Saturday, July 29, 2017

July 29, 2017 CRAZY ON YOU

Step right up and get your tickets to the "CRAZIEST" show on earth--THE TRUMP CIRCUS.  As the ringmaster of this fine show, I'd like you to take a look at the spectacle in ring 5.  Trump ridiculing, humiliating and BULLYING his Chief of Staff  Priebus  into resigning.  OMG--Pay close attention people. Trump's actually  TWEETING-- the NEW YES man--John F. Kelly. If that's not enough then focus your attention to ring number 4--A wrestling match between Trump & Sessions. Trump's got the sleeper hold on Sessions--it's only a matter of time now. How dare he recuse himself from the Russian Shenanigans and appoint a special counsel to investigate!  Let's see how long Sessions can hold on..... In the meantime folks--Meet the New Communications Director in ring number 3--Anthony Scaramucci-- A MIRROR IMAGE OF TRUMP.  Just goes to show MONEY & CLASS are TWO completely different things. Hold your OOHHS and AAHHS until you see what we have on the screen above ring 2. Actual Tweets from our Dictator Trump--raging and whining about the Skinny Repeal--IT'S NOT HIS FAULT.  Now--what about the tweet banning the transgenders from the military. PEOPLE-- Don't fall for that old trick--TRUMP'S just trying to draw attention away from THE RUSSIAN MEDDLING THING. HUMMMM.  Last but certainly not least in ring 1--THE sexist comments to Brigitte Macron on the state of her body. HELLO--THINK WHAT YOU WANT BUT DON'T SAY IT OUT LOUD. AND what about the Boy Scouts??
 40,000 at the National Jamboree. First rule of public speaking--KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Oh yeah--any law enforcement people in the crowd tonight please be advised--POLICE BRUTALITY IS THE NEW NORM-- as Trump says, Let's not "Be too nice"to suspects who may be MS-13 gang members. IF WE ONLY HAD A WALL??   The list goes on and on--CRAZY--four years is a LONG TIME.  Seriously  though, I really think everyone is a little crazy in their own way--some more than others-- and this is certainly evident in Gail Honeyman's debut novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.  Eleanor is an odd duck. She is intelligent, but also childlike. She is  a thirty year old woman who works in the accounts payable department of a small company who has no friends.  She thrives on order and routine and speaks in an almost robotic manner that puts people off. Her life is very sad-- she merely exists--she doesn't know how to live because she's never been taught. After being traumatized as a child, she grew up "in care"--in foster families where she was never shown love. Eleanor seems to be on the Autism spectrum--but in her case I'm not sure if it's really NURTURE INSTEAD OF NATURE. Thankfully, all of this changes after she meets the new IT man in her office named Raymond. While leaving work one day, they save an elderly man named Sammy. He is so thankful that Raymond and Eleanor become honorary members of his family. This is when  Eleanor experiences many firsts--parties--family--unconditional love--friends. All of these feelings are wonderful, but they stir up old feelings and memories from her past that she has to face in order to truly live her life.  Believe it or not, this is a hilarious story--you will laugh out loud at times--but it is also a very touching story. I loved the book and could not put it down. This heartwarming  novel is about 300 pages-- an easy read-- maybe a 3 mile run. And you'll be rooting for Eleanor the whole way. Enjoy!

