Autumn in Auburn

"But then fall comes, kicking summer out on its treacherous ass as it always does one day sometime after the midpoint of September, it stays awhile like an old friend that you have missed. It settles in the way an old friend will settle into your favorite chair and take out his pipe and light it and then fill the afternoon with stories of places he has been and things he has done since last he saw you."
-Stephen King, Salem's Lot

So I just finished reading ‘Doctor Sleep‘ by Stephen King – did you know that this is the sequel to ‘The Shining’?  I did not realize this until I got to reading the summary on the jacket cover – I’m bad.  I see a new Stephen King novel and I just get it, doesn’t really matter what the story is going to be, I know I’ll like it.  Although, I have to admit I’m a bigger fan of Mr. King’s non-horror works, like ‘The Stand’ or ‘Shawshank Redemption’.   All of his books are good, but those are just stellar to me.  I don’t like the true horror quite as much because they scare me silly and I live alone.  Actually, I don’t quite live alone, I have the Teenage Banana and the Baby T-rex, but it is humiliating to admit to your children that you scared yourself right into a nightmare.  And really, it’s not like I can keep a gun or a can of mace in my room, because if you remember, I’m a TERRIBLE klutz and would more likely get myself than a bad guy.

Sorry!  Tangent.  Do you all remember The Shining?  It was first published in 1977 and was made into a movie (starring Jack Nicholson) in 1980.  The story takes place at a deserted Colorado hotel with a dark history.  Jack Torrance (dad) is an out-of-work alcoholic who used to be a teacher and for him, this caretaking job is his last chance.  His son, Danny, has the shining (a way of knowing things, I guess you’d say) and as the season progresses, Jack begins to lose his mind and Danny (bless his baby heart) is witness to all the darkness in his father’s mind and to all the ghosts in the hotel.  In the end, Jack dies and the hotel burns down.  Doctor Sleep is kind of a twofold story – a sequel to The Shining, showing us how Danny (now Dan) has ended up and a story that can stand on its own (with new characters, including Abra, who also has the shining, but much stronger than Danny did).

We first catch up with Dan, who was an alcoholic for most of his life (trying to live with the memories of his crazy dad, I guess).  He eventually steps on the path to recovery, ending up in a New Hampshire town (where Abra lives) and works in hospice care, helping patients over to the other side with his gift.

The new part of the story centers around a group called the True Knot, a band of gypsy-like people, who travel around the country.  The True Knot are sort of immortal, I guess.  They can die, but as long as they feed correctly, they have a much longer than normal lifespan.  They feed on a substance called ‘steam’ which is given off by children with the shining as they die or are tortured.  Guess what?  They are after Abra, who is exceptionally gifted. 

The story is how Dan and Abra meet and how they defeat the True Knot.  The end happens pretty quickly and is a tad anticlimactic, but I SO enjoyed the story that it didn’t cause me any undue pain and suffering.  Keep in mind that I am a little biased and could read Stephen King novels over and over (I have done this, actually) and still find them enjoyable.  In this case, Doctor Sleep was solid and entertaining but nowhere near as scary as The Shining.  An entirely different kind of book, actually.  I would have to say that you can see the growth in Mr. King as a writer (uh, DUH, it was written what?  35 years later?).  Anyway, imho, worth a read.  I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.  Maybe 4.5 out of 5.  Yall read it and tell me if I’m being completely biased.  Please let me know what YOU think in the comments!

Coming Soon:

There are certain writers that I really look forward to their new releases.  Well, good news.  There are a bunch of great ones coming out!

1.       We Are Water by Wally Lamb (October 22).  Excellent author – I especially liked ‘She’s Come Undone’ and ‘I Know This Much Is True’.

2.       The All-Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg (November 5). If you haven’t read Ms. Flagg, you definitely should.  You most likely know her as the author of the book that produced the movie ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ but she has some other wonderful books, including ‘I Still Dream About You’ and ‘Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven’.  Such feel good books, I promise you.

