Sisterland

Relationships with sisters can be complicated--as anyone who has sisters knows. On one hand, sisters are the greatest thing ever. I always know I can ask my sisters anything, count on them to understand the nuances of family in ways even the closest of friends might not, and there is definitely no better joke than the inside jokes emerging from a lifetime of sisterhood! On the other hand, the things that often drive us craziest about ourselves, can be those same qualities that sisters share, having been similarly nurtured. Therefore, our sisters can drive us crazy in ways that we permit ourselves to react to because, after all, they are our sister and so we have the "family trump card" that allows us to argue with them like no one else and know that they are required to still love us! At the bottom of all of the complexity and nuance, however, relationships with sisters are extremely special and something I know I value deeply.

I write this preface to argue why anyone with a sister absolutely must read Curtis Sittenfeld's Sisterland. What I anticipated would be light summer reading was absolutely a fun beach read, but, for those with sisters, it beautifully captured a relationship that is enduring, special, and perfect, despite all of the craziness that it encompasses. A great summer read and one I absolutely recommend!

Decisions, Decisions...

Via Pinterest...

Well, I am off for my first day of summer classes in a little while, but, in the meantime, I have been thinking a lot about decisions and decision making. Do you have trouble making decisions, or I am the only one who hems and haws over these things? I know all of the conventional advice; meditate (my mind is too talkative), take a walk in the woods (slightly difficult in New York City), talk to a friend (yeah, you get way too many options out of that option!). Sigh...It's always hard to weigh your options, especially when faced with opportunities that seem enticing. Hopefully, I will sort things out before my Friday decision deadline...Yikes!

Via Pinterest 

On another note, I just finished a nice light read last night, which required very little thinking whatsoever, and that I read in one sitting thanks to the jetlag that kept me up well after midnight. If you are looking for a beach read in the romantic comedy vein I would definitely suggest Beth Kendrick's novel The Bake Off. This novel is a must for those with siblings.

Happy Reading!

The Latest in Speculative Fiction

Apologies for the lack of posting yesterday... It was the last day with students, and thus the unofficial end of the school year, so I took the day off from blogging!

Just a quick post to discuss my latest read:

One of my students recommended the "Young Adult" books from The Chemical Garden Trilogy and, since the book made the summer reading list, I decided that it was time to read it. I began with the first book of the series by Lauren DeStefano, Wither.

So, at first I must admit that I was profoundly disturbed at the thought of this book being a "teen read." This work of speculative fiction begins with the eerie premise that, after developing human beings that are born without any potential for disease development, something goes terrible wrong and humans only live into their twenties, with males living five years longer than females. As scientists race to determine how to stop the virus that kills the population in their twenties, the disparities between the wealthy and the poor lend to a world in which the rich take on many wives (poor women hand selected by "Gatherers") in order to begin the production of a well of offspring who will hopefully be immune to the deadly virus.

From the not so subtle rape references to a character who heads blindly and happily into being a "bridesister," I immediately had huge issues with the series. However, upon reading the book in its entirety, I think that the disturbing gender dynamics of the society are dealt with in a more Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale, way than I originally expected. For this reason, and the fact that the main character is fairly "empowered" and acutely aware of the fallacy of the gender dynamics in her society, I think that this is actually a really teachable text and, while I wouldn't necessarily want to see a young reader undertake it on their own without discussion, I do think that the potential discussion engendered from this book could be rich and advantageous! Essentially, the application of a feminist reading to this novel would offer a high interest approach to discussions about gender, class, and technology (there is even an allusion to Shelley's Frankenstein in one scene). So, for this reason, I recommend this book, with the caveat that a discussion must follow!

Happy Reading!

The Power of Memoir

A door that demands to be heard in Barcelona, Spain 

The last unit of study with the freshman in my school is on memoir writing. I love teaching writing, as my students have so many incredible stories to tell.

