Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan

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I began reading this book yesterday, partly the reason for the lack of blog post. The novel is a self-written case-study of Susannah Cahalan's "month of madness" in which she succumbs to an illness unknown by many healthcare professionals. Fortunately for Cahalan, a doctor on her team of practitioners was familiar with a contemporary study that identified the cause of a certain set of symptoms in young women.

Cahalan describes her symptoms as she lived through them. Although she does not remember much about her experience in total, she combines snippets of memories with extensive research into her case. She relies on several friends, family members, and healthcare providers' recollections and documents recorded during her period of illness to fill in the gaps. The result is a tale of determined young woman battling an illness that nearly claimed her life.

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As much as I want to go into details about the novel, I will leave it up to the discretion of the reader. It can be heartbreaking and hard at times to read, but it is well worth the time spent on it. I will, however, discuss a detail Cahalan writes about her neurologist. In discussing her case with the neurologist, he states he is unfamiliar with her diagnosis - despite it being publicized nearly everywhere in the media and in various journals of medicine for the last few months.

It is a fact that medicine is constantly evolving. Healthcare practitioners are (and rightly so) expected to follow the latest developments in medicine. Not only should healthcare providers be up-to-date with contemporary practices, they should understand them as well. Without understanding the developments, healthcare practitioners increase the risk of misdiagnosing their patients and decrease the level of care they provide.

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Although healthcare practitioners are required to continue their education, the most valuable practitioners will be the ones who actively seek to learn despite the various time and energy constraints all healthcare practitioners face. Ultimately, the importance of a doctor lies in their knowledge of medicine and humanity than their academic achievements.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

I initially did not notice that the girl
on the cover of the book was floating in midair.

By the title alone, one might expect the book to be an... unusual sort of book. Written by Ransom Riggs, the novel covers the formative years of Jacob Portman and his relationship with his grandfather, Abraham Portman. Born into a comparatively wealthy family, Jacob was fostered by his grandfather's stories in his youth only to disregard them in his teenage years as "fairy stories." One evening, his grandfather calls him hysterical about the monsters he had spoken to Jacob of years before. What follows is Jacob's search for the truth about his grandfather and his grandfather's stories.

The plot itself is not what I found most fascinating about the book... It was the story intricately woven between the black-and-white photos enclosed in the book. Riggs used strangers photos to highlight the mysterious and strange children described in the novel. The photos were taken from various collections, making them all the more valuable in the detailing of an interesting story.

I often wonder about old photographs and what stories they hold, portraits in particular.

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Who is this girl? How old is she? Why is this photograph being taken? Is it a special occasion? Is she unhappy? Is she serene? What is she looking at?

All the questions and more stem from one simple picture. It takes a certain kind of storyteller to be able to weave a story out of several random photographs - not to mention an intriguing one.

Intensive Care by Echo Heron

There is so much I can say about this novel, but for the sake of time and to entice more readers I will only speak to a few main points I took from it.

One of the first things I would like to point out is that Echo was a mother while also going through nursing school. She raised her child to the best of her ability and did have some "real-life" events that threw her off her guard at points. The fact that she included these life events in her book as well really influenced my perspective of her as a nurse and her as an author. 

It truly is easy to become swept up in the grandeur of medicine and forget about the bad days, hard decisions, and inevitable consequences of others' decisions. Intensive Care is a great reminder of the challenges nurses face. It is also a gleaming example of all that is important about nursing. The compassion Echo shows her clients is incredible! I think every nurse strives to provide the best care for their patients and the stories Echo shares are only a few examples of the ways we can do so.

That being said, I encourage all healthcare providers and families of healthcare providers to read this in order to gain a deeper insight into one woman's perspective of the healthcare industry. It hopefully will gain us nursing students some compassion and nurses a little more respect than frequently experienced.

Spring Break, Day #6

Though today was not terribly exciting, it was not bad either. I redecorated my room somewhat and finally made the decision to try out the bottom level of the bunk bed. It looks... promising.

