Loosely Bound: Tales from my Literary Life, Book Clubs

Loosely Bound: Tales from my Literary Life

Book Clubs

Every year I seem to do a few little tweaks to my blog and some changes stay, others fall by the way side. All in all, I have always tried to stay true in reviewing the books I read and chit chatting a little about my life. For those of you who read it, I mentioned in my Year End Wrap Up that I wanted to share more stories and adventures with you all about my life in the literary world.

I thought I would start that now. My friend Rachel came up with the clever title, Loosely Bound for my posts. I'm loving it. It's appropriate.

For those of you new this blog, I will share with you a bit about myself. My 11 year run in book retail at one of the large chains ended a year and a half ago due to a lay off. That experience not only furthered my passion for reading, it taught me a lot about the book business. I learned how to run author events giving me the opportunity to meet many wonderful authors and some not so lovely. I learned how books are marketed and sold. I was given the opportunity to work with many people in the book business; from publishers to literary agents to buyers. The greatest thing I think I got out of it, however, was that I became incredibly comfortable and grew to be very passionate about recommending to other readers.

This passion of mine, when my career ended there, sort of sizzled. I felt like an actor without a stage. It sounds silly but true. My husband and family and friends had all heard my rants, my declarations of great literature findings and frankly, they had enough! Yeah, sure they were readers but not like I was. I can safely say that my good friends, Cheryl and Trever, are the only two friends of mine that match my enthusiasm for reading. Cheryl is probably the only person I could really talk to about books for HOURS. Sorry Trev!

I needed another outlet.

So this is why this blog was created and its been my voice and my continued "stage" to act out my book love.

I have been blessed also to now work at my local library, a completely different beast than book retail. This has been a wonderful surprise addition to my life and now I get to recommend once again, face to face with readers. Coupled with my blog, I am in literary heaven.

So now that you know a bit about me or have received a little reminder, I will move on to the real purpose of my post. One of the things that has been a staple in my literary life for about 6 years now is my participation in book clubs.

Many years ago, when I lived with my friend Cheryl, we would attempt to read the same books at the same time and discuss ( a mini book club, perhaps?!). This was pulled off ....hmmm...maybe three times in the few years we lived together. We would always pick something huge and adventurous and then we would both fall flat on our faces. Or...well, I would fall on my face. Example: The Autobiography of Henry the Eighth by Margaret George. Yeah...that didn't happen for me. Ask Cheryl, it was a lovely book, in her opinion. She is still waiting for someone to talk to her about it. :)

I digress.

Book Clubs. About six years ago, a good friend of mine started up a book club. We had roughly six to ten gals at any monthly meet up. Those that attended took turns picking the books and we would meet at different restaurants or cafes and chat for maybe an hour or two. This group was nice because I read a grand variety of books; from Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert to How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill. However, it proved to be really difficult to get schedules lined up and most of the time the majority did not read the book. This began to tick off the hostess, rightly so, so it disbanded.

One of the gals, and another good friend of mine, decided to take over. This is the one I am currently involved in. We have been doing it for about 3 years now. We have on a good month 8 ladies join together. Sometimes it's just four. What I like about this group is that it is really laid back. We are pretty easygoing and honest about our busy lives. So if you read the book, GREAT! If not, that's okay too. There is always a few who have read it and there are always a few that haven't. We just roll with it. We then lapse into talk about our lives, our kids, our partners, our careers, and we drink wine and eat treats. We meet each month at someone's home (much more relaxing and cheaper) and we each bring a few choices to pick for the next month.

Though I read books last year for my book club and posted what I was reading on my blog, I never reviewed them. I just realized that this month. Hmm? I said. Why is that? Is my brain so compartmentalized that I didn't even factor in my BOOK CLUB into my BOOK BLOG? Hmmm? I must have a toddler on my brain. Yes, that's it.

