Sunday Salon, Nov. 3rd

Ian and his mommy enjoying the outdoors. Photo credit: D. Adams

Weather: Cold and clear. The sky is blue, leaves are falling. Perfect dog-walking weather. (Hint-hint, says the dog!)

Halloween fun, a day early: Wednesday is grandma day for me. I asked my daughter if I could take my grandson out to visit a few friends in his Halloween costume. She agreed and Ian and I had a fun day. He was dressed as O the Owl from the Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood TV show. My daughter made his costume. Ian can't quite spit out "trick-or-treat" but has "treat" down pat. I guess he is accurate since no one asked him for a trick anyway. Thanks Julie, Margaret, ad Erin for participating in the fun.

Ian as O the Owl with his cousin, Dylan as a pineapple, and Dylan's mommy

"Rock is dead. Deader than dead," so said Kelly Clarkson on "The Voice" this past week. It got me thinking. Is rock-and-roll really dead? I love listening to what Sirius Radio calls "Classic Vinyl" but I can't think of any current rock bands. Help me out. Rock isn't really dead is it? I found this list of the 50 best modern rock groups and I've only heard of one of them: Sleater-Kinney. Oh dear.

Football conundrum: Since we live on the west coast and colleges want their team to be on TV if they can, we find that our games are often scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. Last week Don and I drove to Eugene to attend a UO football game that started that late. Ugh. When the game was over and we finally got back to my mom's house, it was nearly midnight. Double ugh. I love to attend football games at noon like they used to be in days when I was in school. There is something about fall afternoons and football games that are co-mingled in my mind. I should mention that we did have fun at the game even though it ended so late.

Covenant of Peace and Unity; a statement of faith from our church. The quote is just a portion of the whole statement but it really got me thinking when I read it today, in light of all the polarization in our country today:

We will listen, endeavoring to understand each other, especially those whose views seem to differ from our own, maintaining a spirit of openness and vulnerability.

Blog-n-Readathon: I spent over 20 hours this past week attempting to get my reading/blogging mojo back. I didn't make my goal of 24 hours, but did feel like I was on the right track. The books I read during it---
A. Mother Daughter Me: completed, e-book
B. Akata Witch: completed, audiobook
C. The 13 Clocks: start to finish complete, print
D. Ask Again, Yes: completed, audiobook
E. Inland: started, audiobook, 35%
F. Brave Face: started, print, 22%
G. Called: read two chapters, print and e-book

Prayers for my x-brother-in-law. His brother died from a brain tumor this past week.

Review: Akata Witch

Every summer I download free audiobooks from Sync: Audiobooks for Teens. It is a wonderful resource to get great literature into the ears of teens. I've been participating for several years yet I rarely find myself listening to the books. That all changed last week when I cued up the audiobook for Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorofor. I was delighted and enraptured with the whole listening experience.

Summary: Sunny is a twelve-year-old girl living with her family in Nigeria but she was born in the USA. She has African features but she is an albino. Her skin looks like the color of sour milk and her eyes are light hazel as though the palette ran out of color before it was finished coloring them. She is a terrific athlete but can only play soccer after the sun sets, her skin is so sensitive to sunlight. It is an awkward age for everyone but doubly so for Sunny since she is different from everyone at her school. One day a bully decides to beat her up after school. Another classmate, Orlu, helps defend her and walks home with her. He introduces her to another friend, Chichi. Soon the three are hanging out together after school. Chichi challenges Sunny to take a "test". The results show that Sunny is a free agent, which means she is magical without having any magical parents. Soon another boy joins the group of friends, Sasha, and four start taking lessons from Anatov, the first Leopard Person that Sunny has ever met. Though she often doesn't know what is going on, Sunny is caught up in her new reality.

Review: I kept thinking of the Harry Potter books as I listened. So I wasn't surprised when I found a reference to Akata Witch being the "Nigerian Harry Potter." At one point I found myself ticking off a list of similarities between the two stories. Here is a partial list of things I noticed:

Harry Potter series	Akata Witch (also a series)
Harry doesn’t know he is magical	Sunny doesn’t know she is magical
Hogwarts with magical teachers	Leopard People school with Anatov
Harry, Hermione, Ron---magical friends	Sunny, Orlu, Chichi, Sasha---magical friends
Harry good at quidditch even though he has never played before	Sunny good at soccer even though she has only ever played with her brothers in the dark
Dark magic, dark arts, death eaters	Levels of magical practice. Magic can be used for evil purposes.
Harry and friends fight Voldemort even though they are kids. They do what adults can’t.	Sunny and friends have to fight off Black Hat, an evil Leopard man
Wands that pick the person	Knives that pick the person
Hogsmead	Similar town only frequented by Leopard People

Now don't get me wrong. I loved Harry Potter books and I am so into this book I must find and read the second book in this series. Because they are similar endeared the book to me. I also loved the African setting and cultural references.  I found this great Akata Witch website for all kinds of information about the books and the author, setting, characters, etc. I really enjoyed the audiobook, too. It was read by Yetide Badaki, a Nigerian-born American actress. I absolutely loved her Nigerian accent. It made the whole story more authentic. Can you tell that I loved this book? Check it out yourself!

