Musings of a Bookish Kitty: April 2016

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: The Decent Proposal by Kemper Donovan

Before gray hair, or crow's-feet, or achy backs and fickle knees, there is one sign of aging that makes appearance early enough to bewilder its young(ish) victims instead of alarming them, as it should. ~ Opening of The Decent Proposal

The Decent Proposal by Kemper Donovan

Harper Collins, 2016

Fiction; 320 pgs

From Goodreads:

A debut novel in which two people are brought together by a very decent proposal cooked up by a very secretive benefactor in which the strangers go on one year of dates, one date a week, for half a million dollars each if they can stand each other for the whole time.

I really enjoyed Kemper Donovan's A Decent Proposal. I suspected it would be funny and maybe even a bit sentimental (although not overly so), and I was right. The novel also had an unexpected depth to it, which I found to be a good balance.

Our two strangers brought together for an unknown reason are quite different from one another. One is an out of work down-on-his-luck producer who enjoys partying late into the night and working off the hangover by sleeping in at his leisure. The other is a workaholic attorney who is every bit a perfectionist. When presented with the offer to go on one date a week for a year, Richard Baumbach is eager to give it a try. He needs the money after all. Elizabeth Santiago is more reluctant. Is this a trick? What strings are attached--because who in their right mind would do something like this? Deciding her life needs a little shaking up, Elizabeth finally agrees. Richard and Elizabeth begin to fall into a regular routine after a few rough starts. Their conversations range from the movies and books to life and the more personal.

I came to like both characters quite a bit over the course of the novel, although I most identified with Elizabeth. While not as compulsive as she is, we both share a love for books, and I could relate to the overachiever in her. Richard was charming in his own way (charming in a good way; not the smarmy bad way). He really is an all around nice guy. I loved his optimism. Both characters have their pasts to contend with, Elizabeth holding on more tightly to hers, which fits her character. She is a cautious person. Both are very caring people who seem to have good heads on their shoulders.

A couple of minor characters play a big part in the story as well: Elizabeth's homeless friend Orpheus, and Richard's best friend, Mike (short for Micaela). Both have their own ideas and motives in regards to the deal, and also both very attached and protective of their respective friends. I wasn't sure what to make of Mike at first, but by the end I quite liked her. And I am glad Orpheus's back story was shared with the reader as he is a character I was quite curious to know more about.

This seems to be another one of those novels I have read recently that is firmly placed in a particular setting and for which the setting plays an important part. While I suppose the same story could have been set elsewhere, the author's descriptions of Los Angeles, the diversity in the characters and their lives, really bring the Los Angeles setting to the forefront. I enjoy reading novels set in familiar locations, being able to visualize them more clearly in my mind.

I can only say so much about the end without giving away spoilers. Upon reaching the end, I wasn't sure what to think. There is a shift in perspective that was at first off-putting. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized how much it did fit--done up with that old Hollywood flare.

While the story and the direction it took was predictable to some degree, there were a few surprises. The mystery of who the benefactor is, the reasons behind the proposal, why Richard and Elizabeth were chosen exactly, being among those surprises. I was quite enamored with the writing. I was swept into The Decent Proposal quite easily and did not want to stop reading until I had reached the end. Even then, I am not sure I was ready to let go. Not completely.

To learn more about Kemper Donovan and his work, please visit the author on Goodreads and Twitter.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about The Decent Proposal on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. I received a copy of this book for an honest review from the publisher.

© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (04/19/2016)

I am nearly finished with my current read, When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi. There have been moments I am on the edge of my seat or on the verge of tears. It is a beautiful book so far. This is the story of Fereiba and her children as they leave behind the only home they know in Afghanistan in search of safety and a better life elsewhere after the Taliban murders her husband and the father of her children.

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

Though I love to see my children resting soundly, in the quiet of their slumber my uneasy mind retraces our journey. How did I come to be here, with two of my three children curled on the bristly bedspread of a hotel room? So far from home, so far from voices I recognize. (from the Prologue)

and

My fate was sealed in blood on the day of my birth. As I struggled to enter the twisted world, my mother resigned it, taking with her my chances of being a true daughter. The midwife sliced through the cord and released my mother from any further obligation to me. Her body paled while mine pinked; her breaths ceased as I learned to cry. I was cleaned off, wrapped in a blanket, and brought out to meet my father, now a widower thanks to me. He fell to his knees, the color leached from his face. Padar-jan told me himself that it was three days before he could bring himself to hold the daughter who had taken his wife. I wish I couldn't imagine what thoughts had crossed his mind, but I can. I 'm fairly certain that had he been given the choice, he would have chosen my mother over me. (first paragraph of Chapter 1)

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Teaser from page 16% of When the Moon is Low:

"You're not invisible. I can close my eyes and picture you. I can be alone and hear your voice. You're anything but invisible."

at 33%:

It was easier to walk in the day but harder to look at the children. Their eyes were heavy, their feet blistered and bleeding, and their lips parched.

and and at 35%:

Fate will make things right in the end, though only after the work has been done, the tears have been shed and the sleepless nights have been endured.