3.       The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan (November 5).  I’m sure you remember her book, ‘Joy Luck Club’ but other definite include ‘The Bonesetter’s Daughter’ and ‘Saving Fish from Drowning’.

4.       Stella Bain by Anita Shreve (November 12).  The first book I read by Anita Shreve was ‘The Pilot’s Wife’, which was a selection of the Oprah book club.  It was amazing.  And also traumatizing.  A book you don’t forget, for sure.  Still though, she’s an iffie author for me.  Some of her things I really love (‘Resistance’ for example) and some just don’t do it for me.

5.       Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen (January 28).  ‘Black and Blue’ was the first book of hers that I read and it is raw and harsh, but compelling and utterly readable.  I’ve also read ‘Every Last One’ and ‘Blessings’ and have completely enjoyed them.

 

Well, that’s all for today, folks!  Thanks for reading, happy Fall and as always, please leave a comment if you have suggestions or ideas or think I’m full of it!!

 

 

 

Ode to Heartbreak OR Doesn't Anybody Love the Fat Girl?

For those of you that don't already know, I've recently gone through somewhat of a personal setback.  And I started wondering this morning what people do when they think they just can't make it one.more.day. To be honest, in the last three months, I've tried vodka (WHICH only serves to make me even MORE weepy), sleep (which, tbh, works great, but I'm losing 16 hours out of every day), hobbies (I have sewn till my fingers are bloody) and reading.  So today, I'm going to review some great heartbreak books (let me clarify, books that are really good to read when you are staying in bed, unwashed and uncombed for 23 days straight and the Chinese delivery people will no longer come to your house and you are surrounded in a sea of tissues and Vicks Vapo-Rub).

First and formost – ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ by Matthew Quick.  I read the book before I saw the movie and honestly, was tremendously moved by both.  Yall know me.  I’m generally not impressed when they make a movie out of a book – it just never seems to measure up.  But this time, they did a tremendous job.  Yes, a lot was left out, but somehow, they did the movie just right.  So.  If you haven’t read SLP, you need to.  Immediately.  And then get the movie.
 
The story centers around Pat Peoples, who has just been let out of a mental hospital – there has been some sort of incident and he is separated from his wife, Nikki.  Pat has a theory that if he works hard at his physical and emotional health he can make everything right and reunite with Nikki.  (Can I interject here?  In months of sheer denial, I thought much the same.  If I worked very hard on my physical and emotional health that I could make a certain someone realize what a great package deal I am.  Um, so NOT true)  Anyway, Pat meets Tiffany (who is widowed and seems to be depressed and a little bit unfriendly) – they become friends of a sort – and she agrees to act as a go-between for Pat and Nikki, if he will give up football and participate in a dance competition with her.  I won’t spoil the ending for you, but suffice it to say that it is a beautiful, poignant story that warmed my heart.

I really gravitate toward feel-good books during a bad time – I understand that the protagonist has to suffer, but I really want them to learn, feel better and find their way to a better situation!  (Kind of how I feel about myself, but it is a lot harder to actually DO than to just read about.)

So another thing.  Please don’t judge.  But I went to a psychic and she answered all my questions very quicky and decisively (and so far, she has been correct, but we’ll see).  Interestingly, she also recommended a book for me, called ‘The Soulmate Secret’ by Arielle Ford.

 

 

 

 

Now, those of you that know me know I am very pragmatic and don’t have a lot of use for self help books – I generally believe that you just have to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and continue on.  But I bought this book and I read it in one day.  (which is not unusual for me, but a self help book?  very unusual)  This book is so good and so positive, it really helped pull me out of the funk into which I was headed.  It is a book about being open to meeting your soulmate (really meeting new people) and how to let go of old, toxic relationships (and how to stop thinking about them!) and how to be happy just being by yourself.  I really enjoyed it, even if there were some words (‘feelingizations’) and new agey things in there that I wasn’t too sure of.  Surprisingly, most of it wasn’t even about ‘how to find the love of your life’, it was about  how to love yourself.  Really liked this one.

