I've always been interested in psychology, so I was excited to read this book that was recommended to me by a friend (incidentally, she and I took Introduction to Psychology together when we were in college). The Color Code, written by Utah psychologist Taylor Hartman, provides a key to understanding the different personality types that exist in all human beings. He insists that all personalities can be divided into four basic types (or colors, using his system): red (driven by power, basically Type A personalities); blue (motivated by intimacy, emotional); white (peacemakers) and yellow (fun-loving, party people). Obviously, he says, people have secondary and mixed colors, but their basic makeups fall into these four categories. I was a little skeptical at first (people are so complex, it should be impossible to categorize them so easily), but his system is surprisingly accurate. I could easily pinpoint red, blue, white and yellow people in my life, and their personalities (in general) were described almost perfectly by Dr. Hartman.

Hartman's point is that by identifying these personality types, we can better understand how to communicate and associate with each other. Also, by finding our own color, we can better understand ourselves and how we relate to other people. With this goal in mind, Hartman provides a test to determine your own color. Then, he goes through each of the colors, listing its strengths and weaknesses. While this was interesting, what I found most fascinating was his analysis of the relationships of people with differing colors. Hartman goes through each color combination, detailing how the colors interact when paired as co-workers, spouses, friends, parent/child, etc. Again, I found his descriptions surprisingly accurate.

The final section of the book (which I found to be the least interesting) focuses on becoming "charactered," or building character by developing positive traits found in colors other than your own. For instance, a Yellow who says, "I'm too fun-loving to work hard - that's just the way I am," is not charactered. A Yellow who says "Yes, I'm fun-loving, but I also discipline myself to finish work before I play," is charactered. Hartman has actually written Color Your Future, which I believe focuses solely on this aspect of his philosophy.

I found Hartman's book riveting. Some of it's a little cheesy (I snickered every time he used the term "rainbow connection"), but I think it's already helped me to understand myself and others a little better. Even if you're skeptical, it's a fun book to read.

If you don't have time to find the book, you can take the personality test for free at http://www.thecolorcode.com/. You do have to create an account there, but you can opt out of receiving mailings from them.

So, after staying up all night reading Mary Higgins Clark's new book (see review below), I picked up Chris Bohjalian's The Double Bind, thinking it would be a more leisurely read. I even told my husband, "Don't worry, this one isn't as exciting as the last one. I won't have to stay up all night reading it." Well, guess what? I was wrong. Although it started out slowly, it turned into an extremely compelling book that I was very reluctant to put down.

It tells the story of Laurel Estabrook, a young social worker, who comes across a box of old photos left behind by a homeless man. The photographs were obviously taken by someone with great expertise, and Laurel becomes obsessed with learning how the homeless man went from successful photojournalist to penniless transient. Her search leads her to the Gatsby Family (yes, the Gatsbys, figments of F. Scott Fitzgerald's imagination), where devastating family secrets abound. The obsession takes its toll on Laurel, already emotionally fragile from a vicious attack she suffered several years earlier. Her friends and family are frightened for her, but she refuses to give up her all-consuming quest for the truth. The ending is a shocker (which I won't give away), but it will change the way you view the whole novel.

Like I said before, the first part of the novel was a little slow. Plus, I was thrown off by the inclusion of the Gatsbys in the story (although it makes sense later in the book). I almost abandoned the whole novel, but out of loyalty to Bohjalian, I stuck with it. I'm glad I did, because it turned into a fast-paced, absorbing read. Once I got over Bohjalian's resurrection of the Gatsbys, I enjoyed the search for their deep, dark family secrets. While I didn't stay up all night, I did finish the book in a day, so deeply was I enthralled with Laurel's story.

My only beef with the book is the ending, which is hard to discuss without ruining the surprise. I can only say that it ruined the story for me, because it felt like such a cheap finale. Also, I'm not sure the clues Bohjalian sprinkled throughout the story really were strong enough to support the ending. It's one of those you-either-love-it-or-you-hate-it kind of things.

Despite the ending, I thought The Double Bind was a great read. It also provides an interesting (though somewhat preachy) perspective on homelessness. Pick it up - you won't be disappointed (except, maybe by the ending).