This is it. I am done blogging.

Yep.  I am done.  This will be my last book blog post.  Forever.  When something you started for fun feels more like work, it's time to stop.  So I am stopping.  Because writing about the books I read suddenly feels like another job and between my teaching job, being a wife and mother and the sole cleaner/laundress of the house, I can't take on one more job.  I am having flashbacks to senior year of college when I was writing about Shakespeare and Chaucer and all I wanted to do was read for fun. So now I am going to read for fun and I'll be happy to talk with anyone who wants to listen about the books I read.  I'm just not going to write about them anymore.

I have read a lot of books over the years and I am so glad that I have recorded what I read and how I felt about what I read.  It's actually kind of fun to look back and re-read posts and remember what I was thinking about when I read certain books.  Lots of times the emotions come back to me, too, and I feel what I felt when I was typing.  I am certainly not upset that I took the time to write it all down.  It was good for me.  I needed to do it.  But I don't feel the same need anymore.

It would've been nice, too, had I met my 52 books challenge this one last time.  But I think that not meeting the challenge shows that my heart just isn't in it the same way anymore.  I have different priorities that are keeping me from reading as fast as I used to and I am not sure that I want to read fast anymore anyway.  I have reached the point in my life where books and words are to be savored.  And where life is so precious I don't want to miss it because I need to get a book finished in a week. And where I choose to read books that are 1000 pages long and those books CAN'T be read in a week, nor should they.

I recall writing last year these same sorts of words and indicating that my blog posts would be quick and to the point and that I might not even read 52 books this year (thank you, Outlander series).  Well, it all came true but now I have stepped one step further and have just decided that I can't keep up with this blog even more.  The beginning of a new year seems as good of a time as any to stop so here I shall end this endeavor.  I grew as a reader and a writer and I suspect some of you out there got a few good book recommendations, as a result.  But it's time for me to just read.  Just read.

But, I can't leave you without my Top 10 Favorites for the year (in case you only have time to read 10), so here they are. And there are actually 17.  Who can ever pick just 10?

In no particular order... (except Number 1 because it's my new favorite book)

1.  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
2.  Dragonfly in Amber/Voyager/Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
3.  The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
4.  The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
5.  The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
6.  Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
7.  Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
8.  The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
9.  The Kitchen House/Glory Over Everything by Kathleen Grissom
10.  Paperboy by Vince Vawter
11.  The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman
12.  The Mr. Terupt Trio of books by Rob Buyea

Happy reading!
-Dodie

#48: Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham

This past September, I binge watched Gilmore Girls.  All 7 seasons.  All 22 episodes per season. I can't believe I never watched the show when it was originally aired (but after reading Graham's book I suspect it was because I was too busy watching Friends).  I can't believe it because I am Rory. Maybe not as quick witted nor as tall and skinny but otherwise I am Rory.  Oh well.  I've watched them all now.

And I have watched the Netflix re-boot. And I watched "Fall" twice and cried both times.  I love this show.  Love.

So, I also watched Rachael Ray when she had Luke/Scott and Lorelai/Lauren on her show and after hearing about Lauren Graham's new book, I had to order it and read it. I just knew it was going to give me my GG fix.  I was wrong.  The book is about Lauren Graham's life, which I should've expected and while it does have a couple of chapters about GG, it didn't have enough for me.  I loved those chapters and cried while I read her journal entries from the reboot.  And I am hoping, with Lauren, that the ending is a cliffhanger, not the end.

It can't be the end.  It was a total cliffhanger.  Total.

If you are a GG fan, you should read this book.  Even though it doesn't have a lot of GG stuff in it, it's still a cool read.  I now know lots of information about Lauren Graham that I never knew before.  LOTS.  She's an amazing woman.  So smart and so talented.  And so cool.  I'd like to know her and be her friend.

But surely she's not done playing Lorelai.  Surely.  It was a cliffhanger.  Right???

Happy reading!
-Dodie

#46 and #47: Gated and Astray by Amy Christine Parker

Gated tells the story of Lyla Hamilton and her family and friends that compose the Community.  Led by Pioneer, the Community is a group of people hand selected by The Brethren to be the only humans left on Earth during the end of days.  (If this sounds a little bothersome to you, it should.  It should raise red flags all over the place.) The Community is wary of Outsiders and when Lyla meets a handsome Outsider named Cody, she begins to question all that she's been raised to believe. (Hooray Lyla--please...question away!)

