Book review backlog….

I should probably try and get in the reviews for books 53 through 61 before the end of the year, right? All that posting, though….perhaps I should jam a few into one post?

Book #53: Healer by Carol Casella. (this is the first book I couldn’t find on my favourite book site….very strange).

This book has a strange rhythm to it; the main character spends a lot of time in flashbacks to her former life, and slowly becomes aware of her new circumstances. I had some trouble getting (and staying) into this one, and will admit to skipping around a bit until my suspicions were confirmed. How it all tied together was just a little too obvious…and sad. Not bad, just not great.

Book #54: Room by Emma Donoghue

Simply put: this book deserves the accolades its received. Parts of it were very difficult to read, and I can understand why the author chose to write the book from the boy’s view. Jack’s world was so limited, and his understanding of his life and surroundings so simple and innocent. Read it.

Book #55: Practical Jean by Trevor Cole.

When I read the jacket of this book, I was mildly intrigued. Then I started to read it. It’s bitingly funny, and you can almost understand Jean’s motives for killing off her closest friends. Perhaps having a friend who would off you in your prime – and therefore avoid your inevitable slide into old age – wouldn’t be such a bad thing?

Book #56: The Darwin Awards: Countdown to Extinction by Wendy Northcutt

This book will make you laugh, and you’ll find yourself in awe of the sheer stupidity of some members of the human race. The best parts, though, are the scientific interludes between sections. Learning about how AIDS-like viruses have been around for millenia, or how RNA is just as important as DNA, and how cancer works against your entire immune system? Fascinating, and written without being bogged down in science-y mumbo-jumbo (I like science, and even I fall asleep). Highly recommend this one.

Book #57: The Badness of King George by Judith Summers

Usually, I can’t handle animal stories. They’re all uplifting and inspiring and whatnot, but then the inevitable happens: the main (animal) character up & dies. I don’t want to cry, thankyouverymuch. Hence my general avoidance. This book is different. The author decides – on a rather insane whim – to foster dogs in need. Her Cavalier King Charles spaniel (King George himself) is not thrilled, but eventually comes to enjoy/tolerate the intruders in his domain. Unfortunately for the author, she ends up with some tough cases. I would have lost my shit with the dog who peed continually in the house. (I did lose my shit with a foster dog that ate a pack of toilet paper and left it all over my living room, but that might have been the pregnancy hormones…) This woman soldiers on, not wanting to be deemed a failure at fostering. That’s one thing I learned by fostering animals: the only failures are the ones who keep the damn animals forever.

Book #58: The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier

I chose this one because I liked its cover. I’ve done this on many occasions, and it’s probably worked out 60/40 in my favour. I truly couldn’t put this one down: the stories and how they are woven together is enchanting, and the glimpse into 15th-century France/Paris and Brussels. The work that went into the tapestries is incredible, in both time and sacrifice. Plus, the tapestries at the centre of the tale? They’re real. Read it.

Book #59: The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg

I have liked almost every book this author has written. She has a knack for making her characters so real you can imagine you know someone like them. This one is about how siblings can be raised together in the same home, with the same parents, and yet have completely different memories and feelings about their shared childhood. Definitely recommend it.

Book #60: Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Again, this is an author whose books I almost always enjoy. Some more than others, but that’s how it goes. This one is good, and hard to put down. It’s funny with some shots of serious thrown in to keep it grounded. I liked that it wasn’t clear as to how all the story threads wove together, and I loved the (somewhat cutesy) ending. Read it.

Christmas recap….

Since my parents decided to sell their cabin in my neck of BC this summer, we traveled south for Christmas for the first time since 2003. Back then, Jack was 17 months old and didn’t give two shits about Christmas. Austin was 5, and got an Xbox – I am prepared to admit that the Xbox was mostly for D, and only a little bit for Austin.

The drive down was fine, with the exception of one stretch. There was a nasty snowstorm happening, and we saw one semi truck/trailer jack-knifed across the road and another unit smashed to hell in the ditch. I have never driven so slowly through that particular area, but it was necessary. Then, just as the snow cleared and the road improved, the goddamn fog started. Extra special fun times!

Christmas was lovely, as always. Sure, I got a little tense while finishing up dinner – having not hosted and/or prepared a turkey dinner in some time, my mother was somewhat unprepared. We had to scramble for a few things, which was kind of funny. Everyone got spoiled, especially the kids. They were in their new full-size footed pajamas, playing the Xbox Kinect within about 5 minutes of presents being done. That Kinect thing is amazing. Totally amazing. I’m excited for their new Dance Central to arrive!

