Different, but not less.

The past couple weeks I have been reading the book, Thinking In Pictures by Temple Grandin.  It is probably one of the most fascinating and insightful books I have ever read.  Every night when I would read another passage, I would feel as if my eyes were opened a little more.  Even though much of the information wasn't new to me, the way she explained it, made it easier for me to take in, and apply it in my life... and in Harry's life.  I can not express how much reading this book had changed my view, on a lot of things.  This book opened my eyes, to all of the possibles out there (and also not just for Harry or others with Autism, but certainly more so)... not that I didn't know they were there before, but sometimes when you are down in the trenches, it is hard to see the silver lining.
I admire Ms. Grandin, and her passion.  The book explains how she thinks, and how other individuals with Autism may or may not think.  It also documents how the unique way she thinks propelled her career, and allowed her to see things from another view, a cow's eye view.
Since last summer I have had her HBO movie on my dvr.  I have stopped and started it many many times.  Most of the time to overwhelmed by how close it hit to home to finish it.  Today I finally finished it, and I am so glad I did (I am also just as glad I read the book before watched it).  I thought it was nothing short of brilliant.  It showed perfectly the way she thinks, and how much she fought to be heard, and understood.  Going through her many symbolic doors, to a new world and new challenges.  It is very inspiring, not just for those with Autism, but us "normal" folk as well.

I have spend the better part of this last year coming to terms with Harry's Autism diagnosis.  Then, even when I thought I came to terms, and I embraced it, and I decided to fight for and help Harry, I still had to come to terms with the fact that he may never be able to express the genius that is hidden inside of him.  He may never speak, or be able to explain to me how he sees things, or what his hidden passions will be.  He may never get past his sensory issues enough to be a part of everyday life, school, colleges, relationships.  This time next year Harry could be talking in sentences, asking me for things, laughing at jokes, singing songs... or he could be exactly the same.  Seeking comfort in his blankets, and being alone, and hardly ever participating with the family.  This has been something that I have really struggled with.  I can get over the little every day things, if I know where we are going to end up, but it is so hard not knowing.  I have to believe it will be something more, something great...even something "normal".  And just as much as I have to believe that, I think I also need to be okay with the fact that he may not be those things.  He may always live with us, or maybe a group home.  He may never go to college, or even a main stream school, he may never serve a mission.  We don't know.  And I think now I am okay with that.  It took awhile to get there, and some days are better than others, but we are all okay with it now.

I am really so excited for this next year.  It is going to be scary, stressful, nerve racking, and hard for all of us, BUT it also holds so much hope.  I'm excited to see how Harry is going to do it school.  I am excited to start his ABA therapy (just as soon as I find someone, I am thinking October).  I am praying for positive change, and a better understanding of my little guy.  I am excited to learn new ways to teach and help him (and hopefully more energy to do so after I have the baby).  I feel like I understand now, more than I did before, how important it is to introduce my children to as many opportunities as possible. Different ways to look at the world around them.  It seems like such a simple concept, and it was something I already knew, but I feel more ready and able to do it. (It is so hard to explain).  I pray, whole-heartedly, that I can be the Mother that my children need, meet their different needs.

So in conclusion, read the book.  Whether you know someone who is Autistic or not, whether you think you know all about it or not... I think it will change the way you see things.

My Last Book Blog

I know nobody really cares about my book posts,

I've had enough of you tell me, over and over.

So, I'm moving on.

Besides, it doesn't really fit with the theme of this blog, 

keeping our family journal.

I could just start posting them at my other blog, but I am too lazy to move them all over.

They just seem out of place.  

And I am not going to start a book blog, I spend entirely too much time on the computer as it is.

BUT

If you want to join me on Goodreads,

 we can continue this little ole book party there.

I love a good book suggestion, 

and it is fun to share our thoughts on what we read.

It's free to join up, and there is an endless supply of book geekery available.

Under The Skin

Under The Skin   by Michael Faber

★★★ 1/2 stars

Weird, creepy, vague and oh-so curious.  This book was layer upon layer of double meanings, and mystery.  I enjoyed digging into the story, and tyring to figure out just what in the world (or not in this world) was going on.  Totally surprising, and kinda sad, right up to the end.

