An American Marriage

On May 31, 2018 By CareIn Author Recommendation, Pie4 Comments

Thoughts by Tayari Jones, 2018, 308 pages

Challenge: My Marina Bookclub

Genre: Contemporary Lit?

Type/Source: Hardcover / Barnes & Noble

Why I read this now: First book selected to kick off the summer of “Boats and Reading”

MOTIVATION for READING: I really liked Tayari Jones’ Silver Sparrow novel and this, her first book since, has been eagerly awaited PLUS is being received favorably by many.

WHAT’s it ABOUT: A young black married couple don’t have the strongest of trust between them when a tragedy occurs. The husband is mistakenly accused of a horrific crime even though his alibi is verified by his wife at the time of the alleged event. He is sentenced to 15 years in jail in Mississippi; the wife lives in Atlanta. Thus, the marriage is further strained? Is that accurate? I think so.

The story is told through three viewpoints: the husband, the wife and her childhood friend who introduced them, was the best man at the wedding and has been in love with the wife for years. These two begin a romance but she can’t quite bring herself to serve divorce papers and questions her own loyalties and needs. Then, husband is released from jail and comes home. How will this triangle resolve itself?

THOUGHTS: This book took me a long time to read. I would put it down and just not want to pick it back up. I found it realistically presented and the characters/ situations interesting but I couldn’t invest in the story for some reason. I can only take so much heartbreak and heartache.

RATING: Three slices of pie.

“Cool as icebox pie”

pierating

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Announcing June #EarthSea2018 Readalong

On May 30, 2018May 31, 2018 By CareIn Author Recommendation, Fantasy, Read-along7 Comments

**Announcing June #EarthSea2018 Readalong**

Presented to you by @AvidReader25 and me! Here, there and maybe Twitter? I suspect this readalong will take place on Litsy more than anywhere else…

It is high time I finally read a book by this esteemed author. How about YOU?

Pull up a chair (laptop), and tell me your favorite book by Ursula-KLG

-or-

if you are like me, can I ask why haven’t you yet?

My own answer to that is multilayered. I have no good excuse and I insist that I haven’t avoided her. It’s that I have a ton of books on my tbr; how does one choose the “right time”? When an author is known for lots and lots of titles, which book of hers do I choose? So, I am grateful for Melissa for suggesting this author, this book, this time.

To gripe a bit, I do blame my education in that I don’t recall many women authors being suggested to me. I read The Hobbit in 5th grade. Why did not someone suggest I might enjoy Ursula K Le Guin?

Let’s do this!

Allegedly

On May 28, 2018 By CareIn Debut Novel, Young Adult6 Comments

Thoughts by Tiffany Jackson, Katherine Teagen 2017, 400 pages

Challenge:

Genre: YA

Type/Source: eBook / Kindle

Why I read this now: (sorry, I don’t remember what prompted me to buy this nor why I read it now.)

WHAT’s it ABOUT: Our protag is a young girl living in a group home; she has been serving a sentence for murder since she was 8. Allegedly she killed a baby that her mother was babysitting. She has been mute most of the time since arrest-conviction-sentencing but is starting to remember what happened that night. To complicate matters, she has acquired a boyfriend and finds herself pregnant. She wants to keep this baby AND go to college but without a kind and caring support system and considering her situation, neither is likely.

WHAT’s GOOD: The pacing and suspense is crazy! The wondering the second-guessing, the horror of the justice system in this case is mind-blowing. And there is a question of trust. Is this poor girl a true unfortunate case of drawing every bad deal? Or …

What’s NOT so good: The ending. It was not a satisfactory ending.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This book wore me out. Not for the faint at heart. It has received a lot of praise and it also has a few critics for that ending. Do your own research.

RATING: Three stars.

pierating

Extra Credit

On May 27, 2018 By CareIn Audio, Author Recommendation, NonFiction15 Comments

Doing my OWN Nonfiction Pop Up for May. After reading and enjoying Educated, Hunger and PriestDaddy,

I kept going.

I read Sarah Hepola’s Blackout, then Alan Cumming’s Not My Father’s Son; right into I’ll Be Gone in the Dark and now Lit by Mary Karr.

I have to stop! And since I have put-off/avoided/procrastinated on a proper review of Blackout, I have decided to do a few quick mini-reviews just to post something (anything?)

Writer Sarah started drinking young and enjoyed, nay craved the excitement and confidence that alcohol gave her. But when she woke up to one too many scary incidents, she knew she had to figure out a way to stay in control. But alcoholism is a sneaky beast; the control is slippery and always moving, seemingly out of reach or out of cognitive appreciation. I enjoyed her stories and admire her dedication to a hard-won, now-finally-appreciated sobriety. Via audiobook.