The last book that I would recommend in the midst of a heartbreak is, ‘Never Change’ by Elizabeth Berg.  You know I love her stories.  All of them.  Her heroines are normal, non-perfect women who seem to be a little bewildered and somewhat naïve.  I can totally relate.  Anyway, in this novel, Myra is a home-health nurse who has been called to take care of a new patient.  The patient turns out to be a boy she went to high school with (and had a crush on), Chip.  The story is about Chip’s last days, which are really very normal and wonderful, thanks to Myra, and about how they end up falling in love just as Chip’s life is coming to an end.  It is a beautiful, sad and hopeful story.  I hope you like it.

 

That’s all for today.  Yall take care!  Chrissy

 

 

Halloween!!

Happy Halloween, yall!! How are things where you are?  I tell you what, I feel a little guilty because I've been reading about the 'Frankenstorm' that has hit the East Coast while we are enjoying such beautiful fall weather here. (Reading that more than 8 million are without power and it is sunny and about 60 degress here - little windy, but that makes it feel nice and fallish.)  Anyway, we are thinking of all those affected by the storm and praying for a quick recovery. It's only fun to eat cold ravioli out of the can once or twice.

Well, as always, I have been keeping my nose in a book. But having a very hard time finding something GOOD to read.  Any suggestions from fellow readers out there?  I will read anything.  Classics, old, new, it doesn't matter to me.  I've been seriously wandering from my normal genres and not making very good picks.  Please leave me suggestions in the comments if you think of anything!!

In the last month, I read Hope's Boy by Andrew Bridge (published in February 2008). This is a true story about a boy (Andrew) born to a single mom. While Hope is not a normal mom and shows signs of mental health issues, she and Andrew seem to share a very strong, loving bond. Well. When Andrew turns 7, Hope is institutionalized and with no one to take him, he is place in the foster care system, where he stays for the next 11 years. Andrew ends up with a family that was in it for the check (which, I'm afraid, happens to too many of our foster children) and turned to his teachers and academics for survival. In the end, Andrew goes to college and becomes a lawyer and dedicates his life to children living in the 'system'.


Meh.


WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? This should have been an inspirational, uplifting book.  But honestly, it was just 'meh' to me. It didn't inspire, it didn't make me cry, I didn't think about it once it was done.  I don't know.  It was fine and easy to read, but not one of those books that grabs you by the throat.  And I think it could have been.  Eh.  2/5.

So here's the problem.  In looking through the bestsellers for something to read, I picked this.  'The Ugly Duchess' by Eloisa James.


...


I don't read thes kinds of books.  Honest.


...


Or, I didn't used to.  ERMAHGERD!!  This book was SO good!  I have now read every single one of her books (obsessive, much?), including, 'The Duke Is Mine', 'When Beauty Tamed the Beast', 'A Kiss at Midnight'...


I know what you are thinking.


Most every book has the same premise - smart, spunk heroine and a charming, worldly duke. I can't help it. I loved them. Each and every one of them. I WILL tell you that I enjoyed the Essex Sisters stories very much.  There are four books in the series (each about one of four orphaned sisters): 'Much Ado About You' which tells the story of Tess, the oldest sister - then 'Kiss Me Annabel' - then 'The Taming of the Duke' - and last, 'Pleasure for Pleasure.'


In all seriousness, I enjoyed these books and would recommend them for a nice, easy, feelgood read.  ALL OF THEM 5/5, but I may no longer be rational as I find myself looking for my lady's maid to help me into my corset in the morning!

