Too Busy

Ah, yes,...we all know what it's like to be too busy to enjoy the things we like, don't we? Life seems to come at us going 100 miles an hour and, sometimes, all we can do is go with the flow and know it will let up...eventually. This is what my life feels like for about nine months out of the year, even though I love what I do. But summer? Ah, summer is another story...

Since school let out (in case you don't know, I'm a teacher), I've been very busy in the most fun sort of ways, but it's actually prevented me from reading as much as I would like. I've been traveling and visiting with friends and, when I'm home, we've been working on renovating two rooms at our house. While I enjoy doing all these things, it's left me less summertime reading than usual. (Yes, even the traveling...because I'm busy enjoying the sights and sounds and the people that surround me.)  

I say all this to say, I have just finished Daphne du Maurier's My Cousin Rachel. I can't tell you the last time it took me over two weeks to read a novel - especially one I really enjoy! Normally, I would be upset about not finding enough time to read, but the fact that I've been having too much fun to read,...well, I can't complain about that, now, can I? I've also been spending time writing, which is something I need to do. Too busy to read? Well, yes, but...wait until I tell you what I discovered about My Cousin Rachel by having to read it in bits and pieces. (See? I'm always learning something...)

What I discovered, from taking so long to read this Daphne du Maurier novel, is the same thing I already knew from her other stories I read quickly: She is an excellent writer. I know, you're thinking, "Duh. It's Daphne du Maurier. This is your discovery?" But, you see, there's a difference in enjoying a book in a few sittings, when you're absorbed in the story and briefly hold the thread of it in your mind, and holding on to a story for long periods of time while living the rest of your life, especially when you read as many books as I do. 

When I was able to pick up My Cousin Rachel here and there, I never had to reread and remind myself where I was in the story. The story and the characters stuck with me. There is a great deal of depth to this author's writing, and there are many layers to what she says in one passage. It is why the story stayed with me, no matter how long I needed to put it down between readings.

Forgive me for how I am about to say this as bluntly as I think it in my mind: It is wonderfully refreshing to read a realistic fiction story with substance. It's a mystery without a damn detective. It hints at things that are deeply sinister without ever saying exactly what they are, leaving it to your own imagination. It's romance and passion without detailed sex scenes. It's witty banter between intelligent characters without some whiny female who needs to be rescued. 

In other words, when Daphne du Maurier wrote, she trusted that her readers would not be idiots. She doesn't spell out everything, but she writes it in a way to make you think and know. I have many passages marked just for how well she turns a phrase, and she has a way of describing a scene succinctly without going on and on for pages and you know that the descriptions have meaning, as well. The reader is given just enough, but never too much. 

I love this book. And I don't say that as often as you'd think. There are too many books I read that are just too superficial and shallow to even comment on. And, sadly, many of them are YA, which is probably why more and more middle school children don't like to read very much. Children may not always know what they like, until you help them find it, but they certainly know what bores them. (Okay, I'll drop that train of thought for now...because I could go on and on and...)

I'll sum it up this way, if you're a thinking reader (and, yes, there are readers out there who don't think about what they read), you can't go wrong with Daphne du Maurier. I can't imagine the woman wrote anything I wouldn't love. I intend on finding out, as I will continue to sprinkle in her novels throughout my reading journey. By doing so, I know I'll always have substance in my reading diet. And we all need that.

Happy reading!

Second Post Today?!

What can I say? It's either a drought or a downpour when it comes to me. There's been so much dryness lately, I need a flood of writing for awhile. Perhaps, I want to write more because I know spring break is one week away, and I feel I'm finally beginning to breathe again. Or maybe, just maybe, I've finally decided my priorities need to be adjusted a bit. (Okay, more than "a bit.")

No matter the reason, here is my second post of the day:

I read the classic Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, and I absolutely loved it! I know, I know,...I should have read it before now. Everyone should have read it by now. I don't know how I missed it all these years - and I mean completely missed it. I had no idea it had been made into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock (which, now, I can't wait to see because I hear it's really good). I didn't know Maurier also wrote a novelette, The Birds, which also became one of Hitchcock's movie - one I've loved since childhood.

