club

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Reading: The Husband’s Secret

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My friend, Holli, had mentioned this book to me and since it was three days before I had to pick a book for our book club, I decided to research it.

It looked great. I liked the title.

Wait.

I loved the title.

It made me giggle. Seriously, my heart is usually jostled at least once a week when it breaks into a rhythm of laughter I cannot control.

Because I just posted My Husband’s Secret a few days ago. And it still makes me giggle (stay tuned for part two) every time my husband pulls out his iPod.

Moving on to the review.

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I ordered my copy from Amazon.

I usually always read the book I pick before I pick it for book club. But I was procrastinating. Actually, I was reading a fabulous fantasy series, but that would not be my book club’s cup of tea. I decided to spare them and pick a “chick lit.”

I read the book in two days. The end did make me cry. Just a bit. As all “what ifs” do. I don’t know about this book. It was a lot to process. Someone mentioned the book having ADHD in one of their reviews. That is a fair assessment.

I think I would give this book a 6.5 out of 10. It was not my favorite book (here I am being like those parents. “Now Jimmy, we don’t say we don’t like something. Just say it’s not your favorite.” Ahem). I was skeptical about this author because it seems she took every scenario in creative writing class and turned them into books. What if you got amnesia? What if you found a letter addressed to you? I do not know if I am being too critical. I never cared about any of the characters. I do not know why. She is very descriptive, but there is just an element of something missing that would have made me feel anything towards them.

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You guys are all smart human beings. I am sure, you, like me, will guess the husband’s secret just by reading the back cover. Thankfully, there is another twist. Otherwise, the book would have gotten a three out of ten from me.

The book did reinforce my terror of children running into the road. It is a real and horrible thing.

And, there is a character in the book, Felicity. She used to be “fat” but has lost weight and is now beautiful. SIGH. The way she writes about this heavier girl made me tell my husband, “this author has never been heavy.” So, yea, hated (uh-oh! Look away Jimmy!) that part.

The ending was great, in my opinion. I did enjoy the quick flash forwards into the character’s lives. That was a nice touch. It was well done and well executed.

Most of the girls in book club gave this book a nine out of ten. It gets wonderful reviews on Amazon. I was just turned off by the Felicity character, the drawn out drama, and my lack of empathy for any of the characters.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Was I too harsh?

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Reading: “Eleanor & Park”

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Our book club pick last month was “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell. It was picked by the lovely Holli. Holli and I generally have the same taste in books, so I had high expectations. This book did not disappoint. I really enjoyed it.

The book is a teenage romance set in the 1980s. I will say that although the book is about teenagers, I probably would not let my daughter read this until she is sixteen. It does have some explicit language and phrases that might offend some. It did not offend me. I did not even notice the language until it was brought up at book club.

Eleanor and Park are both sixteen. Eleanor is a tall, voluptuous red-head who feels self conscience and does not fit in. Park is a half-Korean half-American boy who also feels set apart as the only Korean kid in his school. They meet on the school bus. And their slow friendship is so beautifully written, you will feel the moments that turn into sparks between them.

The book centers around their romance. And all that love can endure. I think maybe love might be even harder as a teenager.

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I had never heard of Rainbow Rowell before. But I enjoyed her writing so much I ordered her other book, “Fan Girl.” It is coming on Monday. Unlike the book I picked this month for book club (more on that soon), this author makes you really feel with the characters. It is what makes a good author a great one. Rainbow has that ability. She produces beautiful words.

As in any book, this book would be incredibly dull without some angst. Or some drama. And show me a teenager who does not have both of those situations occurring on a regular basis and I will lend you my pet unicorn for the day. Of course, Eleanor and Park have to endure all of that. I read it in two days. It is an easy worthwhile read. I would give the book a nine out of ten.

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The Good:

The characters. Eleanor and Park became living, breathing friends of mine. They made me cry. They made me angry. But the secondary characters were equally solidly built. Park’s parents, well, you are going to love them. Eleanor’s parents made me want to kick and scream. And the kids on the bus will bring back every teenage anxiety you have ever felt.

The writing was easy. I enjoy easy. Life is hard enough. I want to read a book smooth as pudding. With a glass of ice cold flow. The sweetness tickled the back of my throat as it went down.

The Bad:

The ending. It is kind of a cliff hanger. I do not know if it will make you angry. I think it was the perfect ending. I did not find it to be such a cliff hanger as others have felt it was. The author has also hinted that this might not be the last we see of Eleanor and Park.

Poverty. I sometimes forget in my little bubble how incredibly hard some children have it. And this leads me to feel immensely guilty and grateful all at once. There is a part in the book that centers around hygiene. And it broke my heart in two. I made myself put the book down for a good hour so my soul could give it the attention it deserved. And reflect on what I could do more of as a human being to help end moments like that for other children.

“Eleanor & Park” is a small book that will make you feel big things.

Have you read this book? What book/books are you reading this month?

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Reading: “The Storyteller”

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For our book club last month, sweet Kathy picked, “The Storyteller” by Jodi Piccoult.

Now, if you have read my book reviews before, you might have picked up on the fact that I have some bitter feelings in regards to Ms. Piccoult’s novels. I stopped reading them a long time ago. I usually do not like how she sucks you in and then kicks you in the heart, leaving you to smear the pages you have witnessed with tears and regret. I will never forgive her for “My Sister’s Keeper.” Never.

And, “The Pact.” There was a line in that book that has stuck with me for almost fifteen years. It describes the mother of a teenage son smelling his breath and trying to recall when it was that he lost the mellow milky smell his breath used to carry in his youth. In doing so, she created an obsession in me to determine the exact moment that this would occur in my own children. So I would know. So I could answer that question. I believe the answer is nine. Nine years old, Ms. Piccoult. Thanks for the memories. And my creepy habit.

