Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Book of the Month, Feb. 2011

I love books. They're fun, educational, and they provided LeVar Burton a job for many years. But don't take my word for it.

On previous entries, I have mentioned that I don't watch a lot of TV. However, one show that I inevitably make time for is A&E's Hoarders. The show is insightful and dramatic without feeling exploitative. It really shows the fragile human side behind a disorder (two subjects are profiled each episode) not many people know abou> It's more than just laziness or sloth.

Even more amazing is that no two stories on Hoarders are the same. The episodes are as unique as snowflakes.

In order to satisfy my neverending curiosity, I bought Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee. Though they're both scientists, the authors' insight into the disorder is illuminated through case studies, research, and terrific, colorful writing. This isn't dry, academic gruel but gripping, compassionate non-fiction that will expose you to the mindsets behind a puzzling way of life.

Read in peace, friends.

1 comment:

RC said...

I've only watched one episode of the A&E show and found it interesting as well - but don't know if I'd sit down and watch it obsessively. But it is interesting, and amazing how many people struggle in such a dramatic way with this problem.

Happy reading of your book - it sounds like a nice compliment to the show.