Alrighty, then. In an effort to get back on track, I read 'The Academie' by Amy Joy. In response to escalating violence by teenagers/young people (think Columbine), all persons under the age of 23 have to go to a live-in boarding school - the Academie - which is run by the government. Students are not allowed to take personal items, are issued uniforms for school and sleep and are generally not allowed to see their families. They live at the Academie 24/7. Allie is the protagonist. She was just starting college when she was called back to the Academie. Despite working hard and having friends, the Academie is a dismal, militaristic place and Allie gets depressed.  **Spoiler Alert** Stop reading here if you think you might want to read this book because I'm about to ruin it for you. Allie and her friends start noticing unusual things happening and in the end, discover that the Academie is nothing more than a sophisticated computer program.  All of the kids are actually in a medically induced coma, with this computer program simulating a life for them.  At the end of the story, a group of rebels tries to help the kids out of the program because the government has just announced that they will be keeping everyone until they turn 30, rather than 23.  Pretty good.  BUT, it is a series...so stay tuned. 3.5/5.  (What is with all these series?  STAHP. Please. Just. STAHP.)

 

 

Next, I'm going to read 'The Rook by Daniel O'Malley.  We'll see how this one turns out!  It is about a secret agency of spies that track supernatural activity in England (Think Harry Potter-style).  The reviews pretty much unanimously call it interesting and humorous.  We'll see - I'll definitely let you know!!

 

 

Hope everyone has a great Halloween!!  Don't eat too much candy!

 



Or Little Debbie Fall Cakes.  (Ha. Little Debbie FAT cakes.) ERMAHGERD, I lurve them them SO much.

They are completely addictive.  Do NOT start.  Don't even try them.  Or before you know it, you will be in the bed surrounded by a wad of empty wrappers.  I mean, seriously.  What can you do EXCEPT go to bed when you've eaten that many fatcakes?  Trust me, I speak from experience.


Happy Days!!  Bye for now!



Undecideds

Hey, fellow readers!!  What are you reading?  I'm kind of in a rut and need some suggestions.  What would be a good end-of-summer read? 

What have I been up to?  Well, my Walking Friend (WF) and I went to the Farmer's Market yesterday, looking for fresh peaches. O.M.G. I hadn't been to the Farmer's Market here in town. They had some hot peppers that smelled AMAZING.  I stood over by them, sniffing, for so long that I'm sure the lady thought I was going to try to stuff some in my purse.  (Still wish I could think of a reason to buy some).  In any case, Southern Living has an absolutely LOVERLY peach cobbler recipe - it is the real thing, too, made with pie crust and layered with peaches. Yumm-er. And btw, below is a picture of their peach-cinnamon ice cream...just in case...you need to go get some peaches. 

                                      

I'm currently reading 'The Post Birthday World' by Lionel Shriver.  First, Let me say that the first novel of Ms. Shriver's that I read was 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' which was a MINDBLOWER. (And I'm sure I've talked about this book before, so let me go ahead and apologize for what's coming.) WNTTAK was about a family that was decimated when Kevin, the son, killed several of his peers in a school shooting (is shooting the right word? He didn't use a gun, he used a bow and arrow as his weapon). In any case, Eva, Kevin's mother, never was very maternal and actually didn't like Kevin very much. So the question that predominates, did Eva not like Kevin because he was 'evil' or maybe, that something was inherently wrong with him? Or did he become the was he was BECAUSE Eva didn't much like him? Very chilling book that really sticks with you. My book club read this book and almost didn't forgive me for choosing it!! It is disturbing to read, but well written and definitely a novel you will remember.

So then I picked up TPBW.  This book is about the effects of choices that we make in our daily lives. Initially, it was confusing to read, because each chapter is sort of running parallel to the last. I should explain. The book is based on a pivotal moment in the protagonist's (Irina's) life. She is having a birthday dinner with her husband's friend, Ramsey, and a moment comes when she either chooses to kiss him or doesn't. From then on, the chapters alternate, telling the story of what happens if she DOES kiss him (and eventually cheats on her husband) or DOESN'T kiss him.  Very interesting read about how often, in the moment, you don't realize that you are making a decision that can affect the rest of your life. I'm not 100% sure if it works, though. Like I said, it is very confusing (especially if you are not expecting the alternating stories and have to work that out) and it is a very detailed story - you may not want to read that much about what minutiae is going on in Irina's life.  I can't say if I would recommend this or not.  I sort of like it and, like WNTTAK, you will remember this book, but it takes some work to get through. 3 out of 5 stars.

