Welcome to Litsy!

“People like to say it takes a certain type of person to do this job, a special person. They're probably right, just not in the way they think. Medics don't have to be heroic or tough or even good people. They simply have to enjoy the madness.“
#medical #paramedic

Great read! Non-fiction written by a paramedic in Atlanta. He does an excellent job telling about the things he has seen, keeping the story interesting while also being real and respectful about tragedy and the reality of the job. Two thumbs up.

A thousand naked strangers 4/5 stars. Was a great book to read if you are into the medical field . Thought it was a good representation of life of a paramedic!

Loved it! I enjoyed learning about him. His stories were great and I learned alot.

Book 44

1. I‘ve read far less. I work in health care and we will not/can not shut down. And we‘re short handed so loads of overtime.
2. Mystery/horror/thriller. Something to take my mind off whatever is stressing.

Loved this book. Love a book that can make me laugh-out-loud, and this book did a few times. Loved how it flowed from the first page all the way to the end. If you loved the A&E show "Nightwatch" then this book is a must-read. You will be cheering, crying, laughing, and sometimes wincing as you read this book.

I started this during #nonfictionnovember and just finished tonight. Hazzard details his life as an EMT and then paramedic, working for Grady in Atlanta. Naked strangers are the milder side of what's in this book, so if you're squeamish this is not the book for you! But while Hazzard lets the reader into the gory side of EMS, he is also compassionate about the community he served.

His attitude bothered me at times but the stories he tells leads you to understand it. It wasn‘t an overly dramatic telling of war stories but a thoughtful explanation of his real world experience. Not as gruesome as it could have been but I don‘t recommend reading it with lunch! 4/5

This is a brilliant, exhilarating read, and perfect for medical geeks who love the gory details. The author is such a good storyteller.

Some graphic descriptions of people #BitinTheBullet here #octoberXFiles @Robothugs @Cinfhen

Next up

#HeatOfJuly This song takes me back to the summer of 2002, driving carpool with a bunch of 6year olds and the song playing on the radio, and thinking these lyrics are so inappropriate 😂😂😬 #HotInHerre 😅☀️🔥Book is on my TBR

Fast paced and a good insight into the real world of inner city EMS. Different from my experience with Chicago Fire Department but medics are medics anywhere 💪🏻

#IfIFell .... You'd phone an ambulance, right? #HeyJune @Cinfhen @gypsykat

Haven't read this yet but apparently the author says that the #adrenaline rush is the best part of being a paramedic #GetMovin @cinfhen @eanderson

A memoir of the author‘s experiences as an emt/paramedic.
The good: an interesting look at the various and difficult things a paramedic must deal with. These people seem to handle everything that comes at them calmly and professionally, even when dealing with difficult people. (drunks, psychotics)
The bad: Some of the descriptions of gore were pretty graphic, & I sometimes felt like the author almost relished describing the gore.

Kevin Hazzard's memoir about being a medic in Atlanta is a narrative zoom lens on the roadside carnage we've all witnessed at a distance (and some stuff that hardly anyone who isn't a medic has seen). He's not ashamed about admitting he liked the job for the thrill rather than saving lives, which does make him sound sociopathic at times. But removing the tragedy of death and focusing on the grotesque details was an undeniably interesting approach.

Thank you so much @Lcsmcat I really appreciate your generosity!

At times hilariously funny, at times graphically violent, this book is a well written look at one man's experience as a paramedic in early 2000's Atlanta. I probably wouldn't have chosen it on my own - it's a book club pick - but I'm not sorry I read it.

It's still shorts and tee shirt weather here, but this book gets so graphic at times that I feel the need for a Linus security blanket. #booksndablanket #autumnreads @Tiffy_Reads

This is an interesting story of one man's journey from being a paperboy to an EMT then a paramedic, from zero experience to saving lives to killing one man in Atlanta, GA. I didn't think it was particularly humorous, more funny ha, than funny haha.

Catching up on yesterday's prompt. #firstlineofcurrentread #anditsAugust @RealLifeReading

It seemed appropriate to start this in the bath. ? I need a little fortification before I go to this morning's "team building exercise" at work - every introvert's nightmare!

This book promised humor. I didn't laugh once. The book did, however, explain why the author sounded so jaded. I have all the respect in the world for what paramedics do. I know I couldn't do it.

