Wednesday, May 04, 2005

A request for help with books

Tracy here, and asking for a favour: We'd like some book recommendations.

Mike has a CD/tape/radio machine. He can operate the CD and radio by remote control, but not the tape deck. So we are looking at borrowing talking CDs for him to listen to when his eyes get too tired for reading.

Wellington Library has the following lists available of books on CD (plus a few others that wind up in the list for some mysterious reason):

We need CDs where:

  • the language is reasonably simple (no complex imagery)
  • the story is upbeat (otherwise he gets depressed)
  • and is overall something that Mike would like (so romantic fiction is out).

We've tried Asimov (a bit depressing apparently) and Dave Barry (a hit), and I recently took out a Bernard Cornwall CD (Sharpe's Honour), but I don't know enough about all the authors available. So, if you have some time, happen to know that one of the books available on CD meets these criteria and you'd recommend it for Mike, could you please say so in the comments?

Cheers

Update
Just a couple of notes. Firstly according to the librarian the non-fiction list starts off with a lot of self-help books and then moves onto other subjects. So if you find the first few screens like being at an American motivational conference, it's not all like that.

Secondly, it might take a while to get your recommendation to Mike. He's happily listening to music CDs at the moment and then there's the issue of when the library next gets the CD in. So, if Mike doesn't provide a review of every single rec by tomorrow, please forgive me. :)

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

Alexander McCall Smith (think there were about 3 of his on the list) are really good - have not read the specific books mentioned but have read others and they are not romantic fiction but set somewhere in africa and are really good. Also - the Da Vinci code is really good - a bit of a murder mystery but solved through Da Vinci's works - even Dave enjoyed it so can't be too painfully descriptive....(must be better than the terrible "Mozart for your Mind" CD we hooked you up with - my greatest apologies Mike! I used to listen to it during exams - now tend to run from the room whenever I hear it!)

Also - was thrilled to see that photo of you walking Mike. Last time I saw you I got a HUGE thrill from seeing you smile! Now look at you! You are such an inspiration!

Anna

Anonymous said...

Hi,

You can't go wrong with a bit of Harry Potter!

Stoked to see the photos of Mike, especially the last one of him walking. Mike you are doing awesome!

Lucy M

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Tuesday's with Morrie by Mitch Albom is meant to be great but I haven't read it yet...maybe you could give us a review Mike?
Love the photo yesterday, we are starting quite a collection on the fridge.
Take care,
Beks

Anonymous said...

I concur with the Da Vinci Code recommendation. I'm rading it at the moment and it is very fast-paced.

The Douglas Adams 5-book trilogy (as it is called) is great for a bit of quirky sci-fi humour. The first in the series is Hitchhikers Guide... which is currently on at the movies, so you could watch it and decide if the CD is appropriate for Mike.

And Lucy has a point about Harry Potter.Great for all occasions.

Tim McD

Anonymous said...

Hi guys. Not sure if they'd be appropriate - but some of the silly old British comedy(BBC) stuff should be available on cd. Very old, but most are still quite funny if you're into that sort of thing! The Hitchikers Guide is good listening,& quite a bit of fun I agree, and was originally written as a radio series.

Good luck finding material - happy listening Mike.

Carolyn, Grant & family

Anonymous said...

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency By Alexander McCall Smith is the first in the series recommended by Anna - well worth giving a go

I don't know if the libaray has it avialable but many years ago the BBC did a radio series of Lord of the Rings which has been re-released on CD. If you can find a copy I would recommend as a good way to fill in the hours...

Keep up those PBs Mike

Sarah

Anonymous said...

I would definitely recommend the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy, its a cracker book, plenty of laugh etc.

its fiction - number 106

Voss

Anonymous said...

Mike

We are delighted to see your progress. Really great news.

As for CD's. I'll see what I can find out but definately agree with the Harry Potter sugestion.

K & J

Mike Wilkinson said...

Thank you for the suggestions - please keep 'em coming.

One question. Is the Da Vinci Code light-hearted enough? (Says Tracy, probably about the only person on the planet who hasn't read it yet).

Anonymous said...

Hey nobody mentioned Terry Pratchett! I read a few of his books and they seem to meet the criteria...


Anna (home on Sunday, how exciting!)

