Book Twenty

9/20/2008 – Guests of My Life by Elizabeth Watson***
Why: Mary Kassera from Stillwater Book Club presented this book to me at our August book club at Water Inn. I gave her a hug afterwards which I think made her uncomfortable. It was a thoughtful thing to do. They understood so well the pain I was going through and the book was a salve for me in August.
Emotions Felt: Mostly understanding. The book made grief feel like a normal emotion and a courageous journey that continues on. From Dickinson’s raw grief to Whitman’s realization that life is constant and evolves, I understood that my feelings all were part of the experience and that the tears would dry up eventually
Remaining Questions: I hated to finish the book because I felt then that the teachings would stop. It’s a funny thing grief. You want it to stop but the stopping means everything will be different and you don’t want anything at all to be different from the life you once knew. I wonder if I will pick this book up at a later time and what it will mean to me then.
Favorite Quotes: “Even death, like the nettle, loses its sting when grasped with courage.” “When we accept the unacceptable, it has no more power over us. We can move through and beyond the experience.” I like this quote a lot because I truly feel Mom’s death is unacceptable and yet something I have to accept. Such a paradox.
Who Would Like This Book: Erica, I think.

Book Nineteen

9/17/2008 – The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner***
Why: Saw this book for the first time at The Red Balloon and was simply intrigued by the concept and the fact that an MPR writer authored the text. The saleslady said it was a fabulous book and one that she read when she was getting through a difficult time. This summer has definitely been a difficult time for me and I wanted to learn the secret to being happy. Weiner was an excellent travel companion.
Emotions Felt: Funny. The descriptions of the countries and the people he met along the way were so captivating you felt like you were journeying along with him. I felt like I was learning and enjoying the process at the same time. The research was stimulating and the narrative interesting too. I felt happy reading the book.
Remaining Questions: What is the real story on Eric Weiner? Why is he so unhappy?
Favorite Quotes: feevty-feevty and the whole Moldova chapter. Plus the epilogue.
Who Would Like This Book: Everyone who liked Eat, Pray, Love. Others would think it was too indulgent. I absolutely loved. It.

Book Eighteen

9/9/2008 – How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez **
Why: Picked by the Stillwater Book Club. I, however, thought the book choice was In the Time of the Butterflies and had to rush to finish. Was not an easy, quick read but rather a series of vignettes that didn’t call me in. The writing was magnificent but the technique of writing the ending first and then telling the story backwards felt awkward. I didn’t finish (after going to book club) the last 100 pages because the rest of the book club felt much the same way and didn’t see the conclusion as tying the whole book together. I tried to convince the book club to read In the Time of the Butterflies which I think is a much more captivating story and a better representation of the unique talents of the author.