Stardust

Last November we read Stardust by Neil Gaiman in our book club. I really enjoyed it, if you recal. I finally watched the movie. This is just further proof - I really am a book person. The movie was good, it was cute, it had some fun gimmicks. I enjoyed Robert De Niro as the Capt. Shakespeare and having Ian Mcklellan as the narator was great. However.. it just didn't hold a candle to how I imagined the book. I had my own visuals which were sooooo different from the movie. Further proof - I should continue to read the books before watching the flix because I enjoy having my own interpretation.

Book People Cowboys Up!

Last week we had another book club meeting. We read (or tried to read) Close Range, by Annie Prioux. It was a collection of short stories that took place out in Wyoming. It certainly was an interesting book. Many of the stories had a slightly disturbing element to them. The book isn't one I'll reccomend, however, it WILL give me things to talk about for YEARS to come. Thanks Andy!!! Actually, despite the ick factor, it did give pause to think about the remote-ness of WY and how different things are there. Even to this day they can't just run around the corner to the Supe Junior when they need a case of diet cokes. Communities are quite rural, and the lack of personal interaction could definitely lead to some of those personal idiosyncracies.

Books a Million

In all of the craziness lately I haven't been very good about keeping my reading list updated! However, I have made my way through a few pieces of literature lately! Here is your update.

The Tenderness of Wolves, by Stef Penney

We read this novel for August's Book People meeting. It was amazingly well written for a first novel. Had I not known any better I would never have guess it to be a first. This piece of historical fiction takes place in rural Canada during the 1870's. It starts with the murder of a local fur trader and the disappearance of a 17 year old boy, Francis Ross. Obviously Francis is the key suspect. The novel continues as Francis's mother goes off into the Canadian wild in search of her son in the company of another suspicious character. The Hudson Bay Trading company becomes embroiled in the scandal as they attempt to ensure that justice is served. It was an interesting book, with a fair amount of detail. There were some pieces of backstory that we were interested in knowing more about, and our character analyses found several to be quite unique. All in all, it was a rough time and place and I wouldn't have wanted to have been caught up in it

The Madonnas of Lenningrad by Donna Dean

This was a book that I picked up based on the name. It just sounded interesting. It was the haunting story of a Russian woman working as a docent at the Hermitage during the siege of Leningrad during WWII. The story is told in flashbacks as Maria is visiting with family and traveling for her granddaughter's weddding. She is falling vicitim to Altzheimers, and is often confused between the present her her life back in Leningrad. During her stay at the Hermitage her lover joins the Army and she if forced to live through horrendous conditions. Her memories of the museum are breath taking. Meanwhile, the loss of these memories as she succombs to Altzheimers is incredibly sad. This was a good read, although I think I need to re-read it since I think I missed a few detials.

Songs without Words by Ann Packer

On the way back from Houston I picked up this novel. My cousin Abby had mentioned it to me, as we had both enjoyed Packer's previous work. I give Ab kudos for the recommendation! It details the friendship and lives of two Californian women, Liz and Sarabeth. They grew up across the street from one another in Palo Alto, until Sarabeth moved in with Liz's family after mother's suicide. The book deals with their lives as adults and the intricacies of their lives. Liz has a picture perfect life as a housewife with two teenage children while Sarabeth is still a free spirit, single and living a carefree life exploring her artistic side. They carryover a friendship that is more of an unbiological sisterhood, despite San Fransisco Bay lying between their lives both physically and emotionally. They are shocked by the attempted suicide of Liz's daughter, and their friendship and their individual lives undergo a series of trials. Some reviewers did not enjoy the book, calling it boring. I still enjoyed it as I saw it exploring the friendships of women and how we lead our lives versus the view from the exterior.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

This is no novel, but rather a true story. The first thing I say is, read it. Really, you should. It was a great book. It told the story of two men who grew up with distinctly different lives - and how the actions of one woman changed them and the people of the city of Fort Worth. Ron grew up in TX, in a middle class home. He worked on his grandfathers farm and made his way into college, falling in love with Deborah. After their marriage he became an investment banker, eventually moving into the world of high class art dealer! While living the high life of the upper crust crowd Deborah decided that they needed to do God's work. Volunteering at Union Gospel Misson Mr. Ron and Miss Debbie met Denver, a homeless man with a story. Denver grew up share cropping in Louisiana. It was a horrible time and a horrible place to be, but the black sharecroppers knew no better - their property owners denied them access to education that would make them aware of the current state of affairs. Eventually Denver left for TX, where he survived as a homeless man - a plight far better than his life in LA. Miss Debbie's work brought them all to God and has shined a spotlight on the homeless. I highly recommend this book, which chronicles the lives of these three individuals. It was so hard to believe it was reality and not a novel - no one can be ieve that this is the way things were. It moved me.

