the one I read while in a coma.

I just finished The Widower's Tale by Julia Glass.  I'm not sure how.  I read the novel in fits and starts while nursing little Miss Maren.  I read the book in the midst of a 104 degree fever and at all times of day and night.  At one point, it was covered in bits of Raisin Bran and spit-up.  Gross.

Julia Glass is one of my favorite authors.  I love the language she uses in her books.  Words like fortuitously and hyperfastidiously.  She won the National Book Award for Three Junes and I have been smitten with her work since that time.  She writes like Anna Quindlen and Maeve Binchy.  Knows character development and how to spin a tale. 

I really can't in good conscience review this work.  I loved the stodgy old character of Percy Darling, the "Stars Hollow" town of Matlock and the idealistic preschool called Elves and Fairies.   But my head is just not working right now.  This novel is deserving a space on my shelf and another good read someday. 

the one movie I can't wait to see.

I just finished Mockingjay and have to say that I. Loved. It.  Katniss is so real to me.  I get aggravated by her whining (at times) but I adore her stubborn streak.  I can't wait to see her on the big screen!

I listened to an interview with Suzanne Collins on the NYT book podcast.  Turns out she is a screenwriter.  I think that helps explain why her books are so all consuming and action packed.  She has helped write the screenplay for the movie that will begin production in January 2011.  Here's hoping that it will do the books justice and not glorify the violence the book is meant to critique.

There is a lot of heart to this trilogy and Suzanne takes risks making analogies between modern day society and her country of Panem.  I'm an unabashed fan of what Ms. Collins has done with her work.

the one I read on my last day.

Revelation: Today is my last day married w/out children.  It's not that we're having the baby immediately.  Simply, it's Friday of workshop week and I had the day entirely to myself.  From now on, I will be working, with Matt or watching Little M.

So, I relished today.  A decaf latte and peach & cherry crumble at Swede Hollow.  Caught up on my google reader and read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

What a lovely book.  It was deep, funny, compelling and sweet at times.   I was crushed by page 10 when Oscar the dog died and then Alexie completely had me by page 59 with the phrase "emotionally erect."  This man has a way with words that completely draws you in.  My favorite scene is when Arnold Spirit Jr wins the basketball game and realizes what he really lost.  the NYT says that Alexie has mastered YA fiction and I completely agree.

This is the kind of book I would want my teacher to read aloud because it sounds so conversational and engaging.  There are so many themes to discuss: generational poverty and alcoholism on the rez, coming of age and the role of family and fathers.  I fell in love with so many characters despite their flaws and faults: Gordy and Rowdy and Penelope.  I wish I could attend the next book club to discuss them all. 

Really, really good pick Kerri!  The perfect way to spend my last day. 

the one by ayelet.

Ayelet Waldman was on Oprah a few years back.  I saw the episode.  This was before Oprah starting Skyping and her shows got weird.  I have never seen Oprah viewers get quite so upset as when Ayelet sat Oprah's couch.  Ayelet tried to defend her strong belief that she loved her husband (well known author Michael Chabon) more than her four children.  Quite the Oprah controversy.

Ayelet's response to the backlash is her book Bad Mother.  According to Waldman, this book "is about the perils and joys of trying to be a decent mother in a world intent on making you feel like a bad one."  It reminded me a little bit of Anne Lamott's books and was a refreshing read considering all the hippie, attachment parenting books I've been reading lately. 


I have some worries about being a good parent.  That dinner will be Red Savoy's pizza and Subway more often than not.  That the occasional Bachelor episode and KDWB song will invade our home and our little girl's self esteem.  That I won't sew the beautiful Halloween costumes that my mother did or read the prescribed eight books a day that will help my daughter develop a love for learning.  Gasp.


I'm just going to do the best I can to love my husband and my little girl simultaneously.  My husband will have to make up for my mistakes and I'll make up for his.  And, hopefully, when we're all old and gray we'll laugh together about each and every one of them.


Next on deck . . . Mockingjay, Alexie and childbirth.