Aubergine

Find of the week: Easy. Handmade. by Mandi Ehman

A couple of months ago I was excited to host a guest post by Mandi Ehman of Life...Your Way.  I have been a big fan of her blogging network for a while.  I've learned great tips from the tech channel, gotten myself organized with printables from their vast collection, enjoyed stories and support for mothering in the family channel, and found good ideas for simple, heathy food in the food channel. And if it wasn't enough to run a great company, Mandi is just a really nice person.

This week Mandi released a new ebook called Easy. Homemade. and sent me a review copy and invited me to join her affiliate program (the links to the book in this post are all affiliate links).

The book's focus on pantry staples - those things we often buy but don't have to.  The recipes cover drinks, seasoning, condiments, snacks and a few base recipes that can be expanded or modified easily. Many recipes are things I keep in my house all the time  - pesto, simple syrup, freezer jam - and some are things I've thought about making, but have been too lazy too. A few of these things I've never thought about making from scratch, like onion soup mix and baking mixes.  In addition to the recipes, Mandi has included tons of great tips and extras throughout the book, like how to use applesauce as a substitute for oil, how to test baking powder and baking soda, and suggestions on how to organize your spice drawer.

These recipes are so straightforward that I'm inspired to make a few more of these things for my own pantry.

But the best part?  Until Augsut 21st, the book is available for the launch price of only $.99.  And there are bonuses! You'll receive a set of printable recipe cards, the Nook and Kindle files to load to those devices and access to all of the recipes from the book on PlantoEat.com. Can't beat that!  

Click here to visit Mandi's book site and learn more about the book, download a sample, or purchase a copy.  

What pantry staples do you make?  What would you like to try making?

 

My top 5 parenting books

 

When I found out I was pregnant I went on Amazon and ordered a stack of books that I thought would help me make sense of what was happening to my body and my life.  Then the morning sickness hit, and I was nauseous when I tried to read.  By the time that passed I was gearing up to start grad school. 

My daughter's birth came and went and most of the books remained in a pile next to my easy chair, unread.

Following the pattern I set back then, I haven't read very many parenting books in the last 16 months.  But of the few I read, these have been the most useful.

The Nursing Mother's Companion, by Kathleen Huggins

Breastfeeding was supposed to be easy.  I had breasts, I had a hungry baby.  No problem, right?  

While I'm grateful that my breastfeeding journey was simpler than it turns out to be for many moms, it was not nearly as simple as I expected.  I read this book cover to cover when my daughter was 3 or 4 days old, my nipples had blistered and cracked from an improper latch, and I had no idea how to tell if my milk had come in yet.  I was desperate for information.  This book answered all of my questions and did it clearly enough that I could understand it even in my shell-shocked and sleep-deprived state.  If you are a new (or repeat!) mom and you plan to breastfeed, make sure you have this book in your house before the baby arrives.  It may save you some sanity when you really really need it.

No-Cry Sleep Solution, by Elizabeth Pantley

Sleep was another thing I thought was going to be so easy and then it wasn't.  I thought we'd just sleep with the baby and everyone would be happy.  I didn't really realize how often the baby would wake up and what that meant for all of us sleeping, or not sleeping, which was what was really happening. When I started hearing other moms talking about sleep training and co sleepers and what "sleeping through the night" really means (hint: not 8 hours), I decided I needed to know more about how babies sleep and what I could influence and what I needed to live with.

Pantley's book offered me information on baby sleep cycles and tips for easing sleep transitions, and didn't make any suggestions to let the baby cry, which I knew I would not be willing to do. It helped me understand better where she was developmentally, how much sleep she should be getting, and to be more clear about what was important to me about our sleeping situation.  We actually didn't change where or when the baby was sleeping as a result of reading the book, but I felt a lot more at peace about our decision to co-sleep and we made some minor adjustments that helped me sleep better myself. When I became more confident my interactions with Bean around naps and bedtime and developed a better going-to-bed routine, the whole process got a lot easier.

Many months later, when I was finally ready to move her to her own crib, I re-read Pantley's book to help me figure out how to make that happen.  It took about a week of bumpy nights, but Bean started sleeping better and more soundly very quickly.

Baby-Led Weaning, by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett

Several of the moms in my circle of friends were talking up this book when they started introducing solid foods to their kids, who were all a few months older than mine.  After eating out with them a few times and being totally impressed at how well their babies could manage a wide range of foods, I decided to check it out.

