Inspired by Tim Holtz (and created with many of the items from his papercrafting line!)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
NaNoWriMo 2010
Last year, I discovered NaNoWriMo, an awesome challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. The challenge begins at 12:01am on November 1 and ends at 11:59pm on November 30.
[details: http://www.nanowrimo.org/]
I participated in 2009, and finished - last minute, yes; but it still counted - a little over 50k before the stroke of midnight on the last day of November. I didn't write every single day, but my progress was pretty steady. Real estate was slow, and I was okay with that, as writing filled my down time. I began to dream of going back to school to get my master's in creative writing. After November, I wrote with some frequency...
So, here I am, past the halfway point for NaNoWriMo 2010, and I am about 7,500 words behind the suggested word count for today.Wait; it's after midnight - make that nearly 10k behind. I wouldn't worry, but I have zero confidence in my story right now. Writing has become a struggle; a struggle that I would normally embrace, but I have no extra time or brain capacity to spare. This year, NaNoWriMo is less a challenge, more an agonizing struggle or a battle that I am nowhere near winning.
[details: http://www.nanowrimo.org/]
Until this May, when I got a part-time job at our church as I phased my way out of real estate. [yeah; that's another post for another day] Now, I'm at an actual office three days per week, and those days are bu-sy. Don't get me wrong; I'm absolutely loving the job, and so excited to have it. But it has been an adjustment, losing 20 hours of what was essentially "free" time, during which I did important things like laundry, housecleaning, kid-corralling [blog updates] and writing. Additionally, mine isn't the only schedule to experience significant change in the past few months - with the kids starting school, and extracurricular activities taking wing, we do a lot of running around.
So, here I am, past the halfway point for NaNoWriMo 2010, and I am about 7,500 words behind the suggested word count for today.Wait; it's after midnight - make that nearly 10k behind. I wouldn't worry, but I have zero confidence in my story right now. Writing has become a struggle; a struggle that I would normally embrace, but I have no extra time or brain capacity to spare. This year, NaNoWriMo is less a challenge, more an agonizing struggle or a battle that I am nowhere near winning. The beauty of NaNo is that it is a challenge for which the prize is bragging rights. To be able to say, "I did it!" is extremely empowering. Dictionary.com defines a challenge as "a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc." - for me, NaNoWriMo is a call to engage in a contest of skill, strength and creativity. Pushing myself beyond the boundaries of what I know I can do, and forcing me to dig deep to learn what more I am capable of doing. Encouraging me to turn off my "inner editor", that voice that interrupts the writing process with a snide "that's stupid" or "lame!" - at least, until the novel is done.
I don't know if I will reach my goal of 50k words before midnight on November 30. I do know that I will continue, despite the self-doubt, the time constraints, the doldrums of ineptitude, to try.
Monday, October 11, 2010
You aren't eating what?! Part 3
What I did was eliminate all gluten and dairy from my diet. I mean, all - no butter, cheese, sour cream, bread, crackers, Doritos, root beer (gluten - I know, weird!), lunchmeat and lots, lots more. For the first few days, I ate nothing but plain brown rice and plain vegetables. Then, I found a bunch of recipes online, and bought some GF (gluten-free) products. The recipes weren't that great, which didn't do much to encourage me during this transition...my family wasn't excited about it, either. I would have given up, except the diet was helping.
My stomachaches, gone. Acne, improving. Still feel the fatigue and lack of energy, but I'm hoping that will improve as I get better at knowing what to eat. I can wear pants today that were too tight a few weeks ago - I haven't lost a single pound, but my belly isn't full of air anymore. After about a week with not gluten or dairy, I accidentally had a bit of dairy - my mom invited us over for dinner, and made rice with a bit of butter incorporated. Afterward, Mr. Stomachache was back with a vengeance. Experiment successful - dairy was definitely off the team. I ate GFDF for another week, then ate gluten (no dairy) twice in two days. Again, the experiment showed that gluten does not agree with my system; it is also off the team.
So, where do things stand now, a few weeks later? Well, I'm sticking to GFDF - I may try to introduce small amounts again in the future, but for now, I feel too good without it. You might think that passing up pizza, bread, ice cream and the like would be torture, and indeed, it is difficult. But if I'm tempted to just eat it anyway, I remember how bad I felt before compared to how good I feel now, and suddenly, pizza doesn't sound that great. I'm learning to read recipes differently - when a recipe calls for cheese, I know to pick up some Vegan Gourmet from Sprouts. I made lasagna last week, a tough one as it calls for cheese and ricotta. An online search led me to a recipe for vegan ricotta (made with tofu), and voila - cheeseless, GF lasagna that every member of my family happily chowed.
Incidentally, I'm also cutting out meat. Since I'm going dairy-free, I figured I may as well go vegan - meat doesn't really appeal to me much anymore, and cheese is tougher to cut out than meat, in my opinion. Right now, my body is detoxing - my immune system is down in the dumps, and I'm catching every bug around. It's okay. I know I'm going to feel awesome once I get through it.
My stomachaches, gone. Acne, improving. Still feel the fatigue and lack of energy, but I'm hoping that will improve as I get better at knowing what to eat. I can wear pants today that were too tight a few weeks ago - I haven't lost a single pound, but my belly isn't full of air anymore. After about a week with not gluten or dairy, I accidentally had a bit of dairy - my mom invited us over for dinner, and made rice with a bit of butter incorporated. Afterward, Mr. Stomachache was back with a vengeance. Experiment successful - dairy was definitely off the team. I ate GFDF for another week, then ate gluten (no dairy) twice in two days. Again, the experiment showed that gluten does not agree with my system; it is also off the team.
So, where do things stand now, a few weeks later? Well, I'm sticking to GFDF - I may try to introduce small amounts again in the future, but for now, I feel too good without it. You might think that passing up pizza, bread, ice cream and the like would be torture, and indeed, it is difficult. But if I'm tempted to just eat it anyway, I remember how bad I felt before compared to how good I feel now, and suddenly, pizza doesn't sound that great. I'm learning to read recipes differently - when a recipe calls for cheese, I know to pick up some Vegan Gourmet from Sprouts. I made lasagna last week, a tough one as it calls for cheese and ricotta. An online search led me to a recipe for vegan ricotta (made with tofu), and voila - cheeseless, GF lasagna that every member of my family happily chowed.
Incidentally, I'm also cutting out meat. Since I'm going dairy-free, I figured I may as well go vegan - meat doesn't really appeal to me much anymore, and cheese is tougher to cut out than meat, in my opinion. Right now, my body is detoxing - my immune system is down in the dumps, and I'm catching every bug around. It's okay. I know I'm going to feel awesome once I get through it.
You aren't eating what?! Part 2
I've never been one to buy into the "what you eat affects your complexion" theory. I really just don't like to be told that cheeseburgers, chocolate and soda are bad for me. Sure, they make you fat and unhealthy, but they don't make you break out! Don't make me give up my beloved soda!
