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Insomniac City
Insomniac City: New York, Oliver, and Me | Bill Hayes
"If you are lonely or bone-tired or blue, you need only come down from your perch and step outside. New York--which is to say, New Yorkers--will take care of you." Bill Hayes came to New York City in 2009 with a one-way ticket and only the vaguest idea of how he would get by. But, at forty-eight years old, having spent decades in San Francisco, he craved change. Grieving over the death of his partner, he quickly discovered the profound consolations of the city's incessant rhythms, the sight of the Empire State Building against the night sky, and New Yorkers themselves, kindred souls that Hayes, a lifelong insomniac, encountered on late-night strolls with his camera. And he unexpectedly fell in love again, with his friend and neighbor, the writer and neurologist Oliver Sacks, whose exuberance--"I don't so much fear death as I do wasting life," he tells Hayes early on--is captured in funny and touching vignettes throughout. What emerges is a portrait of Sacks at his most personal and endearing, from falling in love for the first time at age seventy-five to facing illness and death (Sacks died of cancer in August 2015). Insomniac City is both a meditation on grief and a celebration of life. Filled with Hayes's distinctive street photos of everyday New Yorkers, the book is a love song to the city and to all who have felt the particular magic and solace it offers.
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Teresereading
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Fascinating memoir
No. 17 New York City
#JulyJourneys
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Brilliant 👏🏻📚👏🏻 3y
10 likes1 comment
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ReadingRachael
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1. This is a beautiful, intimate, and humane love story to the spirit of everyday life in NYC and a moving tribute to the author‘s late partner Oliver Sacks.

2. Although not technically a genre, I love nature writing. Some of my favourite authors include Richard Wagamese, Terry Tempest Williams, and Mary Oliver

3. I read mostly non-fiction so I have so many 😂, Kay Redfield Jamison, Ibram X Kendi, Isabel Wilkerson...

Thanks @Eggs for the tag!

Eggs Well done❣️ Thanks for joining in 👏🏻📚👍🏼 3y
6 likes1 comment
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shellleigh33
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Sneaking in some reading during my lunch break. I am loving this book so far!! I have about devoured this book since it arrived Saturday @IvoryLunatic Great pick @Bookishthoughts #LMPBC #round07

TheShaggyShepherd I loved it! Totally forgot to write the review haha but I‘m so glad I read it. 4y
LazyDays It's interesting glad you are enjoying! 4y
25 likes2 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

This book is a poem, a lovesong, a serenade, a celebration. Of New York City and of Oliver Sacks. Every sentence in this book feels genuine and intimate. Hayes writes with so much respect about the people who make his city and about the two lovers who made him into the man who wrote this wonderful quiet book.

(Pic: Oregon‘s forests)

squirrelbrain I have this on my TBR.... are you having a fab time?! 5y
arubabookwoman I hope you got to (or will) get to the Oregon coast--among the most beautiful places in the world!! 5y
Tamra Mine kinda setting! 5y
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JennyM That sounds fantastic! You look to be having a great time, too ❤️ 5y
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @JennyM I am! It‘s completely different from Europe! And this book... read it 💕 (edited) 5y
BarbaraBB @arubabookwoman Unfortunately we won‘t. I know it must be gorgeous but so are the Painted Hills where we are staying now. It really is a beautiful state! 😍 5y
BarbaraBB @Tamra Are you living nearby? Oregon is so beautiful! 5y
BarbaraBB @emilyhaldi You were so right about this book! I loved it 💜. @Rachel_nyc @Liz_M @mrozzz If you haven‘t read it yet, do. It‘s a poem on your city! 😘 (edited) 5y
Tamra @BarbaraBB no, but I grew up in AK and we every summer we camp for an extended period in the mountain west. 🤗 5y
BarbaraBB @Tamra That must have been lovely ❤️ 5y
emilyhaldi Oh, I‘m so so happy you loved it!!! ❤️ and that I now have someone else to share my love for this book with 😆 You described it perfectly ✨ enjoy your travel!!! 5y
batsy That looks simply magical 🌳🌲😍 5y
Rachel_nyc @BarbaraBB Haven‘t read it yet but have added to my TBR! 5y
CarolynM I've wondered about this one for a while. The interviews he did when it was first published were really interesting. You and @emilyhaldi have convinced me to stack it. 5y
mrozzz Ahhhhh I love that you loved it. I have it somewhere- hopefully I‘ll find it while moving! 5y
BarbaraBB @mrozzz You‘re moving? Where to? 😘 5y
mrozzz With my husband to an apartment in our hometown. It‘s close to his work so it makes sense 😊 5y
BarbaraBB @mrozzz You‘re leaving NYC then? 5y
mrozzz Still working in NYC for the foreseeable future! Our hometown is where I started commuting from years ago so at least I know what to expect. 5y
Cinfhen Are u using filters??? The colors are so vivid!!! And you‘re reading SO MUCH!!! I can‘t seem to read anything 😝 5y
BarbaraBB No filters! It really is gorgeous. And I‘ve loved the emptyness and rawness of the landscape. How is your trip going? @Cinfhen (edited) 5y
74 likes7 stack adds21 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Thank you so much, Barbara, for gifting me this book. I‘ve heard it‘s beautiful and I look forward to reading it. This certainly brightens up my day. Thank you, lovely. ❤️
#bookmail #litsymail #litsylove