Thursday, July 27, 2017

July 27, 017 IT'S MY LIFE

When is enough--enough?? This is a question my comrades and I often wrestle with on our long treks. I say--when I can't SEE--HEAR--WALK--PLEASE-- PUSH ME OVER THE BRIDGE. I know this is a morose topic but seriously..........When is enough--enough?? It's supposed to be about quality of life right? I get that quality of life can differ from person to person but I firmly believe a person should have the right to CALL IT A DAY. We live in a world where people live longer because of medical advancements which is great but when is it TOO LONG?? My grandfather NEVER sat still a day in his life until old age type 2 diabetes robbed him--first of his sight--then of his ability to walk. He begged me to help him end his life-- I really wanted to--he had NO quality of life--but I couldn't. In the end--he lost his DIGNITY--and DIED almost penniless after paying all of the medical expenses that  kept him alive?? HELP me understand this???  Our world makes NO sense. When a beloved pet gets old--can no longer see or walk--we are compassionate enough to put the pet down. As much as we love the pet--it's just time right?? Not sure why we can't be more compassionate with our human loved ones?? Don't worry though, after careful consideration and many discussions-- my comrades and I have made a pact. We're not going to let any of that other nonsense stand in the way-- AND WE'LL DECIDE WHEN! I guess I should just be glad that I didn't live in Depression era New York City like many of the unfortunate characters in Jami Attenberg's wonderful historical fiction novel of 2015 Saint Mazie. 

Interestingly enough, Attenberg's  book is loosely  based on a real woman who lived in New York City named Mazie Phillips Gordon. She was the subject of an article in the New Yorker written by Joseph Mitchell in 1940 because she spent the Depression helping poor men who lived on the street and begged for food and drink. Attenberg took the facts of her life-- then created a series of fictional interviews of old neighbors and friends--added a dash of diary entries--both real and fake--and WOOLAA-- a  recreation of Saint Mazie's life. Mazie leads an unconventional lifestyle for a woman at that time period. She is a real character--a tough talking--"loose" woman--with a heart of gold. After her mobster brother-in-law Louis dies, she inherits the Venice Theatre where she sits and sells tickets and watches from her booth--first the Jazz Age--Prohibition--and finally the lives of many of the people she knows and cares about during the Depression. The horrors of the Depression change her life forever as she spends her time and money helping the downtrodden live with a little dignity. Her acts of kindness eventually lead to the nickname Saint Mazie. This book is at time very funny, but it is also a heartfelt story that makes you feel like you have gone back in time--that's how good the writing is. Take some time to read this cleverly written book of 330 pages--only a 3 mile run--whose characters  will stay with you forever.

Monday, July 24, 2017

July 24, 2017 WHO LET THE DOGS OUT

Live in the moment. It sounds like such a simple thing--but it's actually hard to do. For some reason I always feel compelled to think ahead--tomorrow--next week--next month--next year.  I wish I could train my brain to appreciate the here and now instead of AGONIZING  over what could be.  Did you know that people actually SPEND between 5-6 years over the course of their lives worrying--ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. ALL WASTED ENERGY. Intellectually--I know this--but I HAVE TO constantly remind myself to let it go and--LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Just think about all the things we miss if  our minds are ELSEWHERE. The aroma of lavender and honeysuckle that has got to be inhaled deeply to appreciate--OR-- listening to the pitter patter of the rain as it rhythmically taps on the roof. We might even miss the lightening quick buzz of a hummingbird  at the bird feeder--NOW THAT WOULD REALLY BE A SHAME--all because we are too busy stressing about OTHER things. So next time worry and anxiety start to get the best of you--STOP--take a deep breath--and tell yourself to LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Either that or get a dog--they always make everything better. Dogs do have a funny way of calming, relaxing and taking care of their people which I learned about first hand when I read A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.
If you are a dog lover--this is the book for you. Told from a dog's point of view, this is the story of one dog's many incarnations. When this wonderful dog is born the first time, he is is born into a feral family and is eventually euthanized, however, in his second life--he is reborn as a golden retriever and eventually finds his way into a  family with a boy named Ethan. Ethan names him Bailey and together they go on many adventures and grow up and in Bailey's case--grow old--together as Bailey is put down at the end of his long life. Next, the dog is a german shepherd named Elle who works as a rescue dog with a police department. In his final incarnation, he's as a black lab named Buddy. One of the interesting things about the book is that the dog remembers every life he has lived and the lessons he has learned over the course of his lives--most important-- the love between a boy and his dog. As Buddy, the dog learns his true purpose.  Find out Buddy's true purpose when you read this wonderful, heartwarming, funny, tear-jerker that reminds me that dogs love their owners just as much as owners love their dogs. It's only about 330 pages--or a 4 mile run. It's an easy read that will have you reminiscing about your dogs of yesterday and appreciating the ones you have today.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

