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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 8 to 32 of 37. Go back in thread:
Posted by IsoM on January 24, 2002, at 2:20:34
In reply to Harry Potter and a logic problem » ELA, Ella, posted by Jonathan on January 24, 2002, at 0:23:30
How could I forget Dr. Oliver Sacks? He's a famous neurologist (the young doctor in the movie Awakenings). I read his book of different case histories of neurologic disorders The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat years ago & it's every bit as good a read now as then. Actually, it's EXCELLENT.
And for light mystery stories - I love Isaac Asimov's series called the Black Widows Club series, if you can find them. Not so easy any more.
Posted by crinn on January 24, 2002, at 7:27:52
In reply to Two More Recommendations, posted by IsoM on January 24, 2002, at 2:20:34
Hi, there!
Like many of the other posters, altho I love to read, it is a luxury that I can rarely enjoy now. Here are a few books on first person accounts with depression that I found helpful:
An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison.
Also Her Touched with Fire is good, but a bit technical.
Constructive Living by David Reynolds--here's a guy who actually made himself depressed so he could see how it feels--go figure. But it is a lovely (and short)
As for light reading, I'm probably a bad one to ask, as I like a lot of "junk" books. But anything by Barbara Kingslover, especially her earlier books. She has a great writing style and a very dry wit.Thanks to everyone else who posted too, now I have some great books to read! Warmly, Crinn
> How could I forget Dr. Oliver Sacks? He's a famous neurologist (the young doctor in the movie Awakenings). I read his book of different case histories of neurologic disorders "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat" years ago & it's every bit as good a read now as then. Actually, it's EXCELLENT.
>
> And for light mystery stories - I love Isaac Asimov's series called the Black Widows Club series, if you can find them. Not so easy any more.
Posted by ELA on January 24, 2002, at 9:13:35
In reply to Harry Potter and a logic problem » ELA, Ella, posted by Jonathan on January 24, 2002, at 0:23:30
I absolutely, positively ADORE Harry Potter! I find myself looking more closely than ever at people now trying to catch them out as being members of a parallel wizarding world! Unfortunately, the books are also causing me grief - I have read them all so many times that I now know them off by heart and I can't wait any longer for the 5th one, Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix!
I am only 20, Jonathan, but my degree has been split in 2 - first half was English and the 2nd is the Education. It's been hard going but I love to study. Have recently done another Sign Language Course and 3 more A-Levels as well and one of the main reasons that I'm so cross with being so ill is that I haven't been able to do anymore studying for a while. Thanx for your suggestions, they all look good! :) Emma.
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 24, 2002, at 9:52:16
In reply to Re: Harry Potter , posted by ELA on January 24, 2002, at 9:13:35
> I absolutely, positively ADORE Harry Potter!...
Hmm, all these books, do you think a separate board to discuss books in more detail would go anywhere?
Bob
Posted by robinibor on January 24, 2002, at 12:23:51
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 24, 2002, at 9:52:16
That might be fun. I would like to know what others think about my favorites...
Has anyone read The Samurai's Garden? An all-time favorite. Currently I am listening to Corelli's Mandolin as I drive. What beautiful writing.
And ELA, have you read Noonday Demon? I've read excerpts and reviews; maybe that will be a good one for you.
Another book just out is The Watch: Memoir of a Revolutionist. Check out an excerpt on http://www.doingwell.ws
Any articles or reviews will be cheerfully considered for Doing Well.
Robin
Posted by crinn on January 24, 2002, at 12:54:26
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by robinibor on January 24, 2002, at 12:23:51
RE: Noonday Demon--it has the best description of trying to take a shower that I've ever read. Listen to this: "I can remember crying in my bed, crying because I was too frightened to take a shower...at the same time knowing that showers are not scary. I kept running through the individual steps in my mind: you trun and put your feet on the floor; you stand; you walk form here to the bathroom; you open the bathroom door; you walk to the edge of the tub; you turn on the water; ;you step under the water; you rub yourself with soap; ;you rinse; you step out you dry yourself, you walk back to the bed. Twelve steps, which sounded to me then as onerous as a tour through the stations of the cross."
There's more, but you get the idea. It made me feel so much better that someone else was there, too! I like the book club idea. Best, Crinn
> That might be fun. I would like to know what others think about my favorites...
> Has anyone read The Samurai's Garden? An all-time favorite. Currently I am listening to Corelli's Mandolin as I drive. What beautiful writing.
> And ELA, have you read Noonday Demon? I've read excerpts and reviews; maybe that will be a good one for you.