I wanted to believe him.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Sunday Post: Inspiration & Airshows

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about.

I thought for sure we would all be blown across the park Saturday morning by the wind. Or at least my daughter, as light as she is. It turned out to be a lovely day, and we enjoyed our time at the park. Sunday will likely be a lazy day. There's a house that needs to be cleaned and I wouldn't mind getting some reading done. We'll see.

What are your plans for the day? How was your week?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Where do you find motivation and inspiration for your blog? (submitted by Ana)

My love for reading is my ultimate inspiration. Years ago I began keeping a reading journal in which I jotted down my thoughts about the books I read--how they made me feel and how I related to them. It gave me a chance to not only reflect on the books, but also organize my thoughts about each one. I felt a sense of closure in the process. That did not change when I switched to blogging about my reading instead. It's replaced my journal, in a sense. Or, rather, become my journal. What keeps me blogging about books is my passion for books, the enjoyment I get from writing about them, and the connection I have found among other passionate readers.

Other things inspire me as well. It could be a comment someone makes on mine or someone else's blog, another's blog post, something I read in a book, or even something that happens to me in real life. My daughter, certainly. My husband. You. Ultimately, it always comes back to the books. My blog is a book blog, after all. I have tried to branch out from that as some other bloggers have, but ultimately, I find I am most comfortable writing and talking about books.

You could also say I am most motivated by the books I read. Although, a lot of credit goes to the blogging community whose enthusiasm and support has made me feel at home. Even when I am at my lowest, wondering if it is worth continuing, someone says something somewhere--most often not even directed at me--and it motivates me to hang on and keep going. I long ago gave up looking at my blog stats, and I stopped following the advice of those "how to be a good blogger" lists. It was such a freeing decision and increased my motivation tenfold. Blogging when I want and how I want, not worrying about how many followers I have or how other people think I should blog has taken off some of the pressure and stress I was feeling. I am just where I need to be.

I cannot deny though that comments are wonderful. I love it when people take the time to leave a comment. It definitely helps motivate and inspire me--knowing someone is out there reading what I have to say.

What about you? What motivates and inspires you to blog?

What I Am Reading: I looked all over my house for my copy of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman and couldn't find it. I could have sworn I had a copy. I was anxious to start it, craving something in the fantasy genre. Here I had been telling everyone I have had my copy for years . . . Well, where it is it?? I ended up buying another copy--and expect the old one to show up any minute. But before that happened, I went ahead and started Nadia Hashimi's When the Moon Is Low, a fiction novel about an Afghani woman whose husband is murdered by the Taliban and flees with her children, hoping to reach Europe. Not fantasy, no. It is good so far though. Seraphina will definitely be next.

What I Am Watching: I began watching the second season of Daredevil, although I have to admit it's not holding my interest much. The last couple episodes served as background noise more than anything else. Does anyone else watch Blacklist? I did not see that coming. Not at all. Do you think it's true? We watched The Pirate Fairy again. It really is a cute movie, but there is such a thing as watching a movie too much. Oh! And we are enjoying Doctor Who still. We are a couple more episodes in to Season 8. I really like the new Doctor even if he's rough around the edges. Listen was such a great episode.

We also got to see some of the airshow from my daughter's bedroom window this weekend. I am a huge Thunderbirds fan, and never tire of seeing them perform. I was glad to be able to share that with Mouse this year. I actually got to see them practicing, along with several other planes, this past week as they prepared for the airshow. My office is right next to the base where the airshow is being held.

Thunderbirds

Around the Blogosphere:

Jamie from The Broke and the Bookish talks about a side of reading that has fallen to the wayside
Charlie contemplates the definition of classics: ‘A Classic Is A Book That Hasn’t Finished Saying What It Has To Say’

What's Going On Off the Blog: It is official. My little girl is enrolled in kindergarten. There is an parent orientation early next month. It's not at the most convenient time for a working parent, but it isn't like I haven't encountered that before. I also got her enrolled in an after school program. You may remember my mentioning touring a couple of those programs I was considering.

Last Sunday was our last visit to Disneyland for awhile. Our annual passes have now officially expired. We very nearly renewed them, but there are a number of places and things we would like to do this year, and having the money to do them will be nice.

Mouse at Disneyland

Saturday was the first soccer class of the new season. Mouse moved up in age groups, and she's back to being the youngest. The class is also at a later time, which means sleeping in (yay!) and hotter days (ugh!). She was very nervous, but in the end she had fun. I think she'll be happy to go back next week. Whew.

Mouse playing soccer

Work was a less stressful this past week. No lives lost that I know of, and I managed to get through to the weekend. I think my husband even had a better week at his office.

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: Terrible Virtue by Ellen Feldman

Once, on a train going God knows where, to give still another speech, I awakened in the middle of the night nauseated. ~ Opening of Terrible Virtue

Terrible Virture by Ellen Feldman

Harper, 2016

Fiction (Historical); 272 pgs

Terrible Virtue is coming out at a time when it is needed most. Women's health rights are being brought into question--and I do not just mean on the abortion front. Whether you are for or against abortion, or fall somewhere in between, the reality is women have had to fight every step of the way to gain some control over their own lives throughout history, including the use of contraceptives. As I write this review, the California Senate has passed a law allowing birth control to be distributed without a doctor's prescription. The law is not without its opponents, to be sure. But I imagine Margaret Sanger would be smiling from ear to ear, maybe even dancing for joy.

