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arobertson_93's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
memoriesfrombooks's review against another edition
3.0
In The Language of Kindness by Christie Waston, I expect to experience her nursing career with her, to develop a deeper understanding of the dedication it takes, and to be moved by the experiences she shares. I am, to an extent. However, the use of a lot of specific medical terminology and the lack of chronological structure in the book keeps me from completely sharing in her journey.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2018/07/the-language-of-kindness.html
Reviewed for Penguin First to Read program.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2018/07/the-language-of-kindness.html
Reviewed for Penguin First to Read program.
minihobbit's review against another edition
3.0
Story is a bit all over the place. No linear story telling.
Would only recommend if you have some kind of back ground in medicine or care. I feel I wouldn't have enjoyed it if I didn't know a bit of what was happening at tissues.
Would only recommend if you have some kind of back ground in medicine or care. I feel I wouldn't have enjoyed it if I didn't know a bit of what was happening at tissues.
ruthelizamac's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t know much about nursing before I read this book. Except for my fairly limited (and mostly good) experiences in the hospitals I’ve been too they’ve just... been there. Ultimately this book is about just that; being there, being kind. Horrifying in parts, Watson manages to make the harrowing feel a little lighter, the nature of a great nurse. Not just an account of her experiences, she notes the observations of other nurses throughout history, medicine practices around the world, and the incredible timeline of the discovery of healing. This book made me want to thank each and every nurse (and other medical personnel) personally for all they give up, to give us something instead. I know in theory it’s a “job”, but Watson shows that it is so much more than that. She can’t force you to sit up and listen, but she doesn’t need to. She gently talks you through her experiences while not making you feel guilty or stupid for not knowing what she, and countless others do.
mortemautgloria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
perpetuia1965's review against another edition
2.0
Lort, that was a long one!
I am SOOOO happy to be done!
The author has a very stirring story to tell of her many years nursing in England.
But the way she tells it almost drove me to drink.
I am SOOOO happy to be done!
The author has a very stirring story to tell of her many years nursing in England.
But the way she tells it almost drove me to drink.
jerdylunes's review against another edition
4.0
The Language of Kindness by Christie Watson is a memoir of 20 years of nursing in the UK. Rather than following a specific timeline the book is a collection of facts and personal experiences of working as a nurse in different areas and capacities. It is divided up into chapters that walk us through different areas of a hospital/different types of nursing. A junior mental health nurse, a senior nurse on the PICU, helping out on the elderly care ward, letting another nurse care for her father so that she can grieve as a daughter... The Language of Kindness is a beautifully written story of nursing: the good, the terrible, and the day to day. I love how Watson balances fact, her own personal experiences, and general nursing history and stories, in the narrative. It makes you feel like you are in the hospital yourself with her.
The Language of Kindness is a brilliant insight into healthcare but also society as a whole (Watson’s remarks on the importance of challenging institutionalized racism in mental health care for example, or on how our elders are often abandoned and left in the care of strangers). I like how Watson interweaves information on differences between the UK and the US, it helps provide reference for the US reader too.
I absolutely loved all of the tiny pieces of information, the anecdotes, that you learn through-out the book. For example, drinking sweet tea in times of grief or trauma? It’s actually medically beneficial, not just a calming gesture! The nurse practice of reflective journaling was really interesting to learn about - it’s something I do in my daily life as a writer and it made complete sense to me that a nurse would find it very helpful too. All of the information on the NICU and PICU really hit me hard, as well as the terribly sad stories of neglected children and elderly people.
Watson’s tone is matter of fact but compassionate and caring, just like most of the wonderful nurses that I have had the pleasure of knowing in my life. I think she describes a nurse’s profession so well: always observant, knowing, understanding, and finding the right words at the right time. The Language of Kindness certainly made me sit up straight and aim to make a better effort to live, love, and care harder than I already do.
The Language of Kindness will be published on May 8, 2018 by Crown Publishing. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
The Language of Kindness is a brilliant insight into healthcare but also society as a whole (Watson’s remarks on the importance of challenging institutionalized racism in mental health care for example, or on how our elders are often abandoned and left in the care of strangers). I like how Watson interweaves information on differences between the UK and the US, it helps provide reference for the US reader too.
I absolutely loved all of the tiny pieces of information, the anecdotes, that you learn through-out the book. For example, drinking sweet tea in times of grief or trauma? It’s actually medically beneficial, not just a calming gesture! The nurse practice of reflective journaling was really interesting to learn about - it’s something I do in my daily life as a writer and it made complete sense to me that a nurse would find it very helpful too. All of the information on the NICU and PICU really hit me hard, as well as the terribly sad stories of neglected children and elderly people.
Watson’s tone is matter of fact but compassionate and caring, just like most of the wonderful nurses that I have had the pleasure of knowing in my life. I think she describes a nurse’s profession so well: always observant, knowing, understanding, and finding the right words at the right time. The Language of Kindness certainly made me sit up straight and aim to make a better effort to live, love, and care harder than I already do.
The Language of Kindness will be published on May 8, 2018 by Crown Publishing. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
helen_flower's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very different book from what i usually go for. And I’m extremely glad that I got this on Audible.
The Language of Kindness is written and narrated by Christie Watson, and tells her story of being a nurse for 20 years.
It’s a touching and insightful story into a stressful and rewarding career. There are highs and lows, beautiful stories of kindness and shocking facts about the state of the NHS and what the nurses have to do. I now know more about what a nurse has to go through, and think everyone should read this book to understand what a nurse does.
The Language of Kindness is written and narrated by Christie Watson, and tells her story of being a nurse for 20 years.
It’s a touching and insightful story into a stressful and rewarding career. There are highs and lows, beautiful stories of kindness and shocking facts about the state of the NHS and what the nurses have to do. I now know more about what a nurse has to go through, and think everyone should read this book to understand what a nurse does.