I've also just finished 'Shine Shine Shine' by Lydia Netzer. I read about this one in People magazine, I think.  Really, it's a little strange.  Maxon and Sunny grew up together, married and have been together now for 20 years. Maxon is a gifted NASA (I think) engineer who is chosen to go to the moon with a team in order to colonize the moon with robots.  Sunny is a beautiful surburbonite who has alopecia (is bald...no hair, no eybrows/lashes..), but tries hard to keep up appearances.  They have an autistic son, Bubber, who I think, may be like his Dad (Maxon may be a little autistic, too - in his growing up, they talk a lot about him learning the appropriate emotional responses).  Anyway, while Maxon is on his way to the moon, Sunny has a car accident and her wig flies off - so the neighborhood sees her as she really is for the first time.  That is the catalyst that makes her realize that she's not normal, Maxon's not normal, Bubber's not normal...and that's ok.  It is a very whimsical and unlikely book - liked it - but not really sure of the plot.  The story seemed to be a meandering talke of Sunny and Maxon's life.  Which is ok, and interesting, but it always aggravates me a little when I feel like we're just wandering, not actually going anywhere!!  So.  I'm sorry, I don't know whether to recommend this one or not.  3.5 out of 5 stars.

Awhile back, I read 'Room by Emma Donoghue.  I seems like this book is loosely based on the story of Jaycee Dugard (kidnapped, held captive, had captor's baby). The story is told from the vantage point of five year old Jack who has only ever lived in the 'Room' with his Ma. The story tells of their days - rationing food, bathing, learning, making do with what little they have. Although Jack doesn't really understand, his Ma locks him up safe in the wardrobe when Old Nick comes to visit her. Eventually, they try to escape from their one room prison where Old Nick has been keeping them. This is another one - pretty interesting read, but a little disturbing. I don't know whether to tell you to read it or not!!  3 out of 5 stars.

I would love to hear from you in the comments!!  Please let me know what you are reading and how you are doing!!  I've just gotten the book 'Skippy Dies' by Paul Murray.  We'll see how it is!!

Summer Reading

Hi everyone!!  Hope your summer has been going well - and that you are having good times and keeping cool!

Like the picture?  See, in January, this is how I picture my summer.  Hot, but with a cool breeze...my toes perfectly painted...a lazy bird aimlessly spiraling in the sky above...

Right.  I read entirely too much.  I completely forget about the humidity that makes me sweat the SECOND I step out the door, the HOARDS of mosquitos (see those birds in the picture?  They are not actually birds.  They are Alabama mosquitos.) and the BROILING sun.  Breeze?  What breeze?

HOWEVER, the good news is that I've been reading a lot of new and varied stuff this summer.  One of my favorites was "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn.  Initially this book seems

normal, boring almost.  I was aggravated.  Nick and Amy move from New York to Missouri where they can help with Nick's parents.  Normal marriage stuff, blah blah blah...and then Amy disappears on the day of her 5th wedding anniversary.  It's crazy!!  From what you've read until this point, you could not possibly have any idea about what might have happened.  And you certainly wouldn't suspect Nick!!  But then, the book starts to turn a little darker and the author teasingly reveals just a bit more.  Turns out that Nick is not the handsome good guy that you thought he was, their marriage is not as perfect as you once believed and Amy for SURE isn't the person you think.  And let me tell you...I read so much that I am not easily surprised, but this book knocked me flat on my hiney.  It is completely NOT what you would expect.  Hmmm...I can't decide what I should tell you...so I just won't say anything else.  Needless to say, this one is worth the read.  I would give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

