Short stories to read to COVID grandma
November 16, 2020 6:13 AM Subscribe
I want to read my grandma short stories for bedtime over the phone.
My grandma has COVID. She's 95, in a memory care unit. (Luckily, she's one of the people who turned into a cheerful patient, rather than the patients that get mean.)
Anyway, she's currently got pneumonia, but they're keeping her at the home instead of the (ugh) hospital.
She still knows who I am, but last night when I called she kept trying to talk (and coughing). I'd like to read her some short stories (like kid's books) to help her sleep. Recommendations?
My grandma has COVID. She's 95, in a memory care unit. (Luckily, she's one of the people who turned into a cheerful patient, rather than the patients that get mean.)
Anyway, she's currently got pneumonia, but they're keeping her at the home instead of the (ugh) hospital.
She still knows who I am, but last night when I called she kept trying to talk (and coughing). I'd like to read her some short stories (like kid's books) to help her sleep. Recommendations?
Thornton Burgess? If she likes them, there's a ton of them.
posted by Don Pepino at 7:10 AM on November 16, 2020
posted by Don Pepino at 7:10 AM on November 16, 2020
My father was only a few years older than your grandmother, and he thoroughly enjoyed Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine. It's a book, but is actually a series of linked stories set in a small town in the summer of 1928, so can be read as stories. It is evocative and full of word pictures, so good for reading aloud.
posted by gudrun at 10:44 AM on November 16, 2020
posted by gudrun at 10:44 AM on November 16, 2020
Many of Ursula Vernon's short stories are available free online.
posted by Lexica at 11:51 AM on November 16, 2020
posted by Lexica at 11:51 AM on November 16, 2020
The podcast Nothing Much happens has a released a book of bedtime stories for adults. They are calming and descriptive and help you sleep.
posted by googlebombed at 12:30 PM on November 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by googlebombed at 12:30 PM on November 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
Truman Capote wrote some great short stories. A Christmas Memory is very sweet. When looking for the Christmas Memory link I came across several short stories by early to mid 2oth century authors on this instructor's website in pdf format.
posted by waving at 12:59 PM on November 16, 2020
posted by waving at 12:59 PM on November 16, 2020
Try some of PG Wodehouse's Jeeves short stories. They are British, humorous and all end happily and cleverly.
But also, what kind of fiction does your grandmother like? Any hints as to authors or books she enjoys?
posted by storybored at 5:16 PM on November 16, 2020
But also, what kind of fiction does your grandmother like? Any hints as to authors or books she enjoys?
posted by storybored at 5:16 PM on November 16, 2020
Response by poster: Like many in her generation, Grandma kinda subordinated her tastes to Grandpa's. I do recall Lord of the Rings on her nightstand when I was little.
My wife pointed out that she has the complete Beatrix Potter collection, so I'm going to start there.
posted by notsnot at 4:57 AM on November 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
My wife pointed out that she has the complete Beatrix Potter collection, so I'm going to start there.
posted by notsnot at 4:57 AM on November 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
I was going to suggest Beatrix Potter but in the end didn't because the illustrations are such an important part. If she has the collection, she'll probably remember the pictures as you read, so it's perfect. They're on Gutenberg.
posted by Don Pepino at 8:59 AM on November 17, 2020
posted by Don Pepino at 8:59 AM on November 17, 2020
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Thanks for being such a caring person.
posted by Zumbador at 6:40 AM on November 16, 2020