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Joyful
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Posted: Mon Jul 14th, 2008 14:24 |
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Ok, I believe both Claire and Aunt Diana have mentioned books to read while we are on this healing rest recovery adventure.
I will offer my most recent favorite two fiction books ... don't get me started, there are many more ... they are both published by Windblown Media, a start-up publishing company that sold almost 3/4 million copies from their garage in the first year of their first book, "The Shack," which I cannot recommend highly enough.
It reminds a bit of that old classic "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" (wackypedia calls it a fable and a homily among other things). Written by a guy as a Christmas present for his six kids, it just somehow ended up as a wildly popular book listing on Amazon.com somewhere close to the top last I checked.
The other book they published is more appropriate for those who have been chewed up and spit out by the standard religious structures in the American culture. It's an extremely refreshing story about a burned out guy on the performance treadmill who meets a stranger that keeps poking holes in his assumptions about everything. It's called, "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore."
 There you have it. My recent recommendations.
Don't everybody jump in at once now...
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Aunt Diana
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Posted: Mon Jul 14th, 2008 15:42 |
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I'm not sure if I'd say I recommend Jane Eyre for this "voyage". But I am enjoying it. It is a bit heavy going and probably not suitable for many of us who are going through enough pain. But books are a wonderful way to escape our own reality if we are lucky enough to be able to read. (Since I was not able to read for so many years....this is a definite bonus I have received while on MP..I think I am enjoying reading even more than I ever had.)
Years ago, while I was new to Boston, I started a reading group. We were lucky to find a young English professor who was frustrated with the students she was trying to teach at Harvard....and adored having a group of adults who actually wanted to read the books. We started with Samuel Butler's "The Way of all Flesh" (which I must confess, I could never get into) but we worked our way forward from that point in history. I read some wonderful books that I never would have done without that group. We ended up somewhere in the early 1900's with some interesting Virginia Woolf, Theodore Dreiser and the wonderful "Parade's End" by Ford Maddox Ford, which was about World War I. I read books I never would have read on my own....and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Of course, the discussions would add to the enjoyment of the book.
I guess what I liked the most was I read books that I may have not without some prompting. I dont know if a chat group lends itself to that kind of thing but I'd be interested in exploring this if others would be.
Lately I've been very interested in English history...especially from Henry VIII through to Elizabeth..and beyond. There is a wonderful series on Showtime called the Tudors...if anyone is interested...I've been watching the videos and they're really well done. (Although I still don't understand why they chose the young man who plays Henry....otherwise, they are all beautifully cast and the story is fascinating.)
This is one way for me to get through the otherwise pretty confining days.
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Lyme 1987, neuro cardio fatigue achiness brain fog depression, anxiety. Pacemaker, D.1,25 32; D <5; 12/07 <6, hydrocodone, lorazapam, , benedryl, zantac, colase, Noirs, cover-up or avoid sun, house <30lux
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Knochen
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Posted: Tue Jul 15th, 2008 00:13 |
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I'm an omnivorous reader. When I'm up for it, I'll gladly read a lot of history and heavy political or even scientific tomes, but when I'm visiting the happy herxing land, I'm much more prone to head for something light. I do draw the line at bodice rippers, however!
Here's a short list that folks may care to sample.
Somewhat weightier stuff (but not too heavy going):
- Uncle Tungsten:Memories of a Chemical Boyhood, by Oliver Sacks (highly recommended!)
- Escape From Colditz, by P. R Reid (you think the MP is tough?
 ) - At Ease: Stories I Tell to Friends, by Dwight D Eisenhower (You'll like Ike)
- The Autobiography of Henry M. Stanley (by himself, obviously!) Published about 1909
Lighter stuff (in no particular order of lightness):
- Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Spain, by Chris Stewart (charming)
- Any of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Very funny stuff - have a quote:
Only one creature could have duplicated the expressions on their faces, and that would be a pigeon who has heard not only that Lord Nelson has got down off his column but has also been seen buying a 12-bore repeater and a box of cartridges.-- (Terry Pratchett, Mort)
- Robert Asprin's MythAdventures series (great if you like bad puns and wordplay)
- P.G. Wodehouse - Pretty much any of his stuff, especially the Jeeves and Wooster
- Stephen Leacock - Again, much of his work is good.