July 22, 2017 BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY

Whether it's a puppy, kitten, duckling or newborn baby girl --there's nothing quite like a baby. They are such a precious gift. I've actually figured out why babies are SO important in families. Unbeknownst to them, they actually help us cope with the ups and downs of life. They help everything make sense--especially when we are grieving. My first son came along at a difficult time. He was born about 6 months after my father-in-law died. His birth revived the family and although we were sad, the joy he and his cousins gave us--soothed our souls and brought us great joy. Two short years later, my daughter was born helping to bridge the loss of my grandfather--the love of my life--and idol for many years. Much later--our beloved dog Jennie died. We were all devastated by her loss--she was about 15 years old--had a great life BUT we missed her terribly.  I hated coming home after work --it was TOO quiet in the house without her. There was  NO one to greet me at the door--genuinely happy to see me. I'M REALLY NOT THAT EASY TO LIVE WITH BUT JENNIE DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND.  I lasted about two weeks--before I started looking for another four-legged friend.  Ended up adopting two rescue dogs--Farrah and Maggie. Wonderful companions who immediately became part of the family. Babies, human or otherwise, bring great joy--many times
 when we need it most. I just finished reading a book where the main character developed amnesia and forgot ten year of her life including her three children. Interesting right? Anyways, I've never read Liane Moriarty before but I have to say I really enjoyed her novel of 2009 What Alice Forgot.
Alice Love is a 39 year old mother of three in the midst of a messy divorce from her husband Nick.  One day while  at a spinning class at her local gym, Alice falls off the bike, hits her head and develops amnesia. She wakes up and thinks she is a 29 year old newlywed. She has NO recollection of the last 10 years. She can't understand why her husband Nick won't visit her in the hospital or why her sister Elisabeth hardly speaks to her. And who is this Gina person everyone is whispering about??  Alice doesn't even really recognize herself either. She has become everything she despises. She is now extremely thin, obsessed with exercise--with a personal trainer to boot. She wears loads of make-up, expensive clothes and is the head of the PTA at school. She is also totally flabbergasted by motherhood and has no clue how to take care of her three children. It's a nightmare--or is it? Alice decides to put the pieces of her life back together in order to figure out how things went so terribly wrong in her marriage. Was her case of amnesia  really a blessing in disguise? Find out when you read this page-turner for yourself. I could honestly hardly put it down. It is an easy read--450 pages or only a 4 mile run--seriously. It begs the question--if you could forget 10 years of your life would you??

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

July 19,2017 THE PRETENDER

It's been REALLY hot and humid lately. Running has been SLOW and air quality alerts have been all over the news. Gotta get out there early--before the sun pokes her weary head through the clouds--THAT'S FOR SURE. Seriously drenched from head to toe with sweat after every run--Kind of like sitting in a sauna for an hour. Hopefully I'll sweat off a couple of unwanted pounds--or NOT.  I'm pretty kooky about my weight--have been for years. I'm actually afraid to weigh myself these days--I've been eating AS MUCH AS I've been running--It's a vicious cycle. Wish I weren't so critical of myself--it's like I see myself through a coke bottle. My youngest turned ten the other day so we were looking at old photos. I remember looking at those pictures right after they were taken--analyzing every body part--ARMS--THIGHS--BELLY--and thinking YUK!!  So crazy. I look at  those SAME pictures NOW--and shake my head. WHAT WAS I THINKING??   I'd give anything to look like that now. NEVER SATISFIED. My goal is to be MORE forgiving and LESS judgmental about my body--need to stop overanalyzing and be thankful that I am healthy and able-bodied. Everything else is just icing on the cake. If  Colman Silk, the main character of Philip Roth's novel The Human Stain, only accepted himself--maybe his life would have turned out differently.
First of all,  a little about Philip Roth. He's a great American writer and winner of several awards during his long career including a National Book Award, Pulitzer and a Man Booker Prize for  lifetime achievement in fiction. The Human Stain is set in 1998 in New England and told from the perspective of Nathan Zuckerman, a writer researching Silk's life for a biography.  Coleman Silk is a Classics professor at the end of his career at Athena College. He has had a distinguished career and is well-received by both faculty and students--until two students accuse him of being a racist. Silk is eventually forced to retire in a wake of shame--without even defending himself. His wife dies shortly thereafter and Silk falls off the deep end and decides to stick it to everyone. He has an affair with a 34 year old illiterate janitor who works at Athena--with a whole set of problems including a violent ex-husband out for revenge. His children are disgusted by his behavior and won't speak to him and his former colleagues don't know what to think. In the midst of all this chaos, Zuckerman learns some damaging information while researching for his biography on Silk.  Coleman Silk has been keeping a secret for 50 years--from his wife, children and friends. A secret that will change everything. Find out Silk's secret when you read this tale about race, shame, violence and political correctness--all set against the Clinton impeachment scandal of 1998. Hope you get all the irony that's packed into these 380 pages. It's a bit dense--maybe a 6 mile run--but the writing is brilliant and Roth is definitely worth the read.

