I am a huge fan of The Devil Wears Prada. I actually watched the movie first, then read the book. I don't typically do this (watch the movie version of the book before reading the book) but in this case, I really liked being able to see the author's vision for each character and imagining each one in my head as I read the book. I could watch the movie over and over again and never tire of it and I think it's because the story and the characters are so unreal to me. I will never live in NY. I will never be a model and I certainly will never work for a fashion magazine. The thought of all of that makes me laugh a little. And anyone who knows me ought to be laughing their head off at the thought of it all. But, it is a fascinating life style for a KG teacher who lives in the suburbs of Richmond, VA to think about and ponder.
Imagine my excitement, then, when Weisberger wrote a sequel to TDWP. I am a huge fan of stories that continue, because I have a burning need to know what happens next in any story I might read or hear. Revenge Wears Prada did not disappoint. It clearly spelled out what happened next and even how the choices Andy and Emily made in the original story impacted their lives in the current story. I was thrilled to learn more about both ladies and began to love them even more.
And then The Devil came back.
And as she always seems to do, Miranda Priestly turned the world upside down. And it was never the same. And yet, I did not find that she was the one I was angry with. Oh no, I was mad as fire at Andy's husband, Max. I am not a fan of Max. At all. I will leave you to read the book to find out what exactly he did and why. I am no spoiler.
But, I will say this: Revenge Wears Prada was just as fab as the original. Maybe even a bit more so, as I got to know Andy and Emily and the men in their lives better. I found myself being proud of Andy for the choices she made. She truly grows up in this book.
So, I guess the bottom line is that if you loved TDWP or even remotely liked it in any way, you should read Revenge Wears Prada. It's a fantastic read! Thanks, Ms. Weisberger, for continuing the story!
Happy Reading everyone!
:) Dodie
p.s. Does anyone out there know where I can find a pink mink throw? I suddenly have the urge to cuddle up with one...
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
#20: Uprising by Margaret Haddix
Emily has to read a book over the summer and do some sort of project to prove that she read and understood her book. This is pure and absolute torture for her (and for me). Last year, she did it with minimal yelling and screaming (on both our parts). This year, I think she will object less. The book she chose to read is Uprising by Margaret Haddix and I finished reading it this morning, so now it's her turn to read it. (My new approach to the girls summer reading is to read their books, too, so that I can help them when they get stuck. It was near to impossible last summer to help guide Emily when I had no clue what her book was about.) It might be the most interesting book for teens that I have ever read. I was moved and touched by this story. Much like The Hunger Games, I think adults might be drawn to this book as much as teens.
Uprising is based on two real-life events: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 and the shirtwaist strike of 1909-10. Knowing that these are real events, I think, will help draw Emily into this action packed, dramatic story. I think she will also be outraged by the clear discrimination the factory girls receive and the horrible working conditions they are subjected to just because they are girls. There's also lots of talk of suffrage in Uprising, which also interests Emily (she gets very upset when girls can't do things just because they are girls).
The story is told in alternating chapters (my favorite style) by Yetta, Bella, and Jane. It begins years and years after the fire, when a character who was five at the time returns and asks to hear the story from start to finish, as she was too young then to have understood. Through flashbacks, we meet Yetta, Bella, and Jane--all young girls, all very different. Yetta, from Russia, speaks Yiddish and is learning English. She lives with her sister Rahel and is working to bring her parents to America. Bella, from Italy, is working to send money to her parents. Jane, on the other hand, is American and rich. Very rich. But, she feels just as trapped by rules and unfair laws as the other girls. The contrast between the three girls, and the idea that even money in 1910 couldn't buy you equality and the right of vote, is very compelling. Haddix does an amazing job developing these girls in such a way that you can see them, you can feel their pain, and you want things to turn out differently for each of them. There is a bit of suspense in the story, too, as the flashback is told by Mrs. Livingston, who we know to be one of the three girls, but we don't know which one, as she clearly has been married and taken a new name, until the very end of the book when the flashback concludes and we are returned to the conversation between Harriet, the now grown up five year old, and Mrs. Livingston, who reveals her identity to the readers (but I won't because I don't want to ruin the story).
I am so glad that Emily is being given the opportunity to read this book. She might learn something along the way, but more importantly, I hope she is inspired to not just sit by and watch life go by. I hope she finds the spirit inside her to stand up for causes that she believes in, that she will stand up for injustice, that she will not be afraid to voice her opinion because she is a girl.
I have often believed and voiced my thought that the real reason twenty-somethings and younger are the way they are is because they have never been afraid, or mad, about anything truly important. My mother's generation fought for equal rights for women and witnessed equal rights for blacks being put into place. My generation was scared to death of nuclear war and spent most of our life in fear of being killed by radiation. But when the wall came down, so did the fear many of us carried around. The desire for change disappeared and for a long time we have lived with everything we need, and then some. The great cause that so many generations found to bind people together is suddenly gone. I guess we could see terrorism against the US as a great cause, but even that, with OBL gone, has died down a bit. It is my belief that this great cause, this fear, this need to fight for something we believe in, is what's lacking with the newest generation of young people. They haven't known discrimination, gender bias, fear of death at a young age, and they have become complacent, and are beginning to take a wonderful life for granted. It is my hope for my girls, that by reading books like Uprising, that they can be reminded of how truly lucky they are and to be thankful for the girls of generations before who paved a smooth road for them.
