much to say except the book served its purpose...it made me think!

When Life Hurts.

#19...the last hurrah before I break #20, was 'Between Here and April' by Deborah Copaken. There are so many issues this book brought to the surface. In no particular order, here they are:

1. How could a mother kill her two children/babies?
2. Why do we (people, women) allow society to dictate what path we should take in life (i.e. marriage, kids, etc.)?
3. When we (again...) make the decision to take the path less taken or less accepted; why are we beaten to a pulp by the people we love the most?
4. How do we overcome our fears?

I know, crazy, right? So few questions with such big answers. There is so much 'meat' that I am presenting and I don't have a solid good answer for any or all of those questions. That is how deep this book is. I did wonder at times if the story was too deep for its own good. It delved into and discussed via the characters (notably Elizabeth Steiger, the main character) post-partum depression, spousal abuse, domestic violence, marital unhappiness, pornography, medical bias, misogyny...and the list goes on. I believe each of these issues are painfully important but I wonder if each lost merit when intermingled with the others. Or perhaps it is a taste of something that we should each resolve personally. I couldn't help but think about the decisions I have made in my life to conform to society's plan for me and then the thunderous and resounding boos when I have stepped outside that neat little circle. My heart wept for the women out there who do not have a voice or a leader and stay buried in their hopelessness and despair. Some women don't kill their children. They don't have obvious breakdowns. They get up every day and shower and eat and take care of themselves to the best of their ability, but they are not happy and in the end, they are just going through the proverbial motions. I am not downplaying or erasing the impact or experience of men. I am strictly speaking as a woman, reading a book about women. This is a beautiful and heart wrenching story. Everything is not 'a-ok' at the end, but it gives one food for thought. Every woman should read this. No question.