I have been reading a lot - Here goes and one meeting - sick too

Well,  I got sick.  That's what happens when you shake hands with the devil.  Actually, I shaked more hands.  Normally, I use sanitizer afterwards but I couldn't make it obvious so I didn't.  Doesn't look good when someone wants to shake your hand and you pull out a sanitizer afterwards.  Remember Monk?  It started with a sore throat and then congestion but I really let myself slow down because I wanted to heal quickly and now I am 95% good.  Only, my family is now sick but we are all celebrating Thanksgiving together so that should be good.  It appears they have the flu, but getting together has been awhile and so it appears I shall risk it.  Since it was beautiful out for the week I was ill, I accomplished reading a lot.  I completed reading  "Eruption"  written by James Patterson and Michael Chrichton (creator of Jurassic Park).  He died but was planning to write this book so his wife seeked James Patterson's help.  She had all of her husband's notes.  A nice tribute to him.  That is why I wanted to read the book.  The setting is in Hawaii and if you like Volcanic eruptions, this may be the book for you.   I also wanted to read the books from "Word on the Street."  First, I read, "Light From Darkness" by Matthieu Bonin.  He gave me the book when I was talking to him at the end of the last day.  I will use his words at the back of the book, "This is a story about darkness and light, suffering and joy..."As a therapist I do at times recommend that people write their story as part of their their therapy.  The option is always there.  The author has the uncanny ability to fully describe the depth of darkness and dispair he can feel.  Normally, it takes time to build to this.  Some have difficulty describing the emotional hell they experience.  I also recommend that clients journal and they bring it to the therapy session if triggers exist.  What I also see when people write their stories is that they remember good things that happened in their lives or/ and good people all of which was forgotten due to the overwhelming sadness.  Next is a booklet, written by Thanh Dinh, "Salt & Ashes."  I met Thanh and her daughter gave me the book, indicating that her mom wanted me to have it.  It didn't take long to read and I was wondering how to describe it, when poetic suffering came to mind.  I found her family to be delightful at Word On The Street and wish them all well.  The last book which I haven't completed is, "Hate Story" by Jeff Cottrill.  We shared a table during our second day and he wanted to trade a book so I gave him, "The Internet Murders."  I am enjoying the book and have read 83 pages.  It begins with a riot at a funeral where a man who has died is hated and the target of what I would call mass hysteria on the internet.  That would never happen, right?  Anyhow, a small time reporter also working at a call centre, which she hates but has to pay the bills is assigned to find out why this man was so hated and so the mystery begins.  I love the satire and mystery and didn't think I would like the book as much as I do.  So, that is where I am at.  I will talk about the meeting another time which will only be a tidbit.  That's all for now.