Uprising is a wonderful read. Pick it up. Read it. Be inspired. Be thankful.
Now, off to something a little less literary and more juicy: Revenge Wears Prada--The Devil Returns. I am so excited I can't stand it!
Happy Reading everyone!
:) Dodie
Uprising is based on two real-life events: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 and the shirtwaist strike of 1909-10. Knowing that these are real events, I think, will help draw Emily into this action packed, dramatic story. I think she will also be outraged by the clear discrimination the factory girls receive and the horrible working conditions they are subjected to just because they are girls. There's also lots of talk of suffrage in Uprising, which also interests Emily (she gets very upset when girls can't do things just because they are girls).
The story is told in alternating chapters (my favorite style) by Yetta, Bella, and Jane. It begins years and years after the fire, when a character who was five at the time returns and asks to hear the story from start to finish, as she was too young then to have understood. Through flashbacks, we meet Yetta, Bella, and Jane--all young girls, all very different. Yetta, from Russia, speaks Yiddish and is learning English. She lives with her sister Rahel and is working to bring her parents to America. Bella, from Italy, is working to send money to her parents. Jane, on the other hand, is American and rich. Very rich. But, she feels just as trapped by rules and unfair laws as the other girls. The contrast between the three girls, and the idea that even money in 1910 couldn't buy you equality and the right of vote, is very compelling. Haddix does an amazing job developing these girls in such a way that you can see them, you can feel their pain, and you want things to turn out differently for each of them. There is a bit of suspense in the story, too, as the flashback is told by Mrs. Livingston, who we know to be one of the three girls, but we don't know which one, as she clearly has been married and taken a new name, until the very end of the book when the flashback concludes and we are returned to the conversation between Harriet, the now grown up five year old, and Mrs. Livingston, who reveals her identity to the readers (but I won't because I don't want to ruin the story).
I am so glad that Emily is being given the opportunity to read this book. She might learn something along the way, but more importantly, I hope she is inspired to not just sit by and watch life go by. I hope she finds the spirit inside her to stand up for causes that she believes in, that she will stand up for injustice, that she will not be afraid to voice her opinion because she is a girl.
I have often believed and voiced my thought that the real reason twenty-somethings and younger are the way they are is because they have never been afraid, or mad, about anything truly important. My mother's generation fought for equal rights for women and witnessed equal rights for blacks being put into place. My generation was scared to death of nuclear war and spent most of our life in fear of being killed by radiation. But when the wall came down, so did the fear many of us carried around. The desire for change disappeared and for a long time we have lived with everything we need, and then some. The great cause that so many generations found to bind people together is suddenly gone. I guess we could see terrorism against the US as a great cause, but even that, with OBL gone, has died down a bit. It is my belief that this great cause, this fear, this need to fight for something we believe in, is what's lacking with the newest generation of young people. They haven't known discrimination, gender bias, fear of death at a young age, and they have become complacent, and are beginning to take a wonderful life for granted. It is my hope for my girls, that by reading books like Uprising, that they can be reminded of how truly lucky they are and to be thankful for the girls of generations before who paved a smooth road for them.
Uprising is a wonderful read. Pick it up. Read it. Be inspired. Be thankful.
Now, off to something a little less literary and more juicy: Revenge Wears Prada--The Devil Returns. I am so excited I can't stand it!
Happy Reading everyone!
:) Dodie
Sunday, June 2, 2013
#19: Beach Colors by Shelley Noble
Beach Colors is a feel-good story that belongs in your beach bag and your pool bag. It is the sort of story that give you faith in people, faith in being able to find love after devastation, and faith that good things happen to good people.
Margaux is the main character in Beach Colors and she's easy to like. She is young, about to be divorced, has lost everything, and returns home to her family's beach house in Connecticut, because it's the only thing she has left in the world. Her two best friends, Grace and Bri, round out the girlfriend trio and they are easy to like, too. They stand by her side as she tries to rebuild her life and they are just the sort of friends we all wish we had. Of course, there's a man in this story, too: Nick, the handsome police officer for the beach town. Nick is helping to raise his brother's son, Connor, who might just be my favorite character in this story. Connor has a tiny little social issue that he's trying to work through and Margaux finds a way to reach him (which makes you love her even more).
There are several twists and turns but the story is believable, warm, funny at times, and just an over-all good read. I added it to my Nook bookshelf when it was a $2.99 ebook. Best $3.00 I've spent in a long time.
Happy Reading everyone!
:) Dodie
Margaux is the main character in Beach Colors and she's easy to like. She is young, about to be divorced, has lost everything, and returns home to her family's beach house in Connecticut, because it's the only thing she has left in the world. Her two best friends, Grace and Bri, round out the girlfriend trio and they are easy to like, too. They stand by her side as she tries to rebuild her life and they are just the sort of friends we all wish we had. Of course, there's a man in this story, too: Nick, the handsome police officer for the beach town. Nick is helping to raise his brother's son, Connor, who might just be my favorite character in this story. Connor has a tiny little social issue that he's trying to work through and Margaux finds a way to reach him (which makes you love her even more).
There are several twists and turns but the story is believable, warm, funny at times, and just an over-all good read. I added it to my Nook bookshelf when it was a $2.99 ebook. Best $3.00 I've spent in a long time.
Happy Reading everyone!
:) Dodie
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