So then I moved on to "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky.  Apparently this novel was originally published in February 1999 by MTV Books (kind of cool, huh?  I didn't know MTV had a book division).  Now, I was excited to read this for two reasons:  it has been made into a movie with Emma Watson (Hermione) and because it is frequently on the American Library Association's list of most frequesntly challenged books.  Meaning people want to keep them out of the library.  So.  I'm nosy.  I'll say it out loud.  I wanted to see what this was all about.  The book is based on letters that the main character, Charlie, is writing to an anonymous person - someone he has never met, but thought he could confide in.  Charlie is a freshman in high school and is shy and awkward.  After one of his friends commits suicide, he makes friends with two seniors, Sam, and her brother Patrick.  The book touches on topics like teen suicide, same sex dating, drug experimentation and burgeoning love.  And through it all, Charlie is very likeable and touching.  Near the end of the year, though, all his friends are set to graduate and Charlie gets very depressed.  Things happen and Charlie's mental state gets worse and he actually has to be checked into a mental hospital - in the hospital, he recalls some memories that he had suppressed from his childhood (which explains a lot about why Charlie is like he is).  I know, I know, it sounds a little depressing, but I promise, throughout, Charlie is very likeable and upbeat.  This book does not leave you feeling bad.  4 out of 5 stars.

In the interest of discussing something a little, ahem, lighter, I read a book that had been on all the best seller lists for ages.  I admit, I don't always like to read best-sellers - I like to read a book BEFORE all the hype.  You know, so I don't have any preconceived notions about what I'm reading.  Well.  I did it.  I finally bought 'Bossypants' by Tina Fey.  It was originally published in April 2011 and was on the New York Times Bestseller List for 5 weeks.  **yawn** Hmm..not impressed.  I actually don't like to have a book stuffed down my throat and I think that's why I never picked this one up.  Mistake.  Yall.  This is a really good, funny, easy read.  It talks some about Tina's life growing up and her college years...then how she made it on SNL...then about 30 Rock...and her family. All in such a funny and humble way.  She is so vibrant and smart and WOW!!  She manages a career and family...it's amazing.  I'm amazed.  And I apologize, Ms. Fey, for not picking this up sooner.  4.5 out of 5 stars.

I think I have a tendency to write only about the books I really like on this blog (because I'm so excited and want so much to share them with you!!, but in my next post, I'm going to include some novels I'm not sure about.  In fact, I just finished one that I can't tell ya if I liked it or not.

See yall soon!!!  Keep cool....fall is coming....in about....4 months...







Raining in Auburn today...

A great day for reading and relaxing before Monday comes (ugh)! What have you all been reading?  Did you find time to read the "Fifty Shades' series?  If you havent, you definitely need to - there was a shortage of the books at the end of March, but I've seen them back at the bookstores and on the ebook-reader lists for sale.  Like I said in my previous post about "Fifty", definitely an interesting story and not at all demeaning to women (which I was very afraid of, given the subject matter).  I did finish all three of the 'Fifty Shades' books, but I've also been doing a lot of other reading - my excuse for being absent for so long!!  (got distracted!)

Just finished "Defending Jacob" by William Landay.  Definitely a must-read!!  Now, as you know, I'm not really much for crime or mystery novels, but this was a good one!!  The premise of the story is that Andy, who is a prosecuter, is working a case, and his son, Jacob becomes a suspect.  A 14 year old boy is murdered on the way to school and initially, there is some thought that a convicted pedophile living nearby might have been involved in the murder.  In the end, Jacob goes to trial for the murder of his classmate - and I won't tell you what happens, but the ending is shocking and thrilling - the not knowing if Jacob is a child murderer or also an innocent victim.  Interestingly, there is discussion of a 'murder' gene in this book.  Think about it - children inherit all kinds of things from their parents - being athletic or musically inclined, etc.  Do they inherit bad things as well?  Andy's father and grandfather are both convicted murderers - so the question becomes, did Jacob inherit the 'murder' gene?  He did, but does this gene cause a predisposition to being a murderer??  Very good book - leaves you with a kind of creepy feeling at the end though! 

