expat on the go...

THE SHACK

Last night I went to Book Group.  We talked about the book, "The Shack", by Wm. Paul Young. 

It's the story of a man whose daughter gets kidnapped and killed.  A few years after the tragedy, a note, from God, appears in his mailbox.  God asks him to come to 'the shack', where his daughters' dress was found.  He goes to the shack and meets God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  A long discussion then takes place and hard questions are asked (and answered).

I'm not a 'religious' person and I found this book interesting.  At the book group, there were those who were not religious at all and hated the book - couldn't get passed the 'talking to God' aspect, while there were Catholics at the group that were a bit unnerved by some of the answers.  If you take this book with a grain of salt and tell yourself that it's a beautiful and inspiring story, you'll like it.  If you're able to take the 'religion' out of it and insert just plain common morality in it's place, you'll think this book is interesting and thought provoking.

I liked it, but I'll be frank, I don't think everyone will like it - especially the non-believing, skeptics and, at the other end of the spectrum, the church-believing people.   Again, take it with a grain of salt and you'll enjoy it.

Did it change my life?  NO.  Do I wish I could live my life like life is explained in the book?  YES.  Maybe I'll be more conscious of what I say and how I treat people... for a while!  Then I'll have to read the book again, to get the 'pep talk'.

PS:  The author is Canadian  ;)

	Printable Version

EYE OF THE NEEDLE, BY KEN FOLLETT

Maybe I should be unpacking or cleaning, or something!  I've finished 2 books and I'm nearly finished my Honey's sweater (pictures to come).

Okay, I wanted a change.  This book was written in 1978.  It's about spies during WWII.  To say the least, this is NOT a chick-book (although there are a few sex scenes in that book that will get your heart a-poundin'!!!) :)   

I liked the book.  Would recommend it to certain people  - people that like spy books, war books, etc...  The book revolves around d-day.

If you're into that - get it, it's a good read.

THE HELP, BY KATHRYN STOCKETT

I LOVED this book.  I couldn't put it down.  It's about black and white women in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960's.

There are several 'main' characters - all very interesting, different and real. 

It'll make you laugh and it'll make you cry.  It will certainly make you think.  There's intrigue and suspense.  It is a page turner.

Basically, it's about a young, white woman, in Jackson, Mississippi, who decides to write a book about the black domestic servants (or maids).  Of course, some of these maids are her friends maids and, given the circumstances of that time, she and the maids must keep the project hush-hush.

While the project is under way, all types of incidents arise - some funny, some sad.  A very interesting book - and, coming from the north-east - a good peep into what was happening in that area, during that era.

Highly recommend it!

GUY DE MAUPASSANT

I have to  say that the French (Europeans and European men, in general) read - and they read A LOT!  They really like the classics.  This summer and fall, Le Figaro newspaper published, every 2 weeks, a book on the French classics.

This summer I read the book of stories written by Guy de Maupassant.  I have to say that I LOVED the 3 stories that were in the book:  Boule de Suif - if you read this short story you will understand the French.  Even if it was written in the late 1800's, it is still relevant in the way that the French treat each other.  The next story was, La Maison Tellier.  A wonderful book that would have probably been censored in North America!  It's the story about prostitutes that attend a baptism.  Need I say more!  The last and, I think, the most interesting short story in this compilation is Bel-Ami.  The story of a rogue.  You want to punch this man and at the same time you can't help but smile at his ability to get what he wants.

This author was friends with Flaubert and Zola.  He died of syphilis at the age of 42.  He was, as you may have guessed, quite the party animal!  His last years were quite turbulent - he tried to commit suicide twice, once with a gun (his servant took out the bullets) and he then proceeded to smash his head through a window and try to cut his throat with the broken glass.  He was in a coma for quite a while before dying.  His mother suffered from depression and his brother was mentally ill, also.

You have to wonder about these artistic geniuses!  His short stories are worth reading they are quite funny, interesting and different from what we are used to reading.  I will now try to attack Voltaire (wish me luck!).  Unfortunately, I will not be able to buy the last of the series, as I have moved back to the US :( 

I am now reading, "The Time Traveler's Wife".  I find it quite unbelievable and not really liking it!  I am forcing myself to read it because so many people told me they LOVED it.  I hope it picks up!  I'm nearly at my boredom maximum level. 

If you read it and liked it - please let me know.  I need encouragement in order to finish it.

PRAIRIE TALES

While the honey was in the US a few weeks ago, I asked him to buy me, "Prairie Tales", by Melissa Gilbert.

He was at the airport and said it was one of the most humiliating experiences in a long time!!!  He said he had all these Triathlon mags, Finance mags - AND - "Prairie Tales"!  He said he didn't feel like a man at that point! 

I have started to read it and I can't stop reading it!  It's very interesting.  There's quite a bit of information that I didn't know about her, since she is quite private - or not in the 'limelight'.

A very light, entertaining read!

 

LOVING FRANK

IN ADDITION:

The issue of educated women comes up in this book.  At the time, most women were not educated, so they married and became mothers - some by choice and some by social pressure.  Some women were educated and stayed home - some were happy and some not;  some women were not educated and stayed home - some were happy and some not - and vice versa.

One hundred years later and the discussion is still going on.   Some stay-at-home mothers are at home because of social or familial pressure/guilt; some women work because they have to, although they would love to be at home.  "We haven't come a long way, baby!".  I would have to say that - working or not - most women I know, are not fully satisfied with their situation and God knows we've tried to remediate that! 

My generation was 'dupped' into thinking that an education would solve all our problems - here's what it did: it made us want something 'more' out of life than change diapers.   It made us see that there is something else, out there, than 'playgroup'.  So we look at the working mothers with envy - Wow!  she has the life... no barf stains on her neatly ironed blouse.  The hair is done and she gets to sit down with people, who are able to utter more than one syllable words, at lunchtime. 

And then, you get the working mothers, who have also bought into 'the dream' and are worn out to the bone.  They also bear tremendous guilt about leaving their kids with 'someone else'.  What to do, what to do....?

Maybe my daughters' generation will come up with a plan that will take care of all the questions and feelings that have plagued the women of these past generations.   During my grandmother's generation, a career woman was a nun or someone that chose not to marry and have children.  During my mother's generation - the feminist movement became more important and educated women started chastising women who had chosen to stay at home and raise the kids.  During my generations, teachers told us to get an education, for we could be and do anything we set our minds to (!).  There was also the rise in divorce and the need for women to be more independant and self-sufficient.  But women of my generation had stay-at-home moms, for the most part, and we are now torn about whether to stay at home or go to work.  Maybe this is the cause of the big, "working mother VS stay-at-home mom"  debate.  Stay-at-home moms feel that there is something 'better' out there and are somewhat envious of the working moms and the working moms feel the guilt of having to leave their children with someone else, so they feel the need diss stay-at-home moms.

What do you think?

 

I am currently reading, "Loving Frank", written by, Nancy Horan.  This is her first book - I'm impressed!  It's the story of Mamah Bostwick Cheney (no relationship with 'the Dick' - I checked!) and Frank Lloyd Wright (the great American architect).

It's a book that has you asking yourself a lot of questions, especially if you're married with children.  She is married with Edwin Cheney and Frank is married with Catherine Wright.  They have 9 children between them and start having an affair.  I would even dare say, a love affair.  I'm at the beginning of the book and already emotions of - should she be doing this?  what right does she have?  she has 2 children, he has 6...  It certainly makes you ponder about love, commitment, honor, ...  It's very well written.  Quite interesting and intriquing - it's a little like being a voyeur, through all of this.

A worthwhile book, up to now:

THE 19th WIFE

I am now reading, "The 19th Wife", by David Ebershoff.  WOW!!!  Love it.  I have put, "The White Tiger" aside to read, "The 19th Wife".  I liked, "The White Tiger", but I got a bit bored near the end - which rarely happens, 'cause I'm a reader!  I will finish, "The White Tiger", but after I have finished reading, "The 19th Wife" - too good to put down.

 

It's basically 2 stories into 1, which makes it quite interesting.  One story happens in the present - it's the story of the 19th wife of a 'latter day saint', a  polygamist.  She is accused of killing her husband.  The second story takes place in the past and is the story of how the 'saints' began and how one wife left her polygamist husband to try and end polygamy in the U.S.  A very rare subject, and quite interesting.

THE WHITE TIGER

I have finished, "The Girl Who Played With Fire".  I really liked it.  I think I liked the second novel more than the first one - and I really liked, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo".  They were both good.  I am impatiently waiting for the third book to be translated in English.

I am now reading, "The White Tiger".  It is so 'left field'.  I love it.  It's the story of an Indian man.  That's all I'm going to say.  It reminds me of, "Slumdog Millionaire".  In the same 'genre'.  

THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE

 

Unless you don't have a lot of chores to do, meals to cook, kids to look after...then you can read these books!  I have finished the first, of 3 books, in the 'Millennium' series.  I am half-way through the second one - and let me just say, thank God for Picard - the frozen food store!  I am beyond behind with the wash and I have forgone folding the laundry that is in the dryer!!!  Other half is not too happy about looking for his dark socks, in the dryer, in the morning!  These books are sooo good, you CANNOT put them down!  What makes me mad is that they have not translated the last book into English yet!   I'll try to get all my 'stuff' done before the 3rd book comes out!

These are mystery, action and 'romance' (I use the term loosely) books.  The main characters are fantastic: Lisbeth Salander is unlike any character that I have ever read.  She is fascinating!  Blomkvist, the journalist, is your typical middle-aged 'lothario'.  The books have a social and/or political aspect to them which makes them current and interesting.

A must read -

PS:  The little guy doesn't think the girl should be playing with fire ;)

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

I'm reading this very good book.  I recommend it.  It is a mystery/thriller.  The author, Stieg Larsson, wrote 3 books.  He wanted to write 10, in the series, but unexpectedly died.

It's the story of a magazine editor that is asked to write the autobiography of a wealthy, business, Swedish family...and, of course, there is a mystery to be solved.  That is a very basic resume. 

 It is a very smart, entertaining read - here's what the cover looks like: