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While I Was Away
I forgot to write a small post to let everyone know that I was on vacation this past week. My husband and I took the children to Michigan to see my family. While we were there, we celebrated my grandfather’s 90th birthday, Emma’s 5th birthday, Allison’s 3rd birthday, and our 10th wedding anniversary. As a gift to us, my parents watched the girls while we took a few days and went to Saugatuck. After the drive up there, it was a nice, relaxing visit.
Of most significance to you, my beloved readers, is that my vacation was prolific. I finished The Madonna’s of Leningrad, The Emperor’s Children, and The Virgin’s Lover (all books that I had started before we left). I also read The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn! I am very excited to have completed all the way up to #45. It wasn’t that long ago when I sincerely wondered how in the world I would ever meet my goal. Now I’ve only seven books left to read.
Of course, I am now a tad behind on my reviews. I hope to have those completed within the next few days. I hope that you all had a great week!
Today’s Your Lucky Day!
I sent an email to Philippa Gregory’s website after her live web event and I just got a response back. If you missed the event – say due to a father-in-law’s birthday – you can now watch a taped version!
I am so glad to hear you enjoyed the web event; it was a real experience for
me too.There is now a video of the event at www.philippagregorylive.com in case you
wanted to watch again and we will be posting the videos on my site too.I hope that you enjoy my own site www.philippagregory.com, where you can
stay up-to-date with my work. You might also consider joining the readers
group where you can meet like minded historical novel fans in their
discussions – I get on myself from time to time.Regards
Philippa
Enjoy!
#41 The Monsters of Templeton
The Monsters of Templeton
There is something spectacular about a book whose first line lures you into its spell like a siphon and never lets you go. In my 36 years of reading, there has only been two books whose first lines I’ve memorized and cannot forget:
“Call me Ishmael.” Moby Dick (who hasn’t had that beaten into their skulls with an ice pick?)
“Scarlett O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were.” Gone with the Wind
With that line, I fell in love with Scarlett and couldn’t wait to find out just what it was about her that had men panting like exercised puppies. There was no way I could not read the book after just that first sentence – and I never thought to. With the noted exception of Moby Dick, I’ve found that a compelling first sentence isn’t a fluke. It’s a sign of a gifted author and a book worthy of reading.
The fact of the matter is that most books I’ve read and even those I’ve enjoyed immensely begin forgettably. This is the 41st book I’ve read this year and prior to picking up this book, not a single first sentence has struck me this year – and I’ve read some great novels. So, when I read, re-read, and then could not stop thinking about:
“The day I returned to Templeton steeped in disgrace, the fifty-foot corpse of a monster surfaced in Lake Glimmerglass.”
I knew that this would be a book I would love. I finished this book as satisfied as I was with the first sentence. This is a novel that I will keep forever and re-read several times.
The Monsters of Templeton is the story of Willie Sunshine Upton, a young graduate student who unexpectedly returns to her ancestral home “steeped in disgrace” just as her home town is overcome with media upon the discovery of an as-of-yet undiscovered mammalian creature. The existence – or actually previous existence – of the monster gives this novel a Gothic feel. This along with the mystery of Willie’s famous family prove to work together well.
Willie returned to her mother, Vi, in hopes of finding a safe place to lick her wounds before facing the responsibilities and consequences of the choices she’d recently made. Vi, a single mother and former hippy, refuses to let her daughter settle, even if it is into shame. As a result of her recent radical religious conversion, Vi feels the need to come clean to Willie. She tells her that she is not the product of an orgy-istic time in San Francisco. In fact, Willie’s father is alive and well in Templeton. He never knew of her existence. When Willie asks who he is, Vi refuses to tell her. She provides only a single clue: he, just like Willie and Vi, is related to Marmaduke Temple, the father of Templeton. It was as if Vi through down the gauntlet. Willie, no matter how down her current circumstances have made her, cannot sit still having this mystery hanging around her. Her archaeological dig through her family’s past proves to be an enchanting and humorous adventure.
I don’t want to give away many details in this review. I enjoyed uncovering things along the way with Willie. I will say (that just about everything else recently in my life) that there was a strong connection for me between Vi and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Both characters hold an important truth that could very easily be given to the young woman in need: Willie needs to know who her father is and Dorothy needs to know how to get back to Kansas. If this information was simply handed over, what would have happened? Neither Willie nor Dorothy would never grasped or appreciated the importance of family in their souls. In that way, what both characters needed was the discovery as much as the truth. Given that Glinda is traditionally played by the same actress as Auntie Em, it seems that teaching a child to learn for herself is the mark of the best mother/mother figure.
The Monsters of Templeton is mainly narrated by Willie, but there are also sections narrated by The Running Buds, Templeton’s jogging protectors, and several of Willie’s ancestors. I found myself drawn into the genealogical research myself. The pictures, portraits, and family trees along the way also made me feel included. Just as with Special Topics in Calamity Physics, they enhance the experience and do not feel out of place.
One of the best things about reading this book was the humor. There were several times I found myself chuckling out loud while I was reading. I don’t do that very often. It was this humor that endeared the book and its characters to me. Perhaps it was because I am of a similar age to Willie’s character that I found the sarcasm and smack talk genuine. It is such a pleasure to read a book that is both interesting and fun.
