I teach AP Art History and this week we studied Global Contemporary. This area concentrates on works created after 1980. One of the works was the Vietnam Memorial. So strange--I was actually reading a book about this devastating war. The memorial was originally dedicated in 1982 and I can remember my first visit to it in 1983 when I was a senior in high school. It's a simple but stunning memorial to the 60,000 plus men and women who lost their lives. There were approximately 10,000 women in the Vietman War--7,000 of them nurses--literally right out of nursing school. Of those 7,000-- 8 died overseas. Sadly, when those nurses came home, they faced many hardships that were highlighted in Kirstin Hannah's new book The Women. The main character in this incredible story is Frances "Frankie" McGrath. Frankie grew up in a well to do family in Southern California in 1965. After completing nursing school, Frankie decides to join the Army Nurses Corp. After 6 weeks of training, she finds herself in Vietnam facing death and destruction at every turn. Luckily, Frankie meets two other nurses, Barb and Ethel, who teach her the ropes as well as how to survive the grueling hours and horror of Vietnam. After two tours of duty, Frankie finally comes home--to a different kind of Hell. This is the story of the nurses who sacrificed in the war, unsong heroes, who were forgotten. It's also the story of finding a new purpose after being one of the "lucky" ones to survive the war. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. The characters were so well written--real, raw--that they have been hard to let go of. This is a book that will stick with me for a long time and I highly recommend it.
The Belle of the Book
Musings on reading, running, relatives . . . in that order.
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Friday, February 23, 2024
February 23, 2024 HAZY SHADE OF WINTER
My bookclub (can't believe we've been together 19 years) came up with a great idea this month. We are going to read Luanne Rice's new book Last Night. This book is a murder mystery set at the Ocean House in Rhode Island. Fun right? BUT even more fun--We are going to take the book club on the road. A road trip to the Ocean House in March where we will discuss the book at their famous Jazz Brunch. FUN. Can't wait. The only worry on my mind at this point is that there's a dress code--- "Resort Chic". It's gonna be hard to be resort chic in March but I'll figure it out. Just finished the book the other day so without further adieu---As the story unfolds, Maddie Morrison, a renowned artist, and her six year old daughter, CeCe, have relocated from California to the Ocean House as she is getting divorced. It is Christmas time and the Ocean House is decorated and festive. Although a blizzard is hitting the area, Maddie and CeCe decide to go for a quick walk around the resort for some fresh air---and never return. Meanwhile, Detective Conor Reid and his girlfriend, Kate, arrive to spend a romantic weekend. As they wait to check in, Maddie's sister Hadley shows up looking for her sister. Reid, Kate and Hadley then go out in the blizzard to look for the pair and find Maddie's dead body under a blanket of snow---and CeCe is missing.The Ocean House becomes the center of an investigation as Reid and other officers try to find out who killed Maddie and find CeCe. There are many twists and turns in this mystery that centers on greed, jealousy and revenge. I enjoyed the story--it was a quick read-but I felt that the characters were weakly drawn and lacked depth. I wasn't really rooting for anyone AND the ending was too contrived. BUT it was set at the Ocean House and I enjoyed that it was a local mystery. Read it and see what you think.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
February 13, 2024 DON'T EAT THE YELLOW SNOW
SNOW DAY. Nothing like a day off from school in FEBRUARY. Love it. It's really coming down out there. Looks like some HEAVY SNOW to shovel. Wonder what people who work from home do? I guess there are good and bad things about working from home----especially when it SNOWS. At least when a teacher has a snow day--they get the day off. It is one of the only PERKS left about being a teacher. Teaching is a REAL grind. The routine is monotonous and rigid. EVERY DAY---NO FLEXIBILITY AT ALL. DEALING WITH OVER 100 KIDS A DAY--THEIR PARENTS--AND ADMINISTRATION. Every day is a whirlwind and my head is usually swimming by the time I get home. So thanks again Mother Nature. I appreciate it. Another good thing about being home is having some free time to write my blog. Just finished a keeper called The Guncle by Steven Rowley. Parick O'Hara is a former sitcom star who lives a somewhat reclusive life in Palm Springs. After tragedy strikes, he suddenly becomes the primary temporary guardian for his nine year old niece, Maisie, and six year old nephew, Grant. Although Patrick loves them, he has absolutely no idea how to raise children. The children, who refer to him lovingly as GUP (gay uncle Pat), really need him to step up to the plate. Armed with a list of "Guncle Rules" and a sense of humor, GUP quickly realizes that although parenthood is a lot of responsibility, he wouldn't want it any other way. This is a funny, but also thoughtful book about love, death, recovery, and grief that I really enjoyed. It is about 336 pages that fly by---Heard there is a sequel that I'll have to check out. Enjoy.
Sunday, February 4, 2024
February 4, 2024 ISLAND GIRL
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
January 16, 2024 DON'T LEAVE ME NOW
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
January 9, 2024 DON'T YOU REMEMBER
Monday, January 1, 2024
January 1, 2024 BEST BOOKS OF 2023
It's that time of year again. Looking back over the year to see which books I enjoyed the most. Ready or not here they come: My FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2023 IN ORDER:
1. This is Happiness by Niall Williams. Reviewed 10/29/23--Blog title "Molly Malone"
2. The Last Chairlift by John Irving. Reviewed 7/29/23--Blog title "Every Day I Write the Book"
3. Somebody's Fool by Richard Russo. Reviewed 8/28/23--Blog title "Chain of Fools"
4. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. Reviewed 8/13/23--Blog title "Trip Around the Sun"
5. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Reviewed 9/24/23 Blog title--"Tears in Heaven"
6. I'm Glad my Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Reviewed 4/9/23--Blog title--"Don't Cry Out Loud"
7. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Reviewed 5/13/23. Blog title--The Long and Winding
Road"
8. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Reviewed 4/30/23. Blog title "Another Day in Paradise"
9. Racing The Rain by John L. Parker Jr. Reviewed 12/18/23. Blog title--"Born to Run"
10. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Reviewed 9/23/23. Blog title--"Glory Days"
Hope you've had a chance to read some of these awesome books. If not --winter is long-- so snuggle up on your coach with a cup of tea and enjoy. Looking forward to many greats books in 2024. Happy New Year.