There was a time when the law (the Comstock Laws) limited and prohibited the sale and advertisement of contraceptives. Just to talk about them was not only considered indecent but was illegal as well. Not only was it considered lewd and immoral, but it was also seen as promoting promiscuity (some would say this is true still today). With the changing times came the women's suffragist movement in which women began to ask for the right to vote. They wanted to be heard, and rightfully so. Along with that came women like Margaret Sanger who advocated for women's health issues; her top priority being contraceptives (what she would later come to call birth control).

Terrible Virtue is a novel about Margaret's life, particularly the early years of her activism and fight for women's rights. Ellen Feldman recreates Margaret's life, imagining what it must have been like for Margaret in a time when so many seemed against her as she fought for social change. One of eleven children, Margaret knew hardship of growing up in a home with so many children as her mother and father struggled to care for them all. It isn't surprising that Margaret would take an activist role given her upbringing and her beliefs. She felt very passionately about many things, but especially about educating women about their bodies and about the use of contraceptives.

As a nurse working in the tenements with the working class and the poor, she saw how the women struggled, unable to control the number of children they had, dying in childbirth, and sometimes performing abortions on themselves. Margaret wanted to spare them that. No one should have to use a button hook to perform an abortion. As a result, Margaret fought hard to educate women from all walks of life about their contraceptive options, writing up pamphlets and providing advice that flew in the face of the Comstock Laws. She wanted to save lives and give these women some control over their own lives. She would go on to open the first clinic in 1916 for women's health issues, specializing in providing them with information on birth control and family planning. She is known today as the founder of Planned Parenthood.

Margaret devoted her life to her cause, believing the only way to change the law was to first break it. Her path was not an easy one. She sacrificed much in the end. Including her family. I really felt for her children who longed for the love and attention of their mother. While I do imagine Margaret loved them, she wasn't really there for them. Her cause was her first love. Her children always took a backseat. Her marriage suffered as well. Although, that wasn't as surprising given Margaret's view on traditional marriage. Her many affairs were, for the most part, out in the open. Her husband knew going in what her beliefs about fidelity were--she thought he agreed. As much as I might disagree with her choice in lifestyle, it isn't fair of me to fault Margaret for hers as open and honest as she was about it all, at least not when I really think about it.

Written in memoir style, it was hard to remember this novel is fiction. Author Ellen Feldman paints Margaret Sanger as the human being she likely was, both her admirable qualities and her many flaws. She was charismatic and passionate. She was extremely competitive and determined, at at time when both qualities were viewed as negatives in a woman. Margaret could be ruthless and calculating, but she also could be generous and thoughtful. While I admire Margaret in many ways for the strides she made, I admit to not being a fan of her on a personal level. Whether that's because of the way she was drawn in the novel or based on her real character, is hard to say. That would depend on how realistic the author was in her portrayal of Margaret.

Periodically throughout the novel, Feldman includes viewpoints of others in Margaret's life written in the form of letters to Margaret. The one from her middle child was particular poignant. And another from her sister was quite revealing. All help form a more whole picture of who Margaret was and the impact it had on those around her.

There is some controversy surrounding Margaret Sanger in regards to her involvement with the Eugenics movement, which, while addressed in the book to some degree, is mostly glossed over--something I wish the author had delved into a little more deeply. I could not help but do a little digging of my own after a conversation I had with a coworker on the subject. I can see why Eugenics might have been appealing, especially to someone like Margaret who was in the medical profession. It was a popular theory at the time, and while she did not subscribe to the whole of Eugenics, Margaret did support it in part, at least as far as it played into her ideas surrounding birth control. She felt strongly about any decision regarding family planning being in the hands of the individual. There is a lot of misinformation out there, including quotes attributed to Margaret that weren't actually hers and statements she made taken out of context--this done in an effort to discredit and suppress her. This, at least, Feldman does mention to some extent.

I admit I had only known the bare basics about Margaret Sanger before reading Ellen Feldman's novel Terrible Virtue. Margaret was a fierce supporter of women's rights and pushing for necessary social change. She fought hard and sacrificed much. Feldman reminds us, however, that Margaret was also very human, and at times conflicted, especially where her children were concerned. I imagine there is much more to the woman than Feldman could possibly cover in her novel--or else it would turn into a biography.Overall, I found Terrible Virtue to be a compelling and fascinating book about a significant figure in American history.

To learn more about Ellen Feldman and her work, please visit the author's website. She can also be found on Goodreads.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about Terrible Virtue on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (04/12/2016)

After finishing Ellen Feldman's Terrible Virtue, I craved more historical fiction, this time settling into a novel about a horticulturist who leaves London for an estate in the country, volunteering to serve in the Women's Land Army. Gwen is to organize a group of women in cultivating and growing food for the war effort. Nearby is a house full of Canadian soldiers awaiting orders for the war. The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys is the story of a hidden garden and the woman who brings it back to life, meanwhile finding friendship and love, as well as loss.

