Random books from RachDan's library

About meWe're a couple:
Until recently, I (Rachana) was a research scientist (molecular biology) at Cambridge University. Now I'm doing a part-time degree in maths, and working out what I want to do with my life. I took some time away from research to do another first degree in philosophy and politics.

I (Daniel) was a research scientist (neuroscience), also at Cambridge University (and the Medical Research Council), though with a background in philosophy - until I recently quit to be a writer. I'm currently writing a popular science book on the science of consciousness, published by Basic Books, and due out around spring 2011.

About my libraryThese are all the books we both own and have in our house. Since we both love literature, the literary novels are the main representation. But between us, we've studied maths, psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, politics, genetics/biochemistry to degree level or beyond - hence a lot of technical books in these subjects. We're also very passionate about science generally, so lots of science books too. And a smattering of a bunch of other subjects, as we're interested in a lot of different things!

All ratings, reviews and read-by dates are added just by me (Daniel).

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LocationCambridge, UK

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URLs http://www.librarything.com/profile/RachDan (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/RachDan (library)

Common KnowledgeSeries (161), Awards (328), Characters (3137), Places (684)

Member sinceApr 14, 2007

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RachDan rated, reviewed:
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre

(read review)

RachDan added:
Through the Square Window by Sinead Morrissey

RachDan added:
By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept by Elizabeth Smart

RachDan added:
The Blind Side of the Heart by Julia Franck

RachDan added:
King, Queen, Knave (Penguin Modern Classics) by Vladimir Nabokov

RachDan added:
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

Great review of Catcher in the Rye. My day job is in genomics research, my web life is centered on a journey through philosophy and literature. I read CR a few years ago, before my P&L phase, my thoughts on it were rather inchoate. Thinking back on it, guided by your review, brings it into sharp focus. Thank you!

I try in my reviews to capture the essence of a book, irrespective of specific literary devices of plot, characterization, voice, and unconstrained by the corpus of literary criticism. Your review will serve as a model for me going forward--on the mark and brief. I tend to the verbose.

Oh, and I hope you keep close tabs on lorina and andy. I guess you do since you have them tagged. I have started lending with a personalized bookmark included, inscribed with the quotation you can find at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_curse. Just a gentle hint, not to be taken seriously.

posted by WilfGehlen at 1:22 pm (EST) on Mar 11, 2009

Thanks for your comment on my remarks about "The Mindful Way Through Depression". I think it's great that the NHS is looking into more cost effective ways to manage mental illness and non-pharmaceutical methods are always important to consider. I also note that the book is written by respected researchers and that it is properly referenced. My gripe (and here I'm speaking from memory) specifically is that many of the assumptions on how mindfulness works have not been demonstrated and I don't recall a model presented of the 'mechanics' behind mindfulness. It's a little bit like ECT treatments - it works, but how? And why does it only work in some people? I don't think mindfulness is an improvement over regular CBT, neither do I think it is any more effective than an active placebo. I no longer have a copy of this book but it would be interesting to see if there have been any studies done on this.

posted by skullstuffing at 12:30 am (EST) on Jan 21, 2009

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