I guess by not reading all those pregnancy books when I was pregnant I missed the instruction that you are supposed to start your baby on pureed food. I found the Baby-Led Weaning approach to be a perfectly logical way to introduce food, encourage healthy eating habits and help your child develop a wide palate of tastes and textures. 

Food is a big deal in my house.  I love to cook and to eat, and to share the tastes I love with my family.  It turned out to be so much fun to let Bean try new foods mostly on her own terms and develop her own individual tastes.  She has always been really clear about what she likes and doesn't, when she wants more and when she's done.  And honestly, she'll try anything and enjoys some surprisingly strong-flavored dishes. 

And I didn't have to buy or make a whole bunch of special food for her, so we all win!

Bringing up Bebe, by Pamela Druckerman

This isn't actually a parenting book.  It is a memoir, sort of, and one mom's research into the differences in parenting styles between French and American families.  While the author has drawn criticism for over-simplifying both cultures and for focusing on families in a very narrow socio-economic range, I still found it fascinating.  

I'm often slightly horrified by families where the kids seem to be running all over the parents. "Be the grown up!" I want to scold the parents.  "How will your child respect anyone if you don't insist that he respects you?"

It was heartening to me to discover that the instincts that were leading me to set clear boundaries and have expectations for my child's behavior, even at a young age, we in line with parenting practices somewhere, at least.  Although there are things I disagree with that are normal practice in France (early weaning, for example) there are also things that I'm very envious of that would make such a difference in the US (government funded early childcare and preschool).  

Mostly it was a fascinating look at two different parenting styles and the potential pros and cons of each.  I always think it is a good a idea to take the lid off of our customs and beliefs to figure out what they mean and why we do them, even if we choose to continue on exactly the same path we are on.

The Toddler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 1 1/2-to 3-Year-Old Busy, by Trish Kuffner

This is the newest book on my (virtual) shelf.  Now that all the babies in our little circle of moms are toddlers, the emails in our group are often about a) What are you guys cooking for dinner? and b) how do I keep this kid entertained and prevent him from jumping off of the furniture??   

This book, again, was recommended by one of our group.  I've only just begun to delve into it, but I'm loving the suggestions so far.  It has arts and crafts, learning, and play activities for both indoors and out and even suggestions for a Rainy Day Box that is a parent's secret weapon on those rainy or sick days when the day just seems to stretch on forever.

But best of all she has a whole chapter on how to organize for your toddler, including what you can save or re-use from around your house for various purposes.  This is a fantastic resource for parents or caregivers of toddlers, especially the especially busy ones, like mine!

 

What are your favorite or lifesaving parenting books?

My 10 Favorite Writing Books

Image by Brenda Clarke via Creative Commons

I've been reading about writing a lot latey.  Some writers joke that this is their favorite procrastination technique and I can't say I'm always entirely innocent of that.  

But also I am the kind of learner who reads everything I can get my hands on when I want to know about something. I want to know about writing.  

I've found a lot of great books, and a few ho hum ones.  The most useful ones are the ones that give me a little information and then encourage me to go write.  Because that's the best way to be a better writer - just write.  A lot.

Here are my 10 favorite writing books I've found so far.  I hope there are some that you will enjoy, too!

Naked, Drunk and Writing, by Adair Lara

One of my writing teachers, Laura Davis, recommended this book to me recently.  She said she assigned it to her From Memory to Memoir workshop students. Lara writes about the importance of building a writing practice (and you already know how I feel about that), how to face down fear and "apply butt to chair," and also offers a lot of tips on craft (ie, not just writing, but writing well).  Throughout, she is friendly, warm and funny.  If you want to write personal essays, memoir, or a deep and compelling blog, read this book.

Anything by Natalie Goldberg

I can't pick just one book by this author, because she has written so much and so much of it is amazing.  Check out Writing Down The Bones for building your skill as a writer,  Wild Mind for finding time and your voice, and Old Friend From Far Away for writing memoir and personal stories. Throughout her books, Goldberg advocates cultivation of a writing practice - writing by hand from a evocative prompt for a timed period.  I have been using this method off and on for a while and I know it to be the very best way to get to the root of a scene, a memory, or an emotion.  It takes bravery and commitment, but is absolutely worth the effort.

