Oddly Compelling

Book 44: Bad Marie

Marcy Dermansky

Bad Marie could have been a cliche.  The hot nanny; the bored, weak husband; the seemingly cold, ambitious wife.  But Dermansky avoids death by predictability.  

I read Bad Marie in one day.  I can't precisely define what it is that made the story so compelling, but I was completely sucked into the book. I also can't say I particularly cared for Marie, the ex-con landing on her childhood friend's doorstep begging for a job.  Friend Ellen takes in Marie, tasks her with caring for young Caitlin.  Caitlin adores Marie, and Marie adores Caitlin.

Whiskey swilling, chocolate loving, and thieving, Marie sets her sights on Ellen's husband and so begins the saga that is Bad Marie.  We learn that Marie's always coveted Ellen's life, from the time they were children and even now, after serving six years in prison as an accessory to armed robbery. Although Marie sees what she wants and takes it, this is no "Hand That Rocks The Cradle."

Although Marie's childhood was far from ideal, I never felt sorry for her. I don't know if this ambivalence to Marie was deliberate on Dermansky's part.  I found  myself frustrated with Marie more than once, shouting to her  in my mind, "You can't just take something because you want it.  It doesn't work that way."  But it does with Marie.

The whole story ends up being a quest for some kind of stability and love for Marie.  And ultimately, I think she does begin to realize that she has to return all that she has taken.  While deep down, she knows that some things are unforgivable, Marie still imagines that somehow, all those she has wronged will do just that.

At the same time, Marie's illusions about the men she's loved- her "true love" who died in prison, and Ellen's husband (with a twisted, sad backstory all his own)- are shattered in front of her eyes. She finally begins to realize that she creates whatever reality she needs, yet she is consistently disappointed when the true imperfections reveal themselves.

Dermansky's prose is purposeful and eloquent. She repeats a particular exchange between Marie and Caitlin, showing how Marie's adoration for the little girl is perhaps the only pure thing in her life.  

So I can't say precisely why I could not put down this book. It certainly wasn't an enchanting, happy ending. It was not sad and melancholy. Perhaps it was the realism of this glimpse into a troubled psyche.  Perhaps there was some identification with Marie- thinking the grass is greener in another life, preferring to re-write events in our mind to make them fit our definition of happiness and perfection.  At any rate, I found this book oddly and completely compelling.

More Vampire Lore

Book 43: Insatiable

Meg Cabot

I always enjoy Meg Cabot.  Her reads are fun.  Insatiable is no exception.  Cabot capitalizes on what I think is the crest of vampire fatigue.  They are everywhere these days: hovering outside our windows in the delectably creepy "Let the Right One In"; Sexing up our Sunday nights on True Blood and the Sookie Stackhouse novels in which the Bon Temps undead originated; and in the seemingly indefatigable Twilight series, with its sparkling, "vegan" vampires. 

Insatiable brings back the best of the vampire stories.  With a deliberate shout out to Mr. Stoker, Cabot's heroine is Meena Harper, your typical lovelorn divorced New Yorker, stuck in a frustrating job and a generally mundane life. Except for one small thing. Meena can tell when you're going to die. Which some people might appreciate knowing, but it just makes Meena feel like a freak. As a heroine, she's likable.  Enough like all of us (save the whole knowing when people will die thing) that we cheer for her and want her to be happy. We know something is about to happen to upset the boredom of her every day life. Queue the crazy neighbors just aching to set up Meena with some eligible bachelor.  And enter the vampire, the true Prince of Darkness, Lucien Antonescu, who is suddenly captivated with Meena.  With shades of Buffy- and by that, I mean the action, the dialogue, and the humor- we also have the vampire fighters of the Palatine Guard, who are on a mission to eradicate the undead. The story all comes together over a few days in New York City against the backdrop of murders and a quest to overthrow the Vampire King.

This became my "let me read a chapter or two before bed" novel over the last few weeks.  It completely entertained me and Cabot's settings let me see the entire novel unfolding in my mind.  Not every book is supposed to make you think deep thoughts.  And that is in no way a criticism.  Some books are supposed to entertain and thrill you, make you laugh, transport you from the triviality of every day. This is one that does that very well.  And if you're like me, a bit over vampires being everywhere these days, this book is the perfect remedy.

http://www.megcabot.com/insatiable/

What's For Dinner

Book 42: The Omnivore's Dilemma

Michael Pollan

I first saw Michael Pollan on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and was intrigued then about his work.  I finally picked up a copy of The Omnivore's Dilemma, well, the audiobook, and I'm glad I did.

