Since I got a Kindle and discovered that I could borrow books from the library for the Kindle, it's very hard to force myself to buy books. Or read anything that isn't available from the Kindle library. I mean, why should I pay for a book when there are just so many that are available for free? That said, there's a short list of books that I have been meaning to read for years, but I haven't gotten around to it because unlike most of what I read, they're not available for free.
1. This won't hurt a bit: this is the book by Michelle Au, of underwear drawer fame. She is hilariously funny, and I know the book is probably great. I just somehow can't make myself read one more medical autobiography.
2. My stroke of insight: this is a book by some sort of neuroscientist who suffers a stroke. It's been recommended to me by multiple people, but I just haven't gotten around to reading it.
3. Still Alice: I loved Lisa Genova's other book, and this one seems right up my alley, about a young woman who experiences early dementia.
4. The Room: this bestseller was one of the first books I recommended to my bookclub. Unfortunately, one of the members had already read it, so it was rejected, and I haven't gotten around to reading it on my own.
5. Gravity: this is a book by Tess Gerritsen, who is one of my favorite authors. I recently read all her books that are available in the library, and she has a few medical thrillers that are not available in the library, but I can get on the Kindle for only five dollars. It seems like it would be worth five dollars for a book that I really enjoy, but somehow there's always something that's free that I can read instead.
6. The perks of being a wallflower: this is a book that kept coming up when I was reading stuff for young adults. The first chapter wasn't compelling enough to get me to buy it, but I do think I would probably like it.
I have a long wish list for my kindle, but I'm also cheap so I'm still wishing. Our small town library doesn't have much and even through the regional library there isn't much of the books I like to read. Guess I'll have to rework my budget.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Jono. I'm cheap too! I'm saving my nickels as we speak for
DeleteDr. Fizzy's new book. They do take nickels on Amazon, don't they?
-Paul
Do you have an Amazon Prime Membership? They have a library of books for Members! You can borrow up to SIX @ once for as long as you want/need. Maybe some of them are there? Also, if your hospital is in a different library district as your home you may be able to access their electronic books as well.
ReplyDeletethere's honestly not a lot on there, and its more classics, none of these would make it to amazon lending library.
DeleteYou cannot borrow six books with Amazon prime, only with Amazon unlimited, which is extra. The choices are not that great, and a lot of the books that I would borrow only cost a few dollars anyway.
DeleteI am the same way. Now I just wait for the books to make it to my library system, whether its months or years from now, eventually I'll get to them!
ReplyDeleteJust read Department of Speculation and really liked it. I'm ashamed to say it's the first fictional book I've read in years -- I read nonstop before med school.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Michelle Au's blog but after having read close to twenty medical memoirs, I just couldn't finish hers, I felt that it was something I have read many times before. I do recommend "In Stitches" though, it's a plastic surgeon's memoir, mostly about getting into med school and then med school but it's really funny
ReplyDeleteFunny, I couldn't stand In Stitches and made it through only a few chapters. The ghostwriting gave it a hollow, fake quality. To each his own, huh?
DeleteI read My Stroke of Insight and would not recommend it. Save yourself a little time with that one.
ReplyDeleteReally? Why didn't you like it?
DeleteI read ~1/3 of the book but didn't make it through as I was in med school at the time. I really liked what I read and wanted to read it again to see if I might recommend it to patients and their families. Although recovery from intracerebral hemorrhage (provided one doesn't die) tends to be more complete than recovery from the more common ischemic strokes, I still think it's inspiring to know a brain can recover so well from severe deficits.
DeleteI really liked My Stroke of Insight. It gives you a unique perspective of what stroke patients go through during and after.
DeleteIt's been several years and a baby since then, so I really don't remember entirely. Wish I had kept a journal of some sorts of books I read and what I thought but I digress. Only thing that really stuck with me was not enjoying it, though I really thought I would since I'm an OT and had a big interest in neuro. Sorry I can't be more specific.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved Michelle Au's book. I found it funny, realistic, and easily identifiable. Invest Fizzy, you won't regret it.
ReplyDeleteYou could probably get away with just watching the movie for Wallflower. I didn't think the book was thaaaat awesome.
ReplyDelete+1 to My Stroke of Insight and The Room. Both unique perspectives on fraught subjects.
ReplyDeleteDr. Gawande's new book, "Being Mortal" is simply amazing and for me was oh, so timely as my Mom just died about a week ago, Anything by him I highly recommend.
ReplyDelete@ tracy: I am breaking a self imposed restriction of one comment/post to
Deletetell you how very sorry I am for your loss. It's very raw now, but the pain gets
better over time. Prayers to you and your family.
- Paul
Thank you, Paul. I appreciate your lovely comment.You are a very thoughtful person.
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