Alan Cumming is an actor. He is such a good actor that I can’t even think what I’ve seen him in. (He is on the show The Good Wife which I have never watched.) I did not know he was Scottish.

I read this right after Eleanor Oliphant – also set in Scotland. Linky-linky coinky-dinky. His story is quite amazing, really, and he tells it well. His childhood was bleak, his father was abusive. He describes this past while also sharing about a British show he was invited on that explores hidden family secrets. Amazing insights, incredible parallels, fascinating and heartfelt. He is very talented. The audiobook is highly recommended.

If you are a True Crime fan, you know about Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. I can’t really call myself such a fan, but I do find it all fascinating. This one is tragic and heartbreaking in so many ways; I first heard about it because I follow her husband on Twitter – that is how I found out about this author’s sudden death and then found out about her work. It’s exciting and thrilling that the perp, the Golden State Killer, has been arrested. This case will be fascinating for years as it continues to unfold. McNamara was a skilled writer and it’s sad that she will no longer be here to explore and explain it all in her own words. I enjoyed the audiobook very much. Click on this book cover to open goodreads to learn more.

I’m not yet done with Lit by Mary Karr but I’ve had her books on my tbr forever it seems. She blurbed on Priestdaddy and is well known for her skill in writing memoir. With my credit-buying glee, I secured this title. Perhaps following on the theme set by Hepola. Shrug. It’s good and she IS a great writer, but it’s so tough to hear about poor parenting choices… This is a tough one. I probably won’t write more about it. But I will read more of her work.

I’ll be back to fiction soon.

Trifecta: My three new friends Jane + Sarah + Eleanor

On May 13, 2018May 14, 2018 By CareIn Audio, Author Recommendation, Dogs17 Comments

Thoughts…

Hello Books and Pie Readers, I appreciate you! Have you missed me? I’ve missed you. I’ve missed writing here and sharing these last few weeks.

We’ve let Coconut Cream Pie Day rush by without a thought (ok, I sent a text and a tweet but not much more) — it was May 8, Tuesday past.

Thank you for all of you who have stopped by prompted by an email or just a thought or click-back on a comment I may have left on your blog, or tweet, or comment elsewhere/somewhere. How ever you may have found me, please know you are welcome.

Let’s talk about the three books I just read. (or listened to, actually)

If you read my last post, you already know that I loved my experience of listening to Thandie Newton narrating as Jane Eyre. LOVED! Highly most highly recommended.

And then there is the latest book I read: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.

Miss Oliphant tells us that she found comfort in her many readings of Jane Eyre – LINK! and of course, she would! Unwanted as a child, smart as a tack, making her own way in the world and proud to do so. This could be a modern retelling of Jane. Not quite; but similarities and parallels exist. 🔥

I love that Honeyman talks about wanting more of Pilot in Jane Eyre’s story.

“You can’t have too much dog in a book.”

And finally, there’s a real person to talk about and how her story relates to Eleanor: Sarah Hepola and memoir Blackout.

As Discussion Chair of the Tournament of Books Nonfiction Pop-Up for May, Sarah has been keenly insightful and enthusiastic. I have nodded in agreement to most of her thoughts so far. Check it out. I am so glad I read her book to ‘frame’ my appreciation of this month’s conversation on Memoir. I am a fan of this genre and if is seems that I’m rating them all high, let me explain: if I am fascinated, awed, and informed by emotional sharing, I give 5. If the language and eloquence is amazing, I go high. If I’m moved; tears well in my eyes or I shake my head in disbelief – and yet don’t disbelieve that their story is honestly theirs, I rate high.

On the other hand, if I just don’t like the person, don’t like their behaviors, don’t find them to be changed or come across as arrogant, boo hiss. (I suppose I can give some examples of bad memoirs I’ve chucked against the wall. If you want? Nah, let’s only celebrate the good ones today.)

Memoirs this May have been incredible! All have been intriguing and moving. And I always found something to relate to or be amazed by.

Enough of that – how did Blackout relate to Eleanor? Well, Eleanor was a drinker. She poured copious amounts of vodka down her throat to drown her black dreams. Sure, Sarah’s story didn’t quite parallel, but the work to move beyond the consumption of alcohol as a crutch or escape or blind need was extraordinary. Difficult. Life-saving.

Oh, and all three were first person narrative.

Jane Eyre

On May 2, 2018 By CareIn Audio, Author Recommendation, Classics, Pie12 Comments

Thoughts by Charlotte Bronte, 2016 (orig 1847), 19 hours 10 minutes

Narrated by Thandie Newton.

