Soooo, as caregivers , we often find ourselves with time on our hands-not free time really, as we are still watching our loved one, but time when we need something to do. I love to read! I love to read scary ( but not gory) books. I am reading a pretty good spooky story called "The Loon" right now which is about a psychiatric prison about to go bonkers when a white out snow storm cuts them off from the outside. -and it was only 3.99 -but , I fear, it may have some gore in it so be warned.
So-how's about you guys? Any readers out there? Any good books to suggest? Or do you have another activity that you do that keeps you sane?
I, too, love to read. I have read some great books on caregiving ( not exactly an escape, but lots of helpful info). The best one I have read thus far is called Passages In Caregiving by Gail Sheehy. I literally could not put it down..
As far as an escape, I have began reading Jackie Collins.....a bit trashy, but really entertaining and defintely an escape.
Another sugesstion are DIY and crafts, gardening; don't know if that is your cup of tea, but I LOVE pintrest.com, a virtual bulletin board that covers just about everything; there is even a page for free movies.
Because my father-in-law is so loud with his coughing, hacking and gagging, I usually put on my ipod or go in my room and shut the door and crank up the music. I also watch music videos, love RedHot Chilie Peppers on the lap top......for some reason I always crack up watching them perform.
some yoga helps greatly, but I find myself not doing enough of it lately.
I also journal and paint, when the mood strikes me.
My father-in-law keeps his tv on a western channel 24/7, and since his bed is in the livingroom, all I hear are gun fights and Indians. There are some days I just would love to take the tv and throw it out the door. I think it's pretty sad that ones last days are spent watching really bad b rated movies, instead of really connecting with loved ones, appreciating the world's beauty.
Oh, I love the library ( when I can get away ).....free books. I even checked-ot a nook and read a lot of books. I began reading Hemingway again.....it's been years. Just finished the Paris Wife, a book written about Hemingway and his first wife, who lived in Paris in the 20's. Really good read.
Hope this helps.
Dina
The Kindle has some good free books. When money gets tight I try and read the classics as they're free but , man, I have a hard time. I tried to read Mary Shelley I think it is because I am stressed out and I really need easy reads. That is why I think Jackie Collins is a good choice-sometimes you need to just read easy stuff.
Hi Dina- I will look into that caregiving book. Thanks! Also-trashy is good-I think, when you need an escape from caregiving go for it!!!! Red Hot Chili Peppers!!!!- I used to parody them ( um, in my living room for my husband) -the way the singer sings with his arms going up and down! It is kinda addictive dancing. I get liking to watch them. But , other than them I never got into music videos and I am an 80's child. We started MTV and MTV was just music videos back in the day. My husband says he used to watch MTV for hours and hours and knows all the names of all the bands from then. He says I am unAmerican-;0). I liked the Kinks and Hair.-the musical . I think I was born in the wrong era.
Kindle has free books. Usually the classics. I try to read them when I am broke but it is hard for me. I think it is because I am stressed out and have a hard time concentrating. I tried reading Mary Shelley's -The Last Man but no go. At least it was free! I should check out Hawthorne. I used to love his short stories. A true American Horror writer, IMO. I will look at Paris Wife-:0)
What do you paint, btw? I used to paint but it got to be too expensive. I wish we could upload pictures. I would love to see some of your crafts and paintings.
Sorry your Dad (in law) blasts westerns -egads-I imagine it takes him back too a happier time. I wonder if he would like antique stores? To look at old toys and stuff from his era. Just a thought.
It is an easy read (2 sittings) and interesting on so many levels, I would highly recommend it to everyone, especially caregivers and families of caregivers. Much love to all of you!
When I get depressed I like to watch documentaries that are depressing. I know I should probably try and watch something light hearted to get out of it but ,I fear, I am a dweller. My Netflix account has my favorites under the category-"Dark Documentaries" -their name. I didn't even realize I was watching a certain genre until it notified me that they had new releases in my "Dark Documentaries" enquiries. I looked back at my viewing history and, yup, I am a dark documentary watcher. Maybe I should try Lifetime. :0)
Mystic River, The Lovely Bones, The Lighted Room - all amazing stories
The Passage - I had to re-read it as soon as I had finished it
Angelology is a fascinating book (fiction) which had me double checking and researching "facts" presented in the story.
For escapism, Jilly Cooper and Donna Leon
I have a pile of books by my bed, waiting to be read ... will let you know if there are any gems among the pile.
I am an avid reader, and constantly leave a trail of books around the house!
I will check out Herbert. A classic, right? I do think I tried him but not sure. Thanks for the info!!!!
Look for movies like The Ugly Truth with Gerard Butler, She-Devil with Roseanne Barr and Merryl Streep. Another good one is Overboard with Goldie Hawn.
Cheerio. The public library is closing at 9pm and I have homework to do. Stay in touch my friend.
"last Pope" which was very cool. Now I am reading "Law of Divine Compensation" by Marianne Williamson, and "Refuse to Choose" by Barbara Sher. It is difficult for me to sit and read for extended periods with so many things on my mind, but I am learning to refocus, as we must be the Master of our thoughts! xo
id suggest two books for you. both can be read online for free. one is called " march of the titans " . its found on a white supremicist website but the book isnt by any means racist. its simply the most well written history book ive ever read.
the other is called " crimes of war " and is a book about the history of the geneva conventions and laws of warfare. many case histories and good pics. it will shock you how many times the usa has crossed the line between warfare and mass murder. research eisenhower death camps for fun too. at the end of ww11 the allied forces herded german soldiers into open fields and starved them and exposed them to the elements killing tens of thousands of them. the highway of death outside kuwait city where air power incinerated hundreds of iraqis who were trying to surrender. island hopping across the pacific in ww11. we had no facilities for japanese pow,s as it was mostly naval battles. hundreds were dispatched with a bullet to the brain stem. im not bashing the usa here. winston churchill once remarked that the ferocity of your opponent will cause degradation of your own morals, or something to that effect..
just saw parts of it last week.
