Book Six

3/29/2008 – Beautiful Boy by David Sheff ***
Why: Saw the book in Starbucks and was intrigued. Read the first chapter in Barnes and Noble and still held interest. Was recommended by Nancy Berven who used to live in Bay Area as a compelling read and interesting book for fans of SF
First Impressions: I knew from the start that this book would dominate my weekend and ensure that I got nothing else done. This proved true. I stayed up way past bedtime on Saturday night and yoga the next day was painful. Finished book in 3 days. Stunning.
Emotions felt: So much empathy for what the family was going through. Fear that this could happen to any family Sadness for the talent and potential that was lost. Shock when the dad David had his hemorrhage and nearly died. The book confirmed much of what I learned about Hazelden (secrets make you sick, you didn’t cause it, you can’t change it and you can’t cure it). The book also made me more informed about meth addiction. I think I will be more persuasive with parents about getting their kids into rehab and less ambivalent in my counseling.
Any Remaining Questions: I want to know how David afforded his lifestyle and how much money it took to fund his son’s rehab (family money?) I wonder how Karen (the stepmom) managed to get through all of this. Not much was said about their relationship. I wonder if the younger children will take up drugs (Daisy & Jasper). I wonder if Nic has had another relapse. I wonder if Nic Sheff’s book is nearly as compelling as his fathers.
Who Would Like This Book: This book was a painful, shocking and oddly compelling book to read through. I would suggest that all people should read this book but particularly parents of children entering middle school age. So important.

Book Five

3/23/2008 – The Awakening by Kate Chopin **
Why: Was chosen by the Stillwater Book Club for the March meeting. We met for dinner at Boutwell’s landing and had a fabulous book discussion in the library there.
First Impressions: The writing was fabulous. Lyrical, poetic & beautiful. However, it was a bit stuffy in an 18th century kind of way. A formal book to read. By page 40, I was captivated and finished the rest of the book in a single evening. Compelled to know what happened.
Emotion felt: Intrigue. Though my book club felt Edna made bad choices, I really feel she was truly depressed. I guess I have a different view of depression as outside of choice making. Edna was isolated and on her own. The only person who even tried to step in was Dr. Mandelet, present at the birth of Adele’s baby. I felt sad for Edna not angry. I wonder if she suffered from postpartum depression. The ending was completing shocking. Despite the fact I knew what to expect, I was still taken away.
Any Remaining Questions: All questions answered at book club with the exception of when Edna did the deed. It was unclear and an interesting debate ensued. Favorite Quote: It would be too hard to pick a single quote. When we were trying to determining the above question, members of our book club read some of the last chapters out loud. I wish I could have written a book this spectacular, lovely and enduring.
Who Would Like This Book: Feminists & English majors

Book Four

3/19/2008 – Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner *
Why: picked by Kelly for the Vanaheim book club. Her first pick so we felt we should honor her suggestion. I can’t imagine why she wanted to read it.
First Impressions: Easy, chick lit. Embarrassed to be reading the book in public
Emotion felt: Scared about being pregnant. Finding it hard to imagine myself in any of the characters or imagine Matt in any of the characters either. Instead of feeling that motherhood is blissful, it made me feel like motherhood is a nightmare.
Favorite Character: I didn’t like the Lia character or Alinde. Becky & Kelly seemed real to me but the others did not. Although I couldn’t entirely relate, I liked the character of Mimi. She was an absolute terror.
Any Remaining Questions: I want to ask my friends a number of questions but I’m not sure hearing their experience will help me. I get the impression that you can’t possibly know until you do. I’m also not sure they would all be honest. Will be an interesting book club, I’m thinking.
Favorite Quote: When Ayinde’s son Julian has heart issues and they find a hole in his heart, the doctor responds with something like: people survive a lot worse. I liked the overall message that everyone leads a messy, complicated life.
Who Would Like This Book: people who don’t read very often and are interested in kids. I’m still a little embarrassed that I read it myself.

Book Three

3/10/2008 – Greg Mortenson & Daid Olier Relin *
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
Why: March read for Stillwater book club
First Impression: Boring. This is not a writer’s book. Although the first chapter of his ascent to K2 was riveting, I slowly lost interest. Dr Greg wasn’t a likely character to me until I started to see and understand his character and travails more closely. I thought he was just a reckless youth in the beginning. It wasn’t until he was kidnapped and had the money for the school in Korphe and then found he needed a bridge and started getting death threats after 9/11 that I became interested in the novel and Dr. Greg’s mission.
Emotion Felt: Anger for war and also a desire to volunteer and have my own passion in life that drove me to the extent it shaped and inspired Dr. Greg
Favorite Character: I liked Dr. Greg and didn’t like him (at the same time). I guess in the end it was his flaws (disorganization, obsession with the cause) that made me believe in him and want to see him succeed
Any Remaining Questions: Is this a useful endeavor? Realistically, will we ever be able to keep up with the madrassas? Will Dr. Greg win the Noble Prize? And will Dr. Greg’s marriage ever last?
Favorite Quote: All the little quotes at the beginning of the chapters. And especially “when your heart speaks, take good notes” Judith Campbell
Who Would Like This Book: Democrats. Oprah viewers but not great readers.