For me, Gated was a total page turner and I loved the story, even though I was completely baffled by the Community and their belief system and was fearful for Pioneer' followers every step of the way.  I even forgot at times that this was a book written for teenagers. Astray, however, was not as compelling for me and while I was glad in the end that I read it and was able to achieve closure on the story, it did not have me turning pages like Gated did.  I do think, however, that it's necessary to read both novels in order to get the complete story.

While these books are written for young adults, I think that it would be hard to actually discuss a lot of the plot and themes of the books with teenagers.  I can't say that I'd ever recommend these books to be read at school, either.  Perhaps if they are in the library and a child checked them out independently, maybe, but never as a novel study.  Never.  I think as a teacher you'd be playing with fire if you read these books in class.  I don't usually advocate censorship in the classroom, but I feel compelled to do so this time.

Happy reading!
-Dodie

  

#45: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

One day at lunch a dear friend raved about how much she loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.  She said it was such a good book that it made her want to write a term paper on the abundant symbolism found in the novel.  I have never heard a grown adult say that about a book before.  Ever.  Needless to say I left lunch, went to Barnes and Noble, bought the book, and started reading as soon as I got home.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is about the Nolan family who lived in Williamsburg, NY (in the slums of Brooklyn) from 1902-1919.  Francie, I would say, is the main character, or the main subject of the book (and I would also hazard a guess that she is the metaphorical tree who grew in Brooklyn, although there is a real tree in Brooklyn, too) and through her we are told the story of her family. It is both a heart wrenching and inspiring story that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page and closed the book.  It will make you love and appreciate your family in a way you never thought you could.  It will make you appreciate every job you've ever had, every piece of clothing in your closet, and all of the luxuries we take for granted on a daily basis.  And most of all it will make you appreciate the education that you have in a way that you may never have before.  This book will humble you, I feel certain.  And in 2017, I suspect we could all use a little humbling.

Until reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, my favorite book of all time was Wuthering Heights.  After reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, my NEW favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.  I just adore this story.  Adore.

Add this one to your list, but be warned I am not loaning this one out.  This one stays on my shelf.  Because I might one day be missing Francie and want to open the book and read about her and her family for a little while.

Happy reading!
-Dodie

#44: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

If you love Harry Potter, you must read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!  You must!  The story won't give you new insight into Harry Potter (even though the main character wrote one of the textbooks Harry uses at Hogwarts), but it will give you that little bit of a magic fix that us Harry Potter lovers miss now that the series is over.  And even more spectacular is that this story takes places in the United States--wizards are not just in England, you know!

Once you read the screenplay (and since it is a screen play it goes so much faster than a typical Harry Potter book), go see the brilliant movie.  Bloody brilliant!

Happy reading!
-Dodie

#43: small great things by Jodi Picoult

I love reading books by Jodi Picoult.  They challenge not only my head but also my heart, as they push me to think about things that I normally wouldn't and to feel things I never thought I could feel.

At a time in American history where the issue of Black vs. White seems to have resurfaced once again, small great things is a timely novel. It is the story of Ruth, an experienced labor and delivery nurse who happens to be African American.  It is also the story of Turk and Brit, parents of baby Davis, who happen to be white supremacists and who do not wish Ruth to touch their son.  So, what happens when Davis goes into distress and Ruth is the only nurse in the room?

I don't plan to tell you because that would ruin the book for you and you must read it on your own.  But what I will tell you is that I was raised by my mother to look beyond how someone looks and to focus instead on a person's actions so this novel was hard for me to read at times because I just couldn't understand how anybody could treat Ruth as she was treated.  This is an intelligent woman with more than 20 years of experience in a delivery room.  I can't think of anyone who I would want more helping me through childbirth or caring for my newborn than Ruth, no matter what her skin color happens to be.  I suspect that's exactly what Picoult would hope her readers would feel, but you never know what side people might take in a story such as this one.  I suspect there may have been readers who could relate to Turk and Brit's wishes.

The resolution to the problem posed by this novel was a bit of a surprise for me, but Picoult always has a way of making her readers scratch their head with something they never saw coming (or maybe it's just me!).  It's part of what makes me look forward to reading her books; I can always expect the unexpected.

Read this one.  Stretch your mind and your soul.  It's a good one.

Happy reading!
-Dodie

#42: The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines with Mark Dagostino

If you love Fixer Upper on HGTV, you MUST read this heart-warming rags to riches tale of my favorite (not just mine, half the world loves these two!) house flippers from Waco, Texas.  Their story is easy to read--you can almost hear them telling the story--and a quick read at that.  But more importantly, their story is inspirational.  It reminds us that good things happen to people who work hard, who have faith, and who love each other no matter what.

