Day 1
Introduce Yourself
5 Books that represent me, my interest and/or lifestyle.
When I read the reviews from these books I laughed, was teary eyed, smiled and overall filled with beautiful book loving hugs. What a way to cherish my blogging journey.
I read this book before I started blogging but I love it and I'm thankful for it because my father has Alzheimer's and it helped me to understand how he feels at times especially from being in a high profile job and being a family man. A sad but brilliant book. I highly recommend. This one will always stay with me.
I also think the book adaptation was great.
My brother had a massive stroke in 2011, he has now passed but Stoke of Insight was so helpful and will be my recommendation to any family that is affected. Here is a glimpse of my review. Reading the comments again, made me tear up, bloggers, do not forget the impact you have with other bloggers. I feel honoured to have many of you as blogging friends.
I thought the Appendix - Forty Things I Needed the Most - was so important and I wish Doctors could share with all families of stroke survivors. Here are some of my favourites:
- I am not stupid, I am wounded. Please respect me.
- Approach me with an open heart and slow your energy down. Take your time.
- Make eye contact with me. I am in here - come find me. Encourage me.
- Please don't raise your voice - I'm not deaf, I'm wounded.
- Celebrate all of m little successes. They inspire me.
- Love me for who I am today. Don't hold me to being the person I was before. I have a different brain now.
I couldn't wait until my daughter was old enough, she just turned 9 and I think this summer would be the perfect time to read together.
From my review - The best part of this book is that even though it was published in 1910 it is perfect for today also. I especially recommend for wealthy friends, celebrity children, children moving to a new culture and children that feel different for any reason.
Please don't judge me :-)
My Reviews
Interview with Dan Wells
This is the series, I admit to being in love with a sociopath, lol. In the first, I say..... John has you feel sorry for him, feel fearful of him, fearful for others around him including his mom, just an overall shock. I am wow'd and completely intrigued by him. The 2nd book I say I am in love with this horrifying sociopath, lol. And the 3rd.... I proclaimed my love for John after completing Mr. Monster, lol, in love with a sociopath, HA, but seriously his character is a knock out.
I recently found out book 4 has been released, I'm excited - The Devil's Only Friend (John Cleaver)
Silence of the Lambs is my favourite movie of all time, I was happy to read also. If you haven't read or watched this movie you are missing out on some of the most well crafted works ever. I have to say I loved the movie more because I am visual. The book had me engaged and wanting to know what was next but the details still were unable to capture the true crazy, delicate, creepy scenes as a whole, the parts that took your breath away.
Honorable Mention
I never talk about it on my blog, but I am a Yoga Instructor - this book is crucial to understanding your own Yoga Journey more.
Please NOTE - if you don't see my comment, it may have went in your junk folder, I don't know why this is happening, I have tried to reach out to some bloggers but I have noticed it 3 times now and I have only visited 10 so far.
Nine does seem like the right age to discover The Secret Garden!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, I can't wait, I think she will love the mommy daughter time.
DeleteYes! Read The Secret Garden with your daughter. I'll keep the stroke book in mind.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be a very special time for us. Yes, the stroke book is so important if ever needed. I work in a hospital and I actually saw it on a training/discussion schedule.
DeleteI can see why the first two books had such an impact on you. Books can really help ease our pain, can't they?
ReplyDeleteAnd the fact that bloggers recommended these books helped. I'm so grateful for this blogging community.
DeleteDiscovering a truly favourite read of yours with your child is such a great way in which to connect - I hope you and your daughter enjoy discovering The Secret Garden together.
ReplyDeleteReading With Jade
I really hope she loves it too, that would make me sad if she doesn't.
DeleteI had all boys. I sometimes wish I'd had a daughter to share some of my favourite classic girl books with. I must admit to liking Little Princess better than Secret Garden though. :-0
ReplyDeleteI will have to read Little Princess, honestly don't remember that one Nicola.
