Hello Goodbye

Well would you look at that?  I haven't posted since February and the year is almost over.  The reason for my MIA status?

New baby.

Hmm.. I suppose he's not actually "new" anymore.  It has been ten months after all.  Bah.  I don't need to explain.  Any parent out there understands that when a new bugaboo is added to the mix there is less and less and less time for mommy (and daddy).  Thus, the blog (and many other interests) gets pushed to the waaaay back corner of the broom closet.

I ain't complaining though.  My little guy's smile is the best hobby I've ever had.  The blog will always be there.  But that angel face will one day turn sour with middle school attitude and hoard itself in a bedroom listening to gangster rap.

Oy.

Despite having practically zero time to myself I managed to hold on tight to my two favorite escapes: music and books.  That's all I need to keep rolling.

So without further ado ... my BEST OF 2014!

An interesting playlist.  I noticed a few things: 

• There are almost no women on my list (minus the vintage crooning of Kate Davis).  This kind of irks me but whatever.  I like what I like. 
• Mostly new artists.
• Some heavy hitting back-to-basics rock songs (the world needs more of these).
• A lot of these tracks were released within the latter part of the year so they're still very fresh.
• Any song that has the lyric, "Gonna take you to the sugar shack" has me SOLD.  Come on.  You know that's so dang good. (*listen to Electric Man above*)

Okay.  Now books.

I need to preface this portion by sharing that I had lofty reading ambitions back in January.  I declared through Goodreads that I would read 25 books this year.  I guess I forgot to factor in the reality of having two kids and that lounging with a book in the middle of the afternoon was simply a thing of the past.  Regardless, I refuse to give up on books.  I just can't.  But my pace is considerably s-l-o-w-e-r.  

I only read 11 books.  But damn.  That's pretty good considering my reading window is from 10:45 p.m. to whenever-my-lids-droop-and-I jerk-awake-sending-my-book-flying-onto-the-floor.  I swear that happens every night.  It's quite sad.

Here's what I loved: (oh and by the way, this is not a Best of 2014 list because most of these books are older)

This Life is in Your Hands by Melissa Coleman

A haunting (I still think about it) memoir of Coleman's unorthodox upbringing on a homestead during the 1970's.  Compelling, poetic, sad, beautiful.

Bloom by Kelle Hampton

Love her blog.  Love her book.  Love her voice.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Stupid, dry humor but deliciously funny and naughty.

The Martian by Andy Weir

The sci-fi book for NON sci-fi people (like me).  I'm so glad I branched out of my comfort zone for this one.  It was superb.  I smell movie rights...

One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson

This is my non-fiction pick.  I'm actually still reading it and if I finish it before the year ends then that makes my total 12 books, not 11 - YEAH!  I'm turning into a history geek as I get older and I find this time in America fascinating.  Bill Bryson could write about galvanized steel pipe and I would read it.  He's that good.

Okay.  I think that's enough nerd talk for one post.  I don't want to overdo it or anything.

P.S. What made YOUR lists this year?  Share.  I'll talk to ya.

Hidden America

After tying up your garbage and walking it out to the curb, do you really think about the people who handle it beyond that point?

When rinsing those delicious blueberries and thinking about how great they'll taste in your cereal, are you ever wondering about the hands that picked them for you?

Are professional cheerleaders just a bunch of dummies with killer hair and rockin' bodies?

When you pull up to the pump every week do you realize how dangerous it was for the team of riggers to obtain that oil for your car?

Jeanne Marie Laskas's Hidden America explores these forgotten questions and more in her interesting and humbling inspection of the jobs that keep America running and those that most have completely taken for granted.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for various reasons.  One being that it completely made me feel stupid.  Why would that be enjoyable?  Because it opened my eyes to essential elements of my country that I had not given much thought prior to reading this book. Although uneasy at times, I actually felt better knowing the truth behind so many jobs that are the glue that holds our everyday needs together.

Laskas explores about a dozen professions including air traffic controller, truck driver, beef rancher, and gun shop owner, just to name a few.  I found almost all of these profiles to be enlightening and worthy of knowing more about but there are a few that are still resonating with me.  My favorite profile was the last chapter where Laskas visits a landfill in California.  Garbage typically isn't something the average person likes or wants to think about long-term.  However, there are engineers out there who have a true passion for trash and devote their entire lives to figuring out how to solve our 50 year dilemma called, "Hey, where are we gonna put all our crap for the next 50 years?"  "Garbage men" so to speak, are not just some dirty guys who weren't qualified to work a "cleaner" job but individuals who are invested in taking care of a huge problem that we ALL have: waste. They take those unsightly bags out of our lives and deal with an issue that most of us don't seem to want to think about ... but we should.  I learned that these professionals are actually environmentalists who care about fixing and prolonging the health of our planet. And they do all this day in and day out without us even giving a moment's thought to the whole scheme of things.

