Everyone is Beautiful

Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center
Glorious, hopeful, inspiring bit of mommy lit sure to entertain anyone who has ever wanted to make a change.

Suddenly uprooted from her Houston hometown when her husband Peter begins a music composition graduate program, Lanie finds herself in Cambridge, MA with her three young sons, a shotgun apartment full of unpacked boxes, and her husband locked in his practice room, rehearsing. After a mom at the park mistakenly asks her when her baby is due, Lanie embarks on a mission to change her life. She starts by joining a gym, carving out some personal time during the only part of the day parents know they will have to themselves—when the kids go to bed. In addition to rediscovering her body, Lanie realizes that something will eventually have to be done to her marriage. After four years of sleepless nights and constant interruptions, Lanie and Peter have drifted so far apart, Lanie doesn’t know if they will be able to come back together—or when they would find the time. But something will need to change soon, or all that Lanie has been striving for could be lost.

Center’s follow up to her sparkling debut, The Bright Side of Disaster, is a glittering gem of a story. I enjoyed every minute of this novel. Center demonstrates once again that she knows beyond a doubt who her heroine is and provides her with such a clear, strong voice and enrapturing tale in which she can blossom, readers can’t help but fall in love with her. I was encouraged by the fact that Lanie didn’t really want to change anything at the core of who she was; she just wanted her exterior to accurately reflect who she was on the inside. Lanie needed tangible evidence of all the creativity that was swirling in that dormant part of her soul so that she could be repeatedly reminded of who she was--that she wasn’t just a short-order cook, a housekeeper, a washerwoman, a mom; she was a woman of value, just by being herself. And that’s the kernel of truth that all women can take away from this book.

Center also speaks through Lanie to all the women in the world who want to have it all—if in attaining everything, you lose your family, all that has been gained will be pointless. At the end of the book, Lanie achieves balance, and is able to bring all the different aspects of her life together—she is able to devote time to her body, her creative pursuits, her children, and her husband. Lanie has come to the realization that if she takes her husband for granted, thinking that they can pick up where they left off when the kids are older, they may not have anything left to salvage.

I think the countless ways Lanie’s three sons managed to make messes truly speaks to Center’s imagination. Their actions practically became another character in the book. As the mother of two little girls, I would not have dreamed children could come up with some of these ideas on their own. If nothing else, this book has prepared me for the mischievous minds of little boys!

PS—The chocolate cupcake with blue frosting was so tempting, I almost reneged on my dessert ban. This cover is also deliciously seductive. I might have to read it next.

Shelter Me

Shelter Me by Juliette Fay
Janie’s husband Robby died four months ago, leaving her alone to raise their four year old son and seven month old daughter. She is barely keeping it together, staying above water with the help of her overbearing Aunt Jude and helpful cousin Cormac. One day, a carpenter named Tug shows up on her doorstep, ready to build the covered porch that Robby had planned as a surprise birthday present, but hadn’t gotten the chance to give her. With Tug’s watchful presence and weekly visits with a priest, Janie starts to take control of her life as well as letting go of things she knows she can’t change.

I knew this was dangerous territory when I read the book review—dead husband, young children to take care of. But I picked it up anyway. The author Fay effectively describes the grief that Janie and her son endure during the first year of Robby’s death. Every time I picked up the book, I would tear up or cry during the reading because the scenes were just so heartbreaking. But there is hope: Janie and her son and others she didn’t even realize were touched, work through their grief and get to a different, hopefully better, place.

I must say that I didn’t like the first half of the book at all. I wish it would have mentioned in the back cover description of the book that the themes of child sexual abuse and self-defense were involved. If I had known these would have been covered, I wouldn’t have read the book (when I told my husband these were mentioned, he told me to stop reading, but by that time, I had to keep reading to make sure Janie would be okay). In the materials at the end of the book, the author describes how she had years of experience in child abuse prevention and how she herself had taken a self-defense class, so I can understand her drawing upon her own experiences for the book, but I hated these too-harsh doses of reality. Perhaps she used them as a device to have Janie prove to herself that she was strong enough to guide herself and her children in this new world they found themselves in, but I thought they were completely unnecessary.

