Thursday, January 31, 2013
Dearie - Julia Childs
I haven't finished this very long and sometimes not pertinent book, but it's interesting to learn that Julia Child's family was very affluent to the extent that she was part of the "in" group and really didn't have to worry about money pretty much throughout her life. And she hated cooking as a young girl. She was a party animal most of her life, also. When she worked in the OSS in Washington DC during the war, the organization was referred to as Oh, So Social... right up her alley. After her marriage to Paul Child, they spent quite a bit of time in France and that's when she really decided to learn French cooking and threw herself into it body and soul. I guess you can do that when money is no object. Anyway, it' somewhat interesting to learn about her early family and how she got into doing cooking shows and cookbooks, but the book is a little lengthy and since it's a new release, I can't renew it again... so maybe later.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Memoir: "Driving with Dead People"
Sorry to miss the Bookmark Christmas dinner. While I found most of the memoir: Driving with Dead People by Monica Holloway interesting, perhaps the best line is the title and the images it immediately engenders.
The story starts when the author is nine years old, growing up in a very dysfunctional family and finds a friend whose father owns a mortuary. Holloway's interest in all aspects of the mortuary provides some lighter moments as she escapes from her abusive home life. Some of Holloway's family life was almost unbelievable; for example, her father's hobby was videotaping home movies of local disasters of any kind and making his children watch them.
Holloway's observational writing is very open about her parents, her siblings, and herself, making this a very good read even though the subject matter was sometimes painful to digest. If I could have changed any of the book, I would have liked more focus on Holloway's experiences at the mortuary as the title suggests.
The story starts when the author is nine years old, growing up in a very dysfunctional family and finds a friend whose father owns a mortuary. Holloway's interest in all aspects of the mortuary provides some lighter moments as she escapes from her abusive home life. Some of Holloway's family life was almost unbelievable; for example, her father's hobby was videotaping home movies of local disasters of any kind and making his children watch them.
Holloway's observational writing is very open about her parents, her siblings, and herself, making this a very good read even though the subject matter was sometimes painful to digest. If I could have changed any of the book, I would have liked more focus on Holloway's experiences at the mortuary as the title suggests.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
It was a lovely evening with those who could make it to Draganetti's last night.
I mentioned an autobiography/biography (memoir?) I'd read by Bob Woodruff, ABC news correspondent severely injured in Iraq, and his wife, Lee. The name of the book is In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing. It is an up-close look at the couple from the time they met and dated, went through times of tension due to the pull of career and lifestyle differences, to marriage and starting a family -- when "in an instant," he is injured by an IED in Iraq and suffers a horrific brain injury. The book is written in alternating style by Bob & Lee, and it's interesting to hear each perspective on some of the issues they faced early on, and even more so, what each of them went through after his injury and recovery. The book illustrates what love and tenacity (not to mention the best health care money can buy) can accomplish.
I mentioned an autobiography/biography (memoir?) I'd read by Bob Woodruff, ABC news correspondent severely injured in Iraq, and his wife, Lee. The name of the book is In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing. It is an up-close look at the couple from the time they met and dated, went through times of tension due to the pull of career and lifestyle differences, to marriage and starting a family -- when "in an instant," he is injured by an IED in Iraq and suffers a horrific brain injury. The book is written in alternating style by Bob & Lee, and it's interesting to hear each perspective on some of the issues they faced early on, and even more so, what each of them went through after his injury and recovery. The book illustrates what love and tenacity (not to mention the best health care money can buy) can accomplish.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
December - January Reading
Since our meeting is coming up, I thought it would be OK if I posted about the memoir/autobiography/biography that I read. Rachel Bertsche is a 28-year old blogger newly arrived with her husband to Chicago. She sets out to make new friends and find a best friend by having 52 friend dates during the year. MWF Seeking BFF is her memoir of that year.
While the description of her friend dates and situation at times made me roll my eyes (I think it was the age difference), I enjoyed reading the information she incorporated based on her research of the topic.
I found that this book, more than any I’ve read in a number of years caused me to do some self-examination. What kind of friend am I? What are my friendships with women based on? What is the importance of friendship in my life? Which is the last new friend I made?
As I said, there were times while reading the book I thought “what self-indulgent drivel!” But, reading it at the end of the year as I did fit well with my own self-reflection on 2012.
The next book I read was Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. I have loved Stephanie Plum’s adventures, but it might be time for this series to be retired. There’s nothing new, really, to say about Stephanie, Morelli, and Ranger. That triangle can’t be worked forever, it’s getting worn out. Maybe 20 is a good number to end on.
~Jeri
While the description of her friend dates and situation at times made me roll my eyes (I think it was the age difference), I enjoyed reading the information she incorporated based on her research of the topic.
I found that this book, more than any I’ve read in a number of years caused me to do some self-examination. What kind of friend am I? What are my friendships with women based on? What is the importance of friendship in my life? Which is the last new friend I made?
As I said, there were times while reading the book I thought “what self-indulgent drivel!” But, reading it at the end of the year as I did fit well with my own self-reflection on 2012.
The next book I read was Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. I have loved Stephanie Plum’s adventures, but it might be time for this series to be retired. There’s nothing new, really, to say about Stephanie, Morelli, and Ranger. That triangle can’t be worked forever, it’s getting worn out. Maybe 20 is a good number to end on.
~Jeri
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