The Next Best Book Club discussion

I'm going in for laproscopic surgery next Wednesday...I have to be there at 6 am, but my surgery isn't until later on. After waking up I'll be at the hospital all by myself until probably my hubby comes in after work (around 4 or 5). He won't stay long because he'll have to look after our kids. I have to stay overnight and will probably be released the next morning around 11...if everything goes well.

Soooo...I've got like 70 books to choose from...help me pick a couple to take to the hospital. Here's my shelf of books I have here at home...if you've read any, let me know what you thought! Unfortunately I won't be able to buy any books before I go in...

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...

Jacob Have I Loved is fairly engrossing, but a quick read.

The only one that I have read from your shelf is "Snow Falling on Cedars". It was OK, but very slow, and would probably bore you if you are sitting around in a hospital. The story is not bad, but I wouldn't recommend it for what you need it for. It's better for a winter day, curled up in bed for lazy reading. :)

Sorry I can't be more help.

I haven't read any of the books on your list but if it were me I would take the shopaholic ones. I don't know if you have been through surgery before but I have been through two now, both were laproscopic and both times after surgery I was extremely tired. I didn't even feel like reading. Anyways good luck on your surgery I hope everything goes well. :~)

I would take Good In Bed just because of the irony of it all but for real reading, probably The Alienist

Hope all goes smoothly for you.

Of the ones I've read that are on your shelf, I would take Sea Glass by Anita Shreve. I also like One True Thing by Anna Quindlen, but I'm not sure that's a hospital read since it deals with cancer. The other book on your shelf that I've read is A Thousand Acres by Anne Smiley. I'm so glad I read that book, but perhaps not a hospital read as I think it takes some thinking about along the way.

But I think you have some lighter reads on your shelf, and personally, I'd be inclined to tote along one of those.

First of all, good luck on your surgery!

I haven't read too many on your shelf, but I have read The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I personally thought the story was pretty slow and don't think it would be engaging for reading straight through.

I have to echo the Shopaholic recommendation. I've read (and loved) them all, and they seem like the perfect hospital read. Light and funny, and easy enough to put down and come back to. The only other one I could think of would be Salem Falls by Jodi Piccoult. I haven't read that particular one, but her books tend to be pretty engaging and easy to get wrapped up in.

Good luck, Bree!
I would recommend The Good German, The Constant Gardener or The Alienist - maybe I'm just in a mystery/thriller mood at the moment. :) I gave The Good German and The Constant Gardener both 3 stars if I remember correctly, but I read them both when I was home sick a couple of times so I consider them books okay to read while recuperating. And The Alienist I read years ago but also remember being enthralled at the time (and probably home with mono, so again, a good bed-bound book).

Alphabet Weekends Love on the Road from A to Z - I loved this book - I love all her books but this is probably my favorite so far - Things I Want My Daughters to Know is great too but requires a box or two of tissues don't think you want that kind of reading in the hospital...Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic books are also good, and I see you have a Jennifer Weiner and a Anita Shreve book on that list as well - both are favorite authors of mine. Good luck/God bless with the surgery.

I found The Alienist enthralling, but I don't know if reading a book about a 19th Century serial killer is what I'd want to read in the hospital.

Good in Bed is much lighter, but would possibly take your mind off the surgery more?

I read Black Order and really liked it. It was a page turner for sure!

I personally haven't read any of those books yet, though I do own a couple. But I echo everyone's advice about taking a lighter read, like Good in Bed or the Shopaholic books. You're going to be tired and will probably need it. ;)

I hope your surgery goes smoothly!

Besides some of the chick lit, all I've read is Beautiful Lies. Its a page turner...I literally read it in one sitting! Pretty darn good book.

I find difference of opinions regarding reading habits so interesting. Personally I find reading something a little more substantial during times of sickness or discomfort to be better as it removes me from my environment. For me light reading wouldn't do it for me. When I had surgery a few years ago I was reading The Mothman Prophecies in recovery, but then the next time I read all of the Dune series, some Calvino and the first couple books in Proust (I do not necessarily suggest that...).

In any case, Bree, I hope whatever you choose to read will work for you! :)

So--take along something light it that turns out to be what works for you and something that is more likely to take your mind off things if it turns out that is what you need.

I would recommend anything from the Sigma Force series from James Rollins and the Matthew Reilly Scarecrow series,because they are fast paced adventures.

If you've never had laproscopic surgery, beware of the gas they pumped you up with. It can be very painful because you have to wait for your body to reabsorb it. I'm not trying to concern you, but I wish someone had told me before my surgery. Also don't rush your recovery. Let your family and children pamper you!

Good Luck!

El wrote: "I find difference of opinions regarding reading habits so interesting. Personally I find reading something a little more substantial during times of sickness or discomfort to be better as it remov..."

El, I suggested something light because there are so many distractions in a hospital. I find that the meatier reads require greater concentration and fewer interuptions.

Thanks for all the suggestions and well-wishes, guys! :) I may take a couple different types of books and see what happens...after all, it'll be just over 24 hours, and much of that I'll be knocked out or sleeping, lol. :)

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "El, I suggested something light because there are so many distractions in a hospital. I find that the meatier reads require greater concentration and fewer interuptions."

No, I know what you and others meant and I wasn't being judgmental. Recommendations are based on personal opinion, and like I said for myself personally I find meatier reads better distractions even from hospital activity, and particularly better than (or in addition to) pain medication. It was when I put down the books I was reading that I felt the most pain. I'm not saying one thing is better over another. Bree will see what winds up working best for her (when she's not sleeping that is, hah!). :)

OK. I was thinking just the nurses coming in for all sorts of reasons, not the pain and stuff. I don't think I had any light reads when I was sitting around a week ago with my leg in the air, so I can surely agree with you on that score.

By the way, El, I see you mean what you say when you try to read much ignored books. Keep posting them, I love finding these gems.