That Uncomfortable Hugshake

Starting a blog post after a prolonged and unnecessary (it's not like I was doing anything wildly interesting that prevented me from reaching my keyboard) absence is always awkward for me. It's been over a week... do I mention the morning that Caroline projectile vomited all over the couch and Edward spent the rest of the day doing an excellent impersonation of Steve's reaction?

["And then Daddy said, 'Aaaaauuuuugggghhhhh!'"]

We had a weekend guest. Steve turned 44 and I threw a birthday dinner for him. Patrick seems exactly the same after two weeks of Augmentin (maybe even a little puffier around the eyes?) so I have a call into his doctor at the Mayo to get instructions before I refill the prescription.

Patrick's sinus infection epitomizes my parental worry that something will be wrong with my child and I won't know it. I mean, obviously I know it on some level or we wouldn't be treating him at all but it really chops my onion that I have to guess all the time. His nose never runs and he never sounds congested. He never runs a fever. His bloodwork looks normal. When a practioner pokes a scope up his nose they never see anything concerning. Most frustrating of all when I ask Patrick how he feels he says, "Fine" unless he is curled under a blanket with his fist pressed over his right eye in which case he says, "How do I look like I feel?" And I can't even descend upon him with maternal wrath for the sassmouth because clearly he's ill and he probably doesn't realize how annoyingly preteen he sounds.

Where was I?

Right, wringing my hands over the fact that the only time we are able to absolutely confirm that he is still swimming in infection is when he gets a CT scan and unless he wants to pursue the supervillian career we discussed as Day-Glo Boy I would like to try to limit his xposure-eay to all that adiation-ray. But if the antibiotics aren't working at all then we need to stop them and figure out what to do next but it is impossible to know if the antibiotics are working... see above.

I am biting my thumbs waiting for the doctor to call back. I am also biting my thumbs because I had my repeat chest x-ray this morning and even though I am fairly sure the lung nodule is gone and/or nothing to worry about I keep remembering my childhood in the asbestos mines of Brazil and by "childhood" I mean "high school/college/ several years post college" and by "asbestos mines" I mean "Camel Lights." Yes I was stupid and yes I regret it but there you go.

Change of subject and tone: books. Books books books. Books!

Patrick and I finished listening to the Keys of the Kingdom series by Garth Nix. I confess I was a little disappointed by the end. Without spoiling it for you I got all excited by the last book trying to figure out how he was possibly going to resolve the arc and... huh. I suspect he wasn't totally sure how he was going to resolve it either.

We are now on the latest book of the Angie Sage Septimus Heap series (Darke) and all I have to say is... swoon. I really really really love this series. I had been thinking of audiobooks mainly in light of the fact that they made commuting to school less boring but it recently occurred to me that listening to a story together is an experience unto itself. Patrick and I and the characters kinda hang out for the duration of the book and my reactions and his reactions get incorporated into how I feel about the book. It's a nice bond.

I have Eragon set to go next but I am hesitating. It is massive and that's just book one. Is the series good? Is it worth it? Will we like it? Anything else to recommend? I am contemplating the next whatever it is by the guy who did Percy Jackson but just between you and me I thought those books were dopey. Patrick liked them (which counts) but Greek mythology was My Thing in elementary school and I cannot help but feel it could be done so much better. Also, forgive me, he's not that great of a writer. Decent storyteller, yes, but meh on the prose. 

So book recommendations, please, for Patrick and me (yeah I know, AGAIN) and for you and the younger set I have something special. For the first (and probably last) time ever I am facilitating a book giveaway. And not just any book, but one which has been written, illustrated and self-published by one of my readers. It is a retelling of the princess and the frog and it is called The Golden Ball by Katelyn Sinclair.

To be honest I would probably give her a plug regardless because she leaves me helpful comments and I am supportive like that but it's nice that I can do it without violating my strict ethical code because the book is REALLY GOOD. I think you and/or the smallish person in your life will really enjoy it and you can check it out in its entirety here (this links to a movie-let of the book being read - quite fun) or you can see the book on Amazon here.

She is giving away ten copies (eleven, actually, as Edward and Caroline are getting one too - apparently I can be bought with the perfect execution of kickass iambic tetrameter) so if you would like one just leave a comment to that effect along with an actual email address that will reach you. I will do one of those random number generating things to select the ten and that's it. Oh, wait, no, it isn't. If you get a copy of the book I'd love it if you would come back to my blog at some unspecified time in the near future so that we can have a little online focus group for the author. Give her some constructive feedback. Deal? 