I know there is more to learn about this wonderful authoress, but I hesitate to research her any further for now. I enjoy her style of writing and look forward to reading more of her work. I've already bought Frenchman's Creek and My Cousin Rachel. I'd like to read those before I delve into who she was as a person. I hate to admit this, but learning about a writer sometimes taints my view on their writing. I'd rather love the work first, learn about the author second.

As for the novel Rebecca, I loved everything about it. I love the way the story unfolds, the reader not knowing anything more than the narrator knows. I found myself questioning whether the narrator was reliable or not. I didn't know if things were really as they appeared to her on the surface or was she just being overly dramatic. And, trust me, there is plenty of drama in this novel. Drama, suspense, thrills, chills, and love - they're all there in perfect portions.

Reviews have told me that Frenchman's Creek is closest in style to Rebecca, which is why it's the one I'm beginning tonight. I hope I've found another writer whose literary works are the kind I can soak my brain in and enjoy the mental rollercoaster rides. If they are anything like Rebecca, I'll be riding with my hands in the air and screaming for more. :)

Reflections

"Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting."

~ Edmund Burke

I'd like to recommend two books that have caused me a good bit of reflection. I won't say the books are for everyone, but they certainly are worthy reads if you're an avid reader who likes to try a bit of everything.

The first book is Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane. I found it on one of the "Best of..." lists and was intrigued by the title, the author's name (I knew it was Irish), and the photo on the front. I don't like to read too much about a book before I actually read it, as it's like watching a detailed movie trailer that gives away some of the best parts. I had a feeling about this one, took a chance, and bought the book. I had a feeling it would be one I'd want on my shelf and not just on my Kindle.

When I first began reading the book, I didn't think I was going to like it. I was wrong. I loved it. It was like walking into an Irish pub and having the old gentleman in the corner tell you what his life was like growing up in Ireland in the 1940s and 1950s. He would be the kind of storyteller that draws you in and wraps you up in his tale. You might resist a bit, at first, and tell yourself you're just humoring the old man, but by the time you leave the pub in the wee small hours of the morning, you know you'll never see things exactly the same again. You also know you'll carry the memory of that old man with you for the rest of your life and be all the better for it.

The second book is one I am still reading. That's right, I'm recommending it before I even finish it. I don't usually do that, but I've gained so much from what I've read so far that if the rest proved to be unworthy, what I've gained so far would override anything I might dislike in the rest of the book (although, I know that isn't going to happen). I have enjoyed the book so much, that I've purposely slowed myself down because I'm not ready to end it.

The name of the second book is The Sharp Hook of Love by Sherry Jones. It is a historical fiction about the love affair between Heloise d'Argenteuil and Pierre Abelard in Paris, France, in the 1100s. It is an amazing book, sprinkled with excerpts of the actual letters they wrote one another. This book is more than a love affair, though, it is the meeting of two great minds. It is also a statement on religion, church laws, and the way women have been treated by religion since the beginning of it all.

I became intrigued with this book when I knew it was a historical fiction about a real woman who was intelligent and well-educated in the twelfth century. I actually didn't know there could be such a thing as a well-educated woman during that time. Heloise was, indeed, heralded as a "jewel" in her day because women of her kind were very rare. 

This book has caused me to reflect on many things, aside from the engaging, romantic story of these two well-known people of their time. It would be hard for me to put into words, but I came to understand myself a little better from reading this book. I felt a connection to Heloise. While I wasn't raised in an abbey, as she was, I was "raised in the church" and in religious ideologies. I understand Heloise's confusion and her conflict over finding herself in love with Abelard. I also understand that she loves him with the same profound love and devotion and passion she feels for God. After all, it is from loving God she knows how to love. It is from her religious upbringing she learned that to love fully and completely, she must love unselfishly - no matter what the cost is to herself.

Before buying the book, I did a little research and found there is a book of their letters to one another, which I would very much like to read. I tried not to read too much about the real Heloise and Abelard, though, as I wanted to enjoy the novel before discovering what really happened to them both. If you love historical fiction, as I do, this book is definitely a book to put on your list. 