For a quick boost, try some Robert W. Service poetry. I think the overall attitude you get with the MP is well represented in:
The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill 
http://litterature.historique.net/service/bill.html
(Honest, it's funnier than it seems at the beginning, just keep going! See? Just like the MP!)
Don't forget about your local library as a resource! You can request interlibrary loan for more obscure or out of print titles. You'll give your local librarian a helping hand if you first look to WorldCat to see which libraries have the book in their collection.
http://www.worldcat.org/ Take the info with you (or email it to the library and stay out of the sun)
Well, that should get you going, or at least confused.
-KnochenLast edited on Tue Jul 15th, 2008 11:29 by Knochen
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Reiter's Syndrome 25+ yrs, fatigue, joints, muscles, migraine, brainfog| 25D 6 ng/ml |Benicar May06|Ph1 June06|Ph 2 Sept06|Ph 3 Jan 07|NoIRs K-Cream Zinc Oxide cream - Always covered!
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Aunt Diana
Support Team
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Posted: Tue Jul 15th, 2008 07:01 |
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Thank you Knochen. That looks like a wonderful list. And I haven't read a single one. I love to go to Amazon knowing what it is I would like to get....otherwise it can be stupefying. Besides, I've bought many books that I haven't really liked. It is easy to be swayed by their marketing techniques.
I feel like a kid at Christmas.
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Lyme 1987, neuro cardio fatigue achiness brain fog depression, anxiety. Pacemaker, D.1,25 32; D <5; 12/07 <6, hydrocodone, lorazapam, , benedryl, zantac, colase, Noirs, cover-up or avoid sun, house <30lux
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eClaire
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Posted: Tue Jul 15th, 2008 08:46 |
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My favorite book in recent years (aside from complete fun like Evanovich--Stephanie Plumb series, Grafton--Kinsey Milhone series, and Albert--China Bayles series) has been The River Midnight.
Not that it matters, but I am not a big fan of bodice rippers, fantasy, horror, or science fiction. But if I had to choose one of those, it would be science fiction.
Claire
P.S. Process idea: I was thinking that if we chose a book or more than one book. We could put "Book Group" in the 1st line of the topic subject heading and then the name of the book in the second line w/ the starting date. Folk could express interest and given a month to secure it and read it (taking into account neuro IPR). Then whomever suggested the book could start off the discussion with a reading group question.
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42mo on MP; CFS FMS MCS COPD hypermob IBS/GERD osteopor; 125D48 25D<4;
NoIRs during most daylight outings; Ph1.Dec06 * ModPh2.Jun07 * AbxBrk.Mar-May08
* Ph2.Oct-Nov08 * Ph1.Jan09 * Olm.alone.Jun10
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Aunt Diana
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Posted: Tue Jul 15th, 2008 09:08 |
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| I like your idea Claire. Let's see if others do too. I think this could be an interesting diversion for all of us.
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Lyme 1987, neuro cardio fatigue achiness brain fog depression, anxiety. Pacemaker, D.1,25 32; D <5; 12/07 <6, hydrocodone, lorazapam, , benedryl, zantac, colase, Noirs, cover-up or avoid sun, house <30lux
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Juanita
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Posted: Tue Jul 15th, 2008 22:09 |
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A read along sounds like a hoot. I've done knit alongs with another online group and it's kinda nice to know others are participating in what you're doing. How often do you get to join in with something when you're living quietly at home in the dark?
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MCS, CFS, FM, CS, DH, stroke neuro, seizures, skin ca, IBS, eczema, irregular heartbeat| NoIR avoid light and D/ On MP 27 months
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YoKoMo
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Posted: Tue Jul 15th, 2008 22:30 |
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For the long-book readaholics among us, my two favorite historical fiction series are these:
- Master and Commander series, Patrick O'Brian (20 books)
Chronicles the lives of two characters aboard British warships in the 1800's. Some argue that it is the most beautiful friendship in modern writing. I cannot argue that it's not. Extremely rich on sailing, nature, history, and war at sea. Light and pleasant writing style with such eloquence and beauty. Patrick O'Brian loved life, loved nature and loved his characters dearly, and it shows.
- The Lymond Chronicles, Dorothy Dunnett (6 books)
Certainly not for everyone. Chronicles the life of characters in the thick of sixteenth century European aristocracy, diplomacy, trade, war, marriage, love, etc. The main characters go everywhere and do just about everything. Very complex character development and very complex story lines. The most brilliant historical fiction and most complex characters I've ever come across. If the stories in most books are like single-person paths, these books are like furrows 10 feet wide and 6 feet deep.