I am at a loss at how to explain this book, without giving anything away.  I loved that I had no idea what was going on, it is what kept me turning the pages.  However, how about a big fat teaser for blogging sake.  Imagine a world where we, as human beings, are livestock...stolen away from our lives, fattened up, and consumed by an underground race of wolf-like hairy people.  What???  Crazy talk, you say.  Yep, just read it.  It will befuddle your mind, and keep you up at night...in a good way.

The author did tend to get a little long winded at times, and the story would start to loss its momentum, but sooner or later it always found its way back on track.  Interesting read.

The Gargoyle

The Gargoyle  by Andrew Davidson


★★★ 1/2 stars


Emotionally charged and raw, this was a difficult book to read, and even more so to put down.

Once you get past all the pretext, and the graphic descriptions of main character and his life before the car accident that left him severely burned (he was a drug addicted porn star), it is a compelling love story. I enjoyed the book for that reason, slowly getting to know the characters through their past, in 1300 AD no less. The last half of the book was my favorite. I love the whole redemption through love theme, and following our main character (he never had a name...) through his own personal Hell, to come out on the other side a whole, and clean.

Despite all the things I didn't like about it, in the end it was a good read.  

Summer Reading

(I promise, sooner rather than later, to get to all the FUN stuff this summer has brought us.  I have tons of pictures, stories, and memories I want to share.  This really has been one of the best summers of my life... stressful, scary, fun, exciting, and very memorable.  We found a house!  A big house, twice the size of our old one!  We are almost all unpacked, and back to normal life, almost.  And we FINALLY have an internet connection and cable tv, wooooot!  So, to my ever loving little brother who keeps asking me where the new posts and pictures are :) Be patient with me, I'm almost there.)

Summer reading was a little slow this summer, due to all the traveling (and the fact that I always get car sick when I read while we drive).  But I did find some time to knock back a few good novels :)

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

★★★★

I loved this book. The characters were so heartfelt, and while not perfect by far, real.  While parts of me thought it was a little long, it tended to drag on in some places, it was easy to get past and right back into the heart of the story.  I loved the narration of the story, so descriptive without getting carried away, and easy to follow along.  It made me long for my own little cottage on a cliff side in England, with a secret garden to tend...
The story follows Nell and Cassandra on a journey into the past.  Looking for Nell's birth parents, uncovering secrets, and the reason why she was left abandoned on a ship headed to Australia when she was only a child.  The story hops back and forth between the past and present, and we uncover the family mystery one layer at a time.  Lovely story telling, and a nice peaceful little read.

Mockingjay  by Suzanne Collins

★★★★★

I don't really know what to say.  I really loved this entire series.  If you haven't read them, then you probably should.  I rate them among some of my favorite books of all time.... right after my beloved Harry Potter and Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

So addicting, and compelling.  It is nearly impossible to put down.  I love the characters, and the heart they bring into the story.  Intense, thrilling, hopeful, daring.... Really all I'm doing now is gushing. You should read them, that is all :)

Let's face it, a series is only as good as its last book.  And even though I found much of the last book to be sad and emotionally draining, I loved the conclusion to the story.  A perfect ending.  Not necessarily a happy one, but satisfying.

The Millennium Trilogy
by Stieg Larsson

★★★★

I normally don't pick up these types of books to read....modern mystery, who-dun-it type books, but I bought into all the hype and fancy coverings.  Needless to say, they did not disappoint.  I read through the entire series in less than a week.  They aren't the most perfect books ever written, by far.  I found a lot of things to be redundant or annoying, like WHY did we have to know every single item Lisbeth bought at the grocery store, and there were way too many mentions of McDonalds and Mac iBooks, AND the language was out of control.  All that aside, these are great books, and fascinating stories.  Sometimes when I was reading, I wondered how much got lost in translation...since the original books were in Swedish.
Fast paced, and very addicting.  I found Lisbeth Salander to be one of the most intriguing and compelling female characters that I have read in a long time, an unlikely heroine.
The story is too complex to narrow down in a few sentences, so I am not even going to try.  In my opinion the first book was the strongest.  I was a little bored in the last one waiting for the conclusion, but in the end I was completely satisfied...for the most part.  Good reads!

