We're all mortal

While on vacation, I finished Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande. Gawande is a doctor and writes about the conversation that should happen “in the end” with either terminally ill or elderly patients. He believes that in spite of (or in light of) all that we can do technically and medically, there is still a human being on the receiving end. He proposes a conversation (a long one, not a 10-minute-gotta-see-my-next-patient one) based on these questions:

"What is your understanding of the situation and its potential outcojmes? What are your fears and what are your hopes? What are the trade offs you are willing to make and not willing to make? And what is the course of action that best serves this understanding?"

He presents at least five cases through this lens, and most poignantly, that of his father.
I thought this was a wonderful book. I want my doctor to read it. I want my mother’s doctor to read it. Heck, I wish all doctors would read it.

It’s available in paperback and Kindle. It is also available at the library (print & audio).

Interesting psychological drama

Last month I read The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue. We read Room by her back in 2012. There is absolutely no resemblance between the 2 books other than than the fact that they are very well-written and thought-provoking.

The protagonist in the story, set in the 1850s in London, is a feminist way before her time, being single and a business owner.  The plot centers around Emily "Fido" Faithfull and her reunion with a former friend, a pathologically narcissistic and now unhappily married woman. Alternating between the viewpoints of Fido, her friend Helen and Helen's husband, Harry, the book raises interesting questions about the motivations of those 3 characters and the nature of love and friendship. We learn about the archaic system that prevents married women from owning property, the strict mores of the time and the completely male-dominated culture and laws.

I liked this book and I liked it even more when I read afterward that it is based on a true story. Warning: DON'T read the afterword before you read the book!

Great series by Tana French

I recently read In the Woods and The Likeness by Tana French about the Dublin murder squad--a fictional department of Dublin's police force. Three children disappear In the Woods, French's first novel, and 20 years later, the only child found alive, Detective Rob Ryan, is on the murder squad when a twelve-year-old girl is found dead in the same woods. The plot has many twists and turns as the two mysteries collide. I found myself up until midnight one night because I could not put the book down. The writing is superb and a joy to read, the characters are well developed, the psychological elements are explored in-depth, and the suspense is skillfully plotted to the very end. 

The Likeness picks up a different murder squad character, Cassie, from In the Woods for another compelling story that I also found hard to put down. A murdered woman who looks like Cassie and carries ID for one of Cassie's aliases is discovered in an abandoned cabin. Again, French offers a well-written mystery and psychological thriller that I could not put down. 

I recommend both of these books as intensely engrossing reads that leave you wanting more. Fortunately, French has 5 books in the series now and I look forward to reading the rest of them. They are available in our library system.

A Magical Tale

I continue with a heavy dose of fantasy in my reading. Uprooted by Naomi Novik was recommended in my NPR Book Notes email in May.

The story is set in Poland in the time of most fairytales, and I believe it draws on some Polish traditional tales. Each year The Dragon (an immortal wizard) selects a village girl to live in his tower for 10 years. The book follows the first year of Agnieszka’s apprenticeship.

Reviews likened it to Beauty and the Beast and, of course, Harry Potter. Hmmm.

Here’s what I liked. Agnieszka is a 17-year old, intelligent, caring, ingenious, and powerful woman wizard. She’s resolute and unafraid and loyal. So, yeah, a strong female character. There are also strong female friendships. And, the main evil force in the book is female. Then, there’s the crotchety, likeable, at times vulnerable Dragon, Sarkan. Finally, there’s a bit of romance.

Here’s what disappointed: You know the saying ‘there’s an app for that’? Well, in this book, there’s a spell for that. That’s about the extent of the magic. Need a pair of oxen to pull a cart? Mash together some mud and straw while reciting a spell. Need a change of clothes? There’s a one-word spell for that. And, the evil, known as The Wood, is about vines and trees and corruption that invades people. That was probably the most imaginative (and symbolic) part of it.

Back to what I liked. In the end (I don’t think I’m ruining anything) Agnieszka, rather than vanquishing The Wood, makes peace and healing with it. And, Agnieszka doesn’t go following after Sarkan because she thinks that her healing stuff is important and she loves her village. I really liked that.

Focus on men

To add to Jeri's post (5/29) .... I just saw this on FaceBook from the Guardian: Analysis of the last 15 years of winners of six major literary awards by the critically acclaimed author Nicola Griffith has found that a novel is more likely to land a prize if the focus of the narrative is male.


Something to think about, too.

Knit Nite Sunday Afternoon

Rounding out the holiday weekend, we gathered at Susan’s to chat and ‘project’ (yeah, I just made that a verb). Kathy K. and Jeanne did not bring projects, but joined in on the conversation. And, I have to say - you can learn a lot at these gatherings. For example: Amazon Prime and Fire TV Stick.

Kathy T. brought one of her newly finished quilts. I love the cheery colors! She does beautiful quilting.

Vicki is working on a quilt top. This one is a cross stitch sampler of American birds. Lots of small stitches!

Jackie is working on her Thermis pattern. It’s a neck warmer in beautiful gray yarn.

I am on the last sock of three pairs of socks that I am making for me and my sisters for National Sisters Day on August 2. Hooray! I’m on schedule!

And, finally, Sheldon was his usual charming and social self.