My Ultimate Authority... Lessons Learned from Sue Monk Kidd

To write what I learned from Sue Monk Kidd's The Dance of the Dissident Daughter would be another book in itself. Period. But here are the highlights, the select few that are not necessarily the most important wisdom I came away with, but ones I think are the easiest to express here and now.

Since When Do We Talk in the Library?

My daughter started school on Monday, and since I have two weeks of freedom and her school is located just blocks from the public library, I've been spending more time writing here. That's right -- I'm in the library writing this post.

And I'm irritated. Because everyday, the same two old men sit next to me and talk.

(Book Review) The Great Gatsby

I'm a little uncertain how one even begins to review such a classic. So I've decided my approach: to speak to those of you who've never read it.  Because surely, surely, there are people like me that have always planned to read it but never gotten around to it.

Right Book. Right Time.

Obviously I love to read. Reading my blog every now and then lets you know I consume books like some people consume energy drinks. I've been reading since the second grade, and the only trouble I got into in elementary and middle school was for hiding "outside reading" behind my textbooks. Yes, that makes me a goody-goody, but only until high school. I assure you I got into my fair share of trouble then. Just ask my parents.

(Book Review) Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

I've been meaning to read Mark Childress for a long time now, because he's from Alabama and I think it's important to support not only my state writers, but Southern writers, in general.

Lunching with Joshilyn Jackson & What She Didn't Teach Me

So yes, yes. I lunched with Joshilyn Jackson on Friday. [Brush my shoulder, toss my hair, look smug]

(Book Review) Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein

I took my time with this book, reading a chapter at a time and really soaking it in. With a 4-year-old daughter I felt I owed her -- and myself -- the time. Time to turn the info over and over in my head.

This I Believe about "This I Believe"

This I Believe is a New York Times bestseller featuring 80 essayists (60 from the NPR series and 20 from the 1950s series) sharing their most deeply held beliefs. Contributors include Isabel Allende, Gloria Steinem, John McCain, Bill Gates, Penn Jillette, and John Updike.

This I Believe awed me. Or more specifically, its contributors awed me. To communicate a deeply-held belief in 500 words or less is a daunting task. We all know how hard it is for me to write blogs that concise, and none of mine come close to conveying a profound belief.

A Swift Kick from Bossy Tina Fey

I finished Tina Fey's Bossypants today. To say Tina's funny "would be the biggest understatement since the captain of the Hindenburg said ‘I smell gas.’" (To be clear, that's a joke from the book, but not about herself.) The early conversation about puberty made me laugh out loud and almost drop the light bulb I was changing. And fall off the chair. And my husband to look at me peculiarly and ask, "What're you listening to?"

But two of my favorite quotes?

The Tree that Put Me at Ease

Back in February I had the good sense to attend a writers' conference offered on campus --- where I met many talented writers, bought too many of their books, and patiently began to nibble them in small, savory bites.


Except for Jennifer Horne's Bottle Tree. I devoured it that first weekend.


Which is interesting, because --- Horne being the only poet at the conference --- I expected to enjoy her the least. That sounds insulting, but up until that weekend most of my exposure had been to the big dogs --- Keats, Yeats, Frost, etc.  You know, the poetry that demands "work, work, work to understand me." I had the preconceived notion that Horne's would be much of the same.


But then she read her first poem, and I was spellbound.  I didn't know poetry could be like this! I remember thinking, I want to write like this someday. After hearing her speak, I wanted more. After finishing her book, I wanted more. Horne had given me the gift of poetic sustenance, when up until then I didn't know I was starving!  


Two months later I'm a regular in front of the single shelf at my local chain bookstore, picking up Alice Walker and Billy Collins. Thanks to Jennifer Horne I'm at ease with my pursuit of writing poetry, understanding that fancy words and complicated styles don't make a great poem. An open mind, a gift of words, and a sense of story-telling make a great poem.  At least it does in Bottle Tree.


With the author's permission, I've presented one of my favorites from the collection. Please visit Jennifer Horne's blog and/or click here to purchase a copy for yourself.  Trust me, you'll want more.


Monday Morning with Household Chores


Surprised into tears by an old song.
It's my mother, not a lover, I miss.
How she sang along happily. With abandon.
The words soothed her. Lifted her, too.
I stop in the middle of mopping the kitchen floor.
Nothing to do but sit down on the steps.
Let the tears have their way.


It's my solitude I weep for.
The never-again of it.
Changeable weather. A sweet old song.
Me aging with all these questions.
She not there to ask.


Isn't every motherless girl the same?
Still expecting her phone call.
Even after however-many years.
Mopping's regular rhythm.
Lemon oil on wooden chest.
Honor her with frangipani candles at Christmas.
Sing with abandon. Abandon. Abandon.




