Holiday Reading

Holiday Hospital Reading

Bring some reading material Jonathon  said.  This little stack should get me through 7 days in hospital .  While everyone else is out Christmas shopping and partying I will be undergoing life saving surgery on 14th December.  Last night we gathered a group of friends together and picnicked with wonderful food and wine at our local Carols by Candlelight. You must try my latest sandwich filling - softened blue cheese with chopped candied walnuts.  Sensational.

The good news is I'll be home for Christmas, the liver regenerates and I can still drink wine, and combined with further chemo my future outlook is positive.

These are the books I've chosen and why.
1.    God Calling. A collection of daily meditations given to me by my good friend Elaine.
2.    Lonely Planet World Food - France. I can dip into this book and decide on my next foodie discovery when I visit France again.
3.    The Passionate Epicure (Marcel Rouff). I love old literature from France and Proust was too heavy to pack.
4.    Pilgrims Guide to the Roads through France to Santiago de Compostela (Alison Raju). This is the route I planned on walking in 2006 which will happen a bit later now, but will happen.
5.    You Can Conquer Cancer (Ian Gawler) An inspirational book about surviving cancer.
6.    The Olive Season (Carol Drinkwater)  A light read for when I need to chill out.
7.    The Troubadour's Testament (James Cowan) A more challenging read.
8.    Prospero's Cell (Laurence Durrell) This man knew how to write. Every sentence is stunningly beautiful.
9.    Long Ago in France (MFK Fisher) My favourite food writer.
10.    The Pedant in the Kitchen (Julian Barnes) To dip into and reread favourite essays.
11.    Buddhism for Busy People (David Michie) David is my cousin in law , meditation mentor and one of my all time favourite people.
12.   The Cheese Room (Patricia Michelson) I restricted myself to one cookery book and this was a book I bought on a special outing in Sydney with Madame Shawshank. It will remind me there will be more  good days to look forward to with foodie friends.

 

 

Comments

[plum]

Barbara, I will be thinking of you over the next seven days. Figman's mother beat this and she's still going strong after almost 20 years.

Best wishes and hope the MFK gets you through the tediousness of hospital.

[barbara]

Thanks Plum. It's comforting to hear positive stories. Good on Figmans Mum.

[Kai]

Wow, that's a lot of reading. Nothing like a good book to lift your spirits. Think positive. Well-wishes for you from the Philipines.

[Mary]

A lovely reading selection. I only wish you were undertaking this mountain of books under better circumstances. They all look like things I would read although I am biased toward the cheesebook, of course.. and your sandwich suggestion (saw it on C&Z too - good to share!) sounds divine. Blue cheese is a personal fav.. I'll be trying it soon!

[Sam]

Oh Barbara. The best of good luck to you. We will be thinking of you a lot here in San Francisco.

much love,

Sam x

[cookiecrumb]

Hot, vibrant wishes coming my way to you. Warmth, power, positivity.
No guilt on your part, no thinking this is your "job."
Just love to you.

[Judy]

What a gorgeous stack of books. They will be your constant friends by your side while you are in hospital and afterwards. I'm sending lots of warm thoughts to you, Bryan and the boys from Adelaide

[Duane]

As a fellow cancer survivor, I wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery and that your treatments go as smoothly as your wonderful cooking.

Sending positive energy from the Heartland of America

[Nicky]

Dear Barbara,
A big hug and a lot of positive thoughts!!! You'll get through this :)

[joey]

Lots of hugs and happy thoughts from me to you! That sounds like a wonderful selection you have chosen...they will be good companions :) Wishing you all the best, joey

[Monkey Gland]

Ah, piece of cake. Once you're through that lot and shaken off the quacks I've got a bundle of recommedations for you.

[mona]

Barbara, best of luck. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Get better soon!!

[yoony]

I hope you get well soon. And that your holiday will bring joy and wonderful food into your life when you return home. :)

[Melissa]

Lots of warmth and love from Paris!
Hope you check in with your 'e' from time to time. Stay strong!

[Judy]

Wonderful news that you went well through the surgery with no complications, Barbara, and great news also that you'll be able to have a glass of champagne on Christmas Day. There will be quite a few glasses raised to you from all your friends, I'm sure.
With my very best wishes from that 'little' island just west of NZ ... how many Kiwis think of Oz as 'West Island', I wonder?

[Rosa]

I send you all my positive thoughts and hope you'll recover very fastly!
Have a nice Christmas and a Happy New Year! And enjoy your glass of wine...

[Joan]

If I had to be a book..I'd be in your library! you darling darling dame...and as for Jonathon..what a yummy suggestion from him..I'm wondering what my selection would be..hugs hugs hugs...oh why not..more!

[Zabeena]

Dear Barbara!
I also wish you a speedy recovery and a very merry Christmas!!
Love & kisses
Zabeena

[Rose]

Barbara,

I send you the warmest wishes from New York. I look forward to your happy return to food and bloggin' :-)

[Kelly]

Hi Barbara, hope everything went well and that you're back on your feet soon. Very best wishes from Brisbane.

[Judy]

Welcome home, dearest one. I wonder how many of your printed-on-paper friends you managed to read, or at the very least, dip into. Take it slowly and stay well. Love to you all, Judy