5 comments about Before I Say Goodbye: Recollections and Observations from One Woman's Final Year.

1. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and in November of 1998 she died, aged 44. I watched her becoming helpless, obedient, clildlike and frequently found myself wondering "Who is this woman and where did my mother disappear to?"

   Reading this book helped me understand what happened to her and that it was not unusual for a cancer patient to become that way. In other words: She did not become a freak, and obviously that is a great comfort to know. My mother was still in there somewhere.

   This book will make you laugh and cry. It will break your heart and increase your understanding of loss and death.

   This book should be required reading everywhere!




2. First of all, I don't understand why so many people believe books should be "life changing". I'm saying this because, when reading the previous reviews about this book, quite a few people have mentioned that they expected this book to be life changing: and it wasn't. Why do all things written by cancer patients & such have to be life changing? That's one question. And why do the things they say have to be relevant to everyone? That's another question.

   Ruth Picardie was a person with her ups & downs, her good qualities & her bad qualities. One thing that should be immediately noted is that she never intended for a book to be made out of her emailing with friends. Or maybe she thought she had more time, which would enable her to continue writing her columns & make a book out of them eventually. Sadly, her illness caught up with her. So "Before I say goodbye" is just a collection of personal emails, letters from Observer readers, & her 4-5 columns for the Observer. The columns are definitely the best writing in the book, & that's how it should be, since it's the only writing intended for publication.

   For some reason, I was more touched by the emailing, maybe because the ordinarity of the messages showed me (as if I didn't know...) that commonplace things happen to people with cancer, even as they do to you & me. If you turn that around, it also means that cancer happens to commonplace people, again like you & me!! Obviouus, isn't it? But denial is a very strong force, & it's so natural to believe things like this cannot happen to you. If for nothing else, then just for this, "Before I say goodbye" is very chilling & terrifying. I for one read it in one sitting, yesterday night, & ended up finding it difficult to sleep afterwards...But on the other hand, this book also gave me a sense of perspective about my life & its problems.

   Another thing I should mention is that there's an interesting afterword by Ruth Picardie's husband, which gives a much fuller picture about the family & the way they all dealt with Ruth's condition. During the course of the book, lots of questions are left unanswered, which is natural since the book, as I said, is not really a book, but a collection of different pieces of writing. So Matt's writing puts everything into place. It's also a truthful & painful piece of writing.

   If you're generally interested in this subject-matter, John Diamond's "C: Because cowards get cancer too" is on the top of the list, & also "Dancing at the edge of life" by Gale Warner. These are much more complete books. It's very sad that Ruth's writing never had the chance of developing into a real book. Time was cruelly stolen from her & from her family.




3. I was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, Grade IV, and given a prognosis that was not exceptionally good. This book helped me put my feelings and emotions into perspective and better understanding, and it has helped family members who have read the book do the same. I enjoyed the book so much that I have ordered an extra copy to give to my Neurosurgeon in the hopes that he will find it worthy of having residents and medical students do required reading of it, in the hopes that they too can benefit from the patient's perspective. An excellent book of great value, but not an easy read for those diagnosed, or their families, with life threatening illness and disease.



4. This book was not the book I had hoped to have bought. I enjoyed some of her emails, the writings by her family, or from readers. However, for anyone who can identify with this statement, it was not an edifying book for me. I expected her to die, of course. That was obvious from the title. I did not expect to find that she was an atheist, as was many of her friends and spouse. Death is difficult, but as a Christian, I know that when our objectives on Earth are fullfilled then our time here is done. I would be totally devastated if I didn't have the hope, the peace of knowing I have a heavenly Father who loves me, hears my prayers, and never allows me to walk thru this journey alone. How sad to find she most likely left Earth without knowing this peace. For me, this book had many positives but sadly, dieing an atheist was not what I had anticipated. Maybe I needed to read it, if for nothing else, but to appreciate what a blessing and comfort my Christianity is for me.