Here's the thing, though. Lately, soda hasn't even tasted that good. Neither have cheeseburgers. (Chocolate will always be good.) And I've noticed that burgers are on the list of foods that make my tummy hurt really bad. Plus, whenever I smell meat, raw or cooked, revulsion rises. Also, I've been more open to changing our diet since watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last fall. So, I read the info on the sites with an open mind, and the sites lead me to a curious possibility: could food really be the root of all my physical problems? More importantly, could removing certain foods help me?
Here's what I learned: the acne, the bloating, the stomachaches, the fatigue, the daily headaches, the tingly hands and feet, the irritability, the chronic sinusitis, and the 'lady-parts' problems are all thought to be symptoms of a person with gluten intolerance. Most of these issues have been part of my life for as long as I can remember - in other words, living with pain of some sort has been normal for me. Apparently, it's not normal for everyone. Huh...who knew? So, now that the idea had been planted, what would I do?
...to be continued...
Here's the thing, though. Lately, soda hasn't even tasted that good. Neither have cheeseburgers. (Chocolate will always be good.) And I've noticed that burgers are on the list of foods that make my tummy hurt really bad. Plus, whenever I smell meat, raw or cooked, revulsion rises. Also, I've been more open to changing our diet since watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last fall. So, I read the info on the sites with an open mind, and the sites lead me to a curious possibility: could food really be the root of all my physical problems? More importantly, could removing certain foods help me?
Here's what I learned: the acne, the bloating, the stomachaches, the fatigue, the daily headaches, the tingly hands and feet, the irritability, the chronic sinusitis, and the 'lady-parts' problems are all thought to be symptoms of a person with gluten intolerance. Most of these issues have been part of my life for as long as I can remember - in other words, living with pain of some sort has been normal for me. Apparently, it's not normal for everyone. Huh...who knew? So, now that the idea had been planted, what would I do?
...to be continued...
You aren't eating what?! Part 1
I've had issues with my stomach for years. While I love food, I hate the way it makes me feel. My stomach hurts, I'm bloated, and I feel like a giant slug. There are other issues, but I'm not sharing them on the Internets. Since this was the way I'd been living for literally years, I figured this was normal - doesn't everyone's stomach hurt when they eat? The past few months, my issues have been worsening to the point at which I basically stopped eating until I knew I'd be at home for the rest of the day/night and could slip into something more comfortable. Namely, sweatpants with a stretchy waistband. Hot, I know.
So, the tummy-thing wasn't really worth looking into, but I had to do something about my acne. Seriously, my complexion is worse now than it was when I was in the throes of puberty - unfair! Now that I'm getting fine lines and the occasional gray hair, it seems only fair that the need for salicylic acid is in my past, right? Unfortunately, my face hasn't gotten the memo, so I started researching cures online.
As most searches go, my "acne cures" search branched out to all kinds of different sites. Pills, creams, skincare systems, natural cures, and changes to the diet are the main categories of "cures". I tend to avoid medication, since most cause more problems than they fix. I've tried all of the creams, and most of the systems; I don't have the resources to pay $50 on face wash. I thought about rubbing a clove of garlic on my face, but ixnayed it as soon as I remembered how long it takes to get the garlic smell off my hands when I cook. So, I spent some time checking out the diet-angle.
...to be continued...
So, the tummy-thing wasn't really worth looking into, but I had to do something about my acne. Seriously, my complexion is worse now than it was when I was in the throes of puberty - unfair! Now that I'm getting fine lines and the occasional gray hair, it seems only fair that the need for salicylic acid is in my past, right? Unfortunately, my face hasn't gotten the memo, so I started researching cures online.
As most searches go, my "acne cures" search branched out to all kinds of different sites. Pills, creams, skincare systems, natural cures, and changes to the diet are the main categories of "cures". I tend to avoid medication, since most cause more problems than they fix. I've tried all of the creams, and most of the systems; I don't have the resources to pay $50 on face wash. I thought about rubbing a clove of garlic on my face, but ixnayed it as soon as I remembered how long it takes to get the garlic smell off my hands when I cook. So, I spent some time checking out the diet-angle.
...to be continued...
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Fall
I think we can officially call it - school has started, the weather is cooling and leaves are turning. Summer is over. :(
After the long, long, looooong winter we had, I was loving the hot weather this summer. Here's to hoping snow only falls between the months of November and March this year. I'm trying to look for the silver lining, so here's my list of things I love about fall:
After the long, long, looooong winter we had, I was loving the hot weather this summer. Here's to hoping snow only falls between the months of November and March this year. I'm trying to look for the silver lining, so here's my list of things I love about fall:
- Sweatshirts and sweatpants
- Wool socks
- Snuggling with my babies
- Hot tea and carmel apple cider (mmm...Starbucks!)
- Eye makeup inspired by football teams
- My kids in Halloween costumes (sounds like we'll have a paleontologist and firefighter this year)
- Autumn colors
- NaNoWriMo
"Hello" Cards
Boy, I've been a busy little crafting bee lately. Well, actually, I've just been really bad about uploading photos. Since today is kinda dreary outside, and I'm sick in bed with some sort of bug (boo!), I figured this is a perfect opportunity to get some stuff off my 'to do' list.
Here are some cards I made, just to say 'hi'.
Here are some cards I made, just to say 'hi'.
FYI - if flowers look cut off in any of these pictures, it's because I cropped the photo. In real life, the flowers hang off the edge of the card.
Birthday Cards for the Troops
So, Karen Giron has inspired me to get involved with Operation Write Home. I've got some ideas for getting my fellow local papercrafters involved as well, but for right now, see my contributions to this cause below.
It may not seem like much, but if this is something I can do to show my gratitude and appreciation for the people who risk their lives for my freedom, I'm doing it. I don't care how insignificant it may seem to us; it sounds like it means something to them.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
My First Entry
I'm entering my first "Sketch Challenge". Karen at the sweetest thing... posts a weekly card-making challenge, but I've never actually participated. This week, however, I was inspired by more than just Karen's adorable sketch and example.
Here's what Karen posted that piqued my creative interest:
"The extra challenge this week is to create a birthday card and mail it to Operation Write Home and they'll send our challenge cards on to those men and women who are serving in the armed forces."
Thanks, Karen, for introducing me to Operation Write Home. I'm so excited to start creating handmade cards for our awesome troops!
Oh, and here's my entry:
Here's what Karen posted that piqued my creative interest:
"The extra challenge this week is to create a birthday card and mail it to Operation Write Home and they'll send our challenge cards on to those men and women who are serving in the armed forces."
Thanks, Karen, for introducing me to Operation Write Home. I'm so excited to start creating handmade cards for our awesome troops!
Oh, and here's my entry:
Monday, September 6, 2010
One Year Down, One to Go
School is back in session, and while we are celebrating several important school-related milestones in this house, there is one that brings a sense of giddy anticipation: my husband has hit the halfway mark in his MBA program. That's right - he has two semesters left. Two semesters, albeit, of difficult work, long nights, study-filled weekends, and, for me, weeks filled with higher-than-usual hours of single-parenthood. Two semesters, and then we're freeeeee!!