Tweet

Social Media Waiting to Inspire Us

The power of a name can draw a pretty big crowd, especially when it applies to social media.  Take James Franco, for example: He signed up for a Twitter account and within twenty-four hours had more than 700,000 followers (I know -- I was one of 'em).

In the age where celebrities are twitterin' away at any given moment, we're somewhat immune to the 'awe' we first felt when we had such a personal connection.  In fact, I've already severed most of my celebrity tweetin' connections (tired of the same ol' talk) and most Facebook pages seem to be the same as web sites -- translation: managed by someone else.

But there's still room for a little star power on the world wide web, and I've recently experienced two finds that sent my heart a'flutterin.'

A few weeks ago I discovered that one of my favorite authors Joshilyn Jackson (Gods in Alabama, Between, Georgia, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming) not only has her web site, but a blog!  As a wanna-be-published writer I find her stories about choosing the cover design (or lack of input) fascinating.  I'm amazed at her stories of normal life, because she truly seems to have a "My kids and I are sick with the flu"-kind of normal life.  When I hear her talk at a writer's conference next month (one I'm attending simply for that reason) I'll have stars in my eyes.

The second find came Friday night while reading the newest book of poems by Alice Walker.  In the back of the book I found the usual blurb about Walker and her life, etc. etc., but it also mentioned her redesigned web site.  So of course I pick up my Mac, type in the address, and have an oh-my-lord-alice-walker-has-a-blog exhilarated squeal, which made my husband look at me in all sorts of strange ways.

But it's Alice Walker.  Alice Walker!  The woman who wrote The Color Purple and who I studied in high school and college English classes.  A Pulitzer Prize winner who my daughter will study, and her children's children, as well.  This incredible woman -- already an icon -- has a blog that reveals a side of herself that we would never glimpse in her books, no matter how introspective.

If you're not impressed, I don't think we can be friends.

So I guess the moral to my story is this:  With all the crap that's beginning to infiltrate our social media bubble, there are always the oh-my-lord-alice-walker-has-a-blog discoveries waiting to inspire us.

p.s. If you've had one already, I'd love to hear about it!

This Week's Creative Champs

Who doesn't love a great, FRESH new idea? Creativity is defined as the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules... and to create meaningful new ideas, products, etc.


(As always, thank you dictionary.com)


So here are a few things I've come across this week that blow my creative mind.  You're welcome.

The House of Mirth by Elizabeth Wharton


Published in the early 1900s, the novel details the trials of Miss Lily Bart as she struggles to maintain her place in the aristocratic New York society in which she's been raised.  Since it follows a truly naturalistic notion, you can probably predict how it ends.  


But what's truly unique about this book is how the author creates the sense that there is no other option.  I found myself wishing that Lily would kill herself and put both of us out of our misery.  Now let's be clear -- I am in no way supporting suicide, only applauding the conclusive means to which Wharton builds both her main character and plot.  

Girl Talk


Ahhh... Girl Talk.  The lovely board game of truth or dare I remember from my youth.  Oh wait, that's not right.  Girl Talk is this fabulous artist I've discovered thanks to my brother Brack and the 2011 Bonnaroo line-up!  Runners, are you looking for something to spice up your iPod? Girl Talk!!!  Cheerleaders everywhere, there's no need to hire someone to mash-up your favorite tunes! Girl Talk!!! 


You've got to experience what Gregg Gillis calls his "pop collages" to get the full effect.  Mixing in a little Ludacris and 'Jesse's Girl' melody... C'mon!  What's not to love?

(I guess here is where I say some kind of disclaimer about explicit lyrics and such)

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

And the best part?  The artist allows you to download his album FREE by visiting his label's web site.  


Girl Talk is definitely on my must-see list for Bonnaroo!

Barbie & Ken's Social Media Escapades 


That's right.  Barbie & Ken have (separate) Facebook pages & Twitter accounts, and were involved in a pretty publicized Valentine's Day reunion this past week.  Seriously.  Read all about it on All Doll'd Up -- Barbie's blog, of course!


That's darn creative publicity -- and if passing the 1-million-fan-mark is any indication of success, Barbie can add advertising exec to her list of careers (unless she's already done that.  Really, who can keep track?)


Now let's just hope Ken isn't tagged in any compromising photos -- because we all know he went a little wild during this last breakup.

(Book Review) Between, Georgia

I must start out by saying: I L-O-V-E-D this book.  Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson is a page-turner, from start to finish.

