The Pickton File by Stevie Cameron

Stevie Cameron wrote this book in the years up to Pickton's trial. It chronicles her research into the case, the missing women and Pickton himself. It is very well written and provides a lot of insight into the trial proceedings and investigation of one of Canada's most infamous serial killers. It also gives an honest and real look into the lives of the women living in the downtown east side and the support groups, individuals and cops who did all they could for the victims and their families. I look forward to reading the next book by Stevie Cameron about this case. It will add an even more comprehensive look at what happened during the trial now that the publication ban has been lifted.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

Urban Tribes by Ethan Watters

This is a look at the culture of the 20 & 30 somethings of our generation; how friendship circles are built and what role they provide in a person's life, why are people marrying later and later and putting off having children: if marrying or having children at all, are we isolated from a sense of community?, have we become too independent and selfish? These are the questions that Ethan Watters is working through in this book. It started out interestingly enough but quickly slowed and by the time I was nearing the middle I had lost all interest. I started flipping pages and skimming for anything that caught my eye but ended up putting it down for good to start on something new without finishing it. It didn't capture my attention the same way that 'Crazy Like Us' had done.

Rating: Burn It.

Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche by Ethan Watters

This is an interesting look at culture and mental illness; how a culture reflects and shapes a mental illness experience. It looks into how one culture can dominate, define and shape an illness in another cultural society. Whether it's anorexia in Hong Kong, PTSD in Sri Lanka, schizophrenia in Zanzibar or depression in Japan, this book will make you think about the world we live in.

"...I have tried to avoid making the cliched argument that other, more traditional cultures necessarily have it right when it comes to treating mental illness. All cultures struggle with these intractable diseases with varying degrees of compassion and cruelty, equanimity and fear. My point is not that they necessarily have it right-only that they have it different." Ethan Watters

Rating: Slow Clap It.