(no subject)

[mamculuna]

I want to send a present to a friend who'll be going through chemotherapy--I am thinking that a book would be good. She's an historical gardener, but also has various other interests. I don't know that she likes fiction, but am wondering about recent interesting non-fiction that people have been reading.  Any new good books out there?

But also, those of you who've been through it--is reading hard while you're on chemo? Any other suggestions?

Comments

[usedtobeljs]

I can speak to what my late mother wanted during chemo -- she liked books on tape, or soothing/distracting/ambient music, in order to take her out of that chair and that space.

Your friend might like reading while she's recovering... let me think about options.

[hugs to you]

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Thanks! On tape is a great idea! I thought about music, too. I guess I had the whole process in mind, not just the treatments.

[usedtobeljs]

My mother also had "chemo brain", so she did puzzles, etc, with my dad while she was recovering: it worked her brain a bit when she was fuzzy. Would that be a possibility?

(And if your friend has an MP3 player, she might be able to listen to podcasts?)

[rebekahroxanna.livejournal.com]

I'm doing a lot more reading because I don't have the energy to do much else.

I'd suggest light and engaging, though I am reading some fairly heavy stuff. My attention span is short. (I'm saving some of the fun stuff for Mongolia.)

I've started doing the NYTimes Crossword on line, so a gift subscription might be fun, but that would depend on the person.

My nonfiction is running to the mostly far left Christian stuff right now, so I don't know if there would be any interest there.

Different people react to chemo differently and chemo varies a lot (surprise to me). Some folks have an easy time of it. I hope your friend will.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Thanks. You'd definitely be the authority, these days. I'm thinking right now that I may send her The Botany of Desire, since she like Omnivore's Dilemma and some other things along that line. I had heard that it was hard to concentrate, but I think that book can be read in little chunks.

It's so great to think about you going on another big trip. I really would love to see Mongolia.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think I will send a book and ask her stepson re iPod. I suspect she has one, but don't know. And the puzzles sound great--another friend who's just finishing chemo said the same. I will look for fun books and send them along, too.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

And thanks for that link! Very clear and good ideas.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Audio books have been popular for people I know undergoing that hell.

One swore he was kept alive by listening to the Patrick O'Brian novels over and over. I don't know if she'd like those, though.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I can see Patrick O'Brian! I'm not sure it's her taste, but if it were me, that would work.

I think the audio books sound like an excellent thing.

[rara-avis.livejournal.com]

How about "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", Barbara Kingsolver's non-fiction tale about her family's year of eating only food that they grew or could get locally. My Michael Pollan-loving friends highly recommend it. As to books during chemo, the earlier comment about everybody reacting differently is absolutely true although there are some general similarities. My husband has been devouring mysteries, which represent escapist reading for him; anything requiring close attention and concentration can be difficult. We joke around here that one of the unexpected benefits of chemo-brain is that he can reread lots of books, because he can't remember them! Perhaps your friend would enjoy historical mysteries, if she likes historical gardens. There are many very good ones, a number of which are set in England. Let me know if you'd like any suggestions.

[ponygirl2000.livejournal.com]

I'd second the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I just finished it and it's a real love letter to gardening. The only real narrative is the change of the seasons and the harvest each brings so it's easy to pick up after putting it down for a while.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

The Kingsolver book sounds wonderful! I think I'll look for it as audio or podcast, since others have suggested that.

I can understand mysteries--I devour them just to get through my ordinary life. But if you think of any titles that specifically relate to gardening, let me know. She may like fiction more than I think.

She's the stepmother of my son's partner--we really enjoy each other's company, but only see each other twice a year or so, and usually in groups, so I don't know her as well as I wish I did. However, I want to do whatever I can to help her and the family get through this.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I love Kingsolver in all her books. I think I will send that to her but will also get it out of the library for myself!

[rara-avis.livejournal.com]

Sorry to take so long responding...but here are a few suggestions. For gardening mysteries, I came up with a BBC series on dvd: Rosemary and Thyme, which ran for three seasons, and which I found enjoyable because the "detectives" are landscape gardeners. Gorgeous scenery. For books, there is a contemporary series by Laura Wittig Albert, featuring China Bayles - lots of titles, usually with a plant name; an historical mystery series by Kathy Lynn Emerson, featuring Lady Susanna Appleton, an herbalist in Elizabeth I's time; and then (of course) Diana Gabaldon's long Outlander series. I thought Gabaldon did a highly credible and informative job of weaving the uses of all sorts of herbs and other plants into her 18th century tale.

Amazon also pops up with a series by Ann Ripley, all with titles that make you groan ("Mulch"?), none of which I've read. But there are plenty of used paperbacks for sale for $0.01 - perhaps mulch is a more accurate title than the author ever guessed it would be?

My best wishes to your friend for successful chemo treatments with tolerable side effects.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I love those Wittig books--they're a real delight. And the Emerson sounds excellent. Thanks for the great research! I will definitely try some of these for her.

And thanks for the good wishes.