Anonymous said...

I've read three of Alexander McCall Smith -the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. They are very good - set in Africa - charming little stories within a whole book. Nice positive and clever themes.

Great progress
Aroha Lesley M

Anonymous said...

We got the first "Harry Potter" out for my son and I found it enjoyable to listen to with him, mainly because it was narrated by Stephen Frey.

Andrew Kerr

Anonymous said...

Hello Mike & the rest of the Wilkinson family. I agree completely with the recommendations for Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker books. Fever Pitch is a great one as well. It's all about the author's obsessive love for Arsenal FC. Seabiscuit is also good, even if you know nothing about horse racing and think that it wouldn't interest you. The Harry Potter books and #1 Ladies Detective Agency are also worth a go. Keep it up, Mike.

Erin

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike

I haven't had a look at the list but I reckon that if you could get "Bad Jelly the Witch" on CD it would be brilliant and I'd look at getting a copy for myself.

I'm sure you'll continue to progress in leaps and bounds so keep up the good work.

Auckland's going well but there are fewer and fewer people left as everyone is heading overseas.

All the best

Dave

Anonymous said...

Gidday,

Tracy, i'm reading The Da Vinci Code at the mo and it seems to have quite a bit of humour to it (i have been known to chuckle out loud whilst reading it - very unusual for a serious person like myself!)

Hey Mikey, awesome progress mate, go the Mike!

Raj

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,
Sorry for not logging for a week, have been away for work and now back in London and pretty much wished I was still away!!!! Great progress bro, awesome to see. Have made plans for definately being back for Christmas mate so looking forward to seeing you then. Will check out a few books on CD's out for you over here, sweet as bro,
Steve G

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike,

Kylie here, I can't help on recommending any books sorry - but did want to log in and say Hi from London.
I have been catching up with CH/Uni and highschool friends and they have all been asking after you.
Nice to see you up and walking on the parallel bars...I will report that progress on next time people ask after you.
Still thinking of you from this side of the equator...
Enjoy those flat whites - they don't do them here - :(

Kylie

Anonymous said...

Hi from Canada,

My Mum, Suzanne, sent me your site info and so I have been reading through the amazing messages. What great progress you have been making Mike! Recovery can be affected by state of mind and you definetly have the grit and determination to continue to make great gains. Keep it going!

You have a wonderful support network of friends and family...the blog site is such a great tool for everyone to keep updated and in touch.

I took a quick look through the CD library and, unfortunately, nothing caught my eye. However, there is a great book that you or your family may want to read called "over my head-a doctor's own story of head injury from the inside looking out" by Claudia L. Osborn. It is a personal look at brain injury and recovery. It's an easy read with short chapters and full of inspiration. Just a thought.

Take care Mike and pass along my 'hellos' to your family.

Cheers,
Shannon Carter
(daughter of Doug and Suzanne in Nelson, Canada)

Anonymous said...

Hello Brian here, sorry I haven't posted in a while. Good to hear Mike is doing so well. I can make Mike some cds of Comedian Bill Hicks. Tracey you might want to vet them first as he is pretty full on in places but has some sarcastic witty observations that I'm sure he will love. I must also send you my music list and can send down cds of anything he might like.
Erin my american friend from San Francisco who stayed with us has been asking about you.
No doubt Mike is celebrating Labour's third term in the uk with 36% of the popular vote in that first past the post system he is such a fan of! ;)
We got the lovely note thank you.
take care, miss you!
Brian

Anonymous said...

HI Mike,

A yes to DiVinci, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and harry potter.

Also books by Christina Noble, a non fiction tear jurker - actually CJ you may want to skm first to see if appropriate . but excellant read
and the james herriot classics, always uplifting.

keep up the good news.

cheers Cameron and Nicole

Anonymous said...

Terry Pratchett is definitely uplifting. The only thing that can go wrong is Mike getting tired from laughing too hard! :-)

It's fantasy, not science fiction, but all sci-fi fans I know, including myself, love it.

Good luck!

Mike Wilkinson said...

Thanks for the suggestions. Mike has already read (pre-accident) The Da Vinci Code & The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and enjoyed him.

I just got Fever Pitch from the library today. Cross fingers that he enjoys it.