So I am putting an end to that silliness. I am going to post every month a book club post; what we read, if I read it and my review (i'm gonna be honest now, I'm NOT going to read them all), and the ladies reactions. We have never had a "name" for our book club. A few of us have simply said, "We are getting together with the Ladies". So, I am officially naming us The Ladies Book Club. Michelle at The True Book Addict has been kind, once again, to be my button queen and create one for my posts. Thank you, Michelle. And, might I saw, what a lovely name you have.

Stay tuned. I will have a 2010 Book Club Wrap Up post coming soon and this Wednesday we meet to discuss The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo. I am looking forward to hearing what they thought about THAT one.

How many of you are in a book club?

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

The Memory Palace by Mira Bartok (review # 106)

The Memory Palace: a memoir by Mira Bartok

Publisher: Free Press (Simon and Schuster)

On Sale Date: January 11

Format: Review Copy

*Read for 2011 Memorable Memoir Reading Challenge

I received this book last summer and have been waiting for the right time and mood to read it, for I knew it would be a powerful one. I was glad I waited until after the holidays when I had a few days to breathe and relax. This book took it out of me, both physically and emotionally. How can I compare my anguish in reading this story to Mira Bartok's living it? I can't.

I'm including the description from the back of the review copy to better explain the deeply layered story of this woman's life. It explains it far better than I could. (text may be different on finished book)

Mira Bartok spent seventeen years hoping that her mother, Norma Herr, would never find her. A severe case of schizophrenia caused Norma to obsess over her daughters' lives-calling them fifty times a day or more, appearing unannounced at their jobs and homes, threatening them if they suggested that she get treatment for her illness.

After Norma violently attacked her daughters when they insisted she get help, Mira and her sister decided that they must change their names and cut off all contact in order to stay safe.

During the next two decades, Mira traveled the world but she could not abandon her past. As Mira struggled to balance her alliance with her sister, her burgeoning art career, and her anguish over losing her mother she and Norma began exchanging letters through post office boxes.

At age 40, a debilitating car accident leaves Mira with a terrible brain injury. She could retrain herself to draw and to write but struggled to regain memories. When she learns that her mother has been hospitalized with terminal cancer, Mira and her sister decide to visit Norma before it is too late. In those final weeks, they experience a cathartic reunion that none of them had imagined possible and Mira begins to reconnect with the memories the she feared had been lost.

The power of reading a well written memoir is feeling like you have been hit by a truck after its done. Though I love memoirs and appreciate the honesty that comes along with sharing your own story, I find it unnerving when I walk away changed. On one hand it's a testament to the talent of the storyteller, on the other it's the tragedy of the story itself that makes you look at your own life differently.

Mira Bartok, in my opinion, has a lot of guts for sharing her story. Schizophrenia is a terrifying disease and not one that should be candy coated. She tells it with brutal honesty how her mother was enveloped by this but at the same time, her love for her is still so powerfully present.

I was excruciatingly uncomfortable while reading certain parts of this book especially during her mother's manic, tragic moments; the ranting, the accusations, the threats, the violence.

I was also deeply saddened by the sheer neglect of these two little girls during their childhood. Mira's Grandparents, though close (down the road), are still absent in their own way; the Grandfather, an abusive alcoholic; the Grandmother, a submissive woman just wanting some peace. Sure, they were fed and given a place to sleep but nurturing was not something they receive enough of.

I admire Mira for forging on through her adult life and making the brave decision to cut all ties with her mother. One thing I have learned for working in social services with children is no matter how horrible your home life is, it is still your home and you will always feel attached to it. I can only imagine the guilt and sadness she must have felt all those years away from her mother and her connection to her home.

The story does take different twists while Mira explores the world in her art career and during those parts, her mother is still present but not as vibrant and intense. It was a nice break as a reader and I don't mean that in a negative way. It was simply too emotional to read page after page of her mother's trials and it was refreshing to see Mira find some peace in her own corners of the world.

