Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America

Realism. Anyone who has gagged at teambuilding events, or who rolls eyes while listening to motivational spiels will love reading Barbara Ehrenreich’s new book, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. In her comprehensive account she describes how the purveyors of relentless positive thinking have led the ill to blame themselves for sickness, and have created the unrealistic mindset that any obstacle can be overcome through “right” thinking. Through multiple examples and historical context, Ehrenreich makes a compelling case that the emphasis on positive thinking has led to group and self delusion. She covers medicine, religion, politics and business with keen insight. Bright-sided is a call for a reality check, and a return to realism to make our individuals and our country healthier and stronger. Whether you’re a pessimist or an optimist, there’s much to learn and enjoy on the pages of Bright-sided.

Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended)

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Chasing the Bear: A Young Spenser Novel

Character. Robert B. Parker is trying to cultivate a new generation of readers by targeting some of his output toward young readers. His latest, Chasing the Bear, takes his protagonist from three dozen novels, Spenser, and sets the action when Spenser was fourteen years old. As a result, young and seasoned readers can see some of the ways in which Spenser’s strength of character was formed early in life. In Chasing the Bear, the central story involves how he kept his cool when he faced a bear in the woods while hunting, and shows courage by rescuing a young girlfriend from a perilous situation with an abusive father. It won’t take long for an adult to read Chasing the Bear, and after doing so, consider which young person might fall in love with reading if exposed to an interesting character and a clearly written story.

Rating: Three-star (Recommended)

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Even Money

Bookmaking. Dick Francis is back, assisted by his son, Felix, with a new novel titled, Even Money. In this outing, protagonist Ned Talbot conducts a small bookmaking business at racetracks, and feels pressure from larger firms and their technology. His wife, Sophie, suffers from mental illness, and is hospitalized during part of the action of Even Money. The stress in Ned’s life accelerates when a man appears at the track and claims to be Ned’s father, whom Ned thought was dead for decades. Shortly after getting this news, Ned’s father is stabbed to death, and leaves as his legacy the dying words, “be very careful, of everyone.” The adventure for Ned abounds, and readers learn much about gambling odds, and can reflect about family relationships and what happens when secrets long kept are revealed. Even Money provides reliable entertainment, especially for fans of Dick Francis. Most readers are likely to enjoy a little time at the races.

Rating: Three-star (Recommended)

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Generosity: An Enhancement

Geonome. Novels that are idea-based can often be preachy and I usually find them annoying as they try to express a point of view especially on social issues. Richard Powers’ finely written new novel, Generosity: An Enhancement, is a satisfying departure from that approach. Protagonist Russell Stone accepts an extra job as a night school teacher, and one of his students, an Algerian named Thassa Amzwar, seems too good to be true. Her personality leads other students to call her Miss Generosity, and her spirit remains optimistic and positive no matter what curves life throws in her direction. Thassa’s individuality attracts the interest of a charismatic genetic engineer who wants to commercialize her natural condition so others can be more like Thassa. Powers presents ideas and issues in ways that are so elegantly done that the literary fiction soars and the messages and possibilities shift in and out of a reader’s mind.

Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended)

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