Now, I know it's totally selfish of me to be so excited as I daydream about our lives a year from now. I promise, I love my family, and would (ahem, do) sacrifice my own hopes, dreams and desires in order to do what's best for them. I know my primary role as a mother is to chauffer, manage schedules, help with homework and piano practice, watch sports practices and games, and maintain our house's level of cleanliness. I know it and I love it. But I am excited for the day when I'm not trying to figure out how to be in two places at once; knowing that, as the kids get older and get involved in more activities, I won't have to juggle activities alone, or ask my parents to help out once again, helps get me through the day.
I also know I'm not alone in this eager anticipation. It's tough for my hubby to miss out on activities because he has homework or group meetings; it's tough on the kids when he's not able to put them to bed or take them to soccer practice. May 2011, we can't wait to see you - we shall ring you in with fanfare like no other month of the year!
I feel guilty for even thinking this way, let alone admitting it to the world at large, but here goes: I am looking forward to the freedom that will be added to my own schedule in a year. The freedom to spend more time writing, reading, hitting the gym, working on albums and creating cards, and maybe, just maybe, taking a dance class or two a week. When I don't have to squeeze 65 minutes out of every hour, when I don't have to feel guilty for leaving the boys at home with their dad when he has tons of homework. When I don't have to feel guilty for asking for help, even though I know the others in my life are just as burdened.
It will be glorious. But it's still 9 months away...
Now, I know it's totally selfish of me to be so excited as I daydream about our lives a year from now. I promise, I love my family, and would (ahem, do) sacrifice my own hopes, dreams and desires in order to do what's best for them. I know my primary role as a mother is to chauffer, manage schedules, help with homework and piano practice, watch sports practices and games, and maintain our house's level of cleanliness. I know it and I love it. But I am excited for the day when I'm not trying to figure out how to be in two places at once; knowing that, as the kids get older and get involved in more activities, I won't have to juggle activities alone, or ask my parents to help out once again, helps get me through the day.
I also know I'm not alone in this eager anticipation. It's tough for my hubby to miss out on activities because he has homework or group meetings; it's tough on the kids when he's not able to put them to bed or take them to soccer practice. May 2011, we can't wait to see you - we shall ring you in with fanfare like no other month of the year!
I feel guilty for even thinking this way, let alone admitting it to the world at large, but here goes: I am looking forward to the freedom that will be added to my own schedule in a year. The freedom to spend more time writing, reading, hitting the gym, working on albums and creating cards, and maybe, just maybe, taking a dance class or two a week. When I don't have to squeeze 65 minutes out of every hour, when I don't have to feel guilty for leaving the boys at home with their dad when he has tons of homework. When I don't have to feel guilty for asking for help, even though I know the others in my life are just as burdened.
It will be glorious. But it's still 9 months away...
Friday, August 27, 2010
It's Been Awhile
Wow. This summer was insane. Lots of fun, but still crazy - I'm somewhat relieved that it's over.
We went on a bunch of cool trips between May and July: Disney World, several camping trips, a week-long camping tour of southwestern Colorado, and Comic-Con in San Diego. For the first time in a few years, I found myself without my laptop+Internet connection for days on end...and I was able to let go of my need to control everything, and actually enjoy relaxing time with my family and friends. It was incredible! [I will get around to blogging about some of these trips...eventually.]
Now that fall is near, school has started for two of my three guys - kindergarten for my oldest kiddo, and second-to-last semester for my hard-working hubby. In a couple of weeks, my baby will start preschool, and I'll be the only one in the house not in school. I get to manage the Family Schedule, chauffer to school/lessons/practice, and maintain our casa. Oh, and work three days a week at my new, totally amazing job at Crossroads Church...and, well, whatever else comes up for us over the next year.
It's going to be a crazy fall, full of changes and new adventures, but we're ready. I think. After I throw in another load of laundry.
We went on a bunch of cool trips between May and July: Disney World, several camping trips, a week-long camping tour of southwestern Colorado, and Comic-Con in San Diego. For the first time in a few years, I found myself without my laptop+Internet connection for days on end...and I was able to let go of my need to control everything, and actually enjoy relaxing time with my family and friends. It was incredible! [I will get around to blogging about some of these trips...eventually.]
Now that fall is near, school has started for two of my three guys - kindergarten for my oldest kiddo, and second-to-last semester for my hard-working hubby. In a couple of weeks, my baby will start preschool, and I'll be the only one in the house not in school. I get to manage the Family Schedule, chauffer to school/lessons/practice, and maintain our casa. Oh, and work three days a week at my new, totally amazing job at Crossroads Church...and, well, whatever else comes up for us over the next year.
It's going to be a crazy fall, full of changes and new adventures, but we're ready. I think. After I throw in another load of laundry.
Book Review: So Cold the River
**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**
This is a review of So Cold the River, by Michael Koryta. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $24.99. ISBN 978-0-31605-363-1.
Synopsis (from the publisher):
It started with a beautiful woman and a challenge. As a gift for her husband, Alyssa Bradford approaches Eric Shaw to make a documentary about her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, a 95-year-old billionaire whose past is wrapped in mystery. Eric grabs the job even though there are few clues to the man's past--just the name of his hometown and an antique water bottle he's kept his entire life.
In Bradford's hometown, Eric discovers an extraordinary history--a glorious domed hotel where movie stars, presidents, athletes, and mobsters once mingled, and hot springs whose miraculous mineral water cured everything from insomnia to malaria. Neglected for years, the resort has been restored to its former grandeur just in time for Eric's stay.
Just hours after his arrival, Eric experiences a frighteningly vivid vision. As the days pass, the frequency and intensity of his hallucinations increase and draw Eric deeper into the town's dark history. He discovers that something besides the hotel has been restored--a long-forgotten evil that will stop at nothing to regain its lost glory. Brilliantly imagined and terrifyingly real, So Cold the River is a tale of irresistible suspense with a racing, unstoppable current.
Analysis:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a great, quick read – suspenseful, with good characters and an intriguing plotline. From the opening chapter, Koryta captures the reader’s attention with vivid descriptions and flawed, but still likeable, characters.
I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks, secondary character points of view, and various characters’ back stories that were intermittently sprinkled throughout the main tale. Koryta uses these tools to move the story, to allow the mystery to unfold, and to foreshadow future discoveries by both the main character, Eric, and the reader. He allows the reader to be just a bit more omniscient than Eric for a good part of the book, while holding back some surprising twists that are revealed with perfect timing.
The supernatural elements of the tale are woven masterfully into the everyday natural events, and might be unbelievable had they not been written with such clear and realistic prose. Koryta’s descriptions bring these elements to life, and his ability to create such vivid scenes keep the reader on the proverbial seat’s edge.
Koryta’s background as a private investigator and newspaper reporter have served him, and his readers, well in his writing career. I will definitely add his previous novels (and any upcoming novels) to my “must read” list.
This is a review of So Cold the River, by Michael Koryta. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $24.99. ISBN 978-0-31605-363-1.
It started with a beautiful woman and a challenge. As a gift for her husband, Alyssa Bradford approaches Eric Shaw to make a documentary about her father-in-law, Campbell Bradford, a 95-year-old billionaire whose past is wrapped in mystery. Eric grabs the job even though there are few clues to the man's past--just the name of his hometown and an antique water bottle he's kept his entire life.