The Maze Runner  by James Dashner

★★★

A futuristic Lord of the Flies....that is what this book reminded me of. A group of teenage boys (oh and one surprise girl) stranded God knows where, albeit, under rather curious circumstances.  Hormones and tempers flying everywhere, trying to survive, and make sense of the horrifying situation they've been thrown in, where nothing is what it seems.
 I can't seem to make up mind about this book.  I liked it well enough.  It was fast paced, and interesting...and I can't wait to find out what is actually going on in their strange little world.  However, something was missing.  I didn't really care too much about the characters, and the stupid little made up words they used for swears was so annoying, for shucks sake ;) Maybe it was the authors writing or narrative... Who knows?  It can't be that bad though, because I do plan on reading the sequel eventually.



And there you have it, my summer reading.

I love reading.  Sometimes I forget how much I love escaping into a book, forgetting all the chores that need to be done and the responsibilities I have.  Leaving behind the kid's constant whining for one thing or another, to just jump into someone else skin and live with them for awhile.  It is so relaxing to me.  Sometimes all I need is just a couple more hours in the day, not to clean or do some other mind-numbing thing, but to read.  It is the best.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane  by Katherine Howe

★★★

While cleaning out her Grandmother's old abandoned house Connie stumbles across an old Bible, with a key and a slip of paper reading 'Deliverance Dane' hidden inside.  As a student of early American history she is intrigued, and sets out to find more about Deliverance, and in turn herself.
I liked this story a lot.  The idea of it, and the execution, I thought it was beautifully written.  I probably would have given it four stars if I didn't have so many issue with Connie (the main character) as a scholar and a graduate student I found her character to be a little dense and slow.  Parts of the story, while good, were a bit predictable and that wears on me as a reader (I like suspense, and not knowing what is going to happen).  All that said, I thought it was a fun and great read.

And Only To Deceive

And Only To Deceive  by Tasha Alexandra

★★★★

Lovely reading, and a great story.
Lady Ashton, Emily, has just lost her husband after only being married for six months.  Deciding only to get married to escape her controlling mother, she fights mixed emotions of her husbands shocking death.  During her strict required time of mourning, she comes to realize how much she didn't know about him and that she just might even love him.  Romantic and funny at times, I found the characters delightful to read.  There is also a mystery here, who can Emily trust with a secret that could sully her late husbands memory and honor.  Part suspense, part history, I loved that you couldn't pin the book down to a particular theme.
I was happy to find out that there are several sequels to this books. I liked Emily's character so much, and that of her friends, that I can't wait to read them.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein   by Mary Shelley

★★

Yet another book I have started, and I am unable to finish.  I  don't know what it wrong with me lately.  I am not in the mood to read, I can't stay focused...and I just don't really care, BOO.  
I got about nine chapters into the book, and I am bored out of my mind.  I was expecting something a little more suspenseful, and scary.  It is neither.  I found the main character, Mr. Frankenstein, to be a bit whiny and indulgent.  He only wanted to create a person or "monster" because he wanted to be a smarty pants.  We had to hear about him go on and on about it, and then NOTHING when he actually brought the monster to life.  I got bored really fast.  I kind of want to keep reading, just to see if it picks up... but I can't make myself start it up again.  Maybe someday, probably not.

Moving on.

For the past couple weeks I have agonized over these books.  I have been in a reading rut.  I can't find my groove, or my enjoyment.  So, I decided to admit defeat and just move on... I hardly ever do that, I always try to finish a book that I have started, but not this time.


American God by Neil Gaiman
★

Crap.  I was sorely disappointed.  I normally love his books, but this one was too crude, and a bit of a mess.  I made it about 3/4 of the way through, and I still had no clue what was really going on.  While some parts were good, I just didn't understand where they fit in with the rest of the book.  The characters, although intriguing, were not very like-able.  I just couldn't bring myself to pick it up anymore.






Gulliver's Travels  by Jonathan Swift
★★

I did like this book.  It was interesting enough, and fun to read.  But I just felt such drudgery going to it every day, like a chore.  I do hope to finish the book...someday.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

★★★ (out of 5 stars)

I just recently figured out how to download FREE books onto my phone. FREE BOOKS!! So, in addition to my normal reading list, I added as few classics onto my phone to read whenever I have some down 
time, when it is just not convenient to bring a book (like to church, haha).

