Something New, Something Different...

My dear, sweet friend Meredith informed me yesterday that when I would start writing about something other than books, she might start reading my blog. Now, if you know Mer at all, you know she hasn't got one malicious bone in her body, and that she was quite obviously joking because of the following reason. She's not a fan of reading, much preferring to do anything and everything related to engaging with people as opposed to sitting quietly engrossed in paper with words on it. Because of this, reading a bunch of blog posts about books, regardless of how much she loves her friend, is about as fun as having, oh, a root canal or something. Therefore, in an effort to both a) attract more readers and b) break up the repitition of the book reviews, I've decided to do something new, something different. Mer, this post is for you, girl. No book talk in sight.

The beauty of doing book reviews is that it allows me to think creatively in how to craft the sentences without having to actually generate creative ideas. Because my life for the last 3 months or so has been a great deal of monotony and boring routine, I struggle to find any life events that are really very blog-worthy, if you will. So, I decided to make a list. Lists are fun. Lists allow for the witty.

Here goes. List numero uno. (See Mer, I know a little, or un piquito, of spanish...)

Top 10 Places I Want to Travel to Now That I Am No Longer A Student...

10. Nashville
If you have ever had a conversation with me regarding future life plans, you know that this is where my heart is. The only reason it's number 10 is because I've been many times and it will remain a constant on the list, no matter how many times I go. I'm always asked, "Why Nashville?" and "What's so special about Nashville?". My answer: I have no idea. It just feels like home to me.

9. Greece
This is for 2 reasons: the food and the white washed houses on the cliffs. I mean, seriously. Who doesn't want to eat some awesome lamb while overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean from one of those white-washed restaurants?! This girl most certainly does.

8. Ireland
The movie P.S. I Love You is to blame for this one. The panoramic shots in that movie of the beautiful Irish countryside were so breathtaking that I cried during the movie. I want to go there, go to one of the pubs, get a glass of Guinness (although I probably won't like it, but hey! you're in Ireland!), and take alot of pictures. And maybe learn the accent...

7. Jerusalem
Quite simply, I want to see it. I want to see all the places that I've spent years studying and reading about. I want to understand the significance of things to a more fundamental level by seeing these places with my own eyes. I want to see the garden, I want to see the road He carried the cross down...I want to see it.

6. London
London, baby!! Many things here are appealing in the land across the pond. I want to have English tea, go see if I can find Diagon Alley because I'm sure the Harry Potter people really do exist, go to Notting Hill and take my picture with the scenes from the movie, see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben...the list could go on. I've heard London's awesome.

5. Milan
I have roots in Italy (laugh it up, Mer :) ) and would love to see the Motherland. I'm jealous because my sister has already been on a tour of Italy and I've yet to place on toe in the place. I don't know why Milan first...I kinda want to see all the fashion stuff too...

4. Austria
"The hills are alive with the sound of music...." The Sound of Music tour. Easily one the things I want to do most right now. I was just telling my mom the other day that I remember the day she got "The Sound of Music" in the mail as a gift from my uncle. I think I might have been 5 or 6. No lie, ever since then, my love of that movie has remained a constant. There were many days in college spent studying to the backdrop of Julie Andrews singing "Doe, a deer, a female deer, Ray, a drop of golden sun..." I just want to be there and soak it all in. And I also want to see WW2 spots, but more on that later.

3. St. John
I will say that I have already been to the number 3 spot, but it was that wonderful to be named again on the list. I was 13 the last time I went and I think now at 25 I would have a much greater appreciation for the relaxation potential encapsulated in that tiny island. And you won't find better seafood. I mean, whoa! It is right outta the water good. The freshness of the fish mixed with the bursts of flavor in the fruit make for an unmatched combo.

