Hannah Coulter is a well-written novel by Wendell Berry. Hannah chronicles her life of post depression girlhood, her marriage and subsequent war-producing widowhood and eventual remarriage that lasts 52 years. Some beautiful themes in the book include love of the land as her second husband and her build a life on a farm, the community of her world, and the parenting expectations that we have of our children. This book is not plot-driven but rather a provoking story of family, deep friendship and the membership of both.
The Count of Monte Cristo qualified as perhaps the longest book I've ever read as it's over 1300 pages in it's entirety. This classic story of betrayal, revenge and eventual realization of humanness was quite fun to read. I highly recommend this book for it's complex characters and twisted intertwined storyline.
Yes, I read the first title, Twilight, in this controversial book series. This supposed teen series has become a phenomenon among my own peer group of coffee-shop moms. The book begins with a teen-age girl moving in with her father (divorced parents) and meeting and developing a relationship with a boy who she soon realizes is actually a vampire. The rest of the plot of the book (and series) involves the complications of the story with a vampire and the repercussions of decisions made within the relationship. The book club discussion sparked great discussion about raising our daughters, true vision of love, and how popular media needs to be explored and discernment rightly imparted to our children.
As a way to continue my interest and education concerning childbirth (no announcement!), I am currently reading Pushed: The Painful truth about Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care. This was a fascinating look at the history of the modern childbirth process and procedure. It is very clinically written with documented studies and well-researched conclusions. It captured my attention especially concerning induction and other "minor" routine interventions in this age of childbirth. To all my other "natural childbirth freak friends" - you will love this book!
Did I mention that this might be an eclectic list? Madelyn and I are just starting to read this book aloud...I must admit I don't remember reading this as a child but it's been a fun read so far.
I miss reading! I'm hoping now that Anna will be weaned soon I can read the books I've ordered over the last year...I hope too that after we move back to CA I can convince some of the women in our local study to commit to a book club. That "pushed" book totally looks interesting to me...but not really relevant given we are pretty sure we are done and if we aren't, very few docs will let me NOT have a c-section given that I've already had two [unplanned] ones---probably due to reasons explored in the Pushed book.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are back. I enjoy your thoughts and hope to continue in our "membership".
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