My Confession: I'm a Cover Lover

You know that old saying about how we shouldn't judge a book by its cover? Well, maybe,...sometimes we should! At least, that's what I decided after reading The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. 

You see, if you asked me to be honest about what attracted me to the book, I would say it was the cover and the title. Pure and simple. It happens like that for me sometimes. It's almost like I can imagine the story just by looking at the cover. I've never read anything by this author before, so I didn't know what to expect. Once I found out it was a historical fiction, which I love, I was hooked. 

The Winter Sea is two tales in one (something else I love). The story is written in both the present day and in the past. The novel begins in the present with an author who is visiting Scotland to do research for a book she's writing. She finds more than she expects in the ruins of Slains Castle and is inspired to stay awhile longer. She begins to write a novel that almost seems to write itself. It is as if she is haunted by a story that must be told. 

The historical fiction part centers around the late 1600s and early 1700s. It has political intrigue, spies, castles, and the desire for "the true king" James to return and claim the throne. It speaks of sacrifice and hardships and the hope for a better world. There are strong female characters, which I appreciate, who aren't damsels in distress waiting to be saved. The novel reminds us that during times of war and unrest in a country, everyone must pull their own weight and be tough if they hope to survive. Remember, the good men are off at war fighting for what their country...or their king. Of course, that doesn't mean there isn't love and romance in the novel. What would anyone fight for if there wasn't that, eh?

While there was never any confusion for me 'where' I was when I was reading (present or past), Kearsley labeled the chapters of the book according to the time period the reader is in. I thought it was a nice touch. For chapters that are set in the present day, she has them labeled with the word "chapter" and a number. For chapters that are set in the past, she has them labeled with just Roman numerals. I must say, she does a wonderful job of weaving in and out of the past and present. The whole book flows wonderfully!

Slains Castle in Aberdeen, Scotland

I thoroughly enjoyed both stories in this novel, and I found myself wishing it would continue. For me, it did. Reading geek that I am, I loved that the author gave additional historical notes in the back and references to her information. I found myself on the internet reading all kinds of interesting things from that time period in Scotland and England. I now have a list of other books I'd like to read that are both non-fiction and historical fiction from this time period. I've also added Aberdeen, Scotland, to my list of places I'd like to go see in my travels. 

And, just so you know, I often judge a book by its cover. As much as I am an avid reader, and I am all about the words inside a novel, I can't deny my attraction to book covers and their titles. I am seldom disappointed when I choose one this way. It's almost...instinctual.

Of course, I AM a born bibliophile, so it all makes sense, right? ;)

Lover

If you look up the word "lover" in the dictionary, you will find several different definitions. I have a few of my own. After reading Lady Chatterley's Lover, I think I may have added a few more. None of these, of course, could I put into words for you. Some words you must define for yourself. 

Why read Lady Chatterley's Lover? I think a better question might be,...why not? 

I recently decided it was time I read more "classics," and I certainly wanted those classics to include some of the more controversial ones from long ago. Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence was originally published in Florence, Italy, in 1928 and was quite the scandal for its time. In fact, it was denied publication in England until 1960. 

When I decided to read it, I didn't think I would really find it as sordid as all that. After all, I live in the day and age when people take great joy in airing all their private affairs on national television, not to mention the general public's fascination with books like Fifty Shades of Grey. Surely, I thought, D.H. Lawrence's lovemaking scenes would be tame by comparison to today's 'standards.'


What I found might surprise you, it certainly did me. 

The book had me blushing a bit, not from overly detailed, drawn out, erotic love scenes, but from...the absolute, sheer, brutal honesty of them. It doesn't dress it up, it doesn't make it pretty, it just says it outright. I respect that. I also find it has a beauty all its own. It may be a little crass, a little crude, but - God forgive me - it speaks truths that even in today's society, no matter how much talk there is, people rarely say. 

By the way, the sex scenes do not permeate the book, like so many novels do these days that classify themselves anywhere from 'romance' to 'paranormal' to 'erotica,' and the actual scenes are fairly brief. There are, however, conversations about sex and gender roles throughout the novel, which I think are crucial to understanding the mindset of the time and, I feel, speaks volumes about it even today. 

