Book Recommendations? - Page 2

pamnandy · 08-27-2009, 08:34 PM

Thelma, I'm just starting "The Memory Keepers Daughter." Did you finish it!?

thelma313 · 08-27-2009, 09:13 PM

There's also "I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted - and ALS" by Darcy Walkefield. I haven't read it but was browsing on Amazon when I came across it. It sounds interesting and it is a first-hand account.

Here is the description form Amazon:

A little over a year ago, Darcy Wakefield was a single, 33-year-old, athletic, workaholic English professor, a vegetarian who had never had a serious health problem or injury. Then she was diagnosed with ALS, and her world turned upside down. I Remember Running is Darcy's story of change and loss and challenges during her first year with ALS, as she struggles to make sense of her diagnosis and redefine herself in the face of this terminal illness. With unflagging courage, wit, and eloquence, Darcy shares what she calls her "fast-forward" life, a life in which she applies for disability, leaves her job, and plans her own funeral as well as meets and moves in with her true love, buys a house, and gives birth to her first child in less time than it takes most of us to accomplish even one of these things. Beautifully written and wholly inspiring, I Remember Running proves that it is possible to live a rich, meaningful life after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. This book will move readers to see the world in a different light.

BarryG · 08-29-2009, 06:00 PM

Thelma, "I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted - and ALS" is a very good book. I read it in one day (it is not very big) and I would recommend it.

Barry

hopeful warrior · 08-30-2009, 12:23 AM

There is a novel called You're Not You about a woman with ALS from her caregiver's point of view. (Her caregiver is of no relation to her.) I've read a few others but my mind has gone totally blank.

indigosd · 08-30-2009, 12:52 PM

I love love LOVE the Outlander Series written by Diana Gabaldon! Here is a description From Publishers Weekly
Absorbing and heartwarming, this first novel lavishly evokes the land and lore of Scotland, quickening both with realistic characters and a feisty, likable heroine. English nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall and husband Frank take a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands in 1945. When Claire walks through a cleft stone in an ancient henge, she's somehow transported to 1743. She encounters Frank's evil ancestor, British captain Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall, and is adopted by another clan. Claire nurses young soldier James Fraser, a gallant, merry redhead, and the two begin a romance, seeing each other through many perilous, swashbuckling adventures involving Black Jack. Scenes of the Highlanders' daily life blend poignant emotions with Scottish wit and humor. Eventually Sassenach (outlander) Claire finds a chance to return to 1945, and must choose between distant memories of Frnak and her happy, uncomplicated existence with Jamie. Claire's resourcefulness and intelligent sensitivity make the love-conquers-all, happily-ever-after ending seem a just reward. Doubleday Book Club main selection, Literary Guild alternate. The books are huge and full of historical facts and juicy love scenes!

indigosd · 08-30-2009, 12:55 PM

One that I read every year is "The Prince of Tides" it is just a literary wonder! Also poetry by Rumi and Mary Oliver. A Woman's Worth by MariAnne Williamson. I am a bookoholic lol Constantly reading and usually 3 at a time and EVERYTHING! I would love to have a Kindle.

GlenBrittle · 08-30-2009, 07:53 PM

Oh anything by Piers Anthony - Xanth series.

Maybe some Anne McCaffrey - Drangonriders of Pern

L Ron Hubbard - Mission Earth Decology

All of it is light reading , meant to calm the mind when times are too busy.

Glen

indigosd · 08-30-2009, 09:14 PM

YEAH for Science Fiction!!

rose · 08-31-2009, 10:46 AM

One of the best books I've read ~ ever ~ is The Long Walk The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Slavomir Rawicz. It was recommended to me by two random passengers on different flights. Both of them had noticed I was reading Into Thin Air (also good) on the jumpseat during a flight. Its speaks to how good the book is, because, I don't even know if the book was on the shelves of the bookstores at the time I was told of it, and that was at least five years ago. But, after reading it, I could see why it made such an impression. its still in print, but probably have to order from Barnes & Noble or similar store) I ended up buying three more copies to give as Christmas gifts that year.

For fiction, escapist reading, I like Robert B Parker as an author (just because its light reading, but yet no insult to the intelligence LOL) ... and Martha Grimes, her books that are the Richard Jury series. All of the titles are the names of pubs over in the UK....

brooksea · 08-31-2009, 11:05 AM

For pALS in Georgia, there is a program for free audio books. Just go to the link below and click on the red "Free Audio Books" on the right of the page.

Welcome to The ALS Association of Georgia, Inc.

My husband uses an online service (can't remember the name right now). He pays a monthly fee and downloads to his MP3 player. He has now canceled the service because he has so many books downloaded, he's got to catch up.

I just read Pat Conroy's South of Broad. Excellent book, if you like reading about the southern part of the United States. You'll love this one if you've ever been to Charleston or met a true Charlestonian! I started reading it with a South Carolina Low Country accent, but it was taking too long to read the book! LOL

Blackpool · 08-31-2009, 01:52 PM

Diana Gabaldon the Outlander series is great, be sure to start with the first book and enjoy Jamie Frasier in Mediaval times.Great thread.

indigosd · 08-31-2009, 08:29 PM

I married a Charlestonian! I Must findSouth of Broad! Oh, you can not even imagine how I miss DH's Charleston accent.. He still calls me "Dahling" but it soesn't sound the same :[

KeeKer · 08-31-2009, 08:35 PM

I read the Outlander series too. I really enjoyed the humor!

thelma313 · 08-31-2009, 09:01 PM

No I haven't finished "The Memory Keepers's Daughter" but I will tonight. I only have about 50 pages left. I think it's pretty good. It won't be one of those books that changes my life or anything but it's pretty good. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.

rose · 09-02-2009, 10:53 AM

Currently I'm reading 1959 The Year Everything Changed by Fred Kaplan

... Waiting to be read is The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

other recommendations:

The Great Derangement, A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics, and Religion at the Twilight of the American Empire by Matt Taibbi

Bumping into Geniuses, my life inside the rock and roll business by Danny Goldberg

1969 The Year Everything Changed by Rob Kirkpatrick

In My Rear View Mirror by Sal Marchiano

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Thunderstruck also by Erik Larson

... & Anything by John LeCarre`.....