Challenge: Personal

Genre: Classics, Feminism, Gothic Romance?

Type/Source: Audiobook / Audible

Why I read this now: #shrug

MOTIVATION for READING: Oh Jane. Jane, I feel like I know you. I have ‘known’ your story for what feels like forever. But, my memory fails me! I’m not really positive that I have met you face-to-face and heard your story from you directly. Perhaps I have only heard talk from other acquaintances, about your Mr. Rochester and his mad wife in the attic. I can’t remember if I was lying when I say I have read your book. Did I? or does it just seem that way because I know of the tale? (I have the same issue/question re: Wuthering Heights.)

I had to be sure. I decided that experiencing Jane Eyre via audiobook was the way to go (a first-read or reread – who cares? I suspected I would enjoy it – I love long classics on audio.) Lucky for me, I was able to select THIS edition.

WHAT’s it ABOUT: Hmmmm, dare I spoil it? Have I already?! EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT JANE EYRE IS ABOUT, right?

Actually, no. One of my best friends asked me yesterday, what is about? Crazy, huh? She’s such a good egg but is she plugged into the world of literature-mania like me? She is NOT.

And I had hard time telling her. How much to tell? I shrugged and told her she wouldn’t like it and would probably DNF it. I know her well enough.

WHAT’s GOOD: Thandie Newton is a dream. She is PERFECTION. She made every line beautiful and dreamy; she delivered the exact amount of emotion to every sentence. Fraught or loving, scary or forcefully independent.

Listen to Thandie’s voice and her thoughts on doing the narration:

What’s NOT so good: Bronte can go on and on with descriptions but I enjoyed it. (I suspect my friend would roll her eyes in weariness. I also suspect she wouldn’t like the old language.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: If you want to audiobook a classic, choose this one.

RATING: Five slices of gooseberry pie.

“I have kept myself; and, I trust, shall keep myself again. What are you going to do with these gooseberries?” I inquired, as she brought out a basket of the fruit.

“Mak’ ’em into pies.”

“Give them to me and I’ll pick them.”

“Nay; I dunnut want ye to do nought.”

“But I must do something. Let me have them.”

She consented; and she even brought me a clean towel to spread over my dress, “lest,” as she said, “I should mucky it.”

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Classics Club Update and Spin-Done-Read Link

On April 30, 2018April 29, 2018 By CareIn Book Blogging Community, Classics, Classics Club12 Comments

Today is the day we share what we read for the latest Spin.

I read Cold Comfort Farm and got a kick out of it. Glad I finally got to it and that I got it well enough. I know the humor seems to hit & miss for some people but I always seem to enjoy a good satire even when I don’t quite know what I’m chuckling about/with. Whatever, it works for me and it’s all about me. Ha!

And I was able to talk the hub into watching the film!!

I’m having a good year getting back to classics. I finished Stoner in January and have a plan to capture quite a few titles as options in my quest to fulfill this year’s What’s in a Name Challenge.

Good fun!

Next up is my post on Jane Eyre – hoping to finish before the close of the month.

Hunger

On April 29, 2018May 8, 2018 By CareIn Audio, Author Recommendation, Pie19 Comments

Updated to add the link to the TOB Nonfiction Pop up.

Undestroying Myself. Revel in my freedom. Terribly Human. Truth to Creation.

Thoughts by Roxane Gay, HarperAudio 2017, 5 hours 57 minutes

Narrated by the author and admirably so.

Challenge: TOB nonfiction MAY

Genre: Nonfiction. Memoir.

Type/Source: Audiobook / Audible

Why I read this now: TOB

MOTIVATION for READING: I have had this book on my tbr since I first heard of it. I enjoyed the raw honesty of Bad Feminist. I still have yet and want to read her fiction.

I went with the audiobook because it seemed right to her own voice to her words. Others agreed and announced it a good way to experience.

WHAT’s it ABOUT: Ms. Gay tells all about her struggle with her self-image, her self reality, and what is to blame. It’s raw, it’s intense.

WHAT’s GOOD: I like how she simply and powerfully states her truth.

What’s NOT so good: There’s so much ache. How can you dare judge? It’s her story. You might not do or react the same. You might make different choices but what is the point of considering? It’s so complex, so difficult; hard.

I like these memoirs because of the honesty and raw truth. Don’t like it or do admire it but it’s a contrast to consider how one might react – the same or different and why it might be important. It’s not important; there is not better best yes. It just is.

I’ve always thought Roxane Gay to be brave – she is outspoken and opinionated and dares express it on Twitter which we all know tends to gather the worst of humanity in response.

This book testifies that she is courageous and brave and forceful and doing her as best as her can be a-doin’ it.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I thought it interesting that I had in the past considered an idea that I would be a terrific technical writer and here is RG, a writer who fell into a tech-writing job. Just one of those odd pauses in my life when I wondered, what if? What if I had pursued it rather than wished it? And how can some people just find themselves doing things that I was to scared to ask if I could do? Again, “Huh.”

As for “fat” books as a genre? Eek, that sounds… wrong but also great. Anyway, if you like this book, I recommend Shrill – which I just heard has been optioned for some kind of film! OH YEA. Shrill was quite powerful on the Fat and Feminist genre niches.

RATING: Five slices of pie. Cherry pie and brownie pie.

Come on, Ina! Invite RG to be a guest on your show!! (Has she already invited her?! did I miss it?)

I am excited to see what TOB does with these three books. I just downloaded the audiobook of Blackout by Sarah Hepola to round out this Nonfiction-full discussion event in May.

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, May 1: Introduction
Friday, May 4: Hunger, first half
Tuesday, May 8: Hunger, second half
Friday, May 11: Educated, first half
Tuesday, May 15: Educated, second half
Friday, May 18: Priestdaddy, first half
Tuesday, May 22: Priestdaddy, second half
Friday, May 25: Wrap-up

Audible hopes you’ve enjoyed this program.

pierating

How About a Pie Post?

On April 26, 2018April 26, 2018 By CareIn Food, Pie9 Comments

My April has been more books than pie but I can share a few photos of what I’ve made …. lately? For Easter, which already feels weeks and weeks ago (with no improvement to the weather, dare I mention?)

These are the empty pre-baked pastry shells I readied for two different pie flavors; all in my preferred ~6 inch pie dish style.

I made three Farmers Cheese with Thyme Pie:

Recipe from The Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book… Not quite sweet with only a hint of the added honey. Almost savory, very creamy. I would like to think I would make this again. I usually do make some kind of this for Easter as a tradition.

and I made a Pecan, per my husband’s request:

Keep reading! and may you enjoy a slice of your favorite pie while doing so.

Together

On April 25, 2018 By CareIn Book Club, Family, Pie, SPOILERS!!!5 Comments

Thoughts by Julie Cohen, Orion 2017, 299 pages

Challenge: Book Club

Type/Source: eBook / Amazon for Kindle

Why I read this now: Choice for my bookclub

MOTIVATION for READING: See above.

WHAT’s it ABOUT: Epic LOVE story! swoon. “A secret YOU WON’T SEE COMING!!!!!!!!!’ yea, OK. Bring it.

Bare bones plot: husband and wife have a secret. We go backwards in plot to find out what the secret is.

Let me try again? Husband has Alzheimer’s and spares his wife the risk that he will blurt out their secret in his dementia. OOPs – that’s a spoiler, isn’t it? We go backwards in time and events to explain things we don’t learn about in the first chapter. They have kids – or do they?

Uh….

Robbie and Emily have been intensely in tune and in love with each other since the day they met. Her family has not been supportive. They run away together and live their lives on their own terms. Finally, the risk of their secret catching up to them requires Robbie to take a devastating turn. Whatever will Emily do?!

WHAT’s GOOD: The over-the-top warnings (setup) of surprise!!!!!!

What’s NOT so good: Dialog, heavy handed warnings. Poor dialogue. Plot point setups that cause eye-roll strain, clichés, characters that never convince… Everything but the kitchen sink. My over use of the word ‘ugh’ while reading. Must I go on?

FINAL THOUGHTS: Hey – don’t let me convince you! Read it and see if you like it because plenty of people do. I am in the minority. It’s not THAT bad, apparently.

The gr score is 4.02 out of 1763 ratings! I’m clearly not hurting the overall score. Whew.

It really is the kind of book that makes me smash things in jealousy and wonder if I could/should write a book. But then I think, nope – it’s not in me. I tip my hat to Julie Cohen for all the efforts to write a book and more kudos to getting it published AND sold. Really, I do!

RATING: The one star in goodreads is for “I didn’t like it.” So one star it is has to be, but I do feel bad about it. A good thing, I guess, is that I am in the minority. Most of my book club is reporting it as a GOOD READ! Please decide for yourself.

Pecan Pie is mentioned! One star and a half?

Spoilers: (just run your cursor over the space below.)

I didn’t figure out the SURPRISE too early, but suspected it when his Dad was in England in the war years. And then when Mom freaked when he arrived to meet the folks, I figured it out – they were half siblings – they had the same papa.

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