Book 25, 26 & 27 of 52: Fifty Shades of Grey

I was hoping to read an all-time classic to mark the mid-point of my book a week journey. Instead, I did just the opposite and picked up the Fifty Shades of Grey series (aka "Smut") that almost everyone has read but me. I have now officially ventured into the steamy genre known as "erotica", or as one of my co-workers put it "soft porn". All I can say is that once I started reading this I appreciated it was on my kobo, so no one knew what I was reading.

All I knew starting this book was that there was a lot of sex. The first book was the most "erotic" of the three, but maybe I felt this way because by book two I was used to it. Thankfully I had no expectations of spectacular writing (it was really quite bad!), and if I wasn't such a fast reader I may not have had the patience to withstand the horrible writing. Book one didn't seem to have much of a story line other than boy meets girl and boy and girl have a lot of sex -- some of it quite hilarious and awkward. But at least in book two and three the story gets more interesting, as do the characters.

Enjoy these books for what they are -- a good, sex-filled, escape from your everyday life....unless of course you're married to your own Mr. Grey and don't need an escape. ;)

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Here's a Fifty Shades take-off for a good laugh:
Mother's Day Commercial

Book 24 of 52: The Language of Flowers

 

August 4, 2012: It's a long weekend and I'm finally catching up on some of my blog posts.

I read this story 6 weeks ago and I still can’t stop thinking about it. It is about an 18-year old girl, Victoria, who has just been released from the foster care system. She has a multitude of mental health problems and chooses to spend her nights sleeping in a park surrounded by a garden she’s created for herself. She has a unique gift of understanding the meaning of flowers, which was passed along to her by a foster mother (Elizabeth) who was trying to adopt her when she was younger. The story alternates between the time when she was 8 and living with Elizabeth and “today” when she’s 18.

There’s a moment in the story (if you read it you’ll know the one I mean), when she leaves her apartment and you’re not sure what she’s going to return home to. This is when for the very first time I’ve actually had to flip forward in a book to see if everything was going to be ok or not. As a rule, I don’t ever do this. I won’t give any more of it away, because the author is excellent at doling out bits at a time and leading you through a beautiful (and heartbreaking) story. The inclusion of the language of flowers was an extra touch that made it even more special.

This is one of the best books I've read this year (and last year). While it was a roller-coaster of a ride with lots of unexpected heartwrenching turns and bumps, it gave me hope. Hope for people that I used to see in my time working at St. Mike's hospital or the individuals I advocate for everyday working at the health department, that they too will find happiness.

It's all greek

I'm composing this post in a lecture room at the University of Guelph. I've had an awesome opportunity this week to have some time away from the office to simply learn and absorb information at a course on Geographical Epidemiology. Seeing formulas, greek symbols and writing computer code has made me realize how much I miss academia and need to challenge my brain. While it's not possible to go back and do my PhD at the moment, it's made me realize how important it is for me to consume knowledge and books. Back to reading!

Book 23 of 52: Garden Spells

 

Sometimes you just need a light-hearted, entertaining read. I had a very busy week last week so I knew I wouldn't be able to handle anything too heavy. It was my son's 6th birthday party I was driving to & from Guelph each day (for a PhD course in Geographical Epidemiology), and there were still evening activities with the kids, making lunches, and all the other chores. This was a great book to keep in my purse for the lunch breaks during the course.

This book centres around a unique magical apple tree that grows in the Waverly's back garden. Each Waverly woman or girl has an special gift to share with the little town of Bascom, North Carolina. They sometimes come across as oddities to this town but are wonderful ladies.

Generations of Waverly women protect and look over this rascal of an apple tree with a wild little soul that loves this family and throws apples at random to have its say in there lives. If eaten it reveals secret visions of the most memorable moment that takes place in an eaters life. Which isn't always a good thing.
A mystical garden grows around the tree and has gifts of it's own to share that casts little spells over anyone that eats the plants, which Claire, the main character uses in her cooking and catering business. 

While I say this was 'light reading' there were some serious themes in the novel, including the story of a woman and her young daughter fleeing from an abusive relationship. It was still a pleasure to read and always had an edge of excitement waiting to happen. I like how it all wrapped up and made me feel good...just like wrapping myself up in a warm blanket. (I think I said this about her other novel "The Peach Keeper" back in my April blog entry).

Favorite quote of the book ~When you're happy for yourself, it fills you. When you're happy for someone else, it pours over.