One day I will get to Waco and when I do I am going to The Silos.  One day.  In the meantime I will watch Fixer Upper and dream about Joanna and Chip making over my house.  My dream...sigh...

Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie

#41: Two By Two by Nicholas Sparks

Any Nicholas Sparks fan will have already bought and read this book and no matter what I say about the novel, they will read it anyway.  Anyone who doesn't like Sparks won't read it and, therefore, my words matter little to that sort of person, too.  As a result, I almost didn't post anything other than the title of the book so I could keep track of the total number of books I read this year.  But something stopped me, so I am writing about this book regardless of the fact that few people will probably really care.

I have read every book Sparks has ever written.  Sometimes I have read them twice--once when first published and then again before a movie premier to remind myself of the plot.  They are always sad in some ways and hopeful in others and someone always dies, maybe not a main character, but someone.  Two By Two, however slight, shifted, in my opinion, from standard Nicholas Sparks, and it makes me wonder if we aren't going to start to see new things from him.  

Two By Two is the story of Russell Green and his family: wife Vivian and daughter London.  We get Russ's own thoughts and comments in italics while the main story, with lots of character involvement, is told in bold print.  While we get background information about the family and extended family, the novel focuses mainly on the year when Russ's life spiraled out of control--he quit his snob, started his own company, made no money, wife had to go back to work, wife decides to leave him, wife threatens to take away his daughter.  Knowing that Sparks himself is recently divorced, I had to wonder how much of Russ is actually Sparks himself, or some version of himself.  I don't know details about his divorce, nor do I want to, but there were times when Russ's emotions were so raw and intense, it just made me think that only someone who had experienced divorce and the possibility of losing a child could write so passionately about it.  (Although it can be argued that Sparks has written about so many things passionately that he perhaps knew nothing about except through research.  How many times have I heard a friend say, "I can't believe a man wrote this.") I spent much of the book wondering about this and wondering when the sudden death that seems so often to occur in Spark's novels was going to jump up and surprise me.

Yet what I got instead for much of the book was a detailed story about a man and his family.  I looked forward to reading, much in the same way I loved reading The Longest Ride, and while my heart broke for Russ, I didn't cry.  I didn't even come close, whereas when I read The Longest Ride, I was crying about 50 pages in and never stopped.  I loved reading about the evolution of Russ as a dad, as a friend to others, and as a son/brother.  I was anxious about Vivian, a character that flip flopped so often you never really know what she was going to say or do, but after a while I realized that Russ was going to be able to handle her, no matter what.  I thought Russ was going to be OK.

And then...Sparks threw in his curve ball--death--so I took a deep breath and turned the page and kept reading and you know what?  It turned out OK.  The death he created (perhaps in the spirit of "Everything happens for a reason") only helped to enrich the other characters.  No one fell apart.  No one changed the course of their lives.  No one packed up and moved away because they couldn't cope (although people do move away but for other reasons).  I did cry because it was sad, but everything turned out OK in the end.  Would I have preferred if this character had not died?  Yes, of course, but I don't think other characters would've come to the realizations they came to without this devastating event.  People changed because a woman died.  Her death enabled them to realize things about themselves that they wouldn't have otherwise.  They moved forward and the ending left me with hope.  I can't always say that about other Sparks books.  Mostly I just feel like crying for days because the story is so sad.

But not this one.  Perhaps that's why I wonder if Sparks' writing isn't changing a bit.  Has his divorce changed his outlook on life?  Has his perspective changed?  Will we see more hopeful stories from him in the future?  I am a Sparks fan.  So you can bet that I will keep on reading his books regardless, but a little more hope and a little less death would be nice.  After all, I read to escape reality.  Not wallow in it.

Happy reading!
:) Dodie

#40: The House Girl by Tara Conklin

The House Girl is the story of Josephine, a 17 year old house slave from Virginia, and Lina Sparrow, a young lawyer living in New York.  Told in alternating chapters, we learn the stories of both of these women--stories that eventually converge in a rather interesting way.

If you like history, art, and law, this book is right up your alley.  I appreciated the overall story more when I had finished the book than while I was reading because I often felt bogged down by the immense amount of detail.  Conversation between characters was sparse in this novel and lots of time passed in between page turns as I waded through the details and repeatedly talked myself out of just putting the book down and walking away.  I am glad that I stuck with it and finished it because it did end well. It just took a long time to get there!

Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie

#39: Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

I did not feel as though I could consider myself well-read unless I had read this book, which people rave about.  I read it, but I did not enjoy it.  I chuckled a few times, but Bridget's life of drinking, dieting, and searching for a man, day after day and page after page, is not the sort of life I'd like to read about.  Maybe I am missing something, but it just wasn't for me.  Honestly, I couldn't wait for it to be over.

Consider yourself warned.
-Dodie

#38: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars is a book recommended to me by a middle school english teacher.  It is a Young Adult novel, but I would suggest no one younger than a high school freshman read this one as there are references made that some would prefer middle schoolers not know about.

With that being said, as an adult, I was almost bored with the book (and the story of Cadence and her wealthy family as they vacation on their private island off of Martha's Vineyard each summer) until I realized that something eerie was going on, that something was not quite right, and I needed to keep reading to find out what it was.  Oh yeah, it was something eerie all right.  And while I won't ruin the story for you here, it's a good one.  A real page turner by the end.

And, in the end, We Were Liars made me afraid of the power of our children in the same way that The Casual Vacancy, by JK Rowling, made me afraid of your children because the children got mad at the grown-ups and exacted a revenge no one saw coming.  I have since stepped lightly around my teenagers, not that I am letting them rule the house, but I now realize how much power these days children really do have to make adult lives miserable should you cross them.

Of course, as with all good tales, when a bad deed happens, people must pay in some way and I do feel The Liars, as Cadence calls herself and her friends/family Gat, Mirren, and Johnny, paid a steep price for their actions.  They may have been trying to solve a family problem, but in the end they created more problems than they solved.  Is it a warning for teenagers to be careful what they do?  To be careful that while you think you can solve the problems of the world, you can't always?  That while you think you are adults you really aren't?  Yes.  I think that's exactly what this book warns.

It's also a fierce reminder that what we see isn't always the truth.  And that many of us are Liars.

Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie

#37: The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman

I heard about this book on John Oliver's political TV show on HBO.  He linked it to a discussion he had one evening about Donald Trump. He said, basically, that Donald Trump's candidacy was similar to Judson Moon's (the main character in the book) candidacy.  Except that instead of being 70, Judson moon was 12 (at which point her made some snarky comment about Trump often acting like he's 12).  I was intrigued to read this book to discover what Oliver was talking about.  I was further intrigued when I couldn't get the book on Amazon right away because it was sold out.  It made me wonder if I was not alone in checking on the book as I listened to John Oliver talk about the novel.

As I read The Kid Who Ran for President, I marked passages that reminded me of the currently presidential race.  I marked 16 different scenes in the 150 page book that reminded me of our current race for the White House.  (Note: this book was written in 1996)  Mostly the passages reminded me of Trump, as Oliver noted in his show, but some could've been about Hillary, too.  Or really any other candidate.

I think this is a good book to read with older elementary aged kids before a presidential election, so I am passing this off to my friend who teaches 5th graders, but I think older students, like my daughter who is taking AP Government this year, could read it and find the irony and humor in it that I picked up on as an adult reader.

John Oliver suggested that Trump follow suit, and like Judson Moon renounce his candidacy.  I hope Trump wasn't watching that night.  I need him to win and to move into the White House.  Of course, that means Oliver didn't realize there is a sequel to this book: The Kid Who Became President.  Oliver says Moon reminds him of Trump.  In this case, I hope Oliver is spot on right.

Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie

#36: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

I love reading books about weddings.  Maybe it's because I am a girl.  Maybe it's because my wedding was simple and economical and I like to read about extravagant over the top weddings.  Maybe it's because I am a hopeless romantic.  Whatever the reason, I love a good wedding story and The Wedding Dress is a good wedding story.

If you like reading books about weddings, the story of Charlotte, a bridal gown retailer, who waffles about her own engagement and then finds a very mysterious wedding gown (mysterious as in Traveling Pants mysterious), will warm your heart, as it reminds you that some things in life are just meant to be.

This is a beautiful story!

Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie

#35: Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman

I heard about Wilde Lake from the author's mouth--literally.  Lippman spoke about her book at the Junior League book and author event I attended back in May.  She had a remarkable way of speaking about her book, giving only the slightest hints at actions and events, enticing us all into reading the book and finding out what really happened all those years ago on Wilde Lake.  Well...I am certainly not going to spoil it for you here, but I will give you some inside information about the book so you can decide if it's worth your time to read the book.

