By David Sheff
Gary gave us all a copy of this book. I finished it soon after he gave it to me. It is a tragic story with some happy parts. I don't know how bad life ever really got for Gary, but I'm sure it was horrible. He never, luckily was homeless or disappeared like this young man, as far as I know. It really tore at me about divorce and the effect it has. I am so grateful Gary is in recovery. This young man goes in and out of sobriety sometimes after over a year so that was unsettling. He however could not grasp the concept of God so AA was difficult for him. I have read in the AA book about how people without this belief can still do well. I also felt at times that it was unfortunate that the parents had so much money for all the things they were able to provide. They would not just give money in the end. They learned that lesson as we all must. Lots of swearing. I don't know if the read would be the same for you as siblings as for a parent.
Once again I marvel at how people can be on drugs and function (?) if you can call it that.
I think this is a window into Gary and what his life was so for that I highly recommend it.
I think his inscription says it all,
"This book really gave me a look at what the other side of addiction does to all the people involved. I could not have made it here if I didn't have you in my life. I love you. Gary"
Having Gary back is on of the greatest gifts I have been given.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
More January books
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
by Jacqueline Kelly
First off, listen to part of the author's bio:
She is a practicing physician and lawyer.
What?! How can you be both? And now a successful author, too? Some people.
Okay, that aside, this book was so great. I loved it. It's told by the young Calpurnia Tate who writes, "My name is Calpurnia Virginia Tate, but back then everybody called me Callie Vee. That summer, I was eleven years old and the only girl out of seven children. Can you imagine a worse situation?"
Go read it. Mom, I bet this would be a great audio book.
Three Wishes
by Liane Moriarty
I picked this one up because I really liked another of Moriarty's books called "What Alice Forgot," and I would totally recommend that one. This one, on the other hand, was LAME. Too much swearing, too much sex, not funny, characters were lame, blah blah blah. To be honest, I skimmed a lot of it because it was not great but I still wanted to know what happened. I would NOT recommend this one.
What are you guys reading? If you want to read together, here's what I currently have on my night table:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (for bookclub)
A Girl Name Zippy by Haven Kimmel (been wanting to read this for awhile)
The Dinner Diaries: Raising Whole Wheat Kids in a White Bread World by Betsy Block (I have no idea what to call this particular type of genre of nonfiction--Journalistic nonfiction? I imagine it will probably read sort of like the Happiness Project.
Happy reading!
by Jacqueline Kelly
First off, listen to part of the author's bio:
She is a practicing physician and lawyer.
What?! How can you be both? And now a successful author, too? Some people.
Okay, that aside, this book was so great. I loved it. It's told by the young Calpurnia Tate who writes, "My name is Calpurnia Virginia Tate, but back then everybody called me Callie Vee. That summer, I was eleven years old and the only girl out of seven children. Can you imagine a worse situation?"
Go read it. Mom, I bet this would be a great audio book.
Three Wishes
by Liane Moriarty
I picked this one up because I really liked another of Moriarty's books called "What Alice Forgot," and I would totally recommend that one. This one, on the other hand, was LAME. Too much swearing, too much sex, not funny, characters were lame, blah blah blah. To be honest, I skimmed a lot of it because it was not great but I still wanted to know what happened. I would NOT recommend this one.
What are you guys reading? If you want to read together, here's what I currently have on my night table:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (for bookclub)
A Girl Name Zippy by Haven Kimmel (been wanting to read this for awhile)
The Dinner Diaries: Raising Whole Wheat Kids in a White Bread World by Betsy Block (I have no idea what to call this particular type of genre of nonfiction--Journalistic nonfiction? I imagine it will probably read sort of like the Happiness Project.
Happy reading!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
January's books (so far)
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns)
by Mindy Kaling
Kaling is a writer for The Office (she also plays Kelly) and now stars in and writes for her new show: The Mindy Project. This is just one of those funny little memoir type books that is written purely for the purpose of making the reader laugh. It's a quick read and a funny one, too.
Heaven is Here
by Stephanie Nielson
Nielson is the famous blogger of the NieNie Dialogues. She started that blog in 2005 and had quite a following. In 2008, she was in a tragic plane crash that left 80% of her body burned. This memoir recounts the accident and the year that followed it. Nielson is an active member of the church and lives in Provo. She also has 5 children. I found this book to be really interesting and also uplifting. I thought she was very honest in how hard and painful the experience was, but showed how love and hope can make something good and beautiful out of something as awful as this was for her. I'd recommend it.
Sidenote: Look at all these memoirs I'm reading. I think it feeds my voyeuristic tendencies. Ha ha.
My Antonia
by Willa Cather
We read this for book club this month. It was my second time reading it (last time was in 2011). I just think this book is so beautiful. I love it so much. If you haven't read it, you really need to and if you have read it then you should read it again. This book was Cather's masterpiece and I could go all English Major on you about the themes and symbolism and style and all that but I will refrain and simply tell you that it is a classic for a reason and should be read by all.
by Mindy Kaling
Kaling is a writer for The Office (she also plays Kelly) and now stars in and writes for her new show: The Mindy Project. This is just one of those funny little memoir type books that is written purely for the purpose of making the reader laugh. It's a quick read and a funny one, too.
Heaven is Here
by Stephanie Nielson
Nielson is the famous blogger of the NieNie Dialogues. She started that blog in 2005 and had quite a following. In 2008, she was in a tragic plane crash that left 80% of her body burned. This memoir recounts the accident and the year that followed it. Nielson is an active member of the church and lives in Provo. She also has 5 children. I found this book to be really interesting and also uplifting. I thought she was very honest in how hard and painful the experience was, but showed how love and hope can make something good and beautiful out of something as awful as this was for her. I'd recommend it.
Sidenote: Look at all these memoirs I'm reading. I think it feeds my voyeuristic tendencies. Ha ha.
My Antonia
by Willa Cather
We read this for book club this month. It was my second time reading it (last time was in 2011). I just think this book is so beautiful. I love it so much. If you haven't read it, you really need to and if you have read it then you should read it again. This book was Cather's masterpiece and I could go all English Major on you about the themes and symbolism and style and all that but I will refrain and simply tell you that it is a classic for a reason and should be read by all.
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