Retro Reads

Let's Roll
by Lisa Beamer


What a horrible string of books.
Reading this book made me feel manipulated.  I was hoping for a heartfelt book about 9/11 but instead read ramblings from a non-author.  I feel bad being critical of a woman who experienced loss but . . .
No thank you.

Retro Reads

The Birth of Venus
by Sarah Dunant

This was a Vanaheim Book Club selection.  I was in need of a book to get me interested after getting stuck in Anna Karenina.  I loved this book.

The plot: Alessandra Cecchi grows up in the Florentine Renaissance and is married off to her brother's lover.  She has an affair with her painter and ends up in a convent. 

Thrilling turn of events that I did not expect.

Retro Reads

The Jane Austen Book Club
by Karen Joy Fowler

Nowadays, books are really cutesy.  The shelves are flooded with books that appeal to foodies and those that like to travel AND those that really like Jane Austen.  This book hit the scene before all the rest.  So it was novel and fun.  And then they started adapting Jane Austen books for the vampire lovers.

I'm not sure I would think much of this book now.  Probably just as satisfying to watch the movie.  Or better yet, just eat a big tub of popcorn with junior mints dumped in.

Retro Reads

Peace Like A River
by Leif Enger

I loved this book.  I thought it was poetic and beautiful.
My favorite line:  "I have the substance of things hoped for."
Plus, I think it has one of the greatest titles ever.

This was Leif Enger's first work.  This is a man just meant to tell a story.
Others didn't like it quite as much as I.
Not sure why.  This book will never leave my shelf.

Retro Reads

The 5 People You Meet In Heaven
by Mitch Albom

I read this book b/c Tuesdays with Morrie was THE BOOK of our honeymoon.  We laid by the pool and drank those frozen strawberry drinks with backscratcher straws (I can't remember their names ???) and read Albom.

And I had to give the guy a chance. 

Apparently, this book left me feeling quite spiritual and peaceful.  "the secret of heaven - that each affects the other and the other affects the next; and the world is full of stories, but the stories all are one."

Come again?

I should probably read this one again with an entirely new perspective.  But I may be a little too cynical now, sadly.  Which is not to say that I don't believe in Heaven.  I just don't believe in the Heaven that is all sweetly wrapped up and tied with a red ribbon - Albom style. 

And now I've done it.  Written about politics and religion in this blog.  My bad.

Retro Reads

Consequence of Choice
by Slovie Solomon Apple

Back when I lived in Falcon Heights, I had a neighbor named Sue Apple.  She was 92 at the time and sadly is probably now deceased.  She'd always wanted to write a book and so she did.

It wasn't half bad. And it was really long.  And if she can do it, I probably could too.

Retro Reads

The Virgin Blue
By Tracy Chevalier

I don't remember a single thing about this book.
Set in the French town of Lisle-sur-Tarn with characters named Isabelle & Etienne & Petit-Jean & Jean Paul.
My comments were:  "Confused.  Let Down.  Another book about the misunderstood wife who finally realizes her strength."
I go in waves.  I dislike male protagonists in books.  But I really hate stuffed up females trying to make a point.  I just like people to be real.  They don't always have to find themselves, you know?

Also, I made some reference to red hair plucking, dead bone arranging and sex nightmares in this book.
Huh?

Retro Reads

The Dive from Clausen's Pier
By Ann Packer

Here is what I remember about this book.  High school sweethearts find tragedy when the young man is paralyzed in an auto accident?  Carrie busts out of the relationship and finds a new life.

Supposedly, I really liked this book.  Although I'm not sure why. 

My favorite quote: "You are the kind of person you are.  You do what you do."

Not the most eloquent.  I also summarized the novel as "a Bridges of Madison Cty for the younger sector."  Cripes, I wouldn't go back to this book with a ten foot pole.

An old college friend once said this book reminded her of my relationship with Matt.  Which, I guess I understand.  We were high school sweethearts.  But neither of us has been in a tragic car accident.  And I like to think our relationship is not quite so stale as the one in this book.  I didn't know how to respond to her then and I don't really know what to say about this book now.

Retro Reads

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
By Ann Brashares

I read this book when I worked as a middle school counselor.  I was trying to stay hip with the young ones.  I decorated my office in one color (green).  I rode rollercoasters at the end of year field trip.  And I read ya lit.

I've got to admit.  I LOVED this book.  Babysitter's Club for the year 2000 set.  A perfect book for youngins wondering about divorce, death, young love and finding yourself.

Carmen is the character to love in this book.  She's human - jealous, goofed up, angry, real.

The movie is OK.  Expertly cast.  Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel and hmmmm.

And yes, they supposedly all wear the same magical pants.  Or something like that.

Retro Reads

The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd

Apparently, my first book club meeting EVER took place at Scott Highlands Middle School.  Aha, I remember it now.

I could not identify with a soul who worked at that school and cried every night from job frustration.  But, alas I connected with others over books.  Reading does save lives, I guess.


This is what I felt the book wanted to say:
 There are moments in life that change everything and develop a sense of knowing one's own power.  In the end, we find a mother that exists in every one of us and know we can carry the torch.

When I finished this book I felt as if I understood how it was to lose your north star (your mom) and find her again.  Strength renewed.

"When you're unsure of yourself, when you start pulling back into doubt and small living, she's the one inside saying - Get up from there and live like the glorious girl you are."

I should probably read this one again ten years later.  My how life has changed.