Cutting to the chase, Wilde Lake is a suspenseful, murder mystery.  I don't typically read this genre, but Lippman sells her book well and I was anxious to read it.  It's told by Lu, Luisa Brant, the newly elected state's attorney of Howard County, Maryland.  She tells the story in alternating chapters: one chapter is her present day story and the next is a chapter detailing her memories from the past.  When you combine events of the past with events of the present, you get the full story of what happened one night on Wilde Lake involving her bother, his friends, and a girl.  It takes a current murder case that Lu is working on for her to truly understand events that took place 30 years before.

It's a cleverly told story but it's hard to read at times.  Or at least it was for me.  There's a reason I don't typically read these sorts of books--I don't like to read about what I can see in brutal detail on the news each night.  However, this was a superbly written story so I don't blame Lippman for gory details.

If you are fans of Patricia Cornwell, or even John Grisham, you'd like this one.  Come to think of it, I should save it for my in-laws.  They love these sorts of books!

Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie

#34: Saving Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyla

It wasn't long ago that I blogged about the first two Mr. Terupt books in this trilogy. I loved them and was couldn't wait for the third to arrive (in paperback) and to find out how the story ends.

As with the first two, Saving Mr. Terupt didn't disappoint.  It was a great story.  But I will say this about books two and three...I see them less and less as books appropriate for elementary school kids.  The first one was written about Fifth graders so I see no reason why Fifth graders can't read and appreciate the book.  But in the next two, the kids move on to middle school and with middle school students come middle school issues, and words, and actions which leads me to suggest that the second and third books should be reserved for middle school kids (or adults who just like to stay on top of children's literature).

Aside from that, the quality of literature is still top-notch as Buyla continues his ingenious way of writing from the perspective of the students and creating a persona in Mr. Terupt who is created from other people's perceptions and accounts.  It's rather clever, I think.

I want to thank Meghan for telling me about this amazing series of books.  They are incredible!  Could there be more in the works?  Mr. Buyea, I'd read them all--eighth grade through graduation.  If you write them, I will read them!  And I feel certain that I am not the only one who feels this way!

Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie

#33: Sweet Tomorrows by Debbie Macomber

Sweet Tomorrows is the latest book in the Rose Harbor series written by romance novelist Debbie Macomber.  The series was started in response to readers who were saddened that Macomber had finished her Cedar Cove series and who longed to hear more about the residents of Cedar Cove.  Macomber then created Jo Marie Rose, owner and proprietor of the Rose Harbor Inn, a place where people come to find solace and to get questions answered.  Not that Jo Marie promises any of this to her guests, there's just something special about the Rose Harbor Inn and people leave feeling comforted and ready to head back to life.

This installation of the series focuses on Jo Marie herself (she isn't typically a main character in the books) and a guest named Emily.  Jo Marie is waiting to hear about her love, Mark Taylor, as he participates in a top secret military mission overseas.  Emily is trying to figure out her life after two broken engagements.  Both women learn not only to rely on each other for support but also to help each other as they both search for answers as they try to move forward with their lives.

I love this series of books.  I was skeptical at first because the entire story line of this new series seemed to be so depressing.  It's not.  The stories are actually quite heartwarming and inspirational.
I just don't like having to wait an entire year before getting the next part of the story! :(  It's always worth the wait in the end, but the waiting is never any fun!

Happy reading, everyone!
-Dodie

#32: The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee

Thank heavens for my iPhone!  I was on the train to Rome when I finished my last book and did not have another, as I did not want to lug a bunch of heavy books around with me from city to city across Italy (although I was totally willing to lug new leather handbags--priorities, you know).  So thank heavens for my iPhone and the wireless in the hotel.  I was able to access my Nook account and I pulled up The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society and was no longer book deprived!  Hooray! 

I started this book over a year ago and just never finished for whatever reason, but this ended up being a good book to read while traveling.  It was easy to read and to follow the plot, the characters (there are a lot) were easy to remember and hilarious, and the chapters weren't too long so it was easy to read little snippets here and there.  

It doesn't take long to realize that this book had to be written in the middle of the scrapbooking craze of the late 1990's/early 2000's as everyone in the book has discovered scrapping and are making a scrapbook for every little thing.  As a scrapper myself (well...sort of...I haven't made a page in years but I totally should as Emily is still waiting for me to finish her elementary school book) it was cute to remember how excited I was at first to record every little memory.  