Blog-n-Readathon

Final Update on my Blog-n-readathon:

I attempted to read and blog for 24 hours over a 5 day period. I actually logged over 20 hours.

Books read:
A. Mother Daughter Me: completed, e-book
B. Akata Witch: completed, audiobook
C. The 13 Clocks: start to finish complete, print
D. Ask Again, Yes: completed, audiobook
E. Inland: started, audiobook, 20%
F. Brave Face: started, print, less than 10%
G. Called: read two chapters, print and e-book

Blog posts written:
-The 13 Clocks
-Ask Again, Yes
-Akata Witch (incomplete and not posted yet)

I averaged 9628 steps each of the days (I walked over 10,000 steps four of the five days.)

I didn't get a blackout on the BINGO game but did pretty well. (Letters correspond to book letters above.)

Overall, I did what I set out to do...get my reading and blogging groove back!

Review and quotes: ASK AGAIN, YES

Book Beginnings on Friday is hosted by Rose City Reader. Share the opening quote from the book.
The Friday56 is hosted at Freda's Voice.  Find a quote from page 56.

The book I just finished reading (with a summary and review):

 Title: Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Book Beginning quote (from prologue):

Friday 56 quote:
Summary: Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are two rookie cops in New York City in 1973 (Book Beginnings quote). Right from the start we see the differences in the two men. Francis is by-the-book. Brian is late and wants to drink on the job. They also have something in common. Francis is from Ireland and Brian is dating a gal from Ireland, Anne. Several years later they buy houses right next to each other in a suburb of New York. But what should be a perfect friendship between the two families never develops. Anne is prickly and very unfriendly. Even when Lena, Francis's wife, and Anne get pregnant within months of each other there is no bond or friendship. Later when the two children, Peter Stanhope and Kate Gleeson, start to grow they become fast friends, doing everything they can together. Anne is not fond of Katie and tries her best to keep the children apart.

On one fateful night near the end of their eighth grade year, Peter and Kate sneak out together. This starts a chain reaction which ends in tragedy for both families and separates the two friends for over six years. When they do meet up again no one is sure that the two friends can overcome the past as they move forward.

Review: This last summer I was up late one night when the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallen came on the TV. I was shocked as I watched that he was holding up a book saying this was the winner of the Tonight Show Summer Reads contest. (Click on the link to see the announcement. It is very cute and funny.) Anyway, Fallen said that we should all read the book together and he would have some book-clubbish discussions in the coming weeks. I instantly put myself on the waiting list at the library but had to wait until October for my turn with the audiobook. Last weekend Don and I listened to the first 2/3rds of the book as we made a car trip together, then we had to finish it separately this week.

The story is really about families and how we can overcome big awful things with the support of those we love. It is also the story of how mental illness and alcoholism can affect children and how the tentacles of those things go with those children into adulthood. Lastly, it is an affirming story of forgiveness and making things right. The title Ask Again, Yes is an affirmation of the decision to stick it out even when things are rough. Both Don and I found the story compelling and both of us were eager to finish up the book as quickly as we could once we started it.

Now I want to hop over to Twitter to see what other fans of the book and fans of the Tonight Show had to say about the book.

Review: The 13 Clocks

A few months ago I was perusing the only bookstore in the eastern part of the county where I live. What I was looking for was a used copy of a short story collection to take with me on my overseas trip. What I found instead was a James Thurber's classic, The 13 Clocks. It is a smallish book written for mid-grade children with wonderful illustrations and a wacky plot. The introduction, written by none other than the king of all story-tellers, Neil Gaiman, made me want to read the book. Gaiman says in his first line of the introduction, "This book, the one you are holding, The 13 Clocks by James Thurber, is the best book in the world." Now that is some kind of recommendation, don't you think?

Gaiman goes on to talk about why it is the best book in the world. He said,

It was funny in strange ways. It was filled with words. And while all books are filled with words, this one was different: it was filled with magical, wonderful, tasty words. It slipped into poetry and out again in a way that made you want to read it aloud...

I did, in fact read it aloud, not to children, though I can't wait until my grandson is old enough for me to read it to him, but I read it aloud for myself and my pets sitting on the couch nearby. I wanted to experience the whole book, not just the one that lived in my head as I read silently. So my pets got to hear the whole thing out loud.