I run this class like a writing workshop where we listen to music (today was classical guitar!), write, and ultimately sit in a circle and share out a line or the entire piece. The stories that organically emerge are ones that are powerful and transformative. I also think that it is cathartic to slam thoughts at a non-judgmental piece of paper and then, perhaps, tentatively, begin to share.

This morning, one of my students came running in and said, "I know what I am going to write my memoir about!" She wound up sharing two paragraphs of her piece at the end of class: Over the weekend, she witnessed a man violently beating his girlfriend. She stood in the window and watched, begging her mother to call the 911, but her mother said it was "none of their business." Breathless from her passionate retelling, she paused to say softly, but with a firm resolve, "I will remember this the rest of my life. I know I will."

In addition to teaching memoir, I am currently midway through my latest read, which is also a memoir. If this book were in paper form, the dog-eared pages would look like an accordion.

Anna Quindlen is an author with whom I have a superficial relationship, as I have only read one of her books and here I am diving voyeuristically into her life. That said, this is a memoir that has gripped me from the first page. As she looks back on her life, she writes about the importance of friends and of love, and the unimportance of things and of status...but I have read many authors who proclaim these same virtues. For me, what makes this book special is her ability to share those mundane moments we all experience which, though her mundane may be different than my own, still resonate powerfully.

The two images from her life that have struck me most so far were first, her description of her relationship with her husband:


"We're not two hearts that beat as one (In any marriage I've ever known in which two hearts beat as one, the one is his. Here's to you Abigail Adams.) Instead we're two strong minded people who have divergent talents and habits. Gerry loves the fall and hates the heat; I prefer the summer and I am sanguine about humidity...He balances his checkbook, and I'm pretty sure that everything will come out okay at the end of the month.


...He's mainly Irish, which means loyalty is somewhere between a physical reflex and a neurological response. He holds a grudge against anyone who has done me wrong. He may not remember our social schedule or the name of some of our kids' friends, but he never forgets who wrote a bad review of my last book. And woe betide that individual if they ever met him at a cocktail party. I like that in a man. Actually, I love that in a man."


Now, while I am not a big fan of attributing certain qualities to people based on heritage, the overall message was powerful. That, and I had to laugh as I thought of how the opposite, often cacophonous rhythms of M. and I are often what makes it all work.

The second part of this memoir that really resonated with me was Quindlen's description of her girlfriends, as I feel so lucky to have the people in my life that I do. I found myself nodding as I read this:


"Ask any woman how she makes it through her day, and she may mention her calendar, her to-do lists, her babysitter...But if you push her on how she really makes it through her day, or, more important, her months and years, how she stays steady when things get rocky, who she calls when the doctor says, "I'd like to run a few more tests" or when her son moves in with the girl she's never much liked or trusted, she won't mention any of those things. She will mention her girlfriends. The older we get, the more we understand that the women who know and love us--and love us despite what they know about us--are the joists that hold up the house of our existence. Everything depends on them."

Once again, while I am not a big fan of the gender-binary look at women and men that Quindlen carries throughout her book, I really love her message. She goes on to share a hilarious anecdote about the friend she has talked to nearly every day since high school and how her husband frequently asks her, "What on earth do you two talk about every day?" and how this reminds her of being in high school with her dad asking her, "What on earth do you two talk about every day?" I laughed out loud as I thought  of M. asking me, "What on earth do you two talk about every day?"

As I read on, I am looking forward to more tidbits of wisdom and mirrored experiences. This is a book in which Quindlen reflects on various stages of her life, and I imagine as I reach those disparate stages in my own life, this is a book I will return to again and again. Memoir, in the least, is a reminder that we are not alone. Our experiences are shared and, as Quindlen asserts, we should appreciate all of the candles and cake in our life and not worry too much about all of the other stuff.

Happy Reading!

Summah Summah Summah Time...

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!! Despite one minor annoyance, this weekend was lovely! The weather was picture perfect and it was a great kick-off to summer!

