March Mini Madness

This was my mini album for this month's gallery at write. click. scrapbook. I love was so excited to use this fun paper from October Afternoon. Have such a crush on them...

this beautiful life

I bought this book as Lavender and I were at Target for a quick pick up of Valentine's Treats the day after. It had lots of badges on the front declaring it a must read. And was on sale, so I grabbed it.

What a mess of a book. The subject matter is good for prompting a discussion around the dinner table, but that is it. The book is about a boy who receives a graphic email from a girl and then, without thinking, forwards it to his friend to have him help reason through it. Rather than help, the friend forwards it to a couple of friends, and by weekend's end, it is wholly viral.

I don't even care about giving away the plot as I would like to help you to not have to read this book, so essentially the boy is suspended from school, and then the damage begins. The parents are of course affected, even reaching the father's job, but the sadness is the unravel as each member of the family is left healing in their own corner without much from each other. You see the family disintegrating, but then the book ends sharply with only references to longterm fallout.

While I think this book is trying to tackle a true and very current issue, it borders on smutty as it tried to help you understand the graphic nature of the video that this misguided, unparented 13 yr-old sent to a 16 year old boy to try to win his affections. The mother watches it repeatedly, the father only once. The little preschooler sees it and learns the dance. It is revolting.

I read the author's notes in the back about how she was trying to have Manhattan be as much of a story at the viral email. I missed out on that. I admit I skimmed a good two thirds as I searched for something redeeming to read. And found nothing.

Don't read this. But do talk about the danger of forwarding graphic/explicit materials with your children.

books read: 6

outside wonderland

 I grabbed this book at a quick Target trip to have something to read on the plane home. It was on sale for 3.76. Who could say no?

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how ferociously the grandma loved these kids. I loved how the kids had some residual loss issues but yet were smart enough to seize a good relationship when it was there. I loved the side players, too. Ms. Cook had wonderful visual descriptions of the characters. I could see them all so perfectly in my mind's eye. Wonderful.

books read: 5

the stuff that never happened

I bought this book as it intrigued me that it had the same cover as another book I have read.

Odd, no? You would think there are underpaid workers somewhere researching these things.

On to the book. I read this while traveling. Alone. I liked some of it, but really try to stay away from books promoting adultery. I did enjoy the book, and it was refreshing to see a couple trying to put themselves back together and make their relatiionship work after an affair has taken place, but there was still much justifying of the adultery. Just not my cup of tea.

The book is well written and the relationships were well-constructed. And Ms. Dawson did accurately capture our less than fine selves. I thought she did a good job showing how a small fight can become a huge mess, without trying.

I also really liked how our real selves can be hidden from those we love as we make their lives smooth and polished. Seeing the grown child handle the discovery of hte mother as a human was well written.

Not a waste of time. But not a good use of my time, either.

books read: 4

swamplandia

This was part of the buy two get one free table. I might have picked it for its title as much as anything. And the NY Times review used the word, "haunted." I am shallow.

I had a hard time getting into this book. I trudged along liking parts and pieces. And then, once we left swamplandia, things picked up. And suddenly without warning, I was trapped and in love.

I had an ominous feeling about Birdman that I kept brushing off like one of his feathers stuck to my shoulder. I cheered on Kiwi and wanted him so much to succeed. And the scene of Chief Bigtree in the casino was heartwrenching and so.darn.real.

If you own it, stick with it. It will pay off in the end. A plucky heroine whose spritely spirit will not be quenched. Oh, Ava Bigtree, many times I wanted to crawl into the pages and just give you a hug. But you aren't that kind, are you?

books read: 3

Olive Kitteridge

I bought this book as part of a buy two get one free just before Christmas. I needed a second and third to complement Richard's Zombie book. I will admit I was swayed by the reviewers and their description of Olive Kitteridge.

Not usually liking short stories, but not minding interwoven short story novels, I am glad I gave it a try. There are many memorable characters, not the least of which is Olive herself. She is biting, set in her ways, and distinctly defined in her behaviors. And while you might not like her, you always know what to expect.

I really enjoyed the chapter with the grown son trying to break free from harsh old patterns. I found it amusing to read how oblivious Olive was to the negative force that she might be. And I found it sad to see how damaging this oblivion was to her relationship with her son.

Glad I bought it. Glad those reviewers swayed me!

books read: 2