Monday, July 17, 2017

July 17, 2017 A CHANGE WOULD DO YOU GOOD

If someone told me 25 years ago that I would become a runner--I probably would have laughed in their face. I always "thought" that I hated running--it was TOO MUCH WORK--I'd get too SWEATY--it was too much EFFORT.   It's funny how attitudes and thinking evolves. As we grow and mature--it's our DUTY to re-evaluate and change our lives in positive ways or we'll get STUCK--sometimes repeating learned patterns that are self-destructive. Yesterday while out on a long run with a few comrades, we started talking about change. We all agreed that change is GOOD and NECESSARY but it's actually really HARD. It's REALLY a state of mind and a willingness to be dedicated to that change until it becomes a habit. Whether you're working on self-reflecting and making behavioral changes or trying to change your diet because of long held values--IT IS NOT EASY. Change is a HUGE commitment--it takes time-energy-focus and PERSISTENCE. You have to really want it and THAT'S THE HARDEST PART. So if you're thinking about making a change--DO IT NOW. It's never too late. CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE--CHANGE YOUR MIND--CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
If Vince Camden, the main character of Jess Walter's winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award,  Citizen Vince, took my advice, he would have changed his life after entering the witness protection program. Vince is a former mobster, relocated to Spokane, Washington, after testifying against the mob. In his new life, he's a donut maker and petty thief. He hangs around a seedy bar, where he plays poker, deals in dope and has a hooker for a girl friend. He hasn't changed much. He is also involved in a credit card scam that leads him into a world of trouble as his old friends show up in Spokane for revenge. Vince decides he must go back to New York--clean up some loose ends--if he wants to live. This is a humorous crime drama with a drop of politics as the story is set one week before the Presidential election in 1980.  Vince actually gets caught up in the politics of the time as this is the first time he is able to vote and he's taking it seriously. He's got one week to get back to New York-- survive the police and mobsters who are out to get him--so that he can become an upstanding citizen. Find out what happens to Vince when you read this page turner for yourself. It's about 290 pages of fun--like an episode of The Sopranos. It's a slow 4 mile run that will make you a huge Jess Walter fan.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

July 13, 2017 TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT

Being a MOTHER is ONE TOUGH JOB. You're DAMNED if you DO and you're DAMNED if you DON'T. The list of rules is mind-boggling--and it seems to change on a dime. These are some of the lessons  I've learned--THE HARD WAY over the years.
1) DON'T ASK QUESTIONS--GOD FORBID (eye rolling & head shaking) STUPID QUESTIONS--which are all based on some TOP secret criteria.
2) DO NOT MAKE DIRECT EYE CONTACT--this may cause a mild to severe irritation depending on MOOD of the subject being LOOKED AT.
3) NEVER EVER MAKE SUGGESTIONS--Even when asked--because it will SOMEHOW become YOUR FAULT.
4) JUST SAY YES--it will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. The CAR--MONEY--CREDIT CARDS--SURE-No problem--Is there anything else I can give you (make sure you are smiling when you say this)
5) REMEMBER THAT YOUR WORLD ALWAYS REVOLVES AROUND EVERYONE ELSE. Cancel ALL plans--AT THE DROP OF A HAT--for any ridiculous-even petty demand. I've been told this is an UNWRITTEN motherhood rule BUT I think it's REALLY just part of a diabolical plan to SLOWLY suck the life out of all MOTHERS.
6) BECOME A WORLD RENOWNED CHEF--Always prepare RESTAURANT QUALITY meals for Vegans, Vegetarians, Meatatarians, Pescetarians, and the  Lactose-free diner. This will save you  from excessive whining and complaining everyday between the hours of  4-8. THE PRIME WHINING HOURS.
WARNING:  THESE RULES--OR GUIDELINES-- ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY. GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED.
All this blabbering about mothers made me think of a wonderful novel I read a few years back called One True Thing by Anna Quindlen. Talk about perfect mothers, Kate, is the quintessential mother--she is a stay-at-home mom who cooks, cleans, sews, needlepoints--she's one of THOSE mothers--a real caretaker. As the novel unwinds, Ellen in is jail for the mercy killing of her mother--mulling over the previous months. After receiving a phone call from her father, Ellen, a 23 year old  writer living in NYC, returns home to care for her mother who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Ellen feels obligated to return home as she has always looked up to her father and sought his praise. On the other hand, she has never understood her mother and has only tolerated her--even looking down on her chosen profession.  All of this changes once Ellen comes home. As an adult, she sees things differently. She gets to know her mother on a different level, now as  her caretaker.  Ellen comes to realize that her mother is the cement that has kept her family together. She comes to resent her father, a man she only saw through rose colored glasses. This is a wonderful, well-written novel that is also thought provoking. It begs us to question how we treat the terminally ill. Find out what happens to Ellen when she faces the grand jury for her crime. Will she remain in jail? Find out what ultimately happens to her family when you read this book of about 290 pages. This is a real pager turner--so it's only a 3 mile run that you will never forget.



Tuesday, July 11, 2017

July 11, 2017 I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR

Maybe it wasn't such a great idea after all?!?   RUN to the SAILFEST 5K--RUN THE RACE--then RUN home. Who Knows??  Put it this way--it DIDN'T help my time at all.  Came in 5TH THIS YEAR in my age group--the elusive 3rd place--out of reach YET again. At least it was by more than  ONE SECOND this year--I was a WHOLE minute slower-- GUESS I didn't run that first mile fast enough.  The 5k is tough because you have to run the WHOLE race FAST--it's a very different mindset.  I'm used to pacing myself for the long haul--our actual goal was to get in 9 miles--hence the mind set.  NEEDED TO RUN THE ACTUAL RACE PART OF OUR LONG RUN A BIT FASTER. Oh well-- IT'S ALL GOOD. My  comrade had a great race this year--the extra running didn't phase her in the least. Happy for her--she placed 6th!  She has been training harder this year--and it's really paid off. Congrats! Just keeping it all in perspective--happy to be out there--ready to face the next challenge. Onward ho!! The quest continues for glory! Not sure if you've ever heard of Siddhartha--but he went on a journey too--for spiritual enlightenment in Herman Hesse's MEGGA famous novel  written in 1922 of the same name.
Hesse, a well-known writer who focused on the search for self-knowledge and spiritually, actually won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946 for his efforts. His name also appears on the "Best selling authors of all times list"--selling  over 100 million copies worldwide. Originally written in German, Siddhartha gained popularity in the United States after it was translated into English in the 1960s.  Set in India, this is the story of a young man named Siddhartha who leaves his family to go on a spiritual quest with his best friend Govinda. Along the way, the duo give up all of their earthly possessions and join the Shramanas as wandering  ascetic beggars. Siddhartha and Govinda later leave these religious to seek out Buddha. They eventually find Buddha and spend time listening to his teachings, but Siddhartha feels restless for more. Leaving Govinda with Buddha, Siddhartha abandons his quest and starts to live a life of pleasure, greed and materialism. After several years, Siddhartha realizes that this lifestyle leaves him feeling empty and worthless so he decides to return to his original quest--finding spirituality and the elusive sacred sound OM. Find out if Siddhartha is finally successful by the end of his life when you read this inspiring, timeless tale  of about 150 pages. This book will really make you think about your own life and question your own journey. I often wonder if we can only find OM by making mistakes in life and gaining wisdom. I don't know--it's just a thought. Anyways, this MUST read is seriously only a 3 mile run that is well worth the journey.

