I needed to take a reading break for a week but now I'm back on the wagon. I told people it was to rest my eye strain from reading "Gone with the Wind" and "Scarlett" over the course of three days, but that was only partially true. The truth is that laundry was getting so bad I was afraid someone from the show hoarders would come along and want to film.
Every Friday N's school counts the number of children wearing the official school T-Shirt. The class with the most is awarded the coveted LAVA LAMP. Two Fridays ago I left for work early, letting Nathan know his shirt was in the dryer. Well it WAS in the dryer, but I had forgot to push the start button. My darling husband and my darling son seemed to think having the shirt on was more important than the fact that the shirt is DRIPPING WET and it's FEBRUARY. Of course I don't find this out until AFTER school. So that was first strike against my mommy record.
Fast forward to Friday before last. N comes in to brush his teeth in our bathroom. He has on the said shirt. I don't remember seeing the shirt come through the wash. I ask him about it. He admits he dug it out of the huge pile growing on his bedroom floor. I tell him he can't wear the shirt to school as it is not clean. My darling husband and my darling son seemed to think having the shirt on was more important than the fact that the shirt is DIRTY and I have STANDARDS. Battle lost. Strike two against my mommy record.
Fast forward to last Friday. N comes in to brush his teeth in our bathroom. I see him tiptoeing past me, hoping I don't see him. Nothing makes me sit up and take notice faster than a sneaky kid. He has on the said shirt. I again don't remember ever seeing the shirt come through the wash. I start to ask him about it. Darren (who I have to say NEVER complains about my housekeeping or lack thereof) gives a big sigh and basically tells him to get out the door PRONTO before I tackle him and strip the shirt off his body. His compromise was that he wore a different shirt underneath it so at least it was not touching his skin. Strike three against my mommy record.
What I'm trying to say is that it was time to take care of stuff. So I did. In fact Friday night when doing laundry, I had N strip the shirt off and dump it right in the machine. And now it is folded and fresh and ready to go for next week. Go Sonja! And Friday at lunch I stopped by the library and got me a big old pile of books. Yay!!!
1) True Colors by Kristin Hannah / A / **
I like Kristin Hanna's books. They are light chick-lit. Her characters are always well written and well developed. This one wasn't my favorite, but it had an interesting story line that kept me engaged. It is the story of three sisters and their relationship over the course of about 16 years. I thought it was interesting how each had idealized perceptions of their deceased mother, but her absence affected each of them differently. Each sister also had a completely different perception and relationship with their father. It makes you wonder which of them was right? Who really knew their father? And of the perceptions each of us has of the people in our lives, are they wrong? Or are they all right in their own way?
2) Charly by Jack Weyland / YA / ***
Favorite line: "Because some of you have been putting marshmallows on your hooks, the Utah Fish and Game Dpeartment, hereafter referred to as the UFGD, has asked me to speak today. Clinical reports just released indicate that the fish in this lake have fifty-three percent more cavities. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? It means the UFGD must now stand the expense of sending a trout through dental school!"
I can't help but love this book. Reviews I've read indicate that it's flawed and preachy and points out all the reasons why Mormons are weird. But I love this book because I love the character Charly. I first read "Charly" as a young teenager, and I was really influenced by her zest for life. I love her enthusiasm still. Plus the book is just sweet. And it's a tear-jerker. And I always feel good after I read it. So there.
3) A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty: A Novel by Joshilyn Jackson / A / ****
Favorite line: "When it came to mapping all the bad ways adolescent girls could go, Liza had been Magellan."
AND
"Next thing I knew, me and Lance Weston were slipping off together. I was pretty sure we were falling in love, and he was pretty sure that freshman girls with that much zombie punch in 'em put out. Only one of us was right."
.
OH.WOW.
This story was engaging; full of twists and turns, family love, growing up, and finding who you are and who has your back. It is the story of three generations of women thrown into turmoil when a deep secret that has the power to break up their family is brought to light. I couldn't put it down.
If people don't think stories like this could really happen, they obviously don't work the job I work. This book is entirely plausible. I hear heart break every day. This book was well done. The best way I can describe the story is fiercely sweet. I can't wait to read more by this author.
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