BarbaraBB Yay! It took a while 🤣 but I‘m happy it finally reached you! 💕 5y
Rissreads This sounds really interesting! 5y
erzascarletbookgasm @BarbaraBB yes, it arrived sooner than the ones I ordered before Christmas! I‘m so happy, thanks. If you will email me your address, I‘ll like to write a card to thank you properly. 😊 5y
BarbaraBB You‘re too kind, I have send you an email! 5y
83 likes1 stack add4 comments
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vivastory
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Look at what arrived, all the way from the Netherlands! Thank you so much @BarbaraBB For the book & the postcard. I'm really looking forward to reading this. This really made my day.

RadicalReader @vivastory if books could tell a story of the journey they tracked this one certainly would have sensational ones 5y
emilyhaldi 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
BarbaraBB @RadicalReader Especially since this one travelled to Malaysia before to reach @erzascarletbookgasm ! Somehow the parcel came back to me, in the mean time I has sent another copy to Malaysia (still on its way I think) and I could send this one to Scott in the US! 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Oh this one sure has some fascinating stories to tell..and the miles it travelled surely beats the Amazing Race 😄 @BarbaraBB 5y
83 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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emilyhaldi
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#summernightcity brings me right back to this favorite book, I don‘t care if it‘s my 5th time posting about it! I stumbled upon it by accident and am so happy I did. This picture is from last year when I was first reading it while living in NYC 🏙
#abbainaugust

Meredith3 Hmm I‘ve never even heard of this! 6y
LauraBeth WHY have I never heard of this?! 📚 6y
Leftcoastzen An incredible Book! I found it because a person at my local indie did a shelf talker review.I bought it and literally could not put it down! (edited) 6y
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Mdargusch Haha! That‘s ok because we all have our favorite books to post about. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 6y
JacqMac I absolutely love this book! It‘s amazing. I can‘t believe it isn‘t more popular. 6y
BarbaraBB I remember you posting about this before. I wonder why I still haven‘t read it, your reviews sound wonderful. 6y
Reviewsbylola It‘s always so wonderful to find a book you‘re unfamiliar with and to fall in love with it. 6y
emilyhaldi @Leftcoastzen @JacqMac such a hidden treasure right?! It‘s a magical book, I can‘t wait to read it again 💫✨ (edited) 6y
emilyhaldi @LauraBeth @BarbaraBB I recommend it to people as often as I can. Give it a try, it‘s such a beautiful story 💙💙💙 6y
Cinfhen Still on my TBR and I‘m LOVING the photo 🗽🚖❤️ 6y
Kalalalatja This sounds amazing! 6y
BookMaven407 I think we chatted about my love of this book sometime ago but I don‘t know if I mentioned that I initially purchased it because it was on sale. It was such a great find and ended up being one of my all time favorites. I need to read it again soon! 6y
emilyhaldi @BookMaven407 yes!! I get so excited when I hear someone else loves this book! I knew as soon as I finished it that I would be rereading it (which is rare for me) 💙 6y
105 likes9 stack adds13 comments
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SandyW
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Mehso-so

I got this to read while on NY. I like the idea of the symmetry. The preview appealed to me on a few levels, but mostly I've been wanting to read books on loss, as it's been popping up in my life. The book didn't deliver for me. It felt a bit self-indulgent, and I found the name-dropping annoying. However, I didn't have much opportunity to read more than a few pages at a time, and that may have contributed to the dissatisfaction I felt reading it.

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SandyW
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Ack! I'm not reading! I got a copy of Insomniac City to read while I'm in the city. It sounded like a fun idea at the time, but I haven't had any down time and it doesn't look I will during my remaining time here. 😞

GrilledCheeseSamurai It will just be all the sweeter when you finally get time to fall into another book. 👍 6y
SandyW @GrilledCheeseSamurai Agreed, but I kind of feel like an addict. I'm itching to sit down in a quiet room with a book, all by myself with kitties. 6y
30 likes2 comments
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Pamwurtzler
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Pickpick

Thanks for posting about this book, @emilyhaldi ! I love books about New York and loved this one.

emilyhaldi Yay I‘m so happy you enjoyed this one!! ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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emilyhaldi
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Since I‘m on an NYC book bender at the moment, let me throw it back to early 2017 when I read this book that is now one of my all time favorites! Hayes‘ writing of his love story with the late Oliver Sacks as well as his love affair with NYC is so real and beautiful ❤️ I recommend it to everyone I can and look forward to re-reading it.

Glad you joined litsy 6 months ago @BarbaraBB and thanks for the giveaway fun!

Pamwurtzler Thanks for that! I love NYC & books set there. 6y
mrozzz Really!! Ok I have to prioritize this one. 6y
BookMaven407 ❤️❤️❤️ such a great book! Even though we already talked about this book I just had to comment on your post to confirm just how much I loved it. 🙂 6y
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JacqMac This was one of my favourite reads of the year! It‘s beautiful. Put it near the top @mrozzz 6y
mrozzz @JacqMac I shall!! 6y
Hollie Went to stack this and saw it is already on my TBR...looks like I need to move it up the list! 6y
emilyhaldi @mrozzz @Hollie you must read it! It's one of the few books I know I will re-read in the future. So many life-affirming, beautiful moments in this gem ✨✨ I hope you enjoy it as much as I have! 6y
Reviewsbylola 🗽🌇 6y
L_auren Awesome!! Something like 20% of my TBR are books set in NYC. What are your modern faves? 6y
emilyhaldi @L_auren besides this one, some of my favs are Just Kids, Inside the Dream Palace, and the Colossus of New York. I‘m dying to read The New York Trilogy as well as this one 6y
L_auren @emilyhaldi thank you 🙏🏻 6y
104 likes5 stack adds12 comments
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BookMaven407
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Pickpick

This book was everything! Life, love and NYC. I stumbled upon it during a sale and it turned out to be one of my favorites reads.

emilyhaldi Omg I am obsessed with this book! ❤️ I know I will read it many times again in the future. Such an amazing story! 6y
BookMaven407 @emilyhaldi I could not agree more! It's not often I read a book twice but I could foresee reading this one multiple times. 6y
JacqMac Isn‘t it fantastic? Probably my best book of the year. 6y
BookMaven407 @JacqMac absolutely! I recently voted for it on Goodreads Choice Awards 2017. 🙂 6y
36 likes6 stack adds4 comments
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tholmz
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Pickpick

“The most we can do is write — intelligently, creatively, critically, evocatively — about what it is like living in the world at this time.”

Oh, my heart belongs to these incredible words. What a book.

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shutupsmalls
Pickpick

Oh wow.

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JacqMac
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We dropped our oldest off at the airport today. At 5am. He's off to college halfway across the country. I'm feeling all the feels. But I'm also not much of a morning person. Hubby is making me take a nap. He doesn't need to know that I'm actually having a #LitsyPartyOfOne in here. Shhh.

valeriegeary We won't tell 7y
TrishB It's as good as sleep 😀 7y
47 likes2 comments
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JacqMac
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When a book touches you somewhere deep. And you get to share your love with the author. That's an amazing thing. The book really is exquisite. I'm almost finished, but I don't want it to end. I highly recommend this one.

MicheleinPhilly Well I'm convinced. #stacked 7y
JacqMac @MicheleinPhilly 👍I hope you like it. 7y
50 likes8 stack adds2 comments
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JacqMac
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What a day! I'm a big ball of anxiety! Is it too early to drink? I need cocktails for my #LitsyPartyOfOne By the way, the cover, under the dust jacket of this book, is beautiful. Almost as beautiful as the words inside.

Reviewsbylola I love that. Def not too early to drink. Have a cocktail! 🍸🥃🍷 7y
49 likes1 comment
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JacqMac
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"I feel beautifully comfortable with you."
I'm reading when I should be sleeping. This book is so exquisite, I don't ever want it to end.