I definitely recommend Miss Timmons' School for Girls. The plot was compelling and full of intrigue. From the opening page, the reader is drawn into the events of a night in the narrator's past...As characters come forward, readers are swept into a journey to figure out what happened to the body that mysteriously washed up on the shore one fateful night. A fascinating read filled with vivid and lyrical language. This was my poolside read on Saturday, as I lounged with the fam catching up, eating cupcakes, and enjoying conversation and the warm sun. I also got some great new recommendations from my librarian sister that I am excited to read and share.

A poolside cherry chocolate cupcake with the fam

Woke up to a delicious brunch at M.'s family's house on Sunday. The brunch was a tasty juxtaposition of sweet and savory flavors. For sweet, there was apple stuffed French toast, freshly baked banana bread, and a colorful fruit salad in Memorial Day weekend-appropriate colors--delicious and patriotic! For savory, there was the most flavorful yet light crab quiche. Yum...Yeah M.'s mom is kind of Martha Stewart--minus the financial scandal and prison time!

After brunch we headed out to enjoy the charms of a quaint New England seaside town. After a lovely stroll around the town (where I dreamed of future beach houses!), we had a glass of Rose on the dock with M.'s parents as we sat overlooking a peaceful harbor filled with passing sailboats.

Love beach roses!

Sights along our beachside stroll...

Seaside cottage?? Yes, please!

A red, white, and blue Adirondack chair to commemorate Memorial Day

My train ride home reading, which continued the beach house dreaming...

This morning, back in New York City, M. and I went to brunch at one of our favorite neighborhood places, and enjoyed a stroll around a quiet, almost desolate (well, by NYC terms) city. All in all, a lovely weekend and I hope that all of your weekends were just as restful, relaxing, and rejuvenating! Welcome Summer!!

IPhone photo with turn-around camera feature=Distorted head shapes and sizes! 

Friday Footnotes

Last week's Friday Footnotes were a little late. This week's Friday Footnotes are a little early in anticipation of a long weekend of fun...

Here's what I am loving on this Memorial Day weekend Friday...

The Official Kick-Off of Summer...Planning to head out of the city for the weekend to spend some time with the family lounging by the pool and, perhaps, sneaking in a wine tasting and a picnic at a local vineyard. 

Plans to Make my First Visit to a New York City Beach...Believe it or not (those who pay any attention to pollution in New York City will probably believe it), I have never been to a local beach. A friend is organizing a beach trip this Memorial Day and I am excited to sit on the subway for a long time in order to see what an authentic NYC boardwalk looks like...

Yeah, I'm guessing it won't look anything like this San Diego beach...

Brunches: The book I just finished pokes fun at brunch calling it an activity that one should only do when they are too old to do anything else. I wholeheartedly disagree as I love brunch and brunching. Looking forward to a couple of brunches on this summer weekend opener...

Frenchie's face when he realizes we are going to Connecticut: It is hands down his favorite place and he makes it known when he jumps into his carry-on bag to head home...

He might look sad here but...

P.S. Last night's Pony Bar excursion has me excited about our new local watering hole...

Happy Friday and Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Enjoy your barbecues, beach trips, and books!  

A Story of Fulfillment

Absolutely in love with my latest read...

The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman is delicious! I have seen a lot of criticism about the book, but, despite its flaws, it is an engaging read and I really enjoyed the unraveling of the tale. The two sisters in the story, so decidedly different--one sister a philosophy graduate student working at a book store and engaging in activism for Save the Trees, the other a twenty-something MIT graduate building an empire in Silicon Valley during the dot com boom--allow for themes of the tension between consumerism and fulfillment to unfold through the stories of their disparate lives. While there are a lot of plots within this story, I personally found that each character's sub story contributed thematically to Goodman's explorations of what fulfills, what satiates, and what happens when personal fulfillment is not satisfied. Loved. Loved. Loved.

