darling duckie

Good Omens: A Book In Review

In book club we had been reading a lot of serious, nonfiction books. They were all good but it seemed like it was time to lighten the mood and read something a little different. So Good Omens written by Teri Pratchet and Neil Gaiman was chosen. My of my what a great book. It is all about the Apocalypse. But everything goes wrong: the antichrist was misplaced and landed in a nice little British family, an angel and a fallen angel have become friends over the thousands of years they have been on earth together and happen to like the world the way it is. This book is full of everything: aliens, Atlanteans, Tibetans digging tunnels, and the four Horse "persons."

I found myself laughing out loud at the clever anecdotes and interpretations of the end of the world. I admit that there were many that I knew should be funny but were beyond me (the authors are both British and seem to have some inside jokes with their countrymen). There was a point in the book when I wanted a little less description and a little more... action. But soon the ball was rolling and the end of the world upon them.

So if you are looking for a funny, interesting read, go pick up Good Omens from your local library or bookstore and read on, friends.

books books books

This just won an Oscar. I love the music and, of course, that it is all about books and people.

 

 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: A Book In Review

(Source)

I had often seen this book floating around booklists and libraries but honestly never really thought to read it. It was choosen for book club and I am so glad that I finally sat down and read it. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is the autobiography of Maya Angelou and tells the story of her growing up. The majority of the book takes place in Arkanas and deals with the struggles she faced including racisim and rape. Though dealing with these difficult issues, Dr. Angelou writes in from the perspective she had as a young girl.

This book opened some great conversation for our book club as we talked about rape, banning books (this book is often banned from schools and libraries), and writing an autobiography as literature. It was a wonderful book and really made me sit and think, as a mother, how I felt about books being banned.

You can see more of what I found here.

happy birthday dr. seuss

I remember very little of preschool, except everything was very colorful and either I was bad at sharing or some of the other kids were... because I remember a couple little brawls I was involved in.

One memory really stands out though. I remember exactly how I felt. And what happened, according to my four year old eyes.

It was Dr. Seuss day, possibly even his birthday (that would make it 21 years ago TO THE DAY). We possibly did many activities and read many books but I know that we read Green Eggs and Ham. I sat and giggled along with my other little peers. How silly of the nameless man to not even try it.

After the story our teachers brought out their own green eggs and ham to share with the class.

I remember it clearly. Sitting. Looking at that plate with what seemed to be eggs of green ooze and ham that looked questionable. It did not appeal to my four year old senses so I just refused to eat them. The teachers tried to explain that it would taste just fine but my eyes beheld only the oddness of the food in front of me. Out of frustration, the teachers declared that I was just trying to get attention by copying what the main character had done.

I promise. I wasn't. I really did not think it would taste good. Honestly. I remember it. I do.

They made me sit at the table until I ate it. All the other children were playing in the multi-colored wooden boxes while I sat at the table, green food untouched.

I am still a little hurt that no one believed me.

Even though I was scarred by the experience, I do love a good Dr. Suess book. My favorite? The Lorax.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

We shall celebrate by reading all the Dr. Seuss books we have and we might even make up a few words, just for the fun of it.

One of my favorite book columnists wrote a little about Dr. Seuss and how he came to be. You can read the article here.

And, as always, HAPPY READING!

My Life in France: A Book In Review

"Good results require that one take time and care."

There are a couple of people that stand out in my memories of watching television while growing up: Bob Ross so effortlessly painting tree and birds and creating landscapes from nothing but a canvas and paint and Julia Child, with her distinct voice and her excitement for good food.

After reading Julia Child's memoir I have felt so inspired by her passion and determination to really learn. She was not always a cook. Her food did not always taste wonderful. But she loved food and her husband and worked oh so hard. And how inspiring was her relationship with Paul. They strengthen each other, supported each other, and were best friends. I love the picture above, where they sit side by side, working side by side. It is so romantic and (can I say it again??) INSPIRING!

Julia's memories and thoughts on her experiences really made me ask a few questions of myself:

Am I supporting my husband in the things he loves?

Do I really put effort in learning and growing?

What is it that motivates me, pushes me?