More than anything, I wish I had read this in a book club, because there were so many things I would have liked to discuss with others. The discussion questions included in the back of the book bring up things I hadn’t even thought of (like symbolism—I generally read too literally to think about what the author is hinting at).

Overall, a bit heavier than your standard chick lit fare, but very descriptive and worthwhile.

Knit Two

This afternoon I finished Knit Two by Kate Jacobs, the sequel to The Friday Night Knitting Club. A couple of days ago while reading reviews for new adult fiction books, I read the review of Knit Two, even though our library had already purchased it. I think Margaret Hanes summed up the book perfectly by saying that the novel was about grief and how different people handle their varying reactions to this powerful human emotion. The book picks up the story of the members of the Friday Night Knitting Club five years after the end of the last book, so readers get to see what becomes of Dakota, James, Peri, KC, Catherine, Anita, Lucie and Darwin. I won't say too much about this one, since it came out just a week ago, but it was nice to see how things turned out, especially after reading the first book so recently.

Above all else, this book makes me want to knit!

K

The Friday Night Knitting Club

I don't like when books end in a way that totally shocks me (see Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner). The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs totally caught me off guard. I guess it was my own naivety that I didn't see it coming, or at least acknowledge the signs, but I typically read books that have happy endings. Oh well.

This book centers on the owner of a knitting shop in Manhattan (I swear, somehow all the books I read take place in either Manhattan or London), Georgia Walker, and her preteen daughter. Georgia started the knitting business as a way to make money while raising her daughter alone. Over the years, her customers have become quite loyal, making her little shop successful. Eventually some regulars happen to come on a Friday night to hang out in the shop and knit, and the Friday Night Knitting Club is born. We follow each of the members and discover the particular trials in each of their lives.

This novel demonstrates the power of friends who become family. I really enjoyed it, despite the ending, and am eagerly awaiting the next book, Knit Two.

K

P.S.--I don't feel like I need to worry about ruining the endings to books I read and blog about here because I'm always six months behind the rest of the world in reading them. But if I have ruined the ending for you or worse, made you not want to start the book to begin with (how very un-librarian of me!), I sincerely apologize.

Certain Girls

As I look over my posts, I notice the lack of any reading. From last fall until April, I simply could not read. I couldn't focus my brain on anything longer than a magazine article. I tried to start a couple of books, but nothing kept my attention.

And for reasons unbeknowst to me, I was able to pick up a book in April and not only start to read it, but also finish it.

And now since May, I have been reading quite a lot. Having lots of sit down time nursing during the day and in the middle of the night lets you accomplish quite a bit of reading. I've been trying to keep a paper list, since I haven't been keeping up with things here, but I know I've left some out (which is probably good, in some cases). I've been wavering on whether or not to annotate my list, but I think I will, as much as I can remember.

So, on to the first:
Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner
finished mid-May, 2008

This book is the follow-up to Weiner's first book, Good In Bed. Before Certain Girls came out, I went back and read Weiner's first two books, so I would be up-to-date. It's nice to be able to see where these characters are now, several years after the first book takes place. Now, six months later, of course the only thing I can remember is the end, which I hated. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so I can talk in only vague terms, but really, I cannot believe Weiner did what she did. And, since it happened so close to the end of the book, I felt like Weiner rushed to the last page, not fully developing the aftermath. Maybe she was leaving herself open to another sequel, but I thought it was pathetic.
Regardless, it was interesting reading this novel about the relationship between a mother and her pre-teen daughter on the cusp of having my second daughter.

K

Catching up

Over the past few months, I haven't found much in the new books section worthy of my time, so I've been going back and reading the early books of my favorite authors.

In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner: Great book, better than the movie (of course), but I couldn't stand the part where Rose runs into characters from Weiner's first book Good In Bed. Surely that wasn't necessary?

Jemima J by Jane Green: Before now, I hadn't even read what this book was about. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book about transformation and finding your true love, even with a little mystery thrown in. Excellent first novel--and now I understand why she was given a publishing deal.

Mr. Maybe by Jane Green: Like many sophomore novels, this one was a bit rougher than the first and Green's subsequent books. I didn't understand why the main character wasted so much of her time on someone who was so obviously wrong for her. I suppose we have all been there, of course, willing to compromise because we want something so badly. But I'm glad that she wised up in the end.