Train Travel Titles

Sometimes I feel as though I spend my life on trains; subways, MetroNorth, Amtrak, Shoreline East. If the scenery is nice, train travel is relaxing and even enjoyable; however, holiday weekend departures on trains out of New York City deserve a circle in Dante's hell...I already have a minute-by-minute plan as to how I am getting out of the city along with the millions of other people who are involved in the urban desertion that commences Memorial Day weekend. I wish I was kidding, but I am not. The train tickets are bought and sitting on the desk so I can avoid the long ticket lines. I have an end of the day "action plan" for my route out of the building and down to Grand Central. We have a contingency plan for the great suitcase handoff--whereupon, M. will meet me with a suitcase that I cannot possibly lug to school. I even have food rations and water supplies present and accounted for. I won't even get started on the dog travel plans...all I am going to say is that our dog has a terrible flatulence problem when he is feeling relaxed, and, for some reason, cramped, confined train travel makes him feel like he has just completed a three hour bikram yoga class...

While I am still reading The Corrections, I have also picked up another novel in anticipation of the long weekend ahead where I will be engaging in some train travel and, therefore, some intensive reading sessions to pass the time and fall into a fictive world where masses of people are not crowded into my personal space.


Miss Timmins' School for Girls by Nayana Gurrimbhoy, is a novel that I thought was going to be a lot like another favorite read, The Secret History, but this murder mystery novel set at a boarding school is taking a decidedly different turn. I am really enjoying it so far and will have updates on both of these books after my weekend of travels.

Happy reading...

Adventures on the F Train

It is not often that I take the F train, but a providential turn of events, or rather, subway work on the 4, resulted in a Saturday evening adventure on the F train down to Cobble Hill. This weekend was the LitCrawl in Brooklyn, an event where different bars, universities, bookstores, and restaurants host readings of various new(er) authors, or even acted out scenes from books for a live (drinking) audience.

M. and I headed to 61 Local to catch the latter end of the event. First of all, the crowd was eclectic and entertaining. I have never seen so many literary tattoos. Second, the venue was great. There is something about the space of a Brooklyn bar that is just so refreshing after the cramped spaces of Manhattan. Third of all, the beer was delicious. I had the Six Point "Brownstone" and it was dark and hoppy. Beyond all of these surface aesthetics, there was the focal point of the evening: The books! And...even better...the authors! I dream of the day when I my books will crawl...!

Here were a couple of my favorite profiled books:

Moby Dick in Pictures: One Drawing for Every Page by Matt Kish: I mean, that is sort of white whale worthy feat in and of itself, no? 

The Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide by Eva Talmadge and Justin Taylor: Really cool picture of tattoos inspired by books.

Sorry for the lack of pictures...I felt decidedly uncool whipping a camera out. 

Now I totally want to go to the San Francisco version of this event, which happens in October; however, if I can't make that (which will probably be the case), I will happily attend the September 15th Manhattan version...I guess I'll just have to deal with the cramped spaces...

Happy Reading! 

Friday Footnotes (On Saturday Morning)

Yesterday was busy, busy and therefore, "Friday Footnotes" needed to be done over Saturday morning coffee! It is a gorgeous day in New York City and I am headed out for a walk in a moment, but in the meantime, here are some things that I am loving on this lovely day:

LitCrawl Brooklyn "Where Literature Hits the Streets:" Heading to Cobble Hill tonight to hear some book readings while sipping on some cocktails! There is nothing I love more than events that surround books, readings, and wine!

Image Via

Paper Source: The other day while taking a different route home from work, I discovered that one of my favorite paper stores is coming to a neighborhood near my place of employment in June...Yay! That said, since that won't happen until June, I figured that this afternoon, before I head over to the LitCrawl, I will make a stop at the Brooklyn location. In love with this bicycle gift wrap! Until I have the patience to make my own, like this adorable Etsy shop craftsperson, I will stick to Paper Source's cute paper...

Speaking of bicycles, how fun is this necklace I ordered from this Etsy shop?!