"They say idle hands are the devil's workshop, but what they don't say is when it comes time to explain yourself, the devil's never around to help. So I'm alone, explaining the inexplicable."

#BeautifulStranger #90sInJuly
Because we are all beautiful. Even when naked and in need of medical attention.
@Robothugs @Cinfhen

You know how when you read a memoir the author's personality is revealed? There were some light moments. Mostly I was turned off by sophomoric or irreverent behavior by this medical professional along with a more subtle disrespect of people less fortunate. I wouldn't want this guy working for me nor would I want him on call if I was sick.

Next up. Sample sounded good

#NumberTitles #riotgrams @bookriot

The library book sale coincided with my book group's choosing the next six months of books. #maybookpurchase #don'tjudge #sparklingmaybookishdreams @maich

I loved this book. It made me laugh out loud and cry like a baby. This one goes on the must read list with Population 485. Both books are about EMTs but this one is more comedy than tragedy.

Starting out my May reading with "A Thousand Naked Strangers" ? #May #BookNerd

Just finished listening to this one. Great narrator and fascinating stories. Can't recommend this one enough! #audiobooks #nonfiction

So so so good. A former journalist turned paramedic in Atlanta, Hazzard details his sometimes chilling, often bizarre and occasionally hilarious cases. I'm fascinated, having been born and raised in Atlanta, and at my current point in his book, Hazzard works for Grady hospital. Grady is one of the leading "teaching" hospitals in the world when it comes to trauma, particularly gunshot wounds. Highly recommend this one! #nonfiction #LitsyPartyOfOne

There is never a dull moment in this book. It feels like being a cab driver. 😜🚕

Great balance of the gory details, humor and "realness". I didn't want this one to end. Very good! Almost made me want to jump right in and become a medic. And thennnn... not so much. Haha ?

A little reading on the road. I love Kansas so much..Also won 20 dollars on a crossword lottery ticket! My favorite! #kansas #sunset #roadreads #ontheroadagain

Loving this one so far! 😍

Entertaining in the most morbid way. It's like rubbernecking from the comfort of home. You simply can't make this stuff up.

"EMS is the greatest show I've ever seen, except it's not a show, it's all real"...reminds me of my own day job in corrections, I kind of feel this way. ?

I love Book of the Month club and I ordered this book a couple of months back thinking it sounded interesting. I'm just getting around to starting it and I can't imagine a better book to end the year with. I'm only about a quarter of the way in, but Kevin Hazzard is funny and writes in a way that immediately pulls you in, like an old friend telling you a long story. This is a book I want to gift to everyone I know because everyone will enjoy it!

Books as gifts, obvi

Tore through this on audio in two days. I enjoyed Hazzard's storytelling & his openness about ultimately burning out on his work. Some of the anecdotes reminded me of listening to my dad, a retired firefighter/EMT, talk about crazy things he saw on the job. Probably not a great read for anyone made squeamish by talk of body parts & the bad things that can happen to them, but not as gory as I expected. Overall, an entertaining & engaging listen.

Wrapping this up for my hubs for Christmas! #bookgifts #givebooksforChristmas

So as a nurse I always like reading books with a medical aspect to them. Kevin Hazzard's memoir of his time as a medic was really good and accurate. I mean he told stories that are gross (I'm with him that sometimes you forget that not all stories are appropriate for mixed company) and heartwarming and ridiculous.

That bookstore holiday feel 😍

"But as always, lessons are drawn from mistakes, not victories." #nonfictionnovember2016 #nonfictionnovember #nonficnov #nonficnov2016

As a paramedic for the last 11.5 years, I have to say this book was bang on. It was raw, real, emotional, hysterical, graphic, and to the point. He did not sugar coat how this job works. We missed holidays, birthdays, important family dates, we work long tedious shifts, bad partners, great partners and he perfected the description. A paramedic career is about 5 years now before burn out. I've been lucky and still going strong. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A quick visit from @Shemac77 and she came bearing gifts! A new journal for me to write down all my TBR and ones I've already read and own, a new teacups (love my mugs and tea!) and the greatest gift card to my favourite used book store (thanks to her for telling me about this gem of a store. Love it and love you @Shemac77 ❤️ #bookkindredspirits #bookbuddies #paramediclittens