Has anyone read a book that they enjoyed or helped them during treatment or when having problems sleeping?
I am reading a Richard Osman book which I am finding quite engaging.
I like the short chapters and the way he describes characters and situations.
I will definitely read his other books after this one.
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@Erica Hilary Mantelās Wolf Hall, beautifully written
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@Erica I have just read a book by Gervaise Phinn about his time as a school inspector not my usual thing as I like thrillers but the some of the things the children said made me smile in the middle of the night. Norma
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Such a great idea for a thread, @Erica! Usually Iām a big reader but since my diagnosis Iāve often found it hard to concentrate on anything too weighty or long-winded.
However, I have been finding new resonance in haiku. Specifically by BashÅ, an early Japanese master at documenting changes and cycles in life 
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@Erica @Duncan knew I forgot a trilogy of books by Raynor Winn which was recommended to me after the car crash and before I was diagnosed with Polycythaemia vera (PV).
The Salt Path
The Wild Silence
Landlines
OK tough cookie alert, the scent of onions may cause eye irritation and activation of tear ducks. That is my excuse anyway 
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Oh @clickinhistory thanks that is a trilogy I certainly have not heard of.
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@Erica true story of an amazing couple, tissues may be required 
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I love John Grisham and over the years my husband has bought me every release . I must have 30 hard back books , this post is actually the opposite to your question sorry - as I would love to read them to help me sleep but donāt for a a number of reasons:
- When I fall asleep reading a hard back book I regularly fall asleep and almost knock myself out with the weight of the bookš clonking myself on the nose.
- I love my book collection and donāt like messing up my lovely shiny new books with curled up corners when I nod off holding them.
Recently I have bought duplicates in paperback so I can read my favourite author!
I know I am mad.
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Hi @Jules I loved your post and I am still chuckling away here.
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@Jules one of the reasons I love my kindle, even turns itself off if I fall asleep
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Thank you @Erica for introducing this interesting topic. I find I can only concentrate for short periods when undergoing treatment or if my anaemia or fatigue is worse than usual. Trying to follow a storyline or even a biography at these times is out of the question as I have to keep re-reading what I have just read, if that makes sense. Therefore it will be no surprise to those of you who know I am a poet, that reading a poetry book is often my choice. I can then read each poem as a single item without having to follow a plot.
I recently discovered the poet Gideon Heugh who was published several books of his poems plus Sir Terry Waite whose book of poems and jottings is called OUT OF THE SILENCE. Another recent discovery is the poet Lemn Sissay who has an incredible gift with words and an incredible story to his life brought up in the care system. Warm wishes Willow x
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What a great idea, Erica, Iām sure the link will be well used.
I cannot honestly say that books help me sleep, as such. But I have dropped off whilst reading, whether it was the book, or it would have happened anyway, I haveānt a clue.
Being a lifetime devotee of Robert Burnās life and his works, I have found that almost every single aspect of human life is covered in his poems and letters. He could be cynical at times, as well as, profound. 
On the subject of books, he said. (English translation)
āSome books are lies from end to end
And some great lies were never pennedā.
As far as sleep is concerned, a calming quote to go to sleep on. would be:
"The cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like Arabs
And as silently, steal away!.
Works for me! 
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Re my Robert Burns quote, many would have realised that it was actually Wordsworth. (But Burns could always do better)
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When I was diagnosed I usually picked up something which didnāt require too much concentration. I really suffered with sleeplessness during the night due to having to take steroids - so tended to spend most of the night with my kindle in my hand!
I love anything by Cecelia Ahern, Jojo Moyes, Amanda Prowse - basically something I can lose myself in.
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@Vindicatrix funny his school reports said the same thing Go past a monument on the A90 towards Stonehaven, it reads "This Memorial Cairn overlooks CLOCHNAHILL from which, between 1740-50, William Burnes the Father of Scotlandās National Poet, left for EDINBURGH, and then AYRSHIRE "
Till you read the history and it sort of over the hill sort of over there maybe lol
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Another go to read for sleepless nights are SW Perryās The Jackdaw Mystery series set in the Elizabethan (1st) world. Just seen another two novels are out, now where is the buy now button on the kindle lol
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Ha I know what you mean about hating having tatty books @Jules. I had to stop lending mine out to one specific friend as they always came back looking moth-eaten!
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I am shocking @Duncan I will only read borrowed books from my sister. I have a real thing that I just cannot read a book from a library which is terrible in that part of my role at work means that I have responsibilities for libraries! And I do a lot to promote the use of our libraries 
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Outrageous, @Jules! Think of all those poor, forlorn books awaiting your perusal! Although borrowing any at all is still coolā¦ in my book (excuse the terrible pun, my coffee is kicking in) 
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