San Francisco: Just booked my ticket to San Francisco for almost exactly a month from today! Yay! Time to start planning... :)

Currently Reading: Jonathan Franzen The Corrections. I'll let you know how it goes!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Laughing in the Face of Death

When one of my coworkers told me that his friend had written a best selling young adult book, I thought, that's cool. Little did I know that the book was The Fault in Our Stars and the author was John Green. I am definitely going to need to encourage my coworker to have a dinner party with him. Oh, and then invite me.

On Thursdays in my classroom, the students engage in independent reading. In order to practice what I preach and what not, I often read with them, and I always try to read a young adult book that I can then recommend. Last night, I downloaded this book on a whim, thinking that it might be a great book to connect to Romeo and Juliet. This book unexpectedly had me both laughing and crying within the same intake of breath. It was a quick read. It was well-written. It was hilarious. It was heart breaking. What more can you ask for?

Read it.

The Puppetry of War

Today after school I went to the play War Horse at Lincoln Center as a chaperone on one of my coworker's field trips. Let me tell you, the puppetry in this play was amazing! I am probably the last person in the world to see this Tony Award winning musical that has been out for quite some time now, but, regardless, I was impressed. The horse, geese, sparrow, and people puppets were so incredibly lifelike that you really felt as though you were watching the horse as he embarked on his near impossible journey to survive and be reunited with his "boy." There was something so very Steinbeck's The Red Pony about this play. Well, except for the Speilberg ending.

Afterwards, the actors came out to answer questions from the students, which was a really cool theatergoing experience.  Apart from the fact that this was a highly entertaining play, it was a production that was solely for students involved in a program that Lincoln Center runs for New York City school students, and this made the audience experience really unique. There is nothing like watching a teenager react with childlike wonder, laughter, and genuine tears as they enter the transportive world of the theater. One student began in a whisper that crescendoed to an emphatic and loud plea of, "No, no, don't die" during a particularly climactic scene. Another student turned to me midway through the performance and said, "Ms., are you crying?" with a look of incredulity, only to then turn back two minutes later, tears streaming down his face, to say, "I guess I can't make fun, huh?" Sharp, loud  intakes of breaths at dramatic moments, screams at gunshots fired on stage, and a litany of hilarious audience comments littered across the play dialogue made for an experience of heightened reactions, furthering your own excitement as you were swept up into the delight of youth. 

I now want to read the book by Michael Morpurgo. While I was impressed and delighted by the puppetry, the special effects in general, and the relationship between the boy and his horse, I am curious to read the novel to see how I feel about its depiction of war. The play, as staged at Lincoln Center, while definitely encountering some of the realities faced by children growing up during war time, was perhaps with its happy (and highly unrealistic) ending a little disturbing within the context of war. I would love to teach a set of books on war and peace and really ask students to critique the dominant narrative of heroes and honor and loyalty in regards to war. There was so much in the play that, left unquestioned, merely inserts itself into a narrative that I would rather disrupt than promulgate. So I guess what I am saying is: Go see this amazing, amazing play, but be sure to have a discussion afterwards that involves more than a dialogue about horse movement and puppetry. 

Francophile

Obama was in town today. As in President Obama.

This made for a disgustingly awful crosstown commute this morning. I know I have talked about my love/hate relationship with New York City...well, this morning definitely fell on the detest side of the spectrum. Since both ABC and NBC are close to where I work, barricades surrounded my school in the morning, which means that I taught TWO students first period. Getting an afternoon iced coffee two blocks from work was nearly impossible, which means that I was pretty cranky by the time seventh period rolled around. Oh, and it took me over an hour to get home. Ask me what kind of mood I was in by then...I dare you.

Perhaps this is why I am currently wishing that I lived in France. A lavender field filled countryside; bike with a basket, navy blue and white striped skimmers, rolled white pants and a beret. Or, perhaps, a balconied Parisian flat; soft pastel pink sky over the Seine, crumbling books in cluttered bookshops, baguette and wine at a sidewalk cafe. After a stop for a macaroon this afternoon at Laduree...hey, that is necessary after my very presidential commute, I am totally dreaming of Paris and can't wait to read this book:

While the book reviews thus far are pretty mixed, I am definitely going to give it a try! I also can't wait to attend a book reading that advertises with an invite stating, "We'll have Rose and macaroons for the occasion." Don't have to ask me twice...