Delete"Please don't judge me" - haha, not judging at all but I know exactly what you mean. :) Enjoy talking about the books you love, Marce!
ReplyDeleteI love your list here - especially reading about how the first two books help you understand illnesses and people who suffer them! That's why it is so important to read.
I remember the laughs I had with bloggers when I said I'm in love with a sociopath, it was some of the best laughs, just makes me giggle thinking about it.
DeleteSo important to read, I agree, they become a major part of life.
Marce - I love your list of books!! And Still Alice is one I have literally pushed into the hands of people who are dealing with family members with Alzheimer's/dementia. Such a good book and I know you and I have shared a bit about how the subject has impacted our lives. Sigh. I didn't know about your brother, but I'm so sorry for that. The stroke book sounds like a great resource and I'll keep it in mind. I do have a daughter and while we didn't read The Secret Garden together (she's more of a movie person), we did watch more than one film adaptation of it. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteAnd as to judging you - not ever, ever. You read what 'speaks' to you. Glad you participated in this event!!
I was happy when I saw you participated also, our similarities are great, books and personal. I get everyone to read Still Alice also. My daughter loves movies also, her name is from the show Charmed, she can't wait to get a teen to watch that series with me. :-)
DeleteHahahaha on the judging
So you're a serial killer who teaches yoga? Nice. ;) But really, you also made me tear up with those comments too. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteBryan you made me laugh out loud, remember no judging. My participants do say I'm killing in class sometimes. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteIt's so great when books can help you deal with real-life situations like your family's illnesses. Just another way books make the world a better place.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, I will always remember them.
DeleteOh the Secret Garden! Love it :)
ReplyDeleteSeems this is a great choice, let's hope she loves it too.
DeleteI loved the Secret Garden as a young girl and I read it out loud to my girls. I also really appreciated Still Alice. My grandfather had Alzheimer's. It also scared me a little, worried about my chances of getting it.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I'm still a little scared that I could also repeat history with getting Alzheimer's. Heartbreaking.
DeleteGreat list! I had no idea you were a yoga instructor--I have just gotten into it, and am quickly becoming addicted. :) Can't wait to check that book out.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I appreciate the Stroke of Insight mention...I will need to read that one. I have an aunt who had a massive stroke in 2008. She had locked-in syndrome for a while, but after some time was able to rehab to an extent and is now home, with assistive care. Her life is so different now, and sometimes it is hard for me (and her other family and friends) to understand what she needs most at this time.
Kelly, Stroke of Insight is so important, some parts very medical but even if you skip those parts the others will be important.
DeleteI guide Strala Yoga, studied under Tara Stiles. I also love my Sunrise Yoga class and Yoga for the Curvy Voluptuous Woman. It's so easy to get addicted to yoga.
Such a lovely post! I remember reading The Secret Garden (and A Little Princess) for the first time with my own mother; what a special experience to share with your daughter this year. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny, others have mentioned A Little Princess, I will have to read and then share with my daughter also.
DeleteSo much to comment on here - love that you cite helpful nonfiction books. I want that yoga book! Actually, I need a yoga class; I've been procrastinating.
ReplyDeleteI gave my niece The Secret Garden and she seemed to enjoy it. So heartwarming to hear when a kid likes a book gift.
Go have some time on the mat, enjoy your yoga journey. I am really hoping she loves the Secret Garden and experience of reading together as much as I am looking forward to it.
DeleteThe Secret Garden is one that I read many times as a child. And I love that you are a yoga instructor. I do far less yoga than I would like to. I feel so much better when I practice regularly!
ReplyDeleteRemember part of the yoga journey is to incorporate daily practice, it is very hard. It doesn't have to be a class.
DeleteI really look forward to our Secret Garden experience.
This is a wonderful list! The Secret Garden is a childhood favorite of mine. I hope your daughter will enjoy it! She's lucky to have a mother who reads with her. :-)
ReplyDeleteStill Alice was such a good book. It was a difficult read for me given the subject matter, but an important one, I think. I too have had family members with dementia and Alzheimer's.