After a hearty breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt, I took some time preparing for the outdoors - sometimes also considered dressing. The weather did not look like it would change from lightly overcast, so I decided to take the risk and wear a skirt I bought on the shopping trip with my sister. I think I made a good choice.

The first destination of the day was a tea shop just off the corner of 11th and Glisan called The Tea Zone & Camellia Lounge. A friend of mine had recommended it to me a while ago, but I never made the time to try it. Well today was the day I did - and I am so glad! The staff was friendly upon entering and even recommended a drink for me when I could not seem to make up my mind. I took their recommendation for a Heat Wave bubble tea (always a good choice for me) and it was delicious! The place was not only clean, but cosy. I studied there for a bit before moving on with my day.

My next stop was the public library - no surprise there - to drop off a few books and pick up a couple more. I lucked out and found BJ Novak's novel on the shelf which I am very much looking forward to reading. I also picked up a book entitled Why Zebra's Don't Get Ulcers. It claims to be a guide to stress, stress-related diseases, and coping. A book I had read previously, Insomnia by Gayle Green, recommended it so I placed a hold on it as soon as I could.

Just down the street from the public library was Target. The convenient location could be dangerous for some people, but I pride myself in having established particular habits that prevent me from spending most of my time (off campus, and second only to the library) and money there. Usually I have a detailed shopping list as well as bags to carry my items home. This time, however, I thought a casual stroll would be fine what with it being nice day and spare time I had. I ended up buying replacement lightbulbs for my lamp, a Maybelline Baby Lips, a soy candle, a bag of Bugles, and a tin of Yan-Yans.

Of course, upon exiting Target it began sprinkling. A quick dash to the streetcar stop secured me a spot under cover from the rain, although it did not protect me from others' titters about the inappropriateness of my outfit for the conditions. I did bring an umbrella, but - silly me - it was tucked under my recent purchases. Fortunately the streetcar came and whisked me back to the safety and warmth of home.

Upon returning, I settled in bed to read and eventually fell asleep. And here I lay, still in bed, typing this while watching a show called Michiko & Hatchin.

Sea of Hooks by Lindsay Hill

I definitely wish I had spent more time with this novel. I was initially interested in it because of the author who is a long-time poet who spent a decade writing this novel. It was a decade well spent. 

Sea of Hooks is artfully crafted into an abstract tale of a young man who makes sense of life through found objects. The novel looks at the inevitable consequences and remnants of life events and their impact on the lives that they intersect. 

At first I thought the novel cast a pessimistic shadow over the concept of life, but the thoughts hidden in perfectly woven metaphors were rather inspiring. The give hope to even the most hopeless situation. 

Although this novel may not be everyone's cup of tea, I recommend it if an appropriate amount of time can be devoted to it. 

Warm Bodies: Evolution of the Evolution of Humans

The adaptation of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion into a film was a great idea. Sure, it's cheesy, and no, it does not accurately represent the book, but I still love it. It is no cinematic masterpiece, but I like the fact that both mediums evoke the same responses.

Warm Bodies follows R, a zombie of unknown origin, in his time as one of the living dead. Following the stereotypical zombie lifestyle, R finds a girlfriend, marries, and is given children to look after. He ingests only the living and can only communicate with occasional guttural grunts. R cannot sleep or dream or die.

Then, one hunting trip, R is changed forever.

Upon the ingestion of a certain living being named Perry, R begins to fall in love with Perry's girlfriend, Julie. Amidst the building carnage of the hunt, R protects Julie and brings her back home. Over the days Julie is held captive, her friendship with R transforms him more and more into a living being.

Although Julie returns to her home in the living sector, the transformation in R continues and seemingly infects other living dead. Realizing that the governing bodies (no pun intended) of the living dead, the Boneys, are aware of the contagion and its source, R travels to the living sector in search of Julie.

Once again under R's protection from the impending attack, Julie and R have no choice but to present themselves to the governing officials of the living. Having to convince the living of the living dead's transformation proves more difficult than they anticipated, but in the end, the actions of the living dead provide enough evidence to convince the officials.

