What Would I Select to Read to Him/Her?
By Jeff Salter
My first thought when reading this week’s topic was that if I had a friend who was too ill to read for themself, I’d select one or all of James Herriot’s books — about his real-life veterinary practice in Yorkshire (England’s largest historical county).
I read most or all of his first four books back in the late 1970s and I understand there are now at least eight titles. Herriot, or course, is the pen name of James Alfred “Alf” Wight (1916–1995), an English veterinarian “whose tales of veterinary practice and country life have delighted generations.”
Herriot’s stories are quite simply… charming and INTERESTING. They have humor, pathos, surprises… and they give us a first-hand look at a significant portion of Great Britain beginning with a couple of years prior to WW2.
But most of all, it’s about the animals he treats. Almost everyone loves animals of one kind or another, so I think a book about a wide variety of creatures would be comforting to have read to you if you were ill.
For my earlier mention of Herriot’s books, see:
Chicken Soup
A choice which occurred to me later was the multi-volume series, Chicken Soup for the Soul. As I checked it just now, I noticed there was a special edition that’s exclusively dog tales. I think that’s the one I’d begin reading to my ill friend.
There have been so many Chicken Soup titles over the years, that you’re bound to find at least one collection that would suit the interests of your sick friend.
QUESTION:
What book or story would YOU want to read to a friend who was too ill to read for himself/herself?
[JLS # 564]
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
I’ve always wanted to read the James Herriot series, but just haven’t. I imagine my aversion to animals of all kinds might have stopped me. I do enjoy many of the Chicken Soup books (I’ve had a few stories included in them), so I think those would be nice to listen to. They’re shorter in length so I’m not as likely to fall asleep.
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I had forgotten that you’re already published in that series. Would they allow you to reprint your articles here at the blog someday?
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Good question. I’ll have to search for and read one of my contracts.
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“What book or story would YOU want to read to a friend who was too ill to read for himself/herself?”
Probably not something with sex in it. Awwwkwaaard….
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LOL, Jenn. But you’d almost certainly liven their spirits!
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Too funny, Jenn!
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VERY good choices, Jeff! I read all of the “All Creatures” series after I saw all of the TV series. I enjoyed both very much.
ChickenSoup books would also be great, uplifting and short, for when the patient tires easily. One wouldn’t have to necessarily not be able to read for themselves; sometimes just sharing a book is the best company, when everything else has been said, or can’t be said.
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I no longer remember whether we read the books before or after the PBS series came out. But I do recall that Denise “discovered” the books before I did. And she liked them so much, I HAD to read them.
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James Herriot’s books sound interesting. I think reading about animals is a good choice. I love a good dog story, so long as the dog doesn’t get hurt in the end.
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As I recall most of Herriot’s vignettes, the animals survive the injury or illness that required his attention. However, I think there were a few cases in which he had to put the animal down because of old age or serious condition. Percentage-wise, I assume that was a small number. Don’t remember much detail after all these years.
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I’ve read all of the Herriot books more than one time. I can’t believe I didn’t think of them myself.
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Well, all five of us together will assemble a pretty good list.
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