Happy St. Patrick's Day... Irish authors continued

In my book bag at the moment.

Sunday Salon...

Sunday Salon finds me a little slow reading.  I finished The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag.  All I can say is I love Flavia. I haven't read all of Alan Bradley's works, but I'm on the way.

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And then I started Kindred, Octavia Butler.  I'm not wild about time travel, but... I'm only on page 68 and bored of it.  While I appreciate the historical comparison's, I don't know just can't get into it... this is why I can't get through the Outlander series.   Up next is the Island, Victoria Hislop, I think this might be another visit to the past, but not quite time travel.

The remainder of the week is rather full, so hopefully I'll be reading on the rails as it were.

It's Monday What are you Reading...

It's Monday again, it comes so quickly.  I'm still reading Alzheimer's 911, having  a difficult time picking it up.  Having lived through much of what is described in the book, I also realize that when you are a caregiver for "anyone" Alzheimer's, dementia, or just any illness, many of these coping techniques apply, however, there are many things in the book which I would disagree with and at the time of your coping you/me/caregiver have hardly the energy to go to the bathroom, let alone read a book about "how to do a better job" of caregiving.  I am however ordering a couple of copies for the library, even if this book is too little too late for me, it may help someone else, and that's a good thing.  I wish it was titled something else, though, I think the Alzheimer's title pockets these techniques for just patients with dementia. 

Up next:  Rose Under Fire. 

The Yellow House a read a long... Part Two

Welcome to our second read-along discussion of The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey. If you’re following our schedule, you should have read the first four sections of the book, and be finished with the section titled “Insurrection, 1919-1920.”
Spoiler alert: We will be discussing the book in detail, so if you haven’t read this far and don’t want to read any spoilers, you should skip this post.

Were you surprised by the turn the romantic storyline took?
  OCH! is all I want to say, (I'm slowly becoming Irish)I can't tell you what a dork I must be, I never saw that coming.  I too thought Owen and Eileen would be a romance like Romeo and Juliet, where on earth did |James come from, I mean really, he was suppose to be in the seminary and then off to war and back to the seminary.  And didn't he turn out to be a gem of a son and brother.  She must have seen some warning signs, she's a bright girl, but then again, when one thinks with their underwear! 
What do you think of James? Is his treatment of his family – all in the name of the cause – justified?
  I admire people who can commit to an important cause, BUT not at the expense of your family. I firmly believe one should make a choice.  While the cause might be very important, we owe our family's the protection and loyalty of a parent/husband/wife.  I think James is a horrible, self important individual who should have remained single, and left Eileen, who already had a sad existence, alone. But then there might not be a story to tell.

W hat do you think of Eileen’s reaction to James’ final betrayal – the emptying of her savings account?
I wanted to jump through the pages and beat the CR_P out of him.  And imagine the likes of that woman handing over her money to James and then gossiping about it.  I guess confidentiality was not a issue in those days, but really.  How horrible do people need to be to each other?  The nerve!  I too am worried about Eileen's sanity.  I hoping that a she finds the strength to carry on, in spite of that creep she married.  And I remind myself that she is Catholic and no divorce is in the horizon,  there are some thing that only a funeral can solve. (Aren't I awful).

How do you think the author is handling the intricacies of the political situation?
I too think that Falvey is doing an excellent job in informing the reader of the current political unrest in Ireland. She's created an incredible balance in the situation, so we are not cheering for one or the other side.  And I also agree that both sides could have sat down and talked a little more effectively to prevent such senseless violence. 

I'm having a horribly difficult time dragging out this book, I WANT to finish it.  (Pst. almost have). 
 I'm still enraged with James, and where on earth is that saintly mother of his that's probably just kneeling and praying for her beloved golden boy not to get hurt.  Get in there and smack him up side the head and tell him to get back to his family.  But, then again any woman who would make a step-son sleep in a shed so her golden boy is comfortable is not a Christian in my eyes.  And imagine the witch changing the baby's name to suit herself.  Well all I have to say she better not give Eileen power of attorney over her health, I sure would be pulling the plug on her.  And what's all this with P.J. Mullens and Terrance and the mad mother.  I see a secret in the works.