Rating: 5/6

This was a profound memoir, almost a little difficult to review. The power was overwhelming and I honestly don't feel my words could do it justice. It is certainly a journey, one that doesn't get neatly wrapped up in the end. The story is filled with many lifetimes and Mira Bartok does a fantastic job in the details. All I can do is say thank you for sharing your heart wrenching story with all of us and I hope more can learn from it.

Here is a definition of A Memory Palace from the book:

Ricci, a jesuit priest who possessed great mnemonic powers, traveled to China in 1596 and taught scholars how to build an imaginary palace to keep their memories safe. He told them that the size of the palace would depend on how much they wanted to remember. To every thing they wanted to recall, they were to affix an image; to every image, a position inside a room in their mind.

One of the last lines of the book written by Mira are powerful:

If memory is a palace, let me live there, forever with her, somewhere in that place between sleep and morning. Without her long nights waiting in the rain, without the weight of guilt I bear when I buy a new pair of shoes. Let me dream a palace in the clear night sky, something between Perseus the Hero, and Cygnus, the Swan- a dark comforting place. A place lit by stars and a winter moon.

Websites to check out:

The Memory Palace Book Trailer

Simon and Schuster's Author Page

Book Club Read?

Yes, though it may be intense for some, I feel it would generate a lot of discussion. Topics like Mental Health, Familial Obligation, Art, Domestic Abuse, Substance Abuse are heavily present in this book.

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

Historical Fiction Challenge 2011

Historical Tapestry is hosting this Challenge this year. I am bound to read atleast a few Historical Fiction novels this year so I decided to give it a go. Thank you to Jo Jo at Jo Jo Loves to Read for making me aware of this challenge!

Here are the rules straight from Historical Tapestry:

After 3 years organizing the Historical Fiction Challenge, the girls of The Royal Reviews gracefully passed over this exciting event to our team at Historical Tapestry. We will do our best to continue doing a great job and create a wonderful place to share and discuss our favourite (and less favourite) historical fiction books for the next year.

Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

• everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)

• add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)

• any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)

• you can overlap this challenge with others kind of challenges

• During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:

1. Severe Bookaholism: 20 books
2. Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books
3. Struggling the Addiction: 10 books
4. Daring & Curious: 5 books
5. Out of My Comfort Zone: 2 books

The challenge will run from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

I am going for the Out of My Comfort Zone with 2 books. Shouldn't stress me out TOO much, eh?

Any takers?

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin (review #105)

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

Publisher : Harper Collins

Copy: Library Loan

While I was writing my year end wrap up and posting how many books I have read with my son, I realized that I want to start doing a few reviews of the fabulous books we read together. It is also my son's 3 year birthday today, so I thought today would be a good time to start. We are serious library supporters, even before I started working there. I used to buy a lot of kids books for him but learned very quickly that I could not afford our habit! So the library has become our greatest friend.

I won't post reviews for every book we read because I would not have enough time. I will choose a few here and there that I feel have a really great message and should be shared!

We have been reading to our son really since he was inside but our reading ritual really started when he was about seven months old. It started with story time before bed and we read three books at that time. It has now progressed to a morning circle time of 1 or 2 stories, 3 books at nap time and 5 at night time. I pick the morning circle theme and he picks the rest. We have his books at his level and I rotate them weekly.

Pete the Cat has become one of our very favorite stories to read. It's colorful, has a good beat to it and a very good message. Pete has new shoes but when he is out walking he steps in strawberries, blueberries, mud and water causing his brand new white shoes to change color. After stepping in water, they go back to being white. He rolls with it all and still loves his shoes no matter what color.

The ending phrase is the best:

"The moral of Pete's story is: No matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song because it's all good"

Rating: 6/6

We love to sing along to this book and our son knows all the parts as well. It's a great feel good book that's perfect to read right now to start off the new year.

