Magazines, hands down! When I was post-surgery, I really couldn't concentrate on reading (much as I love reading under normal circumstances) so I asked my husband to stop by a Giant and bring me a bunch of magazines to flip through.

OP, I hope your friend feels better soon.

+1 to the magazines.

Trashy or mind numbing magazines? Us, People, Star, national enquirer,?

When I was hospitalized and post surgery, all I wanted was drugs and the harder, the better. After a day, I did enjoy listening to earplugs soft music and audio books. I really wasn't much for holding a Kindle but the audio (and hospital drugs) were perfect.

Anonymous wrote:OP,

Get her this:
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/sandisk-sansa-clip-zip/4505-6490_7-34864938.html

It's $35 and she can listen to music or audio books. Librivox free books that are in the public domain or you can get her an audible.com gift card.

If she's doing chemo she's not going to want to put the effort into reading text.

+1, although as much as I loved my Sansa clips, I had a problem with them breaking down all the time, so I switched over to a Sony. Also, if you're a public library member, you can check out and download mp3 books as well

Agree with PP. Make sure she's in the mood to read. Sometimes people feel so crappy they can't even concentrate on a book. The amazon gift card is a good idea so she can order whatever she wants from her laptop and it will arrive at her door.

OP,

Get her this:
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/sandisk-sansa-clip-zip/4505-6490_7-34864938.html

It's $35 and she can listen to music or audio books. Librivox free books that are in the public domain or you can get her an audible.com gift card.

If she's doing chemo she's not going to want to put the effort into reading text.

Gone Girl
Game of Thrones

I really liked Mindy Kaling's book, but maybe laughing is too painful for her. How about a crossword puzzle or soduki or whatever it's called.

Do you know if she has a Kindle? If so, an Amazon gift card would be a great gift so she can order whatever books she likes from bed.

Gift cards to restaurants that deliver might be a good idea for when she returns home, depending on her living arrangements. (Alone? With family?)

I have a friend that I am getting to visit last minute at the hospital in the morning. She has just had major surgery and will be laid up for quite a while, including rounds of chemo etc to follow. I have no time to get to the bookstore before the morning - any books that I may find in Giant or some such store that would be any good? I want to bring her something and I reckon she already has gotten loads of magazines, food is out. She will be coming home shortly and I hear flowers and such and are a pain to bring home. So I can only come up with books. Any ideas on books or other ideas. TIA! (Apologies for rushed posting - dinner time here.)