Written as R's first-person account of the preceding events, Warm Bodies accentuates the blurred line surrounding the concepts of living and life. It subtly invites readers to consider the meaning of life and love in the unconventional relationship between R and Julie. What a surprise coming from (seemingly) young adult fiction!

The Perfect Bath

Relaxation is never easy when there is always so much to do. One of the ways I like to relax is by taking a bath. I can read or watch a movie, listen to music or an audiobook, mull over the day or make plans. Basically, a bath is a great way to multi-task.

The beauty items I have acquired over the months came in to good use whenever I am worn down and in need of some self-care. For instance, the bath bomb from LUSH was perfect! Honey Bee smelled like pure sweetness and was as soothing as a cup of camomile tea.

To start, I removed all my makeup using the YES soothing facial cleansing wipes and ran a warm-verging-on-hot-bath. I filled my water bottle with cold water and played some mood music. 

Although I could have easily fallen asleep, I brought with me a supply of books to read. I was finally able to finish The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, a book that my aunt lent me a while back and moved on to a couple other books I am currently reading. Fortunately I remembered to hydrate myself (hence the water bottle) amidst the engaging literature. 

After soaking for a while, I got out and dried off. My skin has been abnormally dry lately, so I decided to apply an absurd amount of body butter. (My favorite is Blueberry from the Body Shop, but as it is discontinued, I settle for the papaya scent.) I also applied Hope in a Jar by Philosophy, my favorite facial moisturizer at the moment. 

The result of all my efforts and time? Contentment and drowsiness. 

Sarah's Key

A couple years ago, my cousin lent me a book she read as part of her high school English class. It seemed an easy read, so I read it. Later I found out it would be made into a book and recently I had the opportunity to see it.

The novel opens on the story of Sarah, a young Jewish girl swept into the tragedies of World War II who tries to protect her younger brother Michel by locking him in a secret compartment in their apartment. She and her parents are arrested and taken to the Velodrome to await their fate, along with thousands of other Jews.

Years later, a woman named Julia is researching the Velodrome for an international news magazine and stumbles upon Sarah's story. She soon discovers that Sarah's story is woven into her in-laws past and surreptitiously uncovers that the truth surrounding Sarah's family and France during World War II.

The novel left me mourning for days over the great losses of the Holocaust and Sarah's experiences during that time. The movie was a bit of a disappointment (as almost all movies are compared to the book). In particular, the transitions between Sarah and Julia's life were very abrupt and vexing to the overall tale.

Fortunately, both mediums achieve the same overall effect: the provocation of courage and and hope for those who have suffered immense misfortune. As in all movies based around World War II, the question lingers: what would I have done during WWII?

One point I took from the book was the love Sarah had for her brother and her family. I am the first to admit that I am very attached to my family, especially my siblings. That characteristic alone made me particularly empathetic towards Sarah's guilt in leaving her brother behind and the hope that she carries for her brother's safety throughout her journey home is heart-breaking.

As much as I would like to recommend Sarah's Key, I would not want to claim responsibility of any possible heartbreak resulting from it... However, if one is interested in the Holocaust and/or a tale of love encapsulated by secrets then I highly recommend Sarah's Key.

Review: Revenge Wears Prada

The sequel to the New York Times' Bestseller The Devil Wears Prada picks up soon after it left off. Andrea ("Andy") Sachs takes time to freelance and eventually meets up with her ex-nemesis and future best friend and business partner Emily. Together they create a wedding magazine in the high-fashion style of Runway. After building up the magazine they are offered a once-in-a-lifetime acquirement deal from the company Elias-Clark whom Miranda Priestly, Andy and Emily's ex-boss, just happens to work for. The acquirement of their magazine would mean that Andy and Emily would be working for Miranda again. Many changes have occurred since working for Miranda, both on Miranda's part and Andy's, and Andy is left with a very difficult decision. Laced with the glamour of high-fashion and complicated relationships common in The Devil Wears Prada, Revenge Wears Prada succeeds in drawing readers to a new period in a working woman's life - including the joys and difficulties of marriage and family.