What can I say about love? You might see me sitting in this taxi, bound for Paddington Station--a thirty-five-year-old woman with plain features--and you would think that I could not know anything of love. But I am leaving London because of love.

Teaser from page 62 of The Lost Garden:

"Have you been out climbing trees, Gwen?" Jane whispers to me. She reaches up and pulls bits of yew from my hair, laying them carefully beside my place as a sort of table decoration.

and at page 71:

There's a dark blur, moving from the shadows of this building, running across the grass towards the stables. From this angle and height I can't tell who it is. The moon disappears behind a cloud and I momentarily lose the figure in the shadows of the opposite buildings. When the moon returns, the figure has vanished.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

Reading the opening paragraph, I cannot help but wonder if it is love Gwen is fleeing or is it what she is running to. Of course, having read more of the novel, I know the answer to that. But still, it was my first thought upon starting the novel. The two teasers give off a bit of mystery, especially the second one. Who is that person she sees?

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

Saturday, April 09, 2016

Sunday Post: Hobbies, Diving Into History & My April TBR List Winner

From 90 degree temperatures to cooler rainy days. What a week it has been. I quite enjoy the wet weather--more than the heat. Our Saturday was very lazy in perfect accord with the weather. Mouse and I spend our day in our pajamas. Sunday will be a busy day for us, and so a rest day was in order.

What have you all been up to this past week? What are your plans for this weekend?

What other interests do you have besides reading and blogging? (submitted by Elizabeth)

There are other things outside of reading and blogging?! How is that possible? The truth is I spend the majority of my time working in a career I feel passionate about--at least the cause if not always the actual work. My family though is by far my biggest interest and love. Spending time with them, whether it be playing a game of make believe with my daughter, carrying on a conversation in song, taking day trips together, or cuddling with my husband on the couch. I enjoy watching movies and television and listening to music. I wish I could go to the theater more often as I love seeing musicals performed live. I like to color and sing and do puzzles as well as play board and card games, especially cribbage. I enjoy writing and receiving letters. I also like to write stories and poetry, although I do not do much of that outside of blogging these days. I love animals and rainy days. I probably enjoy eating out more than is good for me and my budget. There are many things I would like to do, and maybe one day I will. Right now, I have a cat on my lap, and the most I can do is blog and read and catch up on my favorite television shows.

Besides reading and blogging, what you do like to do?

What I Am Reading: After finishing Ellen Feldman's Terrible Virtue, I decided to dive into The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys, a novel set during World War II. I was craving more historical fiction. Some of you may remember I swore up and down and backward and foreword that I would be reading Anne Bishop's Marked In Flesh as soon as April 1st came around. And I would have. Except I find myself afraid to start it knowing I will have to wait a year before I can read the next installment. I am afraid I will love the book and be sad when it ends.

What I Am Watching: I got to see the Tardis library! It's so lovely. A booklover's dream. We are continuing to make our way through Doctor Who, which we are enjoying. We just started on Season Eight, and I've met the newest Doctor for the first time. I was really bummed to discover the season finale of The Walking Dead did not record on my DVR as planned Sunday evening. Fortunately, we were able to record an encore showing, which I watched this past Friday. I wasn't overly impressed with the episode, not at first. Those Saviors though! Cunning and deadly. That whistle . . . As everyone is wondering and some are certain they know which of our favorite characters was killed off, I find myself wondering more about those knights. Maybe it's denial. I don't want to think of who we might have lost.

Around the Blogosphere:

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld, a review by Mystica--from which the book went instantly on my wishlist.
Save Our Cozies - Dollycas talks about the current state of the cozy mystery genre.
THE STORIES WE SEEK: Are the shows you love the most similar to your favorite books? - Shannon opens a discussion about television shows and reading tastes.
Would Your Goodreads Profile Get You Out of Jury Duty? Should It? - AM.B. ponders the legality of searching prospective jurors history online.
Morning Meanderings…. Books That Should Be Movies - Sheila wants to know which books you think should become movies.

What's Going On Off the Blog: Monday Mouse had her annual physical. She was happy not to have to get any immunizations, but she was nervous about the blood test. "I'm scared, Mommy." I gave her a hug and told her I know, that I would be right there for her. As we walked out of the lab, Mouse had an extra spring in her step. She said, "That wasn't so bad, Mom. I want to do that every time I have a doctor's visit." Rest assured, I will not hold her to it.

As we waited for both the doctor's appointment and later our turn at the lab, I noticed so many parents and children with tablets. I felt bad for not thinking to bring Mouse's, but then, as she and I played a drawing and guessing game in my notebook, I was glad I hadn't. Mothers all looking at their phones. Kids with their attention on their tablets. And here Mouse and I were, playing a game together. I am glad I didn't bring that tablet after all.

