Dear Lit Loves,
Oh wow. I just had one of the most interesting revelations when it comes to shopping for books. I was preparing a list of what to read next after I finish one of the best fiction books I've read in a long time which is Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I selected my next "to read" books to place on my shopping list. Then I checked book prices at Amazon first. And when I had an opportunity to go browse in my local Barnes & Noble I considered my book expenses and my shopping experiences there. First, let's do a book to book price comparison between Amazon and Barnes & Noble:
1) Book One: The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney.
Amazon Price for paperback version: $7.44 (prime membership discount added)
Barnes & Noble Price for paperback version: $12.23
(Note that the Barnes & Noble price reflects a 20% promo discount as well as my 10% member
discount)
In terms of price, Amazon beats Barnes & Noble by $4.79 for the paperback version.
2) The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman.
Amazon Price for paperback version: $10.96 (prime membership discount added).
Barnes & Noble Price for paperback version: $14.40 (10% membership discount added).
In terms of price, Amazon beats Barnes and Noble by $3.44 once again for the paperback version.
3) Then She Was Gone: A Novel by Lisa Jewell.
Amazon Price for paperback version: $8.78 (prime membership discount added).
Barnes & Noble Price for paperback version: $14.40 (10% membership discount added).
In terms of price, Amazon wins once again by a savings of $5.62 for the paperback version.
My total price in terms of cost for the above books in paperback format:
Amazon: $27.18
Barnes & Noble: $44.11
Total book savings using Amazon to buy books instead of Barnes & Noble is $16.93.
In conclusion, I was a bit astonished at how much more I saved on the purchase of these three books from Amazon instead of Barnes & Noble and this is taking into account that I have an Amazon Prime membership discount, can order from the comfort of my home office, obtain free shipping, and the books would be delivered to my door in two days.
Yes folks, there is something to be said for the in-store experience of shopping for books. I generally appreciate the quiet surroundings of a brick and mortar store; however, during my shopping experience today at Barnes & Noble as I was looking for these three books there was one elderly man asleep in a chair by the magazine section (I knew he was asleep because he was snoring). I had one middle-aged woman stop me while I was browsing for my three books to inquire where she could pay for her books. The store was jam-packed with merchandise and not just of the literary variety. I'm not crazy about Barnes & Noble carrying games, home gifts, and toys for children. Additionally, there was only one sales clerk available so I waited fifteen minutes to purchase my books. When I visit a store to purchase reading material, I am really only interested in literature so I definitely don't want the experience to begin feeling like I am shopping at Target or Walmart. Can Barnes & Noble continue to compete with the Amazon online shopping experience? It's going to be difficult in my opinion unless a Barnes & Noble membership gives more of a discount in price of books and also offers better in-store perks to the buyer. Also, Barnes & Noble must make some changes in terms of the atmosphere of their stores and the focus of the merchandise that they carry. Just my thoughts on this topic and now you know my reading list for the rest of the month of September and first half of October!
Until my next post,
Grace
(Amy)
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Review: A Beginner's Guide To The End by Dr. BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger
Dear Lit Loves,
Greetings! Today I am reviewing the book titled A Beginner's Guide To The End by Dr. BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger. The book held interest for me as I have always wanted a really good book about all the emotions, tasks, and revelations about the end of life. Unlike most people who would rather live in the dark about death or live in denial about it, I am one of those folks who would rather know what is coming and how to prepare. I was a bit skeptical about a doctor writing about the emotional aspects of death which is what I found most difficult when my father died four years ago. This book does do a fantastic job of giving you a head start on what to think about and do in relation to preparing yourself for an immediate family member's death and getting documentation ready for when we all pass on to the great beyond.
Initially, I liked that the book addressed what a living will is and why it's important. Basically, a living will outlines to what extremes you want medical personnel to go should you have a medical emergency and not be able to speak for yourself. Heads up, I am now asked for this document anytime I have outpatient or inpatient surgery. This part of the book reminded me of all the confusion surrounding Terry Schiavo and whether to keep her on life support or not. If you're not familiar with the case it demonstrates the struggle that can occur when you have two opposing forces, in this case her husband and parents, who want different treatment options. Even if you are age twenty I would encourage you to think about having a living will and letting your family members know if you wish to be an organ donor.
The book also does include a section about the need for most people to have an official will that has been composed by an attorney and kept up-to-date based on how one's life changes over the course of time. A will basically instructs family members and others how you wish for remaining assets to be distributed upon your death. Personally, I think it should also include instructions to family members about your funeral such as do you opt for cremation, burial, or a "natural" burial. If someone passes and does not have a will then the immediate family members must wait until all of the deceased's assets go through probate or the court system before any assets can be distributed.
