Jump to content

Menu

I'm exhausted from health problems and I'd love a stack of books that would take me away to somewhere wonderful


helena
 Share

Recommended Posts

:)

Life's been a little hard lately. I'm trying to stay in a positive place, but I'm getting tired and sad about the state I'm in.

I'd like to hit the library tomorrow and get some books that are beautiful, or make me feel glad to be alive. I'm loving my garden right now so anything to do with nature or gardens would be nice. Something that lifts the spirit. 

 

Thanks for any ideas!

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sorry you're struggling right now. I don't do a lot of nature type stuff but here's my list

 

Not sure any of these books will be in the libraray, but some can be gotten cheap at Amazon:

 

 

The Other Side of the Dale by G. Phinn - he's been called the James Herriot of School Inspectors - the stories are funny.

Out of Africa -  lots of nature by Isak Dinesen - not like the movie (I read this every couple of years)

Anything by James Herriot

Twelve Babies on a Bike by Dot Dunn

 

I hope you find some good books to read and lift your spirits.

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

These four books will take you off the to the Greek Island of Corfu with Gerrald Durrell, a place of beauty, humor, and laughter.

 

My Family and Other Animals

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Other-Animals-Gerald-Durrell/dp/0142004413/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

 

Birds, Beasts, and Relatives

http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Beasts-Relatives-Gerald-Durrell/dp/0142004405/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

 

Fauna and Family

http://www.amazon.com/Fauna-Family-Adventures-Durrell-Nonpareil/dp/1567924417/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

 

The Garden of the Gods

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Gods-Gerald-Durrell/dp/0002162687/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

 

I am seconding Chris in VA's idea to look towad children's lit for happiness! (But not Young Adult lit! Not happy!)

 

 

 

 

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time. :grouphug:

 

I heartily second Kalmia's recommendations for My Family and Other Animals and Durrell's other books. They're laugh-out-loud funny. I can't help but love any book that can make me wish we could have a pet tortoise.

 

If you like gardening books, I read Slug Tossing several years ago and loved it. It's basically a woman's story, told in a humorous voice, of moving into a new house and learning to garden.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Growing a Farmer and Growing a Feast by Kurt Timmermeister. I especially loved the feast one, and you'll be wanting to run off to cute and quirky Vashon Island after you read them: http://www.amazon.com/Kurt-Timmermeister/e/B003MCHP2E

 

This one is a wonderful, hysterical read: http://www.amazon.com/Farm-City-Education-Urban-Farmer/dp/0143117289

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This book is OOP, Land of Milk and Omelets by Ken Kraft, but maybe your library will have it.  It's about packing up and moving to the country: well written and very humorous. :)  I think it's my most favorite back-to-the-land book. 

 

 http://www.amazon.com/Land-milk-omelets-Ken-Kraft/dp/B0006AW3YK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426263235&sr=8-1&keywords=Land+of+Milk+and+Omelets

 

The following are in a different vein, but also delightful and visually lovely (and in print  ;) ) 

 

The River Cottage Family Cookbook  http://www.amazon.com/River-Cottage-Family-Cookbook/dp/1580089259/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426265058&sr=1-1&keywords=river+cottage+family+cookbook

Homemade by Yvette Van Boven http://www.amazon.com/Home-Made-Yvette-van-Boven/dp/1584799463/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426265100&sr=1-1&keywords=homemade

The Weekend Homesteader by Anna Hess http://www.amazon.com/Weekend-Homesteader-Twelve-Month-Guide-Self-Sufficiency/dp/1616088826/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426265126&sr=1-1&keywords=weekend+homesteader

Simply in the Season.  I love the Children's version http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Season-Childrens-Cookbook-Community/dp/0836193369/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426265147&sr=1-3&keywords=simply+in+season

 

Fairy Houses ... Everywhere! http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Houses-Everywhere/dp/097081044X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426265189&sr=1-1&keywords=fairy+houses+everywhere

 

I've also found some wonderful, wonderful titles through this bookstore.  http://www.waldorfbooks.com/ Do be sure to check out their "Working with Nature" section! Keep clicking 'til you get to the book descriptions.