In Dilemma, Pollan traces four meals from start to finish, and what comprises these meals. I found it fascinating.  I read Fast Food Nation years ago, so not everything was a surprise.  Still, I didn't realize that corn is the foundation of so many of our meals.  Corn's in everything. Including the meat that we eat. Meat that comes from cows that have not evolved to eat corn.  And because we're feeding livestock a diet they weren't meant to eat, and we need them bigger, stronger, faster now, and in less space, we're feeding them all kinds of antibiotics. And what they eat, we eat. Common sense, yes, but I didn't realize how much of our food supply is tainted this way.

It was Pollan's exploration of the Organic industry that was the most eye-opening to me, and frankly, evoked the most disappointment as I learned more about it.  If you're like me, when you read "organic, free-range" on the label of chicken at the grocery, you picture happy little chickens clucking around outside in a pen, living their happy little chicken lives.  Except that isn't really the case, at least not at some of the larger organic farms. Yes, the option for free range exists, but not the chicken's whole life and by the time they are deemed old enough to take advantage of it, they rarely do.  I've been a proponent of Organic eating when possible for a while now, but I couldn't help but feel a bit like I've been a victim of bait and switch on this one. Still, I think it is healthier overall, and more humane to eat Organic rather than out of our traditional food industry.

Pollan's exploration of local, sustainable food changed my consumption habits.  I'm convinced now, that short of vegetarianism, locally produced and sustainable food is the most ethical food choice for both animals and the land that supports them.  Pollan explains here how true transparency is a part of most of the local food efforts. These farmers want their customers to feel perfectly comfortable coming out to the farm and understanding precisely where their food comes from.  At the same time, these farmers tend to practice sustainable growth for their land.  After listening to this part of the book, I made the personal commitment to by local and sustainable whenever I can.  Yes, it is more expensive at first, but is it really? Unlike some of the industrial food supply, local and sustainable farms are not subsidized. So we may pay more at the register. But it's a wash, I think, when you consider that our taxes are funding the industrial supply.  At the same time, I feel like I'll know more about what I am eating- or rather, what I'm not eating: pesticides, antibiotics, and grains these animals have not evolved to eat.  It's tough.  I found California peaches at the grocery store closest to me.  I live in the Peach State. Which is not California.  You'd think local peaches would be all over the place, but no.  So, now I'm reading labels and signs much more closely and buying local when I can.  I also learned at Whole Foods this week that they now  label their meats on a sustainability scale.  I felt like I had a much better idea of the life the chicken and bison I bought on Saturday had led.

The most tedious part of Pollan's exploration, to me, was the recounting of putting together a meal he completely procured himself.   Perhaps it does say something about me as a person that I don't think I could actually hunt and kill my own meat, and that instead I prefer to not think about the act of killing the food I consume. I suppose I have to rectify that discrepancy myself, but I know that I would not make a good hunter.  That being said, the research and dedication Pollan gave to putting together this meal was quite interesting to listen to. Although I did think his part about the morel mushrooms went on for a bit too long. Still, the meal was meaningful to him, and I suppose that is why he did it.  And I learned something, so I know that it can't be all bad. Maybe if I were more passionate about mushrooms myself.

It's rare to read (or listen to) a book that makes you stop and think about your actions, your place as a consumer, like The Omnivore's Dilemma does. Pollan doesn't come in preaching, although I sensed some contempt for industrial food practices.  I came to the conclusion to seek out local and sustainable food on my own after hearing what Pollan had to say.  And I realize this doesn't address the issue of global food production, where the industrial food process could prove beneficial.  But I'm grateful that I know now what I do.  If you're at all interested in where the food you eat comes from, how it lives before it becomes your meal, and even perhaps, how it comes to be your meal, I highly recommend The Omnivore's Dilemma.

http://michaelpollan.com/books/the-omnivores-dilemma/

I Liked It, But I Don't Get the Phenomenom

Book 41: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Stieg Larsson

Recently, amongst several people I follow on Twitter, there was a discussion about books everyone's loved...except you.  I think that may be The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo for me.  Don't get me wrong. I didn't hate the book. In fact, I rather liked it and plan to read the other two in the Millennium trilogy.  I just don't get why it's a phenomenon. That could be because I've heard so many people RAVING about the book and the series that I just had incredibly lofty expectations.

I've also been told that the second book is even better,  and that by the third, I'll be quite angry that Larsson passed away before he could complete more books.  I hope that's true. I love a series that sucks me in, makes me want to read more and more about the characters.

There was a lot to like in Girl. Lisbeth is a complex, prickly heroine.  Yes, she's vulnerable and a victim, but at the same time, she's enough of a rebel and a bad-ass that you like her despite her somewhat thorny nature.  Blomvkist, too, is a likable enough guy, and you find you want him to get the revenge he deserves.  I thought the mystery was a good one, bits and pieces revealed at just the right pace to keep me reading.  I did guess the villain before the end of the book, although not the whole story and not how mental the whole thing was. I also understand why the book was called "Men Who Hate Women" in Sweden.

Reading a bit of Larsson's history- that he had witnessed a rape when he was fifteen and did  nothing to stop it, and his then life-long quest for absolution from this act and his guilt about his own inaction-  certainly explains a lot of his plot points, of the desire for justice and vengeance.

Now Twitter and Facebook are abuzz with the announcement of the actress who will play Lisbeth in the American version of the Film.  I don't have a strong opinion on the choice.  I can certainly see this novel translating well to the screen. I do hope they stay close to the story, and don't "Hollywood" it up too much.

I had anticipated being so enamored with these books that I would post on the series at one time because I'd had to read them back to back to back. That won't be the case, but I am looking forward to the next two books in the series.

Homer's Odyssey

Book 40: Homer's Odyssey 

Gwen Cooper

I think I've said before in this blog that once in a while a book grabs me in an unexpected way, pulls me in, and affects my emotions in ways I wasn't anticipating.  Homer's Odyssey is one of these books. 

Homer's Odyssey tells the story of an abandoned, blind kitten that Gwen Cooper adopts.  As Homer adapts to his new life with Gwen and her other two cats, Scarlett and Vashti, Gwen and her friends and family learn more about life and love than they ever expected from Homer.  

I consider myself an animal person.  I'm a cat owner by default.  Growing up, we always had dogs.  I never entertained the idea of a cat until I realized my life is too unpredictable for me to be a good dog owner.  I travel too much, keep too many late hours.  I have ended up with two cats, Samantha and Magic.  I treat them like dogs, and for the most part, it works.  But I think that was one of the first things that helped me identify with Gwen Cooper- I, too, was a woman of a certain age with more than one cat.  There's a lot of stereotypes there, and I really struggled with adopting Magic because of that.  But I thought Samantha needed the companionship, and nearly two years later, here we are.  So I really understood Gwen's hesitation at agreeing to consider adopting Homer after she had two other cats already.

For animal lovers, though, there's sometime no choice. For whatever reason, that animal captures our heart and we're powerless to say no to bringing them into our lives.

So began Homer's journey with Gwen.  Cooper recounts how Homer never really realized he is blind- the world just is as it is to him, and he adjusts.  Like most animals, it took a bit of time for Scarlett and Vashti to warm up to him, but they did.

At the same time, Homer's capacity for love, and his innate ability to assume the world is a good place, despite his wretched first few weeks, taught the author a lot about how to judge character in people.  If we pay attention, we can all learn a lot from the animals around us.  So many of Cooper's friends and family took to Homer. Yes, the novelty of being blind probably sparked a lot of the interest, but the little cat managed to endear himself to so many people by doing what came naturally to him.  Reminds me of some of my friends, and how they have such special bonds with animals.

Homer has some amazing abilities, perhaps due to other senses that are heightened to compensate for his lack of  sight.  I laughed out loud reading about him going after a fly.  And I cringed out of fear for the author and was so proud of Homer in the chapter called Mucho Gato- and to avoid any spoilers, that's all I will say about that.

Cooper and the cats were living very close to Ground Zero on September 11, 2001.  Cooper was forced to evacuate with no time to retrieve the cats.  I've always had a hard time grieving 9/11.  I don't know why.  Perhaps it is because if I really let myself think about the anguish and desperation of so many people, it would be hard to come out of it.  Reading Homer's Odyssey, even all these years after 9/11, I was able to do a little of that grieving.  I think it was because of how much- hope? No, that isn't the right word. Maybe community? that came out of 9/11, at least in the immediate aftermath.  So many people, friends and family, rallied to help Cooper rescue the cats and make sure they were housed after the rescue.

