Suggestions for something to send an unwell 50 year old man please?

[evelynj]

Hi all

As title suggests - this is for an ex colleague who has been very unwell - I've moved countries so can't visit but would like to send him something with a note. He normally reads on his kindle - not sure what, but thinking something shortish and paperback (light to hold) would be good. Preferably uplifting and memorable.

Any suggestions appreciated? While writing I've thought maybe Gilead or Roald Dahl's short stories. Even if I get it very wrong, I think as long as the sentiment shows, that's the main thing.

My brother is 50 and was very ill last year. He liked magazines to be honest as reading a whole book was too much for him..he couldn't concentrate for long...there wasn't anything wrong with his head but his illness and the stress of it had made him less able to read for long periods.

I got my brother some men's mags...not nudey ones of course! If you go to WHSmith there are loads of things to choose from...specialist ones and general interest.

And you're right....just knowing his colleague has thought of him will cheer him up no end.

When my brother was in hospital over Christmas, a local "celeb" came in...who was also a hairdresser...he was a very glam man and very outre in his personality...he cut all the men's hair and went about being funny and cheerful in a beautiful suit and my brother said he really cheered everyone up as this nice, well heeled man was thinking about them.

Aww that's lovely about the hairdresser MrsTawdry. I may find something jokey to include in the parcel. You're right about feeling removed from every day jolly stuff when ill & does people good to be reminded ;)

What does he like? It's hard to recommend without knowing any of his interests. How about something about survival against the odds, such as a book about Shackleton?

Or, if you don't think he'd find it patronising, David Almond's, 'Skellig' is a beautiful children's book about a very sick baby getting better, helped by somebody who may or may not be an angel. Very uplifting and lovely.

Stephen Grosz's book The Examined Life is excellent. Each chapter is a separate tale. I love it.

www.amazon.co.uk/Examined-Life-Lose-Find-Ourselves/dp/0099549034/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420736861&sr=8-1&keywords=the+examined+life

Vanity Fair mag is great--lots of reading content plus glam ads too. Very unisex. I always buy it for really long flights. Probably available for Kindle too.

Can he watch DVDs? How about a box set? I only got into Game of Thrones because I was ill...now I'm hooked.

How about an amazon gift coupon then.. It may not be as personal but you could send him a card. Then he can get what he likes for his kindle?

Ooh, thanks all-I have skellig here-easy to read & Ive not read it yet but will do & send if I think it's appropriate.

He likes being vegetarian & the stock market. Possibly typical murder mysteries.

Don't know about Shackleton-will have a look but don't know all the ins & outs of his illness so want to avoid anything that sounds a bit like 'at least.......'

Will have a look at the examined life & maybe tell him the books I debated over-that may be enough.

Tbh I'm not feeling too hot on sending vanity fair tho I may get it for myself when I'm next in need of a mag-every other mag has disappointed me for years so thanks for the rec.

Shackleton was an expedition leader, so it wouldn't be anything to do with illness. 'Endurance' is the story of an incredible boat journey to escape his ship which had been locked into iced sea ice, and is well worth a read.

The best vegetarian books I know are, 'Plenty' by Ottolenghi and, 'World Vegetarian' by Madhur Jaffrey.

One Day by David Nicholls - it's an easy read and starts in the early eighties - when I read it, it was like being taken back to being a teenager as I could relate to all the references.

I am David by Ann Holm - a children's book so easy to read, but works at a level that can really be appreciated by an adult. Very thought provoking.