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The Sunday Post is a chance to recap the past week, talk about next week, tell you what I’m reading, and share news. It’s hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Readerbuzz, and Book Date.
The Sunday Post
On The Blog Recently
- Book Pairings: The Franklin Expedition
- Mind-Opening Nonfiction Books
- New To My Nonfiction Reading List
- Books I Should Read Before They Become Classics
- Books Set In Snowy Places
In My Reading Life
I read Hidden Valley Road: Inside The Mind Of An American Family by Robert Kolker. It's the true story of a couple who had 12 children in the 1940s - 1960s. By the mid-1970s, six of the 12 children had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The family members' stories (and their DNA) are still being used to research schizophrenia today.
If you were fascinated by The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, then I highly recommend Hidden Valley Road. They both tell the stories of the humans behind the medical science advancements. I love that books are bringing us the stories of the (usually anonymous) test subjects who make science possible.
Since the family in this book is large, and their story spans multiple generations, the book sometimes feels unfocused. It was hard for me to keep up with all the threads. However, don't let that discourage you from reading it. This is a story that deserves to be told.
In The Rest Of My Life
Five things that made me happy recently:
- It snowed! Then it all melted, but it was nice to have snow for a day, especially because I was off work that day.
- I finally got my brain examined to find out what's causing my headaches, mental fog, extreme fatigue, etc. I don't have any answers yet, but I'm hopeful. I've felt like a gently microwaved corpse since March.
- Christmas shopping and Christmas cards. I mailed all my cards. I need to get a few more gifts, and then I'm done.
- Playing Planet Zoo. I've wasted way too much brain power on this videogame, but I don't care because I'm decorating my virtual zoo for Christmas. It's important. My animals need to be festive.
- Pinterest invited me to a webinar for creators. It was cool to see the trends they're predicting for next year.
I'll figure out how to take screenshots of my festive zoo. I know you're all desperate to look at a fake festive zoo.
Screen shots are a lifesaver! I hope you figure out what to do on your device.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you get answers to the malaise you're experiencing (malaise is probably too soft of a word. I do not mean to lessen the experience).
ReplyDeleteI also read Hidden Valley Road and thought it was super interesting. What a wild family!
I have a question for you AJ as I recall that you did a challenge drinking a gallon of water. My mom has had dizzy spells, brain fog and memory loss because she didn't have enough sodium (salt) in her body due to her drinking too much liquids. It seems it's common when people drink a lot (not alcohol lol) so I was wondering your ailment could be related to your challenge month?
ReplyDeleteOoh, that's interesting. The problems started soon after the challenge ended. I can ask about sodium if I go back to the doctor. Right now, the doctors think my problems are related to a health condition I was born with. Most likely, I'm just not taking care of myself properly.
DeleteYes, need to see about this zoo game! I hope that they can figure out what is going on so you can figure out how to help with the issue. That book sounds good, I was fascinated by the Henrietta Lacks story too. Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWow! Half their kids were schizophrenic. That had to be overwhelming. I have an uncle with schizophrenia. It's a tough one. A snow day. What a treat! I used to love those as a teacher. That's not a thing for me now, but at least my manager usually lets us work from home on those days. I used to call out instead. Look at you! A Pinterest VIP. That is cool. I do hope they find the root of your ills (it would be wild if Sophie was right!)
ReplyDeleteI hope you find out some ways to help your issues. We have worked on my daughter's health for almost 20 years but we finally have gotten some answers and improvements.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Love the cat meme! I can relate.
ReplyDeleteI love that cat joke! Isn’t it the truth?
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some answers about your headaches soon. The book sounds really good. Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see your Fake Festive Zoo.
ReplyDeleteI've added Hidden Valley Road to my wishlist for next November.
I definitely want to see your festive zoo!
ReplyDeleteHidden Valley is already on my TBR, it really does sound fascinating.
Wishing you a wonderful week
I hope you get answers about your medical issues. My daughter has been experiencing mental fog and headaches as well, but she also has some serious mental health issues. Still, we visited the neurologist last week, just to make sure there are no answers there. (It looks like there are, indeed, no answers there - but she is going to get an MRI done, just to make extra sure.)
ReplyDeleteHi AJ - I too hope you find your mojo and health back properly next year ... I'm in the same mode, but don't have the headaches - thankfully. Hidden Valley sounds really interesting ... thanks for all your recommendations over the year - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI hope they get to the bottom of your problems - it sounds utterly miserable:(. I did read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and found it a moving, unforgettable experience - I will get hold of Hidden Valley at some stage, but not right now. Hope the coming week is a good one, AJ:).
ReplyDeleteWe had snow this week too. Unfortunately, ours in probably on the ground until March. "Microwaved corpse" doesn't sound like fun. I hope you get some answers to the problems. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteHope you find some answers and solutions to your health issues! I can't imagine having 12 children! Six of them with mental health issues would be daunting!
ReplyDeleteHidden Valley sounds really interesting!! I hope that you get some answers soon and can begin healing!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get answers soon. That's a long time to deal with those symptoms! I have a friend with Long COVID who is dealing with the long slow process of diagnosis and treatment that helps.
ReplyDeleteHidden Valley does sound fascinating.