From Fission to Fusion

The only update from last night's GBC meeting I can pass along is that Little Bee by Chris Cleve was a bit of a sad tale. (I have not read the book but if this strong group of wo/men with all their histories, say it is sad, readers trust them.) The next read planned is The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho. The Publisher's Weekly review on Amazon describes it as an "another uncanny fusion of philosophy, religious miracle and moral parable." This should make an interesting discussion after a glass of reading water.

Not a List-less Valentine

It was shortly after Groundhog Day that I realized I would be due a Valentine's Day posting. My first thought: I am not the one to write a post this year on the heart day. Then I had a glass of reading water and a deep ponder. My conclusion after the second glass of reading water: of course, I am the one to write a post on the day of love. At some point in my life like most of you, I have been through all the stages: in love, loved and lost, had and not loved, not had, had too much, and cannot remember/want to forget [insert name]. So wherever you are today, this post is to you with love from my bookshelves.

• For the hopeless romantics who believe in true love: The Princess Bride by William Goldman paired with "True Love Will Never Fade" by Mark Knopfler and a glass of Champagne
• For the hopeless romantics who believe in true love and lost it: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare paired with "Romeo & Juliet" by Dire Straits and a Gin Martini (three olives)
• For the recently single: Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner paired with "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" by Moby and a shot of Tequila
• For the one who needs a good laugh instead of a good cry: Bleachy-Haired Honky Bitch: Tales from a Bad Neighborhood by Hollis Gillespie paired with "Harper Valley P.T.A." by Jeannie C. Riley and a Vodka Tonic
• For the avoider of love through work: The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger paired with "The Power" by Snap! and a Cosmo
• For those in an unfulfilled relationship: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert paired with "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce and a Stella
• For the single and happy: Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell paired with "Never Stop" by The Bad Plus and a 30 year old whiskey (neat)
• For the one sitting this round out with good friends: Divine Secrets of Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells paired with "You've Got a Friend" by Carole King/James Taylor and a pitcher of margaritas
• For the self reflective: Various works from Rumi paired with "Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain" by The Notre Dame Glee Club and a cup of Assam Tea
• For the happily coupled: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris paired with "Business Time" by Flight of the Conchords and a bottle of Cabernet

Happy Valentine's Day wherever you are.

Change Your Mind?

There have been at least half a dozen distinct times in my life that I have felt I needed to make a change. In college after a break-up, I had my stylist cut my hair into a $15 pixie/bob. (I not-so-affectionately refer to this as my boy-cut, and it was not flattering.) Last spring, I wanted time in France. This month, I have wanted to change the blog background. (Not as dramatic as Paris, but let's hope it comes off a bit better than my $15 do.)

In the event you are curious, there are over 116,000 books on change available at Amazon which means I am not the only one thinking about it. Business books, cookbooks, memoirs, SciFi, and a host of other reference books are available. I tend to go with my gut on these things and see where it leads.

Snows Poetic

With the weather in parts of the South a wintry white, it seemed appropriate to go to the bookshelf for Snow by Orphan Pamuk. This book follows our main character Ka as he returns to Turkey after having been exiled for 12 years. He rediscovers writing, reunites with an old friend, and explores the challenge of teen suicide in the city of Kars. This book will fall around you like a heavy snow, leaving you cold in some places and warm in others. I group it in my beautifully sad novels.