Another surprise I found was the amount of commentary on the state of England during this time setting, just after World War I, but I suppose I should have expected it. World War I changed the face of England, and it certainly changed her heart. The novel speaks of the mood of the country at the time, the mood of its people. Lawrence is vivid in his descriptions of the landscape, the class wars, the broken men who were able to return from the war, and people struggling to find their own identities in a world that had been forever changed. 

Lady Chatterley's Lover is one of those books that I wasn't 'in love' with as I read it, although I admired the frank statements it made about society. I did, however, find myself quite fond of it after I had read it in its entirety and mulled it over a bit. It says a great deal about many things without going on and on about them. I have quite a few quotes marked, for such a small novel, and - no - none of them are sex scenes. 

If you love to read, are over the age of 18 (and, as a parent, I'd prefer to say 21), are a serious reader (you know, you read something more than Twilight and Harry Potter), and if you especially love to read novels set in England (as I do), you should read this one. It's a small novel, won't take you long. If you read it and find it wasn't quite your cup of tea, I don't think you will ever regret sipping the flavor of it. 

Cheers!

A New Genre in Books?

You know, I debated about whether I should give a review on the book I just finished. I'm still not sure whether I should or not, but...here goes.

I've always said I'm not a book snob, but I must admit there are some books that just aren't my cup of tea. I don't think that's being a snob, though, I just think we all like something different. Keeping in mind this book wasn't really my genre, I will try to give a fair and impartial review.

I read Luanne Rice's book Summer Light because one of my friends chose it for book club. She purposely chose an easy read because she had read it over the summer. She also said she liked it because it is set in several places that she was able to travel to on vacation. There is also good descriptions of the great outdoors in the book, and my friend loves nature and being outdoors.

As for me, well, it was something easy to read to help change the channel in my head from thinking about work too much. The story wasn't believable at all, but that's OK. You know the type, woman with a small child who has never been married herself - never could find the right man...and the jerk who is the absent father was, of course, married to someone else at the time of their affair and she didn't know it,...of course. Well, this single mom owns a successful wedding planner business (complete with old country house and adorable barn) and one day finds herself on an airplane taking her child to a psychologist and, wouldn't you know it, there just happens to be a professional hockey team on the plane. The woman's daughter is drawn to one of the hockey players and says there is an angel flying around his head. She also believes the man is supposed to be her new daddy. (Now you know why the child is on her way to the psychologist.)

Long story short, the child predicts the plane will crash, tells the man to please save her and her mommy when that happens. The plane has to crash land, and hockey-man heroically scoops up the woman and her child and saves the day! Ah, and another love story begins...

Now, I don't have to tell you they end up together - you know they do. In fact, you know it in the first few pages. I'm not giving anything away. You learn a great deal in the first chapter, which makes me ask...why write the story? There were no surprises, you know how it's going to end at the beginning. Is it fun to go through the details of their relationship and read about them making the same stupid mistakes all the rest of us make - except they get to do it with lots of money, three homes, and a sports car? No, not particularly,...but it was something to read instead of focusing on work. It was a brain vacation.

Remember when I said I wasn't a book snob? Well, honestly, I'm not. I do, however, have a new genre code for books I know I don't want to read. I call it the "Lifetime Movie Network Genre." In other words, if the author has had one of their novels made into a movie for LMN, it is definitely not my kind of book. As you might guess, I am not a fan of LMN.  I actually checked on the author after I read the book. Luanne Rice? Yep, she's a Lifetime Movie Network gal. Not my genre.

If it IS your type of genre, perhaps this author's books are for you...or maybe the mini-series version?

I consider the yellow sticker
a warning label. ;)

Hey, this one has Rob Lowe!

As for me? I'm currently almost halfway through a pretty decent middle school novel about a present-day teenage girl who comes across an old ghost in a cemetery in New Orleans. It seems there was a murder back in the 1800s and, because it was unsolved, the ghost can't find peace. It was a slow start, but it's getting to the good part now. I can't wait to find out what happens next! See y'all later...

Happy Reading! :)