This author does an excellent job of explaining the difference between hospice and palliative care. Actually, I'm eternally grateful my parents often took me with them when I was younger to go visit friends, relatives, or acquaintances who had opted for hospice care. I found hospice comforting and more like home than residing in a hospital until death. I have known people who did not get to visit or be with their grandparents when they passed because they were so scared to visit a hospice facility. I am so glad my father opted for hospice care at the end of his life because it felt more peaceful and comforting than if he had passed in the often sterile, frenzied state of a hospital.
And it's always good to remember that even if you don't want to think about death, you may very well be asked by a relative to be their patient advocate or durable power-of-attorney to help make medical decisions if a relative with a terminal illness should fall into a coma. This is why it is so very important to have these conversations with not just your parents and siblings, but your spouse and children. This book devoted an entire section to helping children cope with death which is very much needed in this day and age.
Overall, I thought this was a highly informative book and one I will surely keep for future reference. I do think we need more books by patients coping and dealing with a terminal diagnosis and more books on the emotional and mental challenges of death. Death is never easy but the least you can do for yourself and those you love is Be Prepared.
Till my next post,
Grace
(Amy)
Greetings! Today I am reviewing the book titled A Beginner's Guide To The End by Dr. BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger. The book held interest for me as I have always wanted a really good book about all the emotions, tasks, and revelations about the end of life. Unlike most people who would rather live in the dark about death or live in denial about it, I am one of those folks who would rather know what is coming and how to prepare. I was a bit skeptical about a doctor writing about the emotional aspects of death which is what I found most difficult when my father died four years ago. This book does do a fantastic job of giving you a head start on what to think about and do in relation to preparing yourself for an immediate family member's death and getting documentation ready for when we all pass on to the great beyond.
Initially, I liked that the book addressed what a living will is and why it's important. Basically, a living will outlines to what extremes you want medical personnel to go should you have a medical emergency and not be able to speak for yourself. Heads up, I am now asked for this document anytime I have outpatient or inpatient surgery. This part of the book reminded me of all the confusion surrounding Terry Schiavo and whether to keep her on life support or not. If you're not familiar with the case it demonstrates the struggle that can occur when you have two opposing forces, in this case her husband and parents, who want different treatment options. Even if you are age twenty I would encourage you to think about having a living will and letting your family members know if you wish to be an organ donor.
The book also does include a section about the need for most people to have an official will that has been composed by an attorney and kept up-to-date based on how one's life changes over the course of time. A will basically instructs family members and others how you wish for remaining assets to be distributed upon your death. Personally, I think it should also include instructions to family members about your funeral such as do you opt for cremation, burial, or a "natural" burial. If someone passes and does not have a will then the immediate family members must wait until all of the deceased's assets go through probate or the court system before any assets can be distributed.
This author does an excellent job of explaining the difference between hospice and palliative care. Actually, I'm eternally grateful my parents often took me with them when I was younger to go visit friends, relatives, or acquaintances who had opted for hospice care. I found hospice comforting and more like home than residing in a hospital until death. I have known people who did not get to visit or be with their grandparents when they passed because they were so scared to visit a hospice facility. I am so glad my father opted for hospice care at the end of his life because it felt more peaceful and comforting than if he had passed in the often sterile, frenzied state of a hospital.
And it's always good to remember that even if you don't want to think about death, you may very well be asked by a relative to be their patient advocate or durable power-of-attorney to help make medical decisions if a relative with a terminal illness should fall into a coma. This is why it is so very important to have these conversations with not just your parents and siblings, but your spouse and children. This book devoted an entire section to helping children cope with death which is very much needed in this day and age.
Overall, I thought this was a highly informative book and one I will surely keep for future reference. I do think we need more books by patients coping and dealing with a terminal diagnosis and more books on the emotional and mental challenges of death. Death is never easy but the least you can do for yourself and those you love is Be Prepared.
Till my next post,
Grace
(Amy)
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Dear Julia Roberts, (Yes, I Am Speaking Of The Actress)
Dear Mrs. Julia Roberts (Moder),
Greetings! I was not sure which last name you prefer unknown strangers to use when they speak with you so I just included both "Roberts" and "Moder" so as not to step on anyone's toes. We southern gals are generally known for minding our manners and exhibiting respect.