Friday, July 7, 2017

July 7, 2017 CRUEL TO BE KIND

Ran through a DELUGE this morning with my comrade. WOW. The rain was like a stampede-- the roads were LITERALLY flooded in only a matter of minutes. GOOD TIMES. I love running in the rain this time of year and my comrade--PUTS UP WITH IT. I know she won't let me down when the going gets tough!  So we've been chatting a lot lately about "old sayings."  I know you're thinking to yourself WHAT??  Just bear with me. When you spend as much time as we do pounding the pavement--WEIRD stuff comes up. So without further ADO--I'D LIKE TO BRING YOU BACK TO THE PAST. Step inside my time machine and remember these STRANGE but FUNNY things we heard a million times when we were growing up:
 --Over my DEAD body! --I've had it UP TO HERE with you! --I'll SMACK you into next week! --Quit making a MOUNTAIN  out of a molehill! --Don't use THAT tone with me! --I'm gonna give you to the COUNT OF THREE! --Why? Because I said SO! --Cool your Jets!  --Save that talk for the GUTTER! --When HELL freezes over! --I'm gonna give you something to REALLY cry about! --Hold your horses! --Who told you life was fair? --So help me GOD! --Don't make me repeat myself!  HAY is for horses! ---Wait til your FATHER gets home! --Clear your plate....people are starving in Africa.  Don't get SMART with me! --How would you like a KNUCKLE sandwich?  AND last but certainly not least--One of my favorites--YOU'RE DRIVING ME TO DRINK!   It's no wonder we're all crazy right?? HA! Classics-- Every ONE of them. I'm actually thinking of bringing some of them back with my kids. I'll let you know how it goes!
 I'm sure Jono Riley, the narrator of Ron McLarty's novel Traveler heard many of these classics too while growing up in his blue collar neighborhood in East Providence during the 1960s.  After receiving news that his childhood sweetheart, Marie, has died,  Jono a fifty-something year old actor/bartender living in New York City, decides to travel home for the funeral. This sets in motion a story that easily weaves between the past and present as Jono is flooded with memories of the old neighborhood, the gang, and some things that are probably better off left alone. The mystery of who fired the shotgun 40 years ago that lodged a bullet in Marie's back is suddenly at the forefront again.  Marie has apparently died as a result of the bullet finally piercing an artery. The gang-Jono, Cubby, Billy and Bobby--have to piece together this old mystery in order to make peace with the past and finally move on. If you're from New England, specifically Rhode Island, you will really love this book as McLarty's descriptions are second to none-- the old neighborhoods and blue collar vocabulary are believable and fun because McLarty actually grew up there.  This book is ultimately a winner  because it's about loyalty and the importance of childhood friends. It's a trip down memory lane you won't forget. So, find out what really happened to Marie when you read this page turner of 290 pages. It's only a 3 mile run --with a twist at the end--so watch out. Happy Reading.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