It was a difficult week at work--one that was emotionally exhausting. I came home from work each night and held my daughter close, cuddled with her more, and was thankful for what I have. It sounds like my husband had a rough week at work too, but for different reasons. I think we are both glad to see the weekend come.

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

Thank you for helping me choose my next read from my TBR collection:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow. While I will attempt to post my review that same month, I make no promises--it may go up the following month.

The winner of my April TBR List Poll is:

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Thank you to all who voted! Seraphina won with 45.9% of the votes, 17 out of 37. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi came in second with 29.7% (11 votes), and Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes came in last with 24.3% (9 votes). I am eager to dive into Seraphina. And probably about time given how long I have had my copy of the book. And dragons! I love dragons. Thank you again to everyone who voted!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Happy Reading!

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: All Stories Are Love Stories for Elizabeth Percer

On the morning of February 14, exactly seven hours, fifty-two minutes, and thirteen seconds before the earth's two largest tectonic plates released decades' worth of strain under a busy suburb just outside San Francisco; exactly eight hours, eight minutes, and fifty-three seconds before the energy dislodged from the seismic shifting triggered an even more catastrophic displacement farther north along the San Andreas Fault; exactly eight hours, nine minutes, and twelve seconds before all gas, power, water, cell, and satellite communications were severed from San Francisco and its environs; exactly eight hours and twenty-two minutes before thousands of tiny sparks and larger ignitions got out from under the valiant efforts of a drought-plagued understaffed fire department and prematurely exhausted volunteers; and exactly ten hours and eleven minutes before the real danger to the old precariously built packed-like-sardines city--fire--proved its indomitable hunger, Max Fleurent was on the phone with his mother. ~ Opening of All Stories Are Love Stories

All Stories Are Love Stories for Elizabeth Percer

Harper, 2016

Fiction; 368 pgs

I jokingly referred to this novel as a disaster book when first mentioning it to my husband. The novel takes place just before, during and after two catastrophic earthquakes in San Francisco, sparking fire and devastation. At the novel's center are three characters: Max, a twenty-nine year old who is going through the motions of living, let down by those he loved the most; Vashti, who has made a fresh start after the deaths of her daughter and husband, and who has never stopped loving Max; and Gene, a Stanford geologist who is afraid of losing the one person he loves most in the world. All three of their lives will converge as they face their pasts, come to terms with their present, and do what they can to survive.

Let me start by saying I felt this novel got off to a slow start. Although the writing drew me in, it took me a while before I settled in. Perhaps it was the anticipation of what was to come. I was not expecting such a character driven novel. Somehow, though, this novel crept up on me, my initial distance from it eventually gave way to immersion before I even realized it.

All three of the main characters, Max, Vashti, and Gene have their own quirks and flaws. The disaster that befalls all three brings all of their worst fears, old guilt, and lost dreams to the forefront. The choices they have made in life are not necessarily the ones I would have made--but then, we walk in different shoes. Max's love and protectiveness of his mother shines through, and yet he is clearly scarred by his father's abandonment. Vashti's fears and commitment to her family led her to giving up love for practicality. Under the circumstances, as a mother, I can understand why she took the path she did. I felt for both Max and Vashti--their story is a sad one, fraught with miscommunication, immaturity, and tragedy. For Gene's part, once passionate about his work, he has become more interested in the next promotion. His love for his partner is overshadowed by his worry about losing him and the life they have together. I admit I got frustrated at times with Gene in the aftermath of the earthquakes. No one would call him selfless. But is it really fair to judge him so harshly, I asked myself as I was reading? We are human after all.

There are other characters scattered throughout the novel from a homeless man on the street to a nun, Father, and three children trapped in the wreckage. Their stories are just as compelling. I would like to have known more about Phil, a boy, who has the spirit of a hero.

San Francisco has always been one of my favorite cities. I remember well one of my many visits there, this one with my church confirmation class. We toured several churches and community programs throughout the city; It was a very eye-opening experience, cementing my decision to take the career path I did. I still remember how excited I was to see the beautiful Grace Cathedral, which is mentioned a couple times in the novel. Author Elizabeth Percer made me fall in love with the city all over again in her novel All Stories Are Love Stories. Such a beautiful city with so much history, so many faces, and one full of hope even when faced with the worst disaster. San Francisco is very much its own character in this novel. So strong and yet so fragile.

Percer writes in such a way as to make the reader feel the scenario described in her book is very possible, right down to the science, including the destruction of an entire city, or near to it. It's a frightening prospect, especially at the magnitude she describes. Having lived through two major earthquakes in California myself, seeing the devastation caused, I can only imagine how much worse it could be. We always hear about how the "Big One" is coming. I think most of us fluff it off--yes, we know, but it won't be today. We have time, we think. But do we really?

This is my first novel by Elizabeth Percer, but will not be my last. All Stories Are Love Stories struck the right chord with me. It's a novel not just about romantic love, but also the love between parents and their children, love between siblings, and the love between friends. I ended up really enjoying it.

