Weekend Reading

Ah Hah!  I found one.  A novel I could read right through.  I have attention-deficit when it comes to novels, you see.  They can't seem to hold me very long.  But something the way Jeannette Walls writes really pulls me in.  I've read her memoir, "The Glass Castle" and her other novel "Half Broke Horses", and now this, her third "The Silver Star".  She says it's a novel, fiction, but I'm sure there are pieces of her crazy childhood all over this book.  Especially in the mother character.

I said it before after reading one of Walls' books:  If you think your life is spinning out of control, just try to imagine what life was like for her growing up.  Your life?  It ain't so bad.  Cozy up this weekend with a good read and really enjoy that extra hour tomorrow.

Weekend Reading

"Farm City - The Education of an Urban Farmer" by Novella Capenter was EXACTLY what I needed to read.

If you've been reading this space for a while, you may have noticed that I have taken a significant break from posting my once-traditional Friday "Weekend Reading" posts.  I love to read.  I try  to read novels.  Sometimes I succeed. Mostly I don't.  Well-meaning friends pass along these "wonderful" books for me to read, and I start them, and enjoy them for a chapter or 3, then I put them down ... and down they stay.  Unless it's a novel I can learn something from.  I don't mean history or geography.  I like geography.  History is a bit meh for me as I prefer to live in the present and not-so-distant-future.

So this book was so perfect for me. Right now.  Basically, this apartment-dweller decides to squat on some land next to her rented space and first construct a garden, very quickly adding poultry that will eventually be consumed.  (Unfortunately, not all are consumed by the author.  I'll spare you the details - you'll just have to read it.)  Then she decides to raise a couple of hogs and this, for me, is where it got interesting.  

I was reading this book when I was knee-deep in the middle of raising our 2 pigs, by very similar methods as the author.  I laughed at her follies (which were not so different from my own) and gave a nod to her observations and comments about raising her pigs in the manner she chose.  Finally!  I felt like there was someone out there doing what I was doing.

Now, I'm sure there are LOTS of people doing what I'm doing.  I just don't know any of them, and they definitely don't run in my social circles.  Most unfortunate, this, as my frustrations and exhausted ramblings about the amount of food pigs can consume, and how much decent food people will throw into the garbage mostly fell on sympathetic ears who really had no idea how commited we were to raising our pigs.

If you choose to read "Farm City", I'm sure you'll enjoy it, even if you never raise hogs or know anyone who does.  It's an eye-opener, let me tell ya.

Weekend Reading :: Older Kids or Adults!

"Peter and the Starcatchers" by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, recommended by my friend Signe at Patch of Blue, was a very welcomed read.  It is essentially the prequel to the original Peter Pan book by J. M. Barrie.  We find out how Peter and the lost boys came to be on the island and why a certain pirate has a hook for a hand, among other things that I won't spoil for you.  It is a very fast-paced, exciting read with not a lull to be found anywhere.  I started reading it as a bedtime read for both kids, but my insatiable reader of a 10 year old couldn't wait to find out what happened, so read ahead and finished the book in record time.  My 6 year old son was a little un-nerved by a couple of the scarier parts (we are talking about vengeful pirates and a giant crocodile here), so I read those parts to myself and then gave him the condensed version before we continued on the slightly tamer parts.  Most of the chapters are very short, which makes a mom happy for bedtime reading, but as the book progresses, it jumps about between 3 converging story lines which can be disconcerting to younger children who need some kind of closure before bedtime.  Nonetheless, a highly enjoyable read, for slightly older children (it's recommended for 10+ years), or adults that like an exciting quick-read.

Happy Reading!  Happy Weekending!

PS - To those who have been wondering where my regular weekend reading has been, I've taken a little hiatus from my usual book learning, (unless you count books on incubating and raising various types of poultry) mostly because my trusty little light I use for my bedtime reading has expired.  I must get a new one.

Weekend Reading

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein was, for me, a quick and highly enjoyable foray into the contrived mind of a dog.  The story is told in the point of view of Enzo the dog, who begins at the (almost) end of the story.  It was a good one for me, when I wanted a little literary escape, without a lot of fluff or historical recounting of some bizarre or fantastical event.  I buzzed through this one in 3 easy nights.  I could say more, but I won't.  I'll save the enjoyment for you to discover.  Sweet book.  Enjoy it :)

Weekend Reading

Books, books and more books.  OK. So I really don't have to tell you about Harry Potter; I'm reading 1 ahead of daughter, so I'm on "The Half-Blood Prince" and thoroughly enjoying it, for the 2nd time.  Meanwhile, she's panting in my ear as she impatiently waits for me to hand it over.

Then, there's book 1 of the "Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place" by Maryrose Wood, which I'm reading aloud to the children, and that we've read before.  But, we are desperately waiting the 3rd installment of the series, which seems to be terminally stuck in "cataloging" at the local library.  So we are refreshing ourselves with Parts 1 and 2 of the series in hopes that the 3rd book will be available, like, the second we're done.

And then, there's the book for me, recommended by my friend Signe from Patch of Blue: "Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by Jenny Lawson.  Oh. My. God.  Is this FUNNY!  And her liberal use of colorful adjectives (well, one in particular) makes it even more so.  It also makes it one of those books you don't leave around for your young reading-age children to investigate.  No.  You really don't want that.  I've only started it and so far it's making me laugh out loud.  It's a stand-up comic version of "The Glass Castle".  With a lot of extra fun words thrown in.

Happy Reading!

Weekend Reading?

As the weather cools off and I find I'm spending more and more time indoors, especially in the evening and early morning, my pile of good reads is growing taller and taller:

Because there really is only so much housecleaning I can stand.  (It's not very much).

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Weekend Reading

The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway is a look into a war-torn city from the viewpoints of 3 different people.  The premise of the book is that a cellist, in memory of 22 people killed while waiting in line for bread, will play a particular piece once every day for 22 days, 1 day for each person.   The cellist becomes a becon of light and hope to all within the city, even the sniper sent to assassinate him, and makes the city beautiful again, if only for a few moments.  It is a Canadian work of fiction, but one can get a glimpse of how corrupt and demoralizing a war can be on a people; a people once so proud of their city that has now be reduced to walking miles for water every few days just to survive, and not knowing if they are going to make it home alive; the internal struggle when someone sees someone shot down and debates himself on whether or not to help at the risk of becoming the next target.  Makes one wonder, what would you do in a similiar situation?
Photo courtesy of www.audioeditions.com.

Weekend Reading

Hmmm. This is the 2nd week in a row with no Weekend Reading Post.  I haven't finished a book in a couple of weeks and am on the hunt for a really good read, preferably a novel to counter-balance all the homesteading books I've put forth lately.  I have re-read Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban in the past month as I wanted to preview it for the daughter who was itching to sink her teeth into it.  (Loved it- again.)  What took me a couple of weeks to get thru, took her 24 hours.  No lie.  I'm currently waiting on another "children's" book, the 3rd installment of the "Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place".  If it's anything like the first two, it will not disappoint.

Anyone read anything really good lately??

Weekend Reading

This Life Is In Your Hands by Melissa Coleman is a memoir about living off the land and the hardships, blessings and tragedies that can go along with it.  In the fall of 1968, Melissa Coleman's parents, Eliot and Sue pack a few essentials into their VW truck and abandon the rat race for a cleaner and back-to-the-land way of life on the coast of Maine, under the wing of Helen and Scott Nearing, authors of "Living the Good Life."  Summers are full and overflowing, while winters are harsh and difficult.

I enjoy reading books like this; it helps keep reality in check for me.  I often say that I was born 100 years too late, that I would have liked to be a pioneer and do everything from scratch.  But honestly, that's HARD.  Really Hard.  There's nothing wrong with a few modern conveniences (like a real oven, and indoor plumbing) but it's really good to know where your food comes from.

Where ever you go, whatever you do, enjoy your weekend!

Weekend Reading

This one is HOT.  Like the weather.  Whew.
Prepare to take a cold shower:

"Fifty Shades of Grey" by E. L. James.

I'm not finished, but almost.  You've probably heard of it. "Everyone" is talking about it.  The back of the book advertises a "romance."  Ahem.  Well, I guess.  Sort of. Depends what your idea of romance is I suppose.  I'm about 3/4 of the way through, and though it's been very captivating, honestly, it's starting to get repetitive.  Hmmm.  We will see how it ends.  Ms. James has written two sequels to this one.  So, the jury is still out on this one.

I'll go back to my regular-type reading material next week.  Right now, my literary pursuits are matching the weather.

Weekend Reading

"The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls.

If you've ever thought your family was totally weird.  Or if you thought you poor.  Or if you need a reminder of how good you've got it.  Or if you just need a good read.

Enjoy.

Happy Week-Ending folks!

Weekend Reading

I thought I'd give everyone another's week break in my gardening selection.  So, this Friday's selection: "Secret Daughter" by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.  I'm sure a ton of people have already read it, but if you haven't, look it up.  Well worth it!

Whatever you do, where ever you are, Have a fantastic weekend!

Weekend Reading

A lighter reading suggestion this weekend.  It is the long weekend, afterall.  "Please Look After Mom" by Kyong-suk Sin is a heart-wrenching read for anyone who has a mother.  You will never look at her the same way again.  So often, I think, we do not realize that our own mothers have a life and interests and passions and thoughts beyond caring for their families.  This book is interesting in that it is written in the 2nd person (I've never read a book in the 2nd person before, have you?) and tells tales of "mom" through the eyes of her loved ones.  "Mom" disappears one day after getting off the train and gets lost.  The book then, retraces mom's steps according to the people who supposedly know her best.  Truly, a fascinating read.

Whatever you do, where ever you are, enjoy your weekend!