Although I did not enjoy the sequel so much as I did the original, I did connect to it. The constant barrage of pressure on Andy is something relatable to all, whether it be work, friendships, or family. I frequently frustrated myself with how Andy tolerated everything, convinced that I would have handled things much differently. For instance, the obvious injustices she endures was enough to make me shut the book several times in one sitting to calm myself before continuing. That being said, Lauren Weisberger writes very convincingly and in such a way that readers are drawn into work politics and empathize as if the problems were their own.

Overall I would give the book 3/5 owls.

Thankful Thursday, Pt. 2

I barely slept last night and I've been fighting the fog that is currently my brain all day to be as productive as possible on this rainy, no-good Thursday.

That being said, today I was awoken by a very chipper Saul (my brother) who asked me to drive him to school after being sick for so long. (1) He is not one for being excited about going to school and (2) he just got over a horrendous cold. I helped feed him breakfast and drove him to school where his teacher and assistants greeted him with enthusiasm. My heart could not help but be warmed by their kindness.

My mother took me along on an errand and, thoughtfully considering my half-conscious state, took me to Starbucks. There I tried the new Caramel Flan latte - thank goodness I only ordered a tall! It tasted more like caramel than flan, but I appreciated the sweetness all the same.

Upon returning home, my mother began folding laundry while I ate breakfast and described one of the books I am currently reading. She was interested, so I began reading aloud. I kept her enthralled for a few chapters before my voice became hoarse. I forgot how much I enjoy reading out loud.

Later on I had a chance to visit with my grandparents. My grandfather always tells the best stories of his childhood and today he told me about a field near his hometown in Mexico that grew jamaica. He told me that the jamaica was sold by meter plots. My grandfather explained that they would cut up the jamaica and make traditional pico de gallo out of it.

Unfortunately I had to leave soon after the story in order to be home in time to collect my brother from the school bus. Saul's reaction to seeing me waiting for him never fails to make me smile. His exuberance has not yet faded as we sit together watching Chicken Little, hours later.

It's the little things.

Spend a Whole Day Reading a Novel: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

I knew for this challenge I would want to pick the right book, not just any book I had on hand. I began reading it the night before and I knew that that I wanted to spend the entire day with it, reading, reflecting, and processing it.

The novel is about Hattie Shepherd and the raising of her children in 20th-century Philadelphia. Hattie, an African-American, struggles to provide for her children with her husband August who ends up being more of a disappointment to her than anything else. A tragedy early on in their marriage results in a lifetime of anger and resentment for Hattie. Her children, raised with her callousness, go on to lead very different lives and constantly ache for their mother's love. The brief snapshots into her and her children's lives, however, provide insight to the inner workings of the Shepherd family and Hattie's immense love for her children.

Throughout the tales of Hattie and her children, I contemplated my future family and reflected on my own familial relations. As much as I say I do not like children, I actually do. I just don't feel comfortable with them because I do not know where my boundaries are as a stranger. I am neither a parent nor other family member, so what can I do to show my affection and well-being for the child? I would love to show affection for young'uns because that's how I feel most comfortable with children.

Hattie, on the other hand, worked immensely to keep her children fed and clothed. Some might consider this an implied responsibility of mothership, but with the constant barrage of hardships she had endured I consider this quite a feat for her. Hattie felt as though there was no more love in her to be given after doing all that was necessary for her children.

At one point, Hattie blames herself for not recognizing her daughter's distress. She says, "I never did know what to do about my children's spirits. I didn't know how to health anybody in that way." My compassion for her rose to new heights as I read those lines. What I saw in those lines was a woman exhausted by providing for her family trying to be a better mother. She gave no excuses, she simply stated her faults. 

I wonder how much I will change my response to children if I do become a parent. I can now discern the love my parents and grandparents expressed in doing what was necessary for me, especially when I did not appreciate it, but I wonder if I will have the fortitude to do that for my children if the time comes... 

Insomnia, Colds, and Resilience

Today, like many other days, was uneventful. I spent most of it holding my sick brother and reading while a movie played in the foreground and the rain fell outside. Saul's coughs were the only thing that shattered the stillness.