For more information check out their website.

http://www.samekindofdifferentasme.com/default.aspx

Books, Books, and More Books

It has been a crazy time lately. I haven't been posting so much lately. Instead I've been traveling, stripping wallpaper, and READING. I've got several to fill you in on. I'm heading off on more travel, so I'm sure I'll have more books soon!

Title: The Mysterious Benedict Socieity

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

This was a crazy cute little book! I totally enjoyed it. It is a childrens book, along the lines of a Roald Dahl book. In fact I LOVED it. As you know, I love some childrens reading - so innocent and fun. In this book, Mr. Benedict is a really smart narcolepctic man who believes that the world is in danger. Who would be better people to save the world than a small group of children!?!?!? Through a series of tests he develops a team, and they infiltrate the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (LIVE). Reynie, Sticky, Katie, and Constance kept my attention, and brought me some laughs during their adventures! I highly reccomend for those who enjoy some child-like fun, or for those whose children love to read.

Title: Suite Francais

Author: Irene Nemirovsky

We read this novel for our Book People club last month. The backstory is that Nemirovsky was a Russian immigrant living in Paris at the beginning of WWII. She was a published author, a mother, a wife, and a Jew. Her goal was to write a book much like a piece of music, with several movements that drew together to form a cohesive work. She completed two novellas before being taken to Auschwietz by the Germans.

The book was set during her time - it told the stories of a number of different French families during WWII. The first dealt with the invasion of Paris and the escape and later return of her countrymen. The second novella dealt with the occupation, primarily through the eyes of the thos living in rural villages. The books were quite well written despite never having gone through the official editorial-author cycle. It was a good book, and I was more drawn into it considering the things that were going on in Nemirovsky's life and how well she captured what we now know as WWII. I would have enjoyed seeing how the novellas drew together in the end.

Title: Christine Falls
Author: Benjamin Black

I had looked at this book a while back while at the large chain book-box. I hadn't picked it up because my pile of "to read" was pretty large at the time. Later, Laura from Lorelei Books reccomended it to me, and I have to say, it was a good reccomendation. Apparently Black is one of the new 'It' boys of mystery - in the genre of crime noir. This novel was set in1950's Dublin, as told by a pathologist with a love of whiskey. It starts out with a crazy night in which he drunkenly stumbles into the morgue and finds his brother in law writing on a chart. The next morning the body in question has disappeared! Eventually Quirke finds himself wondering what is going on - and he is pulled into a cross-continental muck of questions that has the reader guessing and involves a lot more than just the brother in law and Ms. Christine Falls. Personally, there were a few twists at the end that I didn't pick up on beforehand.

Book: The Schooling of Claybrid Catts

Author: Janis Owens

This text was the June book for my other book club. It goes through the life of one Claton "Claybird" Catts, starting with the day of his fathers death. Poor Claybird is the youngest of three children, living in a rural town on the Gulf Coast. He is also cursed with being the dumb son with 'geniuses' for older siblings. Somehow Claybird makes it past his father's death at the age of 12, and life goes on. Eventually the black sheep Uncle Gabe comes back to the family, and the dysfunctia comes out full force! At this point they figure out he is dyslexic, and he really comes out of his shell. Eventually the world falls apart and the schooling becomes a metaphore for Claybird growing up and learning to deal with and love his family during those ever so difficult teen years. I really enjoyed this book - as did everyone else in the book club. In fact, it is the only book we've all Enjoyed thus far. A definite thumbs up on this one.

Title: The Novice's Tale

Title: The Servant's Tale

Author: Margaret Frazer

These are the first two mysteries in the Sister Frivesse series written by Frazer. Sister Frivesse is a Benedictine nun living in 1430's England. She leads a quiet life, sheltered in the cloister. Mysteriously enough, Frivesse also happens to be the granddaughter of famed author Geofrey Chaucer! The title of each mystery refers to a character from the Canterbury Tales. In the Novice's tale the aunt of the convent's novice falls ill while visiting, and a couple of mysterious deaths follow. Of course, the aunt wants to remove the novice while all Thomasine wants to do is stay in the convent. The crowner comes to town and Frivesse solves the mystery before he does! The Servant's tale deals with the mysterious death of a local peasant and drunk. His wife is a servent St. Frideswide's convent. Once again the death's start piling up without any good resolution. Sister Frevisse comes to the rescue and saves the day! An all together enjoyable series suggested by my cousin Abby and my Auntie Barbara.

What a week!

It has been a crazy couple of weeks since I last posted. First off, I have to admit, I made those croque monsieurs from the Ina Garten Barefoot in Paris cookbook. They were fantabulous! I adored them. My aunt Kate gave me that book a few years back, and I hate to admit that this was the first recipe I had actually made. I've considered tons, but this was the first one. It was delish!


Recipe:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups hot milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch nutmeg
• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (5 cups)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 16 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed Dijon mustard
• 8 ounces baked Virginia ham, sliced but not paper thin

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter–flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Off the heat add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and the Parmesan and set aside.
3. To toast the bread, place the slices on 2 baking sheets and bake for 5 minutes. Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes, until toasted.
4. Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, add a slice of ham to each, and sprinkle with half the remaining Gruyere. Top with another piece of toasted bread. Slather the tops with the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere, and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes.
5. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve hot.

I made a half recipe. Other modifications I made included using stone ground mustard rather than plain yellow. I also, put a little extra ham on because I"m a fan of the pork products!

Mondya I was in a wreck. It wasn't bad, but a woman backed into me at the Target. The Sarah-mobile has a nice dent in the back quarter panel. We'll be going to get it looked at later this week. Of course, when it rains, it pours. Tuesday afternoon I had a flat as a pancake tire. That I did get fixed immediately seeing as how I wanted to get home to my puppies.

Tuesday night was also my first book club meeting. This would be the book club through Lorelei Books. It was pretty cook to get to meet some new people and discus a book. So far our membership consists of a few young 'uns like me and a few older women. It is pretty cool to discuss with people of different backgrounds. We all have different things to say. THis month we read Mermaids in the Basement, by Michael Lee West. The book was pretty enjoyable. It wasn't something I would spend tons of money on, so let me know if you want to borrow it. however, it did crack me up. The characters were absolutely insane. I think that there really are people like them in the south!

Hot times in Downtown Vicksburg

We had a busy little Saturday. This weekend we are watching my friend Amanda's Dog. Amanda and her family are currently in Orlando Florida on their family vacation. The girls are having a blast in sensory overload at the Magic Kingdom. Allie Dog is a 7 year old Greyhound. I was a little nervous to see how things would go, but she has been able to play the old lady card with the my pups. She is a couch potato, so while they mud wrestle and body slam one another she calmly lies and rolls her eyes at them.

Our morning had a little delayed start. We relaxed and watched some TV. There wasn't anything of real interest on TV, so we watched our 12th Night gift: the He-Man She-Ra Christmas Movie. It was about as cheesy as I remember it being. I did a little housework while the dogs enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was so nice that Daisy Dogg didn't want to come inside. I totally don't blame her!

I headed over to Lorelei Books to catch a book igning. I was really excited by this. Lorelei is a new bookstore in town. It is the first independent bookseller in Vicksburg in Decades. They took an old building on the main drag and rennovated the bottom floor into this cute little bookstore. It is ideally located next door to our coffee shop too! this was my first trip into Lorelei. A little girl was doing a book signing for a book she wrote, her mom illustrated, and they got published. It is a really cute book, Holly's Halo, about how she dealt with her dog dying. A portion of the proceeds from each sale went to Paws Rescue, the organization I adopted Madison from. It was really nifty! The signing was taped and they will cut a video from it to show on our local access network. I even got interviewed to discuss adopting a dog from a rescue organization! So, if you are watching Channel 23 don't be surprised if you see me. Of course, I dont' get Channel 23 since I have directv, so you can tell me I sounded good, even if I didn't.

I really enjoyed being able to go to a book store in town, even if it wasn't huge. The owners are really nice - we chatted for a long while. It turns out that there are a few book clubs forming in Vicksburg. I've always wanted to be in a book club, so I filled out the paperwork, and I belive I will be joining one. A chapter of a nationwide book club, The Pulpwood Queens, has just started up here in town. They will be reading The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair- THompson for next month. I'm looking forward to it already!! Plus, I got a list of other new and noteworthy books that I can't wait to tear through. This could get in the way of my disseration!!!

After the book store I went to the new(ish) coffee shop for the first time. It is pretty cute. I need to go spend some tiem there on Saturdays. I am all about supporting our local businesses. the day concluded wtih a quick stop at the least local business in town, Walley-World, were I stocked up on some new dog toys. The girls had killed most of their toys. They have this one favorite toy - they have gone through 3 of the so far. They adore it, so I keep replacing it! I'm such a sucker.