BookMaven407 I love this book! 6y
36 likes1 comment
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JacqMac
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Starting a new one. I think I'm going to love it.

emilyhaldi Omg I LOVED this book! I keep recommending to as many people as will listen ❤️ 7y
48 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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JacqMac
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#bookmail Because my TBR just isn't big enough.

Bostonmomx2 Night Road is excellent. 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved Here's to Us! ❤️ 7y
JacqMac @Bostonmomx2 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks That's great to hear! Now I just need time to read them. 7y
Ssmith I love anything by Elin Hilderbrand! Nice, easy, entertaining reads! 7y
59 likes1 stack add4 comments
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emilyhaldi
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I will take any opportunity to endorse this book about the brilliant Oliver Sacks' #goldenyears and the trifecta love story between him, Bill Hayes, and NYC ❤️
#junetunz

Reviewsbylola Would I like it though? 🤔🤔 7y
emilyhaldi I think it's an absorbing story, even being nonfiction 😉 It reads so quickly, you should try it just to see.. I'm dying for someone else to read it so I can discuss! 7y
Cinfhen I'm hoping to read this once I get to the states and finally have a decent library 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 7y
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emilyhaldi @Cinfhen you definitely should! Are you a big library user? If so, that must be hard not having a good one right now. I need to get in the habit of using the library so I stop buying so many books 😬 7y
Cinfhen When I lived in the states, I used my library all the time! It's part of a larger system and they were so good about requesting & fulfilling books. I'm not a re-reader, and I don't feel the need to own my books, so the library was perfect. Definitely one of the things I miss the most living overseas ☹️ 7y
emilyhaldi @Cinfhen Thats a total bummer. I have to admit ive never even visited any library in NYC but I'm hoping that someday when I move back to Ohio I will get better about using them. I have a tendency to like to collect books I read bc I attach sentimentality to everything- but I'm out of space!! 7y
Cinfhen I lived in NY when I was first married and I didn't belong to the library either...it didn't seem right 🙄😬🤷🏼‍♀️and I think books are magical and I love that you attach memories to them 😊😍 7y
100 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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Genrebending
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Pickpick

Such a tender, beautiful, loving book. Told in stories and journal entries, it chronicles Hayes's move to NYC at 48 and his life with Oliver Sacks and Sacks's last days. This book radiates love and life.

bobo good 6y
66 likes12 stack adds1 comment
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strandbookstore
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Pickpick

Our #WriterCrushWednesday goes out to Bill Hayes for Insomniac City. Hayes gives readers a powerful glimpse into the life of an insomniac in NYC. He explores his own grief and celebration of life using visual snapshots to capture his intimate relationship with neurologist Oliver Sacks, as well powerful street photos of everyday New Yorkers. http://buff.ly/2rfIi1i

Leftcoastzen It was an amazing book! Staff recommended it at local indie and I absolutely loved it! 7y
98 likes20 stack adds2 comments
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sisilia
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beautiful!

emilyhaldi I just finished this too and LOVED it! Such a beautiful story ❤❤ 7y
sisilia @emilyhaldi It's beautiful I think I can read it again and again 😊 7y
shawnmooney Oh I hadn't realized what this was or who it was written by - stacked! 7y
sisilia You'll love this @shawnmooney 7y
25 likes4 comments
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sisilia
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😊

13 likes1 stack add
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sisilia
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A book about NYC and Oliver Sacks, two of my favorite things in life. I'm enjoying this one, not rushing because I don't want it to end. I miss Oliver Sacks 😢

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emilyhaldi
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Pickpick

Such a special book! This is a beautifully written memoir and authentic love story that I think I will pick up again and again. I tried to read this slowly in an attempt to absorb Hayes' words as well as his inspiring outlook on life. I smiled as I read, even through my tears at the end.

Immediately after finishing I read Gratitude- written by Hayes' partner and referenced in his book - and would recommend them both to anyone ❤