Laskas engages readers not only into the professional workings of each job but the personal lives that ARE the jobs.  The common thread found throughout each job profile is passion.  There was so much devotion pouring from the pages of Laskas narratives that you couldn't help but feel grateful that these people exist for your benefit.  Many of these professions hold a "lifer" mentality where the employees somehow contain the job qualities in their blood and want to work till the day they die.  Laskas captured the pride behind these hidden jobs and proved to readers that there is so much more to what meets the eye.   

Quality Rating: (out of 5 stars) 

Inkheart

Last spring a student of mine came to class one day and practically shoved a thick, red book into my chest.

"You HAVE to read this, Mrs. Gira!" Julia pronounced with wide eyes and a shortness of breath.

"What is this?" I asked.  "I've never heard of it." 

"Oh. My. God.  This book IS my entire life.  Just promise you'll read it." 

Well, dang.  If it's YOUR LIFE then how can I possibly say no?  I love when students get excited enough about a book that they feel the need to force it upon me.  An English teacher's dream.

And with that I jumped into the world of Inkheart, where books truly come to life.  It may have taken me a good four months to complete it (things came up like exams, three other books on my nightstand, and raising a two-year-old) but I kept my promise and I'm glad that I did.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke is a fantasy novel (trilogy actually) that could possibly rival the treasured Harry Potter series (although in my book, nothing ever could).  However, while reading, I could not stop feeling a strange likeness to Harry Potter.  Not so much in the story line but more in the likable characters and the obvious love that Funke poured into the novel.  I understand there is a big fan base for the Inkheart series and this is not at all surprising.  

Meggie is twelve-years-old and lives with her loving father Mo.  Besides a deep love and reliance for one another they also share a love of books.  Mo makes a living doing what he loves, binding books and Meggie is a voracious reader.  For years, Mo and Meggie have enjoyed their love of the written word and have shared many great stories together EXCEPT for one minor detail - Mo refuses to read aloud to his daughter. No matter how many times she begs he won't do it.  Ever.

As strange as this sounds, Mo has a very good reason for his refrain.  Mo possesses a special power.  When he reads aloud from a book the characters come to life.  They literally come out of the book and into the present world.  As you can imagine this can more often than not be a very bad thing.  Very bad indeed. When Meggie was a baby, Mo read aloud to her and her mother Resa one night from the pages of Inkheart, a story full of old-world characters including nasty, ruthless villains.  Needless to say, Mo's entrancing voice summoned out three fantastical characters - Dustfinger, Basta, and the black-hearted Capricorn.  To make matters even worse, Resa gets transported into the book and they haven't seen her since.

Twelve years later, Mo and Meggie find the mysterious Dustfinger standing on their doorstep and no sooner are they off to find and fight Capricorn in hopes of returning Resa to her family.

Funke's plot is probably every book lover's one true wish - to be able to bring written characters to life (I'm assuming this is why Julia claimed the book was HER LIFE). With an enticing story like this, Inkheart could really do no wrong. Perhaps even stronger than the plot is the development of the main characters, particularly Mo and Meggie.  You feel the love they have for each immediately and therefore are rooting them on the whole way.  My only hiccup with this novel was the length.  It was just too long and it didn't need to be.  Although I was engaged throughout the reading I did feel as though I was being dragged through certain parts. There were a few times when I thought to myself, "Okay.  Get on with it.  I can't wait any longer."  As a comparison to another lengthy fantasy novel, I NEVER felt that way when reading Potter.

Recommended Age: 12 and up (because of vocabulary and style)

Quality Rating (out of 5 stars):

Linking Up With...

Kid Lit Blog Hop

Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore

This novel spoke to all the nerd parts in me.

Quirky.  Mysterious.  Cheeky.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan creates a wacky world where old-school collides with new-school. Books versus e-readers.  No-tech versus high-tech.  Maturity versus youth.  Quality versus quantity. Tradition versus innovation. The extremes found within this story were endless and kept my nerd-girl fascinations fully engaged.

