giggling about grammar

If you're looking for a book on grammar, this is it.  "Things That Make Us [Sic]" by Martha Brockenbrough had me chuckling the entire time.  I'm not a huge fan of learning the rules of English and such, but I thought I should pick up a few books on this subject as I am editing my manuscript.   This book I found randomly at the library and read it like one of those books that you don't want to end because it was so funny and I felt like I was having a conversation with the author right there in front of me.  She was telling me all about our language and I was actually enjoying it! 

I am questioning all of my comma placements and word choices now because I feel like since I read about it I should know it now, but I am not claiming to be an expert on this stuff, not even close.  I will point something out if I notice it and welcome corrections from others.

It makes me feel better that the author doesn't put too much emphasis on correct punctuation.  She explains that it was originally meant for telling people when to breathe as they were reading aloud.  "Punctuation isn't meant to make the author's state of mind clear.  Well-chosen words do that, and the day serious writers turn to punctuation to communicate their ideas will be a :-( day indeed."  
Have you ever experienced a moment where something or someone you knew about or did or saw was referenced?  For example, before Zappos was famous for fabulous free shipping I had known about it and did a research project on it for one of my undergrad business courses.  So now I see commercials for the company on TV and think back to when no one knew what it was and feel "in the know."  Anyway, I felt like that as I was reading this current book and Nabokov was mentioned!  Woo-hoo! I know who that author is and have actually read one of his books.  And don't try to ruin my excitement by telling me that he is one of those classic authors, I don't care, I wouldn't have known who he was if I hadn't just read his memoir.  Getrude Stein has a few books on my to-read list, too.  This book wasn't the first I've been reading where she is talked about (and it typically seems to be brought up with some negative vibes).  This lady really seems like something for all these other authors to keep bring her up...maybe the type of person I would've like to have known?  In "Things That Make Us [Sic]" she is talked about because of Stein a few times.  I guess I should bump up one of her books on my library requests.

wordless way of saying grace

I am excited that I finished Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" because even though I really liked this book I had a hard time getting into it back when I borrowed it from the library.  In fact, I maxed out my limit of three renewals and gave up trying to read it.  My friend and I would always end up talking about this book and she encouraged me to give it another try.  Instead of having to get another library version, she kindly lent me her own copy.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the ending when Pollan has finally prepared his meal that he spend so much time foraging, hunting, and gathering for.  He put a lot (physically and emotionally) into this project and ended with a meal with those who've taught him all about it.  He describes how he meant to prepare a speech laced with praise and appreciation.  One of those moments we all have of thinking up great things to say before or after but can never remember at the appropriate time.  He realizes how his way of saying grace before this meal didn't have to be words that he prepared because every second that went into finding and making this meal were mindful and therefore appreciated and blessed and thanked.
My problem with this type of book (read also, "Eating Animals") is that I develop this temporary obsession over every single thing that goes into my mouth and drive those around me nuts.  I had been a successful vegetarian for 6 months last year, but it was at the expense of my mother and sister.  Since they buy and prepare 90% of my food for me, I not only was inflicting my new ways on myself, but them too.  I finally gave up and became what I call a mindful eater- I make sure to think about what I am putting into my mouth.  
I think this book should be required reading in our high schools.  Too many people are ignorant about what goes on in our food industry and if this was read some eyes would be open.  These generations coming up right now need some accountability for the actions that are done to our environment, especially when it comes to poor food choices.  We have so much to be grateful for and it seems to be just wasted or misused.  How can a change be made if they don't even see a problem?  

This past weekend, one of my best friends from college and I, went to our 5 year college reunion.  I know for those who are older than us it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it made me feel old and question how far I've come in my life.  It's weird getting together with a bunch of people that you haven't talked to in a long time and disclosing what you have (or haven't) done since graduation. There was a lot of chatter and laughter that filled the room but I am still deciding whether or not it was worth paying $25 to go to.  We had a pretty lame buffet that barely satisfied our appetites and had to pay to get something to wash way it all down with.  After a few hours we said our goodbyes and the obligatory "let's keep in touch".  Michelle pointed out to me how this was often exchanged, but no way of contacting one another was given.  I think it was good to go just to know that I didn't miss out on it.
Last night I finished the book "20 Something, 20 Everything" and it seemed to fit right in with what I was thinking over the weekend.  I actually have been having some insomnia and was reading from 3-5am with my little portable book light and quiet classic music in the background.  And Manu snoring.  He's cute so it's okay.

