Change of Heart August 18, 2008

Marcia says:

I recently listened to Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult and enjoyed it just as much as her other novels. Once again I was captivated by Picoult’s choice of current hot topics that challenge the reader’s belief systems.  In Change of Heart, Shay Bourne, a death row prisoner, is convicted of murdering a woman’s family and will soon be lethally injected.  One challenge is convincing the woman to accept Shay’s final wish for atonement by donating his heart to her daughter who is dying of heart failure. Another challenge is convincing the court system to change the method of his death to enable the transplant to take place. Throughout it all, listeners/readers may be challenged by examining not only their beliefs in capital punishment, but also the separation of church and state.  I always am intrigued by Picoult’s choice of themes and how she focuses on her character’s development while dealing with these issues.

The Myth of Alzheimer’s August 18, 2008

Lyn says:

Wow!  What a different view of ‘brain aging’!  I couldn’t put it down.  Whitehouse says he has come from a prominent position in drug therapy research to a completely different view of what has been called Alzheimer’s disease.  He wants us to realize that we need to work with people to see what they CAN do and how caregivers can understand and care for those having brain difficulties.  The fear that comes with the diagnosis is as dangerous as the symptoms.  The ‘miracle cures’ are discussed in detail and debunked.  We have heard that Alzheimer’s disease can be distinguished at autopsy but that is incorrect – there is a continuum of brain plaques and tangles even in people who have no brain dysfunction.  Prevention from childhood is stressed with diet, exercise, stress reduction, environmental monitoring, education.  The stories of a caring approach to evaluating symptoms are encouraging.  Don’t get discouraged by all the science – understand what you can and go on to the discussions.  His quote from T. S. Eliot is the core of his new approach: ‘What are we going to do about it?’ is replaced by ‘How does one behave towards it?’

The myth of Alzheimer’s: what you aren’t being told about today’s most dreaded diagnosis by Peter J. Whitehouse

Dr Whitehouse’s description of himself and his book

Lunch at the Piccadilly August 18, 2008

Regan says:

While waiting to get your hands on Clyde Edgerton’s latest, The Bible Salesman, you might want to stop by Rosehaven where Aunt Lil will entertain you for an hour or two.  Lunch at the Piccadilly is another sweet, funny and wise slice of pie novel by Edgerton.  We can all learn so much from our elders—and if you don’t have your own, visiting with Edgerton’s will do just as well.  There is some dangerous driving, a little song writing, and a glimpse of what is just down the road.  You won’t be sorry if you stop for Lunch at the Piccadilly.