Reconstructing Amelia

Sometimes I find myself recommending books to people saying that such and such book is like another book I have read.  In my mind, there is a connection and I love looking at "read-alikes" lists.

When I read that Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight was like Gone Girl, I knew instantly I wanted to read it. I loved Gone Girl. 

A friend of mine who had read Gone Girl and then read Reconstructing Amelia a few week ago warned me that the comparison was a stretch at best.  Although both books were suspenseful, that seems to be where the similarities end.  At least for me.  I will recommend Reconstructing Amelia, just like I recommended Gone Girl, but more because it is a fast read with a twist, than on the comparison that those books are so much alike.

Kate is a busy single mother, juggling a law career with parenting her teen-age daughter, Amelia.  Although she likes to think she and Amelia have a great relationship and there aren't secrets between them, like most teenage girls, Amelia has a life that her mother knows nothing about.  So, when Kate is called to come to Amelia's school because her daughter is in trouble, she is stunned. Amelia is a bright student, a "good girl." Even more stunning -and devastating- are the events that unfold as Kate arrives at the school. Amelia has jumped from a building, killing herself. 

Kate is unable to believe that Amelia would have killed herself. What looked like an open and shut case is examined at more closely and more questions emerge.  Secret clubs, a blog full of gossip and hurtful comments, bullying, all come to Kate's attention.  As she pores over Kate's emails, texts, and other communication her daughter had, Kate is confronted for the first time with how little she really knew her daughter. Yet, she holds firm in the belief that she knew her well enough to know with certainty that Amelia did not kill herself.

Reconstructing Amelia was entertaining. It was fast paced, and well constructed.  As Kate delved further into her daughter's life I had to remind myself that no matter what Kate unearthed, Amelia would never come back to life.  Amelia and Kate both take turns narrating chapters, so it was easy to get to know Amelia and hope for an ending happier than the inevitable jump from the roof.

I'm not a good guesser when it comes to suspense novels and who-dunnits, so I am always a bit surprised at the endings of these books. Reconstructing Amelia is no exception, although I appreciated that McCreight is able to tie up all loose strings efficiently and believably.

American Wasteland

I am not the most wasteful person on the planet, but I am not nearly as frugal or conscientious about using what I have as my parents are.  I venture to guess that is true for many people from my generation.  And my parents were probably a little more wasteful than their parents.  Sadly, our country is full of wastefulness, yet we still have millions of people who go hungry each and every day.

American Wasteland by Jonathan Bloom is a book I think everyone should read.  It is certainly eye-opening as Bloom looks at all the food we waste in our country.  From farmers leaving food in the field without harvesting it to consumers throwing away excess without ever preparing it, tons of food (literally) are thrown away every day.  

Recently we have been having a discussion in our household.  Farm girl that I am, I have continued to humor my mom by filling  up an old ice cream container with leftover table scraps that she can feed her cats.  My husband, who grew up in town, has never heard of something so disgusting and nearly gags every time that plastic bucket gets brought out.  However, disgusting or not, I would be the one winning kudos from Bloom.  Leftover food scraps often end up in landfills where they produce methane - which is responsible for global warming.  And these food scraps produce methane for no small amount of time, either- they can produce methane for twenty five years! 

As Bloom writes about the farmers who decide not to harvest certain crops because the cost of paying workers is greater than the amount of money they will make when these crops are sold, or the crops that are weeded out simply because they don't look perfect, there is little I can do to change those things.  However, I can change the way I buy food and the way I use it at my home, something Bloom also write about.

American Wasteland is full of research and statistics, as Bloom has done his homework on this topic. But, it is also an enjoyable read, full of vignettes to back up his points on the wastefulness we Americans seem to take for granted.

This is a book I'll be talking about for quite some time, and one I'll be recommending to everyone.  While I doubt I can eliminate waste entirely from my home, I do plan on continuing to give my table scraps to my mom's cats, and I certainly plan to inventory what we have in our refrigerator before shopping as well as making up a menu so I know what it is I am shopping for.  

Sunday Salon

My posting this past week was a bit sporadic due to my oldest daughter's doctor appointment.  I love the fact that we are now seven years post treatment and only have to go back once a year -but, that doesn't make them any less stressful - at least to me!  I didn't accomplish much in the way of cooking or cleaning, either this past week, so I have to play catch up today.

After all the hospital stuff (EKG, echocardiogram, and bloodwork) were done, we did get some shopping in.  First stop: Prairie Lights Book Store- an awesome indie bookstore in Iowa City. We always can find ways to spend money there.  