To sum: I'll come back and let you know what the Mayo says. Ditto whether I still have my lung thing. You will let me know what Patrick and I should listen to next and whether you would like to be included in a drawing for Katelyn Sinclair's book.

I think that's it. I promise to write more often, even though it's just fiddling life stuff. Life is in the details after all.

PS Oh! Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. Patrick is reading it and he LOVES it. I haven't read it personally so I am not absolutely certain it doesn't contain illicit drugs, foul language and naughty sex but as far as I know it is appropriate'ish for a nine year old.

PPS Holy cats, I didn't realize I had so many book ads up. Please check them out, too.

Comments

[Jodes]

I would love the book, as would my 4.5 year-old daughter I am sure.

And, I can't remember, have you and Patrick done The Mysterious Benedict Society yet? Lots of fun and I think there are three of them.

Best of luck on all the medical things.

[Leah]

We listened to Eragon and really liked it but it is annoying that the last book has yet to be written - I would like to know how it ends...

OMG - just looked it up and the last book was just released. Yay!

[alison]

Would love the book! It looks adorable. (tentinytoesdesigns at gmail)

I've got nothing for you for books. The closest I've come to a book recently is, well, your blog. :)

Hoping your family is the picture of health very soon. (At the minimum you should be granted immune systems of steel by the time they're all in high school, right?)

[mara]

Eragon was no good for me. Maybe read a bit yourself before making a commitment out of it? Anyway that's just my opinion, obviously enough people like it to make it a best-seller.

[Kat]

The fablehaven books by Brandon Mull were some of my absolute favorite in the whole young adult fantasy novel set.
So far as the book give away, I would love to be entered it looks so cute!

[stacy]

I think the last Eragon's been written but perhaps not available on audiobook yet.

I liked the audio version of The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry. I also like E.L. Konigsberg--try The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, About the B'nai Bagels, and--my fave--The View From Saturday. It's about nerdy kids and a trivia contest...sounds like P's cup of T.

Is Patrick ready for the Hunger Games? They are pretty dark and violent. But I think he'd like them, eventually. Maybe start with The Giver and the related books (all by Lois Lowry)?

[Amy F]

I should go back and see what books Patrick was reading a couple years ago since my readers are 7 and 5 and not up for his current selections. It'll be very helpful in the future for you to have paved the way already -- thanks!

[Mert]

Sounds perfect for my princess obsessed child. I will give full feedback results! Thanks. emera22 at yahoo.com

[Katie B.]

I am so excited for all the books I want to read with my little guy - currently he's only 21 mos. though so our repertoire is mostly limited to things that rhyme and/or have cats. He loves him some cats.

[aly]

i very much liked eragon, but it IS long and there is a lot about love and some dragon mating-ish issues at the end that may requrie some explanation.

please tell me you/patrick have done the phantom tollboth? still one of my all time favorite kid-ish books.

also, that giveaway sounds lovely! thank you!

[Kristina]

We are huge fans of audio books, and are currently listening to Septimus Heap (on your suggestion). Glad to know the next one is out. I will download it for our holiday travels. This seems like a silly question, but have you read/listened to Harry Potter? Like you mentioned above with Patrick, these books have been such a shared experience for our family. We've had many dinner conversations filled with HP trivia. I don't have any other suggestions as we usually follow yours.....

[Penny]

I was hoping you would write again soon. I was getting a little worried! I would love to get a copy of Ms. Sinclair's book! How cool would that be. Hope all goes well with your Dr. report and hoping Mayo can figure out Patrick!

[Erika]

Sounds like Patrick may be ready for the Hobbit. Also those Lloyd Alexander books (Chronicles of Prydain). And E. Nesbit's entire oeuvre.

But then, I'm a sucker for the classics...

[jen]

Eragon. My husband has read it, I have not. Husband loves the series, was mad when the next one was not in at the library, has them on his Christmas list, etc.

Percy Jackson. I would suggest continuing on with the Heroes of Olympus, which sort of still has Percy et al in it but it is technically a new series. I would not bother with the Red Pyramid series. I read the first one and I basically forced myself to finish it, would not read the next one unless I didn't have anything else to read and desperately wanted a brain candy book.

Poor Patrick. I just can't imagine how frustrated you must be.

And yes, the smallish person in my life loves books so we would love to be included in said giveaway.

[Jana]

Ooh, yay! I love retellings of fairy tales, and I imagine Charlotte, my five year old, would too.

[HereWeGoAJen]

I don't have any audiobook recommendations because you and Patrick are many years ahead of us in audiobooks and I am making mental notes of what you two like for later. But I would love to win the princess and the frog book. My daughter would love it.