In Bradford's hometown, Eric discovers an extraordinary history--a glorious domed hotel where movie stars, presidents, athletes, and mobsters once mingled, and hot springs whose miraculous mineral water cured everything from insomnia to malaria. Neglected for years, the resort has been restored to its former grandeur just in time for Eric's stay.
Just hours after his arrival, Eric experiences a frighteningly vivid vision. As the days pass, the frequency and intensity of his hallucinations increase and draw Eric deeper into the town's dark history. He discovers that something besides the hotel has been restored--a long-forgotten evil that will stop at nothing to regain its lost glory. Brilliantly imagined and terrifyingly real, So Cold the River is a tale of irresistible suspense with a racing, unstoppable current.
Analysis:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a great, quick read – suspenseful, with good characters and an intriguing plotline. From the opening chapter, Koryta captures the reader’s attention with vivid descriptions and flawed, but still likeable, characters.
I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks, secondary character points of view, and various characters’ back stories that were intermittently sprinkled throughout the main tale. Koryta uses these tools to move the story, to allow the mystery to unfold, and to foreshadow future discoveries by both the main character, Eric, and the reader. He allows the reader to be just a bit more omniscient than Eric for a good part of the book, while holding back some surprising twists that are revealed with perfect timing.
The supernatural elements of the tale are woven masterfully into the everyday natural events, and might be unbelievable had they not been written with such clear and realistic prose. Koryta’s descriptions bring these elements to life, and his ability to create such vivid scenes keep the reader on the proverbial seat’s edge.
Koryta’s background as a private investigator and newspaper reporter have served him, and his readers, well in his writing career. I will definitely add his previous novels (and any upcoming novels) to my “must read” list.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Book Review: Private
**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**
This is a review of Private, by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $27.99. ISBN 978-0-316-09615-7.
Synopsis (from the publisher):
The police can't help you
Former CIA agent Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily--and his staff of investigators uses the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.
The press will destroy you
Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of 18 schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.
Only one place to turn: Private
But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Morgan has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.
Analysis:
It’s no secret, if you’ve read my book reviews, that I love mystery-thrillers. As one of the premier experts in creating tales of suspense and intrigue, Patterson, with Paetro, is continually on my reading list. This newest story takes its place among Patterson’s long line of terrific mysteries, and I sincerely hope the Patterson/Paetro team brings us more of Jack Morgan.
The story opens with a bit of Jack’s background – we learn that he was in the military, that he saw combat, and that he died. Intrigue? Check. We also learn that Jack is sort of the black sheep of his family – his father was in prison, and his brother is the “bad twin. “ Jack is smart; he’s not afraid of hard work, and he puts everything he has – mind, body, soul, and finances – into building his private investigation company into a worldwide resource of the rich and famous. He’s tough, but kind, and inspires the trust of both his clients and his employees.
But we learn that Jack, despite the above, is not perfect. He has commitment issues, and a guilty secret that weighs on him…even though he can’t remember the details. This story brings Jack enlightenment in several different ways – he learns uncomfortable truths about himself, his family and his friends, all while solving crimes and “whodunits” on several fronts.
This book is a fast-paced page-turner, perfect for reading at the beach, by the pool, or on the road. I cannot wait for a sequel...and a movie (Ryan Reynolds has my vote for the lead role).
This is a review of Private, by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $27.99. ISBN 978-0-316-09615-7.
The police can't help you
Former CIA agent Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily--and his staff of investigators uses the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.
The press will destroy you
Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of 18 schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.
Only one place to turn: Private
But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Morgan has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.
Analysis:
It’s no secret, if you’ve read my book reviews, that I love mystery-thrillers. As one of the premier experts in creating tales of suspense and intrigue, Patterson, with Paetro, is continually on my reading list. This newest story takes its place among Patterson’s long line of terrific mysteries, and I sincerely hope the Patterson/Paetro team brings us more of Jack Morgan.
The story opens with a bit of Jack’s background – we learn that he was in the military, that he saw combat, and that he died. Intrigue? Check. We also learn that Jack is sort of the black sheep of his family – his father was in prison, and his brother is the “bad twin. “ Jack is smart; he’s not afraid of hard work, and he puts everything he has – mind, body, soul, and finances – into building his private investigation company into a worldwide resource of the rich and famous. He’s tough, but kind, and inspires the trust of both his clients and his employees.
But we learn that Jack, despite the above, is not perfect. He has commitment issues, and a guilty secret that weighs on him…even though he can’t remember the details. This story brings Jack enlightenment in several different ways – he learns uncomfortable truths about himself, his family and his friends, all while solving crimes and “whodunits” on several fronts.
This book is a fast-paced page-turner, perfect for reading at the beach, by the pool, or on the road. I cannot wait for a sequel...and a movie (Ryan Reynolds has my vote for the lead role).
Book Review: Love in Mid Air
**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**
This is a review of Love in Mid Air, by Kim Wright. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-446-54044-5.
Synopsis (from the publisher):
A chance encounter with a stranger on an airplane sends Elyse Bearden into an emotional tailspin. Suddenly Elyse is willing to risk everything: her safe but stale marriage, her seemingly perfect life in an affluent Southern suburb, and her position in the community. She finds herself cutting through all the instincts that say "no" and instead lets "yes" happen. As Elyse embarks on a risky affair, her longtime friend Kelly and the other women in their book club begin to question their own decisions about love, sex, marriage, and freedom. There are consequences for Elyse, her family, and her circle of close friends, all of whom have an investment in her life continuing as normal. But is normal what she really wants after all? In the end it will take an extraordinary leap of faith for Elyse to find--and follow--her own path to happiness.
An intelligent, sexy, absorbing tale and an honest look at modern-day marriage, Love in Mid Air offers the experience of what it's like to change the course of one's own destiny when finding oneself caught in mid air.
Analysis:
There is something both liberating and frightening about this book. It was difficult for me to read – not because it was trite or wasn’t well-written; in fact, the opposite is true. This book is very well-written, with exceptional plot and character development, and the subject matter is anything but trite. The reason this book was a difficult read for me is that I could see people I know in its shadows. In fact, I have been the person who has, on several occasions, watched someone she cares for make it through the destruction of a loveless marriage. I have seen firsthand the consequences of affairs and betrayal; of two people falling out of love; of the mild madness that settles upon overwhelmed, overworked, undervalued women.
The fact that Elyse and her band of friends are middle class suburbanites brings this story even closer to home, since this is my circle of friends. WE laugh, we cry; we complain about our husbands and our kids, but we never come right out and say that we feel claustrophobic in our lives. I think every mom, working outside the home or not, has felt the panicky suffocation of too much to do, too few hours in the day, and not enough of whatever it is that makes us more than “just a mom,” or “just a wife.” As women, we give ourselves over to our families, beginning with our husbands, trying to fit into a mold of what we think they need, and continuing with our children, destroying our bodies to give them life. We put ourselves last in every aspect of life, and over time, our relationships can fray. While this isn’t necessarily the central theme in the book, Wright’s ability to piant this into the background of the story creates depth and empathy in the story.
