Tuesday, June 19, 2012

From Dr. W - my first blog


Hello Gerontology students and Friends!
This past spring while reading the Sunday newspaper book reviews, a review of Drew Magary’s  new book, The Postmortal  grabbed me and I knew that I needed to read it.   I am not a science fiction type but  after the first page, the book took  control of every waking moment I could spare.  Here it was the end of spring semester and all the grading that needed to be completed and all I wanted to do was read this book! Okay, I’d say to myself grade one more paper and then you can read one, no two chapters - -they are short after all! And off I’d go to grade that one paper so I could get back to reading more about the ‘cure’ for aging.  And then it hit me - - summer reading for the gerontology program , after all how many gerontology graduate programs have summer reading that includes fiction - -and science fiction at that?  To round out summer reading, we’ve added Still Alice by Lisa Genove and What are Old People for? How Elders Will Save the World by William H. Thomas. 



I’ve now read The Postmortal  (even my husband couldn’t put it down!!!!) and Still Alice. I am about halfway through What are Old People for?  

This is our blog to chat about these books, meanings, how it relates to gerontology, our aging, the aging of old people, and society and to debate different ideas in a civil manner.  I am hoping we don’t all have the same ideas and point-of-view because that would be booooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggg……..!


There is no grade attached to this blog, no required number of blogs, no downgrading for misspelled words (but I always spell check ).  New graduate students entering in the fall are encouraged to join the blog with the current students.  All points of view are valued - - so have at it. I have been in touch with the author of The Postmortal  and may invite him to blog.  This blog is open for others to view but only those invited (gerontology students and faculty) are able to post. 

This is my  first blogging attempt and I am excited….I’ve got some questions about the two books I’ve completed but really wish someone else would begin the discussion - - - as I don’t want to lead it but rather participate with all of you…

I think that is enough for now - -

Can't wait to hear from you.......

Dr. W.