I'm sorry

What's that saying? The road to hell is paved with good intentions? Or something like that?

I meant to follow through.  I meant to read everything and lead excellent discussion, but you know-- I didn't.  Sorry about that.

I DID take a class in flash fiction, though.  And then another in Poetry.  So, I'm not entirely the cotton-headed-ninny-muggin I seem to be.  Or am I?

Anyway, enough excuses.  Instead of simultaneous readings of books perhaps (for a while) we could do reviews of what we've read?

I'll go first!

The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.  I first read this authors collection of short stories called Drown and was drawn to his gritty no nonsense voice.  He's not shy on using the swears (so reader beware) but he shows the heartbreak and beauty of the lived immigrant experience.  Oscar Wao is a book in pieces that bounces you through time and place and circles them together until they make sense.  This can sometimes be a bit discombobulating, especially if you're like me and sometimes go a few days (or more) between reading.  It doesn't take too long to reorient myself, though.  I loved the characters in this book.  They are rotten and wonderful and poor Oscar is heartbreakingly human (and hilarious).  This is not your typical book-club book but I would highly recommend it.  I feel like Junot Diaz is a contemporary writer to watch.

All The Light We Cannot See-  I'm only 3/4 of the way through so I can't write a full review yet, but so far I'm just "meh" about it.  I'll update this if that changes.


What have you read lately?


Erin

Calling it

Okay, I'm calling it on Man's Search for Meaning. I just don't think I'm going to finish it. I hate not finishing, but every time I try to pick it up, I just can't. I really enjoyed and was mesmerized by the first half where he described life in the concentration camps. I was totally unprepared and not expecting part two, which is really an academic treatise.

I tried to read, but it reminded me so much of reading articles on literary theory in grad school. My eyes would glaze over and I'd have no idea what I had just read. I've got mom brains now dontcha know, and that kind of thinking is almost impossible for me. It was hard enough back when I was in school and reading ten pages would take the better part of an hour.

In case anyone else is suffering from a similar inertia, I was wondering if we can just discuss what we've read and then move on. Here are a few thoughts and questions about what I read.

The whole idea is to find meaning in life, and with the example of the concentration camp - meaning in suffering. You can be the best prisoner or you can suffer well. At first, this really kind of smacked of Existentialism to me. I'm also obligated through marriage to hate Existentialism. Ryan disdains all offshoots of Post-modernism because he believes that if taken to their fullest meaning philosophically they just become nihilistic. This was made very clear before we were married.

However, I actually think the book is a rejection of Existentialism. Existentialism, as far as I understand, and I could be WAY off, doesn't seek to find meaning. It doesn't seek for anything, but just a kind of acceptance, in a way. We had to read Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus" in a French class. In the end, we're supposed to recognize the absurd and accept it and Camus imagines that Sisyphus sees the absurdity of his fate and might even find happiness in pushing that rock. That was a big oversimplification, but I'm writing this during my precious nap time and I'm on the clock. I've got to finish up quick so I can sneak in an episode of Gilmore Girls and eat candy before they get up.

Anywho, Frankel's point is that we need to find meaning and having that meaning is what directs our lives. Existentialism's point is that basically there is no meaning in life so one ought to accept that and move on. So, yay for Frankel. Boo for Existentialism.

Secondly, has anyone read The Uses of Adversity by Carlfred Broderick? If not, might I suggest it as an addendum and continuation for this discussion? Broderick was the Institute director at USC when my parents went there. He was also the head of Psychology at USC for many years and was very well-known professionally. This book is taken from a Women's Conference address he gave many years ago. This book might be the LDS sequel to Frankel's book. Frankel says to find something that has meaning for you to help direct your life. This book argues that the Gospel and Jesus Christ are what give meaning and purpose to our trials on this earth. I cannot recommend this book enough. It's a short read. I read it first at my mom's house because she had several copies laying around. She keeps several handy to give away. I immediately had Ryan read it, and then we bought several copies of our own so that we could give them away. He has so many insights that have been really helpful to me in my life.

So, those are my thoughts. Anyone have a follow-up?

First Book! "Man's Search for Meaning" by Vicktor Frankl

Hello ladies! I haven't forgotten about you,  I just have a hard time finding uninterrupted computer time.  Now that school has started (hip, hip!) I should, theoretically, have a little bit more time.