2. New York City
I literally could go on and on and on and on.....about all the reasons why I want to visit this fantastic city. I feel like I've been there already since NYC has become a character in and of itself in pop culture. I want to go see musicals on Broadway and be moved to tears, go eat at restaurants by Bobby Flay and Gordon Ramsay, visit places that were in movies like 'You've Got Mail', '2 Weeks Notice', and 'Sleepless in Seattle,' go to the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the Twin Towers Memorial. The list could continue. I've heard NYC is a magical place unlike anywhere else and I can't wait to experience it for myself.

And now, for the #1 spot, the spot that if someone just gave me money and said "Go anywhere" I would choose.....

1. Amsterdam
If you read my previous post or if you know me well, you know of my life-long fascination with the Holocaust, most specifically the Frank family and the Secret Annex in Amsterdam. The Frank family, the Van Pels family , and Fritz Pfeffer all hid in an attic of Otto Frank's office building in Amsterdam. That attic has been turned into a museum, containing memorabilia from the Frank family and still boasting Anne's original wall hangings of all her favorite film stars of the time. Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to see these small crowded rooms in person. One day I'll go and see it. And I might buy some wooden shoes. And some pretty tulips. Holland's famous for them and they're my favorite!

There you have it. My top ten. Just thinking about all these places makes me anxious to travel. Soon and very soon.

So I'm curious. What are your top 10?

The Hidden Life of Otto Frank

If you know me well, you know that I have an intense fascination with the Holocaust, particularly the story of the Frank family. I remember as a young girl in elementary school reading Anne's diary and any other book I could find about her. I think it was hard for my little 10-year-old brain to comprehend that a girl just like me had to hide in one room with her whole family for 2 years, only to die in a concentration camp 3 weeks before the Allies liberated their camp. At this point, my 25-year-old brain is still captivated by the story and will read anything that will shed more insight into the lives of these extraordinary people.

Next up: 'The Hidden Life of Otto Frank' by Carol Ann Lee.

I happened upon this book one day on one of my random Barnes & Noble stops. I don't remember what I was looking for, but I just happened to see this one. I pulled it off the shelf and was instantly mesmerized by the claim that was made on the back of the jacket. This book was going to reveal the name of the person that had betrayed the Frank family, something I had been curious about for 15 years. Naturally, I immediately went to the cash register and bought it. Due to the crazy work load of my last semester of seminary, I was only just able to read this book a few weeks ago, but it was well worth the wait.

From the moment I began reading, I was completely engrossed. I hadn't ever read much about Otto, Anne's father, seeing as most of the literature about their family is focused solely upon Anne. However, this book proved to be an absolutely fascinating read, providing much needed background and insight into family dynamics from an adult perspective that helped to understand significance of events that I had read about previously in other books. The book begins with Otto's childhood in Germany and follows him through his life at a rather quick pace, slowing to really dig in after the family moves to Amsterdam in the 1930's when Hitler was rising to power in their native Germany.

The story follows Otto through his entire life, including very closely detailed accounts of his time in Auschwitz and his journey back to Holland after the war was over. Through all of it, a man named Tonny Ahlers plays a very key role, as it seems he blackmailed Otto Frank from very early on in the war until seemingly the day he died. Ahlers was a well-known anti-Semitic and friend of the German occupiers in Holland, well know in Amsterdam for betraying Jews he knew to be in hiding. Throughout the book, it would seem that Tonny Ahlers was the man who betrayed the Frank family, knowing early on about their hiding place and only letting them stay in order to continue to blackmail Otto. However, the final chapter in the book drops a starting bombshell, revealing that the person that called the SS that day in August of 1944 to betray the Frank family was actually a woman. That woman was Tonny Ahler's wife.

If you are at all interested in WW2, the Holocaust, or history in general, read this book. It's fantastic.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 bookmarks

The Book of Fred

Interesting story, this book. This interesting cover has been on my bookshelf for no less than 4 years and quite possibly many more. I bought in on one of my many Barnes & Noble binges (one of my very favorite things to do) and have just never gotten around to reading it. I must admit...there are many books in my bookcase with a very similar history. Let's just say I'm working on it.

