Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Tuesday Teasers

A little tease from where I was:

"What to you mean overweight?" Rachel had been writing up her bill when I had noticed the word on my pet's chart. "You didn't say anything!" Yes, I was a little oversensitive. As I progressed into my own thirties, I was finding it increasingly difficult to fit into my own jeans. But this was my pet she was talking about.

~ pg 41-42, Probable Claws by Clea Simon

A little tease from where I am:

IT might have been a minute later or an hour - Moth couldn't tell - when he woke to the sound of crunching branches. Supposing it an animal, he opened his eyes, expecting to see a looming tiger or bear. He held his breath, his eyes adjusting to the darkness, and saw the outline of a man standing over him.

~ pg 84, Starfinder by John Marco

A little tease from where I will be:

I refolded the sheet of notepaper, and was about to slip it back into the envelope, when the faintest of faded-ink inscriptions caught on the back of the sheet caught my eye. My heart began to pound as I recognized my grandfather's handwriting: Secured. P. Died 11th March, before my held could reach him. Pax cineribus.

~pg 33 The Ruffian on the Stair by Gary Newman

Update on Barbara from Heidi's Books: Thank you to all who have been keeping Barbara and her family in your thoughts and prayers. It has been an uphill battle for her the past several weeks. She started with a cough which lead to dizziness and weakness and loss of control in one of her arms. Her health rapidly deteriorated after that. She currently is in a coma and will be moved to hospice sometime this week. The doctor is projecting she has a week, maybe two left. The family is still waiting for the results of the biopsy, and so the exact cause of her illness is unknown at this time.

It is a very difficult time for the family, as you can imagine. Her husband is having trouble keeping up with all of the e-mails and will most likely be shutting down her online accounts soon. He and the family appreciate all the love, support and the outpouring of concern and good wishes.

Barbara is most known for her kindness and generous spirit. She's never been afraid to state her mind and she's always quick to be there for her friends in a pinch. To those who know her in person or just online, my heart goes out to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers just as her family is. I know I will miss her.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Sunday Salon: Ever Have a "Listen to this!" Moment?

They are staring at me. The books on my desk. You want to read me. You know you do. Get off the computer and read me, they whisper. I tell them I have a Sunday Salon post to write. Tsk, tsk.

I spent a good part of the week in Minnesota with Edward, the protagonist in Christopher Meeks' novel, The Brightest Moon of the Century. When I began reading the book, I was nestled under the covers in bed. "Honey!" I called, scurrying out of bed to get my husband who was playing World of Warcraft in our home office. "Listen to this!" Barely a page into the book and I had found something funny I just had to share.

I do that occasionally. I get this overwhelming need to share passages out of the books I am reading with my husband or whoever else may be handy. I remember sitting in the break room during my lunch time one day while reading Mary Roach's Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. Now there was a book that I couldn't stop talking about as I read. My colleagues got an earful that day and then my husband when he got home from work.

Do you ever get the overwhelming desire to talk about a moment in the book you are reading or share a passage? Maybe something funny or shocking? Or an especially beautiful turn of a phrase? Maybe something that enrages you or makes you think outside of your comfort zone.

I am lucky that my husband does not mind my book talk. He does the same to me on occasion, although I definitely do it more often.

My books are calling to me again. I had better hurry up and decide what I will be reading next. Happy Reading!

Week in Review:
Monday at the Movies: Soundtracks and Twilight
Tuesday Teasers
Herding Cats II: Attack of the Hairballs (or is it challenges?) (Updated with Book Lists)
Review: The Mechanics of Falling and Other Stories by Catherine Brady
Mail Call and Friday Fill-Ins

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Thinking of You, Barbara

Amy from My Friend Amy led a discussion the other day about connection versus community here on the blogosphere. I throw around the words "blogging community" all the time, and so you can guess where I stand on the issue.