5. I have great sympathy for the family of the author. Living with cancer and losing a loved one to cancer are enormous tests of faith, courage and emotional stamina. This I know, for I, too, am living with cancer. The book is an excellent tribute to a courageous woman; however, I did have a major problem with the book. The book reads similar to a diary. Obviously, the e-mails and messages contained in the book meant a great deal to the author and her family. However, the the messages have little meaning to the book's reader. It felt like I was reading a stranger's mail but only getting bits and pieces that did not connect. The feeling was similar to listening to one side of a telephone conversation. We know nothing of the people who wrote these messages and e-mails; therefore, it was extremely difficult to relate to any of them, other than we all know they had compassion for the author and felt her loss. Overall, the book was a nice way of remembering Ruth Picardie, but it read like a jigsaw puzzle - a piece here, a piece there, but nothing fit together.

2 comments about Sound Of Falling Snow: Stories of Recovery from Autism and Related Conditions.

1. This is another extraordinary collection of personal accounts of people on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum who have been successfully treated with Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT). People with autism have trouble synthesizing sensory modes and have "hyper" sensitivity; that is, extraordinarily acute senses.
   
   James, whose mother wrote about his spectacular progress in Stehli's previous book, "Dancing in the Rain" describes his personal experience with autism. A bright, well-rounded young man, James appears to be very accepting and open-minded. I like the way he was avidly interested in the "American Girls" series and saw no reason not to learn knitting; it was a real skill he had and he found it a soothing activity.
   
   I loved it when James said, "...when you see your child lining up cards, for example, don't punish him for perseverating...don't see it as acting strangely. See him as the architecht or draftsman he could become, designing the strongest buildings or drawing the straightest lines." James speaks to hope and potential. He also addresses the very real problem of the word "perseverate" in any tense. While many professionals and parents might find it a helpful "shorthand," it is really just a negative and destructive word. It is highly damning, judgmental and has hurt many and done far more harm than any good.
   
   James, like Stehli's daughter, Georgiana Thomas is an author. Articulate and insightful, James focusses his chapter on the positive aspects of having autism. Georgiana Thomas has written "Overcoming Autism," about her personal experiences and at the time of this review, her book is currently available only on her web site. Her book, together with James' work, "The Self-Help Guide for Special Kids and Their Parents" deserve places of honor along with this book.
   
   This is one of the most inspiring and uplifting books about autism that I have ever read. Hats off to the people who shared their stories and for the Rays of Hope they have beamed each reader's way. We need this book!



2. This book is filled with stories that wrench any parent's heart - and then fill it up again page after page - with new hope and inspiration!
   
   These amazing recovery stories are a wonderful testimony to the devotion and unconditional love of unrelenting parents who will stop at nothing to recover their special needs child.

1 comments about Joni Eareckson Tada: Her Story.

1. I want to know if there is a video of this book. I have a client who would greatly benefit from it. She needs some inspiration. If anyone has information reguarding a video please write to me @ Ribeye75@hotmail.com. Thank you, Rhoda Smith

No comments about A Secret Symmetry: Sabina Spielrein Between Jung and Freud.

1 comments about Jonathan Lerman: The Drawings of a Boy with Autism.

1. This is a well done book! It gives an insight into what Jonathan is thinking or feeling at times, where words would leave anyone's midsts. Jonathan is a member of our community here in upstate New York and we are more than proud of him - he is the spokesperson for all the other children who are as affected by autism as he is. Jon's mom, Caren, is often the one parents turn to when they don't know who else to call. She and Jonathan are the pioneers in this area when it comes to dealing with the issues of autism. When Jonathan first started drawing, it was literally an view for the first time in what he was feeling, and I am proud to say that I was invited into his world through his drawings. Thank you Jonathan!

2 comments about I Don't Have Time for This: My Battle with Cancer.

1. "I Don't Have Time for This" is an inspirational chronicle of one man's courage and perserverance through a life-threatening experience. The author, Tom Canavan, Jr., offers a unique, personal persepective into the cancerous beast to which we all are prey. His ability to acknowledge and accept the help and love of his family and friends shines through what would otherwise be a dark journey. I recommend this book to all who need encouragement and hope.