Next up: 'The Book of Fred' by Abby Bardi.

This book was not at all what I expected. With a cover like this, I expected some quirky, loveably odd book about...I don't know...fish? And possibly fish named Fred. Wrong. Believe it or not, this book is about religious cults and the effect they have on people. I know, I know....seriously?! Yes, seriously. Let's just say the jacket illustrator took some of the most random elements in the story and put them together to make a catchy cover...regardless of if is insightful into the storyline. Whatever.

The book is about a girl named Mary Fred. Her last name isn't really Fred, but everyone in their cult has to have the name of Fred somewhere in their own name, as it was the name of their founder. The book begins with Mary Fred and her many siblings being taken away from their parents as their parents are incarcerated for neglect after 2 of their children die. All of their children are then put into the foster system. The bulk of the story from this point is about Mary Fred adjusting to life outside a cultic atomosphere, including watching television and shopping for the first time at 14 years old.

The family she lives with consists of a sweet woman who works in the library, her daughter who is the same age as Mary Fred, and the mom's drug-addicted brother. The chapters are broken up to be taken from the point of view of each of the different characters, producing a very well-rounded perspective of the events taking place. This is where the real charm of this book is located. Observing the relationships built between Mary Fred and each of the members of the household is both endearing and intriguing as Mary Fred slowly assimilates into the life of a normal 14 year old girl.

The end of the book provides some real suspense as Mary Fred's mother is released and attempts to take her to the new cult she has joined, but comes full circle back to the foster home that has officially become Mary Fred's home. In the end, I was surprised by this book. It was far different from what I had expected and raised some good questions about needing to know why we believe what we believe.

I'm going to implement a new rating system, if for no other reason than my own entertainment.

'The Book of Fred': 3.5 out of 5 bookmarks

Fall On Your Knees

i think that ann-marie mcdonald is a brilliant writer. i eagerly await her next publication, as i have allowed myself to get lost in the two worlds she has created thus far. her character development is extraordinary. her dialogue, pitch-perfect. in short, a literary haven.

next on the list: 'fall on your knees' by ann-marie mcdonald.

i struggle to know where to begin describing this book. it completely caught me off guard, drew me in, and shocked me in the end. i will say that i feel i'm a rather perceptive reader and find that i am rarely shocked by an ending that is smart and actually makes sense. this one, although extremely shocking, was one that definitely threw me for a loop.

what i love about mcdonald's writing is that it attains the perfect balance. there is never any superfluous information that you have to skim over and yet you never find yourself clamoring for more detail either. i love that and it is a rare find.

this book is a story of 4 sisters, the piper sisters, in nova scotia at the turn of the 20th century. their dad is caucasian, their mom is persian, and that balance during that time period often causes the girls to struggle knowing where they fit. they are cut off from their mother's side of the family, as they disown her when she marries a white man. their dad's family is dead. so it is their family unit alone that makes up their family. with a father who is obsessed with his oldest daughter's vocal talent and a mother who has become almost mute due to her husband's abuse, this is a story of how the girls struggle to grow up apart from any real guidance other than what they give one another.

the relationships between the sisters is what drives this book, especially the relationship between the two middle sisters, mercedes and frances. as their mother's death forces mercedes to conform to the mother role and frances continues to feel the need to protect the youngest in any way possible, the heart and drama of the story unfolds.

the pages turn themselves in this story. there is a driving pulse that is motivated by absolutely incredible character development that is addictive. the end is quite shocking, so i wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but will say that if you can get past some of the controversial subject matter, this book is one that will keep you thinking for a few days.

and hey, oprah recommends it, so it's gotta be good, right? :)

Murder on Lenox Hill

i will admit this up front. i only bought this book because it was on sale for 1 dolla' and i wanted a light mystery read. i thought a buck a book was a good deal.

next on the list: 'murder on lenox hill' by victoria thompson.