The stroke book sounds very good as well. I will have to look for that one.
I haven't read the Dan Wells books, but it sounds like maybe I should. :-) I loved The Silence of the Lambs, both the film and the book.
Thanks for commenting. Silence of the Lambs is my 'brilliant' book.
DeleteAwwwww, I sure hope she will enjoy our Secret Garden experience, I may even go to our Botanical Gardens for a few reads.
What a great variety! It really shows how reading can hit us in so many different places -- brain, heart, and soul. It's great when we find the right book when we need it most.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to bloggers they help with giving great recommendations in time of need.
DeleteThat is quite the list. I love how it shows your diverse interests and each book means something to you personally. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. I love thrillers, but times like this makes me realize I am an eclectic reader.
DeleteThe Secret Garden! Such a favorite. I need to read that with my kids too.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping it is memorable moments for us.
DeleteI'm excited for you and your daughter to read The Secret Garden together. I think I was nine when I read it myself, and it sent me on an epic (and, sadly, failed) quest to turn part of the backyard into my own secret space.
ReplyDeleteSweet, I can't wait to choose a plan to garden together and sit off by ours to read a few chapters, even go to Botanical Gardens, have a picnic and read too. I really look forward to it and want to make it special.
DeleteLove the variety in this list - from charming children's stories to sociopaths to yoga - we are all so full of contradictions, and it's so great :) Nice to get to 'know' you through your book choices!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Sociopaths to yoga, lol, love that.
DeleteHa! Numbers 4 & 5 surprised me, but not in a judgy way! This is a great list--pretty eclectic. I love Jill Bolte Taylor's TED Talk A Stroke of Insight. I cry every time I watch it, and I show it to my students every year (high school). I haven't read her book, but I need to.
ReplyDeleteI purposely didn't put as first books because my regular followers wouldn't have been surprised, HA. I would cry everytime also, think I will check out TED talk.
DeleteGreat list -- I enjoyed how you connected these with your life and the people you love.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joy - family mean so much to me so it was a easy 'about me' to feature books that connected me to family
DeleteInteresting varied list! It reminded me that I am yet to get to Still Alice.
ReplyDeleteYou must read Still Alice. Lisa Genova is an amazing crafted author, all her books have been brilliant.
DeleteVery good list! My sister had a stroke a few years ago and I was nodding along with all of these points. Yes!
ReplyDeleteThey were so helpful I couldn't believe it. Once we slowed down, we were able to communicate again, he just needed time to respond. It could be frustrating so I was glad to have read this and found it perfect timing.
DeleteThe Secret Garden will be a perfect read for you guys this summer!
ReplyDeleteAre you only having the comment trouble on Wordpress blogs? I had that for months! I finally contacted someone from Akismet support (I believe this is the spam filtering wordpress uses) and they were able to unblock me. I hope that helps!
Thanks Jen - some blogs don't seem to be Wordpress, I can't figure out the connection but those that responded to me did find the comments in the junk folder, ugggh.
DeleteThe Secret Garden and A Little Princess were two of my absolute favorites as a young girl. I loved both copies to shreds; I will keep those forever, but I do want to buy new copies so I can have something more durable to read.
ReplyDeleteNice to yoga turn up here! I have been meaning to blog about yoga for a while. It's my favorite form of exercise. Hopefully I'll have the time next week sometime.
Many have mentioned Little Princess, I definitely will have to read again, as I don't remember that one.
DeleteYoga is so important to me now, it has really allowed me to be in the moments, cherish the little things and love my body, life more.
I loved the Secret Garden too! And still Alice? Wonderful!! My mother passed away from Alzheimer's a year ago. I hope you have a support group. Friends help.
ReplyDeleteWhat an enlightening list. I saw Still Alice onscreen and really loved it. Hope to get to the book at some point. I own a copy of I am not a serial killer because of you! I haven't read it, but I will :)
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ReplyDelete