The Anatomist, A Book Review

The Anatomist
by Bill Hayes

An enjoyable read, especially since it is closely linked to my career. Bill Hayes takes us through the lives of H.V.Carter (illustrator) and Henry Gray (author) of Gray's Anatomy, a revolutionary book in it's 39th edition (I checked and it's on our shelves in Reserve). While the Hayes takes us through his experience in researching the letters, papers, archives and historic landmarks, he also takes us on his journey through anatomy class. I admire Hayes' ability to keep up with the anatomy students. Hayes has the ability to draw the reader in and take them along for the ride.

This book wasn't as gruesome as Mary Roach's Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. Or I'm getting used to this topic.

Good day and good idea?

Finished Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. AWESOME book!!!

Worked extra time this past week, so I had today off.

• Slept in


• Raked some leaves


• Went to the library


• Shopped downtown Naperville


• Bought some Penzey's spices


• Bought new running shoes


• Bought a peppermint mocha from Starbucks


• Had a nice dinner with the hubby

Also thought I had a real good name for a daughter (if we have kids). Ready?

Kitten Catman. Mr. Catman laughed out loud at me and told me to ask my mom what she thought. I guess I'll sleep on it, considering we haven't decided if and when we're having kids.

Wedding Song by Naguib Mahfouz

Naguib Mahfouz is a favorite author of mine. His Arabic tails base themselves on real living in Egypt. Sadly, this nobel prize laureate has recently passed away on August 30, 2006. But his words live on.

Wedding Song is a wonderfully quick read, but designed with characters described so that you could imagine meeting them on the street. The story is broken up into four sections. Each section is told by a different character of the story, from his/her perspective. The setting is Egypt, at an actor's theatre. What is interesting is how a person's point of view changes the reader's perception. The wedding song is about the son of two actors of the theatre marrying an older actress of the theatre and the lives that are affected because of it. (An Arabic man marrying an older woman is considered a huge faux pas.) Masterfully crafted, this story is sad, to be sure, and not a typical 'wedding song' one recently married would recommend as a 'pick-me-up'. But Mahfouz's stories are hardly any one should pass up.

The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan

This work of nonfiction describes two different perspectives of the same historical place.

One history, that of Bashir Khairi, is one of a lost memory when his family is forced out of their home by Israeli occupation forces. It continues through his life and his struggles to get back to his homeland, which his ancestors have owned for centuries.

The second history is that of Dalia Eshkenazi, a Bulgarian Jew. She and her parents moved from Bulgaria into the house of Bashir's family. Dalia's life is forever changed when she opens her door to 26 year-old Bashir wanting to revisit his home.

The author makes sure to note the common symbolic element--a lemon tree, which is planted in the backyard of the home.

The story is of both people's history and gives great detail of the accounts that give life to the Middle East conflicts that most Americans pass over. I must admit I had many "Aha!" moments that helped me better understand the conflict, frustration and actions of both histories.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone, especially our age, who has not been taught the history of the creation of Israel and the consequences