The best buy we had was a new dress for Big Sister who has grown a bit and has nothing dressy left for church (her two younger sisters still have lots of cute sundresses in their closet).  We found this dress at Scheels:

The adult brand that is producing this new kids line is Soybu, and even though I didn't buy anything for myself, I did like the clothes and have filed this away for future shopping trips for myself.

We've had summer-like weather this weekend, and today it is humid - the right kind of weather for a good 'ol storm.  My husband is working on planting hostas and ferns along our trail in our woods and is buying flowers for our window boxes.  I would love to cuddle up with Reconstructing Amelia, but feel slightly guilty that he would be working while I am lounging and reading.

I have just two weeks left til the end of the school year- and what a busy two weeks it will be!  Two softball games, two soccer practices and one game, a talent show I am helping with at school, finishing up my book fair and beginning inventory, organizing a track and field day for the last day, still getting my NLXF classes in....I will be in great need of a break!  

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday - and may just forget about my guilt and sit and read for a bit anyway.  

On Sal Mal Lane

Life on Sal Mal Lane seems a bit idyllic- an entire universe all by itself.  In the late 1970s/early 1980s in Sri Lanka, as tensions rise leading up to the country's civil war, the residents on Sal Mal Lane seem immune to the larger world, content to exist together despite differences of religion.

The children on Sal Mal Lane are the central figures in this story, and since this novel is told through their eyes, the tensions that begin to come to Sri Lanka, are not felt initially by the children.  When the Heraths move to their new house on Sal Mal Lane they are immediately looked up to by the other residents. Their father has a job with the Ministry of Education and all four children dess well, sing Christian hymns, and are educated.  Perhaps the best part about the Heraths is that the children openly embrace friendships with the children on their street, despite the fact that the neighboring twin girls are only half clothed, and their older brother is a bully.

Freeman's descriptions of Sri Lanka created a beautiful picture in my mind, and the story provided an entirely new knowledge about this country and the sorrow it endured during the war.  By creating characters that were so human, the suffering and pain felt during Sri Lanka's civil war is brought to life.

Freeman's novel is beautifully written, a tribute of sorts to the suffering of Sri Lankans - definitely worth taking the time to read and enjoy.

The Engagements

Just like most Americans, I have heard the famous slogan, "diamonds are forever", for as long as I can remember.  I never took much time to think about it before. However, that changed with the reading of The Engagements, J. Courtney Sullivan's latest novel.

Frances Gerety penned the now household slogan long ago for DeBeer Diamonds that has stood the test of time.  Sullivan uses some research about Gerety's life to pen chapters in The Engagements depicting her at various stages of her life - as a young copyrighter, as a woman who chose to remain single, and finally as an older woman looking back on her life and career.

Sullivan ties together many different stories set at different times with the common thread of an engagement ring:

Gerald and Evelyn's story begins with their unlikely courtship and eventual marriage.  Their only child is a bit of an embarrassment as he continues to make poor choices in love and life.

James and Sheila struggle with making ends meet and James would like nothing more than to replace the diamond ring that was taken from her when she was robbed.

Delphine lives in France with her husband, Henri, a musician.  When a dashing young American arrives on the scene she is instantly smitten.

Kate has always been opposed to marriage, although she and her partner are raising their daughter, Ava, together. She has been put in charge of her cousin's wedding rings as he and his partner plan to wed now that gay marriage is legal.

I appreciated all the characters that were created by Sullivan and their unique stories.  The synopsis I have given for each is a simplistic account of a well developed story - of characters, time period and place that allowed me to feel as though I was truly in the place and time Sullivan was writing about.

Sullivan ties in Gerety and her role in creating diamonds as a lasting symbol of love seamlessly. 

This entire novel was a joy to read- a perfect summer beach novel.  Sullivan is fast becoming one of my go-to authors.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This Week's pick: Until She Comes Home by Lori Roy
Due out June 15, 2013

Product Information taken from Amazon:

Winner of an Edgar Award for Best First Novel for Bent Road, Lori Roy returns with Until She Comes Home, a tale of spellbinding suspense in which a pair of seemingly unrelated murders crumbles the facade of a changing Detroit neighborhood.

In 1958 Detroit, on Alder Avenue, neighbors struggle to care for neighbors amid a city ripe with conflicts that threaten their peaceful street.

Grace, Alder’s only expectant mother, eagerly awaits her first born. Best friend Julia prepares to welcome twin nieces. And Malina sets the tone with her stylish dresses, tasteful home, and ironfisted stewardship of St. Alban’s bake sale.