The first book, Game of Kings, is very hard to follow in places. If you are patient and willing to glide through parts that are not clear, you will be rewarded. Granted if you are still early in the MP, you will probably forget a lot of what you read  , which means you can read it again later!
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Aunt Diana
Support Team
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Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 02:14 |
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| I am so pleased that there are so many people interested in this.....now we need to figure out a way to proceed. is there someone who has an interest in leading the way?
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Lyme 1987, neuro cardio fatigue achiness brain fog depression, anxiety. Pacemaker, D.1,25 32; D <5; 12/07 <6, hydrocodone, lorazapam, , benedryl, zantac, colase, Noirs, cover-up or avoid sun, house <30lux
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KFaucher
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Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 02:26 |
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Diana, If "Jane Eyre" is a little heavy, you can lighten things up with "The Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde. It is the first in the "Thursday Next" series of off-beat litterary humor. I think the third book in the series "The Well of Lost Plots" is one of the funnest books I've read in a long time. He also writes Nursery Crimes such as "The Big Over Easy" (investigating the death of Humpty Dumpty).
Ken
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eClaire
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Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 07:50 |
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Ken,
I like the idea of reading humor, particularly if there are themes we can discuss. So I'd be open to any and all books that make people laugh and think and open them to the world.
Claire
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42mo on MP; CFS FMS MCS COPD hypermob IBS/GERD osteopor; 125D48 25D<4;
NoIRs during most daylight outings; Ph1.Dec06 * ModPh2.Jun07 * AbxBrk.Mar-May08
* Ph2.Oct-Nov08 * Ph1.Jan09 * Olm.alone.Jun10
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Aunt Diana
Support Team
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Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 09:10 |
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Thanks, Ken. They sound like fun. I'm all for fun at this point. (Jane Eyre is heavy....between that and the Clindy, I'm about to break out the prozac.)
Does anyone volunteer to lead the first discussion? I would rather not as it's not my forte.
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Lyme 1987, neuro cardio fatigue achiness brain fog depression, anxiety. Pacemaker, D.1,25 32; D <5; 12/07 <6, hydrocodone, lorazapam, , benedryl, zantac, colase, Noirs, cover-up or avoid sun, house <30lux
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Knochen
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Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 12:22 |
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Diana, If "Jane Eyre" is a little heavy, you can lighten things up with "The Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde. It is the first in the "Thursday Next" series of off-beat litterary humor.
Oh YES! The Thursday Next series is a hoot. I've been putting off reading all of them because there is a limited supply and I don't want it to be all over. Any author that can make me throttle my voracity must have something going on. I mean, I ended up marrying a librarian just to keep up my book habit.
The Master and Commander series is also excellent. Oddly enough, the movie that was based on these books wasn't the usual gawd-help-us that Hollywood normally spooges out. Usually I can't see the movie if I've read and enjoyed the book or books.
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Reiter's Syndrome 25+ yrs, fatigue, joints, muscles, migraine, brainfog| 25D 6 ng/ml |Benicar May06|Ph1 June06|Ph 2 Sept06|Ph 3 Jan 07|NoIRs K-Cream Zinc Oxide cream - Always covered!
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eClaire
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Posted: Wed Jul 16th, 2008 14:04 |
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| Well, I'm sold. I don't know about others, but if you (Knochen) or Bruce want to lead the way with setting up a topic on the first book and then lead the discussion. I'll sign up. Claire
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42mo on MP; CFS FMS MCS COPD hypermob IBS/GERD osteopor; 125D48 25D<4;
NoIRs during most daylight outings; Ph1.Dec06 * ModPh2.Jun07 * AbxBrk.Mar-May08
* Ph2.Oct-Nov08 * Ph1.Jan09 * Olm.alone.Jun10
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Deb Grabetz
Support Team
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Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 11:22 |
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eClaire wrote: Well, I'm sold. I don't know about others, but if you (Knochen) or Bruce want to lead the way with setting up a topic on the first book and then lead the discussion. I'll sign up. Claire
This is such a great idea. I have so much difficulty though reading for any length of time. Would it be a worthy suggestion to read and discuss chapter by chapter?
