Shakespeare Update

It's mid-August.  On my "Shakespeare in a Year" reading plan, I'm only at the beginning of July.  I've learned that Shakespeare apparently didn't have much use for women and was quite ribald.  I liked several of the histories, none of the tragedies, and most of the comedies thus far.  And I completely didn't get the sonnets.  I just trudged through them.

Shakespeare is definitely meant to be watched, not read.  So much more understandable and interesting that way. 

Here's hoping I get them all finished...

The Wedding Shop - Rachel Hauck

Synopsis:

Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.
It’s the 1930s, and Cora is taking the reins at her family’s wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee. Brides come from far away to be doted on by Cora and her family while they find the perfect wedding dress. Meanwhile, Cora has found her true love, Rufus, a riverboat captain. Cora counts the days until his return from the river, and she continues to wait for him as days turn into months and months turn into years. When he finally returns, she receives the shock of a lifetime: he is married to another. Nursing her heartbreak, she must find a way to continue pouring her heart into the hopes and dreams of the brides who visit her shop, all while wondering if she will ever find true love or if it has passed her by.
In present day, Haley has finished her time as a soldier, and suffering from PTSD, wants nothing to do with the heartbreak of this world. She sets off for Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, and in order to honor the memory of a fallen friend, she takes on the task of reopening an abandoned and long-forgotten wedding shop. Perhaps through helping others, she can forget the pain and disappointment in her own life.
Haley isn’t looking for love, but when her friend’s former fiancé becomes involved in the shop’s renovations, they both find that healing and restoration can perhaps happen in their lives too.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book.  The only reason it didn’t get 5 full stars (I’m going with 4.5) is that it felt rushed towards the end, and I wanted more explanation on some things.  But this book made me smile, chuckle, tear up, and even go “What?!?” once.

I enjoyed visiting a bit with the characters from The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel too.  Those books (plus Hauck’s Royal Wedding Series) made me want to read this next book of hers.

I did read it as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), so there were several typos and a few inconsistencies.  However, my hope is that those were fixed for the final copy.

With the dual narrative of present and past, there were multiple main characters.  I feel like they were all fleshed out adequately.  Going back and forth in time and with perspective didn’t create any issues or challenges with the flow of the story.  Although there were times I wanted more of one story line instead of taking a break to transition to another.  I chalk that up as a hallmark of a good writer, keeping you wanting more.

For most of the book, I thought the pacing was great.  It was engaging, characters were growing, it didn’t drag.  Like mentioned previously, my complaint is that it wrapped up too quickly.  I would have liked to see more character and plot development in some of the main and secondary characters who were affected by revelations and events in the story.

The book focuses a lot on grace and forgiveness, something I believe we all could use regular reminders of.  The characters were well drawn and relatable. 

Another well written book.  I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Salt to the Sea - Ruta

Summary from Goodreads:

Winter, 1945. Four teenagers. Four secrets.

Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies…and war.

As thousands of desperate refugees flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom.

Yet not all promises can be kept.

Inspired by the single greatest tragedy in maritime history, bestselling and award-winning author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray) lifts the veil on a shockingly little-known casualty of World War II. An illuminating and life-affirming tale of heart and hope.

My Thoughts:

LOVED this book!

First of all, why have I (nor anyone else in my book club or who I've talked to about it) heard of the sinking of this ship? It was a huge loss of life yet gets no coverage in any of the history classes I've taken. That is not okay.

Ruta Sepetys is such a gifted character builder. I was drawn in from the first. It did take a little bit to get into the rhythm of the multiple voices (switched each chapter), but I couldn't put this book down. Engaging. Compassionate. Beautifully written.

Gone with the Wind Book Flight

I first heard of a "Book Flight" via Modern Mrs. Darcy's blog a year or so ago.  Since then, I've wanted to give one a try. 

Basically, a book flight is a collection of books your read that follow a common theme.  They are different genres, different authors, etc. but have something tying them all together.

When I came across Ruth's Journey last fall, I decided to do a Gone with the Wind book flight consisting of the following:

• Ruth's Journey
• Rhett Butler's People
• Gone with the Wind
• Scarlett

I have previously read the last two (GWTW several times) but probably not either in the last decade or so.  Perfectly acceptable for a reread at this point. 

Since I began Ruth's Journey mid-April, I have expanded my flight list.  It now also includes (in no particular order)

• Road to Tara:  The Life of Margaret Mitchell
• Scarlett Rules:  When Life Gives You Green Velvet Curtains, Make a Green Velvet Dress
• Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind Letters
• Vivien Leigh:  A Biography
• Gone with the Wind as Book and Film
• Stars Over Sunset Boulevard

The flight is off to a rocky start.  I did not love Ruth's Journey.  I liked Rhett Butler's People even less.  (Reviews on those to come).  I already quit one biography that seemed promising but ended up being dry and confusing and slow reading.  But I'm determined to push through.  If nothing else, I have the original GWTW to look forward to.

