January book picks: Day 11 of January’s best reads

We’ve tapped Luxury Reading’s book lovin’ blogger, Vera, to give us the scoop all month long on what books are worth the read. She’ll be dishing out daily book picks — and here’s pick eleven.

Barry Petersen, an award-winning CBS correspondent, was living a happy and globe-trotting life with his beloved wife, Jan, when she received the diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Living in Tokyo at the time, Barry struggled to make sense of Jan’s episodes before finally hearing the diagnosis from a San Francisco based neurologist. In Jan’s Story, he describes the progression of what he calls The Disease, the learning curve of becoming Jan’s caregiver, his own emotional struggles and his eventual decision to place Jan in an assisted living facility.

I believe that Barry’s intent with Jan’s Story was to provide others in similar situations with a feeling that they are not alone, and he definitely succeeded in that regard. Jan’s Story is a very honest and touching look into what it feels like to lose someone to early onset Alzheimer’s disease, and into what it means to be a caregiver for that person. Barry Peterson spares no details when it comes to describing his journey and covers everything from initial signs, behavioral changes, Jan’s coping mechanisms and diagnostic tools to care giving challenges, emotional responses and reactions by family and friends.