At first glance, these things don’t seem to have any connection at all. Heroine Love deals with fictional women who have come to hold powerful meaning in our lives. The Decemberists are a fantastic contemporary American band. Atiq Rahimi’s novel deals with the impact of coups and the impending Soviet invasion on life in Afghanistan in 1979. In all actuality, there may be no connection between heroines, The Decemberists, and 1979’s Afghanistan other than the life experience and education I brought to the table. That is one of the beauties of being human. We are each able to take in what’s around us and gather from it what we will.

Here’s how it all converged for me:

After Erin honored me with her request to take part in her Heroine Week festivities, it took me a while to decide which heroine I was going to write about.  Looking back, the choice was never in doubt. My heroine was destined to be Lisbeth Salander. Over the course of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy, she became a treasured friend. After spending weeks thinking about her and finishing my Heroine Love letter to her, it still feels odd to say that. She’s a far cry from the first character anyone would associate with me.

I definitely struggled that post for Erin. I normally never get nervous about writing a post. I get into a zone and I’ve always written well under pressure. Not so for this. It feels as though I spent more time on that short letter to Lisbeth than I did on any of my college or grad school papers. It was while I was editing drafts, tossing drafts out completely, and beginning a new draft all over again that I discovered The Decemberists. I downloaded a copy of The Kind is Dead the morning it was released and have been obsessed with the song “This is Why We Fight” from my very first listen. Whatever the intended meaning behind the song, some of the lyrics brought Lisbeth’s character into sharp focus:

When we die
We will die with our arms unbound

What a passionate and beautiful way to view death and the life one leads before it. That sentiment summed up for me why Lisbeth didn’t simply give up when horrible things continued to happen. To her, life holds meaning only when she’s free to be herself. Death isn’t something to be feared when you make your life fulfilling and worthwhile.

I read A Thousand Rooms of Dream and Fear in order to participate in the book club established by Jenn from Devourer of Books and Nicole from Linus’ Blanket. In the beginning, Farhad, a young man from Afghanistan, is in hiding from the government. He believes that he is dying and he is paralyzed with fear over the afterlife. He recalls all of the religious laws and superstitions his grandfather taught him as a means of quelling his anxiety and, perhaps, changing his fate. I completely related to him in this state. I could easily see furiously trying to make up for not saying novenas, the rosary, going to confession, etc… by reciting prayers in a desperate attempt to avoid the flames.

I wondered if this reaction to the end of life is a human trait or something that might be particular to certain religious traditions. I tweeted this question, not anticipating any response at all. It’s not something easily discussed in 140 characters or less.  I was surprised when it did spark a conversation with someone I respect. We discussed the role of guilt, about the meaning of life, and about how important it is to love the here and now with all your heart.  It was that conversation that made the connection back to Lisbeth and “This is Why We Fight.”  It wasn’t until those three things came together the way that they did that I was able to finally write my post for Erin and feel satisfied with it.

Call it God, fate, or simply being open to new insights, it’s pretty interesting when things in your life converge into something new and powerful. I am looking forward to the day I turn 40 (I admit the cruise to the Bahamas with my best friend doesn’t hurt). It begins a new chapter in my life. A chapter where I will let go of my innate desire to please others. A chapter where I choose to love myself for who I am, warts and all. A chapter where I make taking care of myself a priority. A chapter where I choose to learn from guilt instead of being ruled by it. A chapter where I resolve to live so that I may die unbound.

One of the main reason’s I’m curious about this book is to see how I feel about Elizabeth I as a result. Although I love Philippa Gregory, The Virgin’s Lover was not my favorite book in her Tudor series. I also had really been looking forward to Elizabeth: The Golden Age and was sadly disappointed by how boring it was. So much so that I was never able to muster up the motivation to write my review of the movie afterwards. Yet, I’ve enjoyed novels where Elizabeth is not the main character. I’m wondering if this is because I didn’t find Elizabeth that interesting or was it the treatment she received in the book and movie? I’m hoping it’s the later. How can Elizabeth not be an intriguing character?

Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield – I bought this book at some point last year for my husband. At that time I bought the book, I knew nothing about the author. I had no idea that the author lived in Charlottesville around the same time as my husband. Last night, after midnight, Danny and I discovered that he knew Sheffield’s wife when she lived in Roanoke!!!! I won’t reveal any more here, because it will be repeated in my review. Suffice to say that I kept saying, “It’s a small f*#!ing world!” over and over again. I’m really excited to write my post about this memoir. It’s going to be a lot of fun!

Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope by the Van Ryn and Cerak families. I remember when the story about this tragically deadly car accident hit the news. At the time, I must have registered that the Van Ryn family was from Grand Rapids, but I was surprised again to hear that familiar accent when I happened upon their interview on Dateline NBC at the end of March. The story was as beautiful as it was heart wrenching. This isn’t typically the type of book I would buy or read, but the hometown connection and the goodness of these people made it impossible for me not to buy.

So, I’m not fretting how long it’s taking Love Marriage to arrive. I’m basking in the glow of my own choices right now.