this book was okay. if you want a murder mystery for a semi-engaging beach read, i MAY recommend this one. it wasn't my favorite. it was really hard for me to get in to and then once i sorta did, the ending is extremely predictable. so much so that you keep thinking, surely, surely, that's not going to be the ending. oh, but it is, my friends!

this book takes place in new york city back in the day. like horse and buggy days. hence the series name of 'the gaslight mysteries'. sara brandt is from a well-to-do family of money in the early days of new york city. a widow, the tale of another book in the series apparently, sara strays from her society ways to work as a midwife. this was apparently not an occupation that was well respected in those days.

in this particular story, there are 2 plotlines woven together. one being the obvious...the murder on lenox hill. the other, the impregnation of a mentally challenged 17-year-old girl. how, you might ask, are these 2 plots woven together? not very well, i would answer. i won't go into the details because i don't think i'd recommend this book to anyone. but, because i read it and i'm sticking to my new "writing about every book i read" blog kick, i felt obligated to write a post about it. however, YOU should not feel obligated to read this book. save yourself the time and yo' dolla'!! go buy yourself a 1 dolla' hot fudge sundae at mcdonald's instead!! :)

Cold Tangerines

okay, next on the list: 'cold tangerines' by shauna niequist.

this summer, you need to read this book. simply put, it's wonderful. in reading it, i felt like i was being hugged by a friend. it spoke deeply and directly to my heart. read it. it's delightful.

this book is shauna's first and it is an absolutely wonderful collection of essays about life, celebration, and finding joy and significance in the little moments, the everyday moments of life. there are stories that will have you lauging out loud, as shauna's wit is spot on. there are stories that will have you crying, identifying with deep moments of pain and tender memories shared with the reader. there are stories that will inspire you as shauna gets to the root and the heart of what truly matters in life.

in reading this book, it feels like you've made a new friend. shauna writes in such a way that reading her stories makes you feel as though you're sitting at a table with her, drinking good coffee, and learning from the immense wisdom this woman possesses. her writing comes off as though you're having a conversation with her and let me tell you, it's one worth having.

'cold tangerines' is the only book i've ever cared to read more than once. in fact, i've read it many times and am reminded of something new each time. it is refreshing, wise, funny, and real. read it. you'll love it. once you read it, you'll want to share it. it makes a great gift. go buy it, wrap a ribbon around it, and share the wonderful warmth of 'cold tangerines' with a friend.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

wow. it's been so long since i've blogged. i think i was creatively worn out from all the writing i was doing at school, BUT i'm feeling rejuvinated and have been creatively inspired with an idea.

i love to read. it is one of my very favorite pastimes. i lose myself in the stories and characters and their lives. i feel i've been a million places, not because i've traveled extensively, but because i dive into books as often as i can.

once i finish a book, i find that i always want to talk about it with someone and share in the wonderful story together. i'm not one for book clubs. i don't like being confined to a schedule. solution? write about the book on my blog. perfection.

with that being said, i have a few books to catch up on, as i've been reading like a crazy woman this summer after having graduated from seminary and have the freedom to read fiction again.

the first book to start this new creative outlet: the vanishing act of esme lennox by maggie o'farrell.

let me start off by saying this book is heartbreaking. working within the mental health field, i felt especially connected to the story line of this book, both from the viewpoint of esme and of iris. esme has spent her life in a mental health institution in scotland and iris is her relationally distant family member a few generations removed. upon the closing of the hospital where esme has spent most of her life, the lot falls on iris to determine the best course of action and living situation for this family member she barely knows and in many ways is fearful of. the relationship between the 2 women is what makes the book worth reading, as are the confused wanderings through the psyche of esme.

i gobbled this book up. seriously, within 3 days i think i had it finished. o'farrell's writing style is addictive and her character development causes such empathy that the reader is immediately invested in the storyline.

with beautiful descriptions of the scottish landscape coupled with the social commentary of the mental health systems of the past, this is a read for anyone who likes a good character piece.

and, as i read this about 4 books ago, that's all the detail that comes to immediate memory. :)