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.

Long time no see!!

Hi everyone!  Hope you are all doing great!  I'm sorry I've been away for so long - I'll try to remedy that.  I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas and am trying to make the change over to electronic reading.  Actually, to be honest, so far I love my Kindle.  I can get so many more books than I could when buying hard copies, but I sort of miss browsing through my books and flipping pages.  Just a creature of habit, I guess.  Anyway, let's catch up.  I recently picked up 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green.  Let me preface this review by saying that it is another one of my teen books, but this was an absolute joy to read.  The main character, Hazel, has terminal cancer (although her most recent treatment did buy her some time).  While at a cancer support group, she meets a boy, Augustus, who had cancer, but is effectively cured.  Now, I admit, this sounds like kind of a downer, but it was such a joy to read.  The dialogue is smart and funny - and I am a sucker for smart writing - Hazel and Augustus are eminently likeable.  The story will draw you in and before you know it, you've finished the book.  It didn't end the way I thought it might, but I liked it and it really tugged at my heartstrings.  Of all the books I've picked up lately, this is the one I would tell you to read. 

Now.  There's another book that I am currently reading (haven't finished it yet) that has been getting some press.  The title is 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.  Apparently it is very popular among ladies who lunch.  Now, I don't think anyone would ever mistake me for a lady that lunches, but I'm nosy as heck.  So I downloaded it.

Girls, it is crazy good.  BUT, you sould be warned that it is about a couple that plays Dom/Sub.  I guess that's why it has been in the news - it is a bit controversial.  The main character, Christian Grey, is a young, wealthy businessman who has entered into a relationship with a young woman, Ana, who has just graduated from college.  Christian introduces her to the Dom/Sub lifestyle.  (There are lots of rules and stuff.  Who knew?)  Anyway, it is not just the juicy stuff - Christian is a bit of a mystery and Ana is a bit hardheaded - all of it together makes for a great read.  I can understand some of the uproar surrounding the book (a lot of commenters were saying that it is bad for women, etc.) but I don't really find it degrading to Ana or to women in general.  Just a good, juicy, interesting read.  Be warned, though, I think it is...(wait for it)...a TRILOGY.  So be prepared.

Okay, I'm going to run for now - Ghost Adventures is on.  I'll be back soon - promise!!  Write and let me know what you've been reading, or if you have any new recommendations for me!!