The Book Shelf Again

I finished reading Snow Flower and The Secret Fan by Lisa See this week. I didn't pick my last two books very well, so I wasn't sure I'd like this book either. I was wrong! I picked a winner this time. I really enjoyed this book. Here's what Publishers Weekly says on the Amazon website...

"See's engrossing novel set in remote 19th-century China details the deeply affecting story of lifelong, intimate friends Lily and Snow Flower, their imprisonment by rigid codes of conduct for women and their betrayal by pride and love. While granting immediacy to Lily's voice, See adroitly transmits historical background in graceful prose. Her in-depth research into women's ceremonies and duties in China's rural interior brings fascinating revelations about arranged marriages, women's inferior status in both their natal and married homes, and the Confucian proverbs and myriad superstitions that informed daily life. Beginning with a detailed and heartbreaking description of Lily and her sisters' foot binding, the story widens to a vivid portrait of family and village life. Most impressive is See's incorporation of nu shu, a secret written phonetic code among women—here between Lily and Snow Flower—that dates back 1,000 years in the southwestern Hunan province. As both a suspenseful and poignant story and an absorbing historical chronicle, this novel has bestseller potential and should become a reading group favorite as well."

When I finished the last page of the book I missed Lily. I think I enjoyed Snow Flower and the Secret Fan more than the last two books I read because it's a culture so different from a life I could imagine it grabbed my attention and held on. Lily fought not to be the woman her culture demanded her to be. In different stages of her life she was that ideal and used her position in that ideal role to reach beyond the limits placed on her by her society.

Snow Flower was definitely a "page" turner for me. I've found a new author and a favorite book. Happy Reading!

Book Shelf

This is just my opinion on a couple books I've read lately, review sounds official and like I know what I'm talking about, so I'm not calling it a review. The first book is The Secret Life of Bees, a story of a girl who runs away from home and finds a family. As much as I liked the characters and understood the "divine female power" I didn't feel like I was going to miss anything if I put the book down. It just wasn't a page turner for me.

The second book is Dream When You're Feeling Blue, a WWII era story focusing on a family and the impact the war had on their everyday life. This wasn't suspenseful by any stretch but there were a few developments I didn't see coming. Dream When You're Feeling Blue isn't a book I'd want to read again, but it was enjoyable and entertaining.

Happy Reading!

Say Cheese!

Caleb lost his first tooth!

It has been loose for awhile and we have been waiting (not patiently). Friday, in the van, Lauren told him to pull his tooth forward and down and it would come out. He tried it, and out popped the tooth! He was so excited! He couldn't wait to tell Dad and find out what the Tooth Fairy would bring him.

Monday at school he will finally get to put his name on the "Who Lost a Tooth" tooth.

Birthday Boys

Both my boys had birthdays this month. We started with Caleb's. We took chocolate cupcakes to school for snack and had a family party on Friday (his actual birthday). I let the kids pick what they want for dinner on their special day, this year he picked hot dogs and mac & cheese (the shell kind), we followed that up with chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and ice cream. Grandma D. was here for his party making his day extra special.

On Saturday, we had Caleb's first "friend party". Caleb invited 10 of his friends to play games, make some crafts at his imagination station and have chocolate cake (again) and ice cream . The boys played hard and laughed hard. Most importantly Caleb had a really good time and nobody got hurt.

On Sunday we celebrated Philip's birthday. He turned that number I'm not going to mention, we're the same age and I'm not turning it. We had steak and baked potatoes for his birthday dinner, so glad he didn't pick buffalo wings, followed by pineapple upside down cake and ice cream. Grandma D. aka Phil's mom was able to stay the weekend and be here for his party too.

The "Party Weekend" filled with great memories, time for Phil and mom to catch up and lots of cake.

From the Corner of His Eye

Here is my attempt to do a book review of From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz. I'm not very good at this so I use the term "review" loosely. It was the first Koontz book I've read. His style was described, very accurately, as similar to Stephen King only sunnier.

From an Amazon.com review, a "suspense thriller, which is chock-full of signs, portents, angels, and one somewhat second-rate devil, a murky and under characterized guy named Junior Cain who commits murder and spends the rest of the novel waiting for the retribution that will surely come. But not before a series of tragedies ensues that convince Junior that someone or something named Bartholomew is out to exact vengeance for that crime and the series of other murders that follow."

I liked the characters, except Junior, and how they interacted with each other. I knew enough about the characters to care what happened to them. There were enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes and guessing what was going to happen next. Including a few places I had to reread because I was so caught off guard I needed to make sure I read it correctly. It was a thumbs up for me and I'll be adding more of his books to my TBR list.

Spring Reading Challenge

Happy Spring! Katrina at Callapiller Days is hosting her annual Spring Reading Thing. I participated in the fall challenge and had a great time reading other participant's lists, challenging myself to set a goal and trying new books. I'm a little late but I finally have my spring reading list together. I had a hard time deciding what I want to put on this list, too many good books to choose from. But for at least today this is my list…

From The Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz. A friend recommended this book and loaned it to me. It's over 700 pages and may be the only book I finish. This is the first book by Dean Koontz I've read. Dark creepy suspense thriller. (Finished 4/6.)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This one was recommended by a different friend and she also loaned me the book. The story of one motherless daughter's discovery of what family really means. (Finished 4/22.)

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel by Lisa See. The description of this book reminded me of The Good Earth and I loved reading it in High School. Period piece 19^th century China.

Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg. Another period romance this time WWII. (Finished 5/2.)

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. Book two in the on going saga of teenage vampires. This one made the list because Lauren reminded me I need to finish the series.

8 Sandpiper Way and A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber. This is the 8 and 8.5 in the Cedar Cove series, the 9^th and maybe final book comes out in September. I'm sure that one will be on my fall reading list.

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. I've read his first 13, so of course I'm going to read this one.

This is a long list for me because I'm a very slow reader. The title is Spring Reading Challenge so that is what I'm doing. Four of the books on my list are new "to me" authors. That's my list for now. Until I start reading other people's lists, I'm sure I'll add some titles to my TBR list. Happy Reading!

Runnin' on Empty

Last night after Caleb's bath he climbed into the rocker with me. He snuggled up and sat with me for a few minutes. Then he said "Mommy, I think I'm almost out of love."

As he rubbed his chest and tummy he said "I imagine I have a love jar in here and it only has 2 or 3 loves left."

We can't have an empty love jar! There's only one way to fill a love jar, so I pulled him (all 60 pounds) onto my lap and loved on him. Then he decided he needed 10 kisses and 10 hugs, we counted out his kisses and hugs added a few extra just in case and finally his love jar was full again. Whew! Crisis averted! He now has love to share.