Everything She Thought She Wanted

Everything She Thought She Wanted

by Elizabeth Buchan

Published in 2006. 384 pages.

Amazon link

Genre: Fiction, Women's Lit

My Overall Score: 3

What its about (taken from amazon.com): The separate stories of two women--one a career-driven late-20th-century professional and the other a 1950s housewife--are displayed in this novel. Thirty-five-year-old Siena Grant enjoys a life that many women only dream of. A highly successful fashion consultant with her own business, a magazine column, a book deal and an American television show, Siena is also married to a loving, sensitive man. She and Charlie live in a trendy flat and enjoy intimate little suppers. What more could anybody want? For starters, Charlie is dreaming of a country home and children--not a life that appeals to the oh-so-chic Siena.

Meanwhile, in 1959, 42-year-old Barbara Beeching, a married mother of two grown children, lives with her pilot husband, Ryder, in a charming country home and hosts the most delightful little parties. Perfect partners, Barbara and Ryder survived the atrocities of war over England and now face the rest of their lives as Ryder thinks of retirement and Barbara thinks of... Alexander Liberty, a hunky psychiatry student whose passion for her takes her by surprise.

What I thought: Interesting storyline taken from two different yet similar women. I was curious how it would turn out but I never connected with either of the main characters. It felt slow moving to me and I honestly couldn't wait to be finished with this one.

Why I read it & where I got it: I got it at the Ocean City Library Used Book Sale last year and thought it would be a quick read to help me up my annual book count.

Date finished: June 10, 2009

Currently reading: Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Dewey

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

by Vicki Myron

Published in 2008. 288 pages.

Amazon link

Genre: Non-Fiction

My Overall Score: 3

What its about (taken from amazon.com): One frigid Midwestern winter night in 1988, a ginger kitten was shoved into the after-hours book-return slot at the public library in Spencer, Iowa. And in this tender story, Myron, the library director, tells of the impact the cat, named DeweyReadmore Books, had on the library and its patrons, and on Myron herself. Through her developing relationship with the feline, Myron recounts the economic and social history of Spencer as well as her own success story—despite an alcoholic husband, living on welfare, and health problems ranging from the difficult birth of her daughter, Jodi, to breast cancer. After her divorce, Myron graduated college (the first in her family) and stumbled into a library job. She quickly rose to become director, realizing early on that this was a job I could love for the rest of my life. Dewey, meanwhile, brings disabled children out of their shells, invites businessmen to pet him with one hand while holding the Wall Street Journal with the other, eats rubber bands and becomes a media darling. The book is not only a tribute to a cat—anthropomorphized to a degree that can strain credulity (Dewey plays hide and seek with Myron, can read her thoughts, is mortified by his hair balls)—it's a love letter to libraries.

What I thought: First of all, if you dont like cats or libraries, this is not the book for you. I thought it was cute and touching at times. Definitely a fast read and by the end, you do feel some love for little Dewey.

Why I read it & where I got it: My dad had told me about this book when it first came out (he is IN LOVE with cats, hence the recommendation!) so when I found it for 50% off at Borders I picked it up.

Date finished: May 31, 2009

Currently reading: Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Body Surfing

Body Surfing
by Anita Shreve

Published in 2007. 298 pages.

Amazon link

Genre: Fiction

My Overall Score: 3.5

What its about (taken from amazon.com): The beach house in New Hampshire which figured in Anita Shreve's The Pilot's Wife, Fortune's Rocks, and Sea Glass is once again featured in Body Surfing. This time, it is the summer home of the Edwards family, Anna and Mark and daughter Julie. Mrs. Edwards has great hopes for Julie, who is "slow," so she hires Sydney to tutor her, in preparation for her senior year. There are two older brothers, Jeff and Ben, whose arrival changes the household dynamic considerably.
Once again, Shreve revisits the minefield of love and betrayal that she has explored so well in her best novels. Sydney is 29, twice married, once divorced, and once a widow. Mrs. Edwards dislikes her instantly, is dismissive, and treats her like a servant. Mr. Edwards befriends her, shows her his roses and talks to her about the history of the house, giving the reader a rundown of the role the house has played in prior novels.

What I thought: This was a decent read, definitely not top on my list, but worth the read I guess. It kept you wondering how it was going to end, but it turned out to be a bit silly and a bit anti-climatic.

Why I read it & where I got it: I got this off the sale rack at Atlantic Book store because I have enjoyed some of Shreve's prior novels and wanted to give this one a chance.

Date finished: May 28, 2009

Currently reading: Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Rewind to April: Part 2

Disney - April 13-19... I'm sure you remember those updates! lol

In April, we began the process of applying for Obama's mortgage plan to see if we qualify (due to Tim's recent pay cuts and job changes). It looks like we qualify for a free refinancing program, but here we are two months later and still no further ahead. So we'll see how that works out.

Also, my allergies started up awful in April, but thankfully have gotten better more recently. Kaitlyn also started with allergies this year and has taken Claritin for kids almost every day...hers continues just as strong even now, poor girl.

The girls had some nice time with Mommom & Poppop...
Pops jumped in the trampolene with them:



He walked the girls to a lake nearby on a sunny afternoon and got a few cute pics:



Mom & Pops took them on a bike ride for treats at the local market:


Sunday, April 26 my cousin Julie got married! I drove up to Tommy's house (her brother) and rode to the wedding with Tommy and his wife Kim.
Tommy & his pregnant bride:




Sean & Boochy (Holly):

Brian & Amanda:



Korn (Karen), mom, me & Julie:





Uncle Tom & Aunt Joann - parents of the bride - with Korn:

Bride's whole family: Tommy, Korn & Jen plus parents:

Family with spouses:

Ortiz family: Julio, Karen, Julian & Madeleine:



Uncle Tom with my mom (brother & sister):


What a beautiful wedding!!

April 30, Kaitlyn went on a class trip to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and I was lucky enough to be chosen as a chaperone! Her three best friends were in our group and it was such a fun day!





And that wraps up our April... busy busy busy! Check back soon for May updates - they will be aplenty! :)