[MFA Mama]

Oh, oh, me! I'd love a copy of the book and hell yes to the focus group!

[Carrie]

I would love to win the book.

I am so glad I am not the only one who thought the Percy Jackson guy couldn't write. The first book was sort of enjoyable, but I couldn't get even half-way through the second. I am sure my son will love them someday, but at the moment I just read for myself. I'd love to get more into reading with my son, but his attention span is not ready for chapter books yet.

[Laura]

Julia, I am so sorry about Patrick's perplexing sinus infection problem. I have a similar issue with ear infections in one of my twins. I've already ticked off one indifferent ped. I used to be a quiet girl who was loathe to bother anybody, but being a Mama-of-34-Week-Twins turned me into a yeller and a screamer. Works pretty good so far; sorry I didn't know that sooner.

I also wanted to tell you that I suffered from hereditary complicated migraine with aura and numbness on one side from the time I was about 7. I hope Patrick doesn't have migraine in addition to the sinus issues, but he might. I know you will pursue it and get him on a pain-control regimen if he needs it. There wasn't much available to me 40 years ago, except ergatomines which just made me vomit harder. Thank God there have been improvements since then! Anyway, I am anxious to hear what Mayo has to say. Praying for you and Patrick and all of your family.

[yasmara]

I have small people who would love a book! Also, have you (NOT Patrick, this is just an adult recommendation) read the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon? She combines (hem) time travel with historical research (Scottish Highlanders! American Revolution!) in a way that's unique & very compelling.

[Days]

I'd also recommend the Hobbit. We've loved it. I thought Eragon was meh but there are also two members of this household who loved it. So. No help there.

Hope P feels obviously better quickly.

[Kristi]

I would love the book, my email is attached to this comment.

I feel like you have had so many great book recommendations and in 3 or 4 years I will come back and start haunting your blog for what you loved and hated, when my 6yo gets a little bigger!

[Janet]

I'd love to be considered for the book drawing. Always looking for good books to read to my two youngest.

[Angela]

Ooh! I have 2 little ones that would love the book! And a virtual bookclub? Woot!

I have no helpful suggestions for audiobooks, but I am eager to see what your reader recommend.

[JP]

I would love a chance to win a book for Tot. Thanks!

Also, I hope you get answers soon for both Patrick and you!

[Amy]

I would love the book, it sounds like something my own 3.5yo would love. Also, a good book recommendation is the Wicked series by Gregory Maguire. It now has 4 books in the series, and while I haven't read the last two, the first two are quite good. And the original book is very different in tone from the musical of the same name.

[Leandra]

I'm seconding the recommendation for the Fablehaven series, and also making a recommendation for The Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott. He also really enjoyed Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams. There are 5 books in that series, I believe.

Have you ever linked to a list of all the books Patrick has enjoyed? I would love to see such a thing, if it existed.

Sending positive vibes your way for you AND Patrick!

[Courtney]

I would love to read the book with my nephew.

I've enjoyed the Eragon series, there is some violence, more so in books two and three than the first(I haven't read four yet, but was happy to see it available).

I have always loved a good mystery, I read Buniculla in first grade and have been hooked ever since. I wonder if Sherlock Holmes would be good. I think the would work well in audio format, I just don't remember if they are age appropriate.

[JenL]

Would Patrick be ok with a girl main character? I (a bona fide adult) have been listening to Terry Pratchett's YA series (Tiffany Aching; the first is Wee Free Men). It is utterly charming and quite funny. I love the reader.

[julianne]

My four-year-old and I would enjoy the book. I wish I had some reccs for you but I don't have older kids, and lately all I read is Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy over and over again to soothe myself to sleep at night. Not terribly helpful.

[Arina]

I would love the book!

Also, I loved Eragon, especially on audiobook. Has Patrick already read the Lemony Snickett books?

[Lissa]

I'd love the book for my 2nd grader.

I'm looking for ideas for books we could read together. He is a very advanced reader but he's still just 7 1/2. I'm looking for books to challenge him, without boring him or introducing him to anything too sophisticated. We've got all the wimpy kid/big nate/treehouse stuff but I want something more...more - if you know what I mean.

I did get him the lion, the witch & the wardrobe for Chanukah. I am aware of the religious irony in that sentence, but I loved it at his age.