Anyway, I was reading all about how there is such a crisis of careers and decisions made and to be made when it comes to those in their 20s, specifically late-20s.  This was the only section of the book that I enjoyed and could relate to.  It only received two stars from me.  I must admit, I skipped the whole part of relationships.  I am not in one and didn't feel like having my face rubbed in what could and should be.  I can always go back and read it when I am with my significant lover-boy.  Another issue I had with this book was that it had a million exercises to do.  I skipped them or just answered them in my head as I went along.  It was something I just didn't want to do.  A few of them did get me thinking and had me occupied for a good amount of time, but the majority I just breezed on through.  
Before the work section of the book, the author, Christine Hassler, talked about some basic but very smart ideas.  One of my favorite quotes from the book: "We are all naturally interdependent beings, and knowing when and who to ask for help is an essential aspect of true independence."  How true is that!?  One of those things that makes so much sense, but in the moment of things is forgotten.  Becoming independent is one of the most important things for those of us in our 20s.  It can be so hard to determine when to let go and move on or when to stand back and let someone else hold the reigns. 
This book asks three questions and then goes on to address each one individually:
Who Am I?
What Do I Want?
How Do I Get What I Want?
Like I said, some parts of the book were great and others just plain common sense.  It wouldn't hurt to read it if you're in your 20s, it'll give you something to think about and provide another viewpoint of your life.

purpose

Both of the books I'm reading (20 Something, 20 Everything & A Prayer for Owen Meany) reveal things about a meaningful life.  It seems like everything around me has something to say about that right now.  Purpose can be shaped and influenced by identity, independence, security, relationships, career, and family.  I know everyone has a purpose for their life, whether they acknowledge it or not is another thing.  The main character in "A Prayer for Owen Meany", Owen Meany (go figure), states many times to his best friend that he has a purpose and there is a reason things develop the way they do.  His whole life is filled with things that happen and they all add up to an ending that I won't talk about in case you want to read the book.  I would highly suggest it.  It'll give you a new appreciation for these things around you that make up your world.
This book is over 600 pages, but it is written so beautifully and with something that keeps you wanting to read more and learn about this kid's life.  He isn't your typical character and I wonder how Irving pulled this off.  Meany is a little person.  There isn't too much about that, but there are a few things throughout the book that are influenced by his size.  How did Irving know so well how to write about something that he'd never be able to understand unless he experienced this first hand?  I feel like he did the character justice.  
One of Owen's prayers was Psalm 37.  My favorite verses from this are 5-6, 
"Open up before God, keep nothing back; 
  he'll do whatever needs to be done:   
He'll validate your life in the clear light of day
  and stamp you with approval at high noon."


Next up is "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.  I hope to ignite my creativeness with this one!

ranunculas to the rescue

It's been a busy few days, but I'm still managing to squeeze in my reading whenever I can.  I've been bringing my book with me wherever I go so that I can read at any moment.  I spent two hours waiting for my doctor to show up and was reading, reading, reading.  Thankfully, I don't get car sick so I read while driving places.  This rain the past five days has made me super tired and I've been napping a lot.  To brighten up my world I went to the greenhouse with my cousin, Vicki, and bought two bunches of my favorite flower, ranunculas.  Now I can glance up from my reading and see my beautiful bouquet.  I wish I had a house in the countryside of France so I could just pick my own wildflowers to enjoy.  Sipping iced tea out on my french terrace.  Going to cafes and watching people.  Eating a lot of bread and delicious meals. 
 This book about a year in Provence brings up a lot of the little nuances in cultures, locations, and seasons.  The author himself is English, straight from Brighton, and isn't afraid to address these things.  I love how this book was published in 1989 but time really has nothing to do with anything.  It hasn't changed.  It's like going to a place in time and having it paused.  It's the best of both worlds: old and new collide and are merged together when necessary.
 I only have one more chapter to read in the book and I'm feeling unhappy about it being the end already. It like going somewhere and not wanting to leave because you're having such a great time.  Reading about France makes me want to go back as soon as I can and re-experience everything this author details about his year there.  I guess I have to move on to other books and just finish it.  I am planning on going through it again and check out all the things I highlighted.  A more detailed evaluation is to come.

