Amateur Book Clubber

I'm starting to read (or re-read in some cases) again. I'm thinking in these last couple of months I'll really need to get back on the train because my reading-for-fun days will soon wind down and be replaced with reading about why my baby won't sleep/eat/poop and how I can save my sanity/marriage/child's life. But maybe that's just me?

Anyway, this summer began with a newly formed book club group (thankfully). So far this summer I've enjoyed The Book Thief by Mark Zusak (again), Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns, and These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. I'm also concurrently reading Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff and Tipperary by Frank Delaney (both are great so far, but I'll put up a full review once done. Publishing this posts also helps make me accountable for my goal, so I'll probably actually finish reading them now. I'm so good at working psychology on myself!).

The Book Thief is one of my all-time favorite books. I love the narration, the imagery, and the writing. Who knew that a book narrated by death about the Holocaust could be so beautiful? Here is one of my favorite passages:

Cold Sassy Tree was okay. The plot is interesting enough, despite being pretty predictable. Burns really worked hard on writing it colloquially. The narrator is a boy (Will) in his early teens in the South and she writes just like how he would talk. That was tough for me to get into, but she found a nice rhythm with it. I like her theme of life vs. death and focus on family. When Will seems a little beyond his years, she puts in some great comedic relief to remind the reader that this really is a young boy with teenage thoughts and actions.

These Is My Words was wonderful. This goes down as a favorite, as I'm sure I will reread it. I love her characters, their trials, and their love story. Move over, Romeo and Juliet, Sarah and Captain Jack are in town. Her foreshadowing was well-written and not too obvious (in the form of dreams and other events), and I particularly latched onto her themes of endurance and education. Pick it up ASAP if you haven't read it - and if it's been over a year, pick it up again.

Amateur Announcements

By now, I'm sure you've given up on me. First there's my sporadic posting, then you probably think I'm losing my ability to read, seeing as how I haven't reviewed a single book since October.

Well, I've been reading. To be sure, a lot of e-mails (does that count?), and I dutifully scour every month of Real Simple from cover-to-cover (thanks, Aunt Christy!). But I've slowly been making my way through this little gem since January:

No need to adjust your screen, folks. What you see is true - if all goes well, we plan on becoming a set of amateur parents come August.

Sometimes, I still can't believe it myself. Then I try to put on a pair of jeans and I'm quickly reminded of my dear, sweet, growing fetus.

We discovered the news the morning of Christmas Eve - could you really ask for a better gift? If you can, don't answer that; because I'm positive there's nothing more exciting, heart-warming, and fulfilling than those two lines (or plus sign or digital "pregnant," whichever the case may be). Of course, I had to buy two (or three) of each test and take one every other day to reconfirm. Me, worrisome? Never.

Needless to say, we are pretty excited and definitely nervous. Is anyone ever really ready for this step? Here goes nothing, I suppose.

So with all of the baby-prep reading and recent wearing of hand-me-down maternity clothes (thanks, Amanda!), we needed something more to complete our transition from a family of two to a family of three:

Thanks to Realtor Paul, the most awesome guy around, for the pic after our final walk-through, just before closing.

We now live the American dream (paying a mortgage) and are VERY amateur home owners. So, for what it is worth, I totally read a lot in February (we closed on the 28th), considering how much I signed my life away to Wells Fargo and made sure to insure our most recent pricey acquisition.

Another very exciting, however very nerve-wracking event for the books, my friends.

And just in case we want to paint one of our three bedrooms (come on over, visitors!) for our new arrival, I got in some decent practice last weekend with our basement and dining room (sneak peek of more to come, I promise):

Basement before and after:

Dining room before and after:

What says home ownership more than a few self-painted rooms? Maybe a little water from a recent rain storm in the basement, right? Got that covered, too. Thankfully, it wasn't a lot and all we need to do is fix the gutter. Insert a light (but not heavy, mind you - not there, yet) sigh of relief here.

As you can see, it has been a pretty crazy new year thus far for us - Scott started a new job on Jan 31st, We bought a house on February 28th, and we hope to find out the gender of our wee one March 28th. Add to that a couple of new church callings for us both and you've got yourself some fairly decent reasons for me not updating you all.

I know... excuses, excuses, right? But aren't they pretty decent ones?

Anyway, thanks for bearing with me if you're still checking up on us every once in a while. We sure do love you guys.

Amatuer Dinner Conversation

Talking about one's daily high and low point was a common break-the-ice question asked among BYU co-eds (at least in my day). Answers ranged from terrible exams and over sleeping to gifts of homemade cookies and a sweet new job on campus. I now continue to pose the question, typically around dinner time, mostly interested the daily happening of my family, but also just to spur some decent conversation. While my husband detests it (his low usually consists of me asking the question), I love it. With that, here are a few recent highs and lows:

First, many food highs (shocking, I know!) soft pretzels from work's "Recharge Wednesday" (aka extended cafeteria hours); then a meal which included a french cheese plater, escargot, ratatouille, and creme brulee. Let's just I'm saving up for round two. 

