Coping mechanism

DESPITE my self-imposed moratorium on book-buying, I got myself a couple more titles. Hoarding may be the more appropriate term, but I like to refer to my behavior as a means to keep my sanity. My justification: I've been swallowed by IM this past month; I needed to do something to keep the stress off.

Eric Metaxas' biography, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, has been on my bedside. I turn to it every so often. I endeavor to read finish it before this year ends. One of the heroes of Christianity in the modern age, Bonhoeffer's works have encouraged me to live for Christ despite the persecution and difficulties. Can't wait to get to the part about the love of his life.



I'm currently reading Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. It's shorter compared to David Copperfield, which took me months to finish. My version is the more expensive Barnes and Nobles copy, which I bought at a huge, huge discount.



I also have The Deleted Word, a compilation of the poems of Tomas Tranströmer, arguably Sweden's most important poet.



Years ago I watched the cartoon show, Daddy-Long-Legs, which ABS-CBN aired. Imagine my excitement when I saw the book from which the story was based.



David Sedaris' Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk is a fable of sorts, and I bought it because of the neat illustration. I haven't seen real squirrels or chipmunks in this lifetime.



The Sea by John Banville seems like the perfect book to read on a rainy day. According the blurb, the story is about a middle-aged Irish man who goes back to the seaside town where he spent his childhood so he could cope with the recent loss of his wife. I'm excited to get started on this!



I saw Dear American Airlines by Jonathan Miles at Booksale this afternoon. I like stories set in airports or which involve people in transit.



I've read Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco, but this Picador version was too beautiful to ignore.



Finally I'm reading IM Platinum: The Official Aherrera Notes, an updated and more comprehensive version of Dr. Jaime Ahererra's teaching notes which helped us survive the morning Guazon endorsements. I doubt that he knows me personally, but Dr. Aherrera used to grill me in the endorsements, asking me to enumerate the criteria for ARDS. I was tongue-tied the entire time.

I got a complimentary copy when the book first came out, thanks to Sir Joey Duya, my service senior, who gave it to me as a gift. I know most of the writers personally. Dr. Marc Denver Tiongson was my resident-in-charge. Dr. Greggy Yu was my resident-in-charge when I was a clerk. Dr. Deonne Gauiran is one of the physicians on duty during my ER shifts. The editor, Dr. Aids Rabe, was my service consultant in Service Three. All the writers are gifted physicians and teachers.



I promised Sir Joey that I'll write a review of sorts soon, but so far, I've found it very useful and reader-friendly. Consider the photo below showing Dr. Crystal Roxas enjoying a quiet moment with the book.


Photo taken from Ma'am Crystal's Facebook account

The chapter on ECG and chest Xray interpretation is my favorite, because those are the topics I find particularly challenging. The book sells for a little more than P300. It is definitely worth more than P300, but the goal of releasing this IM must-know compilation is primarily to instruct, not to gain profit.

We've been hearing news that some people have hoarded the books, selling them for P500—don't be fooled. You can get the book at its original prize by texting 09228456273. Naturally the authors will be more than happy to sign them for you. You can have your photos taken during the book-signing, too. I think the authors have finally gotten used to the pseudo-celebrity status.

At the rate at which the book is selling, it won't be long before a second edition eventually comes out.