I am currently reading a book about insomnia. I have been struggling with sleep the last few months and thought that the book would be a nice educational interlude to my feast of fiction novels during the month of January. The book, Insomniac by Gayle Greene, discusses the many aspects surrounding sleep and insomnia and is a great resource to those interested in learning more about such topics.

One of the reoccurring statements the author makes about insomniacs is their resilience. As a person who struggles watching others' suffering (whether that is due to my profession or some innate characteristic bestowed on me at birth), I ache for the people described in the book to be struggling to find jobs and doctors that will help them manage their insomnia. I suppose the point I am trying to make is that though they struggle to make it through the day, they try to do so. 

I am not naive to think that if one is sick, one might certainly rest. Having attended school and work while battling illness, I know taking time off for healing is not always feasible and I understand that illness and health mean different things to different people, however, I commend those that are focused on returning to health and/or do not accept the condition as part of life.

Watching my brother sleep while a mild fever ran rampant through his body and his coughs strained to remove the buildup in his lungs was enough for me. I know colds come and go and each time our bodies become more resilient to the virus, but it was hard to watch it manifest in a lack of appetite and energy (two things my brother is not known for). It seemed as though my brother had suspended his healing process and it made me far more protective than I normally would have been. Hopefully he will be feeling better (physically and mentally) tomorrow.

Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

My local library has a tower shelf of books each with green three-leaf clover stickers labelled "Lucky Day." These books are available for just a few weeks without the possibility of renewal. The Lucky Day books are thus labelled because of their popularity and/or recent date of publication. Today I, for lack of a better-fitting exclamation, scored majorly.

The most recent book by Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, was available for checkout! I began reading it in the car to my brother - skipping over the morbid parts, of course - and had even my mother enrapt in the story before we returned home.

The novel follows a middle-aged man back into his childhood to the small Sussex town where he met Lettie Hempstock and her family. Unbelievable events occur as a result of their friendship and leaves the not-so-young man to pull them from the depths of his memory years later.

It is not a coming-of-age tale, but the fantastical journey that Gaiman spins is likely to change any young reader it encounters - even those young of heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (considering I read it over the course of 7 hours, it is obvious) and I recommend it to all those in need of trust, courage, and consolation.

Book Review: Slaughterhouse-Five

Such a powerful book. I liked Kurt Vonnegut's writing style and loved the idea of being unstuck in time, especially from a veteran's perspective. I can only imagine what it is like to be a veteran although I might liken it to being unstuck in time as Billy is in Slaughterhouse-Five. I won't get into anything too deep about the book, but I will say that I really, really, REALLY liked the first chapter. I don't think anyone really thinks of the book title that much, but the first chapter made me think about it throughout the novel. If you've read it, think about it now: Slaughterhouse-Five, Or, The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance With Death. Heck, the first chapter itself stuck with me the entire novel! What I mean is, Mary O'Hare's exclamation, "You were just babies then!" says it all - soldiers were unexperienced and unprepared for war (as if you could ever be completely prepared for war) and Vonnegut doesn't glorify them in any way. He makes it clear that soldiers were not as noble and/or rational as one would think. Rather, they are like babies, vulnerable and innocent in some ways. I love the quote bellow from the first chapter particularly because it made me think about the bombing of Dresden and the acknowledgment that innocent people were killed.

So then I understood. It was war that made her so angry. She didn't want her babies or anybody else's babies killed in wars.

Book Review: Animal Farm

I read Animal Farm as part of the challenge to read at least 50 books on the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels List. Reading through the introduction and preface, I initially thought I wouldn't be able to separate the novel from actual historical events. Animal Farm definitely served as a reminder as several revolutions in history. I took a class this past semester on revolutions in 20th century Latin America and much of what the animals on the farm were experiencing was experienced by actual citizens and revolutionaries of Latin American states. There was a sentiment written in the introduction that I agree completely with - the novel has a way of "[moving] by not seeking to move; almost, it seems, by not seeking to move." Animal Farm has a way of presenting political tactics and rebellion in a simple and appealing manner. I would give it four and half (out of five) blueberries.