July 5, 2017 SHAME SHAME SHAME

Intelligence, integrity, humility, empathy, responsibility.  These are some of the words that pop into my IDEALIST brain when pondering the attributes of a good president.  Regardless of political party, the person  representing the United States should be above petty, childish "unpresidential" behavior. The President of the United States should also have self-control and common sense enough--NOT TO  TWEET every ridiculous--embarrassing thought that enters his mind.  If self-control is questionable on something as benign as tweeting, what's going to happen when our country is faced with serious issues involving life and death?? The President of the United States is behaving POORLY, and I FOR ONE AM MORTIFIED.  As an American--I hang my head in shame-- we REALLY are the LAUGHING STOCK of the world. The SAD REALITY is that our President's behavior is simply a REFLECTION of America as a whole. I see it every day. Since when is it okay to ridicule others--especially on social media? Since when is it okay to bully people--even the press? When is it okay to be dishonest?  When is okay to blame others for your reckless behavior and decisions instead of accepting responsibility? With the role model we have in office right now--all I can do is shake my head--WAKE UP AMERICA--What a shame!
It would really be a shame though, if I didn't review one of my favorite books, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Annie Barrows & Mary Ann Shaffer.
I absolutely loved this book when I read it a few years back. The cast of characters will touch your heart--they are simply unforgettable. This novel is told in epistolary style--a series of letters between Juliet Ashton, a well-known author living in London in 1946 and the the members of the Guernsey  Literary and Potato Peel Society who live on the Island of Guernsey. Ashton is looking for the subject of  her next book and becomes interested in writing about the harshness of World War II--of which both London and Guernsey have just emerged. After finding a letter in an old book written by Dawsey Adams, a farmer from Guernsey,  an unlikely correspondence begins that eventually extends to all the members of the literary society. From the letters, Ashton learns about the German occupation of Guernsey and the hardships faced by the natives at the hands of the Nazis. She also learns about kindness, and the glue that binds the inhabitants of Guernsey--from the pig farmer to the doctor--so much so-- that she sets sail for Guernsey to meet the people who have changed her life. In one sense, this is a book about war and survival, but it is so much more. It's also the story of the camaraderie that develops after The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is established. This wonderful story is only 290 pages--about a 3.5 mile run--that will stick with your forever. Enjoy!

Monday, July 3, 2017

July 3, 2017 ITS MY PARTY

Can't believe The Belle of the Book is already celebrating 1 year. Wow--that flew by. When I first started the blog--I wasn't sure where it was going. It REALLY was DAUNTING--to start a blog and put myself out there. The blog has grown, changed and taken shape through--TRIAL AND ERROR--and --I think I have found a formula that works well--for now.  As a writer, the trick is to balance the blog. Some posts are serious and I HOPE YOU REALIZE--many are not. My posts are all the things I'm thinking about or doing that take shape in MY MIND. They are my reality--the way I see things-- or remember things. I hope some of the topics I have chosen has been informative, made you stop to think--or at the very LEAST--given you a chuckle--hopefully--at my expense. That would really make me happy. MOST IMPORTANT--I hope my blog has opened your mind to a few new books--that maybe you wouldn't have otherwise read. That would be FANTASTIC.  The blog has over 15,000 viewers from all over the world- China--Portugal--Russia--Germany and even Egypt. WOW--the internet is incredible. I hope you continue to read my blog and share it with your friends. Because tomorrow is the anniversary of our country's  Independence what better book to review then--Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson.
Pete Snow is a divorced social worker living in Tenmile, Montana, an impoverished town. He has a reputation for handling the most difficult cases including that of 11 year old Benjamin Pearl--a starving almost feral child living in the Montana wilderness with his father, Jeremiah Pearl. Jeremiah is well-known to the F.B.I. for his extremist Christian views and criminal record. Jeremiah is a survivalist whose paranoia borders on insanity. Just as Pete starts to gain the trust of Jeremiah, the F.B.I. gets classified information that he is a homegrown terrorist and a manhunt ensues. Pete knows that Jeremiah is different but he is also not a terrorist. However, the authorities ignore his pleas to leave the Pearl family alone. Pete is also in the midst of dealing with his dead-beat ex-wife and his daughter who has gone missing. Will the F.B.I. contain the situation or will several people die? Will Pete convince both parties to back away? Will Pete find his daughter? Find the answer to these and many other questions when you read this novel that questions freedom, community, suspicion, and difference. It's 470 pages--about a 6 mile run--that is relevant today--and begs the question: are any of us really free?? Happy Fourth of July!