Having just finished a Picoult book (see my review below for My Sister's Keeper), I was pretty reluctant to start another one. However, being spurred on by another book club, I decided to give it a go. This one is still disturbing me, I won't lie. I can't get the McDonald's bathroom scene out of my head, and it makes me really question the experience--if she was only nine, and had that relationship with her mother, let alone Chris, why didn't she tell anyone? I can kind of understand it being scary enough that a scream gets trapped in your throat, but why not tell anyone? Was it really because she thought she'd get in trouble for accepting a dare? Or doing something stupid in the first place? Did she really think she'd be the one in the wrong here? I have a nine-year old daughter, and it scares me to death to think that she would EVER encounter something like this. I'm pretty sure she'd come to me, since she tells me every other detail of her life with unequivocal descriptions. But seriously? Every single sexual abuse story I've heard has the victim withholding the information because of fear that she'll be the one in the wrong, that she's at fault for "bringing it on" or whatever. I don't get it. I'll admit, this book was a page-turner, and when I finally finished it (late at night, of course!) I was still bothered. I like the epilogues and notes from the author at the end, especially when she has stories of readers who have decided against committing suicide because they read this book--hurray for her! Hurray for them! I think she broached this uber-sensitive topic with care, compelling characters as well as a gripping story line, so as far as that goes, well-done, Jodi. But still . . . disturbing. Makes me grateful to be as naive as I am. : )
I think I'm going to leave Picoult books for a while--I've had my fair share for a loooooonnnnnnggggg time!
***
Monday, May 10, 2010
Fablehaven Books 1 & 2
One of my new favorite things is to read books with my kids--not the picture ones before naps or bedtime, but the big series-chapter-type that we read at the same time, just not out loud or sitting next to each other. That still sounds pretty vague . . . let me try to explain : ) Daniel and I got caught up in the whirlwind of the 39 Clues Series. SO FUN!!! While we were waiting for Book 7, we found Percy Jackson and The Olympians. LOVE IT! So now that we're done with Percy (Daniel actually read the entire series three times in less than four months--it is THAT GOOD!), Daniel talked me into starting Fablehaven. I am NOT a fantasy fan, but he is, so for his sake I decided to give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like the characters, even though the plot seems extremely predictable and I get frustrated at the juvenile-ity of it sometimes. (it is, after all, Juvenile Fiction!) I have really enjoyed soaring through them, nice easy reads with interesting and creative monsters, fairies, creatures of all sorts, etc. (Especially after the deep dark unanswered-question-posing that was The Pact!) All I can say is thank goodness the entire series is out at once!
On to Book 3!
****
On to Book 3!
****
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Wednesday Letters
This was such a fun, easy read. A lovely fluff book, but with good messages and a fun epilogue at the end. I really liked the characters, I loved the concept of weekly letter-writing, and it left me wanting to do something similar. Maybe just in my journal, but the idea of doing it is the important part. I have found many times in my life that strong emotions, particularly angry frustrating ones, are best expressed on paper. Then, once it's out of your system, if it continues to be a problem, it can be expressed verbally and in a much better manner than the original outpouring of emotion that probably wasn't organized or thought out or logical at all. Chances are, however, that once it's out on paper, it's easy to let go of, and both parties involved are better off for never having had the emotional outburst in the first place!
Overall, I'd recommend this book because it made me want to be better for having read it!
****
Overall, I'd recommend this book because it made me want to be better for having read it!
****
My Sister's Keeper--PLEASE comment if you've read this one!
I've been avoiding this book for over a year now, but when it landed in my lap as part of a book club I'm in, I decided to give it a shot. (the second book club I'm in to read it. Maybe that's why I gave in and read the stupid thing!) I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed reading it, given my serious doubts and what I had heard about it. I did have some serious problems, though, which is why I'm begging for comments if you've read it! I'd love to hear what you think!
