What I've Been Reading

First, the books that have kept me occupied recently.

The Family That Couldn't Sleep by D.T. Max
Nonfiction, but wonderful. The book is an exploration of prion diseases, which, if one's a genetics nerd as I am, are absolutely fascinating. Prions are misfolded proteins that can turn malignant and can turn other proteins malignant even though they contain no DNA. In simpler terms, they defy everything we know about disease and how diseases are spread. Max's storytelling skills, even in nonfiction, are superb. He covers a wide number of prion diseases from both an anthropological and biological perspective, though a bit heavy on the anthropological side. It's a fabulous read for anyone interested in medicine, disease, and genetics.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
I haven't read Gladwell's other books, but I took this recommendation from my psychology teacher. This was another great nonfiction book I read recently. It examines success and factors leading to success. It analyzes data such as birthdates, connections, and cultural differences. One of the most fascinating chapters was on airline communication and the cause of the many crashes Korean Air experienced in the 1990s. It was very straightforward and easy to understand, so one need not have any previous knowledge of anything pertaining to the subject matter.

Music for Chameleons by Truman Capote
As I have stated many times, I am a Capote fanatic. I cannot get enough of his work. Music for Chameleons was no exception; in fact, it was one of my favorites. The book is a collection of short stories and essays that were wonderfully, beautifully, perfectly written. The novella (short for even novella standards) Handcarved Coffins, left me completely in awe all over again. If you can only read one though, choose "A Beautiful Child", his exquisite and highly sensitive portrait of Marilyn Monroe. After that, I understand why she was his first choice to play Holly Golightly.

Answered Prayers by Truman Capote
Capote's last, unfinished novel. Had he finished it, it would have undoubtably been a masterpiece and one of perhaps most respected works in the English canon. It is absolutely incredible. I only wish it had been finished. The protagonist is nearly positively Capote himself, and the secondary characters he encounters shallow incarnations of the society people with whom he associated. I only wish he had finished it.