Now about the plot. Well, there is a prince, Zorn, who disguises himself as a penniless minstrel, and a princess, Saralinda, who is bewitched and can only say, "I wish him well." There is a Golux, who is born of an ineffectual witch and a drunken wizard. There is also an evil Duke, a Hush and a Whisper, and a Hagga, who cries gems. There is also a terrifying Todal. The mere mention of his name makes a guard's hair turn white instantly.

Prince Zorn decides he will rescue Saralinda from the evil Duke but is captured instead. With the help of the Golux, who doesn't have a very good memory, Zorn is given a task to find 1000 gems and to start all 13 clocks, which are stuck on 10 minutes to 5. This task must be completed in 99 hours or he will be chopped up and fed to the geese.

You can tell from the summary that much silliness ensues. And words are magical elements of the story. I found myself laughing at the ways Thurber put words together to make fun of the characters and of the readers. Gaiman described it this way, "Thurber wrapped his story tightly in words, while at the same time juggling fabulous words that glitter and gleam, tossing them out like a happy madman, all the time explaining and revealing and baffling with words." And, as often happens when masters put pen to paper, these words often have double meanings. Words might mean one thing to children and quite another to adults, which gives the book a timeless and often humorous quality.

Oddly, Thurber, who is known for his own illustrations, did not illustrate this book. Apparently by the time he wrote The 13 Clocks in 1950 he was legally blind so he sought help from other illustrators. In my mind the illustrations are just as goofy as the book, so they match. The book, which had been out-of-print for many years, was reissued in 2008 and is well worth the hunt it may take to find a copy.

My Own Readathon/Blogathon

I  missed the Dewey 24-Hour Read-a-thon last week-end so I've decided to make my own. 

Here is what I plan to do:

1. Read and blog for 24-hours over the next five days. Keep a log of the hours.

2. Walk or exercise for at least 10,000 steps each of these days, too. (Which will mean a lot of audiobook hours logged.)

3. Attempt to get a blackout on the Dewey BINGO form (See below)

4. For each book completed, write a blog review for it. Even if very short.

Possible books:

Yes Again, Yes (audiobook)

Inland (audiobook)

Mother Daughter Me (e-book)

Called (e-book)

Brave Face

The Thirteen Clocks

Christie

Stay Tuned!

TTT: Bookish Halloween Cotumes for Kids

Top Ten Tuesday: Theme---Halloween Freebie. 

Bookish Halloween Costumes for Kids

1. Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

2. Pippi from Pippi Longstockings by Ingrid Lindgren

3. Monsters from Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

4. Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

5. Jellicle Cats from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot

6. Frodo from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

7. Camilla Cream from A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

8. Caterpillar from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

9. Oompa Loompas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

10. The Man with the Yellow Hat from Curious George by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey

I always encouraged my children to select non-scary costumes for Halloween when they were young. They continue, as adults, to select costumes which are fun but not frightening. This year my grandson will be the Owl from Daniel Tiger. So cute and creative.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

So it is Monday and time for an accounting of what I am reading and what books I've recently finished.

Reading:

• Mother Daughter Me by Katie Hafner---a memoir about a three generational family who have a hard time adjusting to life together. This is a book club selection. 24% completed. Library e-book.
• Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today by Mark Labberton---a Bible Study group book. I'm working my way through it with eight or so other women. 62% completed. Personal e-book.
• Great Poems for Grandchildren edited by Celeste Frost---I am reading through this large volume of poems slowly, enjoying every moment. Less than 10% complete. Personal print copy.

Listening: 

• Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorador---This is a delightful YA selection which reminds me of an African Harry Potter. 85% completed. I hope to finish this book today. Library audiobook.
• Yes Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane---This was the winner of the Tonight Show's Summer Reading Contest. Don and I listened to it on a recent trip but weren't able to finish it before returning home so now we will have to fight over who gets to finish it first. 69% completed. Library audiobook.

Recently finished (reading during the month of October):

•  Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks---a collection of short stories by the famous actor, all involve something to do with typewriters. I didn't finish the book before it was automatically returned to the library on its due date. I decided to not finish it. I love Tom Hanks but I do not love his writing. Library e-book
• New and Selected Poems, Volume One by Mary Oliver---I read very little on a recent holiday to Europe but I did finish this delightful volume of poetry. Library e-book.
• American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson---a mystery recommended by Barak Obama on his summer reading list. I liked the ending but found the rest of the book to be just okay. Personal audiobook.
• The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde---not sure if this is really considered a short story or a novella. I don't normally "do" scary stories but I found this one to be quite funny. Personal audiobook obtained from AudioSync.
• Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson---another collection of short stories all about the residents of a fictitious town in Ohio in the early 1900s. I liked Anderson's writing a lot. Personal paperback book.