To learn more about Elizabeth Percer and her work, please visit the author's website. She can also be found on Goodreads and Facebook.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about All Stories Are Love Stories on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Monday, April 04, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (04/05/2016)

For years I have wanted to read Scottsboro by Ellen Feldman, but have yet to do so (I'm sure many of you can relate to not yet managing to read a book you've set your eye on). Terrible Virtue intriged the history lover in me, and so I jumped at the chance to read and review it when the opportunity arose. It is a novel about the life of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood. It seems a relevant book given recent political attacks against the organization, even if a fictional account of Sanger's life. More so though, it's an important time in our history. A time when it was considered pornographic to talk about menstration and female contraception. A time when women, one of them being Margaret Sanger, found the courage to speak out.

Once, on a train going God knows where, to give still another speech, I awakened in the middle of the night nauseated. Oh, no, I couldn't be pregant. To calm myself, I raised the shade of the window above my berth and looked out. I was just in time to see the sign marking the station fly by. CORNING. Even after all those years, merely passing through the town could make me sick to my stomach.

I can't remember a time that I didn't dream of escape. When the neighborhood brats made fun of me, I told myself I'd show them someday. When Miss Graves drove me out of school, I swore I'd never return. How old was I then? Fifteen? Sixteen?

Teaser from 17% of Terrible Virtue:

Without it I might not have had the courage to speak up. not that I drank much that night or any other, at least at that stage of my life. Children of drunks rarely do, unless they're drunks themselves.

and at 42%:

As I sat staring down at the paper splattered with war news as gory as blood, I knew one thing for certain. There is no such thing as a martyr without an audience.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

The opening prologue's first paragraph was too long to share, and so I went with the first two paragraphs of Chapter One. I was drawn into Feldman's novel immediately, wanting to know more about who this woman was, what her story was. While I haven't always been able to relate to her, I could see a bit of myself in the opening paragraph.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

Sunday, April 03, 2016

Interview with Poet Rita Martinez of The Jane and Bertha in Me

Last year, at the request of my husband, I reread Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, one of a handful of books I have read multiple times over the years. It remains one of my all-time favorite books. When I first heard mention of Rita Martinez and her poetry book called The Jane and Bertha in Me, I knew I wanted to read it. I also knew I likely would not be able to fit in a review during the month of April. I am happy, however, to kick off National Poetry Month with an interview by the author of The Jane and Bertha in Me. This book is more than just an homage to one of the greatest novels ever written, it also speaks to every one of us, to anyone who has felt like an outsider or anyone who has ever suffered from or knows anyone who has suffered from a debilitating illness, whether seen or unseen.

I hope you will join me in welcoming Rita Martinez to Musings of a Bookish Kitty. Perhaps she and I can convince you to check out this great sounding poetry collection!

About Rita Martinez's The Jane and Bertha in Me:

This spring marks the bicentennial of Charlotte Brontë’s birth. In her ambitious and timely debut, The Jane and Bertha in Me, Rita Maria Martinez celebrates Brontë’s classic novel Jane Eyre. Through wildly inventive, beautifully crafted persona poems, Martinez re-imagines Jane Eyre’s cast of characters in contemporary contexts, from Jane as an Avon saleslady to Bertha as a Stepford wife. These lively, fun, poignant poems prove that Jane Eyre’s fictional universe is just as relevant today as it was so many years ago. The Jane and Bertha in Me is a must-read for any lover of Brontë’s work.

Q: You first became interested in Jane Eyre as a teenager. Can you talk a bit more about why Jane appealed to you at that young age?

A: As a teen, I wanted to live in another era. I used to sing oldies by my high school’s reflection pond on mornings before the bell rang.

Reading Jane Eyre felt like I was immersed in an exciting and unique atmosphere, which, for me, was a welcome relief from the grunge culture of the 1990s. I liked the mystery, the lush language, and the romance in the novel.

As for Jane’s character, she is an underdog with a lot spunk, a heroine who stands up for herself. I thought leaving Lowood and entering Thornfield, a new environment, was courageous—as was leaving Thornfield. Jane also manages to have strong moral convictions while also being a sexual creature—one who refuses to settle for a passionless marriage.

Q: Bertha gets a good deal of screen-time in this collection. What about Bertha speaks to you as a writer and reader?

A: Bertha is a displaced person, an outsider. I think many readers and writers have felt like outsiders at some point.

In my early twenties, I started experiencing debilitating daily headaches and migraines. I went through several physicians. Some thought I was crazy. Some were sexist. Others thought my complaints were imaginary. These attitudes rob patients of their dignity—especially those who battle neurological conditions which are “invisible.”

Eventually, I was diagnosed with chronic daily headaches (CDH), a genetic disorder that affects about four percent of the population and is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. At onset, my head hurt non-stop for over two months—that kind of constant pain is enough to test anyone’s sanity. Migraines drive one to seek darkness, silence, and isolation; as a result, I started reflecting on Bertha’s plight.

Her daily life at Thornfield was one of isolation accompanied by periods of great suffering—as was Charlotte Brontë’s at times. Brontë mentions her migraines and health concerns in correspondence. Edward Rochester—who is far from being a one-dimensional character—also undergoes a great deal of anguish. He’s certainly not a saint, but, in some aspects is a casualty of the conventions of his society.