2. Thomas Canavan, book on his battle with cancer is an excellent read. My father is dealing with cancer and Mr. Canavan's book has allowed me to see some of the trials a cancer patient is going through. I found it a wonderful book, especially for someone who is caring or has someone close to them with cancer. It gave me hope that my father can beat this and have more good years ahead. It also helped me to understand what my father is feeling since he does not verbalize his thoughts.
   This is definatly a book worth reading.

4 comments about You Were Here Today.

1. Mollie Swope has written a book about transition. The learning process that we go through when we are forced to let go of someone dear...and the realization that we gain in knowing that nothing is ever lost...or gone, it has only changed form. This book is a celebration of Mollie's daughter, Susie, and a journey beyond the physical...into the realm of Love. This is a book about life and the life beyond the physical life. It is a healing tool, very inspirational.

   Mollie shared their families intimate story of the trials and tribulations of their personal fight against Susie's cancer. Through this process, a deep understanding of life's purpose and meaning emerges...a meaning that goes way beyond the physical. A relationship that began at birth...continues today as a legacy from the other side. This is a very inspirational book, that I would highly recommend to anyone.




2. "Thank you Mollie. Everything you share (in your book) is so real and true. I could feel Susie hugging me again. Words are never enough but your love was...and is! Bless you." Bernie Siegel, M.D., Author of "Love, Medicine & Miracles"



3. I grew up with Susie and the Swope Family. Susie went through some incredibly tough times during her bout with cancer. She remains a strong and beautiful spirit today because of the love she experienced from her family and friends. If you have ever experienced the loss of a loved one--this book is a MUST READ!



4. Mollie Swope's "You Were Here Today" is reassuring that we are not alone in our experience of a life making the transition to the beyond. This book is a wealth of information on what happens when a loved one leaves us for the LIGHT and returns to us to lift our spirits. As I read the chapters it became clear to me of the great love between Mollie and her daughter Susie. It has been said that love transcends and it does!!!! Thank you Mollie and Susie for teaching such valuable lessons of strength, courage, wisdom and gentle peace. Sheila Jack Crabill

No comments about I Am Not Afraid.

3 comments about To Catch the Snowflakes: Memoir of a Polio Survivor, an Adoptive Parent, a Teacher, a School Principal, and the Father of an Addict.

1. I am amazed that anyone could pack so much into a little over 100 pages. I laughed. I cried. I was inspired. The next time I'm down and feel as though life is winning, I'll take this book from the shelf. Every high school in the country should require this book to be read by seniors before they are allowed to graduate and enter the world. Hollywood: pay attention. This book would make a terrific, a beautiful, an inspiring movie.



2. The story that Mr. Schulenberg tells is one of hope, humor and acts as a constant reminder of the blessings in our lives. Though stricken with challenges, the author explains that each challenge was a stepping stone to greatness and fullfillment.
   This story is a heartwarming tale of the strength of family and the endurance of family. It is a must-have and a must-read.



3. To Catch The Snowflakes is one of the best books I've ever read and I've read plenty. I must say "Thank you" to the author. He's lived quite a life...and he tells quite a story. In the game of life, he's a winner...even though polio tried real hard to defeat him. He didn't allow that to happen.

2 comments about No Finish Line.

1. I'm not legally blind, but I could really understand it and identify with the struggles she endured in being different throughout most of her life. The writing style is so engaging and easy to read that it feels almost like conversation. Just when you have a question, the answer appears. Marla's dry wit is refreshing and intelligent. There is no pity party here!

   Marla has really struggled in life and sport. She continues to learn and perservere as a person and athlete and that is what makes a champion in life and on the track. I can't wait to see her medal in Athens at the next summer olympics. I'm a better person and athlete after reading her story.




2. One can never truly understand a piece of literature, much less an autobiography, without actually becoming that person. In this case, one may "understand" that Ms. Runyan had a painful and frustrating past, but since we are not that ones that experienced it, we do not truly understand. Being blind takes away from you just as much as it gives. You take on a completely unique perspective on life; you take nothing for granted, and take great pleasure in the small things that make life worth living. Ms. Runyan, you will win a gold medal in the Olympics.