Cinfhen Is that a floor tile the books are on? It's amazing 😍and both books sound wonderful 7y
kspenmoll Loved Gratitude; will have to read Hayes now. Thx for recommendation. 7y
emilyhaldi @cinfhen it's our metal coffee table! Totally random vintage find. And both books really were wonderful, I didn't feel like I could do them justice in a short litsy post!! 7y
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emilyhaldi @kspenmoll if you loved Gratitude I think you will adore Insomnic City!!! Hope you enjoy ☺️ 7y
Jess Love, love, love Mr. Sachs. Insomniac City flew right under my radar. Adding to my TBR. Thanks! 7y
Cinfhen OMG, An entire coffee table....I need a full visual....I 💓it! Yesterday @GypsyKat posted her coffee table which was made from mosaic {{swoon}} see Litsy is more than just books & pets... 7y
GypsyKat @emilyhaldi Wow! I agree with @Cinfhen It looks gorgeous! I'm down for starting a new hashtag trend #BooksOnTables or #TablesOfLitsy haha 😊 7y
Cinfhen Love those hashtags ....I'll be using them @GypsyKat 💖 7y
Reviewsbylola Never heard of either of these but they sound good. 7y
emilyhaldi @Cinfhen @GypsyKat thank you! And I ❤ the hashtag idea. I will try to post a full pic sometime soon! 7y
emilyhaldi @Reviewsbylola gratitude is only 45 pages so super quick! I liked reading it after knowing the story of Insomniac City so maybe you should try both... 7y
104 likes6 stack adds11 comments
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emilyhaldi
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Mildly obsessed with this book already. And it couldn't come at a better time... After taking 3 hours to de-plane, walk a mile to baggage claim, find my bag, wait for a taxi, and drive home through miserable traffic from JFK, it was nice to be reminded of the beauty of living in NYC ❤

Reviewsbylola Why tf did it take three hours to deplane?!? 7y
emilyhaldi @Reviewsbylola the 3 hours encompassed all of the tasks listed, not just deplaning 😜 7y
Reviewsbylola Oh ok 😅 7y
Mdargusch Glad you're home safe. 😘 7y
101 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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PomegranateMuse
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Pickpick

If you think it simple, even ordinary, as it is merely a collection of stories, small snippets of people's lives shared, you'd be correct. But, if you were to say it was thought provoking, touching, even extraordinary, you'd also be correct. For, what is more extraordinary than life? Perhaps only our ability to share those experiences. #insomniaccity #billhayes

11 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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PomegranateMuse
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Some of my friends call me "but girl" (and not just on account of my gigantic derrière). I'd like to think I'm in good company... #butgirl #oliversacks #insomniaccity

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PomegranateMuse
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My sentiments exactly. 👍🏻❤️

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PomegranateMuse
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I say I love writing, but really it is thinking I love...

tlarocca Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7y
7 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Theliterarystew
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Pickpick

"He was without a doubt the most unusual person I had ever known, and before long I found myself not just falling in love with O; it was something more, something I had never experienced before. I adored him."
**********
Insomniac City: New York, Oliver & Me by Bill Hayes. #billhayes #oliversacks

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PomegranateMuse
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PomegranateMuse @Dolly check this read out....Oliver Sack's partner just published...a memoir of sorts? It's not heavy on science at all, but it does give an interesting look into Oliver's mind. 🙂 7y
Dolly This one will go on my TBR list. I want to read at least a couple of Oliver's books first to refresh my mind and get more of a feel for who he is. It's been soooo long... 7y
7 likes2 comments
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afra.hamid
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Pickpick

Find someone who writes about you the way Bill Hayes writes about Oliver Sacks. This is a beautiful book.

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Dwan
Pickpick

Paean seems too strong a word for such a gentle book. Insomniac City is a memoir in search of celebration - which it finds. Little flecks of recollection and adoration for lost beloveds and a city which sleeps restlessly (just like Bill Hayes). Read this and fall in love.

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Dwan
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He was without a doubt the most unusual person I had ever known, and before long I found myself not just falling in love with O; it was something more, something I had never experienced before. I adored him.

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uncorkedthoughts
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'On Monday night I stopped by my old apartment... a place I had not visited in several years. I felt such a strange flush of sensations - familiarity mixed with forgotten-ness, if that's a word - something akin to deja vu'

rachelm Nice quote! Welcome to Litsy! 7y
5 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LauraBrook
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This is the second time in three nights that I've had insomnia. Reviewing my food/drink doesn't show any oddities. I just lay here in bed for hours at a time. I used to get up and read in the living room for a hour or so until I was sleepy. Now, starting hr 3, I finally went & got my cell to check LITSY and faff around until my lorazepam/melatonin/L-Theanine trio kicks in. Thankful I have the morning to sleep. Any advice out there for me, Littens?

quirkyreader I always try to end my screen time one hour before going to bed. Then I leave my devices alone until I get up. When you can't sleep think about your favourite movie stars. That usually helps me. 8y
SaraFair Been there! How old are you and could you be starting perimenopause? I slept like a champ my whole life until I was 46-47. Then I was sitting up at night with anxiety and worry. Dealt with it for almost a year until I found the "Sleep with Me" podcast. Silly stories that this guy tells in a drone monotone voice that are totally made up. Its like your brain gets taken over by not thinking about not sleeping. Give it a try! 8y
Sue I've been an insomniac for many years. Similar to @SaraFair I always have an audio book ready to go - a favourite where I know the story back to front - and listening to that helps my mind to unclench and I'm more likely to get back to sleep. Good luck! 8y
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Lindy I don't have advice, only sympathy. Insomnia sucks. 8y
Laura317 Insomnia DOES suck! May you have sweet dreams! 😴💤 8y
BookishFeminist Insomnia sucks. I've had it for years. It sounds like you have the right idea- my recommendation is don't lay in bed. Your brain will associate your bed with being awake. Also hot non-caff tea along with the sleeping meds or taking a hot bath w/lavender help. The heat prepares your body for sleep. If you use your device make sure you have a blue light filter on. I hope it gets better! Meds & the above are the only things that help me. 💙😴 8y
BookishFeminist @Sue @Sarafair completely agree about the audiobooks & podcasts. Those are my saving grace when I want to shut my eyes and drift 😴 8y
Owlizabeth I use a brainwave app on my phone now that helps a lot. White noise and low tones combine to line up your brainwaves for sleep, kinda like neurofeedback (which I used to do). That with a sleeping pill and a solid bedtime routine have seriously helped my insomnia. I still have sleepless nights, but much fewer. 8y
JacqMac I agree with @SaraFair, I'm at that magical age. Lol And the "sleep with me" podcast is amazing. It turns off your brain. I also read library books on my phone, in the nighttime setting and with the blue light off. It helps to take away the anxiety. 8y
[DELETED] 3216391035 I, too, have struggled with insomnia-feel your pain! I've tried it all...journaling helps me. A couple of pages & I can usually drift off. And "Peaceful Rest" tea from Fava is my new favorite-have you tried it? 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I agree with the above... I turn off (put my cell into night mode) and try to read a paperback book before bed or on my old school kindle. Both have no backlighting, and no distracting pings or other apps to chat on...and that usually helps me to relax. Otherwise I just try to concentrate on my breathing, petting the cat, basically my own little meditation to shut down the brain internal monologue. 8y
LauraBrook @quirkyreader Same here, my cell is on airplane mode, face down, on the other side of my house when I go to sleep. Usually I don't check it right before bed, but if I do, I have the blue light filter on so its not as jarring to look at. Will try the movie star suggestion next time / probably tonight. @SaraFair I'm 38, and based on genetics I shouldn't hit menopause for at least another 15-20 years. But, my hormones/endocrine sys is all screwy. 8y
LauraBrook @Sue & @SaraFair I'll try an audiobook and sleep podcast too. Used to use classical music to sleep to. @Lindy @Laura317 Thank you, ladies! @BookishFeminist haven't tried tea at night for a year or so, otherwise I try everything else. I'm so glad I said sow thing here, you all are so kind and helpful! @Owlizabeth I use brainwave music in my massage practice & think of it as "work music". Will fix my stereo in bedroom and try it at home. ? 8y
LauraBrook @JacqMac I'll try that podcast too, and if I read in bed it's almost always on my kindle paper white w a light setting of 4 or 5, very low. @Basia. Haven't done journaling in years (so much to say that my hand cramps long before I can unload), will start again during the day and do it in spurts. And I haven't had that flavor yet, will pick some up soon! @Riveted_Reader_Melissa My cats help me calm down a lot too! Unless they lay on my face. 😉 8y
LauraBrook You're all so helpful and supportive - thank you! I sleep with a ceiling fan (for air movement) and a "loud" air cleaner on for white noise so I don't hear traffic all night long. I've got blackout curtains so it's dark, and I'm only in here to sleep or change clothes, so any associations w hanging out in my room are gone. Insomnia is such a strange thing, esp when you can't figure out why it keeps happening. Will try your suggestions out tonight! 8y
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LauraBrook

This is the second time in three nights that I've had insomnia. Reviewing my food/drink doesn't show any oddities. I just lay here in bed for hours at a time. I used to get up and read in the living room for a hour or so until I was sleepy. Now, starting hr 3, I finally went & got my cell to check LITSY and faff around until my lorazepam/melatonin/L-Theanine trio kicks in. Thankful I have the morning to sleep. Any advice out there for me, Littens?