Bedlam

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Dr. Kenneth Rosenberg is a psychiatrist who has been working in the field of mental health since the 1980s. Bedlam is his exploration of the way that mental health has been treated in the United States. This book is an in-depth journey through Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Much of the book centers around schizophrenia, but other SMIs such as depression and bipolar disorder are also addressed. Through analysis of both individual stories of SMI and the overarching framework that governs the way that America views mental health, Rosenberg talks about medications, mental institutions, and the intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system. I listened to the audiobook (narrated by the author), and really loved it in this format.

What I loved most:

My undergraduate degree is in Psychology, and I wanted to be a therapist for a long time. I’ve always been fascinated by mental health, and by the way our culture views people who struggle with mental disorders. I couldn’t help but devour this book. Rosenberg did a great job of balancing people’s stories of their own issues with SMI, and a wider view of the way our society currently deals with mental health. I am always more captivated by personal stories – I love memoirs, because I love exploring people’s cognitive patterns, and how they make the decisions they make, and how they have become who they are today. However, I also know that it’s crucial to take a step back and examine the larger systemic issues around mental health treatment. This book gave both perspectives to help develop a more full understanding of mental health in the United States.

Read this book if you like:

Psychology, sociology, memoirs, history (but not the dry, date-focused kind of history – the engaging, people-and-system-focused kind of history)

Book details:

  • Author: Kenneth Paul Rosenberg
  • Publisher: Avery
  • Date of Publication: October 1, 2019
  • Age Recommendation: Adult
  • Check out Bedlam on WorldCat to find it at library near you!

We Could Be Heroes

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Jamie and Zoe both have no memory prior to two years ago… when they both woke up in separate apartments, with mysterious notes indicating that they might have extraordinary powers. Now, Jamie is the Mind Robber, stealing money from banks to furnish his dream of retiring to a remote island to read memoirs and play with his cat. Zoe is a fast food delivery person, and also low-key does vigilante work as the Throwing Star. Their paths cross at a memory-loss support group, where they realize the similarities of their memory loss and abilities can’t be a coincidence. We Could Be Heroes comes out in January, and I’m going to call it in advance as one of 2021’s best reads. Make sure you grab a copy when it’s available!

What I loved most:

I heard Mike Chen speak at a virtual library conference, and I was intrigued the moment I heard the concept of his book. There are countless superhero/villain plots out there, but We Can Be Heroes stands out for its unique plot. I loved that the female character was the one with strength and speed powers, whereas the male character had mental powers. I loved the witty banter between Zoe and Jamie. I loved that the two main characters were a male and a female, and that there wasn’t a romantic relationship between them. Basically, I loved everything about this book.

Read this book if you like:

Marvel movies, superheroes, adventures, origin stories

Things to be aware of:

This book is intended for adults, but I think it would also have tons of crossover appeal for kids in high school. There is some swearing, but there isn’t sexual content that would make it inappropriate for a younger audience.

Book details:

Sisters in Hate

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

The alt-right, or the white nationalist movement, is the contemporary arm of the movement that has its roots in the KKK and other racist groups. Proponents of this movement proudly proclaim that white people are superior to any other racial or ethnic group, and that America should be for white people only. While men are the primary leaders in this movement, as most white nationalists also believe that men should lead and women should be supporters, women are a key component of the continuing success and growth of the movement. Journalist Seyward Darby introduces readers to three women who have been in the past or are currently white nationalists: Corinna Olsen, Ayla Stewart, and Lana Loketeff.

What I loved most:

I read this shortly after finishing White Fragility (check out my review here), and it was a fascinating juxtaposition. Both books centered around whiteness as a concept, and the question of what it means to be a white person in today’s day and age. It feels vaguely weird to say I loved Sisters in Hate? But honestly, it was one of the most captivating books I have read this year so far. One of my favorite things is to hear from people about why they make the decisions that they make, how their attitudes have formed over the years, and all that other fascinating stuff that makes them who they are. The white nationalist movement is so hardcore, so extreme – and it was fascinating to hear about how these women came to hold such radical beliefs.

Read this book if you like:

Sociology and group dynamics, psychology, anti-racism, doing a deep-dive into people’s thoughts and behaviors

Book details:

  • Author: Seyward Darby
  • Publisher: Little Brown and Company
  • Date of Publication: July 21, 2020
  • Interest Level: Adult
  • Look up Sisters on Hate on WorldCat to find it at a library near you!