wanderlusting

It wasn't too hard to give up on "The Postmistress" since I picked a fabulous book to move on to, "A Year In Provence" by Peter Mayle.  Any book that has to do with France or french- I love.  Even if the book sucks, I still like it because it has that element in it.  It's true.  There is a whole shelf in my book case that has only these kinds of books on it.  It just has a special place in my heart and soul.  I'd say it all started because my grandmother (my Dad's mom) spoke barely any english and the one thing I remember most about her is her thick french accent.  That sparked my interest in learning the language, I wanted to understand what she was saying to me.  Sadly, I never got that opportunity to have a true conversation in french with her before she died, but I continued learning it through college.  My senior year I spent a semester abroad and was living my dream.  I was immersed in the language and culture and loved it.  I lived in a town called Nancy.  I am hoping to go back for a visit sometime this summer (Darcey, I'm serious!).  The book I am reading now takes place in a completely different location, Provence, but it's still France.  Each chapter is a month and I'm already on July (it started in January).  I love this author's style and attitude, very clever.  The way he describes things makes it feel like I am right there next to him and provides me with lots of food for my imagination.  He spends five pages talking about truffles and it's absolutely fascinating... all about the mushroom!
Normally, I have little sticky-tab things that I use to mark a page that has something I want to remember and/or go back to at some point, but for this book there are so many that I just gave in and used my highlighter.  It's already going dry.  I hate when that happens, it's usually and indication to me that I am too highlighter-happy, but I can't help myself... I was deprived from marking books up in high school because we had to return them, so now I am making up for it.


The other book came in from the library, "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving.  A friend I share a love for books and scrabble with read it a few months ago and she said it reminded her of me.  It also was on one of those must-read-before-you-die lists.  It's a big one, over 600 pages.  Now, if I had a kindle, I wouldn't be able to have to satisfaction of holding that fat paperback and turning each page.  But, if it I did have a kindle, I wouldn't have to switch to my bigger purse just to tote that bigger book around in.  If someone gave me a kindle, I'd be very happy.  If someone gave me a book I'd be very happy.  Both have their ups and downs.

I was lucky enough to be able to read two days this week outside on my porch.  It's time to make some iced tea and put on the sunscreen!  It really is blissful to sit out there.

it's all coming back to me

I had requested "The Postmistress" from my local library and couldn't remember why I had chosen that book.  It had to be for a good reason.  Maybe a friend suggested it, or Oprah, or maybe it was one of those read this if you liked this?  I started it the other day and am now about 50-pages into it and am at the point of wanting to give up on it and return it to the library, unfinished.  That is a huge thing for me, I never ever give up on a book.  I feel guilty- like I could be missing out on something great.  If I ever get to that situation where I'm dreading to read the rest of a book I always find it okay to put it down for however long I need and continue it at a future date and time.  Sometimes, I have paused from books for years at a time, but I always know I will get back to it.  

I finally put my finger on how that book was added to my list of to-read.  I receive a monthly newsletter from my local bookstore, Aaron's Books, and in that I saw an advertisement for a book club meeting that was going to be discussing "The Postmistress" today and the author was going to be signing books there next week.  I figured since they are promoting this book it must have potential, right?  Now I am re-thinking the whole thing.  This book just seems not along the lines of what I typically like to read.  It reminds me of The Real Housewives for some reason.  One scene I keep going back to that bothers me is one that takes place in the local Post Office and a neighborhood lady goes there every day to catch up on the latest gossip and watch others.  I just picture a lot of old ladies with rollers in their hair and old men gathered outside chatting it up.  All that to say, I think I am going to take the dive and put the book down for good.

I finished "The Elements of Style" and have decided I need to purchase my own copy so that I can highlight and mark it up.  There are just too many points in the book to take in just one read-through.  It's the type of book that should be read at least once a year to remind you of how to talk and write.  I think the most noticeable way it's challenged me is with my text messages.  They are now complete sentences with punctuation and all that jazz.  If you receive multiple texts from me at once, that is why, they're much longer doing it that way.