Summer reads

So here's what I read over the summer:

Little Bee by Chris Cleave is AMAZING! This really opened my eyes to the problems in Africa. Yes, I know there are problems, but this book really sheds light on those situations there. It is very graphic in sections so prepare yourself for that. But hey...it's real and that's why you should read it. Read more about this book here.

I just found out there was a movie made from this book. Good to know. I read this while in Europe, and it took me a while...because I was in Europe. Who wants to read? It is an extremely quick read though and quite interesting. I learned so much about the Chinese culture. Read here for more info.

To be honest, I was not looking forward to reading this book for book club. I get the audio book from the library and was blown away. I thought this was a great piece of literature. And ya'll, I'm going to confess my ignorance--I thought Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the Wright brothers that invented airplanes. WRONG. He was an architect. Who knew...Anyway, this book tells of the love affair between Frank and Mamah. It was such a scandal in the early 1900s. If I'm being Frank with you (no pun intended), it would even be a huge scandal now. I loved picturing myself back then and reading about this in the papers. And the end was totally unexpected. Please don't read it first whatever you do. Read more about this book here.

If I had to choose a favorite, it was be this book. It's like reading the script of Gossip Girl--so deliciously good! It is about a prep school, but I recommend it for any age. It's a quick read because you can't put it down. Read more here. 



Ok, so I didn't read as many books as I wanted. I have a great excuse though: globtrotting :).

The Pursuit of Happiness

Do not be fooled. This is not the Will Smith one. Ya'll...this book was so good. It's by author Douglas Kennedy, and I now want to read more of his work. It really made me reflect on my life and the things I am doing. Is it right? Do I justify a lot of things? What would I do if I were in the situation Eric was in? I found my answers to be very interesting. Please read this book. I highly recommend. Read the synopsis here.

Also, it enlightened me on life in the 1940s and '50s. I find that time period very intriguing! Did you know you could get fired back then for "moral turptitude"? Back then, homosexuality, marital affairs, and having a child out of wedlock would get you fired fo sho. If that was the case today, many people would be out of jobs.

Do you ever have those moments when you are in the middle place of emotions?

So I had lunch with my parents, Brittany, and Caleb today at Dixie Cafe. Not my choice, but I didn't complain. I even drove all the way to Cabot to eat because I hadn't seen my dad yet. I haven't seen my parents since Christmas or been home to Nashville since Christmas. I've been a very bad family member. I'll make up for it--I promise. By the way, this was the first time in a very long time that it has just been us five. No Waylan or Brooke this time. It was very strange but nice. Me likey.

I hug the parents bye, and no sooner than I drive out of my parking spot, the tears flow. Cry me a river, why don't ya. I was caught in this middle place of "little Ashley" and "big Ashley". It never gets easier leaving my parents whether it's in the parking lot of Dixie Cafe or driving down my dirt road back to LR.   The tears always come. Of course they don't know this (I guess they will now). I remember my mother saying this when we would leave Memphis, how it was so hard to leave. In college I couldn't wait to get back to my friends, but now? Now I want to go back, but I want to stay. Those of you who don't live in the same town as your parents, please tell me you know what I'm talking about. There's just something about driving away and leaving. What if I never see them again? What if something happens to them? Sometimes I just wish I had my parents here all the time. Those of you who have that privilege, you have no idea how fortunate you are. To have people that can love you in person. That's life though. UGH! I'm not complaining. I'm just stating my feelings. A statation of the feelation.

Some think we look alike...

The Outsiders had their second meeting tonight, and I must say it went quite well. We actually discussed the book, and we did so quite thoroughly. We discussed House Rules by Jodi Picoult which turned out to be a very good discussion because it deals with Asberger's. Those types of issues can be very controversial and lead to very heated discussions. I hope we were that table that was annoyingly loud talking about awesome things. I'm sure we sounded intelligenter (or is it more intelligent?) (I do think it's more intelligent...) than everyone else talking with really big words. Our next month's read is Push by Sapphire. That will be very relevant to my students, and I'm very excited to finally read it. I saw the movie and was naseauted at such behavior. Truly naseauted that things like that happen. Every. Single. Day. 

I thought my sweet little old lady neighbor died today. Caroline said she saw an ambulance and a police car there this morning, and there were tons of cars there this afternoon. She was however, sitting up on the gurney when they willed her out. Hhhhmmm...I will try to unfold the myster tomorrow. But just in case she did pass away, pray for her family. She was (or is) a sweet old lady. Either way, prayer is good and ambulances are bad. If you don't remember the one time when I called a woman from church about her husband dying, you must read this.

I am an Outsider

Yes, I am. It's official. We had our first book club meeting last night. Right now, it has only three members: Valerie, Annie Marie, and me. We decided on the name The Outsiders for our book club we are all outsiders in some part of our life--not necessarily in a bad way but an outsider all the same. We discussed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last night, and we ate wonderful delicacies for a reward. Maybe we should actually read The Outsiders as one of our selections...

I'm stuck like glue to LOST. I began season 2 last night and am intrigued by this creature named Desmund. Who is he? Don't tell me. Don't give me the slightest hint. This show does scare me a bit, especially when I watch it at night. The music is scary, the PEOPLE are scary. I need a Jack to keep me company while I watch. He's such a Hottie McScottie! And then there's Sawyer, who I believe I will grow to love. Don't correct me on that either. I just HOPE TO GOODNESS Jack and Kate hook up because this has gone on long enough.  

If Ethan didn't creep you out, you have major problems. Major. Poor Claire. All she wants to do is spit her baby out.

And then there's the Amazon woman Danielle. She's nuts. I'm sure she means well (although she did take Claire's baby), but her hair is so sad. I have compassion for her just because of her hair. I want to reach through the screen and brush it so badly.

Season 2 here I come. The hatch is open!