Any good books?

By Judy at My Freezer is Full

I love to read.  Anywhere, anytime- almost anything.  But, with working full time and trying to keep up with the house, garden and children, I have little spare time to read.  Oh, I tried for a while to read before I went to bed but that didn’t work out so well for me. Either I fell asleep or, more likely, I would get sucked into the book and lose track of time.  Then I would pay the price the next day when I needed to get up at 5:30 am to get to work. So that didn’t work.   Then, I went through phases where I would just leave the housework and read for a day, but then I would feel guilty.  So for a while, I just gave up on reading, even though it was hard on my spirit.  I needed to find balance.

But now, I have discovered my reading time.  Since we moved in July, I have been riding the city bus to and from work every day.  I have about 25 minutes each way where I can read, so I have rediscovered my passion for reading.  I’ve also been finding other moments recently: waiting for the latest batch of apples to come out of the canning bath, waiting in the car for one child or the other to be picked up, every little moment counts. I just have to carry my book with me.

I love our local library, although, with riding the bus now, I don’t walk by it every day anymore (sigh) on my way home.  We have a huge library of our own that we have collected over the years so I can almost always find something to read.  I don’t often treat myself to new release books but a few weeks ago I indulged.  As I was waiting for the bus I noticed that the local bookstore was having a 25% off sale on Dan Brown’s new book, The Lost Symbol. It was a fun read.  That book finished, I was looking for something to take along on the bus this morning and picked one of the books my youngest son just got with his school book order from Scholastic.  You remember Scholastic book orders, right?  And you know, for a spooky mystery story for kids, it isn’t half bad.  It’s got a family curse, the ghosts of six children and stone circles.  For a quick read on the bus, it was great. I’ll have to find something new for tomorrow though.

I’m loving my bus riding reading time.  I’m much happier now that I’m getting my reading fix on a regular basis.  How about you?  How do you manage to fit time to read into your busy day?

Once Upon A Time

This topic is far more extensive than what I will cover here.  Story telling (not ’tall tales’) has a rich past; for the longest time it was the only way history and important information was passed to the next generation.  Would you believe that a version of this (story telling) still exists today?  Watered down to be sure, but still viable.

I can remember reading fairy tales to my girls when they were younger or making up stories that began with “Once upon a time. . . “.  Not much thought went into from where fairy tales came until a few years ago when a friend recommended Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Estes.  This was a collection of tales I had not read before; however, it did get me thinking about how fairy tales came to be and the purpose behind them.  These tales were originally stories meant to teach some of life’s more difficult lessons, were often gruesome and most certainly not for children; passed down through the maternal line, discussing all manner of topics from discontent or relaying important lessons or information.  Think of it as a hidden code within the tale. 

Did you know that Cinderella as about 340 different versions/endings?  This site includes some of those variations including the one where Cinderella’s deceased mother comes back as a calf to help Cinderella.  The calf is killed and even in death, is still able to afford some assistance to her struggling daughter.  Oddly enough I remember this version yet cannot remember from where.  Perhaps it was my Belgium Grandmother that shared it with me; I do remember being very young when the story was told. 

Next time you pick up a book of fairy tales to read your children/grands, remember the original had, sometimes, a much different tale to tell…

~ Annette from the Ward House.

Escaping the World

Sometimes I need to escape, I imagine we all do from time to time.  Escaping can come in many forms: trips, hikes, walks, eating out, watching a movie, etc.  For me, there’s nothing quite like escaping into the pages of good book.  I read alot about subjects that interest me but when I want to escape I want something fun and easy.  I don’t necessarily want great literature.  I do want books with interesting characters and fun plot lines that draw me and allow me to forget the word I’m living in and escape to a completely different place and time.

I hit the library often when I’m looking for an escape, but I do keep a few of my most favorites on hand for those days when I need an escape, right quick.  Here’s a few suggestions for those of you looking for a quick escape:

• The entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich is a great escape.  The characters pull you in immediately, the story lines are over-the-top but believable in the Stephanie Plum world.  You won’t regret the time you spend in the pages of these books and they are quick reads.  In fact, I’m willing to bet that you’ll get hooked and be reserving the next book at the library before it comes out.
• Indian Creek Chronicles by Pete Fromm – A true story about a college student who signs up to live in a canvas wall tent for 7 months in the winter in Idaho.  It’s a great read that allows you to escape into the solitude of wilderness and feel the all the emotions from fear and loneliness to wonder and excitement. 
• The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder – Ok, you’re all grown up now, but trust me this series isn’t for kids only.  In fact, if you read these books as a child, I suggest you read them again and be amazed all over again.  The different perspectives from child reader to adult reader who understands what running a home and feeding a family is about makes re-reading them well worth your time.
• Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins – Its impossible to avoid escaping when your follow the main character on her hitchhiking adventures through some very amazing characters.
•  The Poisonwood Bible and/or Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver – I admit that it took me a while to get into the Poisonwood Bible, but once I did there was no turning back, in fact I still wonder about the characters in that book.  I never wanted it too end.  The prodigal summer allows you to escape into the woods and hearts of simple folks living an amazingly intertwined life.

Seeing as I’m always looking for the next great book and liking to keep a good escape at hand, do tell – what books do you recommend for escapism?