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wrentheblurry's review
2.0
I expected more of straight-up tales about the author's life. Instead, a good portion is filled with medical information that felt more like a lecture than something I want to read while sitting on the beach during my vacation. Granted, if this sort of thing interests you, you'll find what seems to be solid information on the origins of allergies, theories on why they are becoming more prevalent, info on vegetarianism, and material on what researchers and doctors are doing currently to help those with allergies. I may have missed something, mind, since I skipped/skimmed those parts.
As for the tales that Beasley mentions, I'm surprised by how often she went out to eat, given how life-threatening her allergies are. I can't decide if her behavior is risky, stupid, brave, or some combination. My husband found her tone to be whiny, and I can see that, though I'm more sympathetic than he is.
Those with allergies themselves may find more to like in this title than I did.
As for the tales that Beasley mentions, I'm surprised by how often she went out to eat, given how life-threatening her allergies are. I can't decide if her behavior is risky, stupid, brave, or some combination. My husband found her tone to be whiny, and I can see that, though I'm more sympathetic than he is.
Those with allergies themselves may find more to like in this title than I did.
arose2020's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
kdurham2's review
5.0
As I am the girl with no allergies, other than the occasional red bumps on the legs from a picnic in the grass, I am that skeptic that thinks that the world is overreacting and too accommodating to those who have allergies. After reading this book, I am a little more empathetic but also don't think our schools need to go to the drastic measures that they sometimes do.
A memoir that takes place right around the corner from where I live, in Arlington, VA with a little girl who is growing up with a long laundry list of allergies to many food groups. As the title suggests, many traditions and events revolve around food where a child with allergies may feel left out because they can not partake in the complete ritual due to an allergy to one food group or another.
A book that I would definitely recommend as a great memoir that may open your minds to how families must cope if a child or parent has any kind of food allergy or illness that may limit the foods that they may eat.
A memoir that takes place right around the corner from where I live, in Arlington, VA with a little girl who is growing up with a long laundry list of allergies to many food groups. As the title suggests, many traditions and events revolve around food where a child with allergies may feel left out because they can not partake in the complete ritual due to an allergy to one food group or another.
A book that I would definitely recommend as a great memoir that may open your minds to how families must cope if a child or parent has any kind of food allergy or illness that may limit the foods that they may eat.
debela2's review
4.0
Good read for a parent with a kid with a food allergy or anyone with a food allergy. Great advertisement for Benadryl!
emjay24's review
2.0
I've had this on my list for years, but it wasn't until I was choosing what non fiction book to read next right after I'd had a pretty annoying reaction to some peanuts at dinner a couple nights before that I was finally compelled to read it. My allergy isn't life threatening and I won't go into anaphalactic shock, so my allergy experience isn't as extreme or life changing as the author's is. She is allergic to a laundry list of things, including dairy, soy, eggs, things we take for granted eating every day. In fact, one of the few things she doesn't have an allergy to is nuts. This book is part memoir, and part exploring different allergies, ways of eating, the past of how allergies were seen and treated, etc. I liked the science part of the book, but somehow the memoir part of the book dragged. I thought I would love this book, yet at many times I almost abandoned it, bored. I made it to the end, and I still think this is a good book to read for people who have a lot of allergies, or whose friends or families have a lot of allergies, as it gives some perspective. There's probably something more interesting though if you're just randomly picking up a book to be educated on the topic.
krosenogle's review
3.0
I have never been allergic to anything in my life, but this book was truly insightful and gave me a new understanding of those who do live with allergies every day. The author gave me a whole new awareness while making this a delightful read with her quirky sense of humor in the midst of delivering the facts.
hmonkeyreads's review
2.0
I know severe allergy is a problem and yet I couldn't help but feel annoyed by the author. It mostly made me glad not to have to think about this kind of thing.
mrsdragon's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining blend of the science behind allergies, resources for those who suffer from them, and personal anecdotes from a life lived with allergies. Beasley gives a glimpse into the everyday challenges of life for those with allergies.
prettydeadlady's review
3.0
With the fall gone and past, and winter quickly approaching I’ve been settling in and reading quite a few books that have been on my list the entire summer. One that caught my eye a was Don’t Kill the Birthday Girl : Tales from an Allergic Life by Sandra Beasley. The first thing that caught my eye was in the intro where the author mentioned that her family called foods that she could eat, Sandra-friendly. I could relate as my family calls them Becky-friendly foods.
The thought of reading a book from a perspective of someone that has as many intolerances and allergies as I did was appealing, and I did enjoy most of the book. The one part that stood out to me as insensitive (pun!) was when she talked about people with intolerances, who can technically eat food, but it will still make them sick.
As someone with intolerances, I do occasionally indulge in something I shouldn’t — a bit of sugar here, a bit of dairy there, but I understand how detrimental this can be for me and I live with the gut-wrangling consequences of my actions. I felt that the author didn’t give us who didn’t have life-threatening allergies enough credit for what we do understand and do.
That being said, if you want to understand what life is like with multiple allergies/intolerances like mine (gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, coffee, yeast, mushrooms, celery, asparagus, cranberries, halibut and cod) this is the book for you to read.
The thought of reading a book from a perspective of someone that has as many intolerances and allergies as I did was appealing, and I did enjoy most of the book. The one part that stood out to me as insensitive (pun!) was when she talked about people with intolerances, who can technically eat food, but it will still make them sick.
As someone with intolerances, I do occasionally indulge in something I shouldn’t — a bit of sugar here, a bit of dairy there, but I understand how detrimental this can be for me and I live with the gut-wrangling consequences of my actions. I felt that the author didn’t give us who didn’t have life-threatening allergies enough credit for what we do understand and do.
That being said, if you want to understand what life is like with multiple allergies/intolerances like mine (gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, coffee, yeast, mushrooms, celery, asparagus, cranberries, halibut and cod) this is the book for you to read.