Book Ten

5/31/2008 – The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls *
Why: Suggested at our last Vanaheim book club, I think by Jess. Unfortunately, our book club never meets. I finished the book and the meeting got canceled. Oh well.
First Impressions: The book was very hard for me to get in to. I started finding it interesting when she came into her teens and they had to move to Arizona and then Welch, West Virginia. I wanted to hear more about how she made the transition out of poverty and moved to NYC. After a very long build-up, the end came fast.
Emotions Felt: The book reminded me of students and families I work with in Stillwater (the Wrobel family especially and Samantha Thompson). I felt terrible about how the kids rooted through the garbage for food and especially when Dad took her to the bar and she was almost raped. And when Uncle Stanley tried to take advantage. Though she described her parents with a great deal of love, it was clear that there was generational poverty at play and a history of abuse and mental illness. You could see that in how Maureen developed as a character later on.
Any Remaining Questions: Is this all true or just a James Frey phenomenon. Will it be made into a movie and who should play the characters?
Favorite Quotes: None that come to mind
Who Would Like This Book: I did not like this book nearly as much as all the reviewers seem to. I seem to be in the minority though because it appears to be beloved by all.

Book Nine

5/10/2008 – The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch **

Why: Was suggested by several people. Jess Olsen brought it up at the last book club. Can’t remember the context. Janell (Mom’s cousin) mentioned it on the Caring Bridges blog. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it, at first, but given the situation with Mom thought I should give it a try.
First Impressions: The first thing that struck me was the respect with which Randy spoke about his parents. I could instantly identify with how he had “won the parent lottery.” I took a highlighter out and started marking down sentences, paragraphs and ideas that spoke to me. I liked the titles of the chapters, “An Injured Lion Wants to Roar” and I like how Randy didn’t sugar coat his personality, his disease and his relationships. He was unapologetically himself.
Emotions Felt: Understanding and yes, at some point, I cried. Profusely. I was touched by the times Randy spoke of brick walls. “the brick walls are there for a reason..” I am feeling a lot of brick walls in my life right now and wish I knew what was on the other side. It’s really hard to see what may come.
Any Remaining Questions: I wish his wife would write a book so I could grasp her strength and how she got through it. I can’t imagine . . .
Favorite Quotes: pg. 26“Kids need to know their parents love them. They don’t need to be alive for that to happen” pg. 62 “no matter what news we get about the scans, I’m not going to die when we hear it. I won’t die the next day or the day after that or the day after that. So today, right now, well this is a wonderful day. And I want you to know how much I’m enjoying it.”
Who Would Like This Book: Any one who liked Tuesdays with Morrie. Tuesdays with Morrie might be a better book though . . . .What was amazing was seeing him speak in person on the Oprah show. I really admire his attitude toward life. His computer stories are boring. Matt might really like this book though .