Clay Jannon is a web-designer who has lost his job and is looking for something a little more low-key.  He randomly steps into Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, conveniently located next door to a strip club, and his fate is sealed.  However, Penumbra's is no hole-in-the-wall.  With shelves that stretch far into the stratosphere housing a mysterious collection of tomes written in code, Clay can't help but be intrigued.

Taking the night shift, Clay has more than enough time to explore the old bookshop.  He soon realizes that the few patrons who visit the store during his wee hour shift are in fact regulars who consistently come in to request only the mysterious coded books.  Eventually, Clay's curiosity gets the better of him and he devotes his time to cracking the mystery behind Penumbra's secret reader society.

Eliciting the help of his techie friends and using computers to find patterns within the shelves of the shop and among the secret readers, Clay breaks the mystery which ultimately catapults him across the country in an effort to uncover the truth behind Mr. Penumbra, his boss and newest friend.

Robin Sloan created a legitimate mystery while keeping his characters witty and likable.  The mash-up between old knowledge and new knowledge was so much fun and kept me coming back for more.  The climax of the novel reveals the backbone of the story and solves the mystery behind the secret readers' society.  At this point I was expecting a shocking revelation for Clay but instead received a simple, heartwarming message about the power of friendship.  A bit underwhelming but endearing all the same.

Quality Rating (out of 5 stars)

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Out Of My Mind

Wow.  Just wow.

This book has guts.  Susan M. Draper is a courageous author to have stepped into the mind, body, and soul of a physically handicapped girl.  Out of My Mind is a masterpiece of so many things ... reality, acceptance, perseverance, power, understanding, respect, and love.  And all of these concepts are addressed so eloquently with the young adult in mind. Draper does a remarkable job drawing young readers into a world which they are most likely unaware yet leaves them feeling grateful and perhaps better for the experience.

Cognitively speaking, Melody is pretty much just like any other 11-year-old girl.  She loves cool clothes. Purple is her favorite color.  You can find her jamming out to music, especially country tunes, her favorite. Melody loves to watch The Wizard of Oz and snuggle up with her precious pooch, Butterscotch.  Similar to her peers, she gets annoyed with her younger sibling, she worries about what others think of her, and she most desperately wants to be included and accepted.  The only difference for Melody is that nobody knows any of these things about her.  Melody has never been able to share herself with others because she can't speak.  Melody has cerebral palsy.

Melody is an intelligent, witty, thoughtful soul trapped inside a body that doesn't work.  Succumbed to her wheelchair, almost every choice regarding her life is made by another person.  Her day-to-day existence is a guessing game for all who care for her and she's forced to live by what others think she wants, needs, and loves.  That is until the day she receives the best gift of her life: a Medi-Talker.  A Medi-Talker is the high-tech computer that allows Melody to express herself by typing in words, phrases, and even whole sentences and hearing the digital voice speak for her.  It's amazing and it changes Melody's life in more ways than one.

With her new freedom to interact with the world around her, Melody can't leave her special ed classroom fast enough.  The best part of her day is when she's able to escape the mundane routines of her specialized curriculum and join the exciting world of a general ed 5th Grade class.  This is where she feels she truly belongs but it takes a lot of work to convince others of her intelligence and worth as a student.

With much dedication, perseverance, and the love and support of the most wonderful neighbor and caregiver, Mrs. V (who is also the most powerful character in the novel), Melody blows everyone away by making it onto her school's coveted Quiz Team.  The opportunity undoubtedly opens up a whole new and exciting world for Melody but also forces her to come face to face with the harsh realities of being "different."

I loved Out of My Mind for its realness.  Draper does not paint a silver lining around every event that unfolds in Melody's life and I appreciated that.  I instantly fell in love with Melody's character and the fact that she had to face multiple challenges head-on made me love her even more.  For some reason I have been craving these types of stories.  The underdogs.  The obstacles.  The not-so-perfect endings.  The life lessons. I'm so proud of the quality literature that today's youth is privy to. Bless Draper and all the other authors who have the guts and compassion to write stories that really matter.

Recommended Age: 10 & Up

Quality Rating (out of 5 stars):

In other news...
If you get the chance and need a small chuckle, read my latest Facebook post about recently getting locked out of the library. You can also take a peek at my newest library checkouts for both myself and my lil' bean. I'd love to hear what you've checked out lately as well!
 

The Boy Kings of Texas: A Memoir

File this one under: Messed Up Family Dramas That Are Impossible to Put Down.  And why is it that I find myself drawn to these whack-a-doodle life accounts?

Answer:  Because there's humbling comfort in, "Dang.  I really need to stop bitchin'.  My life could have been SO MUCH worse" (not that I'm really complaining).

Domingo Martinez opens wide the doors to his childhood and shares intimate details about the often harsh reality of growing up in the Mexican border town of Brownsville, Texas.  The Boy Kings of Texas is a personalized education in the clashing of Mexican and American cultures.  Martinez reflects on the comical and sometimes painful family dynamic that reared him.  The memoir introduces us to a variety of colorful family members including a bad ass grandma, two diva sisters, and a bed hopping abusive father.  However, the core of the memoir focuses on the love-hate relationship between Martinez and his older brother Dan and Martinez's struggle to come to terms with their faltering connection.  

For a young boy, growing up in the "barrio" is one big machismo test.  Practically from diapers little boys are faced with the question, "Are you man enough?"  Martinez is not excluded.  He is forced to find his way through a very threatening, macho, male-oriented world that leaves little room for love and security.  Even his own grandmother is made of steel and carries a loaded gun, always living on the defense.  No matter where he turns, Martinez is faced with aggressive male dominance and has very few outlets for his introspective and self-affirming ideas and emotions.  The one exception is Dan.

Dan is Martinez's older brother.  He's intense, protective, and ignitable.  Dan finds himself in multiple fights growing up that always stem from the need to defend his family roots, regardless of their flaws.  Meanwhile, Martinez plays the loyal little brother who stands on the sidelines supporting, fearing, and praying.  The brothers' relationship is a classic one.  They tease, conspire, compete, irritate, protect, depend, and admire.  However, as they mature they find themselves wallowing in the same dark realization of where they came from and how they were raised.  This is anything but therapeutic.  In fact, it's the final fracture in their slowly deteriorating relationship.

Martinez is a natural storyteller.  He captures an area of American life very few are privy to.  His experiences  illustrate the contrast of defending the Mexican family culture while longing to be Americanized.  Martinez's  writing is straight-forward, honest, and charming and his page-turning memoir explores the all-human desire to escape and discover oneself.  

Quality Rating (out of 5 stars):

Happy Reading!

Ask the Passengers

Two words: Standing Ovation

Is it just me or has the world of Young Adult literature been doing a phenomenal job with addressing tough issues?  Where oh where were these story lines when I was a teen?

A.S. King hit a home run with Ask the Passengers.  She took a very delicate issue and brought it right out into the open, giving teens a heartfelt and realistic perspective.  I can only imagine this is a very daunting (and risky) task for an author.  But not for King.  She completely nailed it and then some.

Astrid Jones is a 17-year-old girl living in squeaky-clean suburbia with her detached family.  Mom is an icy workaholic that cares too much about keeping up appearances.  Dad is a secret pothead who desperately wants to escape his mundane life (and controlling wife).  Sister Ellis is the athletic over-achiever constantly trying to please and impress.  And then there's Astrid.  A down-to-earth thinker who gleans perspective from her philosophy class, hates her judgmental small town, feels misunderstood by her family, and has a serious secret weighing heavy on her heart - she's in love with a girl.

Trusting her secret to no one, Astrid confides in the passengers flying thousands of miles above her quiet spot within the backyard.  She tells them her worries, shares her innermost feelings, and asks them the hardest questions.  They in turn share their own trials which have common threads that connect to Astrid's life.  With much hesitation Astrid finally reveals her truth to only her closest friends but soon finds herself spiraling through a string of lies in order to mask the truth from everyone else ... including herself.

In an almost desperate attempt to come to terms with the events shaping her life, Astrid, taking a cue from her philosophy class, creates an imaginary version of Socrates whom she lovingly nicknames Frank.  The two have conversations about what it means to be completely honest and why it's important to question everything. (The most brilliant literary move I may have ever seen.)

King's story is one that's been told again and again ... but never so poignantly.  It demands the answers to the age-old questions: Who am I?  What is real?  What is love?  It makes no assumptions.  The characters are forced to discover and decide for themselves what truly matters.  Laced with wit and out-of-the-box processing, King provides a sort of therapy for young adults struggling to be free.

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Quality Rating:

The Scarlet Letter 2.0

I branched out of my reading comfort zone with Hillary Jordan's When She Woke.  Although I like to think of myself as a reader who will try anything, in reality I tend to nestle into realistic fiction the most.  Out of all the literary genres, science fiction is my least explored.  However, upon reading the synopsis for this book on  the much-loved Goodreads site, I was automatically drawn to its dystopian premise and the correlation to Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter.  There were enough realistic elements present to make me feel right at home in terms of reading within my comfort zone but the eerie confinements of a future society nudged me right over the threshold of the sci-fi world.  A great way to ease into a new genre.

The setting is a future America where the divisions between church and state have been erased.  Hannah Payne is a young woman whose life has revolved around church, family, and conformity.  Being repressed by  society, Hannah simply moves through the motions of her life, confident in her beliefs of what's right and what's wrong.  Until one day she awakens in a prison cell, strapped to a table, her skin a bright crimson.  Hannah is a Chrome.  Chromes are criminals who are forced to have their bodies genetically altered to display the color of their crime.  Reds are the worst of all criminals.  Reds are murderers.

Hannah has been convicted of the murder of her unborn child.  To complicate matters Hannah is keeping the identity of the father a secret because of his high-standing reputation within her community and eventually across the country. Their romance was a scandalous one.  One that Hannah has paid the highest price for.

Hannah's journey takes her across the country in the hopes of escaping the cruel and stigmatizing treatment toward Chromes.  Along the way she discovers fresh thoughts and feelings about life and love and freedom and realizes that what she once believed (was forced to believe) is no longer ringing true.  Hannah is a woman fighting for her life. She's fighting for dignity.  She's fighting for second chances.  She's fighting for the truth.

Jordan's take on the classic Hawthorne novel is fresh and smart.  Similar to The Scarlet Letter's Hester Prynne, Hannah Payne (notice the identical initials) morphs into an unlikely heroine.  Readers undisturbed by the heavy issue of abortion will most likely be rooting for Hannah come the end of the novel.  However, I can see where this story could ruffle the feathers of the more conservative thinkers of religion and abortion.  To me, stories are a safe way to approach hot topics and allow yourself to see and feel from different perspectives.  Whether you agree or disagree is not the point but that you are able to step into another's shoes and experience life's challenges through his or her eyes.  Books allow us - no, ENCOURAGE us to do just that.

Are you a sci-fi lover?  What are some of your favorite titles from the genre?  As always, do share!  I love "talking lit" with others.

Happy Reading!

No Fault Here

John Green is nothing short of brilliant.  His approach to writing teen literature goes far beyond any other author of the genre that I can think of.  I am so grateful that I took the time to acquaint (submerge) myself with his novel, The Fault In Our Stars.  A story of young love so beautifully written I was in a constant state of awe.

Hazel Lancaster and Augustus Waters lock eyes on one another during a cancer support group meeting for teens. Definitely not the typical location for meeting your first true love but this is in no way your typical teen love story.  The bright but painfully sheltered Hazel (better known as Hazel Grace) quickly finds a deep connection with the brutally handsome and witty Augustus (better known as Gus).  Opposites in many ways, these two are unlikely magnets and thrive on conversations about books, video games, quirky philosophies of life, and of course, living with cancer.

The novel takes Hazel and Gus on a journey to Amsterdam to meet the estranged (and severely alcoholic) Peter Van Houten, the author of Hazel's favorite book, An Imperial Affliction.  However, the trip becomes more than just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Expectations are crushed, truths are told, realities come forth, and the love between Hazel and Gus intensifies and becomes almost immeasurable.

Green takes the stereotypical "cancer story" and flips it on its head.  He creates characters that are so raw and vulnerable you can't help but feel the story and emotions behind them.  This is not so much a story about kids dying from cancer as it is about kids living with cancer and what it feels like to fall in love.  The perfectly written passages of crass remarks intertwined with gut-wrenching and beautiful insights are what make this novel memorable.  Green creates a powerful blend of both the humor, pain, and beauty of being dealt a bad hand in life.

I chose to listen to the audio version of this novel and it was superb.  Kate Rudd's reading is impeccable.  She was able to capture the voice of Hazel in a way I probably wouldn't have in my own head.  Her witty cadence reminded me much of Tina Fey (weird, I know) but in the same breath she was able to express the tender and honest thoughts of Hazel just as effectively.

This is yet another example of YA literature that is enjoyable for adults.  Sometimes I think YA novels are smarter, fresher, and more relevant than adult novels.  The Fault In Our Stars would indeed be one of them.  Because of the extensive vocabulary, I would recommend this book for high schoolers and above.  This won't stop me from adding a copy to my middle school classroom collection but I predict only my more "seasoned" 7th and 8th Graders will truly understand and appreciate its content.

For more information about John Green and his novels visit: http://johngreenbooks.com

Have you read this novel or any other works by John Green?  I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.  Do share!

Girl Power

Have you ever read a book that felt good for you?  Just like eating an apple improves one's nutritional state, this book improved my knowledge and appreciation for women's history.  This book was good for me.  It was enlightening to say the least.  Its complete education of the trials of the modern American woman made me think.

Really think.  

As Gail Collins led me through the recent female journey, I found myself swimming through a mix of different emotions and feelings: pride, sadness, anger, shock, reflection, wonder, and much unsettling.  I truly love this book for making me learn and feel and think so much about a topic that is ... me. Since finishing this book I have been trying to organize all those emotions and thoughts into a single space but it's difficult.  The best way I can encompass the heart and soul of this book is through the beautiful song, Woman In Chains by Tears For Fears.     

Collins begins the journey post WWII when the majority of women were found living their lives solely for their families and playing the role of the perfectly happy housewife.  This was a time when it was absurd to wear "slacks" in public and snagging a husband was the first priority of college rather than earning an education.  However, change was bubbling at the surface.

Collins crosses us over the threshold of change with the invention of The Pill and the onslaught of the Civil Rights Movement. This was the most interesting and educational part of the book for me.  I had no idea how closely women's rights and civil rights mirrored each other at that time.  Both groups were fighting to be seen, heard, and treated as an equal.  

The book then moves into the next chapter of female history when women's liberation almost became trendy and the feminist was as powerful (and stereotyped) as ever.  This may have been most evident with the poster child for women's rights, Gloria Steinem.  Despite the fact that Steinem was one of the most powerful and respected spokeswomen for the movement, she was often identified by her attractive looks.  She did not fit the stereotypical mold of the homely, frumpy feminist and unfortunately that often times overshadowed her hard work and contributions to the cause.

Then the 1980's and 1990's slammed the door on old-fashioned women roles and found females dominating the work force in areas like business, science, and engineering - all previously male driven.  It was at this time that the female race was confidently shouting, "Women can do ANYTHING!" (Damn straight!) Yet that affirmation quickly turned into, "Women can DO IT ALL!" (Ugh. No thanks.)  This is the part where my unsettled feelings began to sink in.    

It was around this time that the idea of the "Power Mom" took hold and I think women in America began to feel the pressure of living up to an ideal that was just plain impractical and in my opinion, unhealthy.  It was (and still is) common to find women constantly trying to find the balance between motherhood, career, and themselves.  I think women often ask, "Who am I?"  It seems attention is mostly given to two categories: the career woman OR the stay-at-home woman.  There is so much more to a woman than just that and juggling the two is not easily decided, nor should it be.

Collins closes her book with the fact that despite the enormous strides women have made over the last 40 years, they have yet to find the answers to all female suppressing issues.  We live in a country where females run for president but they cannot feel at peace with their attempts to simultaneously raise a family and maintain a career. This is both fascinating and sad to me.  Perhaps when this country catches up and supports the importance of motherhood on our society as a whole, women will feel more confident about their roles and the decisions they make.  Things like paid maternity leave, which the U.S. is one of four countries in the world that does not mandate this (sick and wrong) and mandatory childcare support would lessen the on-going burden women face when trying to balance a family and a job. 

I finished this book a week ago and I'm still thinking about it.  It was similar to taking a great history class in college. I want to learn more about the amazing path of the American woman.  Therefore, I've decided to add another Collins book to my to-read list: America's Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines. I'm completely engrossed in this topic and Collins is an engaging professor.  I can't wait to read more and get fired up once again.

Have you read this book or any other books by Gail Collins?  Have you read anything recently that felt good for you, your brain, and your emotions?  What was it and why did it hit a chord with you?  I'd love to hear what literary gems are leaving you thinking long and hard after the last word.  

As always, do share!

Downton Withdrawal

Call me an obsessive sap if you will but I'm having some serious Downton Abbey withdrawal. I'm finding myself wandering aimlessly, searching for anything remotely relating to the over-dramatized historical soap of the Crawley Family.  If only I could wake up to breakfast in bed like Cora, change my attire five times a day like the ladies, make snarky remarks under my breath like Mary, and constantly complain about living the hum drum life of an aristocrat like Edith.  I want to secretly turn to Carson for advice on life, hang out in the kitchen with the adorable Mrs. Pattmore, and smack the smirks off Thomas's and Ms. O'Brien's faces.    Ahhh... now that would be the life!  I, like millions of others, have fallen into the Downton trap and I cannot escape nor do I want to.   

To help fill my Downton needs, I turned to The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes (niece to the show's creator, Julian Fellowes).  It took a bit of time to get my hands on a copy as almost all of them within my local library's network was on hold.  But alas, one became available and I ended up renewing it twice in order to have more time with the beloved characters.  

To the average reader (a Downton non-enthusiast) this companion book would appear as nothing more than pure eye candy.  Which it is, loaded with beautiful full page photographs of the series as well as illustrations depicting the trends of the times.  But it's actually quite more than just fan fodder.  Fellowes takes time to give adequate insight into the real people and events that the show and characters are based on.  While the book's purpose is to give fans a backstage pass to the creation and production of the series, it goes much deeper into the historical aspects that form the foundation of the show.  This is what I appreciated most about the book.  I find period pieces fascinating and enjoyed learning more about Britain during the turn of the twentieth century.

Apparently, Cora's character is based on the real-life Lady Almina Carnarvon, who married the Earl of Carnarvon and earned Highclere Castle as her own.  The scenes from the show in which the family opens its doors to the wounded soldiers of World War I is taken straight from the life of Lady Almina.  This will definitely be the next book I snatch up in hopes of staying connected to the beloved show.  I just LOVE this stuff!

I found it quite interesting to learn that the show is taped in two separate locations.  All of the high-class "upstairs" scenes are filmed at the real site of Highclere Castle while all the "downstairs" scenes with the servants are filmed at a studio in London.  This means that a scene in which Carson, the butler, exits the servants' hall holding a tray of wine would be filmed one day and the same scene in which he enters into the dining room upstairs to serve the wine could be filmed two weeks later.  Fascinating.  (Yes, I need to get a life.)

Overall, the back stories of the social, political, and economical history of the time period is what makes this book a satisfying read.  Without it, the book would feel flat and meaningless.  The truth and authenticity given to the show is what drives audiences to return for more.  I love the mesh of fictional drama and true historical events that make up the heart of Downton.  It feels smarter than the average soap opera because it is.  If nothing else, the proof that this show is worth every waiting moment between seasons lies in the fact that my husband is just as addicted as I am (he may kill me for selling him out here).  He doesn't watch t.v. or read books (yes, opposites attract) so when he took the interest in watching the show with me (whoa) and reading the book (gasp) I knew it must be special.

Before I close this post, allow me to pay homage to one of the BEST aspects of Downton Abbey: THE FASHION!!!   

Calling all fellow Downton lovers!  Have you read the companion book?  What do you adore most about the show? What can I watch/read in the meantime that will tide me over until Season 4?  Do share!

Wonderful Wonder

I'm a middle school teacher.  Bullies are naturally on my daily radar while protecting and celebrating the underdog is ingrained in my teacher DNA.  With that being said, there was no way I was not going to fall in love with the wonderful August Pullman.  He's one of those characters you stumble across only once in a blue moon.  Those particular characters who have the power to steal a forever spot in your heart.  R.J. Palacio created August to remind us all, children and adults alike, of the power of kindness.

Wonder found its way into my hands in an interesting way.  I had heard about the book from a few colleagues who instantly loved it and I had also been reading its critical acclaims.  It was immediately added to my ever-growing list of to-reads but I wasn't sure when I was going to get around to it.  It was at that time that I found a mysterious package in my school mailbox.  I opened it to find a brand new copy of Wonder with a letter from a teacher in Battle Creek Michigan.  Mr. Sharp, a 4th Grade teacher, was so moved by the story of Wonder that he randomly sent a copy to me (and I assume to other teachers as well), encouraging me to read it and relish in its beautiful message. My first thought after reading this lovely letter was, "This must be a sign.  I HAVE to read this book now." And that's just what I did and I'm so grateful for the experience.

August Pullman is a ten-year-old boy who was born with a rare birth defect that left him with a severely disfigured face.  August (better known as Auggie) is about to enroll in public school for the first time as a 5th Grader.  Of course, he's terrified and anticipating the looks of horror from his new classmates when they see his face for the first time.  It reminds me of the terrific movie, Mask, only with younger characters.  Auggie faces his fears of rejection and isolation through the love and strength of his AMAZING parents and older sis, Via.  His family is his anchor and they are the foundation that gives Auggie his courage and big heart.

Needless to say, Auggie's first few months of school are tough.  He is forced to face some serious obstacles that have him second guessing his worth as a human being.  This is more than a lot for a ten-year-old to shoulder. However, through the cracks emerge a few noteworthy characters who turn out to be Auggie's best friends come year's end.  These high-quality friends help hold Auggie up when scary situations arise.  It's heartwarming to watch these friendships grow throughout the story.

Aside from Auggie's courageous battles with bullying and having to identity his self-worth, the real cornerstone of the entire novel is found within a speech given by Auggie's principal, Mr. Tushman near the end of the story.  Mr. Tushman's words are so simply and beautifully written and leave his student body audience (and us readers) with a full heart and open mind. To me, Tushman's speech was Palacio's speech.  This is what Palacio's story is truly about.  Her words are a heartfelt testament to the importance and power of acceptance and kindness.  It is so apparent that Palacio had a deep love for her characters and in turn we, her readers, have no other choice but to fall in love with them too.

For further information about Wonder and to learn about pledging to make a difference, visit Choose Kind.

Have you too had your heart warmed by the wonderful Auggie?  Have you read other powerful anti-bully novels?  I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings.  Do share!


    

Driving With Scissors

Raise your hand if you have a painfully long commute to work every day.  And by painful I mean any one-way trip that exceeds the 30 minute mark and leaves you feeling stiff, anxious, and disgruntled with the world.  What an ideal way to start your work day, right?  Negative.  It can be downright torturous.  I know this feeling all too well having chosen to reside a million miles away from my workplace.  However, I have recently discovered the perfect cure for this malady: AUDIO BOOKS! 

I'll be honest.  I used to cringe at the thought of being trapped in my car with only the sound of a monotonous voice jabbering away the plot of a very, very long story - "Wah wah wah, wuh wah wuh wah." Uh, no thanks.  I'm a big music lover and I used to think the only sane way to get through a dreadful commute was to BLAST my way to my destination with some solid tunes (preferably classic rock gems like The Cars, Heart, and Zeppelin) and when traffic got really tense I could always zen out with a little Yanni (don't judge).  What I didn't know was that the perfect audio book could actually produce the same effect as listening to the heart thumping Barracuda.  And this my friends, is where I stumbled upon the in-your-face memoir, Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs.     

Now let's see ... how could we best sum up Augusten's childhood?  A warm and fuzzy recollection of growing up with a loving and doting family?  No.  Enduring the typical growing pains of a young boy punctuated with periods of teenage dilemmas like failing an algebra test and getting caught with a pack of cigarettes?  Not quite.  Being abandoned as an infant only to be discovered by a pack of wolves who raise him to hunt for food and howl at the moon?  If only he'd been that lucky.  No.  I think the best way to describe Augusten's early life is complete and total IN.SAN.I.TY!  And not just a little bit of insanity but layers upon layers of it.  There was not a single minute of his entire childhood that could be considered "normal."  He was never given the chance to experience normal.  

Augusten grew up with an emotionally unstable mother and an absent father.  His mother's whack-a-doodle lifestyle caused Augusten to find himself living with and being raised by her lunatic psychiatrist, Dr. Finch.  While his mother takes a slow nose-dive into the depths of mental illness, Augusten is stuck in the whirlwind of the Finch family and the comings and goings of Dr. Finch's numerous mental patients.  On top of all of this, Augusten is trying to come to terms with his homosexuality but unfortunately receives disturbing and sometimes abusive lessons in love from a nasty little character named Neal Bookman.  Ew.  Despite his horrifying and often illegal home environment, Augusten somehow makes it through and eventually discovers what he was meant to do - write.

And boy oh boy is he a fabulous writer!  No doubt about it - Augusten's life story is blow-your-hair-back kind of stuff.  But the way he retells the events with a dry wit and a complete level of self-awareness made me appreciate his journey and had me rooting for him throughout the story.  I can see where many readers would be turned off or perhaps downright offended by the scenes of Augusten's life.  Some may even question the truthfulness of his memoir.  I admit I even asked myself once or twice, "Did he make this up?"  But now I think, "Dang - you have to be pretty courageous to share a memoir like this."  It was an added bonus that I listened to the audio version.  I felt I was able to connect with his story much more having heard it retold in his own voice.  What would have  become of Augusten Burroughs had he lived that warm and fuzzy "normal" childhood?  I'm not so sure but I'm grateful for his cracked upbringing because it made one hell of a good story.

Have you read this book?  What are your thoughts?  Have you also found the joy of audio books?  Do share!