The Compass fo Pleasure by David J. Linden

I was listening to NPR one day and Linden just happened to be on. He was talking about neuropsychology/biology. I was sucked right in. I know that it probably seems a little out of character for me but I LOVE neuroscience. The human brain is so fascinating because it dictates so much of our lives (really, all of it) and yet we know so very little about it. I knew I had to read this book when I heard the subtitle:

How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning, and Gambling Feel So Good

When I ordered the book in, one of my coworkers pointed out that it sounded exactly like something that was written for me. Levin talks a lot about pleasure and how it pertains to addiction in this book. I never really think about addiction or study it. I am closely related to an alcoholic and addiction has always just seemed like a disease to me and that's that. Some of us are more prone to it and that's probably genetic and all that means is that there's a good chance that I will end up an alcoholic or a foodaholic because it is "in my genes."

Well, that's true. Our pleasure centers are genetic. The studies were fascinating (and also a little freaky to someone who does not generally dabble in science). It was cool to see how things give us the same sort of pleasure, from orgasm to food to cocaine. We really are some fascinating beings.

For now I am comforted by the fact that I get pleasure from so many things. I kind of think that makes it less likely for me to be an addict. I could have a drink right now or I could read this Faulkner I have sitting next to me. I do wonder, though... Does anybody really get pleasure from working out? LOL.

Twitter Wit by Nick Douglas

Unless you live under a rock, you've heard of Twitter. (And if you do and you haven't, who am I to judge? Your rock is apparently just a little denser than mine.) I remember when Twitter started being a big deal. There was a news story about how people were tweeting at inappropriate times, like during jury duty. I think it's pretty funny because, well, now it's almost expected for people to tweet always and about anything. NPR was talking about the republican debates a couple of weeks ago and ended the segment with the candidates and reporters tweets.

I have a Twitter but I hardly use it. Mostly, I am friends with Lord Voldemort and the Death Star, Bridget Jones and Mike Birbiglia. I like the humor that can be found on Twitter. That's why I enjoyed this book. It was filled with tweets that had been deemed hilarious and some of them really, really were. I wish that I had an example to give you but I already returned the book!

If you are looking for an idea of what foes on on Twitter or just want some humorous little tidbits, this book is worth giving a try.

Gaurding the Moon by Francesca Lia Block

I am not a mother.

Trust me, it's not by fault. Life just kind of got in the way. Actually, when I was younger I didn't want children. I got older. My ovaries started to nag me. I was in a very long engagement which I was sure would end in marriage and children and it didn't. Then I dated a boy for a while who was pretty much still a child. Then I got it together. I bought a house and met the love of my life and now I am not in such a hurry. Now it does not seem to matter how many of my friends are married and have kids because I'm just rolling with it.

Then I read something like this.

I love FLB. We know it. I am currently trying to work through all of her books. This is a beautiful book as well but it is nonfiction. It is the biography of her first year as a mother. And for a person without children it was horrifying. Am I going to be that afraid? She spends so much of her time worrying that it's easy to miss all of the happiness that is there too.

I know that this isn't a great review. I know that I don't have a lot to say about this one. It really was a good book but I would suggest it for mothers, preferably ones who have already lived through having a child.