Greedy Reading.

I am an unashamed bookaholic.  If there was such a thing and someone forced me to attend a Bookaholics Anonymous meeting there would undoubtedly be a book in my bag.

If I am pretending to be couth and sophisticated I might talk about eclectic or omnivorous reading tastes.  Greedy is more truthful.

I read fiction and non fiction and from a wide range of genres.  There are ones I prefer, but few I won't attempt.  I read every day and frequently neglect other things to do so.

These are some of the very different books which I have devoured recently.

I picked up 'love anthony' because Lisa Genova's more famous book 'Still Alice' about a woman and her families experience with early onset Alzheimer's disease had moved me.  Beautifully written, and powerful.

love anthony also deals with a confronting and heartbreaking condition, autism, and its impact on a family.

Yes, I was moved and informed.  I have reservations though.  Strong reservations.

The novel starts when Olivia retreats to their holiday home in Nantucket when her marriage breaks down after the death of her 8 year old son Anthony.  Anthony had autism, and the stresses and tensions placed on Olivia and her husband David in their desperate search for a cure, a treatment, and for support are beautifully portrayed.  Olivia is an editor and on long term leave from work while she comes to term with the tragedies in her life.  Her pain is huge, and she can find no comfort and no support.  So far so good.

Then we meet Beth, a year round resident of Nantucket who kicks her husband out when she discovers he is having an affair.  Her friends help, but it is returning to her creative side which gives her most healing.  Beth starts to write.

Beth, who doesn't know Olivia, channels Anthony and writes his story.  Which of course falls serendipitously into Olivia's lap.  And brings a measure of healing both to her and to Beth.

Beautifully  researched and written.  Informative.   The exploration of just how difficult it is to communicate with a non-verbal child who also resents touch was incredible.  She shines a light on a disorder which is still mysterious both to the public and to scientists, and all too often overwhelming to the families who must live with it.  She explores the isolation of coping with a child with a chronic and misunderstood illness.   And I loathe and detest the structure.  Artificial.  Contrived, and I didn't find it believable.  I have no doubt it will do well but this is a book which has gone to my recycle pile.

I did however love the quote from the acknowledgements section of the book:
'If you've met one child with autism, you've met one child with autism.'
One size definitely doesn't fit eveyone.  Here or anywhere else.

The next book crosses two genres that are often on my go-to list.  Memoirs and travel writing.  Franz's fiance calls their wedding off at the very last minute.  Too late to get refunds on the reception or the honeymoon.  So late that some of the guests are already in transit to attend.

So he has the celebration anyway, supported by family and friends.  And then has a brain wave.  He and his younger brother (who he barely knows) go on the honeymoon together (cancelling the rose petals on the beds).  A trip which starts as a way to make the best of a bad situation becomes a life changer.  A job surrendering, house selling life changer.  Four years later and more than sixty countries under their belt the brothers have forged a new and improved relationship, and new careers.

I am a bad traveller - and still got itchy feet reading...

As an avid, obsessed, greedy reader the fact that I love authors goes without saying.  Awe and gratitude.  Here in the blogosphere I have come across lots of writers.  Who put temptation in my weak-willed way.

R. Mac Wheeler is one of those people.  Clicking on his name will take you to his latest post.  He loves trees, clouds, colour and animals.  He would probably be pleased if Santa bought him a boat.  And he writes, across a variety of genres.  And writes some more.  He now has twenty-eight books under his belt and is working on the next.  All of them are featured on his side-bar and clicking on the books will take you to the links.

I guzzled the first two books in this series.  Margarite Abernathy (who only answers to Mar) is a teenager.

Like all teenagers she is impatient.  Subject to mood swings and impetuous behaviour.  And not precisely sweet natured.  And feels put upon and unjustly treated.  And she is right. 

In the first we learn that Mar's alcoholic abusive parents have lost an argument with a tree.  Probably not entirely a bad thing.  Her only remaining family is her brother Reggie.  A scientist.  With Asperger's disease.  Reggie engineers the ultimate plague. Fanatics seek to control them. The government pursue them as terrorists. Mar sees all sorts of unexpected behaviour from her usually rigidly controlled brother - including ruthlessness, and compassion.  He can also (sometimes) surprise her with his competence.  Is it enough?  Can it be?    Temporarily the answer is yes.

But in 6 Ways to Mental we learn just how tenuous that safety is.  Mar is still a teenager.  Probably a fairly obnoxious one.  She drinks and fights.  And loves her dog.  She has nightmares and panic attacks.  All the usual teen issues and some more.  She feels guilty that she couldn't stop the plague her brother created, and piles survivor guilt on top.  And the conspirators whose plans they at least partially foiled are not done yet.  Not done with either their plans or with her.  Nor are the police.  And Mar doesn't play piggy in the middle well...

Both books are helter-skelter action packed rides.  And I am intrigued to know where Mar will go next....