[Esther]

We love all things princess in our house!

ethanzachemma@gmail.com

[qp]

I was coming in here to say Pratchett and Tiffany Aching, but I see someone beat me to it. It's really a great series for adults, too -- not much distinguishes it from his "adult" books, so other Pratchett might work, too. I read the Sabriel etc. books and wanted to like them but really I found them abominably clunky and painful to read. Pratchett manages funny and deeply relatable at the same time.

[Missie]

Hurray for the book give away!!

My eldest daughter (10 in January) loved the Percy Jackson books. She's currently on book 2 of Harry Potter. I can't recall if you said Patrick read those. She also just finished The Lord of the Rings. I didn't think she would be able to get through those, but she and her dad were able to have wonderful bonding discussions about the books. And he got to do the "I told you so dance", which is a rare event indeed.

[Christine]

I would love the book too!

And I hope the x-ray and scans and whatnot all turn out well.

[Alison]

John Bellairs! The Hobbit... Narnia... His Dark Materials trilogy... John Bellairs! Oh, and Stephen King has one about a Dragon for younger readers, very very very good! The Little Princess? (Sarah Crewe)... And also! John Bellairs!

[Mitzarella]

I love Septimus Heap! Those stories are such fun.

Patrick is probably old enough for some of Robert Heinlein's juvenile stuff. NOT the longer adult novels - lots of naughty sex and bizarro philosophy there. But he might enjoy Rocket Ship Galileo, Citizen of the Galaxy, The Rolling Stones, etc. Not sure how many are available as audiobooks.

Maybe Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card? A little on the violent side, but very compelling. I didn't like books 2 and 3 as much, but the companion Shadow series was quite good.

Isaac Asimov's Foundation series? From what I remember, that one can get a little slow, but I think Patrick would be fascinated by the idea of psychohistory - using math to predict the future.

[Angela]

Would love the book!

Can recommend all the Rick Riordan books, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.

[Shannon]

My husband loved Eragon and the new Percy Jackson books. I have not read any of them (read the older Percy Jackson books, and agreed with you. Cute, but not exactly stellar literature). Can't remember if you've already read it, but if not, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is excellent, and I understand he is a phenomenal audiobook reader.

Still sending lots of good "not-cancer" thoughts for you. The waiting time between biopsy/scan and results is terrible, as I know from much too much experience. Sending lots of positive thoughts.

[Rachel]

I would love the book to read with my niece (and later with my child if this whole infertility thing gets out of the way). She's got the princess bug and I'm eager to present her with engaging reading material. I'd be happy to come back and discuss how we liked it.

Have you guys read, or listened to, any Neil Gaiman? He reads his own books and some of them are kid oriented. Even his books for adults, I think, would be okay. The adult themes are more along the lines of existential crises than sex or violence. Some of it might go over Patrick's head, but I don't think there is anything terribly inappropriate.

[Megan]

As I have 3 kids of varying ages, I'm sure at least one will love this book.

[Rayne of Terror]

Perhaps Patrick is ready for Ray Bradbury. I remember starting them in elementary school. As you read them over the years the layers are revealed, but at first they are just interesting tales. Also Madeline L'Engle - especially since they go inside Charles' body in one of the books.

[Skye]

A free book would be lovely. I'm sure we can squeeze another on our overflowing shelf!

[Stephanie]

Ooh, I'd love to win a book!

Have you and Patrick read any of Anne Ursu's books? They're based on greek mythology, kinda snarky, kinda Harry Potterish. I'd wonder if they might be too young for him, but my 27 year old husband dragged me to a reading of the second book at the Red Balloon bookstore (before we had kids).

[Jennifer]

We love books! I've gotten a lot of good suggestions from your site. My oldest is only 7 but he loves The Number Devil.

Hope everyone is feeling better soon.

[SarahB]

My husband just finished the Eragorn series and very much enjoyed it. And, since the last book just came out, you can go through the whole series!

Also, Madeleine L'Engle. Yes, yes, yes.

And I would be happy with the book, so enter my family please!

[Rachel D]

book drawing entry please!

Also, when I read the sentence about Patrick, his eye, and his fist it was like you were watching me and thought I was named Patrick. By that I mean that I get regular sinus pain that is better when I push on my eye/eyebrow ridge. I finally mentioned it to my PCP and they put me on fluticasone spray, basically a steroid. My sinus headaches have been almost nonexistent in the year since. I doubt if this is relevant to treating a child as opposed to an adult but I thought I would mention it. :)

[Nicole]

Sign me up. It can be the first book I read to my little boy who's coming to us from China this April (or May, or June). Let's be optimistic and say April.

[Rachel F]

Sure! The book sounds great. Always trying to grow our book collection :)