Evanston Public Library (EvanstonPublicLibrary)

Evanston Public Library added

Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality
by Christopher Ryan (Goodreads Author)

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Marriage is hard for most people. Why? The authors argue it's mainly because monogamy just isn't in human nature. They assert that homo sapiens evolved in cooperative groups that shared sexual partners (along with food and childcare)--and that we're...more Marriage is hard for most people. Why? The authors argue it's mainly because monogamy just isn't in human nature. They assert that homo sapiens evolved in cooperative groups that shared sexual partners (along with food and childcare)--and that we're asking too much of ourselves when we pledge exclusivity, in marriage or in any sexual relationship. Some people may be turned on by monogamy, but the authors believe it shuts most people down, and that traditional marital vows are misguided. Without reassessment, they contend, we will see very few happy marriages, let alone long happy marriages. They appear to favor either open marriage or "monogamish" marriage, as opposed to strict monogamy, for most humans, though they acknowledge that to many these approaches feel even less sustainable than traditional marriage.

The authors shed much light by exploring our primate roots. But in focusing on those roots, they downplay many uniquely human developments affecting sex. Complex language, for instance, distinguishes humans from other primates, complicating inter-species comparisons. (Ironically it is such language that enables these authors to make those comparisons.) Thanks to language, and other hallmarks of intelligence such as foresight and imagination, humans are uniquely capable of problem-solving with their spouses (as well as uniquely capable of driving them crazy). It is these big-brain abilities that enable humans to sometimes transcend evolution, which we do whenever we practice birth control, for example. Other unprecedented human developments--such as agriculture, and urbanization--impacted sexuality by weakening tribal bonds. No longer living in small tribes of members mutually invested as "cousins," humans, for better and worse, geared themselves to pair-bonding. From there monogamy further undergirds daily life and child-rearing: kids benefit from a mutually trusting two-parent investment; a 30-year mortgage can be covered more steadily with a long-term spouse. Ryan and Jetha acknowledge these forces, but in their pro-primate-root passion they downplay and even ridicule them. And the examples they offer of less marital cultures smack of the same confirmation bias that they criticize in traditionalists.

Still, it's a very worthwhile book. When we read almost daily about famous spouses straying, the media tend to tell the stories in prosecutorial terms, demanding shame and penance. This is a compelling case for the defense. (Jeff B., Reader's Services)(less)

Evanston Public Library added

I Can't Complain: (All Too) Personal Essays
by Elinor Lipman

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I laughed, I cried, I laughed, I cried again. Then I went out and bought the book for two friends. If you've ever dated, been married, had a child, had parents,written a book, thought about writing a book, wondered how authors name their characters,...more

Evanston Public Library added

The Middlesteins
by Jami Attenberg (Goodreads Author)

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Edie Middlestein is not an easy woman to love. Her husband, Richard, and two adult children, Benny and Robin, each have tried hard to find a place in their hearts for this domineering, demanding, passionate woman. And, if her difficult personality we...more

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The Smart One
by Jennifer Close (Goodreads Author)

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Although all of the male characters are pretty one dimensional, Jennifer Close's novel told from the perspective of four women in the Coffey family is engrossing. Which woman is the titular "smart one" is open for debate as all four fumble and stumbl...more

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Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1)
by Kerry Greenwood

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Australian author Kerry Greenwood introduces her glamorous 1920s female sleuth Phyrne Fisher in her debut novel Cocaine Blues. Wealthy enough not to work at all, and contemplating either learning Abyssinian or breeding horses, Phryne decides that bei...more

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The Dinner
by Herman Koch

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Two brothers and their wives meet for dinner at an upscale restaurant to discuss an incident involving their two teenage sons. Serge is the front-running candidate for Prime Minister and quite the celebrity. Paul is our narrator. He's very critical o...more

Evanston Public Library added

Not the End of the World
by Kate Atkinson

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With this collection of short stories Atkinson demonstrates her skill and agility in creating tales that border on or are firmly embedded in the fantastic (immortality, doppelgängers, dystopic futures) yet deal with the very real human concerns of lo...more

Evanston Public Library added

Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s
by Jennifer Worth

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Fascinating, revolting, funny, horrifying, these tales of midwives in the slums of London’s Docklands during the 1950's and 1960's are at once repellent and rewarding. The conditions under which these compassionate and dedicated women worked and unde...more

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Evanston Public Library added Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality by Christopher Ryan (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Marriage is hard for most people. Why? The authors argue it's mainly because monogamy just isn't in human nature. They assert that homo sapiens evolved in cooperative groups that shared sexual partners (along with food and childcare)--and that we're...more
May 30, 2013 10:46am · see review
Evanston Public Library added I Can't Complain: (All Too) Personal Essays by Elinor Lipman	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I laughed, I cried, I laughed, I cried again. Then I went out and bought the book for two friends. If you've ever dated, been married, had a child, had parents,written a book, thought about writing a book, wondered how authors name their characters,...more
May 30, 2013 10:43am · see review
Evanston Public Library added The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Edie Middlestein is not an easy woman to love. Her husband, Richard, and two adult children, Benny and Robin, each have tried hard to find a place in their hearts for this domineering, demanding, passionate woman. And, if her difficult personality we...more
May 30, 2013 10:40am · see review
Evanston Public Library added The Smart One by Jennifer Close (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Although all of the male characters are pretty one dimensional, Jennifer Close's novel told from the perspective of four women in the Coffey family is engrossing. Which woman is the titular "smart one" is open for debate as all four fumble and stumbl...more
May 30, 2013 10:39am · see review
Evanston Public Library added Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1) by Kerry Greenwood	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Australian author Kerry Greenwood introduces her glamorous 1920s female sleuth Phyrne Fisher in her debut novel Cocaine Blues. Wealthy enough not to work at all, and contemplating either learning Abyssinian or breeding horses, Phryne decides that bei...more
May 30, 2013 10:38am · see review
Evanston Public Library added The Dinner by Herman Koch	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Two brothers and their wives meet for dinner at an upscale restaurant to discuss an incident involving their two teenage sons. Serge is the front-running candidate for Prime Minister and quite the celebrity. Paul is our narrator. He's very critical o...more
Apr 27, 2013 01:24pm · see review
Evanston Public Library added Not the End of the World by Kate Atkinson	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
With this collection of short stories Atkinson demonstrates her skill and agility in creating tales that border on or are firmly embedded in the fantastic (immortality, doppelgängers, dystopic futures) yet deal with the very real human concerns of lo...more
Apr 27, 2013 01:23pm · see review
Evanston Public Library added Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s by Jennifer Worth	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Fascinating, revolting, funny, horrifying, these tales of midwives in the slums of London’s Docklands during the 1950's and 1960's are at once repellent and rewarding. The conditions under which these compassionate and dedicated women worked and unde...more
Apr 27, 2013 01:21pm · see review

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