Dad Is Fat - Jim Gaffigan

From Goodreads:  In Dad is Fat, stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan, who’s best known for his legendary riffs on Hot Pockets, bacon, manatees, and McDonald's, expresses all the joys and horrors of life with five young children—everything from cousins ("celebrities for little kids") to toddlers’ communication skills (“they always sound like they have traveled by horseback for hours to deliver important news”), to the eating habits of four year olds (“there is no difference between a four year old eating a taco and throwing a taco on the floor”). Reminiscent of Bill Cosby’s Fatherhood, Dad is Fat is sharply observed, explosively funny, and a cry for help from a man who has realized he and his wife are outnumbered in their own home.

My Review:
I started this books by Jim Gaffigan after reading about it on my library's blog. I had been looking for something unstraining to my intellect yet entertaining for reading during baby girl's middle fo the night feeding sessions. And this book (which I read as an ebook) initially fit the bill. It was so funny I recommended to my husband he get it on audio (his preferred "reading" method).
However, somewhere towards the middle and onward, the reading became redundant and no longer entertaining. I had to force myself to finish it.
I will say the husband thoroughly enjoyed the full audio.

2/5 stars (just okay)

Shakespeare Is Killing Me…And Most of His Characters

Some of the ladies in my book club and I have decided to read through all of Shakespeare’s works in 2016.  I guess full disclosure would include that this brilliant idea was mine.  And it is fitting we chose this year to do so; it’s the 400 year anniversary of WS’s death.

Two months into reading, and I can definitively say it’s been brutal – even though I’m currently three plays behind.

There is good reason (several) only a few of William’s plays are deemed acceptable for student consumption.  The Bard was bawdy…and violent.  Boy, was he violent.

This week I’m on familiar ground reading Romeo & Juliet, that freshman year of high school English class staple.

However, I started with Two Gentlemen of Verona.  Trust me on this – they were NO gentlemen.  And the women – yeesh! – insipid, flat characters.

Comedy of Errors was next.  I actually quite enjoyed that one.  The confusion and mayhem of it was entertaining.

Then came Titus Andronicus.  Ugh.  Death, rape, murder, deceit, plotting, wickedness.  And flesh pie.  Spoiler:  I’m fairly certain everyone died by the end.  Although I could have missed a lone survivor.  I was more than ready to be down with it by the time I turned the last page.

Next came two poems:  “Venus and Adonis” and “The Rape of Lucrece.”  I’m the first to admit a lot of poetry goes over my head.  So I didn’t enjoy these much at all (although better than Titus).  I found Venus long and drawn out.  A lot of imagery and nonsense.  Rape was easier to understand but the subject matter left much to be desired.

At this point (while I’m sure it would be sacrilege), I really wish Goodreads would allow *zero* stars for their ratings.  Yet I’ll soldier on and hopefully even get caught up soon.  Because…at the end of the year I’ll be able to say I’ve read everything of Shakespeare, even if I didn’t enjoy it. 

Two Is Better Than One

You know, I am so glad J and I ended up having two little people instead of just one. 

If you haven’t heard that story, it’s a funny one.  We went through some infertility processes to get pregnant with Little Boy (our now 2.5 year old).  Our fertility doctor (who was fabulous and we highly recommend) said if we wanted more kiddos, just to give her a call.  We said we’d discuss it once Little Boy turned one.  And so we did. 

One Friday night shortly after Little Boy turned one, we sat down to talk.  J was fully on board with trying for number two/four (two for us; four with his girls from a previous marriage).  I was more hesitant.  Little Boy flipped my whole world upside down.  His delivery and my recovery from it were not fabulous.  I wasn’t sure I was cut out to mother more than one.  Honestly, the mommy guilt oftentimes was (is) such that I didn’t feel I was doing a great job as it was.  But since I was on the fence, we decided to go ahead and look into the insurance piece before I called the doctor to get things rolling.

However, that Sunday I was as sick as I had been in a long time.  Couldn’t keep food down.  No energy.  Just awful.  I suffered through the day.  When getting ready for bed that night, I started shaking uncontrollably in my arms and legs.  It freaked me out.  You couldn’t see the shaking, but I could feel it.  Terrifying. 

So I did something I hadn’t done since probably middle school – headed to the ER.  Where, low and behold, we found out baby number two was already on her way…I was two weeks pregnant.  Still scared and nervous?  Yes!  But excited and knowing beyond a doubt that expanding our family to six was God’s plan?  Absolutely!

Anyway, so back to having two. 

I did wonder if I could handle two little ones – mentoring, loving, giving each the time and attention individually needed.  Having the energy to keep up with both.  Having the wisdom to balance it all.  (I know…you friends of mine who have 4…6…8 kids are laughing at me now.  That’s okay.). And sometimes I don’t do any of that well.  Sometimes Little Boy is screaming and wanting attention while I need to be feeding Baby Girl.  That’s also his prime time to get into whatever he knows he’s supposed to leave alone.  Sometimes Baby Girl wants held while Little Boy needs some Mommy time.  Sometimes Mommy counts the minutes until nap time or shuts herself in the bathroom for a few minutes to regroup.

But I LOVE it.  Yes, it’s more work (despite the fact my sister told me two is no more work than one).  However, it’s absolutely worth it.  They are such completely different personalities.  And to watch them interact is so much fun.  To see Little Boy “read” to his little sister.  Or to watch Baby Girl's eyes light up and a grin come to her face when brother enters the room. 

I wouldn’t trade it for the world.