Take Ten For Writers: 1,000 writing exercises to build momentum in just 10 minutes a day, by Bonnie Neubauer

As I've said, I believe in having a writing practice.  And I've listed books above that advocate it also.  If you are searching for what to write about, this book will keep you going for a long, long time.  There are 100 exercises, and each of them pairs a variable (you pick 1-10 and then flip the page to find out which one to use) with a set-up or a basic scenario. Most of the promts would work equally well for fiction or non fiction. The idea is to be quick - just write for 10 minutes.  Get your brain going and your creative juices flowing!

Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E. B. White

If you want to write better, read this book.  It is a classic for good reason. It is also kind of funny. 

Writing Motherhood, by Lisa Garrigues

I have a few books in the category of writing instruction specifically for mothers, but this is the one I come back to most often. Like Goldberg, Garrigues encourages writers to keep a longhand notebook and to to freewrite daily if possible. Her book is ful of evocative prompts and starters, examples by other writers who are mothers, and is organized into 

Crafting the Personal Essay, Dinty W. Moore

Moore teaches writing at the Universiy of Ohio, and his book is closer to a textbook than other books in this list.  And like a textbook, chockablock full of information. But unlike most textbooks I've read it is not at all dry.  I found myself wishing I could sit in his classes and soak up his lectures live.  I also found myself putting down the book every couple of pages to jot down notes to myself about ideas for pieces to write.  And that, really, is the best recommendation for a writing book right there.  

Full-Time Income in Part-Time Hours: 22 Secrets to Writing Success in Under 40 Hours a Week, by Gretchen Roberts

This ebook was by someone who manages to publish articles on food, wine, home and gardens for top national magazines and do marketing development and copywriting for companies like Lowe's and Costco - all while only working 20 hours a week and raising three young kids. I think there are a few things she can teach us!  It is short (67 pages) and a quick read.  The author focuses on management - of your time, your money, and your clients - as the method to get more done, more efficiently, and make more money doing it.  

The Renegade Writer, by Linda Formichelli

The idea behind this book is that you should question the "rules" of marketing, writing, and interacting with publishers.  The format of the book is a list of the presumed rules (like "you should always send an SASE") and then discusses why you should break the rule and when you should follow it.  What I like about the book, beyond the useful tips, is that it advocates freelancers to take responsibility for their business.  Stop following the rules, question the status quo, and figure out what works best for you, with your clients and your business.  Good advice, no matter what business you are in.

The Well-Fed Writer, by Peter Bowerman

This book is based on the premise that the basis of a thriving freelance business is not writing articles for magazines but instead writing copy for businesses.  My experience so far tells me this premise is exactly right.  Althought the author comes from a background in marketing and sales, he breaks down the process of marketing and selling yourself to write marketing and sales copy (among other things) to a level that even me, with my liberal arts, decidedly not marketing-savvy background, can manage.  If you want to make real money as a freelance, or even just build a stable base of steady clients to allow you to do the writing you are passionate about, you need this book.  The author also offers supporting tools and coaching packages via his web page.

Writer for Hire: 101 Secrets to Freelance Success, by Kelly James-Enger

One of my frustrations with other "How-To Freelance" books I've seen is that I come away from them feeling like I have to be anexperienced freelancer to get work as a freelancer. Sample queries all list years of publishing experience over hundrends of publications, and sections on networking seem to assume you already have a network of editors at your fingertips. I'm not an editor leaving a print publication and striking out on my own - I'm starting from scratch.  

This book addresses that.  I have to be honest here - I've only read the first chapter so far, but that's enough to put this book in my top 10 list.  I have already implemented several of the suggestions from that chapter and I'm eager to start on the next batch.  I'm sure that if I implement only half of the actions suggested by James-Enger, I will be seeing a rapid growth in my business.  Even if you aren't a rank beginner like me, there are good tips in here for presenting yourself professionally, time management, and organization that will hep you push your business to the next level.  

What books are you reading about writing?  I'd love to hear your reccomendations!

Read to me! The best board books (at 15 months)

I read a study recently that showed a correlation between young children being exposed to TV (even in the background) and poor performance in cognitive and reading related tasks.  The report said the researchers surveyed 1,450 households and found children between eight months and eight years old were exposed to an average of four hours of TV a day.  

Four hours!

I find that slightly horrifying.

We err way in the other direction.  I'm not sure I watch even four hours of TV in a week myself (and by TV I mean movies, because we don't have cable), and most weeks all of that is after Bean is in bed.

That isn't to say we don't have screen time, so don't think I'm getting all preachy Waldorf here.  We love our computers and iDevices.  Bean even has her own iPhone (without a service plan!) on which she plays Peekaboo Barn.  Over and over.

