Author: Mr. Divabetic

Although you’ll rarely find a character living with diabetes in the movies, there are plenty of them in books. Unfortunately these literary depictions of diabetes usually follow the same tragic demise you’ll find in the play and film, ‘Steel Magnolias.

I just learned about another awful depiction of diabetes in NY Best-Selling author, Mary Kay Andrews‘ latest novel, ‘The Weekenders’ when I pieced up the free paper, Pink in Charleston, SC.

Is this true or false? I’m currently reading the book and I haven’t read anything that I feel is offensive related to diabetes in this book.

For those of you who have not read The Weekender yet, the story features a 12 year old girl, Maggy is living with type 1 diabetes. She was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before learning that her father was murdered and that her family is bankrupt. I think this scenario would be pretty stressful for anyone even if they weren’t living with diabetes. I think it’s reasonable to assume that she would be dealing with a lot of unexpected high’s and low’s as she struggles with her emotions.

However my feelings don’t seem to echo those of other readers from the diabetes community based on on reviews posted on Amazon.com. Here are a few comments from Amazon reviews:

“The daughter was an undisciplined brat, I had a mouthy 12 year old who suffered from low blood sugars …”

“The behavior of the 12yr old daughter was outrageous and intolerable, the fact that she was never truly disciplined in any way for her attitude was galling …”

The book actually centers on Maggy’s mother’s life, Riley. Riley who has a summer home on Belle Isle, unexpectedly loses her husband (who was murdered). Of course, she has more than just the murder of her husband to worry about (!) This is because her husband has left her and her daughter, Maggie, high and dry without a penny in the world. Her beautiful house has a foreclosure sign on it, her money is all tapped out at the bank, and she has no husband to get the answers from. What is supposed to be a summer of fun turns into a downright nightmare for Riley and her family as the begin to uncover the hidden secrets that her late husband was hiding from them all. And to crack the case, they all need to keep open minds and hearts.

Have you read the book? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Please e-mail your comments to mrdivabetic@gmail.com

Plus, I’d love to invite the author, Mary Kay Andrews on our monthly podcast to talk about the depiction of type 1 diabetes featured in her book.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by P.M. Dawn. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic

Save

A lot of people struggle with intimacy issues besides people with diabetes. However, sexual problems (sexual dysfunction) are common among people with diabetes, particularly in older men who have had diabetes for years. In addition, many medical experts believe that women with diabetes experience sexual difficulties as a result of complications from the disease.

I’m trying to do my part to lessen the stigma surrounding sexual dysfunction and diabetes by sharing great fictional romance books and expert advice on diabetes with the Divabetic community.

If nothing else my latest read, ‘Eligible’ by Curtis Sittenfeld, which is so captivating, could help relieve some the stress associated with managing blood sugars.

I became interested in this book, ‘Eligible’ this Spring after reading countless glowing reviews about it in the British press while I was in London. It was heralded as being the ‘Book of the Summer.’ I quickly learned this book is par of a series comprised of different authors doing their own take on Jane Austin’s novels. Curtis Sittenfeld’s “Eligible’ is a new take on Austin’s ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ The British writers Alexander McCall Smith, Joanna Trollope and Val McDermid have already published their versions of “Emma,” “Sense and Sensibility” and “Northanger Abbey” respectfully.

One Goodreads’ reviewer said, “I’ve only read two of the four (in the series) and this one is a much better read.”

As soon as I returned home I ran to my branch of the NY Public Library to look for it. No dice. I ended up on the reserve list at #256 (I kid you not). Even the librarian rolled her eyes when she announced my place on the list. Well, three months later and several cheesy paperback mysteries in between my number finally came up! I stopped what I was doing, ran down and grabbed it on Friday rather than risk missing my window of opportunity and then being doomed to another three months of purgatory on the reserve list. The two books I’m currently reading (‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette’ and ‘The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco’) were dashed to the side so that I could read this book in my allotted time for reserve book.

This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.

Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.

Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . .

And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.

Taking the story out of England and bringing it to America has allowed the author to touch on such current topics as the cost of health care, artificial insemination, transgender and interracial relationships, and the unreality of reality television. The characters in ‘Eligible’ an be raucous and the situations ungenteel, but not since “Clueless,” which transported “Emma” to Beverly Hills, has Austen been so delightedly interpreted according to the NY Times’ review.

Yup, I read the entire book in one day. It was well worth the wait. I fell in love with the Curtis Sittenfeld’s use of language. The book is filled with quotes like,”Time seemed, as it always does in adulthood after a particular stretch has concluded, no matter how ponderous or unpleasant the stretch was to endure, to have passed quickly indeed.”

And as the NY Times review said, “it’s a pleasure to find out how Sittenfeld has updated classic Austen scenes to fit this new milieu. In “Pride and Prejudice,” Elizabeth responds to the disparaging remarks made by Mr. Darcy by repeating them “with great spirit among her friends.” In “Eligible,” Liz confronts ­Darcy on the spot. “I’ve heard we grade on a curve here,” she says, referring to his criticisms of the women of Cincinnati in relation to the women of San Francisco, “so I’m probably what — more like a B for the coasts? Or a B-minus? If you have a minute to figure it out, be sure to let me know.”

Parts 1 and 3 were my favorites Part 2 felt like layover at an airport. I just wanted to hurry through it and get to my final destination, you know what I mean? That said, overall I really enjoyed this book and recommend it. It’s smart and funny. I loved the author’s modern day comparisons, character attributes and locations. Grab a copy!

People who experience sexual difficulties can lead more enjoyable, fulfilling sexual lives by learning about common causes and symptoms of sexual difficulties, treatment options, and how to talk it over with a doctor or mate.

Out-of-control blood sugar levels can lead to blood vessel and nerve damage that hamper sexual performance and enjoyment. This can cause diabetes-related sexual dysfunction in men as well as in women. Men and women with diabetes also should be aware of sexual function issues that affect both sexes.

Other factors can cause or exacerbate sexual dysfunction, including psychological issues, self-consciousness and fear of failure. If you are experiencing impotence or sexual dysfunction, it’s important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

LISTEN NOW: Mr. Divabetic interviews NY Best-Selling Author Kristan Higgins on his ‘Don’t Let Diabetes Kill Romance’ podcast.

Kristan has been called “a rising superstar in contemporary romance” by USA TODAY, who went on to praise Kristan’s “genius-level EQ … whippet-fast, funny dialogue and sweet plots with a deliciously tart edge.” Her contemporary romances feature big-hearted, memorable love stories about regular people, combining quirky families, real-life issues and a cute dog or two as well.

Special guests: Stephanie Gaber PharmD, CDE from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, Diva Club leader, MaryAnn Nicolay, BA, DTR from the Diabetes Partnership Of Cleveland, OH. Poet Lorriane Brooks, Jennifer Martsolf from Trigg Laboratories and Author Ginger Vieria.

Save