Having grown up watching different adaptations of this book, cartoon and otherwise, I was a bit disappointed by the book. I always thought the movies were a little weird, so I was hoping the book would explain more, and add more depth to the story and characters. Nope, nadda...still weird.  I am not even sure why this book is a classic.  I am sure there were some hidden layers and meanings in the story that I was just to dense to get, and sure it was interesting and very creative.  I just didn't get IT.  Glad I decided to read it, but it was just okay.

Year of Wonders

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

★★★★ (out of 5 stars)

Set in a sleepy little mining town, this story follows Anna as she watches her family, friends, and neighbors suffer the ravages of the Plague. Part fact and part fiction, I found the story to be gut wrenching and moving. Even though it was so sad, I thought it was a beautiful story, and at times quite courageous.

I loved Anna's character, not only was she fighting through the sadness and suffering around her, but she also was becoming more herself everyday.

Lovely story, looking forward to trying another one of Geraldine Brooks books.

City of Glass

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

★★★ (out of 5 stars)

This was the final installment in the Mortal Instruments series. While it was a nice conclusion to the story, with a fitting ending...I was left feeling unsatisfied. I was expecting a lot more from the last book, especially since I liked the second one so much. It felt rushed (even though it was long???) and VERY predictable, and a little anti-climatic.

All in all, this was a pretty good series. Not the best, but still very entertaining. I did like the characters a lot, and most of the ideas...just wish it was better executed.

ps. On an awesome-er note, this is the 7th book I have read this month. I am on a role. Totally makes up for my lack of reading in January. But still a LONG LONG way from my goal of 100 this year.

Compulsively Readable!

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire

by Suzanne Collins

★★★★★

I have been hearing about these books for awhile, so I decided to finally give them a read. My expectations were already high, with all the praise they've been getting, they not only met and delighted my expectations, but surpassed them!

If I was going to write a book, if I could write a book...I would want it to be just like these.

Compulsively readable, thrilling, clever, thoughtful, moving, dangerous, and just an utter delight to read. Probably my favorite thing I have read, so far this year. I finished both book this weekend, and Sunday is only half over for me :)

And I am just going to put this out there, I liked them more than Twilight (shock and awe, not that Twilight was ever my favorite book or anything...I hold that place dear in my heart with the Harry Potters and the Outlander series, but these were so so great, right up there near the top).

The Hunger Games takes place in Panem, a place that used to be North America before the wars destroyed it. Panem is made up of a very rich Capitol, surrounded by 12 poorer slave type districts. As punishment for a previous rebellion 75 years ago, the Capitol requires that the districts provide one boy and one girl tribute, between the ages of 12-18, to fight in the yearly Hunger Games. The televised event follows these tributes as they fight for survival and to the death, until one person is left standing. Little does the Capitol know that this year, one of the players will (whether she knows it or not) defy the Capitol, and start the seeds for another rebellion.

I am so glad I finally decided to read them, and now I am dying until the third one comes out...what a cliffhanger!

The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

✭✭✭ (out of 5 stars)

I found this book to be beautifully written, and curious to read. We follow little Susie around in "her heaven", watching her family and friends, in the aftermath of her disappearance and death. Heart breaking at times, watching the family fall apart, trying to cope with the loss of a daughter and sister.

I did find the ending to be a little disturbing, and out of character for the theme of the book... but it didn't keep me from liking it as a whole.

I loved the concept of Susie having to let go of life on earth, and living vicariously through her family, before she could move on (or progress) in heaven. While at the same time her family had to let go of her death, and lack of justice, to learn how to progress through life.

A good read, but I am not sure I would try another one of Alice Sebold's book.

City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

✭✭✭ 1/2 (out of 5 stars)

Well, the second book in this series was much better than the first. The writing and story is much faster paced, and the characters are better developed. It seemed like the author finally found her groove with this installment. I love the snarky comments of her characters, and some of the themes she has, (ie. the gray area in the whole good vs. evil battle) even if some of them do seem like I have heard them once or twice before. Still a bit juvenile, but this time I was able to get past that and enjoy the novel. I am getting quite attached to Clary and her demon hunting pals, and I love the self discovery in novel between the characters.