But the biggest entertainment for the kid in this house is books.  You know when your kid is quiet for just a beat too long and you have to go check to see what they have gotten into?  Nine times out of ten I round the corner and find her with a book on her lap, flipping the pages and studying the pictures.  

Here are her current favorites, at 15 months.  Almost all of them I've read so often I have memorized them. And most of them I still like!

Everywhere Babies, by Susan Meyers.  Illustrated by Marla Frazee.

This story has simple, rhyming text and beautiful, detailed illustrations. This one has been a favorite for many months - what baby doesn't love looking at other babies?  Recently we've been talking more about what's going on in the drawings.  There are cats, dogs, balloons, and lots of colors to look for and talk about.  

10 Minutes Until Bedtime, by Peggy Rathmann.

With similarly detailed drawings but very few words, this is a really fun bedtime book.  It shows a little boy getting ready for bed with the help and accompanyment of a host of hamsters, who are doing all kinds of interesting things on each page.  I love that on the storytime page, the kid is reading a copy of 10 Mintues Until Bedtime.

Jamberry, by Bruce Degen.

This book originally came into the house as a hand-me-down from Bean's babysitter's kids, inspired because Bean loves her blueberries. The story is singsong, with made-up berry words and fun illustrations.  Iread this book every day at least once. I love that the illustration on each page hints at the story on the next page - it took me a while to notice that!  There is a lot going on in each drawing and lots to talk about and point out.  I've given this book as a gift already several times.

Moo, Baa, La La La, But Not The Hippopotamus, Snuggle Puppy, and Barnyard Dance, by Sandra Boynton

If you don't know Sandra Boynton's books, run, do not walk, to the bookstore and check her out.  Her board books are fantastic for toddlers.  Simple, silly stories, illustrated with funny animals (and not just the usual farm animals!).  Several of her books are available in an interactive, narrated format in the iTunes store.  Snuggle Puppy and Barnyard Dance require you, the reader, to be willing to sing a little, but your kid's grin will make the awkwardness of that totally worth it. Hearing my guy bust out his full-on southern twang for Barnyard Dance is awesome.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin, Jr.  Illustrated by Eric Carle.

I've seen this book at all of my friend's houses recently.  It is a classic, and a great showcase for Eric Carle's style. Very simple story, very repetitive.  Bean tends to turn the pages faster than I can read so she can see each animal.  She loves the page at the end that shows them all in one place and we have been practicing the signs for each animal as we look at that page together.  I was delighted to find that the teacher in the story sports classes in a color very close to the color of Bean's frames.

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb, by Al Perkins.  Illustrated by Eric Gurney

This book is a recent addition.  I found it before Easter and put it in Bean's basket.  Although it always leaves me slightly out of breath to read it at her preferred speed, I love that the rhythm of the text makes her dance. yesterday she was drumming on the toilet lid while I was brushing my hair and I sang, "Dum ditty, dum ditty, dum dum dum!" to her.  She rushed out of the room, pulled all the books off of the shelf until she found this one, and brought it over to me with a big grin on her face.

Go, Dog, Go, by PD Eastman.

This book has a Seussian quality about it, so I always confuse it with Dr. Seuss books.  It was a very early favorite, and has held its place in the lineup for many months.  It is a nice small size, easy for her to hold and turn the pages herself.  The last illustration, the dog party which is the destination of all the going, can hold her attention for a long time.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, by Mo Williams

 This one is not a board book, but Bean is surprisingly gentle with it.  It is part of a series of books about a pigeon, in this case with aspirations to be a bus driver.  The illustrations are graphic, large, with muted colors.  It is really fun to read and would make a great story circle book.  It can be really interactive if the reader asks the kids what they think: "Should we let the pigeon drive the bus?"  Bean is a sweetie, though. She always says yes, we should.

Book Review: You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One!) by Jeff Goins

When I was at Blissdom a couple of months ago I had to choose between seeing Jeff Goins speak about falling back in love with writing and a session with Tyler Merrick about working with intention.  I chose Merrick and it was a great session.  But a couple of friends who attended the Goins talk told me it was the best session of the weekend. So I was really glad to hear he had a ebook coming out, and really delighted that he sent me a copy to read and review.  And you know? It is one of the best books on writing I've read in a while.  And I've been reading about writing a lot lately.

In You Are a Writer, Goins doesn't cover craft. He doesn't suggest what topics will sell best. He doesn't roll out his long writing career and long list of editor relationships as credentials.  He writes about how his path as a writer has been hard at times, how he has had some success, but also been frustrated and burnt out.  And then he describes how he found his way out from there and how.  He writes about how the writing and publishing paradigm can - and should - be different, and how straightforward it is to shift it. At the root of it, he offers simple advice:

1. Write. A lot.

2. Write for yourself.

3. Fall (back) in love with writing.

4. Put your work out into the world consistently.

This book is a reminder to stop writing what we think others want us to say how we think they want us to say it. Instead, he recommends we find our individual voice, build a platform, and make connections with people who will help get our work in front of more people. When he did these things, he says, readers (and publishers) came to him. He believes his methods will work for others. And I have just enough experience at this game to believe he is right. 

Of course I am over-simplifying because I want you to read the book for yourself. Goins' voice is warm and encouraging.  He doesn't make promises of easy success.  He doesn't pretend that the writing life is easy or that you will get rich living it. What he offers, instead, is a encouragement to come back to your passion for writing.  A reminder that we writers write because we have something to say. We have voices and we want to leave a mark. And he suggests ways to keep our passion alive while also building a legacy.  He encourages us to believe in ourselves. To know we are writers no matter how big our audience is.  He encourages us to keep writing.

I've been struggling with the process of querying and submitting, trying to figure out what to write about and who to write for. This book's message lands in my lap at just the right time.  I chose writing as a path because I love to write.  I know I have things to say - stories to tell, experiences to share, things to teach.  But in the effort of chasing a paycheck, I'm already starting to lose confidence in my voice. 

Of course the pay is important.  I don't have a full-time job, like he did, to support me while I build a platform.  But I do have the cornerstone of a platform already in this blog.  I believe I am a good writer and I am committed to improving.  After reading this book it is clear to me that the puzzle piece I'm missing is the connections.  This is where I need to focus my energy.  But at the same time I need to keep writing.  Keep showing up at the page and exercising my voice.  I have been slipping at this habit and I miss writing for the sheer joy of words.

Thank you, Mr. Goins, for reminding me that I am a writer.  I just need to write. And keep writing.

You can find the ebook on his You Are A Writer page (in Kindle, Nook or PDF formats, but sadly not for iBooks).  He is also offering great packages that include worksheets and additional audio content and interviews along with the book. 

 *The links above are not affiliate links and I received no compensation for reviewing the book other than the opportunity to read it.

 

Off the bookshelf: November

I'm thinking this isn't going to be a very interesting feature if I don't find a little more reading time.

I did finish The People of the Book that I said I had started in October, but I returned both Will Write for Food and The Unexpected Son to the library without finishing them.  I'll probably check both out again another time.  

Here are the two books I managed to finish: 

State of Wonder, Ann Patchett

This was a book club selection, which we picked after reading and loving Patchett's Bel Canto a few years ago. Like that book, this one has a surprisingly simple but original storyline.  The beauty is in the details.  My partner traveled in the Amazon last spring and the lovely descriptions (of sometimes quite unlovely things) encountered in the jungle were even more vivid for me having seen his photos and listened to his descriptions.  

My book group jokes that we really only read books as an excuse to get together and eat because we actually spend so little time discussing the books we've read.  Usually we are well into dessert before we get around to it.  But we were already talking about this one before we sat down at the table.  We loved its twists and turns and surprising characters.  One of our members said she always knows what's going to happen in a book, and she did with this book, too, except she that was always wrong.  I highly recommend this one.

A Double Life: Discovering Motherhood, by Lisa Catherine Harper

 I read State of Wonder as an ebook on my iphone and it was a revelation to me.  I could read while I was putting the baby to bed!  I could read a few pages while she was eating!  If not for ebooks, I would have read no books this month.  A Double Life is actually a book I purchased when The Bean was a newborn, but had then immediately forgotten about (a downside of ebooks - you can't see the stack of them waiting for you!) I found it again late one evening when I had just finished State of Wonder and The Bean was still not quite asleep.  

The double life refers to the before and after split of "before baby" and "after baby."  I was fascinated to read another mother's take on this, as that divide is something I have been struggling to make peace with. As it turns out, many of Harper's experiences, from pregnancy and labor through the mothering of a small girl, run parallel to mine.  I enjoyed reading her account, but even more it made me want to write down my experience.  I have been, in bits and snatches, but I am ready to do it more seriously after reading this book. 

