The Great Gatsby

 ...or the Great American Novel.

Why is The Great Gatsby considered a classic American novel? Is it for the depressing plot and unlikeable characters? Is it for the wordy and flowery language? Who is your favorite character? Gatsby, Nick, Daisy, Jordan, Myrtle, or any of the old or new rich party goers? The narrator, Nick Carraway is likeable enough but is drawn to the flawed Gatsby and Jordan Davies. I tended to root for the tragic Jay Gatsby, or westerner Jason Gatz, in spite of his hopeless obsession with Daisy.

AI says, "The Great Gatsby is considered the Great American Novel because it encapsulates the essence of the United States by examining the American Dream, capturing the spirit of the Jazz Age, reflecting on the social materialism and moral decadence, and embodying key themes like self-invention and the pursuit of happiness through a perfectly crafted and stylistically masterful American prose." 

Or, as my big sister used to say to me on occasion, "Phew, you are full of words."

Age of Diagnosis

 "How our Obsession with Medical Labels is Making us Sicker"

Dr. O'Sullivan's book addresses the overdiagnosis of Huntington's disease, Lyme disease, long Covid, Autism, Cancer, ADHD, Depression, and many other lessor known illnesses. She points out that we live in an age of increased medical labeling of "abnormal" symptoms as the result of increased testing, patient demand, and willing doctors.

She made me think about how I feel about...psychosomatic illnesses, Cancer treatments, long-term Covid, Genetic testing, and Genetic screening. Are doctors over-testing, over-diagnosing, over-medicating, and over-treating Americans? I am a strong supporter of vaccines, I support genetic screening for the unborn, I believe in my Cancer doctors, and I don't trust RFK Jr. Nonetheless, she gives me school for thought.