Unfortunately, there was a food low where a terrible raspberry soufflé got even worse when we attempted to save it with chocolate. The pictures are too graphic and disappointing. No one really wants to remember such a sad event.

Moving on with some more highs, not only did I get to visit Panama City, FL (aka heaven) again for work...

...but I also went to see this year's tour of So You Think You Can Dance. I'm thinking the American Idol Live concert this summer was a gateway drug to such behavior. None the less, those dancers are crazy awesome.

Another high was reading Julia Child's My Life in France (read it, asap. France + food + Julia Child = a party in 300+ pages).

The reading low was Diane Rehm's autobiography, Finding My Voice. Diane is one of my heroes, so I had some pretty high expectations. If you love her, just continue listening to her. Do NOT read her. Let's just say a great radio personality does not translate well into great literature. If you've never heard her show, check it out! I promise you, it will not disappoint.

So, what are some of your highs and lows from the last few weeks? I'm thinking my high today is realizing how sneaky I am with this awesome 3-in-1 post. Food, concert, and books all in one night! Aren't you lucky?

Amateur Reader

Yes, I know it is the middle of the month. Give a gal a break.

What I read in August:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett and The Kids are All Right by the Welch children.

First, The Help.

The Help has long been on my list - from various good ratings on GoodReads, a great interview with Diane Rehm, and a mention from Scott's cousin last year. I finally put it on hold at the library and am so glad I did.

To answer my friend Allison's voice-mail (also a day late and a dollar short), yes, I would definitely recommend this for book club. I would have loved to discuss this with others! I'll start my review with my favorite quote from the book:

“In the kitchen I fix some grits without no seasoning, and put them baby marshmallows on top. I toast the whole thing to make it a little crunchy. Then I garnish it with a cut-up strawberry. That’s all a grit is, a vehicle. For whatever it is you rather be eating.”

I think this quote is a great presentation of Stockett. She has a few different narrators, all female, but at opposite ends of the southern spectrum at the height of the civil rights movement in the Sixties. One is a single, white, young adult (Skeeter) and the others are older black maids (Minny and Aibileen). The premise is as follows: Skeeter, restless upon college graduation and subsequent unemployment (all resulting in living back home with her parents), approaches Aibileen about helping her write a book. An anonymous book filled with stories from black maids about their experience with various white families, and especially their relationship with their white female employers. Some stories are terrible - always getting blamed for stealing, raising and loving children who are taught to hate these women, etc. However, most are uplifting - most white women realize that couldn't do a think without their help. That their maids are in actuality their cornerstone, their confidants, and a true friend. This anonymous book is a vehicle for their emotions - the stories flow from these women like the milk and honey Moses received in the desert. Some of the stories are topped with ugly, decaying moldy bread; others with the aforementioned marshmallow and strawberries (and a crunch. Every story has a bite to it, to be sure). Each one has it's own flavor and texture. Each woman has her own, unique voice. It is a beautiful story with wonderful characters. Kudos to you, Stockett, for a job well done.

Next, The Kids are All Right

It was okay. I adored Diane Rehm's interview with the all of the kids (another Diane-inspired pick), so decided to see it all for myself. Their story is a sad one - father dies suddenly, leaving his widow with 4 young kids (5 to 16, roughly). Not only does his surprising death send them into a tailspin, but he left them with loads of debt; and they only come to discover that their mother has cancer. She also dies after barely surviving many invasive treatments, leaving them (for all intents and purposes) orphans a few years later. This book captures their look back on those years and beyond, with sections written by each child. It is interesting to look at how the same memories differ, and how each child deals with the situations before them in their very unique and individual way. Liz and Diana are writers by trade, so their portions are more lengthy and better written, but not stellar. It is a quick read, and I am on a huge memoir kick right now, so I liked it well enough. Two stars. If you're running out of things to read, love the eighties and the upper class society of New England, then this your book. If not, listen to the interview. It is a riot.

Happy reading! I've picked up two memoirs again for this month, so be prepared.

Amateur Reader II

It is that time again, folks. Here is the monthly reading round up for you (albeit short and sweet):

June was the month of memoirs. Specifically, I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced; Hands of My Father: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love; and The Story of My Life: an Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky.

First up, I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced.

3.5 Stars. Very quick read; most of the time you don't want to put it down because you want to know what happens to this poor girl. While quick, it is not always easy in the sense of how horrifying Nujood's situation is. My question is how much of the voice is Nujood and how much is it of the journalist, Delphine Minoui? If it is more of the journalist (which makes more sense to me), I wish she would have provided more general background information along with the present context of Yemen.

However, the writer does portray the great strength of Nujood. She is an amazing girl with an incredible life story, and definitely worth your time. 

Now, The Story of My Life: an Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky.

