Book 43 of 52: There but for the

Something a little more experimental. The story sounded interesting...it's about a man who locks himself in a guest bedroom during a dinner party at a strangers house and refuses to come out, for months.

It was a complete dud. I think I wasted several hours of my life I can't get back.

Book 42 of 52: Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

“It’s odd when I think of the arc of my life, from child to young woman to aging adult. First I was who I was. Then I didn’t know who I was. Then I invented someone, and became her. Then I began to like what I’d invented. And finally I was what I was again.”

As with the other Anna Quindlen’s books I've read, this was quite enjoyable. Not life changing, but a good reminder of what’s important in life and that we’re not alone in many of our day-to-day struggles as mothers, wives, and in our careers. It was the perfect book to pick up when you arrive home from work early (like I did this past Wednesday), have a cup of hot tea or coffee, and no kids around to disrupt things. It was short, under 200 pages, so it only took me a couple of days to finish.

I was grateful to hear about her busy times with her kids, chasing after toddlers; and how, now that she’s reached 60 years old, she has time to power walk an hour every day, have lunches out with girlfriends, and time to write. It gives me hope!

Anna Quindlen has written an honest, thoughtful book about life, but also a relatively privileged life. If I have any complaints about ths book, it was that it was not "gritty" enough. Her problems, while typical amongst many of us that lived privleged lives, weren't "true problems". She has a house in Manhattan and also one in the country, she doesn't need to work, and she can afford to fly off to exotic places. Too often we accept having two homes and going on vacations as the "norm". We need to remember it is not, and that there are plenty of people struggling to pay the rent and afford food.

I have a feeling my Oakville book club group will eat this one up though. It’s mainly the over 55 crowd—many of whom are white, privileged, and affluent—the same world that Anna Quindlen comes from.

Book 41 of 52: The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary

Sometimes I manage to read, but not to blog. Stay tuned!

Book 40 of 52: The Marriage Plot

Book 39 of 52: The Fear Index