I really loved reading My Life In France. It was so different that I thought it would be and has changed me. (Plus every time I go to the DI I search out a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which I have yet to find, though I did score Volume II for a couple of bucks.) A friend let me borrow Mastering the Art... so I could make a recipe of Julia's for book club. Though I don't know if it turned out how it was supposed to be, it was yummy and I learned so much about cooking just through that one recipe and perusing the book.

Now I want to wander market places and cook something delicious...

Jane Eyre: A Book in Review

“The incident had occurred and was for me: it was an incident of no moment, no romance, no interest in a sense: yet it marked with change one single hour of a monotonous life.”

“No wonder you have rather the look of another world. I marveled where you had got that sort of face. When you came on me in Hay Lane last night, I thought unaccountably of fairy tales, and had half a mind to demand whether you had bewitched my horse: I am not sure yet.”

I used to believe to be able to truly call myself a reader I had to be a fast reader. Read multiple books every month. Remember all the details. So when it took me over a year to finish Jane Eyre, Iwas a little bit ashamed. But truth be told, I am a slow reader. Well, I am medium. Not slow. Just slower than some. And that is alright, isn't it? I can still call myself a reader, right?

And I don't want you to think any of it is Ms. Eyre's fault. She kept me company through pregnancy doctor visits and entertained me with witty commentary through long drives and late nights. She even sat with me through those hard months after Millie was born.

That Ms. Eyre, she is a loyal friend.

And I loved her. I love her for standing up to what she believes in and doing it even when it meant giving her chance at love up. It is so much more than a love story but such a unique love story too.

One of my favorite parts?

“Who in the world cares for you? Or who will be injured by what you do?

“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God. … Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour … If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth—so I have always believed. … Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot.”

Sometimes characters in books are referred to as heroines or heros but they lack the qualities that entitle one to such a name. But Jane really is a heroine. She has courage and self respect.

This is a great book, well worth the time and effort I put towards reading it. (It probably won't take you as long, I promise. Read it. Really.)

Plus, sometimes I wish we could speak how they spoke, eh?

“ere long I found you full of strange contrasts.”

“there was a pleasurable illumination in your eye occasionally”

“for with him I was at perfect ease, because I knew I suited him”

“in his presence I thoroughly lived; and he lived in mine.”

Wonderful.

If you are frightened of classics and whether or not you will be able to read them, start with Jane Eyre.  With an exciting storyline and gothic style, it will surely become a favorite of yours.

If you love Jane Eyre and are looking for another book to satisfy that particular craving, I would highly recommend reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Even if you don't like Jane Eyre or you have never read it, The Thriteenth Tale is a great book. 

because it's been so long

maybe tomorrow I will have chance to write something.

until then, enjoy.

 

on my nightstand... which is cool since I haven't had a nightstand for a year now

(Billy took apart, sanded, reassembled, painted, and finished my nightstand. I love it. It looks great and it feels great to have a place for my books.)

I have been finishing some books and trying to write my thoughts about them. Jane Eyre. The Hunger Games Trilogy. Now I just need to finish Midwives (last months book club choice) and then get My Life in France (this months book club pick) hopping along. I guess that's a good thing about having to lay low... I can get a lot of reading/movie watching in.

peter and wendy: a book in review

I would be a little surprised if you were unfamiliar with the story of Peter Pan and Miss Wendy of Number 14. You know, the story of the boy who would not grow up and the girl who eventually did. I remember watching one of the film versions and being so heart broken that Peter still refused to grow up that I changed the ending in my mind. But alas, it was not to be.

James M. Barrie (1860-1937) was a novelist and playwright. And, although his life was full of successful works, his play Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up is his most well known piece of work. Peter and Wendy is the novel version of the play and a fantastic read for children of any age (be it 12 or 52).

When reading about his life, it is obvious that James felt more comfortable in the imaginative world of children. In the Neverland, where pirates rule above the seas and mermaids rule below. Where the island is fully of fairies and indians and crocodiles who tick tock tick tock as they go. This is a world were children fly simply because they believe and fairies are born each time a baby laughs for the first time. Really, where else would all the things be in one place at one time but in the Neverlands.

Throughout the book, one thing was very apparent... Peter Pan was a little rascal. The whole reason Hook was obsessed with ridding the world of Peter was because he was a cocky little thing. Peter always declared himself to be the clever one, though others were the truely clever ones. He loved stories of himself, though he could not remember most of the adventures he had been on. And he was oblivious of the fact that the girls (Wendy and Tink) were swooning over him. Even Sir Barrie was disappointed in the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens because  "it doesn't show the devil in Peter."

The writing is creative, unique, and as imaginative as the children are. The "We" who write the story decides the story will go one way or another as they are telling it, just like when your parents lay with you in bed, telling you stories of rescues and battles. And all things have life and personality.. even the night lights:

They were awfully nice little night-lights, and one cannot help wishing that they could have kept awake to see Peter; but Wendy's light blinked and gave such a yawn that the other two yawned also, and before they could close their mouths all the three went out (beginning of chapter 3).

Doesn't that just paint a perfect little picture of how those lights went out?

The characters are beautifully described and their personalities apparent: Hook with his obsession with good form and bad form, his menacing demeanor, weakening fear of the crocodile, Tink with her propensity for cussing and bitter jealousy (and crush on Peter), Tootles and his doggone bad luck, Smee and his lovable nature, and Wendy, with her romantic name (come on, don't you just love to say it? Say it with me Wendy Moira Angela Darling), who was the Mother, who so wanted to be with Peter but was one who chose to grow up.

Peter and Wendy is a splendid little book that I very much enjoyed reading. However, I must say, by the end of the book, I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a child again or to grow up. Maybe a little of both.

(When you read it, tell me, what do you think "the kiss" in the right hand corner of Mrs. Darlings mouth is? I have some thoughts, thanks to Charity, but I am curious to know what you think.)

**The was a book club read. If you are interested in joining in on the fun and discussion, email me and I will keep you updated on future meetings and books!

Romancing Miss Bronte: A Book in Review

Life, believe, is not a dream

So dark as sages say:

Oft a little morning rain

Foretells a pleasant day.

~Charlotte Brontë, from the poem “Life”

Though poetry has never been my forte, I have always had a soft spot for the Brontë’s. In middle school, I would print off their poetry and read them over and over, until parts were committed to memory. They drew splendid pictures with their words, talking about nature, relationships, passion, and pain. It was easy to be drawn into their world, though I admit to knowing little of their lives. In years past, I have read Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë) and Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë), and though I grew in respect for their talents and the characters they created, I still knew little of the authors themselves.

A couple of months ago, a well-read aunt of mine told me that she was reading this book that was really quite interesting. The book: Romancing Miss Brontë by Juliet Gael. Seeing the title, I admit to having judged rather quickly (and harshly) what the book would be about. But knowing my aunt and her taste in literature, I ordered the book for Christmas.

As I read, I was more and more impressed with the quality of the writing and the thoroughness of the research. I was drawn into the portrait of the lives of the three remaining Brontë sisters (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne). Though the author focuses primarily on Charlotte (the oldest of the sisters), the reader can see the devotion and love the sisters have for one another and for their writing.

If you know anything of the lives of the Brontë’s, you know that their lives were full of sorrow and loss. Living in “respected” poverty, caring for their aging father and drunken brother, and living at a time when women were harshly criticized and judged, they wrote works of literature that touched the lives of many then and now. I was completely engaged with the process they went through, to write, get published, and survive the opinions, both positive and negative, that the public had of their writings and personal lives.

It isn’t until the very last part of the book that romance begins to play a more front stage role (though the entire book is full of the hope and hopelessness of love and passion). Juliet Gael paints a picture of the relationship between Charlotte and her husband, Arthur, first showing her indifference and his devotion, and eventually showing the deep love that both had for one another. It is a tender, heart wrenching romance that left me with immense love and respect for both Charlotte and Arthur.

Needless to say, I am completely impressed with the depth of the research and the use of facts in creating a novel that depicts the life and character of Miss Charlotte Brontë. It was intriguing and sweet, heartbreaking and tender. In fact, I am so enamored with this book and Charlotte (and Arthur) that I am struggling to stop thinking about it. I also have to add that I think even men, who have an appreciation for the work of the Brontë’s, would enjoy this book.