I've been devouring books like cookies lately. Ignoring my family and real life for the worlds of more interesting others. Reading is really the best escape I know of and it isn't illegal and doesn't make you fat.
Right now, I'm having a hard time pulling myself away from Still Alice, a woman's decent into dementia caused by Alzheimer's Disease. And what is even more fascinating is the interview with the author (a Harvard neurologist) at the back of the book where she talks about her next novel, Left Neglected. It is the story of a woman who after experiencing a traumatic brain injury loses the existence of left, the left side of space, as in cannot read the left side of the page or only eats food on the right side of the plate or cannot see, hear, acknowledge the person sitting to the left of her. The left no longer exists. Can you even imagine such a thing?? The human brain is amazing!
Of course it all reminds me of a story my inventive husband came up with for me to tell people when they find themselves unwillingly assaulted by my prominent southern accent the moment I open my mouth in public. For better or worse, we chose to live in a state that isn't always so friendly toward Texans so my loving and protective husband thought instead of admitting I came to Colorado from Texas, it might be better received to tell them my distinctive southern accent is actually the result of a make-believe disorder he dubbed "lingual aphasia" (I prefer linguaphasia) where after experiencing a traumatic brain injury I awoke from my coma thankful to be alive and startled to find myself speaking with a southern accent when, in fact, I'm actually a native New Yorker. What do you think? Too much? Yeah, you're probably right.
Next on the reading list, thanks to my local thrift store: Amy Tan's The Opposite of Fate; Reading Lolita in Tehranby Azar Nafisi; and Augusten Burrough's Running with Scissors.
Read anything good lately you can recommend to a written word junkie?
I've read both of those books and they are both really good. Love your husband's creative story about your Texas accent! I don't think I have read the Amy Tan book--hmmm-I read a lot and sometimes I forget what I've read--hate it when that happens--you start reading and you keep thinking "this sounds vaguely familiar" and finally you figure it out! Such a great escape--love to read!
Posted by: Janet Ghio | January 19, 2012 at 05:05 PM
Still Alice is such a good book ... so glad you mentioned she wrote another book! Gotta get it. I will mention the Hunger Games, but I am sure you have read it. OH, What Alice Forgot (no not about the Still Alice!) is a wonderful book ... makes you think, that is for certain!
Posted by: Melanie Kiser | January 19, 2012 at 05:50 PM
the doctor's wife and an italian affair are both amazing books, i just found "imperfect endings" at the thrift store and it's really good too!! love finding out about other books from people :)
Posted by: camille | January 19, 2012 at 06:34 PM
I read Still Alice shortly after my father was diagnosed with dementia. I spent the day at the hospital yesterday with him; another hip replacemtn and leg fracture after yet another fall. The surgery brings out the worst for a dementia patient. He's scared, confuse, and unable to understand what's happening. Some part of him knows I belong to him and he cried when I left. It's beyond horrible.
I'm a word junkie as well and am blessed with a wonderful used book store not too far away....I can cheerfully devour books at a fraction of the ocst. My brain is too muddled at the moment to think of one to recommend, but when this "fog" lifts, I'll send you some titles.
Posted by: Paula | January 20, 2012 at 07:25 AM
I guess if we ever leave Texas and head to Colorado for a visit, I'll have to dream up some story to cover my accent as well. Too funny! I was recently caught up in "Crazy for the Storm", I'll be checking out your list soon. Love the painting bunting on the journal pages :)
Posted by: Juanita Johnson | January 20, 2012 at 09:41 AM
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Einstein 's Dreams by Alan Lightman
Little Kingdoms by Steven Millhauser
Book of Qualities by J. Ruth Gendler (art + words!)
I have piles of Europa Editions books to be read, as well!
Posted by: kelly | January 20, 2012 at 02:03 PM
Reading Lolita is a fabulous book. I also loved the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and the Invisible Bridge. Oh, The Hummingbirds Daughter - another fabulous read.
Posted by: debbiejl | January 22, 2012 at 08:39 AM
I just finished Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros and Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Adichie. Don't feel bad about the accent I am a native Texan who went to college in San Diego, California. If someone made an issue it was usually someone on it was a bit of a jerk to begin with . Thanks for mentioning these books I will have to check it out
Posted by: cheryl@ Notes from the crystal stairs | January 23, 2012 at 06:52 AM
Ok, I just spit my drink reading about ligual aphasia (sounds legit, actually). I love the story to go along with it, lol. I've got to get the Left Neglected Nook book. Right now I'm reading New Science of Love by Fran Cohen Praver. It's about our mirror neurons and how they relate to love & relationships. Pretty interesting. I'm getting to the end of my Sookie Stackouse novels. Starting #9 & she's only to 11, so I'm trying to take a break, because I've gotten addicted to them.
Posted by: Misty Kirkland | January 23, 2012 at 10:57 AM
It's all gorgeous. Your work is so inspiring, I really can't say that enough.
Posted by: Kira Nichols | January 25, 2012 at 08:11 AM