Happy Monday! 

Seasonal Moving Disorder

It has been raining since Sunday...sigh...However, rain does make for the perfect reading weather. Today, bowl of popcorn in place, glass of red wine at the ready, I sat down to begin reading one of many on the long list of books that I plan to read this summer. Up first--and solely because it was what entered my Nook queue from the library most rapidly--Marian Keyes The Brightest Star in the Sky. It began slow, continued worse, but now, about three quarters of the way through, I find myself enjoying it. Not sure if you have the time/energy/patience to stick with it for that long, but, if you do, it's not a bad read. 

Set in Dublin, this novel is making me dream Dublin dreams...I am probably not going to get there for quite some time, but in the meantime, this girl can dream...

Something about those gates just makes me yearn...

Speaking of yearning... This weekend, I had a refreshing chat with a couple ten years older than M. and I. They have lived in New York City for eighteen years, to M. and I's eight. They have two children and live in an apartment in Williamsburg and have made a life here as artists. I think I often compare myself to friends who live in totally different places, or, in general, just have totally different situations, which often causes this internal dissonance about "normalcy" and where I should be at this point in my life. Every Spring, the thoughts begin to trickle in building to a harsh jet stream: I really need a walk-in closet. My life is just not complete without a dishwasher. How can one survive without two bathrooms?  

It was comforting to talk to this couple about things that I thought were abnormal that they simply laughed with refreshing acknowledgment at the very thought that I thought this was something I uniquely went through.  After being informed that, "Well, you know the saying about NYC right? It takes six months to adjust. One year to fall in love. And eighteen years to leave," I was told that my "unique" phenomenon had a name:"Seasonal Moving Disorder." It turns out I am not the only one who LOVES New York City--never-wants-to-move-you'll-have-to-drag-me-out-of-here-kicking-and-screaming--while simultaneously possessing strong urges (once a year, in the spring) to buy a farmhouse in rural Vermont and make my own bread/clothes/butter. This, despite the fact that I can't cook/sew/churn. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that, while we (M. + dog + me) live in under 500 square feet, with closets often bursting out of their wooden frames, and oh a microwave that rests on top of our refrigerator where I often have to climb on the kitchen counter to use it, like "Seasonal Affective Disorder," all it will take is the uplift of walking home through Central Park in the sunshine with a stop at Laduree along the way, or the fact that in my classroom, there are 20 different languages spoken by my students, to remind me that I probably wouldn't really like waking up early to feed chickens...

The Buzz

It began with a conspiratorial question from a close friend, followed by a cryptic post on Facebook, and even more cryptic inquiries on favorite blogs.  I wondered...what is all the buzz about in regards to the E.L. James book 50 Shades of Grey? Even M. had heard of this novel through twitter references. A perfunctory search on Google probably would have sated my curiosity, but in the day and age of E-Books, I immediately downloaded the book to see what all the fuss was about!

I remember being cast in a high school play back when I was fourteen. The play was published in the 1970s and we were performing it most likely as an avoidance of paying hefty copyright fees. There was a reference in the play to the book Fear of Flying, which incidentally went right over my adolescent head. I really struggled with the comedic delivery on that line. Anyway, I imagine that 50 Shades is, for this generation, what Fear of Flying was for those growing up in the 70s.

Perhaps it is my WASP-ish upbringing, or, more likely, my hardcore feminist philosophy on life, but 50 Shades is a book that I will not be allowing my future hypothetical daughter read. In other words...don't waste your time. Sometimes the buzz is not buzz worthy.

Magical Staircases and Invisible Men

I am back to school this week, so just a quick post to say "hello..."