Q: Aside from Brontë herself, what other influences are at work in this collection?

A: There are so many! Some include Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar’s ground-breaking feminist text The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth Century Literary Imagination (1979); the amazing three-volume set of The Letters of Charlotte Brontë edited by Margaret Smith; Jean Rhys’s postcolonial novel Wide Sargasso Sea (1966); Virginia Woolf ’s expanded essays on the female writer’s life in A Room of One’s Own; and Rita Dove's Mother Love. I’m also a pop culture junkie who watches way too much television—especially the Turner Classic Movie Channel.

Q: What do you hope that readers will take away from the experience of this book?

A: I hope readers will become more empathetic and open-minded toward those in their communities who experience disability or illness of any kind—realizing that neither constitutes moral weakness or failure. I especially hope that all types of patients realize that they deserve to be treated with dignity—that a good physician will take one’s concerns to heart.

I hope poems like “The Literature of Prescription” help readers become more vocal about their expectations during doctor visits—and will prompt them to become active, assertive, and informed patients. Most importantly, I experienced a great deal of joy writing many of these poems, and I hope readers will laugh out loud now and then.

I hope the poems will spur them to reread or discover Jane Eyre and to encounter other Brontë works and biographies. April will mark the bicentennial of the birth of Charlotte Brontë, a wonderful reason to celebrate the work and life of such an influential author.

Thanks again!

About the author:

Rita Maria Martinez is a Cuban-American poet from Miami, Florida. Her writing has been published in journals including the Notre Dame Review, Ploughshares, MiPOesias, and 2River View. She authored the chapbook Jane-in-the-Box, published by March Street Press in 2008. Her poetry also appears in the textbook Three Genres: The Writing of Fiction/Literary Nonfiction, Poetry and Drama, published by Prentice Hall; and in the anthology Burnt Sugar, Caña Quemada: Contemporary Cuban Poetry in English and Spanish, published by Simon & Schuster. Martinez has been a featured author at the Miami Book Fair International; at the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Florida; and at the Palabra Pura reading series sponsored by the Guild Literary Complex in Chicago. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Florida International University.

I hope you will check out what others have to say about The Jane and Bertha in Me on the Poetic Book Tours route:

April 4: Musings of a Bookish Kitty (interview)
April 10: Emma Eden Ramos (review)
April 12: Everything Distils Into Reading (review)
April 15: Book Dilettante (review)
April 16: Suko’s Notebook (review)
April 18: True Book Addict (review)
April 22: Jorie Loves a Story (review)
April 25: Diary of an Eccentric (review)
April 26: Unabridged Chick (review)
April 27: Pretty Purple Polka Dots (review)
April 28: Impressions in Ink (review)
April 30: Create With Joy (review)

Many thanks to the Poetic Book Tours and Rita Martinez for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour!

Saturday, April 02, 2016

Sunday Post: Reading Comfort Zones, Celebrating My Cats & My April TBR List Poll

March went out like a lion, thunderstorms and pouring rain. My husband was lucky enough to see a couple of rainbows two nights in a row on his drive home from work. Mouse and I settled for running between raindrops. The first of April brought sunshine and a pleasant breeze. It's carried through to the weekend.

I received an e-mail from the Cat Hospital wishing our Gracie a happy birthday. I don't think anyone knows for sure if she was born in April, but it's a good a date as any, I suppose. She's about three years old, and was abandoned as a kitten along with her litter mates in July of 2013. We adopted her in October of 2013. We are also celebrating the anniversary of Parker coming to live with us later this month. It's been fourteen years. He's about 15 years old, we believe. I asked Parker if he wanted a big party this year, but his only response was to get up and leave the room. I guess that means no.

I hope you all will take time to vote in my April TBR List poll this week! I've had such fun with the monthly polls.

What have you been up to this week?

Have you ever ventured out of your comfort zone in terms of reading a genre you have never read? If so, did you get hooked on that new genre? (submitted by Elizabeth)

I consider myself an eclectic reader, willing to try just about any type of book. I enjoy reading fiction, whether it be literary, commercial, historical, women's fiction, or what have you. I love crime fiction, including mysteries and thrillers, from light to dark, funny to scary. I enjoy a variety of different types of fantasy. Put mystery and fantasy together and I'm all over it. Horror is not a go to genre for me, although I read it occasionally. I do not read science fiction very often, but I can thank my husband for introducing me to the likes of Douglas Adams and Robert Heinlein. Both of whom are authors whose books I enjoyed.

Even though I enjoy writing and reading poetry, I still think of it as being outside my comfort zone. I'm not sure why exactly. Maybe because I do not read a lot of it. Maybe because the idea of poetry intimidates me somewhat? I imagine that's probably it in a nutshell.

Then there is romance. I once read romance novels by the dozens, back in my teen years and into my early twenties. At some point I stopped reading the genre, going so far as to avoid stepping in the romance aisle at the bookstore. A few years ago, after my daughter was born, I decided to give romance another try. I began experimenting with different types of romance, discovering which sub-genres worked best for me. Romance has since found its way back into my regular reading life.