Here is a summary, taken from Jackson's web site:

There's always been bad blood between the Fretts and the Crabtrees. After all, the Fretts practically own the tiny town of Between, Georgia, while the Crabtrees only rent space in its jail cells.

Stacia Frett is a deaf artist with a genetic condition that is causing her to slowly go blind. She's lost the love of her life, and when her vision goes, she'll lose her career as well. She's asking God why He keeps her breathing in and out, until the night fifteen year old Hazel Crabtree shows up on her doorstep brandishing a stomach swollen with a pregnancy she'd hidden for nine months. Stacia thinks Hazel's unwanted baby might be God's answer, and so the Fretts decide to steal it...

Thirty years later, Nonny Frett is a successful interpreter living in Athens, Georgia. She understands the meanings of "rock" and "hard place" better than any woman ever born. She's got two mothers, "one deaf-blind and the other four baby steps from flat crazy." She's got two men; Her husband is easing out the back door and her best friend is laying siege to her heart in her front yard. She has a job that holds her in the city, and she's addicted to a little girl who's stuck deep in the country. And she has two families; The Fretts, who stole her and raised her right, and the Crabtrees, who lost her and can't forget that they've been done wrong.

In Between, Georgia, population 90, the feud that began before Nonny was born is escalating, and a random act of violence will set the torch to a thirty-year old stash of highly flammable secrets. This might be just what the town needs, if only Nonny wasn't sitting in the middle of it...

Jackson's characters are complex and genuine.  No one is perfect, and so we relate to each of them in one way or another (even if we don't particularly like them).  She paints the town so perfectly that I could actually see the action taking place -- and the drama is so captivating that I found myself holding my breath in several key moments.

I couldn't read this book fast enough, and finished it within twenty-four hours.  This is the second book of Jackson's that I devoured -- I read The Girl Who Stopped Swimming back in January and loved it, and am anxious to read her latest, Backseat Saints.  I would recommend this to anyone who loves a complex plot  -- this isn't a simple chick-lit-love-story.  This book will make you examine your views on family obligation, nature versus nurture, and the true meaning of "mother."

Rating: 5 stars

(Book Review) The Reading Group

The Reading Group, written by Elizabeth Noble, follows the lives of five women connected by the new book club they've formed.  Over the course of the year, the women read classics such as Rebecca and The Alchemist, and along the way they see their lives somewhat reflected in the stories they share.   We watch Susan, Polly, Harriet, Nicole, and Clare as they deal with new life, death, marriage, infidelity, and a mid-life crisis -- and in the process, their friendship grows.

It took a few chapters for me to truly immerse myself in this book -- with five main characters it was difficult to keep everyone straight in the beginning.  The women's stories are very real, though, so much so that I got angry in several instances -- much like I would with a friend who was making the wrong decision!  I enjoyed the monthly discussions on the books, too, although I wish I'd read them before.  The discussions are real, therefore full of spoilers, but it still made me add all twelve books to my "to read" list.

Overall I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, carefree read.  I liked Noble and am anxious to pick up something else by her soon!

Rating: 4 stars

Wednesday Wisdom: Elizabeth Gilbert

Anyone who's been around me in the past few weeks knows that I am enthralled in Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love.  Yes, I know I'm behind by about four years but these things happen at the exact moment for a reason, and I'm confident that the universe brought the library's free digital copy and me together with precision timing.

What I love most about the audio version is that I am listening to Gilbert herself read the magnificent stories she's written, with a genuineness only she can express.  And although there are about 100 passages I've marked so far, today's Wednesday Wisdom is one I've taken especially to heart.

"The resting place of the mind is the heart. The only thing the mind hears all day is clanging bells and noise and argument, and all it wants is quietude. The only place the mind will ever find peace is inside the silence of the heart. That's where you need to go." 

Gilbert with Oprah

Thanks to Gilbert I am now working to find that silence inside of me (which those that know me know that "talkative" is an understatement).  Surprisingly, meditation hasn't been very difficult to slip into.  I'm not saying it's easy to quiet my mind completely --- in fact, it's just the opposite.  I have what Gilbert describes as "monkey mind," but the practice, or more precisely the desire to practice, has been easy.  I see the results of a ten- or fifteen-minute meditation for the rest of the day.  And don't get me started on how much easier I fall asleep if I meditate right before bed!

In addition I've taken up yoga again --- I start an eight-week-long beginner's class on Thursday night!  My instructor is a fabulous young Ukraine woman and the class has only four other students!

So I find it fitting to let Gilbert's words be my first Wednesday Wisdom, words which have had profound influence over me and will no doubt continue to do so on many levels.


Note: Although I recommend that everyone read the book first, I'm excited that the DVD release date is November 23!

