Last week, I got some much needed #momtime. Two full hours out of the house in broad daylight with no agenda. Heavenly. A necessary coping mechanism for this introverted mama.
And where does a frugal introverted mama go during mom time on the cusp of the holiday shopping/eating season?
The library.
I can't believe there's a place in every city that one can go to choose any books, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs available and take them home as long as one promises to bring them back. That's all it takes! Your word! What a wonderful world.
Before I had children, I was an avid reader. Now that my girls are a little bigger and are sleeping through the night, I'm getting so much more reading done than I did during that extended newborn/two-under-two season. Living three blocks from the library makes it almost mandatory to consume books.
During this visit to Free Book Mecca, I chose a few magazines and several books from my Goodreads "to-read" shelf (make an account and be my friend, please) and settled into a cozy nook in the back. Two hours later, I was caught up on all of the Relevant news from the month, equipped with Practical Homeschooling ideas and techniques, and loaded down with this haul.
Here are my thoughts on what I brought home:
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
This one has been floating around for a bit, so I thought I'd give it a try. I was really interested in the concept of a woman (anyone, really) traveling over 1,000 miles alone on foot. I couldn't imagine how that would feel and what would drive someone to think that was a good idea. As she described her childhood, her relationship with her mother, and her downward spiral after her mother's death, I started to take on her melancholy mood myself, and that did nothing for my mothering abilities. I finally put the book down for good after a rendezvous with her heroine-addicted ex-boyfriend and nonchalant abortion. I might pick this one up again someday, but it's definitely not the right time in my life to read it.
This one has been floating around for a bit, so I thought I'd give it a try. I was really interested in the concept of a woman (anyone, really) traveling over 1,000 miles alone on foot. I couldn't imagine how that would feel and what would drive someone to think that was a good idea. As she described her childhood, her relationship with her mother, and her downward spiral after her mother's death, I started to take on her melancholy mood myself, and that did nothing for my mothering abilities. I finally put the book down for good after a rendezvous with her heroine-addicted ex-boyfriend and nonchalant abortion. I might pick this one up again someday, but it's definitely not the right time in my life to read it.
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
Finally, I have found it. The elusive non-cheesy, intelligent Christian fiction book that doesn't have a single Amish/Prairie character (no offense, it's just not my bag). I read this one in about 9 hours, during which time I also cooked and ate dinner, taught a poetry class, and completed a full bedtime routine with my family. It made me want to read the classics and foster all the babies.
Finally, I have found it. The elusive non-cheesy, intelligent Christian fiction book that doesn't have a single Amish/Prairie character (no offense, it's just not my bag). I read this one in about 9 hours, during which time I also cooked and ate dinner, taught a poetry class, and completed a full bedtime routine with my family. It made me want to read the classics and foster all the babies.
This was one I skimmed. I love the concept of loving people through meals, so it made it into my library bag. There weren't any recipes that stood out to me, though, so I didn't spend much time with it. This would be great for someone wanting to hone their hospitality gift.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Oh, what can I say about this heartbreaking story? Just that. It broke my heart. This historical fiction book was based on the true story of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife as he tried to make a name for himself in the literary world while living among the Lost Generation (the Fitzgeralds, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, et al.) in 1920's Paris. It's opened up a whole new genre for me: fiction stories based on memoirs, journals, and autobiographies. Apparently, it's a big deal.
Oh, what can I say about this heartbreaking story? Just that. It broke my heart. This historical fiction book was based on the true story of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife as he tried to make a name for himself in the literary world while living among the Lost Generation (the Fitzgeralds, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, et al.) in 1920's Paris. It's opened up a whole new genre for me: fiction stories based on memoirs, journals, and autobiographies. Apparently, it's a big deal.
Have you read any of these? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
I'm so glad to have the freedom to read again! Here's a peek at my book load for this week.