3 out of 5 stars. According to Goodreads.com, "I liked it." And that I did. I didn't really like it, or love it for that matter, but it was better than just "okay." I don't know about you, but I love nonfiction memoirs of women from the Middle East/Asia. Their life, which for all intents and purposes IS so foreign, intrigues me. Ahmedi's particular story kind of draws out, and just like with Nujood's book, I would've liked more background and contextual writing. Sometimes, despite her tragic young life, she takes on a very selfish and whiny voice, which really bothers me. I guess she gets credit for being so raw? I don't know. I think my biggest problems are more editorial based, so I blame the editor more than anyone else here for a bad review.

Any way, despite the tragedy, I found myself laughing out loud to some of the anecdotal sentiments of moving to a new and completely foreign land. It helped move things along.

All in all, what the book did for me the most was instill a sense of gratitude for being born and raised an American. Our freedoms, pleasures, and opportunities are amazing. However, in the end, if you had to choose between Nujood and Story of My Life, I would definitely pick Nujood. Sorry, Farah. Perhaps I was a little over zealous with 3 stars? 2 star ratings just make me feel bad.

Last but not least, Hands of My Father: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love.

4 out of 5. I'm almost willing to go to a solid 4.5, I liked it that much. I laughed, I cried, I got angry; you really run through the gamut of emotions with Uhlberg. He does an excellent job of painting a picture of his own emotions, caught between two worlds: child/adult, hearing/deaf. While I'm sure Uhlberg's life story it not unique, I feel like we don't read or see much about this kind of life situation.

Growing up in WWII era Brooklyn, the reader can experience Uhlberg's childhood right along with him. You feel his awkwardness when people call his father a dummy; his frustration when trying to interpret a conversation between his father and the butcher; his childish mischievousness when thinking he can get away with certain troublesome acts. What is more, you can feel the great love and respect he has for his family. Just thinking back on it, I get a lump in my throat. Uhlberg not only puts a smile on your face, but truly pulls at your heart strings, rewarding you with a delicious, filling history of a very special family of four.

Read this when you can, you won't regret it.

So, how was your month of books? Anything good?

Amateur Reader

Supposedly, I'm a "reader." I've been in a book club, read MANY books in college, and thoroughly enjoyed the entire Baby-Sitters Club series in the nineties (obviously, my fate was sealed early on in life). I even held a "dress as your favorite book character" themed birthday party! But we can talk about that one later. Or maybe never. Any way, some of my favorite past times are falling asleep and/or eating (not simultaneously!) while reading reading (what can I say, I detest being left alone in my thoughts during mundane tasks of survival).

Sadly, I let this hobby drop upon obtaining my bachelor's degree (and a husband). The ability to be entertained while remaining entirely passive presented itself in pretty, witty, and easily squandered half hour and hour chunks. Eating? Grab the TV tray. Trouble sleeping? TBS must be playing some movie to put you to rest. So easy! And you don't need nearly as much brain activity!

I digress.

So, my TV-watching guilt overcame me this month and resulted in two forms:

 

I've read Anne Tyler before and liked it (Digging to America). I haven't read Jhumpa Lahiri, but I know it was made into a movie, so figured these two would be the best way to segue from a passive sedentary life to an active sedentary life. Or maybe they were the only two available in the library from my never ending "to-read list" a la Goodreads.

First, The Namesake. This gets a solid 4/5 stars; I more than liked it. Lahiri presents a quick and easy read with some great poetic moments. While it feels like a stereotypical look into the life of an Indian immigrant (but what do I know, really. I guess stereotypes happen for a reason?), I still feel like I learned something more about human nature.

You can tell that her strength is short stories (Interpreter of Maladies), because at times this feels like a bunch of short stories of the same family tied together. The plot does flow (albeit bumpy at time), thanks to Lahiri's ability to set a consistent tone.

All in all, a great read.

Next up, Anne Tyler. This is her 334th book or something (I exaggerate). But seriously, the woman writes. She kept me guessing a lot with this one - trying to figure out each character, their ties to one another, background, etc. She begins in media res (in the middle of things), which almost actually lost my interest. It started of too busy and confusing for my poor, TV-ridden brain.

This isn't Anne's best. There were many times where I just wanted to give it up; HOWEVER, I'm glad I waited it out until the end. I think she hones in on a theme that we all think about - how life could/would have been different if ________ (you fill in the blank). Her characters aren't super likable, and her plot is moderately boring. Yet, her thematic genius pulls though. Not only does she focus on the aforementioned, but also on the cause and effect of self-reinvention (another overarching theme of the human race).

This one gets two out five stars from me. It was okay. But kudos for writing a bajillion books, most of which are pretty awesome.

What did you read this month? Did you like it? If you didn't read any thing, I highly recommend getting off your duff to head to the library, then get back on your duff at home.

Thanks for participating in the first edition of Amateur Reader! Who knows when it will happen again.