Now reading: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Nothing like a depressing novel for the holidays.

K

Good in Bed

In anticipation of the spring 2008 publication of her next book, Certain Girls, I read Jennifer Weiner's Good in Bed. I started reading Weiner with Little Earthquakes and I loved Goodnight, Nobody, and I always meant to go back and read her first two books (just like how I got hooked on Jane Green with her third, Bookends, and still haven't gone back and read her first two). Certain Girls, which follows Cannie, seemed like the perfect reason.

I knew what to expect from a Jennifer Weiner book--thrilling wonderfulness, a delight to read, something that I would just be enveloped by. I was not disappointed. This book started out innocently enough, and I thought it would be the regular story of girl loves boy, girl breaks out with boy, girl eventually gets back together with boy. No way did I know I was in for a baby and Hollywood. Somehow (and I'm not really sure how) these events and situations seem totally believable at Weiner's hand. Perhaps what I liked most was how these plot developments surprised me and enriched the story.

I am now in love with Cannie, and I cannot wait to read what befalls her next.

K

The Bright Side of Disaster

The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center was fabulous. Wonderful mom lit. I didn't love how the author used the title in dialog at the very beginning of the book, but the rest of the story made up for it. Jenny's fiance leaves her the day before she goes into labor, and most of the book consists of those hazy days right after you've had a baby and your whole world is turned upside down. I totally related to all her descriptions of early motherhood. Somehow the author so completely develops and maintains Jenny's voice; the book never strays from her point of view and her character. It was totally enveloping. You can't help but cheer for Jenny as she makes some good decisions in her love life. This is a debut novel that has gotten lots of good reviews and lots of press, all totally deserved.

Now I'm reading Slummy Mummy, my favorite kind of British mum lit--even the flyleaf says "Bridget Jones with kids". (Can you believe it has been almost ten years since Bridget came onto the scene and totally changed contemporary literature?)

forever ago

Just at this moment reading a review for another Austen inspired novel, I realized that I never posted my completion of Austenland. I loved it. It was a delight, even though I haven't read all of Austen's novels and barely remember some of the characters and plot points from the various books. The author threw in enough twists and turns that I couldn't guess the ending. I think it is many Austen fans' dream to be able to go back in time and live the way she lived.

Right now I'm flying through Second Chance by Jane Green. I love love love it. Green could write anything and I would love it. As always, Second Chance is filled with loveable characters who I find parts of myself in and therefore can identity with, and the plot just keeps me guessing. I really wish she would put out books faster!

K

i've been reading alot...

but you've never know since I haven't been keeping up with my documentation here.

I finished Momzillas which was one of the funniest mom lit books I've read so far. It had very strong plotline similarities to Class Mothers, but I guess that is okay. I'm glad I am not part of the crowd that cares about getting into the "best" pre-preschool--I don't even know which one that would be here in STL.

After Momzillas, I moved on to The Marriage Diaries by Rebecca Campbell. It was British, there was a kid, but I didn't really like it. I really didn't like the middle of the book and almost gave up on it. The basic premise is that a stay-at-home dad begins to document his time at home with his son, and his working wife stumbles across his journal entries to find that he spends time with a mom from playgroup. So almost in an act of pre-revenge, she has an affair with a married friend, while the husband comes close, but never ends up cheating. So the wife cheated on her husband because she thought her husband was cheating, when he wasn't really. And then to top it off, the book ended with her quitting her job to stay home with her kids (one on the way whose paternity wasn't really addressed). I'm still looking for the book where she quits her job then goes back to work full-time! Does such a book exist?

I have been taking a break from the fictional world to read some non-fiction. I was a Really Good Mom before I had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood by Amy Nobile and Trisha Ashworth really helped me address certain expectations I had for myself regarding my roles as wife and mother and employee and helped me address the guilt I have for still working after having a baby. I have had it done for a few days now but I'm waiting to return it until I can methodically work through the super easy exercises they have. The last chapter is about living in the moment and it was a great reminder that these days are fleeting. I would have appreciated it even more if it had been written from a Christian perspective. Maybe someone should write that book... I feel like this book gave me permission to not always have my house clean and to let the laundry go for another day if it means spending quality time with the baby. I know it seems silly, but I do need to hear that.