The two books I'm partially through:

Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less, by Peter Bowerman

 As part of my ventures into writing for pay, I'm looking at business writing as an income stream.  This book is regarded as THE book on the topic, and indeed it is chock-full of good information.  In fact, so much of it that I'm currently bogged down in the middle of Chapter 5 with a full-on case of overwhelm.  I took a break to actually, you know, pitch some businesses.  Out of theory and into practice.  Highly recommended if this is a field of interest.  I don't recommend reading it in PDF on your iPhone, though, which is what I'm doing.  It is very small.

Crafting the Personal Essay, by Dinty Moore

 This book has been on my shelf for quite some time, but I pulled it back out again this month as I was working on some essays and feeling like I didn't know enough about the form to figure out what was not working in my writing.  I've only read the first chapter, but I can see that it is going to be a great resource.  The auther is a teacher who has a course on the topic, and it shows that he has spent a long time presenting this material.  I also really like that he intersperses writing prompts and jump-off points in the material.  Indeed I did need to put the book down and go write out a couple of essay ideas and an outline.  This one is in actual book form, so it may take me longer to get through.

And one more I'm just starting.

Dressmaker of Khair Khana, by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

 This book is not only in paper form, but in hardback.  I've been carrying it around in my diaper bag, but the only time I managed to crack the spine was to tuck some other papers inside the cover for safe-keeping.  This is our book group selection for December, and it was recommended by the member whose taste for books seems to be close to my own, so I am looking forward to reading it.  It is set in Kabul under Taliban rule and is is a true story about a woman entrepreneur and her fight to support herself and her sisters under a regime that did not recognize women as individuals or business-owners.  It should be fascinating.

 

What are you reading this month?

** Book links are affiliate links to Bookshop Santa Cruz.  Help support my local bookstore (and me)! 

 

Off the bookshelf: October

I'm sad to say that I haven't finished a single book this month.  I've been busy busy busy.  At least I can tell you about what I've started.  

The People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks

My book group's October pick.  This is the third book in a row with a past/present story structure.  How interesting.  At least this one is not about World War II, though it does span a lot of the history of Jewish persecution.  The story traces the history of a particular book, and tells the stories of the hands it has passed through.  It reminds me a bit of that book about the violin - The Red Violin?  I think it was made into a movie.  I'm enjoying this read, particularly because it is a lot lighter than the last two books we read. Our selections tend to be on the gloomier end of the spectrum, so it is night to have a lighter one once in a while. I'm finding the main character to be annoying, which is dampening my enjoyment.  Next month we are reading Ann Patchett's State of Wonder, which I'm really looking forward to.

Will Write for Food, by Dianne Jacob

I picked this up from the library when I was researching freelance writing.  I like food.  I like to write about food.  I think it has some good information in it, though it was published in 2005 and the publishing industry has been in a lot of flux since then.  I need to start skimming some sections if I'm going to read the bits I really want to know before I need to turn it back in.

 

 

The Unexpected Son, by Shobhan Bantwal

Whenever I travel to Canada or England, I make a point of stopping in a bookstore and seeing what's new. The publishing industries are different, and I find the quality of books published and promoted in the British countries to be higher than American bestsellers. I've found some really good books in the bookstore in the London airport, for example.  I've been disappointed to see that in the last few years there has been more and more overlap with the US bestseller list. When I was in Canada in June, it wasn't until we were on our way to our gate in the Victoria airport that I realized we hadn't gone into a bookstore on our visit.  We were walking past one and I detoured past the display in front, but we really didn't have time to stop.  This book, the unexpected Son, was one of the books on the display so I was excited to see it in my library's new books section.  It is about an Indian woman who has been living in the US for most of her life when she finds out she has a living son who she thought had died at birth.  I can't tell you any more because I've only read the cover and the prologue so far...

I haven't started that epic about Dublin that I mentioned last month.  It is still sitting here on my coffee table.  And I only bought two books this month.  Which puts me, what, one more behind?  No, two, because all three of the above came from the library.  Ah, I miss having time to read!

I have read a few magazines this month: Recent issues of Whole Living, Kiwi, Yes! (two issues), an ancient copy of Writer's Digest I found while cleaning the living room, and I have the October Martha Stewart at the table where I settle after the baby goes to bed.  I'm looking forward to some time with that one tonight.  

It is raining today and I'm making banana bread this afternoon. The house is warm and smells wonderful.  If it weren't for the busy little baby crawling around my feet I would be curled up with a book.

 

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Off the bookshelf: September

The Bean got mobile and reading time got scarce.  Only finished two books this month and am part way through two more.