** Thank you Barnes and Noble for providing me with an Advance Reading Copy of this book. Your First Look Book Club is an incredible opportunity. **
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To buy this novel, click here
#90 Egbert Morris Dodde
I would like to wish my paternal grandfather, Egbert Morris Dodde, a big happy birthday today. It’s not many who reach the big 9-0 and he is the best I’ve ever known. I love you, Grandpa!
I’m proud to be your granddaughter and I thank you for my legacy. Afterall, if”you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much.” Kisses and hugs from Virginia to Michigan.
Housekeeping
When I started this blog, I simply assigned each book I read the number corresponding to the order in which I read it. This number also served as the Title to the review. I know it took me long enough, but I’ve come to wonder what do these numbers mean to anyone – even me? Absolutely nothing. So, I’ve gone back and added the book title after the number. Hopefully this will make my site more reader-friendly.
As the year is drawing to a close, I am thinking about what I’m going to do with this blog after I’ve met my goal of reading 52 books this year. Once I have, the name of my blog is irrelevant. As I’m getting a little tired of the pace, especially as my workload has increased significantly over the past two months. I could change the blog name and keep adding book reviews as I get the chance. I could download it for myself and delete it. I’m sure there are other options out there that I’m just not thinking of. I would really be open to any suggestions you might have.
One final thing I’m thinking about is the title to select for my 52nd book. Completing this challenge is definitely something I’m proud of. Should the 52nd book matter? Should it be some sort of monumental piece of literature (Anna Karenin, etc.)? Should I read my favorite book of all time? I’ve got time to think about it. I’m currently in the middle of #42 The Madonnas of Leningrad. There are nine more books leading the charge first (Good God! How am I going to finish them all???).
Raising Children Is Like…
Being pecked to death by a chicken.
I went to a craft show over the weekend and saw a hand-painted sign that said that. Given how things went over the rest of the weekend, all I can say is, “How true. How very true.” 
I hope you are all having a happy Monday!
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to the upcoming release of Elizabeth: The Golden Age! Not only do I love Cate Blanchett, I can’t get enough of those Tudors!
The trailer was definitely pieced together with me in mind. The visuals are gorgeous and it just hints at the juicy plot to assisinate Elizabeth and bring Mary Queen of Scots to the throne. No one survives a good fight with the Tudors with their head and who doesn’t love a glorious state execution?
“Well, At least I didn’t have to sleep with Henry first…”
Rotten Tomatoes can have whatever fancy-schmancy rating system they want, but nothing will keep me away from seeing this film. I’ve much to read and learn about Elizabeth I and her life as queen. There’s nothing like a having a larger than life picture in your head when you get started.
17 Has Turned 35, and 35’s Turnin’…
Cherry Bomb
Written by John Mellencamp
Seventeen has turned thirty-five
I’m surprised that we’re still livin’
If we’ve done any wrong
I hope that we’re forgiven
Got a few kids of my own
And some days I still don’t know what to do
I hope that they’re not laughing too loud
When they hear me talkin’
Like this to you…
I was 17 around the time this song was originally released and popular. At the time, I had no idea that 35 could ever happen to me. Ah, the folly of youth.
Within just a few days 35 will be heading the way of 17. Looking back, I spent a good part of the years trying to live up to just about everyone’s expectations except my own. Living how I was “supposed to” didn’t save me from a fate of not having all the answers I feel I need for my children. I would say that I’m going to listen more closely to the my life’s next “Cherry Bomb,” but I already know that I’m not. I’m going live for myself now. My children may very well laugh at me. So be it. Sooner or later everyone has to learn that paybacks are hell. ;P
Why I Read
My youngest daughter, Allison, is a girl who loves to laugh and play, tease and be teased. Her personality in that respect is very much like my Dad’s family. She also has a powerful and long-lasting temper.
This past June we took a three-hour trip to see Emma’s maternal first family. One that way back, Emma had to use the bathroom at least 100 times. At a rest area, I had to hurry to get her to the bathroom in time. Allison did not appreciate the fact that she was not included. Our family’s first YouTube video provides you of just a small tidbit of a nearly hour-long temper tantrum that was filmed while I was in the rest area bathroom with Emma. Afterwards, I took Allison into the bathroom twice because – although she would otherwise refuse to use the potty at the time – she had to “go potty on the potty chair.” I try to forget what took place in the 8 different stalls there (yes, she made me go into each both times). Suffice to say that I’m glad that it was a quite time there. Her kicking and screaming would make even the strongest bladder go shy.
I now present “Don’t Take My Picture,” a short, cinematic exhibit I’m using to show the jury why I read:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObrABQvNQxg]
Book Blogger Con
Have you heard about the 1st Annual Book Blogger Convention that will be held in NYC during the BEA? You should check it out. I know it will be a fantastic experience. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend due to family obligations, but I'll be trolling blogs for up to the minute news.
WE Magazine’s A Woman Blogger to Watch
Literate Challenges
What's in a Name? 3
Random Reading Challenge