Since Christmas Day we’ve been online, using up many of the gift cards the kids & I received. I am thrilled that I could get the 50mm lens for my Canon AND the Speedlite flash I’ve been coveting. I also picked up a new camera bag and tripod, along with an Ipod speaker dock for home. The kids have ordered Dance Central, and another game for the Xbox 360 (Red Dead Redemption). A has some books from Chapters on order, and they both spent their ToysRUs gift cards today (Halo lego set & DS game). J has yet to decide on what he wants from Chapters, and I have a bit more I can spend at FS, which is nice.

And now I shall return to my book….reviews to follow!

The Christmas that I…um…oh, crap, where was I going with this again?

Oh. Right. This was the Christmas that I forgot….so many things it’s become ridiculous. And embarrassing. Which means? Blog filler!

SCORE!

The things I forgot, and I’m sure I’m forgetting more than a few:

1. Toothpaste for adults.
2. Toothpaste for children.
3. Toothbrushes for children.
4. Butter tarts for entire family.
5. Birth control pills (which are taken for reasons I’d rather not discuss).
6. Gift from my husband to my parents.
7. Box of candy canes I paid too much for.
8. School photos for my mom, my sister, and my best friend.
9. Christmas card for my best friend.
10. Snacks of any kind for the 5 hour drive.
11. Some other stuff that I should remember but can’t…..sugar cookies! And….oh. I don’t know.

I had to text our cat-sitter and ask her to put the butter tarts in the fridge. I consider myself lucky that she didn’t just take them home and eat them.

I am taking responsibility for numbers 6 & 7 merely to make this list more sad-slash-impressive. Those were REALLY not my department.

Mean Mom: the Advanced Class

Lesson 1: order your children a large outdoor piece of summer equipment for Christmas. Show it to them on Christmas Day (or Eve, if required), and see them smile. Cackle evilly to yourself as you watch them realize that it’s the dead of winter, and that piece of equipment isn’t coming out until at least May, and more likely June. Note: this only works if you live in a place that gets a real winter, or gets sufficiently cold during the winter months. Bonus marks are given to those who can pull this off two years running. (that would be me!)

Lesson 2: schedule a filling at the dentist 4 days before Christmas. Act surprised when your 8 year old isn’t thrilled when told this IS his Christmas present. Fillings cost money, kid!

Lesson 3: when your children spy the Santa suit in a box in your van, quietly inform them that Santa really is an a-hole, so you stole his suit and scalped him. Laugh maniacally enough to make them realize that you haven’t lost it, you’re just a mean bitch and they love you for it.

An update.

Remember my rant at November? I was thoroughly unhappy with the way that month treated me. Thankfully, things have improved in December…and I thought my few readers could do with some updates.

#1. The drama, as noted, is no longer my problem. However, I do keep hearing updates about ongoing issues, and someone involved with the drama came to see me the other day. I had to tell her no to a request, and I managed to do it nicely. I am disheartened furious to hear that the bitch who sparked all the drama is now spreading untrue stories about me and others involved in the situation. I can’t wait until karma comes around to bite her saggy ass.

#2. The van break-in. It turns out that the case of CD’s that I deemed mostly worthless included the Now! Christmas CD that I have played each December for many years. My sadness at this discovery lasted but a moment, thanks to my old friend Ebay. I bought a replacement for $10 including shipping. Bonus: the seller lives in my province, and it came within days. Now I can continue my annual tradition of singing along to Christmas songs while driving; my children are ever so thankful.

#3. The pillow cases stolen in the van break-in. I am still pissed about those pillow cases. And since Sears seems to change their online pricing hourly, it’s been a battle to find other ones. Happily, I got some flannel ones for a good deal – not as good as the first deal, grrr – and they just need to be washed. Perfect for winter!

#4. The little shits who broke into my van. And, as it turns out, many other vehicles in the neighbourhood of my office. They punched the lock on a car behind our office in the middle of the day, but didn’t gain access. Then my husband heard from a guy who needs a quote on a new lock for his truck. D took the time to ask him why, and the story he got is hilarious. Turns out the guy saw four kids (boys) punch the lock on his truck one evening, and he gave chase. The boys, who have already proven their lack of brain cells (see previous post re: Sirius radio), ran right to one of their homes. The guy knocked on the door, called the police, and has asked that they be charged. He also discovered that they’ve been pulling shit like this in the area for about 4 months. I’m doubtful that much will happen, but considering that the oldest of the bunch is only 17, perhaps the police can scare the shit out of them.

Back to our regularly scheduled rambling.

I am behind on the book reviews. So, let’s get to it!

Book # 52: Last Night at Chateau Marmont

I read chick lit. I am rather selective, and ignore the ones that are barely-disguised bodice rippers. This book is a perfect example: normal people, extraordinary situation, cue fallout. I felt the description of the machine that is modern celebrity was spot-on: a spin cycle from which anyone would have trouble escaping.

Wow. I really suck at this tonight. Go read the book. And her other stuff. It’s all pretty good.