> Another book just out is The Watch: Memoir of a Revolutionist. Check out an excerpt on http://www.doingwell.ws
> Any articles or reviews will be cheerfully considered for Doing Well.
> Robin
Posted by mair on January 24, 2002, at 15:16:03
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 24, 2002, at 9:52:16
Couldn't we accomplish almost as much if we archived book title recommendations in the same way that we archive information about particular drugs? Threads like the current one would continue to be run on PSB so we all could participate, but you could use a key word like "books" to get a reference to all of the threads where these books were discussed.
Posted by medlib on January 24, 2002, at 15:20:00
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 24, 2002, at 9:52:16
Dr. Bob--
Do I detect an urge to proliferate? Is it similar to the drive to procreate, a compulsive need for order, or a figment of my undersized, overworked imagination?
Sure, it's a good idea, but does it have staying power? Can those of you who like it envision reading/contributing to it 6 mo./a year down the road? Would it be a replacement for TelePB (which, IMHO, is not just terminal, but ready for burial alongside PB/Children, more's the pity)?
I'm certainly not against experimentation, just a little frustrated, as one of those who like to see all the Babbles when we visit. Selectivity is an option, but a difficult one for the curious and/or committed.
I'm just one of those still shackled to a dial-up modem who've belatedly discovered a personal upper limit on time and patience...
and who's, no doubt, exceeded yours. Thanks for the opportunity to whine, Dr. Bob; I'll try not to utilize it quite so often.---medlib
Posted by IsoM on January 24, 2002, at 15:58:49
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 24, 2002, at 9:52:16
I, personally, see little need for a book club forum. Just a passing fancy. Most of us get our recommendations from friends or just browsing through a book store, or Amazon.com.
Too many forums only complicates things for us with "the over-complicated minds that need organising".
>
>
> Hmm, all these books, do you think a separate board to discuss books in more detail would go anywhere?
>
> Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 25, 2002, at 0:33:06
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club? » Dr. Bob, posted by IsoM on January 24, 2002, at 15:58:49
> I, personally, see little need for a book club forum. Just a passing fancy. Most of us get our recommendations from friends or just browsing through a book store, or Amazon.com.
Sorry, I should've been more clear. I didn't mean just a board for book recommendations, like in this thread, but a real (well, a virtual) book *club*, which would decide on a book to read, say, every month and then discuss it...
Bob
Posted by fi on January 25, 2002, at 7:31:14
In reply to bloody iris murdoch!, posted by ELA on January 23, 2002, at 12:29:30
Of lighter reading variety:
Someone has mentioned Captain Corelli, but I would avoid that at the moment- it starts off as a gentle story but gets very grim and grisly.Kate Atkinson, Emotionally Weird
I got this (in WH Smith '2 for £10' deal on at the moment). It looks a bit odd but its a straightforward funny tale of some Dundee students in the 70s, definitely with their minds on other things than studying. Its been making me do the commuting sin of laughing on the train (not out loud, but cant stop them shoulder shaking...)Maureen Lipman's books are also funny.
Understanding mental problems:
The ones I know about are re depression. There are 2 good descriptive books, mixing theory and personal experience:
Lewis Wolpert is an eminent scientist who has also been hospitalised with depression, and wrote a book about the condition afterwards.
Title: Malignant Sadness. The Anatomy of Depression. Lewis Wolpert
Publication details: London. Faber and Faber. 1999
Anthony Clare (yes, that one) also wrote a book with Spike Milligan (tho he has manic-depression)
Title: Depression and how to survive it. Spike Milligan and Anthony Clare
Publication details: London. Arrow. 1994
Dorothy Rowe is a very eminent psychologist who has a theory about depression described in various books. I'm not sure it fits everyone, but it can be worth a look. The books arent particularly easy to read (but easier than Iris Murdoch!)- I couldnt concentrate enough to read them till I was better. One is called 'the depression handbook'. Another depression- the way out of your prison.Claire Weekes wrote books with titles that made my hair curl- v folksy. But actually her text (actually her tapes) were the most supportive and encouraging I found when swamped in anxiety and depression.
One is :
Title: Self help for your nerves. Claire Weekes
Publication details: Sydney. Angus & Robertson. 1981
On a different tack, I used to watch the 'Jungle Book' on video when feeling dire. Sounds a bit unlikely, but its calm jolliness did help a bit.Fi
Posted by robinibor on January 25, 2002, at 14:51:36
In reply to Re books, posted by fi on January 25, 2002, at 7:31:14
Thank you for the warning. I am less than halfway through...but I think I will put the rest aside. It is not a good time for me to do "grim and grisly." I have been having sibling problems and even though my paxil has been increased, I sort of feel at that danger point. I'm sure most of you know what I mean. And living with the "best therapist in the world"...well, you know the saying about the shoemaker's children. Even having the best available doesn't mean you can "fix" everything.
