Summer Pick?

Hi all,
So sorry to have been gone so long. I'm ready for our next book. It was a blast to be apart of The History of Love. I can't wait to start blogging again. I'm back to feeling like myself these days. It feels great. Talk to you all soon. ( We loved having C.A. crew out for a visit; Amy can't wait to see you & kids.)

What I am reading now

Just to let you all know I am reading White Teeth by Zadie Smith. Read along if you want. It is pretty good so far. Miss you all, Anita

Almost Done

I find that the characters that I am drawn to the most are Jesse and the father. I find Anna to be a bit too narrow-minded, the mother a bit too one-sided, and Kate a bit too out of it. The story of Cambell and Julia is just so sappy and seems forced. It seems like the author wanted the reader to know that Cambell was a pretentious lawyer, but needed to throw in an old love story to balance him out.
Now back to Jesse and the father. My favorite part of the book is when Brian just embraces Jesse and realizes, despite Jesse's outward rejection, that they are one in the same. Brian and Jesse both fight the flames (Family Problems) and each use fire as a way to have some control. I really like Brian and find that he doesn't always react in the way that he is probably supposed to. I really feel sorry for Jesse. In a way, he is sicker than Kate.
Overall, the book is enjoyable and I am eager to finish. Any ideas for June book?

Thought Provoking Book

I am loving this book. Anita, I found your questions very interesting. My feelings at this point is that something went very wrong with the parenting process. I wonder if Ann would feel the way she does if she felt loved by her parents? I don't think her mother, Sara, is emotionally invested with Jesse and Ann. She has put all her energy into her sick child at the cost of the other children. Their wants and needs are secondary to that of Kate's. Kate's needs are overwhelming and all consuming.


That being said, I can also relate to the mother. I know when you have a sick child in pain, and you have to watch the suffering, everything else in life seems trivial. You just don't have the emotional energy to deal with a lot, especially the needs of the other kids that seem insignificant compared to Kate's needs and struggles. The mother is living in overdrive. She is just trying to make it through each day, trying to cope and deal with what has been doled out to her.

Well, these are my thoughts at this point in the book. They may change as I get further in the book.

Carla

Started reading too...

I am about 125 pages in and I am also enjoying the book. It brings up some very thought-provoking questions. Would I sacrifice myself for Amy? Would Amy do the same for me? How would my relationship be with my mom, knowing I was only brought into this world to save the life of my sister? Who should I feel sorry for? The mom, Kate, or Anna? What do you guys think???

My Sister's Keeper

Hi everyone:

I have started reading My Sister's Keeper and I am really enjoying it. Let me know what you think about the book. Happy reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Amy

Amy,
I was so touched by your blog.Brothers have special places for sisters. I have such a unique relationship with each one of my brothers. My brother Mike, during very dark times in my life has and will always be there for me. I know he is there and he would be by side in a heart beat and probably Greg and Kelly too. But my relationship is different with Mike. How you describe your experience with Danny is exactly how I feel about my brother Mike. I am so thankyou to my mother and Dad for my brother Mike.
As a mother and parent it makes me feel happy and comforted knowing that after Dad and I pass that you kids will have each other and will be close and loving and supporting of one another. If we did anything else right in this world, we pass on caring, loving children who will support and love each other long after we are gone.
Mom/Carlas

EXSQUEEZE ME?

Neets, Is it too much to ask that you stop, pause, and take note of my literary brillance? I need a little something, something here. -Amy

Back to business

During the month of March there was a drop in literary participation. Well April is upon us, calling for a renewed sense of devotion to our fellow blogger ladies. So let's get back to it! The book for April is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. As you begin the book, I would like to think and blog about some of the following questions: What does it mean to be a good parent? a good sister? a good person? Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? During the month of April, let's try to post a response once a week, starting with our first response by April 9th. Remember you have questions to lead you and eager readers ready to digest those responses. Miss you all. Let's get to work! Happy Reading...

If You've Finished The Book Read On...

"No one spoke. Phoebe was gazing at Paul, and after a long moment she reached across the space between them and touched his cheek, lightly, gently, as if to see if he was real. Paul nodded without speaking, looking at her gravely; her gesture seemed right to him, somehow. Phoebe wanted to know him, that was all. He wanted to know her too, but he had no idea what to say to her ..."(page 386).

Loved this part in the book as I think it is a great parallel to The History Of Love. A deep connection to the human experinece without fully comprehending the how or why, just understanding that it exists. This passage reminds me of a connection I share with my brother, Danny. Sometimes, I will hug him and I have this feeling of warmth and safety. No matter what happens I know that he is there for me, to support me.

Finally, Phoebe meets her brother.

I'm ready for the next book. I wish more of us would write on the blog because I love to read it. So, I am going to keep going.

xoxoxoxoxo, Amy

Where my ladies at?

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies...

Where to begin? Janelle, I could tell at Super Bowl you were not feeling all that super. We all know it is a boy and I think you should consider the name "Peyton".