 

And finally two Christian books (don't know if these appeal to you or not) but when I'm in a bad place they are my absolute, go-to favorites.  They help me to get outside of the yuck and focus on other things.

 

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

 

 

I hope you feel better soon  :grouphug:

 

 

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks so much everyone!! I knew you guys could help me.  :001_wub:

 

I'm making my list now and heading over to the library. A few I already have, like My Family and Other Animals. I actually scored on an old VHS set of the movie version a while ago. Maybe I'll watch it when I"m done with the book.

 

Thanks for the well wishes. My body is so weak right now, but my mind wants to be joyful and light iykwim. I feel like that's one thing I can work on here at home without a diagnosis or pill. 

Peace and hope. :) 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I need to travel, but the budget won't allow, I like to grab my 'Under the Tuscan Sun' and Bella Tuscany' books by Francis Mayes. (?)

 

She takes me to Italy, renovates a house, gardens, eats! and plays tourist. I love these books.

 

Nora Robert's Born in.... series is romance set in Ireland. I always feel as if I've been there after reading them.

 

When I'm not well and need to rest I find watching Jane Austen movies to be incredibly soothing. Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion are my favorites.  

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

How about reading or re-reading some good children's literature?

:grouphug: Lots of hugs and get well soon wishes!

Yes!  Heidi, Kipling's Just So Stories, Robert Louis Stevenson's books -- children's literature can be quite wonderfully escapist.

 

I also highly recommend Terry Pratchett (especially the Disc World books) and Jasper Fforde (yes, that's how he spells it) for lots of silliness and word play.  Do pay attention to the publication dates if some of their references seem a bit dated.

 

Here's a small giggle -- I had a typo above and almost wished you "lots of jugs"....

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks so much everyone!! I knew you guys could help me.  :001_wub:

 

I'm making my list now and heading over to the library. A few I already have, like My Family and Other Animals. I actually scored on an old VHS set of the movie version a while ago. Maybe I'll watch it when I"m done with the book.

 

Thanks for the well wishes. My body is so weak right now, but my mind wants to be joyful and light iykwim. I feel like that's one thing I can work on here at home without a diagnosis or pill. 

Peace and hope. :)

 

So, what did you get from the library?  :lurk5:

 

 

I hope today is a good day for you, Helena.  :grouphug:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have you read Enslaved by Ducks?  It's by Bob Tarte; he's also written one about cats that I must get now that I know it exists!  lol

 

http://www.amazon.com/Enslaved-Ducks-Bob-Tarte/dp/1565124502/ref=pd_cp_b_0

 

I loved that one too.

Bill Bryson's I'm a Stranger Here Myself and A Walk in the Woods always make me laugh as well.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Miss Mousie

I'm reading A Place in the Woods. I thought I owned A Walk in the Woods, but found the other instead. :)

I'm waiting for Enchanted April and Slug Tosser to be delivered at the library. I also put Farm City (on audio) on hold. That way I can work and enjoy at the same time. 

I pulled out Fairy Houses and decided to add a fairy house to my outside garden. 

Thanks again for all the well wishes. Just got back from a dr visit where she found a lump in my breast.  :bored: When it rains, it pours... It's happened before though, and  it was all fine. I'm trying to keep calm and stay positive. darn darn!! DARN!! POOP!!! POOP!!!  :blush:  

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World is non-fiction, but fascinating and amusing.

 

From Wikipedia:

 

Pollan presents case studies that mirror four types of human desires that are reflected in the way that we selectively grow, breed, and genetically engineer our plants. The tulip, beauty; marijuana, intoxication; the apple, sweetness; and the potato, control.

 

I believe one of his books deals with gardening. Everything I've read by him is enjoyable.

 

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating deals with nature and illness. It's a lovely read.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:)

Life's been a little hard lately. I'm trying to stay in a positive place, but I'm getting tired and sad about the state I'm in.

I'd like to hit the library tomorrow and get some books that are beautiful, or make me feel glad to be alive. I'm loving my garden right now so anything to do with nature or gardens would be nice. Something that lifts the spirit. 

 

Thanks for any ideas!

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug: 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...