Those Who Save Us, by Jenna Blum

This was my book group's book for September.  Our meeting is next week, so we haven't discussed it yet.  I missed the meeting where it was picked, so I don't know if it was on purpose such a similar story to Sarah's Key, which we read earlier in the summer, but it is a very similar story and told in a very similar format.  And also it is very different.  I thought the writing was much better in this story, and the historical story and present-time story were woven together much better.  Some of the historical story was extremely harrowing, though in a different way than Sarah's Key, but the present-time characters were more tightly tied to the past and were also much more sympathetically drawn.  I was disappointed with Sarah's Key, but I thought this was a really good read.  I'm looking forward to hearing what my book group thinks about it.

Committed: A Love Story, by Elizabeth Gilbert

People either love or hate Elizabeth Gilbert.  I'm one of the ones who love her.  I love her voice, the rhythm of her writing, and the way she weaves in her personal story with history and fact.  This is her first book since Eat, Pray, Love, and it is also a memoir.  In it, she wrestles with the idea of marriage, once she and her Brazilian love (who had vowed to each other to never marry) are forced to get married in order to stay together.  I have extremely mixed feelings about the institution of marriage, both historically and in modern American culture, so I was curious about how she would approach the topic. It turns out to be a fascinating look at western marriage practices over time, both religious and secular.  She touches on gender roles, gay marriage, and personal values.  My one gripe about the book was that somehow by the end she has made peace with the institution, at least for her relationship, and I don't entirely see the thread of how she got there.  But like I said, I like her writing, so I forgave her.

Small Wonder: Essays, by Barbara Kingsolver

I have literally been reading this book for years. I can't even remember when I started it.  Partly that happened because the essays are all previously published from various places, so it is a book that can be picked up and put down between essays without loosing track of a story line.  Partly, though, it is because each essay is such a gem that I want to sit with it for a while before starting the next one.  And also, I admit, I sometimes lose books in bags or in a pile on the headboard and forget about them for months, or years.  I love these essays.  They are roughly gathered together around environmental issues, but they range from stories about her daughter's chickens to the impact of climate change on the great rain forests of South America.  Sometimes within the same essay. They are thoughtful, well-crafted, full of beautiful language.  Read this book.  I have two more essays to read and I'm savoring them.

The Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga, by Edward Rutherford

This is, admittedly, not my usual fare.  But I have had Ireland on my mind recently and I found it in the used book bin at Bookshop recently.  I actually haven't started it yet, but I'm planning to as soon as I read the last two essays in the Barbara Kingsolver book.  It is a heft of a book - 800 pages - and covers some 1700 years of Irish history.  I did enjoy the book Sarum by the same author when I read it a number of years ago, but I see that the Publishers Weekly review on Amazon pans it, calling it a "lackluster saga" and "a slog."  So this one may or may not get finished. It isn't like I have any shortage of other books to read.

 

Off the bookshelf: August

I have always had a bit of an issue with books.  The issue is that there are more books that I want to read than there is ever time to read them.  The result is that they are piled up all around my house.  As far as issues go, I don't really mind this one. 

When I started working on this post I thought I just had a handful of books in progress.  I was shocked to discover how many books I'm currently in the middle of, and I suspect I'm missing a few that I have misplaced somewhere.  I found them in  my car (useful when Bean falls asleep on the way to or from somewhere), on my headboard, on the table next to my couch where we often nurse, next to the glider in the bedroom, in the bottom of the diaper bag, etc. 

There are clear themes in my current reading: "How do I get this child to sleep" and "What, oh what am I going to do for a living when I'm ready to go back to work?" with a couple of fiction books thrown in thanks to my book club.  And so, without further ado, these are the books I've read recently.*

 No Cry Sleep Solution, Elizabeth Pantley

    This book was recommended by a number of moms in the groups I'm in.  I found it to be full of practical, sound advice, as well as some good reminders about reasonable expectations (sleeping "through the night" is actually only a 5 hour stretch). The author strongly advocates against letting your baby "cry it out," which I agree with.  After reading this book, I'm at least assured that The Bean is a reasonably good sleeper.  I've tried a couple of adjustments that have helped her get to sleep faster at night, though I'm still having no success getting her out of our crowded bed and into the co-sleeper.  Not that I really blame her - the bed is so cozy!

