Gut Feelings

A blend of rambling biography and encouraging success story, Gut Feelings will take you right into the nitty-gritty of Carnie Wilson's life and the mysteries of gastric bypass surgery. If you think a similar surgery may be in your future, there is a lot to learn from this book--Wilson presents the gory details unflinchingly, and separate appendices from four specialists address more general questions and answers. Wilson's casual tone and conversational asides will make you feel like you're getting to know a new friend; that is, a new friend with a roller-coaster life and a habit of using curses as adjectives. She's frank and animated, with no real illusions about her strengths and weaknesses, but the repeat discussions of matter-of-fact drug use may distract some readers from the real story. Ultimately, the surgery is an interesting success, and professionals in health-related fields, as well as prospective patients, may find the specifics of one person's experience useful. --Jill Lightner