Need suggestions

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 5:53 am

I need suggestions for good reading material while Calamity is in the hospital and/ or recovering at home. I read alot and have run out of books. I also have my needle work...crochet...Dish TV...etc and yes of course Buckmaster and Jasmine. But suggestions would be helpful...I will get some reading material before I go in 18 days. Love Oma

hazel · Post by **hazel** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:31 am

The last 2 books I have read are Nickel and Dimed (non-fiction, about trying to make ends meet on minimum wage) and Peace Like a River (fiction, about a family in the 60's). Both were very well written. The latter was very suspenseful.

I have to tell you though, the first couple of weeks after surgery I was no good for reading, knitting, etc. I think it's the pain med. that threw me off.

So glad Mike is home. We are all grateful to him for his part in helping folks.

I read a new quote today:
“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” -- Gandhi

Isn't that a good one?

Sally · Post by **Sally** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 10:47 am

I'm with Hazel. Whenever I have had surgery, I'm am no good for anything that takes the slightest bit of concentration. Even watching TV is out because I lose my focus on what the plots in most of the commercials are.

However, when you are recovering from your Recovery you might enjoy the books by James Lee Burke. They are about Louisiana. They tend to be pretty gritty, though.

Or how about the series of books about a lady detective in Botswana? Her name is Precious Ramotswe and they are written by Alexander McCall Smith. They are very warm hearted and funny and you will learn a lot about Botswana. I really like them. The first one is "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency."

Then there is The Burglar Who...... series by Lawrence Block. They are about a cheerful burglar who just can't help himself (he really runs a bookstore) and he always gets involved in more trouble than if he had just got caught for doing the buglary. Very funny!

I could go on and on....what do you expect? I am a librarian!!!

Lots of love,

Sally

Liz · Post by **Liz** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:32 pm

I agree with Sally and Hazel. It is difficult to concentrate, maybe is is the anaesthetic but it you don't need anything heavy. I have found it very difficult to settle to anything. You certainly don't want "War & Peace" or anything like it. It took me ages to be able to have the motivation to even do a bit of crocheting

Something to give you a bit of a giggle should be on the list. Their suggestions sound fine to me.

Love

Liz

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 5:01 pm

Thank you Ladies.....I will look for some of those. And Hazel I like your quote. I thought I'd have all the crafts handy in case I felt like it. But you are probably right, I may not feel like it.

Love Oma

CAMary · Post by **CAMary** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:47 pm

Oma-

What kind of stuff do you like to read? I've discovered a newer genre of books that is totally fluffy, fun and light reading....it's called "chick lit" (not *my* name for it!) and it is mostly tales of goofy young career women a la "Bridget Jones' Diary"...Many of the writers are British. I'm enjoying the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella a lot...there was a funny incident in one about a visit to a spa with her boyfriend's mother when she realized the mother had arranged for her to have a "Brazilian bikini wax" and she was freaking out - it really had me LOL

Then again I am also thrilled that "Sex and the City" is now in syndication - we don't get HBO - so I am findng late-night reruns of that are quite amusing as well! I guess there is some appeal to single life in the city to this suburban minivan-driving mom

Mary

JJ · Post by JJ » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:34 pm

I built a fire in the fireplace today...it started to rain this afternoon and was cool outside, so I parked my bod on the couch and finished my book, The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. It's an historical novel about a young woman artist/aristocrat growing up in Renaissance Florence. It was very interesting to learn more about Savonarola, the Medici family, and life at that time. Now, I want to learn more. I loved visiting Florence about 15 years ago, and now more than ever, I want to go back. When I was there...I had 13 teen-aged girls in tow....uffda!

Sally · Post by **Sally** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 10:35 am

Hi, Jill and Oma,

I just finished reading The Birth of Venus. I enjoyed it very much.

Have you been shopping at Target? They have a new book club which is where I found that book. The first one that they recommened was My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It was quite good, too. In fact, I have bought some very good books at Target. They don't specialize in the current best sellers, but in some more literary fiction. Which is nice for a change. I was quite surprised.

Another good one is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. It is the story of Dinah in very early Biblical times. Very interesting.

Lots of love,

Sally

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:59 pm

Oma,

Didn't know whether you liked history, but even those who don't like it might enjoy reading anything by David McCullough -- a delightful gentleman, and I love the way he writes! John Adams, his big seller more recently is already available in paperback. I'm not sure, but don't think that his 1776 is in paperback as yet -- his newist one. It's a little shorter than Adams.

I would imagine that there's lots of resting between therapy and other uses of the knee post-op, so you might find yourself having more time on your hands after discharge than you think, so perhaps you'd better have enough to read, just in case.

I've not read any of them, but some women seem to enjoy those little Mitford series books by Jan Karon. I've seen them at places like Target, and even grocery stores. Think it's best to start with the first of the series if you can. Should be very light little stories -- nothing heavy if you just want to fill the time.

We'll expect a 3 page book report on all of these after you're back up and running.

Take care of yourself.
Yours, Luce

JJ · Post by JJ » Sun Oct 09, 2005 10:01 pm

Hi...I loved the Red Tent....also liked the Mermaid Chair...has anyone read it?

Oma, when I was recovering from my surgery last year, a friend brought over the whole Stephanie Plum series...they are silly and entertaining...I wasn't crazy about them at first, but ended-up reading all but the latest one. Escapism at it's finest, ha ha.

TTFN...JJ

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:18 pm

Thank you everyone! I have written those titles down and will look for some books for when I come home from hospital. I like to read and crochet....so I guess I better stock up. Again thanks. Love Oma

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:16 pm

Oma,

I'm reading the Purpose Driven Life now--It's very inspirational.

Love,
Joanna