ChristinaW-I looked up The Last Messiah"- instead of the Second Messiah (I think I got the Last from the Last Pope ) -anyway-waaaay different book than The Second Messiah! -at first I was like, really archaeology ?-but then realized my mistake -phew.
Capnhardass-ummm, why am I scared to click on the link? And may I suggest Netflix for ya-they have a great genre called "Dark Documentaries" ;0)
Oh, btw-The Loon stunk. It just ended up being a big gory hide and seek story. I like spooky paranormal that has twists and turns and revelations. And Sci if. I like Sci if. Anyone like Phillip K. Dick? Awesome!
with Andrew McCarthy and Teri Polo. It is on this weekend on Hallmark channel.
Mishka, I watched a documentary on Agatha Christy this morning. I read all of her books when I was pregnant with my son! I am intrigued with her. I love mysteries, love to figure out the motivation of perpetrator. Have not read Dick, but he is another interesting character. I enjoy analyzing authors and what makes them tick after reading at least one on their books. I love Alistair MacLeod from Nova Scotia. Dark, Celtic stuff.
im mischievious but honestly its just a youtube documentary about law and order in philly. nothing gory, just cops babysitting derilects day in and out. theres a relatively new strategy in this country right now. drug dealers are taken downtown and threatened with some very serious prison time. then theyre told to go home and make sure one bullet doesnt fly in their respective neighborhood. the dealers are actually the ones preventing the violence. its crazy but its working and we are training european law enforcement in this concept. drugs are the only revenue these people have. weve settled for just stopping the gunfire.
americans arent going to give up weapons either. as eastern states are putting the pressure on gun manufacturers indiana is right now creating incentives to bring the manufacturers here. just good paying manufacturing jobs to us. we,ll take it..
I love ESP books too!! Anything paranormal.-except paranormal romance books -I read sooooo many romance books in my teens I think I exhausted my interest. Still like the romantic movie , though. I will have to check out the one with Andrew McCarthy-a good eighties boy for ya!! ( ahhhh, St. Elmo 's Fire) .
Christina W-that is cool about researching the authors behod the books. I guess the closest I have come to that is meeting Stephen King!-love him!!!-and getting him to sigh my dog earred book-The Stand. No one make fun of Mr. King!!!-I adore his books!!! I saw him and his wife and son at their Three Kings reading. I met all three. They were all delightful! I never really researched into the author's though, that is a neat idea.
This topic makes me happy!! I am going to look up all the books talked about!!!
Right now I have found some cheap reads on Kindle that I am trying out-new authors that are selling their wares for cheap-it is a hit or miss kinda thing. Funny I am on Twitter and followed a few of the new authors I found and now other authors are following me trying to get me to read them. So weird how Twitter and Kindle and HBO and Netflix has changed the face of entertainment.
I am rambling. It is late and I cannot sleep. I guess I will read my new download-Dead Size. I'll let you know if it is a hit or a miss :0)
I am so far behind the times it's sad...but at the same time, I'm kind of happy about it, too..
.I don't own a cell, and I've never twittered, watched Netflix, nor do I own a kindle, or any device besides my computer...*blushes* it's kind of weird, but I like my life simplified, and with all the new technology out there...to me, it's confusing as hell, and really complicated...
I can roll with it to a certain degree, adapt to it, learn how to use all this stuff...but to replace the real thing with a machine? No way!
I just want to go to the book store, the one that smells so deliciously like wonderful brand new books, and just...step into all these fantasy worlds in person, up close...where I can grab and see and smell books.... I hope no one denies themselves that delicious pleasure...
....or the caramel brownies they sell at their little shop in the back... And that delicious dark coffee they have that smells so good a mile away... Now I have an urge to hang out at the bookstore awhile. :) Now I'm rambling..
Dead Size....sounds creepy! Is it? I love a good, scary read... Let us know!
Dean Koontz is another great author for some awesome creepy, crawly reading... He injects humor in there, and you don't know whether to giggle insanely, or be horrified... Love him... lol
I am not very tech savvy myself , Standing Alone. I just got a disposable cell phone as I had to drive with my Mom for quite a distance alone and my husband insisted that I get one. I do not know the number! -haha.
But my Kindle-love it! I do miss book stores and , yes, that smell!!!, but I had books all over and did not want to get rid of them- And I now can go to my "bookstore" at 1 AM when I cannot sleep and have nothing to read. And it is cheaper, I think. But I do still enjoy a good paper back. But I do miss being able to click on a word I do not understand and get the definition. Ahhh, they are both good-as long as I can reeeeaaadd!
As for Twitter-I resisted for a long time -I do not like Facebook- but I made a twitter account not using any personal info- used a childhood nickname and use it as entertainment. I like the Real housewives series ( blushing-I KNOW-horrible but ,hey, it is a guilty pleasure) and you can tweet during the show with other fans and it is a HOOT! I do not use it for family just fun stuff. Lots of people tweet during GOT I bet. People will pick up on things and share them via Twitter. If you notice shows now show a hashtag - # - and a word to share your thoughts. It is just fun. OK-just saying' I did not think I would like it but I do! It makes me feel less , well, alone. Isolated. (sigh)
You sold me on GOT!! I will have to check it out after I read these new books I got. This Dead Size seems to be a weird twist on Gulliver's Travels.
Anyone ever read Phillip K. Dick? He is a science fiction writer from the fifties. He has some great short stories! I think short stories are awesome quick reads if you do not have time or energy for a whole novel.