I don't think you have to be a cat person to appreciate Homer's Odyssey. I do think you have to be an animal person, though.  There's something about being able to appreciate our pets- always so glad to see us whether we have been gone five minutes or five days. The special bond we have with our animals, treating them as true companions. I think it would be hard for someone who doesn't have that same relationship with animals to appreciate the beauty of the story.  Cooper's writing style is open and friendly.  I felt like she could have been telling me the story of being Homer's owner over coffee or chatting at a party.

I originally bought this as an ebook, but I'll be adding a physical copy to my collection.  What can I say? I laughed, I cried, I fell a little in love with Homer.  This book was heartwarming and charming.  I'm so glad Homer found me.

Oh, and you can follow Homer on Twitter: @homerblindcat

http://www.amazon.com/Homers-Odyssey-Gwen-Cooper/dp/038534385X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280610677&sr=8-1

What Are We Really Teaching Our Kids

Book 39: Pop Goes The Weasel: The Secret Meanings of Nursery Rhymes

Most of us have sung them or chanted them. Little nursery rhymes our parents taught us to show how clever we are. Maybe to teach us a lesson of some sort.  But how many of us have ever really thought about what these nursery rhymes mean?  Some carried hidden messages, others were somewhat sinister, and many are downright bawdy.

Thanks to my friend Amy, I discovered this book.  A relatively quick read, Albert Jack takes several popular nursery rhymes and songs and traces their origins.  Of course, with many of them, there's more than one possible source, and it is interesting to read all the scenarios.

Take for instance "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary."  At first glance this is a tale of a pretty garden.  In reality, it is most likely the story of Queen Mary I, also known as Bloody Mary, with the silver bells and cockleshells being thumbscrews and other  torture devices designed to squeeze certain, um, sensitive areas.  The pretty maids in a row? Guillotines.  Think about that next time you think it will be cute to teach that little ditty to a child.

What about Rub a Dub Dub?  Description of a peep show- first with three women, but then with three men.  Yep.

And our Star Spangled Banner?  Got its start as a British drinking tune. 

This is a book that is easy to read in pieces.  It is enlightening, providing insight into something that has been a part of our culture for centuries or longer.

http://www.amazon.com/Pop-Goes-Weasel-Meanings-Nursery/dp/0399535551/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280359403&sr=1-3

Game On, Y'all

Book 38:The Game On Diet

Krista Vernoff and Az Ferguson

Through some of the other very cool book bloggers and Twitter mavens, I heard about The Game On Diet.  I've decided to join a team and play for the month of August.


Like I tend to do, I thought it sounded fun and I signed up without knowing anything about the diet and what the competition would be like.  But I like a competition, I'm looking for something to encourage me to do what I know I should be doing from a food and drink and exercise perspective, and this is all about points and prizes when you do the right thing.  Then I started reading the book.  And all the advice is sound- this isn't really a diet, more of a lifestyle change, and very healthy.  Except that I have to give up even diet sodas.  What?  Yes.  Well, we can have them on the food day off that the game allows each week.  This is going to be hard.  I like my sodas.  I only drink diet as it is.  So why can't we have them here?  Well, we all know sodas are full of crap.  Artificial things.  Stuff we don't really need.  And I think it will be good that I have to really, really cut back on them.  I want to be healthier and this is a good way to start.  


The other thing that's going to be interesting is cutting back on the booze.  I don't drink every day, but I do enjoy my cocktails.  I'm kind of excited about cutting way back on them.


And sleep!  With this game, we are penalized if we don't get at least seven hours of sleep a night.  I'm so excited to plan to go to bed earlier. I love my sleep.  I took a nice long nap yesterday. I loved it. I needed it. And I felt a million times better after it.  So I think this will be a good thing.


Yes, there are a lot of rules with this game.  It's trying to level the playing field for all the participants.  But we also get a day off each week from the rules of the game.  So there's the chance to relax and enjoy life with the whole thing.


Starting in August, I'll be working out more, eating better, sleeping more, and hopefully having a ton of fun.


http://www.thegameondiet.com/