For someone with a long list to accomplish today, I've gotten a late start, and I blame Lisa Genova.
She is a neuroscientist and author who writes fiction about people living with neurological diseases. She includes just the right amount of well-researched scientific detail to inform and educate the reader, but she also manages to beautifully portray the human side of the people living with these disorders. She has written about early onset Alzheimer's Disease, traumatic brain injury, autism, Huntington's disease, and now ALS. Every Note Played * will be published in March of this year, but I was lucky enough to be approved for an advance copy from NetGalley, and now all I want to do is read.
I woke up early this morning, told myself that I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, and reading for a little bit would be a good idea. Three hours later, I'm having trouble putting this compelling book down and getting to work. The story is about a concert pianist who is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease or motor neurone disease) at the peak of his success. How he deals with his progressive paralysis, the dilemma of the extensive caretaking he needs, and the reactions of the family he has estranged himself from make for some painful reading, but Genova's writing is beautiful, without a hint of overwrought drama. I know what the end will be, but I can hardly wait to see how it will be.
So after I make myself finish laundry, grocery shop, clean for some visitors, cook a few things ahead of time for those visitors, and review two strawberry and lettuce fungicide reports, I'll be back in the same place, happily reading a great book. I laughed when I saw the cover of the most recent Bas Bleu catalog; they get it!
I hope your weekend includes a wonderful book or two and some time to read.
* There is a giveaway on goodreads if you are interested in entering for a chance to win a copy of the book.
I need to pick your brain on Netgalley picks. I have gotten a couple of disappointing titles and you seem to get such amazing books!
ReplyDeleteI say, READ on dear friend. Life is short!
May your "chores" fly by so that you can get back to the book! I haven't seen that Bas Bleu cover yet, but always enjoy thumbing through the catalogue.
ReplyDeleteOoohhhh, interesting. I read Still Alice, but wasn't really aware of her other books. Inside the O'Briens is added to & at the top of my reading list!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! Today I am doing chores as well, but when is that not the case? Life requires endless chores unless one is independently wealthy, and I am not. So it is somewhat affirming that others wonder how quickly they can do what they must and get back to that book! I have had friends die with ALS, and my brother has an spinal motor neuron disease, so I don't know if this book is for me, but I am envious of authors who can tackle these subjects with grace. I hope you have quick chore completion, lots of reading time, and a great visit. Happy Friday, Bonny!
ReplyDeleteI debated balancing my Kindle on the handle of the cart while I grocery shopped, but decided that would be inefficient and probably just waste time, so I'm trying to be a grown up and do what I need to! I'm sorry this book is to close for comfort, but I am grateful this author writes so well to educate people and raise awareness. Happy Friday to you and wishing you fewer chores and some reading time this weekend!
DeleteI have fallen down that late night reading rabbit hole more than a few times. LOL
ReplyDeleteI will LOOK FORWARD to reading that book. I yearn to learn more about my dear departed mother's alzheimers disease.
ReplyDeleteI just want to read too! (all day, every day)
ReplyDeleteI need to make myself read more during the day instead of being sidelined by unimportant stuff. I'll blame the computer, the phone and the gym. Love your reading marathon!
ReplyDeleteWell . . . I don't know. . . strawberry and lettuce fungicide reports sound awfully compelling . . . ;-)
ReplyDeleteHope you get plenty of time to finish your book today! XO
Thank you for the heads up, Bonny - that book sounds great! ...adding to my TBR! Hope you have plenty of time to read this weekend!!
ReplyDeleteI added that book to my want to read list - I’m with you, reading seems to be all I want to do today
ReplyDeleteWhen we fall into a compelling book life's interruptions are very difficult to take. I've tried grocery shopping with an audible book in my ear, but that always ends with me stuck in an aisle not knowing why I'm there and listening intently to a good part of the book. Hope you're able to finish your book this weekend as a reward for doing all you should.
ReplyDeleteI still think about Genova's Always Alice, which my book group read a couple years ago.
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