I like nonfiction from time to time. It really depends on the type of nonfiction. I used to read memoirs, whereas now I read less of them. I am not a fan of autobiographies or even biographies for that matter, although I have read a few in the past. Same goes for self-help books. I guess you could say these types of nonfiction are outside my comfort zone. More so, however, because of lack of interest than because they make me feel uncomfortable. Although, I suppose animal memoirs in which the animal dies at the end and books involving incest are rather uncomfortable reads for me, and ones I avoid more often than not. I am also rather selective in the books I read that touch on child abuse in general and alcoholism for the same reason.

I think it is fair to say it is not so much genre that keeps me from reading a book, but rather the book itself: the subject matter, whether the blurb attracts my interest, or, on occasion, who the author is. What about you? Have you ever ventured out of your comfort zone and gotten hooked on a new genre?

New to My Shelves: The Easter Bunny knows me well: books and chocolate.

The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore

Ghostly: A Collection of Ghost Stories introduced and illustrated by Audrey Niffenegger

I Want My Epidural Back: Adventures in Mediocre Parenting by Karen Alpert

(from publisher)

A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams

(from the publisher)

What I Am Reading: March was a busy month for us. What with Mouse's birthday, family visiting from out of town, soccer, work, and everything else that life sent our way. I did not get much reading in, but, then, that is not surprising. March seems to be a month when my reading suffers a lot anyway. I only read three books all month (one of which was my March TBR List winner--review to come). I was hoping to finish Elizabeth Percer's All Stories Are Love Stories before the end of the month, but it was not meant to be. It is the first book I finished for April though, so the month is off to a good start, you could say.

I have big reading plans this month. My postal book group book being one of them. I also need to get to Terrible Virtue by Ellen Feldman for an upcoming tour. And, of course, I want to finally read Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop, the fourth in the Others series.

What I Am Watching: One more episode of The Walking Dead to go this season. This past week's episode ended with a big cliffhanger (what else is new?). I am looking forward to seeing what is to come--while at the same time dreading it. My husband and I were able to watch a couple episodes of Doctor Who. We are now into episodes neither of us has seen before. I also have seen a couple episodes of the second season of Daredevil on Netflix.

What's Going On Off the Blog: What a week it was! I had a feeling it would be too busy for me to spend much time both on my blog and just being out and about in the blogosphere. The staff appreciation event, which I helped put together and run, took a lot of my time and energy. It turned out well, I think. Everyone seemed to have a good time. I am glad it is behind me though. I finally feel like I can relax a little.

My husband picked up the kindergarten registration packet this past week, which I still need to fill out, and Mouse has a doctor's appointment this coming week to get her cleared to start school. So much is happening right now, and it seems like it is all happening so fast!

Thank you for all the supportive words last week. I checked out the on-site after school program with Mouse on Friday. I will have to make a decision soon about after school care. This is one of those times I envy stay-at-home or work-at-home parents who may not have to worry about such things.

Saturday was the last soccer class of the season. Mouse moves up to the next age group when class resumes in a couple weeks. She's both excited and nervous.

Challenge & Dare Update:

The TBR Triple Dog Dare came to an end on April 1st. Whew. I managed to keep to the Dare as planned right up to the very end. My goal was to read only review books I had already had on hand before the first of the year. And that's exactly what I did. The only exception being my postal mail book, which I read in February. I think the hardest part came towards the end as I began to think about books I wanted to read that I couldn't touch during the challenge. That's when temptation seemed to be at the highest. I had hoped I would stay away from accepting more review books during the Dare, I never outright stated I would. Good thing too, because I would have failed at that. Still, I think I held back more than I might have otherwise. I am glad I took on The Triple Dog Dare. It helped keep me on task, clear our some of my review books, and I had fun while at it. Many thanks to James of James Reads Books for hosting the Dare!

And now that the Dare is over, I can concentrate on making ~~any~~ more progress on my other three challenges!

Upcoming on the Blog:
Monday - Interview with Rita Martinez, author or The Jane and Bertha in Me (National Poetry Month)
Tuesday - Where Is Your Bookmark?
Wednesday - Bookish Thoughts: All Stories Are Love Stories by Elizabeth Percer

Help me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

I admit I threw this list together at the last minute. I thought though that it might be a good idea to choose books that might meet the Once Upon a Time Challenge. I even picked books that might fit into the different categories! What do you think? Which of these three titles would like to see me read for April? (Each cover is linked to the Goodreads page for the individual books if you would like more information before voting.)

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi (Fantasy/Folklore) ~ An arranged marriage, an ancient mystery, reincarnation, and life-threatening danger--I'm intrigued!

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Fantasy) ~ Dragons, music, and murder--who could ask for more?

Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes (Fairytale/Fantasy) ~ A spin-off of the well-known Alice in Wonderland, this novel spins a sinister tale of treachery and danger for a princess and her future kingdom.

Thank you for taking the time to vote!

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!