This book continues where the first left off, with the Clave of Shadowhunters fighting against Valentine to protect the mortal instruments. Clary is fighting her feelings of love for Simon and Jace (still kinda grossed out about that, one of them may be her brother). Simon is undergoing his own ch-ch-changes, and Jace is still trying to come to terms with the abandonment of his father. Add in a gay demon hunter trying to come out to his parents, and you have a nice little teen soap opera... Not too bad.

One thing for sure that has ruined the reading experience for me is all the spoilers online...one of the reasons I never give away too much-if any- of the plot when I do my little sad book reviews...so be careful there if you plan to research it online.

City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

✭✭✭ (out of 5 stars)

Been there, done that.

While mildly entertaining, and a easy fast read, I just had a hard time connecting with this book. At times the writing and story telling is really great, funny and exciting... and other times it is too predictable, and juvenile for my taste (and I read a lot of YA novels, so that is saying a lot).

Demon hunting, a missing magic cup, vampires, werewolves, and magic runes...this books seems to have it all. Especially the all to familiar teen angst of first loves, missing parents, and magic worlds... but something just seems to be missing.

Probably something I would've liked a lot more 18 years ago, but I bought the whole darn series...so I have to finish it.

Map of Bones

Map of Bones by James Rollins

✭✭✭✭

Dan Brown, meets Indiana Jones, throw in the military, a side of secret organizations and high tech weapons, and you've got James Rollins' Map of Bones. Quite the page turner. This book pretty much has everything, action, science way over my head, some more action, a little love story, solving clues like Scooby Doo, and enough twists to keep you wondering who is who through out the book.

I enjoyed this book, which turned out is only the beginning in a series of Sigma Force books, following these genius soldiers on secret missions to save the world....or something like that. A little predictable at times, with the all typical stereotypes you find in these types of books (lady's man, joker, tough guy who turns out is actually a softie, the jerk who breaks all the rules, a girly girl who is hard as nails...you get the point) but like-able characters none of the less. I was a little surprised how much I liked the book, and I hope I can find the others to read.

Rebecca

Rebecca by Daphine Du Mauier

✭✭✭✭

I liked this book a lot. It was slow going at first, but so descriptive and intriguing it was hard to put down. The more I read, the more suspenseful it got. Mysterious and beautifully written.

I am at a loss at how to explain this book. The main female character, whose name is actually never given, is trying to settle into her newly married life. Fighting with the memory and ghost of her new husband 's , first wife, Rebecca. She thinks that the distance and unrest in their relationship is due to his love for Rebecca, little does she know there is much more. There is also creepy house keeper, whose undying affection for the deceased Rebecca, causes our heroine constant anxiety. The ending was a bit sudden, but a good twist and fitting ending to the book.

I am looking forward to reading another one of Daphine's books.

Little, Big

Little, Big by John Crowley

I tried... I tried for two long weeks and I could never get past the first 100 pages.

I liked it enough. The writing was very descriptive and interesting. The characters were intriguing and mysterious, and the story really seemed like it was going places, cool and fun places. BUT, it just never took off. As much as I wanted to read it, and see where it took me, I hate wasting two weeks on a book when there is so much more out there to read. So, it is back on the shelf, to wait for another day.

Neverwhere

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

✭✭✭✭

This is the second book I have read by Neil Gaiman, and just like the first (Stardust) I enjoyed it very much. Once again I was swept away into another world, albeit a slightly dark and twisted world, filled with action, mystery, sarcasm, and yes even a little romance. I love his imagination and creativity.

After coming to the rescue of a strange wounded girl, named Door, Richard is unable to get back to his normal life. Literaly unable, no one can see him, or even remember who he is. Richard goes underground, to London Below, on a quest to get his old life back. London Below is a very different world from our own, filled with floating markets, strange creatures, and talking rats. There he finds Door (and her friends and enemies) and together they attempt to avenge the death of Door's family and find a way to get Richard back home, and his life back to normal.