How to Talk so Teens will Listen and Listen so Teens will Talk, Adele Faber

    This was the first book I read on my iPad, in iBooks.  It was a quick read, not very deep or earth-shattering, but solid advice about good communication between teens and adults which I was needing.  It is actually solid advice about communications between anyone, and I've been practicing some of the tips in various interactions and finding pretty good results.  I think if I was really in a difficult place with a teenager I would have found the book not very helpful, but since we're in a pretty good place right now, I found some good stuff to help keep us here.

Wishcraft, Barbara Sher

    I've been reading books on the topic of identifying your passions and building a career around them, and this is the best I've found so far.  I liked that it has practical advice to deal with all the self-critical "buts" that come up so quickly.  I got this one from the library, but it was valuable enough that I'm going to hunt down a used copy to keep for reference.

Sarah's Key, Tatiana de Rosnay

    This was my book club's July book.  Unfortunately I missed the July meeting, so I can't tell you what my group as a whole thought of it.  Personally, I felt the story was disjointed.  It felt like the author took two different novels - one far better written than the other - and wove them together into this book.  One story is in the past - the story of Sarah and her family - and one story is in the present, about a woman who is researching what happened to her.  Sarah's story is taut and heartbreaking, but the other story was predictable and shallow.  Overall, I found the book a bit disappointing, given the richness of the subject matter. It is on lots of reading group lists right now, but I think there are far better holocaust stories out there.

Picking Bones From Ash, Marie Mutsuki Mockett

    This is my book club's August book.  I liked it a lot better than Sarah's Key when I read it, but now that it is a bit behind me, I'm not so sure.  It did have more interesting characters, though they weren't very likable.  I liked the magical realism aspect - there's a ghost who plays a pivotal role in the story - but I can't really say I'd recommend it as a great read.

Find your Strong Life, Marcus Buckingham

    This book was sent to me as part of a 5-month coaching series I did this spring.  It is in the same vein as Wishcraft above, but I liked Wishcraft much better.  I'm having trouble finishing this one, and finding myself irritated by the author's tendency to repeat his point several different ways.  I realize most self-help books are not structured for reading cover to cover, and this style of writing is a result of that, but I read books cover to cover and don't appreciate being spoon-fed information.  That said, I felt that the quiz that is associated with the book gave me pretty accurate feedback about what my strength areas are, but put in a new light that has made me think about them more broadly.

A Question of Balance: Artists and Writers on Motherhood, Judith Pierce Rosenberg

    I had this book on my Amazon wishlist for years.  It was published in 1995, and is a compilation of profiles of artists who are also mothers.  I've read about half of them, and I'm finding them fascinating.  The women profiled are a mix of visual artists and writers.  My big takeaways from this book:  Don't expect too much creativity in the first year after having a baby and you must get help to make the space to get back in the studio.  The women who were most successful with their art careers post-baby had been fairly successful pre-baby, which meant both that they had solid working habits and also that they had already put in the time to build a client base.  And they had help with childcare or house work.  Many of them significant help. 

 * I'm including affiliate links to each of these books to my wonderful local bookstore, Bookshop Santa Cruz.  Though Amazon or other big online retailers have lower prices, I value having a local bookshop I can walk into and wander around in.  If you want to purchase any of these books and don't want to spend the money at my local bookstore, I encourage you to find a shop local to you.

read

I read a whole book yesterday, cover to cover.  I started it at lunch time, sitting in the back yard with my feet in the sun after eating half of my turkey sandwich.  I look an hours-long break, left it splayed face down on my bed, while I finished a status report, my emails, went to the store, made dinner, watched companionable TV with Lisa.  But it called me back after the TV began to bore me and Lisa headed to bed so I stretched out on the couch with it and sank back in.  I finished it just an hour past my normal bedtime, eyes only heavy for the last chapter.

The only problem with reading a whole book in a day is that now it is done, and I already miss the characters, though I feel like I barely got a chance to know them.

The book was The Monk Downstairs, by Tim Farrington, which I found recommended on the lovely Magpie Girl blog.  I pass on the recommendation, but only if you have a day or so that you can dive in uninterrupted, for it is that kind of story.  Sweet, gentle, good.  And characters you will miss when you leave them.

I see she has  more recently reviewed Notes from an Exhibition, by Patrick Gale, which I bought when I was in London in March, and has been returning to my mind regularly since I read it weeks ago. 

Next on my reading list is Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje, though really I should finish American Pastoral from bookgroup first, though I have to admit its pace is a bit slow for summer day reading.  It seems to require a fire and a blanket and a *very* long evening, when I'd just rather be outside.