What this story does is move beyond the overwhelming life of a mom, into the rarely visited, but no less prolific, life of a dissatisfied wife. Interestingly enough, Elyse doesn’t mind being a mom – she doesn’t use her daughter as a pawn or excuse, and she doesn’t complain about the responsibility. I love that both Elyse and her husband, Phil, are such good and devoted parents; it brings balance, and tells the reader that the problem does, in fact, lie in their dysfunction as a couple.
Wright uses Gerry as the vehicle, the spark that lights the fire under Elyse, spurring her to move beyond simply existing. I like that Wright leaves the ending so open; that Elyse has no illusions or delusions of the nature of her relationship with Gerry, and that she is content with this as it is. I also like the fact that Elyse does not move directly from one dysfunctional relationship into another – too often, I’ve seen real-life examples of this co-dependency, and its consequesnces. Namely, people simply end up with the same type of person, in the same type of life, with the same type of problems that they left. Instead, Wright implies that Elyse is evolving into a new person; that she is stretching and growing, and hopefully, improving.
The friendships between the four women is also true-to-life, from what I’ve seen of people in the world. For the most part, the relationship between the four as a whole is somewhat superficial. In pairs, however, the friendship is deep and meaningful – each individual has a “BFF” with whom she has bonded, and with whom she shares and relies upon more than she does the group as a whole. I think Wright truly understands the nature of women – we are strong and somewhat self-reliant, but we all need that one friend who is there for us, regardless.
This book was well-written, and the story was wonderful.
This is a review of Love in Mid Air, by Kim Wright. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-446-54044-5.
A chance encounter with a stranger on an airplane sends Elyse Bearden into an emotional tailspin. Suddenly Elyse is willing to risk everything: her safe but stale marriage, her seemingly perfect life in an affluent Southern suburb, and her position in the community. She finds herself cutting through all the instincts that say "no" and instead lets "yes" happen. As Elyse embarks on a risky affair, her longtime friend Kelly and the other women in their book club begin to question their own decisions about love, sex, marriage, and freedom. There are consequences for Elyse, her family, and her circle of close friends, all of whom have an investment in her life continuing as normal. But is normal what she really wants after all? In the end it will take an extraordinary leap of faith for Elyse to find--and follow--her own path to happiness.
An intelligent, sexy, absorbing tale and an honest look at modern-day marriage, Love in Mid Air offers the experience of what it's like to change the course of one's own destiny when finding oneself caught in mid air.
Analysis:
There is something both liberating and frightening about this book. It was difficult for me to read – not because it was trite or wasn’t well-written; in fact, the opposite is true. This book is very well-written, with exceptional plot and character development, and the subject matter is anything but trite. The reason this book was a difficult read for me is that I could see people I know in its shadows. In fact, I have been the person who has, on several occasions, watched someone she cares for make it through the destruction of a loveless marriage. I have seen firsthand the consequences of affairs and betrayal; of two people falling out of love; of the mild madness that settles upon overwhelmed, overworked, undervalued women.
The fact that Elyse and her band of friends are middle class suburbanites brings this story even closer to home, since this is my circle of friends. WE laugh, we cry; we complain about our husbands and our kids, but we never come right out and say that we feel claustrophobic in our lives. I think every mom, working outside the home or not, has felt the panicky suffocation of too much to do, too few hours in the day, and not enough of whatever it is that makes us more than “just a mom,” or “just a wife.” As women, we give ourselves over to our families, beginning with our husbands, trying to fit into a mold of what we think they need, and continuing with our children, destroying our bodies to give them life. We put ourselves last in every aspect of life, and over time, our relationships can fray. While this isn’t necessarily the central theme in the book, Wright’s ability to piant this into the background of the story creates depth and empathy in the story.
What this story does is move beyond the overwhelming life of a mom, into the rarely visited, but no less prolific, life of a dissatisfied wife. Interestingly enough, Elyse doesn’t mind being a mom – she doesn’t use her daughter as a pawn or excuse, and she doesn’t complain about the responsibility. I love that both Elyse and her husband, Phil, are such good and devoted parents; it brings balance, and tells the reader that the problem does, in fact, lie in their dysfunction as a couple.
Wright uses Gerry as the vehicle, the spark that lights the fire under Elyse, spurring her to move beyond simply existing. I like that Wright leaves the ending so open; that Elyse has no illusions or delusions of the nature of her relationship with Gerry, and that she is content with this as it is. I also like the fact that Elyse does not move directly from one dysfunctional relationship into another – too often, I’ve seen real-life examples of this co-dependency, and its consequesnces. Namely, people simply end up with the same type of person, in the same type of life, with the same type of problems that they left. Instead, Wright implies that Elyse is evolving into a new person; that she is stretching and growing, and hopefully, improving.
The friendships between the four women is also true-to-life, from what I’ve seen of people in the world. For the most part, the relationship between the four as a whole is somewhat superficial. In pairs, however, the friendship is deep and meaningful – each individual has a “BFF” with whom she has bonded, and with whom she shares and relies upon more than she does the group as a whole. I think Wright truly understands the nature of women – we are strong and somewhat self-reliant, but we all need that one friend who is there for us, regardless.
This book was well-written, and the story was wonderful.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Oceans
Just took the kiddos to see Disneynature's Oceans. Really, really great movie - tons of cool footage, and educational without being too preachy. Zach loved it, and constantly tried to speak over narrator Pierce Brosnan, wanting to share facts about ocean creatures that he's learned from watching Life on the Discovery Channel. Alex, meanwhile, asked if the movie people could put Cars on instead, then fell fast asleep.
I heart my kids.
I must confess to eating movie theater popcorn (I know; less than 24 hours after my post about eating well); however, I would like to state that I limited my intake, and I filled our bellies with a good, healthy lunch beforehand, so as to minimize the popcorn munching. I'm only human.
http://disney.go.com/disneynature/oceans/
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My Own Food Revolution
Jamie Oliver has inspired me. His "Food Revolution" show, website and petition have all encouraged me to rethink the food I serve my family, and the food and drink I put into my own body. Over the past few weeks, I've started making changes to our diet. I've started making chicken nuggets from scratch for the boys - being 3 and almost 5, it's one thing I know they'll eat regardless. I've cut soda from my diet almost completely - this is a big deal, since I had been averaging 32 oz PER DAY prior. Each meal I serve to my kids has one serving of protein, two servings' worth of veg, one serving of fruit, and a dairy. We've cut fast food out almost entirely, the exception being the occasional Chick-Fil-A lunch, Qdoba dinner or Dominio's Pizza.
I've discovered that cooking is rewarding and actually pretty easy. I've even started experimenting - this is the dinner I made tonight:
I've discovered that cooking is rewarding and actually pretty easy. I've even started experimenting - this is the dinner I made tonight:
I had a bunch of mixed veggies, frozen and fresh, left over from previous meals this week. I also had an extra block of tofu - Sprouts had them on sale for 99 cents. So, I threw it all into the wok, and created a stir fry.
Then, I added a Japanese-style sauce I had in the fridge from a previous meal. The recipe is from the Wagamama cookbook Seth brought home from his last business trip to London. I also added a little toasted sesame seed oil, because the soy sauce in the sauce mixture smelled a little overpowering, and I thought the sesame oil would balance it out. I cooked up some buckwheat soba noodles to add to the stir fry. The kids will always eat noodles.
Table is set! I just bought some gorgeous strawberries and blackberries at the store - both on sale, and both perfectly sweet. The boys have been drinking lots of water since we bought them these cool Camelback water bottles.
After tasting mine, I randomly decided to add feta cheese. I know; Japanese-inspired stir fry with tofu...and feta. ??? It was really tasty, though.
Happy boys filled their tummies with this dinner. They ate every bite!
Having watched "Food Revolution" since the first episode, I've learned that food does matter. Even making these small changes has, I feel, made a difference in my family's health and well-being. The boys, thankfully, have always loved veggies, and I want to make sure that continues for the rest of their lives. They're both getting close to being in school; I'll probably send lunch with them when the time comes, so I know what they're eating. My next adventure: growing some of our own veggies in our backyard. We'll see how that goes - gardens are definitely outside my comfort zone!
If you haven't yet, please sign Jamie's petition to change the food served in American schools. It takes 30 seconds, but makes a huge difference. http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution The website has tons of great, easy, TASTY recipes for free, and you can even catch up on the episodes of the show. Thanks, Jamie, for making a difference!! xo
Monday, April 19, 2010
Book Review: How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly
**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**
This is a review of How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly, by Connie May Fowler. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-446-54068-1.
Synopsis: (from the publisher)
How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is the transcendent story of a young woman who, in a twenty-four hour period, journeys through startling moments of self-discovery that lead her to a courageous and life-altering decision.
Analysis:
This book is amazing. From the opening scene, in which we meet Clarissa, her beloved garden, and a whimsical little fly, Ms. Fowler’s use of descriptive language skillfully creates a character whom the reader wants to succeed. The setting, Hope, Florida, is fictitious, as Ms. Fowler notes in the acknowledgements; however, thanks to the picture Ms. Fowler paints on the page, we wipe away imaginary sweat from our brow, and smell the swamp. We feel the oppressive heat, and squint in the brightness of the longest day of the year. The characters are so well-written, they become real to us. We believe that there really is a place where ghosts walk, flies love, angels interact, all while we are oblivious to their presence.
We all know someone like Clarissa, male or female – someone who, while unloved by a significant other, is used by that other for financial security and the easy life of no responsibility. Usually, that person we know is not able to see clearly his or her situation, while we are able to see only too clearly that the relationship is destroying that person. As we get to know Clarissa, and we learn that she is one of those people being used by her husband, we feel a strong urge to join in the disapproving chorus of the “ovarian shadow women” and Olga Villada.
Smart, talented, giving and quietly strong, Clarissa has been abused her entire life – first, by an alcoholic mother; now, by her leech of a husband. She is a successful writer, but suffering writers block; as the story progresses, she realizes she’s not suffering writers block, so much as suffering “life block”. Her husband, Iggy, is an artist. He gallivants around with “models” and lives off Clarissa’s success; although he’s a kept man, Iggy rules the roost. Clarissa is afraid to speak her mind, afraid to stand up to him, and afraid to upset him; when she finally realizes that she has nothing to fear, their dysfunctional relationship begins to unravel, but to Clarissa’s benefit. I found myself encouraging her as she found the courage to do what needed to be done. In the end, her husband got what he deserved, and so did Clarissa.
I loved Ms. Fowler’s use of “ovarian shadow women” as a description and name for the little voices that prompt Clarissa. Listening to the inner voice, the gut instinct that drives us all, is a lesson Clarissa needed to learn; in fact, we all could use the lesson. I also loved “Deepdeep”, an internal manifestation of Deepak Chopra that helped to guide Clarissa when the voices of the shadow women weren’t strong enough. The influence of the ghosts of the Villada-Archer family helped move Clarissa from a loveless relationship with both her husband and herself; their story provided Clarissa with enough inspiration to break through her writers block. The overall themes of redemption and rebirth manifested in various forms – the Villada-Archer ghosts, Larry Dibble, Clarissa the child, the shadow women, the love struck fly and even Deepdeep benefitted from Clarissa’s newfound freedom.
This book makes us believe that anything can be true - that souls do leave their mark, and that we who follow them are affected by the imprint they leave behind; that the scars of our past can be healed; that 24 hours really can change an entire life. It is a great read, perfect for book clubs, the beach or vacation. It’s a must-read for anyone who needs affirmation in her own strength and value.
This is a review of How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly, by Connie May Fowler. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $23.99. ISBN 978-0-446-54068-1.
How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is the transcendent story of a young woman who, in a twenty-four hour period, journeys through startling moments of self-discovery that lead her to a courageous and life-altering decision.
Analysis:
This book is amazing. From the opening scene, in which we meet Clarissa, her beloved garden, and a whimsical little fly, Ms. Fowler’s use of descriptive language skillfully creates a character whom the reader wants to succeed. The setting, Hope, Florida, is fictitious, as Ms. Fowler notes in the acknowledgements; however, thanks to the picture Ms. Fowler paints on the page, we wipe away imaginary sweat from our brow, and smell the swamp. We feel the oppressive heat, and squint in the brightness of the longest day of the year. The characters are so well-written, they become real to us. We believe that there really is a place where ghosts walk, flies love, angels interact, all while we are oblivious to their presence.
We all know someone like Clarissa, male or female – someone who, while unloved by a significant other, is used by that other for financial security and the easy life of no responsibility. Usually, that person we know is not able to see clearly his or her situation, while we are able to see only too clearly that the relationship is destroying that person. As we get to know Clarissa, and we learn that she is one of those people being used by her husband, we feel a strong urge to join in the disapproving chorus of the “ovarian shadow women” and Olga Villada.
Smart, talented, giving and quietly strong, Clarissa has been abused her entire life – first, by an alcoholic mother; now, by her leech of a husband. She is a successful writer, but suffering writers block; as the story progresses, she realizes she’s not suffering writers block, so much as suffering “life block”. Her husband, Iggy, is an artist. He gallivants around with “models” and lives off Clarissa’s success; although he’s a kept man, Iggy rules the roost. Clarissa is afraid to speak her mind, afraid to stand up to him, and afraid to upset him; when she finally realizes that she has nothing to fear, their dysfunctional relationship begins to unravel, but to Clarissa’s benefit. I found myself encouraging her as she found the courage to do what needed to be done. In the end, her husband got what he deserved, and so did Clarissa.
I loved Ms. Fowler’s use of “ovarian shadow women” as a description and name for the little voices that prompt Clarissa. Listening to the inner voice, the gut instinct that drives us all, is a lesson Clarissa needed to learn; in fact, we all could use the lesson. I also loved “Deepdeep”, an internal manifestation of Deepak Chopra that helped to guide Clarissa when the voices of the shadow women weren’t strong enough. The influence of the ghosts of the Villada-Archer family helped move Clarissa from a loveless relationship with both her husband and herself; their story provided Clarissa with enough inspiration to break through her writers block. The overall themes of redemption and rebirth manifested in various forms – the Villada-Archer ghosts, Larry Dibble, Clarissa the child, the shadow women, the love struck fly and even Deepdeep benefitted from Clarissa’s newfound freedom.
This book makes us believe that anything can be true - that souls do leave their mark, and that we who follow them are affected by the imprint they leave behind; that the scars of our past can be healed; that 24 hours really can change an entire life. It is a great read, perfect for book clubs, the beach or vacation. It’s a must-read for anyone who needs affirmation in her own strength and value.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
White House Easter Egg Roll
I just read about the White House Easter Egg Roll that took place yesterday, and I'm green with jealousy at anyone who was lucky enough to attend. Such lucky-ducks not only met the President and his family, but watched the cast of Glee perform, and listened to JK Rowling read from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Seriously, throw in lunch with Ryan Reynolds, and that would knock out half of my "People I'd Most Like to Meet" list in one day. What's a girl gotta do to get an invite like that?
Seriously, throw in lunch with Ryan Reynolds, and that would knock out half of my "People I'd Most Like to Meet" list in one day. What's a girl gotta do to get an invite like that?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Book Review: The Memory Thief
**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**
This is a review of The Memory Thief, by Rachel Keener. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59995-112-6.
Synopsis:
Hannah and Angel have lived totally different lives – Hannah was raised in a strict, religious family, and Angel was raised by poor alcoholics. Yet, both women have experienced the pain of a dysfunctional family, and each struggles to find her own identity. Their paths, by rights, should not have intersected, but the world is a small place. When their lives collide, both Hannah and Angel will learn who she is, and how to heal the wounds life inflicts.
Analysis:
This story is a beautiful, painful tale of misguided love, strength, dependence, and courage. It is as much a cautionary tale as it is a weaving of the past and present on lives. Through Hannah, Angel, and even Mrs. Reynolds’ stories, the reader is simultaneously warned against secret-keeping and lies, and encouraged to keep fighting, to keep hoping. Without hope, without the will to fight, if we subscribe to the lies we are told and allow the infection to spread and fester, our souls will hide away in self-protection. But, with love, with the truth in the open, the infection heals and the soul can emerge, fragile but ready to soar again.
This story, told from several viewpoints, allows the reader to connect dots throughout the story. Many times, the reasons behind events, feelings, actions and reactions of the characters throughout this book are explained or alluded to simply by switching viewpoints to another character. For instance, throughout the story, the reader may feel antagonistic or judgmental against Mrs. Reynolds, as we should, for she certainly has her faults. Near the end of the book, however, we learn a little about what makes Mrs. Reynolds so strict and, let’s face it, a little crazy. It does not, by any means, excuse her behavior; if anything, it adds humanity to the character and perhaps evokes sympathy we might not otherwise feel toward this seemingly callous woman. Interestingly, the author keeps this information to herself until the point at which the lives of the characters have unraveled to the point of near-catastrophe, and the secrets and lies have all but destroyed them.
From the beginning, it is apparent that, although Hannah and Angel have led extremely different lives, with totally different upbringings and families, they have something important in common: neither is allowed to become who she is really meant to become. Both are placed into an ill-fitting mold of someone else’s design, and beaten, literally or figuratively, into submission into these molds. Before long, each is convinced that The Mold is The Truth. The discomfort she feels as a result of her subconscious knowledge that something in her life is not as it should be, is pushed to the back of her mind. It resurfaces, as these things always do, with destructive consequences.
Hannah is the linchpin to the story – her journey is the framework; the beginning and end for each character hangs on Hannah’s story like vines on lattice. The reader is introduced to a shy, sheltered girl who is teased for being different. Immediately, we identify with her, and feel the fire of righteous indignation as we follow her through decades of a ruined life. We exult in her discovery of a talent, and pray that it will be her saving grace. We cautiously hope that finding true love will be the key to unlocking the cage that holds her true self captive, and as the truth of Hannah’s journey comes to light, we sit on the edge of our chairs, waiting for Hannah to see the light herself. For me, Hannah feels like a contemporary; she might be a friend or an acquaintance. I can see myself identifying with her on some level.
Angel is the catalyst of the story. She is the spark that sets change into motion, and when her path finally crosses Hannah’s, the effect is explosive. Throughout Angel’s tale, we pity the girl’s upbringing, cringe at her family’s obvious neglect, and worry for her mental and physical safety and well-being. We want to simultaneously shake her, and take her under our wing. We want to smack her parents and call the authorities, and we hope that someone in Angel’s life will realize that all is not well at home. When her path takes an unexpected turn, we begin to see how things might work out for Angel, if she would only get out of her own way. In the end, Angel brings out the mother in me – I want to protect her, heal her, show her the way to a better life.
Keener has created a beautiful tapestry of lives in this story. Her use of language and accents, her descriptions of people and locations, bring the story to life and add richness to the characters. This book is a great book club book, or vacation read. Be ready with the tissues.
This is a review of The Memory Thief, by Rachel Keener. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59995-112-6.
Hannah and Angel have lived totally different lives – Hannah was raised in a strict, religious family, and Angel was raised by poor alcoholics. Yet, both women have experienced the pain of a dysfunctional family, and each struggles to find her own identity. Their paths, by rights, should not have intersected, but the world is a small place. When their lives collide, both Hannah and Angel will learn who she is, and how to heal the wounds life inflicts.
Analysis:
This story is a beautiful, painful tale of misguided love, strength, dependence, and courage. It is as much a cautionary tale as it is a weaving of the past and present on lives. Through Hannah, Angel, and even Mrs. Reynolds’ stories, the reader is simultaneously warned against secret-keeping and lies, and encouraged to keep fighting, to keep hoping. Without hope, without the will to fight, if we subscribe to the lies we are told and allow the infection to spread and fester, our souls will hide away in self-protection. But, with love, with the truth in the open, the infection heals and the soul can emerge, fragile but ready to soar again.
This story, told from several viewpoints, allows the reader to connect dots throughout the story. Many times, the reasons behind events, feelings, actions and reactions of the characters throughout this book are explained or alluded to simply by switching viewpoints to another character. For instance, throughout the story, the reader may feel antagonistic or judgmental against Mrs. Reynolds, as we should, for she certainly has her faults. Near the end of the book, however, we learn a little about what makes Mrs. Reynolds so strict and, let’s face it, a little crazy. It does not, by any means, excuse her behavior; if anything, it adds humanity to the character and perhaps evokes sympathy we might not otherwise feel toward this seemingly callous woman. Interestingly, the author keeps this information to herself until the point at which the lives of the characters have unraveled to the point of near-catastrophe, and the secrets and lies have all but destroyed them.
From the beginning, it is apparent that, although Hannah and Angel have led extremely different lives, with totally different upbringings and families, they have something important in common: neither is allowed to become who she is really meant to become. Both are placed into an ill-fitting mold of someone else’s design, and beaten, literally or figuratively, into submission into these molds. Before long, each is convinced that The Mold is The Truth. The discomfort she feels as a result of her subconscious knowledge that something in her life is not as it should be, is pushed to the back of her mind. It resurfaces, as these things always do, with destructive consequences.