Claire, I certainly don't want to put you under any pressure but you are an excellent leader and have good ideas, and excellent communication skills, would you be willing to lead the group in discussions? Or maybe we could take turns with each new book? Any ideas here? Deb
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Sarcoidosis/lungs, lymph,liver, GI, neuro, D12542, Ph17/07, MPh2 9/07, B12, cover up, NoIRs,return to work after 2 years off- 4/07D2511
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eClaire
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Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 15:45 |
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I think the Chapter by chapter idea is a good one Deb! That way the big task (for some of us) is broken down into manageable pieces. Would one chapter a week be good with the Chapter due to be read by Monday AM, giving everyone a week to respond and a week to read the next? (If a chapter is very short, say less than ten pages, then the moderator could assign two or more chapters for a week. As you know, sometimes a chapter is just a page or two in some books.)
If we start with one of the series suggested by Ken, say The Lymond Chronicles, with the start date beginning in a month from this Monday (giving everyone time to secure it), would that suit most folk?
Also, I don't mind leading discussion of the first book (with soft ball questions as long as people feel free to throw other questions into the mix along the way), however, if we decide to do the series, I would want other volunteers for the books that follow.
How does this sound?
If at least four other people okay this, then I'll set up a new topic with the first book from that series (provided it is still in print and we can order from Amazon).
Claire
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42mo on MP; CFS FMS MCS COPD hypermob IBS/GERD osteopor; 125D48 25D<4;
NoIRs during most daylight outings; Ph1.Dec06 * ModPh2.Jun07 * AbxBrk.Mar-May08
* Ph2.Oct-Nov08 * Ph1.Jan09 * Olm.alone.Jun10
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YoKoMo
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Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 17:05 |
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I must interject before my recommendations run amok. 
I didn't read this thread carefully enough to note its endeavor. I thought it was just for recommending books, not reading them together (which is a great thing!). I would not recommend either of the series I've mentioned for group reading--especially The Lymond Chronicles. The value of those books lie in the span and depth of thousands of pages. Chapter by chapter--I fear that everyone would quit right away--I probably would.
Those books are great to inhale over the span of a year or three.
Kelly
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CFS food sensitivities arthralgia 125D37 NoIRs 1hr lite/day covered up Ph1 Dec07 Ph2 Feb08 25D9 Mar08
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eClaire
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Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 18:34 |
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Thanks for that in put! Do you have another title that would be a fun yet illuminating read? I think that that is what most folks are looking for. Fun, but enough substance to have something to talk about.
Claire
____________________
42mo on MP; CFS FMS MCS COPD hypermob IBS/GERD osteopor; 125D48 25D<4;
NoIRs during most daylight outings; Ph1.Dec06 * ModPh2.Jun07 * AbxBrk.Mar-May08
* Ph2.Oct-Nov08 * Ph1.Jan09 * Olm.alone.Jun10
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Deb Grabetz
Support Team
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Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 19:41 |
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Thanks Claire...sounds like a great plan to me...
What if we:
PM Claire with book suggestions. Then, since she has so kindly offered to monitor our first book--which is great--she will be a great one to "work out all the bugs" of this effort--she can put out the suggested material for vote OR as book monitor, she may choose the book??
Set a deadline to start...and go from there...I think I'll check the library too for my book..Wow! Looking forward to exercising our brains together! Deb
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Sarcoidosis/lungs, lymph,liver, GI, neuro, D12542, Ph17/07, MPh2 9/07, B12, cover up, NoIRs,return to work after 2 years off- 4/07D2511
5/09 D25<4
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eClaire
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Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 19:55 |
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I think sending me titles in a PM is a good idea. I can compile a list, do a little research (check out reviews for wide appeal), and choose. However, I'd publish the whole list so that they would be in the thread for future choices, perhaps staring the ones that got the best reviews. (I'm afraid a vote would take so much time that it will be forever getting this thing going.) After that we can decide on the next book in whatever manner we decide--for example, the person who volunteers to moderate the next book might decide...or whatever.
Claire
____________________
42mo on MP; CFS FMS MCS COPD hypermob IBS/GERD osteopor; 125D48 25D<4;
NoIRs during most daylight outings; Ph1.Dec06 * ModPh2.Jun07 * AbxBrk.Mar-May08
* Ph2.Oct-Nov08 * Ph1.Jan09 * Olm.alone.Jun10
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