I liked how Jodi Picoult had each character speak from their own point of view (3rd person omniscient is always my favorite--I like knowing what everyone is thinking). I liked that Sara's story started earlier than the others. I liked the depth of Brian's views on his job, the peace he finds in the stars. I will admit to not getting all of his metaphors, but oh well. I appreciate his "rescuing" Anna--when he says that in a fire, "the safety of the rescuer is a higher priority than the safety of the victim. Always." I was glad someone stood up for her, finally. I think it allowed Anna to feel important enough for someone to take action, and it allowed Brian to quietly but effectively show Sara that the situation was not to be swept under the rug. I like that it made me think--is there a justification for "designer babies?" What would I sacrifice to save one of my children? Hard, tough questions with a tough life scenario.
Sara was my biggest beef. I really had a hard time with her! There's now way I can understand or even pretend to, what she was going through trying to save Kate. However, she talks about being a mom almost every page of her chapters. She says how she would never trade that occupation for her previous one, how this is so much more fulfilling and difficult and gives her the depth and happiness she could never find elsewhere. SO, why does she stop mothering Jesse and Anna? Why do their needs fall completely off the spectrum? Yes, I get that her entire consciousness was focused on saving Kate, but when Jesse talks about the failed promises of his parents--really, would it be that hard to take him rollerblading? Even for an hour? I just don't get it. If mothering is that important to you, why would you dismiss your other children like that? Anna's hockey camp, ANYTHING Jesse was interested in, anything either of them wanted, for that matter! Is it really that impossible to take a break from Kate, let her be stable for a little bit (you can't say she wasn't ever stable for a little bit)--long enough to show her other children that they were still as important to her. No wonder Jesse started acting out, and doing everything he could to get attention. No wonder Anna had serious questions about whether her parents really wanted her for her or for Kate. If I was in that situation, knowing that my daughter is dying, I get that I would want to be with her every waking moment. What if it was her last? She has already beat the expiration date given her by many years, so every second would be priceless. However, what's the price you pay with the other children? Do you risk not being at her bedside if she needs you by being with one of them? By making them feel as loved as they know you love her? That's tricky, I get it, but I think it's a juggling act you HAVE to make. You HAVE to try! You're the MOM!
All I wanted to do the entire book was to just take Jesse in my arms and tell him he was still loved. I cried when Brian finally did that. Interesting that Picoult prefaced him doing that by saying that he didn't do any of the things Jesse would have expected, but instead did the one thing he knew would break Jesse apart. He hugged him. When was the last time that happened? Over and over both Brian and Sara say that it seemed like they blinked and their children were grown. They blinked and all of a sudden Kate's dying and their lives are changed. How could they not know Anna played hockey? How could they not see that Jesse needed them? ARG. It really made me very frustrated. Even trying to give them the benefit of the doubt didn't work for me. I don't know what I would do in that situation. I try hard in my life (and granted, it is a child-with-cancer free lifestyle) to make sure that I hug and smile at and talk to each of my children every day. I try to snuggle with them and let them know how special they are to me. Some days this is even hard for me to do, but it doesn't mean I stop trying! I feel like Sara just shut down. She and Brian also both comment on how much they have changed individually, like Kate's illness put them both in survival mode.
Maybe that's it. Maybe they simply just couldn't handle anything else. Maybe that's where you ask for help and hope your other children get love from their aunt, or neighbor, or whoever else is helping you survive the daily rigors of everything-not-associated-with-your-sick-child. I don't know, and I definitely don't presume to have all the answers. I did cry at the ending. A lot. An embarrassingly large amount, in fact. I do think it wrapped up a little too nicely though. I'm glad Julia finally beat through Campbell's crap, even though that seemed too convenient. And I have hesitations about seeing the movie, even though that ending is supposedly different. I think Picoult ended the book in a way to make all of us feel better, weirdly, but better. Poetic justice? There is one line that bugged me, said by Kate, about how one of the sisters had to die and one of them made the choice to go first. To save the other. Annoying. Of course she did. She'd spent her entire life making that choice. Also, while we're talking about things that annoy: Where in the world is there a BMW without a front passenger air bag? Seriously? That was crapola.