I also finished 'Rage' by Julie Anne Peters.  This is a teen book (I know, I know) that raises very interesting questions about teenage relationships.  The main character, Johanna, is in a relationship with Reeve, who is a very dark and disturbed young woman.  Reeve's home life is not good, and we don't find a lot out about it until the end of the book when a terrible tragedy befalls Reeve and her family.  Anyway, the focus of the story is the relationship with Johanna and Reeve, which is abusive, Johanna being very passive and Reeve very angry.  The question that this book raises is that a lot of what goes on (the aggressiveness of Reeve, the bruises she leaves on Johanna) is largely ignored.  I'm telling you, if this was a typical boy-girl relationship, this type of behavior never would have been tolerated, but when it is a girl-girl relationship, it seems that no one really knows what to do.  I enjoyed this book because it really took me outside my comfort zone and made me think!!

On another note, the teenage banana has graduated and will be moving on to college!  BAWWWW!  Kidding, kidding.  Sort of.  It is crazy because you have this journey from birth to 18 with your kids and when they FINALLY graduate, you are simultaneously going 'whew, we made it!' and 'OH NO!! Wait!!  I'm not ready!!  I still have stuff I need to teach him!!'.  So to the TB's future wife, sorry, graduation really snuck up on me!!

Ok-hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and read something good!!





Monday

Hey yall!  How was your Monday?  Mine was rough.  I love my job, but Mondays KILL me.  Why is that?  I've always wondered what it would be like to be a writer and work from home?  BAD!  That's how it would be.  Seriously.  I would probably NEVER get out of my pajama pants.  And would I ever do my hair??  Would I ever be presentable for public viewing again?  I mean, I want to think that I would be fabulously productive and have a cleaning schedule and be in the process of doing fabulous crafty things (you know?  all those amazing things you see on Pinterest?  That would totally be what I would be doing. Although, those things would probably involve multiple 2 hour trips to Hobby Lobby and Walmart for supplies, thus making my cleaning/productivity schedule a FARCE.)

So.  Anyway.  Books.  One of the fun things about Kindle are the Kindle short stories.  One that I read recently was 'Rules for Virgins' by Amy Tan.

I really enjoy pretty much anything by Amy Tan (author of 'Joy Luck Club' and 'Bonesetter's Daughter) and this was no exception.  'Rules for Virgins' is sort of a monologue by a veteran courtesan, Magic Gourd, to a young girl, Violet.  The story is MG giving Violet advice about how to be a more-than-ordinary geisha.  As you know (especially if you've read 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden), being a geisha is not just about sex.  It is about singing and storytelling and entertaining.  There is the piece about selling one's virginity to the highest bidder - but it is more about making the most of beauty and talent in order to find a good husband.  Who new there were so many rules?  AND, the young girls have to pay back their 'house' for their training, food, clothes and makeup.  The only hope they have of ever getting out of debt is to find a rich husband/boyfriend.  And the competition is fierce.  That is what Violet is working toward - becoming one of the 'Top Ten Beauties of Shanghai'.  I think you would enjoy this - very different, engrossing and quick read!  If you are interested in reading something else (maybe something longer - RFV left me wanting more) by Tan (who is definitely an author of the highest order, especially in relating the feel of an ancient culture), try 'Bonesetter's Daughter'.

                                                                                                                   The story is about Ruth, a Chinese-American woman, and her mother Lu Ling, who maybe developing dementia.  Ruth finds a story written by Lu Ling about her life in China.  It is SO interesting!!  Lu Ling was raised by a mute, burned nursemaid, Precious Auntie.  Going further back, we find that PA's father was a bonesetter (like a healer) who knows where to find 'dragon bones' (very valuable for healing purposes).  The story is gripping, and the reader learns about Precious Auntie's early life and the tragedies that follow, Lu Ling's life and marriage and how that ties back to Ruth.  It is truly and enjoyable read.

On to other news in books - Jodi Picoult has a new book out entitled 'Lone Wolf'.  She is one of my favs!  Hoping to read that one soon.  Okay, yall, Monday is over - we made it through another one!!  Talk laters.