Life erupts when childlike Elizabeth disappears while in the care of Grace and Julia. All the ladies fear the recent murder of a black woman at the factory on Willingham Avenue where their husbands work may warn of what has become of Elizabeth, and they worry what is yet to become of Julia—the last to see Elizabeth alive.

The men mount an around-the-clock search, leaving their families vulnerable to sinister elements hidden in plain sight. Only Grace knows what happened, but her mother warns her not to tell. “No man wants to know this about his wife.” Ashamed that her silence puts loved ones in harm’s way, Grace gravitates toward the women of Willingham Avenue, who recognize her suffering as their own. Through their acceptance, Grace conquers her fear and dares to act.

On Alder Avenue, vicious secrets bind friends, neighbors, and spouses. For the wicked among them, the walk home will be long.

Sunday Salon: Mother's Day

Mother's Day 2013....cold temps again here in Iowa. Just 34 degrees when I woke up, and despite the fact that it is sunny and looks beautiful, I've been cold all day.

The girls all played in the kids' bell choir at church and I taught Sunday School for the pre-K class.  Last night we went out to eat with friends in celebration of Mother's Day, so today we snacked for lunch.  Everyone humored me and took me to see Admission with Tina Fey.

My sister-in-law told me it was based on a book, and about ten minutes into the movie I knew exactly which book:

I'd read Admission when it was published in 2010, and although I couldn't recall details, remember really enjoying it. Well, I liked the movie, but the book is always better.

We have two softball games for Big Sister this week, soccer practices and a game, gymnastics, and my fitness class each day.  I am having a hard time concentrating on reading right now because on Thursday our oldest daughter has her yearly exam in Iowa City with her oncologist.  She appears to be fine, but there is always the fear of a recurrence.  If you are a person who prays, please pray for her to have a very boring, routine check-up and the all clear for another year.  It is probably a good thing we are busy this week as that is preferable to sitting at home worrying.

I've had a bad day of snacking and right now am waiting for Big Sister to whip up a batch of cookies....calories don't count on Mother's Day, do they?

Dear Girls Above Me

Today I spent my  morning hall duty reading excerpts from Dear Girls Above Me: Inspired By a True Story by Charlie McDowell to my co-workers.  

Charlie lives downstairs- directly underneath- Claire and Cathy, two single women, who say the most hilarious things, without even meaning to be funny.  

Dear Girls Above Me,

"How do you spell... this word?" Unfortunately, I don't have a visual, but aren't you pointing to it?

Charlie began sharing snippets like the one above on Twitter and soon had quite a following.  Taking his Twitter postings and adding more of his life story, McDowell's book made me laugh out loud several times.  

I did enjoy the humor in Dear Girls Above Me, yet was happy that I read this in short bursts, since I would not have appreciated the humor for a long period of time.   In fact, following him on Twitter might be enough to satisfy my need to know more Cathy and Claire.

This Is What Happy Looks Like

Beginning with a spate of emails, Ellie and Graham "meet" each other online, chatting about a variety of things and revealing parts of themselves to a total stranger.  Ellie lives in a small town in Maine, a daughter to a single mother, while unbeknownst to her, Graham is a new teen heart-throb, living in California with his pet pig. 

The two never reveal their names, but Graham is able to find Ellie based on the information she shares in their correspondence.  He manages to have his newest movie filmed in Ellie's hometown, and the two meet for the firs time.

It isn't all smooth sailing as Ellie has her own secret she is keeping and can't afford to have her name in the news as Graham's new girlfriend. 

Although the probability of this story actually happening is slim to none, I loved it. It's a sweet summertime romance with a fun premise, a beautiful setting and likeable characters.  Pure enjoyment!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick:  The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Due out : July 30, 2013

Product Information taken from Amazon:
From the author of the critically acclaimed What Alice Forgot comes a breakout new novel about the secrets husbands and wives keep from each other.


Three women. One secret. And a letter that will change everything—forever.

Tess. Rachel. Cecilia. Three women living three very different lives. But when Cecilia opens up a Pandora’s box, their lives will intersect in ways none of them could foresee.

Cecilia is the woman who seems to have it all: a successful career, a gorgeous husband, and three wonderful daughters. One day she finds an old tattered letter in the attic that’s addressed to her, to be opened only in the event of her husband’s death. But he’s still very much alive. When Cecilia casually mentions it to him on the phone, he laughs it off, telling her to put the letter away. Yet when he flies home early from an overseas business trip, and then frantically searches for the letter, Cecilia realizes there’s something important in it, something she needs to know. Yet even Pandora herself could not prepare Cecilia for what the letter reveals.