Author Website: Eric Litwin

The website is full of fun videos of live children's events reading the book out loud and lots of info on buying pictures of Pete and Pete stuffed toys! We spent the morning watching Pete on You Tube. I couldn't resist posting this fabulous video of Pete the Cat dancing.!

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

My Life According to the Books I Read in 2010

I discovered this cute little Meme over at Christine's

The Happily Ever After (whom I adore!!!!!!) and I just had to do it!

My Life According to the Books I Read in 2010

Using only titles of books that you read this year (2010), complete the prompts below. Try not to repeat any book titles.

Describe yourself:

An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary

How do you feel:

Dismantled by Jennifer McMahon

Describe where you currently live:

In the Belly of Jonah by Sandra Brannan

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:

Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin

Your favorite form of transportation:

Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane

Your best friend is:

Composed by Roseanne Cash

You and your friends are:

The Recipe Club

What's the weather like:

Whiter than Snow by Sandra Dallas

Favorite time of day:

Chasing the Night by Iris Johansen

What is life to you:

Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb

Your fear:

Lies we Told by Diane Chamberlain

What is the best advice you have to give:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Thought for the day:

Hide by Jeff Foxworthy

How I would like to die:

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

My soul's present condition:

Hell yeah by Carolyn Brown

If you want to participate, leave a comment with your link. Isn't it fun to read?

I feel all saucy with some of my answers!!

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

A-Z Mystery Author Challenge Review Link

Hi Folks,

I am so happy you have joined my very first challenge!!! I love to read mysteries and I can't wait to read all of your reviews. You can still sign up here!

I have fixed the Linky situation at this time. Cross your fingers it works!!!

You can post your link in the comment boxes below and/or add it to Mr. Linky.

I will stop by and check out your reviews!

Happy Reading and thanks, as always, for stopping by and being a part of it all!

red headed book child

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy (review #104)

Buffalo West Wing- Julie Hyzy

A White House Chef Mystery #4

*Read for A-Z Mystery Author Challenge

I've been feeling in a cozy state of mind lately. I blame in on all the darn snow and recently finishing The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, a book far, far from cozy. I stumbled across this book from Lori at Dollycas's Thoughts and actually solicited the publicist to review. I think I have done that two other times in my blog career here. I wanted something new and I was curious about the review opportunities for Cozies. It also gave me the perfect book to review to start off the new year and my first challenge. So, here we are.

I had never read The White House Chef mystery series before but I have heard from Jenny at Take Me Away that they are pretty good.

I am a little weird about jumping in on series but I decided to throw that to the wind. In this case, I didn't feel like I was missing too much, though it made me curious about a few things.

Olivia Paras is the main gal in this series. She is also the Executive Chef for the First Family at the White House. She is straight-forward, damn good at what she does and overly cautious of the goings on at the White House. Her strict house rules and observant nature have certainly helped some sticky situations but have also thrown her into some dangerous ones as well.

This time, there is a new family in the White House, and she is doing everything she can to have a great first meal planned for them. A suspicious box of chicken wings shows up in her kitchen addressed to the kids and no one knows where it came from.

She hides it and refuses to give it to the kids because of it's unknown delivery source. This causes an upset with the First lady and a rocky start with the First Kids. How can you deny my children?!!!!!

Little did she know that they were poisoned and aimed to hurt the children. Hmmm....

Rating: 4/6 Recommended

Olivia is definitely a fun character to read, a little bossy, a little socially awkward, honest and a good friend. With most cozies it seems the main character has a habit of stumbling on to something bad and this was no different but I found it to be rather enjoyable. I liked the Washington D.C setting combined with the bustling about of the White House. That certainly gave it a unique feel.

Olivia had a past relationship in the previous books and that is mentioned in this one. That is the only area I really felt I was missing a bit of back story.

Author Website:

Julie Hyzy

State of the Onion #1, Hail to the Chef #2 and Eggsecutive Orders #3 round out the series.

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

*Thank you to Dana at Kay Publicity for sending me a review copy.