Book Talk

Our latest book club selection, Still Alice, is one I highly recommend.  It follows Alice, a Harvard professor, and her family as they comes to terms with her early-onset Alzheimer's.  When she starts having brief memory lapses, she blames stress and a busy schedule; I think that's something we're all guilt of from time to time.  Just into her 50s, she then decides that her new issues may stem from menopause.  When doctors find otherwise, she is left shocked and scared.  I can't imagine the feeling.  Alzheimer's might scare me more than any other disease out there.  Not only are there no cures, but the thought of looking at those I love the very most and not having the capacity to identify them is just heartbreaking.  This story so beautifully depicts the grieving process that family members of people like Alice go through as they watch her decline, and as they realize that they, too, might be faced with the same fate down the road.  You will absolutely love this story, and your only disappointment will come when you've realized you've reached the end.

I have been intrigued by Heaven is for Real for a while now, and finally picked up a copy.  This is the true story of Colton Burpo who, as a toddler in 2003, almost lost his life.  After surgeries and many, many days spent in the hospital, he miraculously recovered and went about life as normal in his small Nebraska town.  Over the course of the next few months and years, he slowly started divulging information about his three minutes in heaven during one surgery.  He told his parents about meeting Jesus, the Angel Gabriel, Mary, his great-grandfather (who had died many years before his birth), his unborn sister (of whom he'd never heard, and who had died in the womb prior to his own birth), and others.  Colton described his experiences in heaven in a matter-of-fact way and without hesitation, leaving his parents stunned.  Although I've struggled with my faith and my beliefs over the years, I've always believed in a heaven (perhaps more for comfort than for any other reason).  Colton's story is incredible, and has me thinking more about what might be waiting on the other side of this life; I think it's more than any particular religion can define.  If you haven't read this book, it's definitely worth your time and thought.

I saw a review for Austenland on Kara's blog.  I thought it looked like a fun read, and happened to find a cheap copy at HPB not long ago.  Jane is in her early thirties, and feels that love will never work for her, so instead she lets herself fantasize about Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, and the idea that he may one day come along for her.  Meanwhile, Jane's great-aunt passes away and leaves Jane an all-expenses paid trip to Pembrook Park, where Jane will spend three weeks in 1816, living the life of an Austen character (with electricity and running water, of course).  Jane agrees to let herself live in this parallel universe for three weeks before swearing off love forever, and returning refreshed to her life in NYC.  But as you can imagine, there are first some obstacles in the way of that plan, perhaps including Jane's very own modern day Mr. Darcy.  This is a quick, fun, enjoyable read.  If you have travel plans this summer (or even just leisure-at-home plans), this would be the perfect book to put on your list. 

Next up: I still need to finish The Hunger Games trilogy.  I've ignored them for a while, but Catching Fire and Mockingjay are now on the top of my reading priority list.

"The more things you read, the more you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Dr. Seuss