Believe it or not, I've been mulling over our theme and books all summer.  It's a lot of pressure to choose reading/subject matter for smart people like yourselves.  And, there are so many directions to go!  I've always be the queen of indecisive land and this was no different.  

So for our first book I chose Viktor Frankels "Mans Search for Meaning".  Have you read it yet?  I've only read excerpts and that was back during the college years so I'm anxious to read it with my older wiser eyes and perspective.  I know the holocaust and suffering is a meaty subject and can be triggering if one in a tough place mentally or physically--so if it's too much let me know, and we'll switch to dystopian teen romance novels.

Amazon tells me it's only 184 pages, so hopefully we can finish by mid-October?  

Still deciding on the focus of our study-- courage? agency? choice?  could all come from this book--maybe as I read I'll have more clarity on what we can discuss.  Next pick will be a different genre and topic, promise. 

Happy Reading!

Tiptoeing into the Circle

Good morning!  I still feel a little shy here, though I am loving the love of books and the respect you have for each other.  I hope a general sort of update (book related) from me is all right!

Largely inspired by one of Cathryn's blog posts a couple months ago and mainly by sheer desperation, I'm resolving to take back my mornings.  Since our move to London, my one year old has been waking at 4:30 or maybe stretching to 5:00 am and won't go back to sleep.  I've been getting up with her but crashing on the sofa while she snacks and plays (somewhat) quietly.  After an hour she starts getting bored and restless and so I blearily fumble through some sort of distraction, trying to give my husband and other kids a chance to sleep a little longer.  Then I doze some more in uncomfortable positions and before I know it it's time to really start the day and I'm wiped by 7:30 am.  So yesterday I decided that first off, Eliza (the baby), has got to go through some remedial sleep training.  I'm just not even going to pay any attention to her until 6:00, whatever fussing is going on.  I let myself wake up slowly and get myself ready so that by the time it is 6:00 I feel fully awake and energetic.  Eliza doesn't love when I'm on my computer, but if I'm doing anything else (exercising, puttering around the kitchen, even reading) she's content to play by herself and keep me company.  The past two days I've resented her early rising less because we're having some nice quiet mommy and daughter time.  I'm only two days into this but the difference is already so marked.  I've done yoga two mornings in a row (!!) and made hot breakfasts (I'm strictly a cold cereal mom.  However, we are out of milk and I'm too lazy to get to the store for more.).  I have more energy than when I was trying to catch up on the sleep I felt I was loosing. 

Okay, sorry, that was so long and random.  In any case, that's the most up-to-date thing about me.

And now, at last, is the book related update I was going to offer.  On my family blog I just posted a rundown of some of the things my kids and I, and just I, have been reading recently.  I'd love to hear from you all from time to time any children's/young adult books you have found that read aloud well.  We're just beginning that phase (one of the things I looked forward to most before ever becoming a parent!).

Books Lately...

I've been on a reading frenzy lately, it's weird. I feel like a shark who caught a whiff of blood in the water and just goes crazy tearing everything apart. I'm not sure what brought it on, maybe an escape from summer or housekeeping? I just hate sitting and being bored, so it's so nice to be able to pick up a book and get in a few chapters while the kids are playing nicely for a few minutes. Of course, last night I had a nightmare that June was drowning while I was distracted, so that wasn't so good. It's nice because it totally replaces social media or any mindless phone playing that I do, but it's bad because I'm just as absorbed in something else that isn't my children or my housework.


When I get a piece of easy fiction, it's like watching a movie for me. I cannot pull myself away until the thing is finished. I'll read it as I cook by the stove, I'll read it giving the girls their baths, I might find it on audiobook to listen to as I clean the kitchen, naptime productivity has been a complete disaster, the worst is that after we are both in bed and I can hear Ryan fall asleep, I'll get out a little flashlight on my phone and read some more. It's gotten ridiculous and tiring! I need to take a break between books because I struggle living in the world when I've got a little book world that I'm in the middle of. I'm sure you guys are all similar. Give me a real classic book, and most of the time I can take breaks and not get overly involved, but give me a good YA and I'm a zombie until it's finished.

That very long introduction brings me to..... To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han. Seriously, this was the best book. I read it in a day, and then spent the next day rereading it about three times. I think I'm in love with this book. A book blog mentioned it and randomly I just decided to log into the library website and request a copy. (I love requesting books and then having a few great novels waiting for me at the library! I think that's what has really got me going on this reading frenzy.)

It's a great book, the characters are well developed, the plot is mostly believable, and I just really loved the protagonist. She actually seemed normal and not totally crazy, and she loves vintage clothes and things and she actually really reminded me of Rachel, our new book club friend.

So, I'm not going to give you the synopsis. Just read it, it's awesome! My next book, I promise, will be The Wild Trees. I have it sitting here next to me right now.

Have I done an update yet?

Quick recap of my goings on--

Had a baby.  We named him Theodore and call him Teddy.  He is the current family favorite and the apple of his siblings' eye.  He came into this world at a hefty 8 lbs 15 oz (and change).  His birth was uncomplicated and quick and he seems to have adjusted to the chaos of post-womb living.  He sleeps great and is, so far, a pretty even tempered kid.   One thing I was not anticipating was how much the other kids would love him.  All three are over the moon about him and love to help.  And, because they're older the help they give is actually helpful!  It's divine!  Olivia can hold him and knows all about the "Five S's".  Sam feels it is calling in life to protect Teddy from the sun and is the designated shade giver when we're out and about.  Owen likes to kiss feet, brings him age inappropriate toys, and calls him "Feodore".  Adorable.  So far, not a smack of jealousy.

One of the maybe handful of positive things about working at a large law firm is the paternity leave.  Phil took all six weeks and it was awesome.  I'm convinced two SAH parents is the way to go.  If we could only be independently wealthy we'd be set.


I'm recovering well enough from the shock of being the parent to four kids.  I had a smidge of post-partum anxiety immediately post-birth (which was super annoying) but that went a way pretty quick, thankfully.  I'm feeling good and still marvel at the ability to bend and sleep on my stomach.  I'm slowly starting to run again* and in a lofty (or fool-hardy) move signed up for the Oceanside Half-Ironman in March.  I have 9 months.

For the past 18 months or so I've been taking classes through UC Berkeley Extension.  I'm working towards my post bac certificate in Creative Writing.  Most recently I took a Craft of Reading class which was fantastic.   It's basically a super smart/forced book club.  Not unlike our little blog here.  :)  This fall I'm planning to take a flash fiction class (it's a thing) so expect my analysis to be brief.

I just finished reading The Alchemist for another book group I'm in (former classmates).  It was my second reading of it and it is always inspiring.  It is a good life-motivator type book, a quick read and I'd recommend it.

Other then that, life keeps plugging along.  The more settled life becomes the faster it seems to move.  In our more transient days we had big life changes every few years, usually in the form of moves, that helped me keep a tally of the years.  They were disruptive, but were markers in time.  Now that we've planted roots we don't have as many concrete markers to help us keep track, so three years seems like one and all of a sudden I have a tween.  It's a great ride, though.

I'm looking forward to crafting our fall syllabus and will try and get a list out by the end of the month.  I love that I have such smart friends!

I love you all dearly and wish we lived closer so our virtual book club could be less virtual and we could share snacks and babysitting.

Hugs and Happy reading!!


*unlike Cathy who jogs herself to the hospital to birth, I can barely walk to the bathroom without being winded anytime after 30 weeks.


Also, here are some photos.   They're not the most current, but given that Teddy is only 7 weeks old, they're not the most out-of-date either.

Fall Semester

Erin is IT for our Fall Semester theme and syllabus. I was thinking of themes, but it's probably better and more fun if the person who is choosing the books gets to decide the theme. So, it's up to you, Erin, but it better be awesome!

There's no rush, just post it as a whole with dates for each book discussion sometime before September. We'll need four books for September, October, November, December. Use your discretion for book clubbing around holidays. You should also be in charge of reminders during the semester and kicking of our butts into action as needed.

Also, just throwing it off the top of my head - but you could make assignments to lead discussion questions or present on certain relevant topics for each month too. Again, I'm just swinging here, so feel free not to do that.

If anyone is looking at another good summer read, I just finished The Light Between Oceans. It was horribly sad that ended as satisfactorily as possible. One of those situations where you feel for every character and there is no real hero or villain. If I had known, I probably would have avoided it since I like happy things and at one point there were tears streaming down my face, but I can still say it was a good book and recommend it. It wasn't a downer in the end, if that makes sense. On sale at Costco now!