As for my knee, I consider the word "TRIAL" everyday as this has been an exhausting process. I need to have a "sit down" with Uncle Rudy, I was so young when he had his accident that I have no recollection of the grief and heeling process that occured. How does this man function like any other? It's like I never even think about him in terms of the leg, it is just how I know him. But he had a whole life before the accident. This whole experience really makes me ponder life's mysteries and what it is that I am supposed to be learning and doing with this gift, aka the TRIAL.

As for the Memory Keeper, I am almost finished and it is a downer at times. Janelle and Anita, skip it and read David Sedaris' Me Talk Pretty One Day. As for future picks? My friend, Perlinda the Librarian, suggested Amy Tan's The Kitchen God's Wife or Maeve Binchy's Tara Road.

I am going to California this weekend for Kelly Slaughter's Baby Shower. Looking forward to wearing my flip flops. Love to all the ladies. I will be finished with Memory Keeper in a few days. Love and Smooches, Amy

Finished!

Hello Ladies,
I finished reading the book. I loved how all the character's lives (like all of us) are connected in more ways than we realize. I am glad to have read the book. It's probably not one I would have stuck with reading, if it wasn't for the book club. And I am so glad to have experienced the journey. I loved how all of their lives overlapped. And loved the ending. I agree with Amy, in that, I continued to get more out of the book after I have finished reading it. It seems to linger with me.
I can't believe most of you finished the book even before the Month of Feb. Over-achievers!
I had been avoiding the blog because I didn't want any twists in the story revealed before I was ready. Obviously now that I've caught-up with all the blog posts that wouldn't have been an issue.
I have been extremely sick; morning, afternoon, evening sickness. This pregnancy is so much harder. Thank God for Paul. I look forward to starting the next book. I hope it's not depressing. If it is, I may have to sit out a month.
Anita _thank you_ I love being connected to all my favorite ladies! xoxo

Loving the Memory Keeper's Daughter

I am reading the book and really enjoying it. I have to admit that I have really enjoyed reading the post from Amy and Anita about the History of Love. I think it is really neat that each one of us takes something different from a book. What a gift it is to share with each other what moved us and what didn't.

It has taken me all week to absorb and reflect upon the surprise Birthday dinner last week. I am totally amazed that the family was able to pull it off without me suspecting anything. I am a very blessed woman.

I hope all of you enjoy our books and will continue to support each other in our growth.The Lalonde women are dynamic

Look forward to all your posts.

Carla

The Little Moments

I've been reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter and I am really enjoying it. But...I keep thinking about The History of Love. I keep thinking of those little moments that I talked about before. Moments like Leo forgetting to put on his underwear, his spongebaths, and when he bought his suit for his son's funeral. I can't exactly say why, but reading that book and hobbling around with my knee has really, really made me think and connect to Grandma Lalonde. I am sure it has something to do with Urban passing. The book made everyday moments really beautiful. And I liked Leo more than Alma. Alma's mother kind of irritated me and her brother fascinated me. I liked her Uncle too. I loved the part of the book where Alma makes up things about her Dad to keep him close to Bird. But none of the quirkiness of that story line compared to that of Leo, which is odd due to the author being a woman. If I were to compare this book to a movie of similar tone it would be As Good As It Gets. Did anyone else have the same connection?/Users/jeffgurich/Pictures/iPhoto Library/2007/01/02/DSCF0028.JPG

I'm Back

It was so wonderful to see everyone in good ol' SoCal. Loved surprising mom, spending time with the family, and catching up with my sista who I had not seen in nearly a year! So about the History of Love...Yes, Yes, Yes to all of Amy's comments. I also thought that including the relationship between Zvi and Leo shows the reader that we all "plagiarize" the story of love. We all have or need or want what Alma represents. Mom, you are not allowed to quit the blog and thanks for keeping us all on top of things.

I Love The Blog!

Mom-don't give up, it's only the 6Th, some people just started reading. And as far as understanding, you get it. You just don't know that you get it. When the lines between Alma and Leo blur, it's on purpose. I think the point is that it doesn't matter who is narrating, we are all telling a story about the History of Love. Our lives are defined by our relationships, the search and hunger for love. For me what resonated with the book, were the small moments, when Alma and Leo were really venerable and taking a risk to find love...also, I liked how things seemed to come full circle. I thought it was good, like a movie that gets you thinking after it's over. You just can't forget the book and that's something. I joined the membership at B&N too.

New Books

What's with this. Am I the only one looking at our Blog page. I am the only one posting. I would love to see input from the rest of you ladies. I bought two new books from Barnes N Noble. I joined their club for $25 and then I went online and bought the next two books The Memory Keeper's Daughter and My Sister's Keeper. I can't wait to start reading. Anyway, joining that club really cuts the cost of the books. I paid $7.00 or $8.00 for each book. In the store they are $14.00 so I think it pays to join the club.

I finished the book!!