Hannah is the linchpin to the story – her journey is the framework; the beginning and end for each character hangs on Hannah’s story like vines on lattice. The reader is introduced to a shy, sheltered girl who is teased for being different. Immediately, we identify with her, and feel the fire of righteous indignation as we follow her through decades of a ruined life. We exult in her discovery of a talent, and pray that it will be her saving grace. We cautiously hope that finding true love will be the key to unlocking the cage that holds her true self captive, and as the truth of Hannah’s journey comes to light, we sit on the edge of our chairs, waiting for Hannah to see the light herself. For me, Hannah feels like a contemporary; she might be a friend or an acquaintance. I can see myself identifying with her on some level.
Angel is the catalyst of the story. She is the spark that sets change into motion, and when her path finally crosses Hannah’s, the effect is explosive. Throughout Angel’s tale, we pity the girl’s upbringing, cringe at her family’s obvious neglect, and worry for her mental and physical safety and well-being. We want to simultaneously shake her, and take her under our wing. We want to smack her parents and call the authorities, and we hope that someone in Angel’s life will realize that all is not well at home. When her path takes an unexpected turn, we begin to see how things might work out for Angel, if she would only get out of her own way. In the end, Angel brings out the mother in me – I want to protect her, heal her, show her the way to a better life.
Keener has created a beautiful tapestry of lives in this story. Her use of language and accents, her descriptions of people and locations, bring the story to life and add richness to the characters. This book is a great book club book, or vacation read. Be ready with the tissues.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Brag Alert: My Brilliant Hubby
My hubby is nearly halfway through school. He's getting his MBA, going to school and working full time at his job for a tech company. A lot of people do this; in fact, my husband is in the Professional MBA Program at Colorado State University - a program designed for students who work standard 8-5, Monday through Friday weeks. So, the fact that he's in school and continuing to provide for our family isn't necessarily what makes him so wonderful, although it definitely adds to his wonderfulness.
What makes my hubby so brilliant and wonderful is that he's carrying a near-4.0 while doing all of this. And even though work, classes, studying and homework pretty much run our schedule these days, he still does whatever he can to make sure he gets quality time with the kids and me. Most importantly, he doesn't complain about being tired, or stressed, or burnt out. He knows that furthering his education means the opportunity to do more in the world, and to continue to provide for us. It's making him a better person, even if he doesn't know it yet.
What makes my hubby so brilliant and wonderful is that he's carrying a near-4.0 while doing all of this. And even though work, classes, studying and homework pretty much run our schedule these days, he still does whatever he can to make sure he gets quality time with the kids and me. Most importantly, he doesn't complain about being tired, or stressed, or burnt out. He knows that furthering his education means the opportunity to do more in the world, and to continue to provide for us. It's making him a better person, even if he doesn't know it yet.
Book Review: Waking Up in the Land of Glitter
**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**
Star’s family-owned restaurant is known for its food and promotion of local artists. Having been raised somewhat unconventionally by her hippie parents, Star is a free spirit, flitting from one idea to the next, and lacking in follow-through. One fateful night, Star’s inability to settle down sparks a chain of events that turn her life upside down. In addition to several ultimatums delivered by her father, Star is required to chair a committee charged with creating a centerpiece for an upcoming nationally-renowned and highly attended craft show call the Craft Olympics…then, duplicate the centerpiece for each table. The committee consists of Star, her best friend and crafting addict Ofie, teen handbag designer Benecio, and local television celebrity Crafty Chloe. Therapy and self-discovery comes unexpectedly to each member through the centerpiece committee.
Analysis:
The beginning of the novel is a little tough to follow and somewhat confusing, but once more of the details are revealed, it makes sense. The characters are funny and tragic, and full of life – from Star’s hippie parents and their eccentricities, to Ofie’s husband and daughter’s unconditional love for Ofie. The shenanigans the characters get into make the reader both laugh and cringe. We feel sorry for Ofie, and guilty, because we’ve all had that moment where we realize we haven’t been a good friend to a good friend. We want to shake Star, and tell her it’s time to become a mature adult, and we cheer when she finally “gets” herself. We mentally cover our eyes at Chloe’s Janus act, and brace ourselves for the impact from her inevitable crash and burn – and grin when she picks herself back up.
Throughout the novel, the strength, dreams, fears, insecurities and skills of each character emerge; the characters learn that each has a place in the three-sided friendship. Together, the group accomplishes more than any of them thought they could, and more than each might accomplish on her own. I liked the underlying thread of the story – that friends need to lean on one another, and to love each other for who each one is as an individual and for what she brings to the group as a whole.
This novel is a fun, fast read; anyone who has any experience with making crafts will appreciate the journey that Star, Chloe and Ofie make, and the bumps they encounter along the way. I appreciated being included in a culture that is completely different from my own, yet shares some similarities. Most of all, I loved that glitter was sprinkled throughout the entire book.
This is a review of Waking Up in the Land of Glitter, by Kathy Cano-Murillo. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $13.99. ISBN 978-04465-09-24-4.
Synopsis:
Star’s family-owned restaurant is known for its food and promotion of local artists. Having been raised somewhat unconventionally by her hippie parents, Star is a free spirit, flitting from one idea to the next, and lacking in follow-through. One fateful night, Star’s inability to settle down sparks a chain of events that turn her life upside down. In addition to several ultimatums delivered by her father, Star is required to chair a committee charged with creating a centerpiece for an upcoming nationally-renowned and highly attended craft show call the Craft Olympics…then, duplicate the centerpiece for each table. The committee consists of Star, her best friend and crafting addict Ofie, teen handbag designer Benecio, and local television celebrity Crafty Chloe. Therapy and self-discovery comes unexpectedly to each member through the centerpiece committee.
Analysis:
The beginning of the novel is a little tough to follow and somewhat confusing, but once more of the details are revealed, it makes sense. The characters are funny and tragic, and full of life – from Star’s hippie parents and their eccentricities, to Ofie’s husband and daughter’s unconditional love for Ofie. The shenanigans the characters get into make the reader both laugh and cringe. We feel sorry for Ofie, and guilty, because we’ve all had that moment where we realize we haven’t been a good friend to a good friend. We want to shake Star, and tell her it’s time to become a mature adult, and we cheer when she finally “gets” herself. We mentally cover our eyes at Chloe’s Janus act, and brace ourselves for the impact from her inevitable crash and burn – and grin when she picks herself back up.
Throughout the novel, the strength, dreams, fears, insecurities and skills of each character emerge; the characters learn that each has a place in the three-sided friendship. Together, the group accomplishes more than any of them thought they could, and more than each might accomplish on her own. I liked the underlying thread of the story – that friends need to lean on one another, and to love each other for who each one is as an individual and for what she brings to the group as a whole.
This novel is a fun, fast read; anyone who has any experience with making crafts will appreciate the journey that Star, Chloe and Ofie make, and the bumps they encounter along the way. I appreciated being included in a culture that is completely different from my own, yet shares some similarities. Most of all, I loved that glitter was sprinkled throughout the entire book.
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