The Wondering Years by Knox McCoy

"[Defining yourself through church] is a cultural affiliation before it's even a personal one. It's a tricky task to deconstruct what you believe versus what you've just inherited through participation."

"...I'd had a pretty charmed life, and while that was great, no good thing can come from an existence where you are rarely required to be uncomfortable....Privilege you don't understand is massively dangerous."

"No one was around to help Harry fight his nemesis. No Hermione, no Ron, no Dumbledore, no anyone. No one was there to bail him out, and he alone was responsible for his choices. I know Harry Potter is about so much, but for me, it's about the process of growing up and the realization that all of the layers of protection in your life--your parents, your friends, your mentors, your church-- they all exist to support you, but they do not exist to do your life for you."

September 2019.2--Gulp by Mary Roach

Pros: I find intestinal talk fascinating, not gross. There were so many interesting stories here. (The only part where I said, "TMI" was the discussions how the posterior portion of the tract can be used for pleasure. All the tales of gas and poop were met with curiosity.) Her humor had me chuckling at times (and, in all honesty, feeling she was trying too hard at other times.) And then she said, "The extent to which healthcare bureaucracy stands in the way of better patient care is at occasionally outstanding" and I literally raised my hands in praise.

I recognize that all of my cons make me sound like a grumpy, scouling nun, but here they are.

Cons: It was kind of all over the place. It seemed a series of rabbit trails that did all happen to pertain to the gastrointestinal system, but somehow were disconnected. I also disliked Roach's tone which felt a bit haughty, like she had it all figured out and looked down her nose at all those foolish folks of yesteryear. Maybe I'm extra sensitive to that because it seemed she was also looking down at those who belief the crazy stories of the Bible. It seems obvious to Roach that if a person blind from birth describes the first people they see upon regaining their sight as "looking like trees walking around," Jesus obviously doesn't know how to heal people; also that since she's proven Jonah survival in a fish/whale/shark stomach to be scientifically impossible, that settles it. I just don't get it. We know it's crazy. That's why it's called a miracle. There's nothing surprising about the story if it can be replicated in a lab. Here's the thing: when I believe in a God that claims to have an actual virgin for a mother, and then to have risen from the actual dead, your telling me Jonah's story is implausible isn't really going to change my mind. Just saying.

Interesting and I'm glad I read it. Would recommend with my caveats.