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But I had this book. I had purchased it at Costco months before, because a different friend had mentioned she might choose it for her book pick. She didn’t and I would stare at it with resentment when I would walk by it.

The title was so intriguing. “You,” I would think. “So, what story are you going to tell me? How is this one going to end?” I had a vision of me ugly crying, snot pouring down my face and the book being hurled across the room. Only to break a picture frame and in turn break my heart again.

Oh, yes, me and that book were becoming old adversaries.

Because, here is the thing: Jodi Piccoult. Well, she is an amazing writer. The stories she can spin. She is the master of human emotions. That book was a drug. And I needed it, but did not want it.

However, it was chosen. And I had it. So, I read it.

And once again, Jodi Piccoult sucked me in.

The book (yes, we are finally going to discuss it. Excuse my theatrics getting to it) will grip you from the beginning and not let you go.

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It starts with a fictional story and then quickly steps into the present day life of a young baker, Sage, who hides from the world. She thinks the scar on her face shows the world the monster hiding inside of her. It is her story, but also the story of an old man. At 95 years old,”Josef” asks Sage to kill him. And so we enter Josef’s story. And in doing so, we enter the world of the holocaust. And the questions begin: What is forgiveness? How far would each of us take it? What is the true definition of survival? And are all humans merely monsters in disguise?

Of course, I cried. I sobbed:

Page 296 did me in. I finally caved in to the sobbing at the hopelessness of the situation.

And on page 357, I cried again in relief. In anger. Why did it take so long?

I was dreading the ending. I knew there would be a twist, as there always is in her books. And I did not want to take that turn. But I did.

And guess what? I loved it! Oh, it was brilliant. It was genius. And perfect. And dark. Jodi Piccoult won me over with this story of hers. It is one of the best novels I have read in a very long time. My heart hurt, but it was still whole.

I highly recommend it.

Have you read “The Storyteller”? Did you like the ending? Did you agree with Sage’s decision? Try not to leave any spoilers, please. I do not want to ruin anyone’s experience. But you can definitely email me to discuss.

Our next book club pick is “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell. Just in case you want to read it and discuss in a month. I ordered my copy, buy have not received it yet.

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The Hiking Club

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Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there was a young girl who decided to go on a hike. And she decided she would invite every girl she loved to come along. Spoiler: It was me. It was the very last time I went on a hike. It was eighteen years ago. I was eighteen. Wow! Look at those numbers. Maybe I should get out more.

I have a wonderful aunt, Auntie M. When I was a child she would take me on a hike every year. I had done it since I was little. How hard could it be?

Here are the things I did not take into consideration:

1. I never had to pack our food or water as a child. Doesn’t it just magically appear in your bag? Because that’s right… I conned talked eighteen girls into going on a six mile hike with me. And we only packed about ten water bottles. We did bring watermelon. Lots of watermelon. I have no idea why.

2. I am allergic to watermelon.

3. I planned this hike in the middle of July. In the dessert.

4. We told no one where we were going.

5. We had no cell phones. Because they did not exist. Kind of like my brain at the time.

6. We had four cars between us. We somehow crammed ourselves into two and left them at the end of the hike.

7. None of these girls were friends. They were my friends. But they were not friends with each other. Okay. Some of them were. But we had the goth girls, the stoners, a cheerleader or two, the soccer champion, the brainiacs, and me. It was like “The Breakfast Club” without breakfast or a club. Without the comforts of a bathroom or a cool janitor. If those guys in the Breakfast Club would have been dumped in the middle of nowhere without water for five hours in the heat of summer. Well, let’s just say Anthony Michael Hall wouldn’t have had an essay to write. ‘Cause they would have eaten him.

We started out on the hike cheerful and in good spirits. Half of us were leaving for college in a few weeks. It was our last hurrah.

I plan fun things.

It began to turn sour about halfway through the hike…When we realized we were out of water. It was not pretty. The goths were more quiet than usual. I knew it was just a matter of moments before they realized this was all my fault idea.

But then something miraculous happened. We came upon a stream and a little small, I do not want to call it a lake, because it was about the size of my living room, but beautiful body of water. It was shady. It was like a mirage. But it wasn’t. We stopped and we splashed. We chatted. We connected in a way that only those in the most dire of circumstances can.

Sometimes I dream about this “lake.” It can be a lovely dream or a bloody nightmare. In the dream, I build a little house here and it is a beautiful and tranquil experience. In my nightmares, the lake gets bigger and is filled with great white sharks that inevitably eat me (I think I am one of the few people who actually die in their dreams. My mind loves me like that).

We left the lake and trudged along. I barely remember us getting to the cars. We were all sweaty and dehydrated. We were all cranky and miserable. The lake had renewed our spirits for a moment, but human nature quickly took over as we crawled towards the finish line.

At the end, one girl turned to me and said, “Thanks Jenni. That was the worst experience of my life.”

I aim to please.

I never did see all of those girls together again. Over the years, we all drifted away. I did reconnect with some of them on Facebook when I had an account. But in my imagination, life had turned out differently for them. I liked my dream version better. I wanted that magical lake of life in the middle of nowhere to always be there. The weariness of life to not have drained it away.

I have mixed emotions and memories of that hike. I do not regret it, but I did learn…

“In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions”…

We found out that each one of us is…

“A brain.
An athlete
A basket case (guess which one this was)
A princess
And a criminal.”

In need of water.