What's Up next (these books are waiting for me at the library or are in the queue on the hold list):

• Inland by Tea Obeht---this audiobook was automatically checked out to me from the library last week. I hope to finish up the other audiobooks soon so I can start this one with time to finish it before time is up.
• Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips---a book club selection. I'm in the library queue and am told it should be available in about two weeks.
• Brave Face: a Memoir by Shaun David Hutchinson---a YA, nonfiction selection. The print edition is waiting for me to pick up at the library.
• An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Another YA, nonfiction edition waiting to be picked up at the library.

I missed the 24-Hour Dewey Read-a-thon this past weekend but am determined to set aside a full day of reading in the near future. I'll make my own read-a-thon and be the only participant.

TTT: Books That Almost Had Different Titles

Top Ten Tuesday: A twist on today's topic: Books that nearly had different titles (but fortunately for them they didn't)

1. The Great Gatsby was very nearly Trimalchio In West Egg. That title would have been a disaster!

2. Pride and Prejudice was first called First Impressions. Not quite as memorable compared to Austen's most well-known book.

3. Gone With the Wind was almost Mules in Horses' Harness, among many options. That is the one of the weirdest titles I've ever heard. Whew, glad Mitchell's publisher talked her out of it. She also considered Tomorrow is Another Day even though it would give away the ending.

4. Catch-22 was almost Catch-18, or -11, or who knows what number. Hey, I thought Catch-22 was actually a thing. I guess Heller made it up.

5. To Kill a Mockingbird was nearly called Atticus. Apparently the publisher didn't think the book was that focused on just one character. Neither do I. Isn't Scout the number one person in the book?

6. Dracula has stood the test of time. Do you think it's original title The Dead Un-Dead would have?

7. Orwell wanted to name his book The Last Man in Europe instead of the much more memorable 1984.

8.  Nabakov's Lolita was nearly The Kingdom By the Sea. That title is not as creepy as what it became but I do not remember anything in the book having to do with kingdoms or seas so it is a head-scratcher why the author wanted that for its title.

9. Where the Wild Things Are, the classic children's illustrated book, was nearly Where the Wild Horses Are until Sendak realized he couldn't draw horses very well. Ha!

10. Do you think that The Very Hungry Caterpillar would be as wildly popular if it was published with it's first title, A Week With Willie Worm?

Another twist on the title topic could have been books titles that are different in different countries. Maybe I'll do that on a freebie week.

Sunday Salon---Fall Edition

Bingley standing on a bed of leaves from the Mountain Ash tree

Fall is here. And it is wonderful.

Weather: rainy and windy.

Fall is my favorite season: It is so wonderful around here in early Fall. The weather starts to turn but it is still warm enough to go outside with a light jacket and feel very comfortable. Favorite foods, pumpkin spice (everything), and fun activities like pumpkins patches and Halloween prep help turn our thoughts away from summer projects. Football games dominate weekends. It is fun to cheer for a favorite team with other fans. Fall is also the time when I start turning inward. It is a season when I can sit and read all day long and not feel guilty. Cooking and baking delicious foods like baked acorn squash, pumpkin muffins, and apple cake are tasks I enjoy.

A magical moment caught on film when Ian saw his pumpkin lit up for the first time. The magic of it took Ian's breath away and he stood transfixed for a full moment.

Today: I made a batch of chili and homemade cinnamon rolls. Both Don and I associate those two foods together because they were paired in our school cafeterias when we were school-aged. After dinner, Don caught me up in a hug saying, "Ah, comfort foods!" I used recipes I found online. If you want to give them a try here are the recipes: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls and Heartwarming Chili.

Pumpkin Patch fun

Leaves: Our Purple Mountain Ash tree is the first tree to dump its leaves in the yard. And dump it has. I love the leaves and wish I could save them in the variety of colors forever. This weekend we swept and blew the leaves off the deck four times. I guess it was a little like shoveling the snow when it is still snowing.

Our Mountain Ash a week before it dumped all its leaves

Books and reading: I actually haven't been reading much lately. I hardly read anything on the trip to Europe and then didn't pick back up the pace once I got home. I think I need to participate in the read-a-thon or something to spur me on. I missed book club this past week due to a sore throat and a stuffed up head, but it didn't matter since I hadn't finished the book. This coming week my other book club should be better since I finished the book for it before going abroad.

Rest in Peace Rep. Elijah Cummings: This week a Representative to Congress from Maryland died. He was an amazing man who always sought justice for oppressed people. He was a model of a fine person and will be greatly missed. 

"I want justice, oceans of it. I want fairness, rivers of it. That's all I want. That's all I want.         ~~~Elijah Cummings 

P.S.---Several readers have let me know that they want to leave comments but can't because of the Google restrictions. For this reason I am switching to allow comments from non-Google users but I will need to moderate all comments from now on to avoid SPAM. Also, if you do not have an account, your name will show up as anonymous in the from line. For this reason, I ask that you sign your name (at least your first name) in the comment box. Give it a try and see if you can write a comment now. Thank you.