Hi, all. Eli here with a list of books, articles, films, podcasts, and ideas shared at the September Excitement Swap!
This year we heard so many amazing suggestions, in so many different media, that I’ve broken them into categories. Entries are arranged alphabetically by title (my apologies to librarians and library-lovers). When possible, I have included the sharer’s name and any commentary they offered on the work. Caveat lector: I am but one fallible mortal who was trying to keep up with a delightfully lively discussion, so there’s a very real possibility that I missed things. If you see errors or omissions, please let me know!

MTN Twin Cities Meeting, September 19, 2017
Book, Article, and Idea Share
Anne Murphy’s home (thank you, Anne)
19 attending
Notes taken by Eli
Opening: “Epitaph” by Merritt Malloy
BOOKS
- Allison’s Gift, Pat Hogan. Tells the story of the death of Alison Sanders, daughter of Beth Knox, one of the early pioneers of the family-directed death movement. (Nancy)
- A Bridge for Grandma, Carol McCormick, illus. Marie Olofsdotter. Children’s book about a young girl who has a near-death experience in the hospital and meets her dead grandmother. (Nancy)
- Caring for the Dying, Henry Fersko-Weiss (founder of The International End of Life Doula Association [INELDA]) (Wendy)
- Dying: A Memoir, Cory Taylor. A personal looks at the end of life. (Wendy)
- The End of Life Advisor, Susan Dolan & Audrey Vizzard. Dolan and Vizzard are a mother-daughter hospice team. The book focuses on practical matters regarding death. (Nancy)
- Entering the Healing Ground: Grief, Ritual and the Soul of the World, Francis Weller. Personal grief and planetary grief. (Anne M)
- Extreme Measures, Jessica Nutik Zitter (Karen G)
- Final Gifts, Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley (Karen G)
- The Five Invitations, Frank Ostaseski. One of the founders of the Zen hospice movement. Looks at death for all, not just the “actively” dying. (Kyoko)
- From Here to Eternity, Caitlin Doughty (October release) (Cindy)
- The Grace in Dying, Kathleen Dowling Singh (Ellen)
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
- Laughing in a Waterfall, Marianne Dietzel. This book is gripping. The way the school community come together for the home vigil is amazing. Marianne explores every dimension of why that’s so powerful. (Nancy)
- Live Consciously, Dying Gracefully, Nancy Manahan & Beck Bohan. The story of the death and dying of Diane Manahan. (Nancy)
- The Long Goodbye, Megan O’Rourke. Poetry about her mother’s death from colon cancer (Elizabeth)
- Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Andrew Holecek (Kyoko)
- The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise. Martín Prechtel. (Anne M)
- What Really Matters: 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of the Dying, Karen Wyatt
- When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi. Neurosurgeon with lung cancer chronicles his journey toward death. (Kyoko)
PODCASTS and OTHER AUDIO
ARTICLES
WEBSITES
FILMS
THEATER
- Stay With Me Awhile Mary Johnson & Barbara Means Fraser. Rochester Civic in February. Karen G. will be coordinating an MTN group trip to this event.
QUESTIONS
- What is the connection between mainstream fear of/separation from death and the hatred, violence, and oppression we are living in now? (Eli)
- Can we meet hatred with love? How? (originally posed by Carolyn Laine; relayed by Eli)
- Are people being given the choice of not having morphine and experiencing the pain at end of life? (Marianne)
- Palliative and sedation. Are we as healthcare agents and other end-of-life tenders listening well enough to advocate for what the dying person truly wants? (Kathy)
UPCOMING EVENTS
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Kyoko is creating a chapbook based on her experiences with death, grief, and healing in the last months of her husband’s life. She will share more information when it’s available.
- Karen G. has started giving talks on facing our mortality. The next one is at Sunday, November 19, 1-5 p.m., at Wellsprings Farm in Annandale. Contact Karen for more information.