(Book Review) Something Borrowed

Something Borrowed tells the story of Rachel, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl---until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend, Darcy, throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiancé.


Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness.  (Summary taken from book jacket)


Although this book promises that you will root for Rachel, I often felt both Rachel and Darcy were too predictable. Rachel was just a little too "goody-2-shoes" and Darcy the cliche "bitch high school friend."  I found myself questioning whether Rachel would have truly put up with the juvenile behavior of Darcy for that long, and whether Dex would take so long to make a decision. As for the ending, I was disappointed with how nicely things wrapped up.  The entire concept was too unbelievable for me, and I cannot see myself reading the sequel Something Blue unless I'm lying on a beach somewhere.

* Added Note: Production is currently underway for the movie, starring Ginnifer Goodwin (Rachel) and Kate Hudson (Darcy).


Rating: 2 Stars

(Book Review) Everyone is Beautiful: A Novel

Lanie Coates is an extremely enjoyable character right from the beginning.  Everyone is Beautiful: A Novel opens with Lanie, her husband Peter, and their three boys relocating away from her family in Houston to New England, where Peter can pursue his music career.  At 35 with three small kids, Lanie has lost herself - but plans a major overhaul after an embarrassing series of events during the first day in their new town.


The book is amusing and the reader can't help but root for Lanie.  The complex relationship with her husband is believable, especially their sex life (or lack thereof) and their shared (a) desire to bring it back, and (b) confusion on how to do just that.  I especially like Lanie's stubborness on keeping her first found pleasure as "simply hers," even though she acknowledges how selfish it seems.


On the other hand, there are several moments where she has these long, drawn-out revelations to herself and, while acute and dead-on, it felt more like author Center didn't trust the reader enough to grasp these truths through Lanie without her spelling them out to us.  I also thought the kids were just a little too rambunctious.  As a mother myself, I know the amazing disasters that kids can cause, but really - it seems Center collected an assortment of worst kid-disaster horror stories and had Lanie's kids act them out.


In the end, Everyone is Beautiful is a nice read for a lazy day, and the point of the story is touching to me on a personal level - a woman remembering to care for herself as well as her family.  I recommend this to mothers of young children everywhere, especially if you feel a little lost in a sea of kid toys, frumpy sweatshirts, and sometimes-less-than-attentive husbands!

Rating: 3 Stars

  

Summer Favorites: 2009 Edition

Every now and then I post what I consider my "What's Hot" list, and here's my current edition!

Music - I don't have any one favorite right now, but I'm working on the mix for our Autumn Party coming up in October. Any suggestions? And I don't want any cheesy party songs like YMCA - right now I've got the following:

Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams
Just Dance by Lada Gaga
Come to My Window by Melissa Etheridge
Free Fallin' by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Just a Girl by No Doubt

You get the drift! Let me know any classic, fun songs (preferably that everyone will know and be inspired to sing along to!)


Movies - In February we got a Roku player for Ryan's birthday present - this allows us to watch movies instantly through Netflix on our television! Ryan has actually used it MUCH MORE than I have, simply because he's a movie junkie and I don't enjoy watching movies I've never heard or seen anything about. But this is such a cool concept! Netflix has a stash of favorites, such as Dirty Dancing and A League of Their Own and tons more, not to mention a lot of movies for kids. It's nice when I'm home alone at night to put an old favorite on, simply because I can watch without paying too close attention!


Books - Jodi Picoult is fabulous! She is the author of My Sister's Keeper which just recently came out in theatres! I haven't read it yet, simply because I fear the subject will be too painful right now, but I've read The Plain Truth and Salem Falls and they are both FANTASTIC! She has an amazing way of approaching the topic from all sides, so even days after I finish the book I'm thinking about another point-of-view and pondering the gray areas. If you're looking for a new author, I'd definitely check her out.

p.s. also finished Nora Roberts newest hardbook The Black Hills and as always, Roberts delivered!


Web Sites - Blogher.com is a giant venue for women everywhere to sound off about everything! Many of the blogs are extremely well-written and (although I don't use them) it provides chat rooms & social networking tools to connect with those that interest you! I enjoy reading them every now and again when I want to be inspired to write - it usually does the trick!


For Shannon - Some of you have heard me talk about The Tushy Book which we bought for Shannon back in April or May! Written by Fran Manushkin and illustrated by Tracy Dockray, it's all about (you guessed it!) tushies and includes super-cute lines like:

Every tushy's in the back!
Every tush has a crack!
Where would you put your underwear
If your tushy wasn't there?

Gotta love it! And Shannon saying "tushy" is about as cute as it gets!

I'm interested in hearing about your favorites, as well... Please feel free to share!


Click here to read more of my blog.