I was much more relaxed the second time around and I concentrated on letting the author speak. I hope to find less of my voice this time around when I listen through the interview and transcribe it. Ms. Marks seconded a great suggestion my dear, beloved husband made earlier this morning. I’m going to work on taking portions of interview and turning it into a podcast. Watch out, YouTube! Literate Housewife is heading your way!

I am hoping to have my review and interview posted by mid to late next week. In the meantime, I’ll also be working on my review of Gilding Lily by Tatiana Boncompagni. At some point soon I hope to finish The Venetian Mask by Rosalind Laker. It’s going slowly. It’s not a boring or hard novel to read, but it’s not terribly compelling either.

Last but not least, my father, who will always be a handsome young man in his mid-30s to me, turns 60-years-old today. Happy Birthday!!!!! I wish I could be in Michigan celebrating with you and the flamingos!!!! I love you, Daddy!!!!!!!

I hope that you’re all having a wonderful weekend!

I have done some non-academic reading this year. I’ve finished Stealing Buddha’s Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen. I will write a review and post it as soon as I can. Right now I’m reading the House at Riverton by Kate Morton. It is the second book in Barnes and Noble’s First Look Book Club. I’m about half way through and am enjoying it so far.

I hope that the New Year has been wonderful to everyone!

Yesterday there was a package waiting for me from Simon and Schuster.  I thought it might be the book that I snagged as part of LibraryThing‘s Early Reviewers group.  When I opened it, I was excited to find a brand new hard cover of Philippa Gregory‘s The Constant Princess!  This was completely unexpected.  I’ve already read the book, but to have a pristine hard cover is outstanding!!! I’m not exactly sure what I did to merit the give away.  I did register for updates from their website about Philippa, but that’s the only thing that I can think of.  Who cares how or why? I’m completely thrilled!  Thank you, Simon and Schuster!

Today, there was another package on my doorstep.  This time, it was from Random House.  Sure enough, it’s the absolutely perfect Advanced Reading Copy of Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell that I snagged on LibraryThing!!!!  I cannot wait to start reading it!!!!  Thank you Random House and LibraryThing!  I will post my review as soon as I’m finished reading this book.

Here’s hoping that you’ll find some great reads in your stockings as well.

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!

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???).

Portrait of the Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett

I just hate it when a good book ends in a hurry. That, unfortunately, was the case with Portrait of an Unknown Woman. It tells the story of a woman, liberally educated for that time, and her relationships with her adoptive father, her husband, and a man who had been commissioned to paint the family portrait. It seems that her father and her husband are not the men she believed them to be. Throughout much of the course of the novel, Meg Griggs calls her father, Sir Thomas More, and her husband, John Clemente, on numerous rumors and outright lies. After light is shed on two more hurtful lies, Meg is able to most happily forgive and forget all wrongs all within about 30 pages. Pat happy endings don’t sit well with me, especially when the narrator in the past refused to simply let go of something much less meaningful.

Meg became an orphan at an early age. Her mother died as a result of childbirth and her father died in an accident when she was 9. Upon hearing about her situation, Thomas More lined the pockets required to formally adopt her. Although she was provided for physically and educationally equal to More’s biological children, Meg always felt a lack of love and intimacy with her adoptive parents. Meg was, however, certain that her family appreciated her knowledge and skill with what we now would consider holistic medicine. It was only after Hans Holbein arrived to paint the More family portrait and her father finally agreed to let her marry her former tutor, John Clemente, that she came to feel the love for which she had always longed.

After the birth of her son, Meg begins to have doubts about the man her father was becoming. The viciousness of the crown’s attacks on those who had fallen away from the Roman Catholic Church in favor of the new Protestant faith horrified her. She argued with More in an attempt to make him see his cruelty. After he was made King Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor, the level of violence escalated to burnings. She could not believe that the man she grew up with could be responsible for this. When he argued his point, Meg found that she could no longer maintain their loving relationship. To make matters worse, the way in which Meg acted upon her knowledge of political affairs led to the discovery of something about her husband that left her feeling cold toward him.

The greatness of this novel surrounds the paintings of Hans Holbein. Especially fascinating to me are the descriptions of the artist painting The Ambassadors and a second family portrait of the Mores. The scene in which the author creates the mood and atmosphere of Holbein’s painting of The Ambassadors is brilliant. It brought the world of art to life for me like never before. I learned so much just by reading the fictional thoughts and ideas that went into each element within the painting. Equally, I was delighted to read the author’s vision of Holbein’s planning and painting of a second More family portrait. In reality, this second family portrait is signed with another name, but it has long been theorized that Holbein painted this as well. She uses this portrait to betray the new family secrets that leads to the novels rushed conclusion.

Everyone likes a happy ending, but I prefer them to be earned. That being said, I do not regret reading this book at all. There is so much more to this art form than I had known. Although I’ve read The Girl with the Pearl Earring and The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier, I really didn’t leave those books with this same sense. Bennett made me want to learn more about her characters, especially Hans Holbein. To me, this makes it an even greater shame that the ending faltered.

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl

I’m about 75 pages in to this book and it is wonderful and engaging.  It’s quite different from anything I’ve read recently and I’m loving it.