I'm thoroughly enjoying this book, it's making me wild, and now if my son choose to do his masters in Ireland, I think I might be moving. If you haven't joined us, there is still time.  Thanks to Carrie for hosting.  I'll be enjoying a green beer whilst finishing this one up today..
For next week, we will read through page 238 in the hardcover edition, which includes these sections: “Truce, 1920-1921? and “Passion, 1921.”

Secret Daughter...

 Product Description, from Amazon.ca
On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives birth to Asha. But in a culture that favors sons, the only way for Kavita to save her newborn daughter's life is to give her away. It is a decision that will haunt her and her husband for the rest of their lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son. Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one of her own. When she and her husband Krishnan see a photo of baby Asha from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion for her. Somer knows life will change with the adoption, but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles. Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and Asha, "Secret Daughter" poignantly explores issues of culture and belonging. Moving between two worlds and two families, one struggling to survive in the fetid slums of Mumbai, the other grappling to forge a cohesive family despite their diverging cultural identities, this powerful debut novel marks the arrival of a fresh talent poised for great success.

My thoughts.
I liked this book.  I was happy to see that a mother is a mother regardless of what the circumstances are.  I read this book mostly because it was a new Canadian Author for me, even though the book setting is California and India.  I learned a great deal again about India and relationships in that setting once again.   I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.  

Photo of book I own.

I'm back...

It's been a very long time since my husband and I have had a sucessful vacation, well since our honeymoon,.. 33 years ago.  Most of our down time was spent in personal development, or personal hobbies.  For my husband it was a hunting trip with the Latvian Anglers and Hunters, or a shoot with the Latvian shooting club, or a police conference of some kind or other, all of which gave him a break from his stressful job, but did nothing for me or US.  I on the other hand slipped away for a scrapbooking weekend or a painting seminar, or work related training.  So.... our home and kids have never been without us, or we together just vacationing, not sightseeing or attending meetings.  Well for years my sister and her husband have asked us to join them on a restful vacation and this was the year... WE DID IT!.  It was most restful, and enjoyable, lovely and warm and like Vicki I would rather be reading at the beach.  There is something about the soothing sounds of ocean waves, and a cool breeze and a warm sunshine, and swaying palm trees and waiters catering to my every whim in the refreshment department.  I haven't pulled apart my luggage yet, still freezing out any creepy crawlies that might have found a home in our clothes (I'm a little annul), and it's - 20 degrees here in Canada, but I'll post a few photos later in the week.  In the mean time, I finished several books, the first of which was Jim the Boy, Tony Earley

My Thoughts:  This was a nice little story.  It didn't grip me into wanting to read it in one sitting, in fact I needed to "focus" on just it.  I've yet to train myself to read more than one book at a time.  I loved that Jim's uncles stepped in to be his "dads", I love their sense of responsibility, and love for him.  I didn't always like Jim, but then again he was a 10 year old boy, perhaps it was a more realistic portrayal than I expected. If you need to read a nice little story then by all means pick this one up,  I would suggest this to a young reader.  For me it was just MEH! ( I borrow that term from Jenners)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie ....

There are a number of reason why I chose this book, most significantly probably it was that I'm a mystery junkie, I've been trying to read books by Canadian authors more frequently and then of course it has gotten raving reviews.  I thoroughly enjoyed it (thanks Jenners).  I love Flavia, what a colourful imagination. 

I can't buy/borrow the next in the series as I'm reading from my shelves until April 1st. Drat!

A Thousand Splendid Suns...

Finished this wonderful read today.  My interest of life in Afghanistan was first piqued a number of years ago shortly after 9 11.  My young reading group were reading books short listed for the RED MAPLE AWARD. One of the books was Deborah Ellis' "The Breadwinner".  I can tell you it really made me think.  My next read was the Kite Runner and now A Thousand Splendid Suns.  Wow! war is ugly to say the least.  But it never ceases to amaze me how ugly people can be to each other. 

This book follows the lives of two young women through life just before the Russian Invasion of Afghanistan and through to the early 90s.  Heartbreaking, angry, and unforgettable are only a few ways to describe their trials, their relationship and the incredible will to survive the experience.  All I can say is, just when you think your life is difficult... think again.

Photo of book I own.