"Being mortal is about the struggle to cope with the constraints of our biology, with the limits set by genes and cells and flesh and bone. Medical science has given us remarkable power to push against those limits, and the potential value of this power was a central reason I became a doctor." -Dr. Atul Gawande, Being Mortal prologue
Well, it's another snow day here in Durham, a rarity for this area, but we are making the best of it. I learned a long time ago NOT to be bothered when my plans change on days like this when offices aren't opened, schools are closed, and banks have altered hours. It is what it is. But I enjoy being at Starbucks on a quiet day like this because I am given a quiet opportunity to share my thoughts about what I'm reading. I won't let a little snow and ice keep me from getting to my quiet place.
Last week I finished listening to a fun book called Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke. Once again, it was a lucky find that I got at my library just by browsing the many books-on-cd that they have. I love, love, love the North Durham Branch of the Durham Public Library system. We are regular "customers" there. My love for libraries dates back to my earliest recollection of going to one, when I was in the third grade in Louisville, Kentucky. Ever since then I've made full use of libraries and have enjoyed every minute of it. When our children were very young I went to the Endicott, NY library to enroll our son for a children's story time, and there was soon a line formed. I had no idea that there was so much "competition" to enroll preschoolers for story groups, but I was glad that I arrived early. While he was in his group I read to our 1 year old daughter in the children's section of the library. When she tired of books we did puzzles or played with the toys that they had available. But I digress.
Apple Turnover Murder takes place in Lake Eden, Minnesota. It's the story of a small town that has a community talent show for charity, and someone ends up being murdered during the show. I won't spoil it for you, but I can tell you that the victim is not shot, he's stabbed to death. And, of course, the most unlikely of people is the one who commits the murder. You may wonder what apple turnovers have to do with the murder. Apple turnovers are baked and sold at the fundraiser where the victim is killed, so that is the connection. Also, we find recipes for a variety of dishes every now and then, which makes it kind of fun. I wish I could have written down all of the recipes while I was listening to the book, but since I was in the car I couldn't really do this. Nowadays, though, you can find any recipe that you can possibly imagine right on the internet.
Another book that I read last week was Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande (2014). He is also the author of three bestselling books: Complications, Better, and The Checklist Manifesto. My dad sent me this book, and although I had never heard of the author, I was interested in the subject matter, the state of health care for the aging and their end-of-life wishes. Dr. Gawande researched what was available for the elderly and chronically ill, and his findings are very insightful. Through his study of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice, and home care provided by family members, Dr. Gawande focuses on the wishes of the person who is sick and suffering with numerous medical procedures. He learns to ask people questions such as, "What do you want to be able to do? What is your hope for after this cancer treatment is complete? What matters the most to you?" He tells the stories of people like Alice, Lou, and even his own father. Each person made different decisions based on the options available to them at the time. He emphasizes that although it's difficult to have certain conversations, they are necessary so that the patient can figure out what he/she really wants or hopes for. In the end, what matters is that the person feels that his/her wishes are being respected while at the same time, the patient retains some quality of life. I recommend this book if you are suffering with severe health issues or if you have loved ones who are facing difficult decisions about their own care. We will all need this book at some time or the other.
Are you watching "Downton Abbey"? I have to throw that in because we're in the final season and the story is always evolving so that we never know what's going to happen next. I'm not going to spoil it for those of you who recorded last night's episode, but I will share one thing: I hope Mary and Tom Branson get together. Branson is being treated like family anyway since he was once married to Sybil, so I think he and Mary could get together. Both Mary and Branson have lost spouses to untimely deaths, so they understand that kind of pain and thus would make a good couple. What do you think? Do you have any other predictions? We can tell that problems are being resolved for many of our lovable characters, but we can't be certain of anything until the very end. But I wish it would never end!
Have a wonderful week, read something you love, and let me know your thoughts on today's post.
-Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
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