What struck me as the best aspect of this novel was how real it is.  Avalon is a quaint little town with real people who have troubles, arguments, struggles and disappointments as well as miracles, celebrations, and good times.  Sometimes we read to escape real life but sometimes it nice to read and to find that we are not alone in our daily life struggles and challenges.  It's reassuring.  

This is a great story and I am glad that I picked it up and finished it.  

Happy reading, everyone! 
-Dodie

#31: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

I brought The Light Between Oceans with me on our recent trip to Italy, to read on the plane and on train trips between cities.  I never counted on not being able to put this book down once I started reading and that I would finish it way before our 10 hour plane ride home, leaving me with only a e-book on my phone to read on the trip home (every book lovers' nightmare).

The story is about Tom and Isabel, a couple who live on an isolated island off the coast of Australia, as Tom is the light keeper on Janus Rock.  They both love where they live, no matter how remote or frequently visited by others, and are excited to find out that they are expecting a baby.  However, as miscarriage after miscarriage devastates this young couple, they both become sadder and sadder and question their life on the island.  But one day Tom finds a boat, washed ashore, that contains a dead man and a small baby girl: alive, hungry, and crying.  What happens next forms the plot of this story and I don't dare give it away.

What I will say is that I could not imagine facing the choices this family has to face--it was heart breaking.  I finished the book on the train from Florence to Rome and I am fairly positive there is an Italian mother with two daughters who sat with me that day that are still telling their friends and family about the crazy American woman who was bawling her eyes out in the seat next to/across from them.  I can't wait to see the movie but know I will be bawling there too. Maybe it will be a sunny day when I see the movie and I can wear my sunglasses home to hide my red, puffy eyes.

This one should be on your list of must-reads.  It's a phenomenal story.

Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie

#30: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Rowling, Tiffany, and Thorne

This newest Harry Potter story is a must-read for any self-respecting Harry Potter fan.  It answers the question "What happens next?" (well...next as in next after 19 years have gone by) for the main characters and their new families.  The story focuses primarily on Albus, Harry's youngest boy, and it centers on his actions resulting from the pressure he feels because he is Harry's child and Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore's namesake.  This "story" is actually the rehearsal script for the play currently being produced and performed in London, so I found it to be a quicker read than any of the other seven books that were typically filled with lengthy descriptions and copious details.  I really enjoyed this glimpse into the life of my favorites: Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Harry.  I just wish there were more--I'd read them all and I am sure that I am not alone!

I am also secretly hoping we can get tickets too see this play (done in two acts over two different nights) when we travel to London next summer.  I'd be overjoyed to see this!

If you like Harry, you MUST read this one!

Happy reading, everyone!
:)Dodie

#29: Happy Wives Club by Fawn Weaver

OK.  So I feel as though this choice of book, without explanation, could cause speculation and conversation among those of you who actually read my blog.  As a result, you are getting a brief explanation of this choice of reading material.  

I ran across The Happy Wives Club (yes...this is an actual club that you can join online) in an article about marriage that I was reading on Pinterest.  (Please note:  I am happily married and I feel that the key to staying this way is to keep marriage a priority, so I read a lot about ways to keep things "good.")  The idea of a world-wide "club" of women, all dedicated to their marriages and to giving marriage a good reputation was exciting for me.  So I joined the club and made my commitment to "changing the tone about marriage" and I ordered Fawn's book from Amazon, ready to learn the great secrets of happy marriages around the world.  

Fawn's book is a summary of her travels around the world as she interviews long-time married women and uncovers the secrets of a happy marriage.  Sounds great!  But, what the book really is is Fawn's travel journal.  I got more details about the places she visited and foods she ate than the secrets of happily married women.  The reason for that is that there is really only one secret: mutual respect among partners.  I heard this chapter after chapter, country after country, and while it was great that there IS a key to a long lasting and happy marriage, I didn't need an entire book to learn that.  She could've written a concise paragraph on her Happy Wives Club website.  But, that wouldn't have covered the cost of her traveling, of course.  Sales from her book, I am certain, did.  

The idea for the book is a good one, and even though I was expecting something more profound, it was a cute book to read in terms of learning about different countries (because I did--this was a very detailed travel journal) and it was reassuring that I had stayed married for 22 years because I believe Rob and I need to be respectful of one another, our dreams, and our interests.  

I still believe in the premise of The Happy Wives Club and am proud to be a member. 

Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie