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Book suggestions, please.

NarwhalNarwhal
2500 Comments
in Not Engaged Yet
Okay, as many of you know I volunteer for Hospice.  I'm going to sit with my first patient today (it was kind of last minute, her normal volunteer broke her shoulder) and I'm totally not prepared.  But this will be for my future visits.

I want to bring something to read to them. It can't be overtly religious but I would like it to be rather inspiring, maybe.  They mostly just like being talked to, but reading is a good way to fill the gaps of conversation if they can't talk back.

Any suggestions of what might be a good book to bring along?
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Re: Book suggestions, please.

  • bsidebellabsidebella
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and its prequel Little Alters Everywhere. Obviously that's more for the women, but it involves a lot of flashbacks to pre-WW2 and post-Depression times which might bring back memories for them.

    Neil Gaiman has a book called M is For Magic, which is a compilation of his sci/fi-fantasy stories that are a little more light-hearted and not as dark and disturbing.

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  • chipyponychipypony
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't know if this fits with your theme but I absolutely loved it, and its pretty relative to some elderly people Water for Elephants. I just really liked that book.
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  • PhilliesPhan23PhilliesPhan23
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The Art of Racing in the Rain. It has death in it, but it isn't the whole focus of the book. More so about relationships and dealing with adversity for those who you love. It is narrated by a dog, which makes it much more genuine - trust me. Really great story.
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  • slowdancin2rockslowdancin2rock member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    "Moon Palace" by Paul Auster.
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  • kmuthigkmuthig
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My first thought was "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. I love that book and they way he was able to deal with his situation but it may be a bit heavy for that situation.
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  • dwest2201dwest2201
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I have no book suggestions at the moment... I'll ahve to think about it.  But I would like to say thank you for volunteering with Hospice.  Hospice is amazing and would not be the same without all the awesome volunteers!  Did you know that most of the people that you see there that seem like "staff" are actually volunteers... the people who answer the phones, work the front desk, do crafts with people, read to people... all volunteers. 

    What made you decide to choose Hopsice?  I ask because I would love to volunteer with them after my experiences with them.
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  • NarwhalNarwhal
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yes ma'am dwest, the majority are volunteers.  You can choose what you want to do during your training. I'm technically on the angel tema, which means I sit with people who are literally about to pass so that they don't have to do so alone.  But today I'm filling in for another regular volunteer, so I'll just be keeping company while the caregiver runs errands.

    I chose Hospice because of the great experience I had with them with my grandma passing.  At my real job last night, I helped a young man (probably around 19 or 20, really, but he looked about 14) pick out a gift for his Hospice nurse because his mom was about to pass any day now and she did a lot for him.  He was near tears the whole time but so thankful for what they've done.  I just really wanted to be a part of that.

    Doing Hospice is making me lean more towards social work than medical work.  It's a neat experience.
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  • dwest2201dwest2201
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    That is awesome Narwhal.  I heart hospice a lot... we had in home care for my sister when she was dying and my mom was at the facility for almost a week before she passed away too.  Amazing people, volunteers and nurses there.  I am really looking forward to volunteering there once my schedule frees up a bit!  Good Luck today!
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  • hetshuphetshup member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Narwhal you just melted my cold, hard heart. Thank you for doing this.

    Anyways: Like Water for Chocolate, Digging to China, Into the Wild, The Perfect Storm. Pillars of the Earth, The Eight, Labyrinth.
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  • genj15genj15
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I couldn't agree more with Water for Elephants, I thought that was a wonderful book.  Also, Pope Joan, a little heavy on the religious angle but it's an interesting story.  Let me think on that one, I'm sure I could come up with a lot more...
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  • AmandaKristenAmandaKristen member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I totally second "The Art of Racing in the Rain"... it's been passed around to so many differnt people in my family (men/women, older and young) and we all loved it. I hear they are making a movie of it soon...
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  • NarwhalNarwhal
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for all the suggestions. :)
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  • paintgirlpaintgirl member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    The Alchemist - Paulo Coelo
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  • bajedivabajediva member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Oh, Narwhal. We highlight the nasty side of humanity all too often. Thanks for reminding me that it is indeed beautiful.

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  • nefariousmangonefariousmango
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    "The art of racing in the rain" and "Water for Elephants" were the two I was thinking of, I'm thrilled other people agree!
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