Book Recommendations?

[pamnandy]

Hey I couldn't put down "Secret Life of Bees." Now I must rent the movie. What a great book!

[hopeful warrior]

Originally Posted by JOSIEM02

I don't have much time to read, but am very interested in any suggestions on books about ALS. Not medical books but books like Ryan is Winning. I guess I want to say stories about real people that have gone thru or are dealing with this diease now. Thanks

I have read Six Parts Love recently. The family of pALS is Rabin or Rabon. That is also the last name of the author. I also read Tales from the Bed by Jenifer Estess. I believe there is also a documentary about Jenifer Estess and her sisters. They started Project ALS.

Both books are about real people and their families suffering from ALS. They are well written and raw with courage.

[Momma]

I saw someone else mention it but The Power of Now is excellent...it's a must read for ALS patients

[thelma313]

That was me, Momma. The Power of Now has helped me tremendously. It's also a must read for all loved ones of ALS patients.... actually everyone should read it.

"Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry — all forms of fear — are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence" Eckhart Tolle

[rcharlton]

As for most of us, it was really heartbreaking when reading became too much of an ordeal as my hands and arms grew weaker.

I never enjoyed audiobooks as I usually found the narrators annoying.

I looked into the Kindle ebook reader - but it was not available in Canada at the time - plus it looked cumbersome and both the reader and the content seemed way overpriced.

Then last spring, my wife bought an iPhone - and I discovered that there are a number of free ereading applications (Stanza, Ereader) with access to 50,000+ free books which can be downloaded straight to your iphone. Essentially all classic books (Dickens, Austen, Conrad, Stevenson, Hugo, Vernes etc.) can be legally downloaded for free as the copyright has expired.

And no - the screen is not too small - you can adjust font size to much larger than the average book, change font type, colour, background - plus there is an autoscroll feature so no page turning is needed - and reading in the dark is a treat as the unit is back lit - many of these features are not found on the Kindle. I frankly don't understand why anyone would buy a Kindle.

On top of all that - you can check email, take calls, listen to music and audiobooks, surf the web - all for a price cheaper than Kindle. If you don't need a phone, the ipod touch has the same features without cell phone contract costs.

You can also download books to most other PDAs as well. I'm using a Palm TX right now. It does not have as many features as the ipod but it's a good reader.

I velcroed my Palm to a small hexagonal bird feeder. I can now just sit the bird feeder next to my pillow, set my ereader to autoscroll and I'm set for hours of hands free reading. When I get tired, all I have to do is tap the screen and my place is automatically saved and the unit powers off automatically too.

AND - you can store thousands of books in the device - so every time I go out - to the doctors, the hospital or wherever - I can bring my ENTIRE library with me - every single book. I actually enjoy waiting at the DR.s now as it gives me a chance to read.

[John1]

Good to hear from you. I've wondered how you have been doing.

I like your idea for using an I-touch instead of a kindle. Plus you get all the other uses in a pocket-size device. I would have thought it too small to use for reading but obviously not. I had a similar experience in my doctor's office this week. I was in for a routine check-up but because they were swamped by swine flu patients he was running about 1 1/2 hours behind. He apologized profusely to me and I told him that in fact I'd quite enjoyed the time. I had anticipated he would be late, brought along my current book and gots lots of reading done.

[tajmom]

I too love my I-touch for reading. I was skeptical about the size of the screen but it is not an issue at all; and it is so portable!! I tuck it into the little pocket on the side of my power chair and I am never without something to read now; there are so many books in the public domain. And so much easier on my arms than dealing with a real book.

[jolts]

When I was caring for my husband I sometimes would need a 5-15 min. respite. So, I would read. I loved the books that were action packed and were nothing like our life. My favorite author is Terri Blackstock. I love her "Light" series. I also like Dee Henderson.

My husband really enjoyed the Word of Promise on audio CD. They only had the New Testament then, but now they have the whole Bible. It really made the Bible come to life. Something about hearing the Word of God spoken...there's life in the words. It's different than any other kind of book. It brings comfort and hope and peace.

[Erica]

I thought, I would share this title with you all:"Learning to fall: the blessing of imperfect life".
Erica

[Zaphoon]

Thank you for sharing that book, Erica. My curiosity is aroused and I'll probably check it out.

Zaphoon

[indigosd]

Here If You Need Me: A True Story by Kate Braestrup is one that I requested that our local library order. She is a fascinating and inspiring woman! I have wished for a Kindle but it is not possible so I did the next best thing. I downloaded the FREE Kindle for my pc and then downloaded free books!! I LOVE IT and it is FREE!!! I would highly suggest that you do the same if you want to do ebooks. :]
Currently reading Eragon with Matthew and it is delightful.

[SandraD]

Hi,

It seems that some of the titles on this thread relate to ALS, so I thought I would offer this one. I have not read it myself, but recall hearing this young woman (and one-time long distance runner) with ALS on NPR. (actually it was her sister reading the essays, as she had lost her ability to speak.)

the book is: ''I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted -- and ALS," released by Avalon Publishing in fall 2005. the publisher says: "In it, Ms. Wakefield shares her experience living on her own terms despite her disease -- falling in love while learning she was dying, shopping for maternity clothes and leg braces, giving birth to her son, and finding the perfect purple couch for the home she knew she wouldn't have long to inhabit."

Darcy Wakefield died at age 35 the same year her book was published. If you read it, please post whether you like it or not!

Sandra

[BarryG]

Sandra, I have read the Darcy Wakefield book and really enjoyed it. I got it shortly after my diagnosis in Jan 08 and read it in a day. It is a very good example of the belief and knowledge that so many of our forum members have; ALS may take our physical bodies but it cannot take our spirit. Darcy's spirit lives on in her husband and son and in those of us who know at least a little of her through reading her book.

I gave my copy to a friend whose identical twin sister died of ALS in 2006, I haven't heard from her yet but I know that she will like it too. I recommend it if you can get a copy, it is not a large or expensive book.

Amazon.com: I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted - and ALS (9781569242797): Darcy Wakefield, Jonathan Eig: Books

Amazon.com: I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything I Ever Wanted - and ALS (9781569242797): Darcy Wakefield, Jonathan Eig: Books

[indigosd]

Roseela, LOVE THE QUOTE!! Off to add it to the quote thread!!

[indigosd]

What are you reading today? hugs, Kay Marie