Sometimes a book just grabs me and I can't put it down. I miss Oprah's recommendations as most of them were good reads that inspired me to be a better writer myself. I felt I had to read Dr. Phil's new book (now #1 on amazon.com best seller list) after writing about it for two weeks. Nothing new there, but I've been in the weight management business a long time. I also heightened my endorphin reserves as I laughed my way through Al Franken's book after hearing an interview with him on PBS (I guess those author interviews do sell books-pardon me while I call my media trainer). Another book practically jumped out at me at Powell's last week (yes, I live near and visit bookstore mecca often). It was THE SKEPTIC'S DICTIONARY by Robert Carroll. Carroll is chairman of the philosophy department at Sacramento City College where he teaches courses in critical thinking, philosophy of law, the history of modern philosophy, and general philosophy.

This pragmatic man takes debunking myths and pseudoscience to a high level. In some cases it disturbs me because he publishes accuracy statistics for the work of John Edwards and James Van Pragh and I really want to believe they talk to dead people. I also didn't want to read his explanations for how magic works because I believe suspending belief can be a healthy pleasure.

What I did enjoy was the information on frauds, hoaxes and junk science. I'm distressed by fraudulent claims for any product and wish everyone would exhibit more healthy skepticism when they see an offer that is too good to be true. He reminds us that anecdotal evidence and testimonies do not make truth and encourages us to insist on something (hard evidence) more when a great offer or scary email comes our way.

I'm continue to be stunned that well-meaning folks forward Emails without checking them out. With only a few minutes effort they could avoid perpetuating unwarranted fear. Despite Emails to the contrary we know for sure that anti-perspirants don't cause breast cancer, that CA-125 is an unreliable test for ovarian cancer and that shark cartilage doesn't cure cancer. Bananas from Costa Rica are not infected with flesh eating bacteria and Bill Gates is not going to share his fortune if you forward an Email he's tracking.

The internet has many assets and liabilities. Some web sites you need to use before you forward the next warning email are:

• www.truthorfiction.com
• www.quackwatch.com
• www.urbanlegends.com
• www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/frdheal.htm
• www.scambusters.com

You can also check out virus warnings from the virus software giants, Symantec at www.Symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html.

Back to my reading.