I can't fathom beginning this new week without a few words about the horrific tragedy that happened in Newtown on Friday. As the mother of a five year old, it is all too easy for me to imagine those events happening in my sons's school...to his friends...to him. But of course I know that my imagination does not even touch the way that those parents and families are feeling right now. I feel like there are so few words that mean anything in this moment, so I will just say that I am praying for those children, those parents, that school, and that town and they are on my heart and mind and will be there for a long time.
Reading-wise, I did something this week I haven't done in a long time and tried to work through two books at once. As usual, I sped through the fiction much faster than the non-fiction read. That's not to say that I'm not enjoying For Her Own Good: Two Centuries of the Experts' Advice to Women. However, it is one of those books where you finish a chapter and you just need to mull for a while on the ridiculous ways in which doctors and 'professionals' used so-called science to justify keeping women silent and submissive.
In other news, I am scrambling to finish all of these Christmas-like things. We are hosting Christmas dinner here, which is exciting and the list of things to accomplish before then is long! Are you ready for Christmas yet? Or did you already celebrate Chanukah?
Read This Week:
I Know This Much is True
By Wally Lamb
Posts from this Week:
It's Monday
Wednesdays with David: The Library Dragon
Reviews of Antarctica on a Plate and The Awakening and Other Selected Stories
Reading Now:
For Her Own Good: Two Centuries of the Experts' Advice to Women
By Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English
Up Next:
The Age of Miracles
By Karen Thompson Walker
What are you reading this week?
Not ready for Christmas, got lots of wrapping to do. My prayers go out to Newtown too.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I still have some shopping and all of the wrapping to do! Sigh...
DeleteI haven't seen that cover of WallyL before, I love it.
ReplyDeleteI also did 2 books and never do but had the pull for a Christmas book, my thriller is great also but I just needed a festive detour. :-)
I have a 5 year old also and honestly can only think of being in shock, completely dazed, was a tragedy.
I think I'm going to be picking up some lighter reads now too. How are you enjoying your Christmas read??
DeleteI have yet to read the Wally Lamb book but I want to. Tough week for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think I've read all of his books now. Time to get writing, Mr. Lamb!
DeleteI read that Lamb book so long ago that I can't remember much of it :( That makes me sad because I know that I enjoyed it. For Her Own Good sounds like something I would LOVE. I'm going to keep my eyes open for that one.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad about the tragedy in Connecticut..as we all are. I just hope those families can find a way to heal
That's the thing I love about blogging. I'm no longer saying, "I loved that book, but I can't remember why!"
DeleteFor Her Own Good is really interesting. I hope you get the chance to read it. :)
I remember liking I Know This Much is True. I look forward to reading your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Now I just have to collect those thoughts and write them all down. :)
DeleteI also went to a funeral this week of a 17 year old who committed suicide. What a week. He took his life the day before the Sandy Hook tragedy. I don't even know what to think about the whole thing. I'm horrified, but I almost can't even process it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you for your loss. It's unfathomable that we should be mourning these children, whether they are five or seventeen.
DeleteI have Miracles on my TBR list. Haven't picked it up yet but am definitely wanting to! Hope its a good one :)
ReplyDeleteWhatcha readin' this week @ the Brunette Librarian :)
My friend recommended it to me. I'm excited to start reading!
DeleteHave a great week :)
It can certainly be infuriating, but it's also very interesting and it really makes your reconsider the ways in which we have taken the experts' word as law in areas like medicine and childcare.
ReplyDeleteAge of Miracles is on my to-read list as well. After the tragedy in CT, we could use an Age of Miracles! Wonderful title, hope the book lives up to the expectation.
ReplyDeleteA Christmas miracle would be good right about now, wouldn't it?
DeleteI hope we both enjoy the book! :)
For her own good sounds great, I'd probably be shouting at the page though!
ReplyDeleteIt does create that reaction from time to time. More often, I turn to my husband and say, "Can you believe this?" Then I read him a few sentences and we both have a good (and horrified) laugh.
DeleteThe Age of Miracles has such a cute cover :) I would pick it up based on that alone!
ReplyDeleteI'm also extremely saddened and horrified by the events last week in Connecticut. I have no children of my own, but I can only imagine how terrifying it would be to have a child right now. I pray daily that we won't know these kinds of tragedies in the future.
I was considering it, but I decided I had to read it when my best friend said it was great.
DeleteThat's my prayer too.
I have heard amazing things about The Age of Miracles. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm excited to read it! :)
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