So I'll listen to music and Car Talk until I find a different tape. I guess they can't all have happy endings, but I think that's what I need right now.
Thanks again,
Robin> Of lighter reading variety:
> Someone has mentioned Captain Corelli, but I would avoid that at the moment- it starts off as a gentle story but gets very grim and grisly.
Posted by Mair on January 26, 2002, at 10:21:29
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 25, 2002, at 0:33:06
This idea (the idea of a club, not a board) is much more intriguing. I'm not sure how given the way the Board operates, that we'd actually reach agreement on what to read. Any thoughts?
Mair
Posted by Mair on January 26, 2002, at 10:23:00
In reply to Re: Re books/Thank you, thank you » fi, posted by robinibor on January 25, 2002, at 14:51:36
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 27, 2002, at 4:04:04
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club? » Dr. Bob, posted by Mair on January 26, 2002, at 10:21:29
> This idea (the idea of a club, not a board) is much more intriguing. I'm not sure how given the way the Board operates, that we'd actually reach agreement on what to read. Any thoughts?
The same way "real" clubs decide? Throw out ideas and voice opinions until there's some consensus? I know, easier said than done. Especially online...
Yahoo does have that "poll" function, if at some point it got narrowed down, one option would be to have a vote...
Hmm, maybe it would be better if one or two people volunteered to lead it?
Bob
Posted by Fi on January 27, 2002, at 13:05:10
In reply to Re: Re books/Thank you, thank you » fi, posted by robinibor on January 25, 2002, at 14:51:36
Wise decision.
I hope your other tactics help you get thru this current difficult time.
Fi
Posted by IsoM on January 27, 2002, at 19:31:33
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 27, 2002, at 4:04:04
I'm sure many will be for it & good for them. Personally, I dislike book clubs, but then I'm weird. :)
Hope to hear more people give their opinions to you & hopefully positive, not like me.
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2002, at 14:00:44
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club? » Dr. Bob, posted by IsoM on January 27, 2002, at 19:31:33
> I'm sure many will be for it & good for them. Personally, I dislike book clubs, but then I'm weird. :)
That's OK, too. So, who would be interested? If there are at least a few people, I think I could set it up pretty quickly...
Bob
Posted by kiddo on January 30, 2002, at 14:41:14
In reply to Re: interest in Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2002, at 14:00:44
I'm interested if you don't drag Oprah and her "I'm gonna save the world, Dr. Phil being my lifeline/partner, I can do Everything because I'm Oprah" attitude...Actually, I would be 'in' her book club if she wasn't that way....
I guess that means yes?
You'd also need to take into consideration the fact that not everyone reads at the same pace. Are we talking 1 book a month? (I read that in a day, like I said..)
Perhaps more details?
> > I'm sure many will be for it & good for them. Personally, I dislike book clubs, but then I'm weird. :)
>
> That's OK, too. So, who would be interested? If there are at least a few people, I think I could set it up pretty quickly...
>
> Bob
Posted by mair on January 30, 2002, at 16:24:03
In reply to Re: interest in Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2002, at 14:00:44
>I'm game but not in any position right now to be anything other than a follower - definitely not a leader. I do like the idea however.
Mair
Posted by Noa on January 30, 2002, at 18:34:36
In reply to Re: interest in Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2002, at 14:00:44
I might be (she said, noncommittally).
Posted by Noa on January 30, 2002, at 18:35:21
In reply to Re: interest in Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2002, at 14:00:44
I might be (she said, noncommittally).
Posted by Katey on January 30, 2002, at 21:38:26
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club? » Dr. Bob, posted by IsoM on January 27, 2002, at 19:31:33
perhaps more a board for discussion and recommendations than an actual book club would be more in order...
i, for one, am always on the hunt for a good book to read, but i'm not very much into the concept of kidnergarten show and tell.
> I'm sure many will be for it & good for them. Personally, I dislike book clubs, but then I'm weird. :)
>
> Hope to hear more people give their opinions to you & hopefully positive, not like me.
Posted by Jonathan on January 30, 2002, at 22:02:32
In reply to Re: interest in Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2002, at 14:00:44
Posted by jane d on January 31, 2002, at 9:26:54
In reply to Re: Psycho-Babble Book Club?, posted by Katey on January 30, 2002, at 21:38:26
I'd be willing to give it a try but perhaps we should cross reference this list with the procrastinators thread of a few weeks ago. :-)
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