Now I'm reading Working families: navigating the demands and delights of marriage, parenting, and career by Joy Jordan-Lake. This is a Christian living book about how to be a spouse, parent and employee and find and follow your life's "calling", whatever that may be, whether it is the same as your job or not. I hope that she talks more about the balancing and juggling act of handling all these responsibilities.

On the horizon I have the Last Summer of You and Me by Ann Brashares who wrote the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series for YAs and Austenland, which looks like every Austenite's dream.

K

Goodnight, Nobody

Goodnight, Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

The last book of Weiner's that I read, Little Earthquakes, was wonderful, as was this new one. I loved how the suspense in the book kept me reading. A deeper chick lit offering than some, I love to read her writing. I love reading good books but I hate when they end.

K

books I read last year

I know I read many more books that this in 2006, but I can't remember them all right now. But I do remember--

Bed Rest by Sarah Bilston (another ARC from Lissa)
Piece of Work by Laura Zigman (my boss told me that someone he knew made note of what they were reading when each of their kids was born--I was reading this)
24-Karat Kids A Novel Dr. Judy Goldstein and Sebastian Stuart (an ARC from Asia)
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

K

what I have been reading

I remember how every summer when I was growing up, I participated in the Summer Reading Program at the local public library. I loved how the lists of books we had to have in order to get our book prize at the end of the summer grew as the months passed. When I was in second grade, I kept a meticulous list of all the books I read. I've tried on and off in the years since to keep track of what I've read, but half the time I forget to write down the titles and authors.

One of my resolutions for this year is to start writing down the books I have read. It seems like this is a no-brainer resolution; most people are probably resolving to read more, but this will be hard enough for me to do!

So here are the books I have read since the beginning of 2007 (I think).

I know there was a book I was rushing to finish before January so that I could start on The Yummy Mummy but I cannot remember the name of it (hence the resolution)!

The Yummy Mummy was an ARC from my friend Lissa (I love having friends who get free books at library conferences). She knew I would love it since it was British chick lit (my favorite). I had actually just the day before read a review of this book and was dying to read it. It was fantastic. The plot had enough twists and turns that it didn't end like I thought it would. I love my breezy, easy chick lit, but I do like it when authors try a little harder to make the storyline and the characters more substantial than usual. Now that I have gotten married and have a child, I have moved from the career-girl-seeking-true-love chick lit to the mummy lit--20-30 somethings who have kids.

After Yummy Mummy, I wanted another good book and picked up Gucci Gucci Coo by Sue Margolis. While this was an enjoyable read, it wasn't as good as Yummy Mummy (but what would have been? It's so hard to follow really good books with an equally good book). This book also doesn't end like you initially think it will. It even had a touch of mystery and suspense, which reminds me of what Lissa said about the Helen Fielding's follow-up to the Bridget Jones books, Olivia Joules And The Overactive Imagination--"Fielding is trying to turn chick lit into spy/adventure." (Sorry Lissa, that wasn't it exactly, but you get what I mean.) But this was way better than Olivia Joules which I couldn't even get past the first chapter in. Margolis also wrote the book in the third person which I understand gives the author more leeway in describing characters but I found it kind of annoying to read what the protagonist thought and felt instead of hearing about them firsthand. Maybe it's just me.

Today I finished Always and Forever by Cathy Kelly. I recall reading a short story by Kelly in Irish Girls About Town and always meant to read some of her full length treatments. I thought this book was great. The back cover gave me the impression that the book was predominately about the women's friendships, and that wasn't the case. But it wasn't too much of a disappointment because the women's individual stories were interesting. The balance between the three/four story lines was excellent. I don't think the book would have been as good if it were about only one of the women. To be honest, I wanted to book to end differently for the woman who had quit her job to stay home and care for her kids. I think this title would appear to many different people because of the variety of ages and situations represented.

What should I read next? I have nothing waiting for me at home. And since the library closes soon, I have just 27 minutes to find something new to read!

K