O.K. ladies, I finished this book and found it very confusing. I am not sure I have a handle on the book. To me it seemed fragmented and hard to follow the narrative. I enjoyed reading it but found it difficult to follow, one minute I thought Leo was narrating, only to find out it was Alma. In fact, like Amy mentioned in her blog, I feel like I need to go back and read the book again to fully understand it. I am wondering if I am slow because when I read the questions for dicussion, I really could not answer most of them. Is it just me, or did any one else have a hard time following the flow of the book?

Carla

I am 100 pages in

Okay, so I started reading yesterday and I could not put this book down. Frankly, I am IN LOVE with the History of Love. I love Alma Singer, Leo Gursky, Bruno, and so much more about this book. I marked this quote, as it seems to sum up the new feelings and thoughts I had after reading the first 100 pages: "Even now, all possible feelings do not yet exist. There are still those that lie beyond our capacity and our imagination. From time to time, when a piece of music no one has ever written, or a painting no one has ever painted, or something else impossible to predict, fathom, or yet describes takes place, a new feeling enters the world." This is a powerful book! It has the ability to evoke new feelings and curiosity. Amy, congrats on finishing the book. I am so sorry about the knee. Miss you all. Kiss, Kiss, Anita

I finished the book!

I know I am ahead of the game but with this knee injury, I have a lot ot time to read. This book is not linear and now that I finished it, I am inclined to go back and read sections again. My advice is to read through once and then go back. I had a lot of questions along the way but I just pressed through and I am glad I did. Otherwise, I would have weighed myself down looking for answers to questions that didn't need an answer to enjoy. Get me? So now I can create my own questions and research those...and I have many. Cheers to all.

Uncle Rudy

Anita, I tried to comment on your post today. When I hit the comment area a screen popped up and I entered my comment. At the bottom I had to put in my Google Username and password. It did not recognize my password or username. Would you please try to do a comment.

Yesterday, we were with Mary Lou and Rudy watching football. Rudy is doing great. He is a real trooper. He is hardly taking any pain medication and is up and around. He has a go get them attitude. He is not going to let this slow him down much. He is a winner. He would have to be to be married to a Lalonde literary lady.

Love Mom

Uncle Rudy

How are things going with Uncle Rudy? Just sending a little literary love his way.

A chapter a night...

Welcome Soul Sister Janelle and Aunt Mary Lou, yahoosie!!! I'm three chapters in and love this book. It's my night time treat to myself. I started reading about the author(the info Anita added to the blog) and stopped, not ready to know just yet, I like the magic and don't want to see the wizard behind the curtain. Will get back to you on that. As far as other Blogs of Interest:Christopher Watson, this strikes me as laugh out loud funny. He always has to get his digs into the mix! This is way more than a hoot! Thanks Sis!

Did it!

I'm in and excited.

Welcome Janelle

Yeah, Janelle is up and running and ready to enter the blogging world. Nice work! Let me know if you have any questions. Could you help your mom get all set up? Thanks

Blogging 101?

I am a novice at this blogging stuff. I am very impressed with you gals that are already up and running. I am thrilled about the "Lalonde Literary Ladies." I'm planning on getting my book tonight. This is sooo exciting! I love reading all your comments. Anita you are Amazing! Thank you for this wonderful new gift(good books & thoughtful insights) to enjoy for 2007. I hope I'm doing this right. Watch out blog world here I come! -Janelle

Update

Okay, Mom and Amy are all set up. We are still waiting for Aunt Marylou to connect as an author to the blog. I have not heard from Lishawn, Amy L., Molly, Debby, or Deanna. Has anyone heard if they are interested? I have not started The History of Love, as I am still working to get through A Separate Peace for my Washington book club. Soon I will post some questions to spur our February discussion. Mom, great job getting started! I miss all my ladies and I will talk to you soon. Happy Blogging and Reading.

Reading my book

Hi All,
I am reading The History of Love and I am really enjoyinjg it. Let me know what you think?

Happy Reading

Carla

I bought my books...

I've poured my glass of wine. 7:30 (bedtime for little ones) can't come fast enough. Cheers to reading.

I'm in! What a hoot!

I'm in. This is very exciting! Anita, kudos to you for taking the initiative. I am going to buy my book and get started. I have a lot more time now that football season is winding down. Speaking of which, Molly please bribe Michael into sending me an update. I have no idea how much money I have lost this year. I think it could be in the triple digits. Love to all the Lalonde Women. This will be a hoot. xo, Amy

Book Purchase

Hi Ladies:
I bought my book today at Barnes N Noble today. The clerk checking me out said she had read the book and loved it. So I am excited to get started. Oh by the way, the book is not a huge one, totally managable to get read in one month. Happy reading.

Carla

Committed

I am really excited about our book club. I am going to buy my book tomorrow.

Welcome

Welcome to Literary Ladies. The purpose of this blog is to serve as a forum for my closest relatives, who live in different parts of the country, to engage in conversations about literature, life, and family.