This past week I found out that one of our own is in the hospital and not faring too well. The doctors are not hopeful; in fact, they are not sure what they are dealing with. Barbara and I are a part of an online book group, which is where I have gotten to know her. We talk about books and life and all that other good stuff. She's always struck me as an intelligent and thoughtful woman. Some of you may know her too. Perhaps you are in a reading challenge with her or have visited her blog, Heidi's Books. Maybe you've rubbed elbows with her in a reading group.

Barbara had a brain biopsy today and another test has been ordered. The surgeons are not sure what they will find. They are hoping to determine whether she has a hereditary illness or perhaps a virus that is attacking her brain. The prognosis is very poor at this stage regardless as her condition is deteriorating rapidly. She has had to deal with multiple health issues all her life but she has not let them stop her from living as full a life as possible. She has a wonderful family who are by her side right now.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. And think of her family too. I cannot imagine what they are going through right now, but I know they need all the love and support they can get.

Barbara, my friend, I am so lucky to know you.

Friday, April 03, 2009

TGIF: Mail Call & Friday Fill Ins

I should have taken a photo of it, but, of course, I did not have a camera handy. Anya was rubbing her head on Riley's legs. She often talks to him, mewing in her own language none of the humans in the house completely understand. I am not sure what Riley thinks. He ignores her mostly, but occasionally he will nose her a little before moving on. You are not here to read my furkid ramblings, however. Let's take a peek inside this week's Mailbox Monday on Friday:

The Ten Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer
No One You Know by Michelle Richmond

1. Angel or not, I will be the queen of the darkness.

2. Buy me a little something from La Céleste Praline, you can have me nearly any way you want me.

3. As my mother used to say, you're full of pride and prejudice.

4. I like to retreat to my secret garden after I'm done working out or doing something strenuous.

5. Even in the most crowded of rooms I will be able to find Hagrid no matter where he may be.

6. A day spent with Harry Dresden is a day fraught with peril.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Review: The Mechanics of Falling and Other Stories by Catherine Brady

These days the staff treated Natalie like a family retainer who had faltered long ago but was kept on, given occasional tasks and told nostalgic lies about her continuing usefulness. [pg 63]

The Mechanics of Falling and Other Stories by Catherine Brady
University of Nevada Press, 2009
Fiction (short stories); 227 pgs

The Mechanics of Falling and Other Stories by Catherine Brady is made up of 11 short stories, set in or around the San Francisco area. As a former Northern Californian, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity when a place name was mentioned that I recognized.

I have come to appreciate short stories more and more in recent years. Once I realized that short stories are not supposed to be mini novels, I am better able to enjoy them for what they are. Short story writers have less time to hook the reader in, and that includes creating characters that the reader can connect with. Catherine Brady not only is able to do that, but her characters are fully realized. Just a few of the characters introduced in the book include Judith whose former boyfriend committed suicide and who is struggling with her current relationship; Cerise who wants more for her daughter than what she had, pregnant at a young age, forgoing her education, and working long hours to support she and her daughter; a once successful photographer who is no longer the shining star; a middle child struggling to care for her elderly parents, including a father who had been abusive during her childhood; and a woman whose life seems to be falling apart around her, including her house and her family.

The language within each story flows effortlessly, the words carefully placed and yet natural. The stories are full of turmoil and strife, but not overwhelmingly so. They are stories about life, many of which readers will be able to relate to in one way or another. Each of the characters faces difficulties and is struggling with the present or the past; many striving for something better or at least different. Catherine Brady has put together a short story collection that is well worth reading. I definitely will be looking for Catherine Brady's other short story collections.

Challenge Commitment Fulfilled: ARC Challenge, New Authors Challenge & 2009 Pub Challenge

Check out Catherine Brady's website for more information about the author and her books. She is also the author of Curled in the Bed of Love, The End of Class War, and Elizabeth Blackburn and the Story of Telomeres: Deciphering the Ends of DNA.

Many thanks to author Catherine Brady and TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour.