The Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I couldn't wait to read this book as it was mentioned by several authors I admire as one of their favorite books. I found it difficult to get into and was often confused due to the different storylines (two couples) switching back and forth. I'm thinking this book might include what they call Magical Realism and more and more I am learning I don't care for it as it confuses me.


I do think Kumdera has a way with storytelling and their is vision in his way with words. I enjoyed the cultural aspects and background of what was going on during the Soviet invasion of Prague. I didn't particularly love any of the characters so I wasn't really all that concerned about their story.


It seemed that Tomas was never satisfied and continued to search for the newest adventure only to be left unfulfilled again. His wife Tereza seems to be the most melencholy and loyal in the book however I can't understand how she is able to accept Tomas' unfaithfulness and merely pouts or gets upset. It felt like she was in a viscious cycle of hanging on and letting go of their relationship and life together.


It was hard at times to tell dreams from reality and I can see why this book would be great in a group discussion as there is so much going on with symbolism and dreams.


I was crying while reading about Karenin's death and felt so sad for Tereza's loss of her beloved companion.

I would recommend this book to someone who likes classics, literary fiction, books that make you think and possibly to a book group looking for a good discussion.

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
cannot say enough how much i loved this book. i so much enjoyed the correspondence between juliet and the islanders. getting tho know each character through their letters filled with opinions, experiences and gossip was such a great way to see them from different perspectives. i admired the fact that juliet followed her heart and allowed her life to unfold wherever she felt connected. if we all had the ability or the freedom or the lack of fear to just go wherever we felt called it seems our lives would be filled with relationships and experiences. i don't think she'll look back one day and regret she never lived to the fullest. i highly recommend this book for those that value relationships, new experiences, meeting different and quirky people and love learning about other's experiences.


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Full Circle Perspective

Olive Kitteridge: A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just loved this collection of short stories involving the character of Olive Kitteridge in one way or another. I've never much like to read short stories for some reason. Maybe they leave me wanting more or maybe I just haven't given them a chance. However, these short stories were different in that they each gave a portrayal of Olive. She may be a customer, a mother, a wife, a friend, the neighbor or just walking through in a cameo appearance. By showing us Olive from every angle and everyone's point of view, I got a fuller perspective of her through different situations. Had I only read one of the stories, I might have misjudged her, thought her frigid or cranky or stubborn but by seeing her behavior outside of one situation, I was able to empathize with her and truly see her softness, insecurities and vulnerability. I like her and think she is spunky if not a little grumpy and set in her ways but maybe I'm weird but for some reason I feel when we have lived a long life and experienced heartache and loss and worked and contributed to society, we have earned a little attitude even if it is a little irritating to be around...


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The Little Stranger

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
One of my book club members wanted to read a Sarah Waters and most everyone had read Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith but me of course so we went with Waters newest book. Being that it is the first Waters book I've read, I found her writing to be amazing. Her attention to detail and character development was great. I haven't read many period pieces or any ghost stories so this was totally new ground to walk on. I found that I like period writing, especially when it involves a simpler, less technelogical society. I can relate to characters that aren't sitting in front of a tv or playing video games or surfing the net. I admired Carloline's independence and mind of her own attitude. Dr. Faraday was a little needy and annoyed me to no end near the end of the book, he felt like a stalker. I would have loved more of the haunting and ghost story to be used as those scenes seemed to move the story along fast and I found myself waiting for the next, often too long...


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For the Love of Books

An Alphabetical Life: Living It Up in the World of Books by Wendy Werris

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book as I work in a bookstore and find the publishing industry full of good stories. After reading this book, it made me wish things were simpler now, the way they were when the sales reps would visit the stores in their territory with a few titles they were selling and the buyer or bookstore owner/manager would decide if and how many based on their customer base. I realize it might still be somewhat like this at the indies but unfortunately I work at a big box store and our stock is chosen by people in New York. I love hearing about the relationships Wendy built in the business. Not so fond of the "good ole boys" but hey they are still around unfortunately, especially in the South. I loved reading about someone who loves and obsesses over books as much as I. Sometimes I think I'm the only one but after reading this, I realize there are others, if only a small portion of the population, at least I'm not alone.


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April Decatur Women's Book Club Book

Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
wow, what a book...i'm so happy this was recommended for one of my book clubs as i wouldn't have picked it up. i found it so interesting to learn about not only Frank Lloyd Wright but a little about architecture and what was going on in the early 1900s in regards to politics, current events, society in general and I'm especially grateful to have learned a little about Mamah. She was an amazing woman in so many ways. I could totally relate to her longing for a more fulfilling relationship, more intimate and with an equal that could challenge her and make her think. I too am a lover of learning and seem to think intellectual stimulation is as strong if not stronger than any other kind, at least for me. I felt for her having to make choices that no matter what she did, someone would suffer, her, or her children, or Edwin her husband. It does seem that to follow one's heart often hurts others and that if we could just put our own longings, our own desires and passions aside and be there for others, life would be easier but it wouldn't be authentic either and as I've gotten older, authenticity has become more and more important to me. I highly recommend this book for many reasons, the historical aspect, the relationship dynamics are real and honest if painful, and the total surprise in the end. Makes me want to read more about Mamah and Frank outside of this book.


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Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I remember when it came out in the store and everyone was picking it up. This usually turns me off a book as I don't usually like the bestseller titles, they often seem light, predictable and so many people have read them that I've usually heard too much about them. This was my book club's choice so I went with it and glad I did. I loved Jacob's character and his humanity regarding the care of the circus animals. He had a good heart and I loved hearing his thoughts when he was older in comparison to his younger self. He has a spunk that he didn't seem to possess in his younger years. I find this to be true in a lot of people, they spend a lot of their life following the rules, putting others first and putting their own opinions aside. However as we get older and realize life is short, we often come out of our shell and stand up for our beliefs which often rocks the boat. Marlena was interesting in many ways. She had a good heart and due to fear, felt stuck in a situation she couldn't get out of. I especially love learning about a train circus, something I would have never thought would interest me. Very hard work and extremely crooked people!


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I loved this book. I especially enjoyed the backdrop of Great Expectations and how Jones tied Pip's life to so much that was going on in the book. It was gripping at times and violent however after recently reading Little Bee, I was somewhat prepared for the tortures that take place outside of America. It was a short book and I found myself reading slow in order to make it last a little longer. The love of learning and the idea that someone amidst chaos and uncertaintly can hold onto the hope for a better society. This message rings loud and clear with all that the world is going through now. Inspirational yet not unrealistic with a happily ever after ending.

Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

This is the second time I've read this story and got something different out of it this time. I fell in love with Gilman's ideas and writing in a college English class when we were assigned The Yellow Wallpaper. I was the only one in the class that loved the story. I felt Gilman's message about how women were treated was important and so when I discovered she had written Herland, based on an all women's utopian society, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
The beginning of the story was somewhat humorous duet e to the conversations between these three totally opposite adventurers and their discovery of this hidden female society. Terry, the macho, patriarchal leader funding the trip seems to find it impossible that women alone could create a functioning civilization let alone a happy one. Whereas Jeff, the sensitive woman worshipper, isn't totally convinced Terry is on to something yet kind of sits back and enjoys the ride. It's Van who sees women as more of an equal gender and allows his friendship with Ellador to delve into the strength and inner wisdom females encompass. For the first time, he is able to see the benefit of a "Marriage" outside of physical intimacy and the advantages of partnership on a whole new level. I found his thirst for knowledge and his shame of how our society sees the role of women endearing. Gilman's way of showing how backwards our society is in some ways was done through humor and comparisons with the Herland society. It was very tongue in cheek at times but got the message across with the women of Herland asking question after question about how our country works. It did make me feel a little embarassed to think how we often as a society think we know best and that we are superior to other cultures when in fact, some third world countries have maintained some values I think would benefit all of mankind. I recommend this book for a book club or class discussion as it leads to many different views and perspectives, much too long to go into a review. You just might learn something about the people in your life that you thought you knew very well.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
Grab your current read.Let the book fall open to a random page.Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!


Our girl was straight boycrazy. (To be called boycrazy in a country like Santo Domingo is a singular distinction; it means that you can sustain infatuations that would reduce your average northamericana to cinders.) She stared at the young bravos on the bus, secretly kissed the bread of the buenmosos who frequented the bakery, sang to herself all those beutiful Cuban love songs.

(from The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, page 88)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at ShouldBeReading. Stop by to visit and read more teasers!

my new t-shirt

believe it or not, all of the following is on the back of my new t-shirt

Love this Life....
is about celebrating the moment
and that we're not guaranteed
or owed another day
and how cool it is that what we hide
can actually be the fuel towards our glory
and that it's not so bad being proven wrong

Love this Life...
is about welcoming the blind turn
and the possibility that
there's no such thing as coincidence
and that empathy is incredibly sexy
and that it's never too late
to pick up a guitar or a paintbrush
or to make an amend or to make a new friend

Love this Life...
could be about rekindling a past flame
or igniting a new one
or shapeshifting from a dreamer into a doer
or savouring the caress of a love long gone

Love this Life...
means whatever it is you want it to mean
because

Love this Life...
is a celebration of you and your path

Love this Life...
cuz it could go at any second

you rock.

by David Culiner

what a message huh?

affirmation for 2009 i received at unity north burning bowl ceremony last night, thought i'd share it for those that may benefit from this affirmation and weren't present to receive it....

i now release and forgive all persons, all places, all things, and all conditions of the past and the present which are no longer a part of the Divine Plan for my on-going good.
i do give thanks that i am now released and forgiven by all persons, all places, all things, and all conditions of the past and the present which are no longer a part of the Divine Plan for my on-going good.
thank you father, mother, god for my freedom from the mistakes of the past and the results of the mistakes of the past.
i now attract to me my highest good, thank you, thank you, thank youou

may your 2009 be peaceful, prosperous and full of opportunities to grow....

The Invitation

just wanted to share this amazing poem I read today..

The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true, I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty, even when it is not pretty every day, and if you can source your life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours or mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you are, or how you came to be here- I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
May 1994