***
I liked how Jodi Picoult had each character speak from their own point of view (3rd person omniscient is always my favorite--I like knowing what everyone is thinking). I liked that Sara's story started earlier than the others. I liked the depth of Brian's views on his job, the peace he finds in the stars. I will admit to not getting all of his metaphors, but oh well. I appreciate his "rescuing" Anna--when he says that in a fire, "the safety of the rescuer is a higher priority than the safety of the victim. Always." I was glad someone stood up for her, finally. I think it allowed Anna to feel important enough for someone to take action, and it allowed Brian to quietly but effectively show Sara that the situation was not to be swept under the rug. I like that it made me think--is there a justification for "designer babies?" What would I sacrifice to save one of my children? Hard, tough questions with a tough life scenario.
Sara was my biggest beef. I really had a hard time with her! There's now way I can understand or even pretend to, what she was going through trying to save Kate. However, she talks about being a mom almost every page of her chapters. She says how she would never trade that occupation for her previous one, how this is so much more fulfilling and difficult and gives her the depth and happiness she could never find elsewhere. SO, why does she stop mothering Jesse and Anna? Why do their needs fall completely off the spectrum? Yes, I get that her entire consciousness was focused on saving Kate, but when Jesse talks about the failed promises of his parents--really, would it be that hard to take him rollerblading? Even for an hour? I just don't get it. If mothering is that important to you, why would you dismiss your other children like that? Anna's hockey camp, ANYTHING Jesse was interested in, anything either of them wanted, for that matter! Is it really that impossible to take a break from Kate, let her be stable for a little bit (you can't say she wasn't ever stable for a little bit)--long enough to show her other children that they were still as important to her. No wonder Jesse started acting out, and doing everything he could to get attention. No wonder Anna had serious questions about whether her parents really wanted her for her or for Kate. If I was in that situation, knowing that my daughter is dying, I get that I would want to be with her every waking moment. What if it was her last? She has already beat the expiration date given her by many years, so every second would be priceless. However, what's the price you pay with the other children? Do you risk not being at her bedside if she needs you by being with one of them? By making them feel as loved as they know you love her? That's tricky, I get it, but I think it's a juggling act you HAVE to make. You HAVE to try! You're the MOM!
All I wanted to do the entire book was to just take Jesse in my arms and tell him he was still loved. I cried when Brian finally did that. Interesting that Picoult prefaced him doing that by saying that he didn't do any of the things Jesse would have expected, but instead did the one thing he knew would break Jesse apart. He hugged him. When was the last time that happened? Over and over both Brian and Sara say that it seemed like they blinked and their children were grown. They blinked and all of a sudden Kate's dying and their lives are changed. How could they not know Anna played hockey? How could they not see that Jesse needed them? ARG. It really made me very frustrated. Even trying to give them the benefit of the doubt didn't work for me. I don't know what I would do in that situation. I try hard in my life (and granted, it is a child-with-cancer free lifestyle) to make sure that I hug and smile at and talk to each of my children every day. I try to snuggle with them and let them know how special they are to me. Some days this is even hard for me to do, but it doesn't mean I stop trying! I feel like Sara just shut down. She and Brian also both comment on how much they have changed individually, like Kate's illness put them both in survival mode.
Maybe that's it. Maybe they simply just couldn't handle anything else. Maybe that's where you ask for help and hope your other children get love from their aunt, or neighbor, or whoever else is helping you survive the daily rigors of everything-not-associated-with-your-sick-child. I don't know, and I definitely don't presume to have all the answers. I did cry at the ending. A lot. An embarrassingly large amount, in fact. I do think it wrapped up a little too nicely though. I'm glad Julia finally beat through Campbell's crap, even though that seemed too convenient. And I have hesitations about seeing the movie, even though that ending is supposedly different. I think Picoult ended the book in a way to make all of us feel better, weirdly, but better. Poetic justice? There is one line that bugged me, said by Kate, about how one of the sisters had to die and one of them made the choice to go first. To save the other. Annoying. Of course she did. She'd spent her entire life making that choice. Also, while we're talking about things that annoy: Where in the world is there a BMW without a front passenger air bag? Seriously? That was crapola.
***
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