Let Me Hear Your Voice

Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family's Triumph Over Autism

Author: Catherine Maurice

Source: Several of my professors

Days to Read: 5

I recently have begun a post-graduate program in Autism and Behavioural Science. After working for 4 years in the business industry I was ready for a change. I knew I wanted to work with and help people and have always been interested in the brain and how it functions. With an undergrad in Psychology and having heard good things about this program, I decided to enroll and change my path!

Within the first week of classes I had heard at least 3 of my professors refer to this book in the lectures. Basically, it is written by a mother of 3 children, 2 of which were diagnosed at a very young age, with Autism.

Now maybe I am slightly biased as I have a particular interest and am currently immersed in the subject matter but I do think it’s a great book for everyone to read. It not only provides a non-professional’s take on what autism is but provides a personal experience and is written extremely well. Catherine Maurice also does a very good job at describing what Behaviour Analysis is and compares it to other “treatments” that are out there.

I have told all my friends in my class to read it and my parents and now I’m telling you!

Pin It

What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim

What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim

Author: Jane Christmas

Source: My parents 

Days to Read: 7

Interesting title. This was one of those books that I just dove right into before knowing what it was about. My parents had given me the book and both had really enjoyed it so that was a decent vote of confidence.

Jane Christmas wanted to do something big and unique for her fiftieth birthday. While travelling on a plane to and indulging in some store bought wine, she catches the attention of a flight attendant. After reprimanding Jane for her vino, the attendant mentions a famous pilgrimage in Spain. The idea takes root within Jane and the next thing she knows she has 10 other women signed up and ready to hike Spain’s infamous Camino de Santiago de Compostela!

Before leaving for her journey, Jane visits a psychic who basically tells her she is going to have an awful time with this group of women, she is going to lose some jewellery, she will encounter a celebrity, have a visit from death and meet a hair-haired man.

The book details her physical struggles on this pilgrimage, the wonderful (and not so wonderful) relationships she makes and her own personal ups and downs. Told with a great sense of humour, this book was very entertaining and enjoyable. I don’t think I will be hiking the “Camino” anytime soon but hats off to Jane Christmas for doing it!

Pin It

The Lady of the Rivers

The Lady of the Rivers
Author: Philippa Gregory
Source: Chapters pick
Days to Read: 11

This is the second Philippa Gregory book that I have read. She is probably best known for her book The Other Boleyn Girl (which was also made into a movie starring Natalie Portman). Her novels are based on real historical females that are typically not researched or written about very often.

The Lady of the Rivers is about a Duchess of Bedford, Jaquetta, who befriends the young, new queen of England and her husband, King Henry VI. The book has a good love story, plenty of battles and drama at court to keep the reader interested.

Now these books are fairly light and fluffy as I like to call it, but I do love a good period piece, especially when they take place in England and I did love this book!! It seems to me I rarely read a book that I dislike!

The book that I am currently reading is something totally different from my normal selection. I have recently gone back to school and in several of my classes and the literature I have read thus far, this book has been referred to. It is called Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph Over Autism. Stay tuned!

Pin It

Drums of Autumn

Outlander Series: Drums of Autumn
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Source: Lauren
Days to Read: 14

Ohhhh the Outlander series. This is the 4th book in a series of 8 rather long books - but I do love them! I read the first 3 a year or so ago and needed a little break. My friend Lauren absolutely loves these books so she encouraged me to get back into it and to read the next one.

Drums of Autumn picks up where the previous book, Voyager, leaves off. Claire and Jamie are living in the American Colonies in Jamie’s time and their daughter, Brianna, has begun to research her father in her own time. For a time travel book, you never get confused with what time period you are in. Brianna eventually discovers a newspaper article that tells of her mother and father’s untimely death. After learning this she is determined to find her parents and warn them, perhaps saving their lives if she isn’t too late. The majority of the novel is Brianna crossing through time and searching for her parents and then her life unfolding when she does find them.

I am looking forward to reading the next installment of this series however, as always, I have a large pile of books on my bed side table that need attending to first!!

Pin It