While I am not looking forward to my life being really, really busy again, I am so excited about my grad school schedule! Though I am of course interested in the material, I think that I am even more excited about taking a course in a classroom that looks straight out of Harry Potter! No joke. Despite the fact that there are not actually moving staircases to confuse students wandering the hallways, the building is such a labyrinth that it often feels that way. It took me twenty minutes (and a run-in with a friend who knows the building's "secrets") to find my way to the exit. I am sure that this entertainment factor will wear off quickly...probably this weekend as I sit down to read a book and write my first paper. But, for now...it's sooooo cool... :)

Currently (RE) Reading: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison 

I haven't read this since high school and I am excited to re-read this from an adult perspective. I am attending a workshop next week through the awesome organization Facing History and Ourselves that centers around concepts in this novel, so I want to have read the book again before participating.  

Currently Reading...

Jeffrey Eugenides The Marriage Plot.

While I am not that far in... so far, so good.

I'll keep you posted!

Books to Read on Cold Winter Nights

For the first time this winter, the weather is actually not a balmy 50 degrees and I think my body has gone into shock. Going out for lunch at work today was torture, taking the bus home from work-necessary, and my short walk from the bus stop to my apartment required a stop for hot chocolate in order to make the journey home. While these days are not conducive to productivity, for me at least, they are the perfect days for curling up under a blanket with a hot drink and a good read. While it has been pretty busy lately, I have managed to get in a few good reads. Here are some books that I am currently loving!

A Dog's Purpose by Bruce Cameron:

One of the things I love about summer travel is the opportunity to read. Luckily, my friends, and travel companions, share a similar sentiment. While we usually pass tattered copies of books around to one another over the course of the trip, this was the summer of the e-reader. While in Thailand, my friend Nicole ordered this book on her Kindle and every time I looked over she was crying. Though I had way too many books that I was working through on our trip, as a result of the convenience of ordering books on my Nook, I bought the book and forgot about it entirely.  Last week, on break for the holidays, I began flipping through my Nook and rediscovered the book A Dog's Purpose. On some occasions, a good cry is the perfect catharsis. This book will definitely prompt tears, but is a must read for any dog lover! 

David Sedaris Holidays on Ice 

On an entirely opposite note...Sometimes you need a book that does nothing but make you laugh. Especially around the holidays. Ahhh...the holidays...While of course holidays have many positive attributes; eggnog, Christmas tree decorations, the warmth and love of family and friends... for most people, that same wonderful proximity to family and friends can also be the impetus for stress. Personally, I prefer to maintain the humor approach to holiday stress in which I laugh about things that might otherwise make me cry. Sedaris definitely gets that about the holidays and his sardonic account of his own family holiday experience is hilarious and definitely worth the read. So, that said, for anyone with an ummm colorful (or insert your own euphemism!) uncle, brother, sister, or father, this is the book for you! Enjoy! 

Happy Reading and Stay Warm!

The Next Harry Potter...?

Currently Reading: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenster.  First of all, I am convinced that this book is totally going to reach Harry Potter acclaim.  Second of all, well, this book is just awesome!  I love the poetic prose, which successfully transports you into the magical and mysterious world of "Le Cirque des Reves."

This is the perfect fall read.  The intriguing characters and dark and mystical plot completely put me in the mood for Halloween.

I can already envision the Halloween parties that this book will inspire; black and white circus tents, illusionists, contortionists, the gothic gowns--not to mention the intricately described dinner parties that occur in the novel...Ahh yes...let the party planning commence!

Happy Reading...Enjoy!

Henrietta Rules

While life has been so busy these past couple of weeks that I am not sure when I will have time to finish reading the books that I have started, this didn't stop me from ordering a book that is currently on the New York Times Best Seller List and sounds completely enticing...

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot deals with the bodily cells of a poor, African American, female cancer patient who died in the 1950s and whose cells were appropriated by the medical community and led to incredible medical breakthroughs.  The book explores the freeing nature of her cells for those with privilege and medical need, while also exploring the exploitive nature of using her body--a "body" of a person (and people) that was undervalued and disempowered by the elite long after she died.  I can't wait to read more!