I just wanted to let you know that there is no shame in not being nominated for an Emmy; however, I truly thought that you should have been nominated for your role in "Homecoming". I found the whole series riveting. Of course, I have to admit that as a Southern Feminist I have been a fan of yours for years. Seriously, I knew you were the "real deal" when I watched the movie titled "Erin Brockovich". Oh law, talk about taking no prisoners! And when you won the Oscar for the movie, I was watching thinking, "Well, I'll never know fame such as Julia's as a small town southern gal so I'll just live the dream vicariously through Julia Roberts." I never had aspirations to be an actress and I probably should have never developed aspirations to attempt becoming a traditionally published author from the south. By training, I am a Middle School Educator. I could not continue that line of work as I developed Uveitic Glaucoma, Meniere's Disease, and now an autoimmune disorder that causes my own immune system to attack my bodily organs. So I thought I would try my luck at writing and publishing.
I tried to secure a literary agent for ten years while writing four full manuscripts and accompanying book proposals. In my case, the rejection letters from literary agents were and are brutal. I actually received one rejection written on the back of a business card. And when you write in the memoir genre as I do, God Help You If You Are Not A Famous Person, A Notable Physician, A Woman Frequently Seen On Morning Television, A Woman Who Has "Leaned In", or A Person Who Has Achieved Notoriety Through A McDaddy Number Of Social Media Followers. And then of course, there is the notation by literary agents of voice in my writing which can be described as straight-shooting, no-holds-barred southern which literary agents tend to abhor- you would think I had committed a felony for heaven's sake and needed to be sent directly to Litchfield Prison on "Orange Is The New Black!!"
You handled the Emmy snub well by noting via Instagram that you were in good company along with George Clooney and Emma Stone who did not receive Emmy nominations for their work in television either. And as for me and my quest to become traditionally published? I most likely have a snowball's chance in hell of it actually happening though I have led an unusual life and make candid observations about the world in which we live today. The good news is that I don't think you will ever have to throw in the towel when it comes to your profession, Mrs. Roberts Moder. I can't imagine you ever having to endure that reality. As for me, I probably will endure the reality of throwing in the towel on my traditional publishing dreams along with potentially losing my sight, hearing, and having to ingest chemo medications for the rest of my life just to keep my immune system from attacking my bodily organs. I'll always continue to live my aspirations for success through you Mrs. Roberts Moder because you give a woman like me something others cannot: It's called HOPE.
All Best,
Grace
(Amy)
Greetings! I was not sure which last name you prefer unknown strangers to use when they speak with you so I just included both "Roberts" and "Moder" so as not to step on anyone's toes. We southern gals are generally known for minding our manners and exhibiting respect.
I just wanted to let you know that there is no shame in not being nominated for an Emmy; however, I truly thought that you should have been nominated for your role in "Homecoming". I found the whole series riveting. Of course, I have to admit that as a Southern Feminist I have been a fan of yours for years. Seriously, I knew you were the "real deal" when I watched the movie titled "Erin Brockovich". Oh law, talk about taking no prisoners! And when you won the Oscar for the movie, I was watching thinking, "Well, I'll never know fame such as Julia's as a small town southern gal so I'll just live the dream vicariously through Julia Roberts." I never had aspirations to be an actress and I probably should have never developed aspirations to attempt becoming a traditionally published author from the south. By training, I am a Middle School Educator. I could not continue that line of work as I developed Uveitic Glaucoma, Meniere's Disease, and now an autoimmune disorder that causes my own immune system to attack my bodily organs. So I thought I would try my luck at writing and publishing.
I tried to secure a literary agent for ten years while writing four full manuscripts and accompanying book proposals. In my case, the rejection letters from literary agents were and are brutal. I actually received one rejection written on the back of a business card. And when you write in the memoir genre as I do, God Help You If You Are Not A Famous Person, A Notable Physician, A Woman Frequently Seen On Morning Television, A Woman Who Has "Leaned In", or A Person Who Has Achieved Notoriety Through A McDaddy Number Of Social Media Followers. And then of course, there is the notation by literary agents of voice in my writing which can be described as straight-shooting, no-holds-barred southern which literary agents tend to abhor- you would think I had committed a felony for heaven's sake and needed to be sent directly to Litchfield Prison on "Orange Is The New Black!!"
You handled the Emmy snub well by noting via Instagram that you were in good company along with George Clooney and Emma Stone who did not receive Emmy nominations for their work in television either. And as for me and my quest to become traditionally published? I most likely have a snowball's chance in hell of it actually happening though I have led an unusual life and make candid observations about the world in which we live today. The good news is that I don't think you will ever have to throw in the towel when it comes to your profession, Mrs. Roberts Moder. I can't imagine you ever having to endure that reality. As for me, I probably will endure the reality of throwing in the towel on my traditional publishing dreams along with potentially losing my sight, hearing, and having to ingest chemo medications for the rest of my life just to keep my immune system from attacking my bodily organs. I'll always continue to live my aspirations for success through you Mrs. Roberts Moder because you give a woman like me something others cannot: It's called HOPE.
All Best,
Grace
(Amy)
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