Two Views of Breast Cancer

The New York Times ran an excellent review of two new books on breast cancer: Pink Ribbon Blues, by sociologist Gayle A. Sulik and Promise Me, by Nancy G. Brinker. Pink Ribbon critiques the social cost of issues such as Pinktober and the concept of the overly chipper cancer patient. Promise Me is Brinker's memoir about her sister, Susan G. Komen, and the organization Brinker started in her memory. It's a no-holds-barred review that acknowledges the reality and legitimacy of breast cancer crankiness and the very real questions many have about Komen.

And while we're talking books, take a look at Barbara Ehrenreich's Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. I love Ehrenreich and I love that she gives people permission to be cranky. It came out a couple of years ago, so you might be able to get it easily at your public library.