Wednesday, April 11, 2012

* Blog Tour Book Review - Caring Lessons *

In last Wednesday's blog post, I wrote a little about Lois Roelofs, and my participation in the WOW - Women on Writing Blog Tour. Then yesterday, I mentioned it again.

Today I'm (finally!) posting my review of Lois' book: Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor's Journey of Faith and Self.


I've never done a book review before, although I've read plenty of them. Mine will be different than most, I think. Mine will be short and sweet. If you'd like a longer one, those can be found at Amazon. It has a typical book synopsis and three reviews from readers.....all being 5-Star!

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Lois began nursing school because her parents allowed only two careers for the girls in her family: Become a teacher or a nurse....without discussion or question. Helping her fifth-grade-teacher mother grade papers every night after supper, the only choice for Lois was nursing.


I love the way Lois writes. She drew me in right from the beginning. I hurt right along with her when she called home and begged to leave nursing school. I felt embarrassed with her when she didn't place the surgeon's gloves on correctly the first time, and also indignant about his verbal abuse.


Through her entire memoir, Lois bravely shares ups and downs in her professional and personal life, sometimes humorous, sometimes quite sad. There were parts I laughed out loud, and others I actually shed tears.


When I'd finished the book, I felt as if it went by too fast, just like Lois' amazing career seemed to do....from nursing student to a Ph.D. This is one of those rare books that I could read a second time, and I'm sure I will, sometime soon!


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. You don't need to be in the health care industry or education to like it. If you're a woman and you like memoirs, you'll like it!  Run, drive, walk, or jog to your nearest book store and purchase a copy or two! OR search online and buy with a click or two. OR be sure and leave a comment here, or ask Lois a question, and you'll be eligible to win a FREE copy, directly from Lois. If you've already left a comment on last Wednesday's post, remember you can leave one again here, and have twice the chance of winning. Winner will be drawn and announced tomorrow.


* Just added at 11:30 AM.*
 Lois wrote some very lovely things about me on her blog post of today. Thank you, Lois!

Here's another line from Caring Lessons. I particularly love this one because it shows Lois' sense of humor, so much like mine!

"...we formed a human pyramid, cocked our heads up toward our classmates, and droned the Oscar Meyer wiener song. Our classmates had roared." Lois Hoitenga Roelofs

13 comments:

  1. It sounds like a wonderful book. I read a memoir but a friend who was a nurse in a ward where all people are dying(I just can't think of the word right now, it's too early) and all the emotional ups and downs she faced. This sounds like a similar book and a very good read. Thanks for the suggestions. It's going on my list.

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  2. TOL (The Other Lisa) loves nonfiction and she has a birthday this year...I smell a gift ;)

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  3. Nice job, Becky. I love Memoirs so you know this is down my reading alley. Will look for it!

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  4. How great to have the chance to win the book. It sounds like a good read. You did a good job with the review Becky.

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  5. Sounds like a good book, Becky. Many thanks to Lois for writing it. Yeah, put my name in for the drawing, will you? Thanks. Susan

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  6. Great review, Becky! From the heart.

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  7. Sounds like a wonderful read!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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  8. This does sound like a great read. Thanks for the head's up, Becky!

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  9. I love memoirs, like reading about medical professions, and I've had a lifelong career in education. So it sounds like this one is three-for-three as far as my interest level is concerned. I will check into it.

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  10. Sounds like a great book. Quite an endorsement: you'd read it twice.
    Donna

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  11. Hi all of Becky's readers! Thanks for your nice comments about Caring Lessons and Becky's review. It's been really nice getting to know Becky during this blog tour. I hope whoever wins a copy of my book enjoys it as much as Becky did! Lois

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  12. Nice Review!
    My sister is a nurse--she works in what they call a therapy treatment center but I hear of more people dying than going home...the place is horrid! I'm going to get her this book, maybe it will spur her to write her own memoir!

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I'm still getting quite a few spam comments that are Anonymous, so I'm trying "User with Google Accounts." If anyone tries to comment that I know, and it won't let you, send me an email, okay? Thanks so much.