Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Sunday Salon: Short Stories, Peer Pressure & My Wedding Anniversary

I wish I had more to say than I do. The week has had many ups and downs. But let's not go into that. I would rather talk about books.

I am enjoying my short story reading. I think even those who are not generally into short stories would appreciate many of Sana Krasikov's stories in the collection, One More Year. I have been reading the book in short spurts, usually during my lunch break at work throughout the week. For a brief moment I considered the idea of keeping a short story book at work and only reading that while there and then having a book at home that I am reading during my home time. Some of you do that now and find it works well. But then I realized that had I not had my short story book at home with me yesterday when I was in the mood to read a story or two, I would not have been very happy. I'll stick to my current method. The book(s) I am reading will travel with me. Why mess with a system that works well?

A friend of mine is pushing me to read Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris. Now. Not later. She read it soon after it was released and wants someone to discuss it with. I told her I would try and read it this weekend, but I haven't been able to fit it in like I had hoped. Okay, so I could have started it yesterday instead of continuing with Sana Krasikov's book. Sometimes, though, I have to go where my reading mood takes me, and unfortunately for my friend, Sookie Stackhouse had to wait.

That same friend is trying to pressure me into catching up with Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. She said she'd loan me the latest book. And the one before it if I need it. She doesn't like it when I get behind in the series we both follow, I've discovered. She is not above making threats. Soon she'll be caught up in Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series and be begging me to get with the program and catch up on that one too. Let's not mention that one to her though. Maybe it will escape her notice.

I have not made much headway in The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies, but it has nothing to do with lack of interest. It's not a title you would associate with a World War II era novel, is it? A prison camp is erected near a Welsh village and a high-up Nazi official is being held there. I have mostly been reading the book before falling asleep at night, and ,unfortunately, sometimes sleep comes sooner than I expect and I don't make much progress. My only excuse is that it's been a long week and it's taken a toll on me.

I will say goodbye for now. My husband and I are celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary today. I will not be getting around to visit you as I might like, and, for that, I apologize. I hope you all have a wonderful day and a great week. Happy Reading!

In Reading Mews:

Book reviews posted this past week:
The Missing Ink by Karen E. Olson (and a word from the author)
Short Story Saturday: "Asal" and "Better Half" by Sana Krasikov

Currently Reading:
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

New Additions to my TBR collection:
Coupon resistance is futile, I've discovered. Recent bookstore acquisitions:
Old Man's War by John Scalzi
What's So Funny? by Donald E. Westlake (I picked this one up for Anjin, but I hope to read it too.)
Florida Road Kill by Tim Dorsey (Another book for Anjin, but one I wouldn't mind reading myself.)
Burn This Book edited by Toni Morrison
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Books that came in the mail:
A Disobedient Girl by Ru Freeman (TLC Book Tour)
The Promised World by Lisa Tucker (TLC Book Tour)

Other Posts of Interest This Week:
Movie Mondays: Public Enemies & Subtitles
Wordless Wednesday: Riding the Highway (Part 5)
The Spoiler Odyssey (Well, Sort of)
TGIF: Friday Meme Fun

(Many thanks to Florinda of The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness for allowing me to copy her status report idea. And an added thank you to Anya who helped my husband and I come up with the title of my status review report.)

If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Short Story Saturday: "Asal" & "Better Half" by Sana Krasikov

The last couple of weeks I have continued to read Sana Krasikov's collection of short stories, One More Year, catching snatches of reading time here and there. Each of the stories in the collection are immigrant stories--at least on the surface. The author captures some of the difficulties of leaving behind what is known and starting out again in a foreign land. Despite everything the characters are struggling with, there is still a sense of hope.

Sana Krasikov isn't just writing about the immigrant experience, however. She is also writing about the complexity of relationships. In the two stories, "Asal" and "Better Half" we see two women making an effort to strike out on their own. One will leave behind a lover who cannot make up his mind between her and his wife. The other is a woman who must decide whether or not to leave her abusive husband, a man she rushed into marriage in hopes of staying in the country. Both women are tied to the men they love. Both must make difficult choices.

Now that she had become invisible, her past had also started to slip away, to another orbit, almost beyond her reach. [excerpt from "Asal"]

"Asal" is a beautifully written story, one about love and compromise. Guila is in love with a married man. For all intents and purposes, she was his wife, however. They went through a spiritual ceremony, even if not a legal one. He lived with her and her daughter as if he is her husband, her daughter's father. His wife and mother to his children kept a separate house. Guila had thought he was no longer sleeping with his wife, but one day the wife shows up at the door with evidence that says otherwise. Guila decides to move on, at least physically. She leaves Rashid, but even as she goes on with her life, he still holds her heart and she his. A part of her still holds out hope he will choose her. How much should be compromised for the sake of love?

"You love me," he'd told her the second night they'd spent together. She thought he'd been kidding but then he'd said, "You do. If I died tomorrow, you'd come to my funeral and say you loved me." "Don't say things like that, she'd scolded, while a huge tear slide down her cheek. Maybe she really did love him that time. After all, who else was there to? [excerpt from "Better Half"]

In "Better Half", Anya and Ryan have been married only 10 months. Anya finds herself looking back, wondering how she reached the place where she is now. The man she thought she loved turned out to be a monster, jealous and controlling. But he is all she really knows in her new country.

Both Anya and Guila are at different points in their lives. Anya is young, a new immigrant, struggling to survive. She is desperate and in a vulnerable place. Guila is much more sure of herself, than Anya. She has so much going for her on the surface, but she does not have what she wants, what she most needs. The two women have suffered betrayals and are on a similar path, that of discovering what it is they most want and deciding if they are ready to move on.

Sana Krasikov has again demonstrated that she is a gifted short story writer. She gets into the hearts and minds of her characters, drawing me into their lives and experiences. Guila and Anya stayed with me long after I finished reading their stories.

Have you read a short story lately? I'd love to hear about it! Be sure and drop by Ready When You Are, C.B. for Short Story Sunday & The Book Mine Set for Short Story Monday, the hosts for this event.

© Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty 2009
If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Friday, July 10, 2009

TGIF: Friday Meme Fun (July 10, 2009)

This week's Musings Monday question is about library company:

Who, if anyone usually accompanies you to the library? Is it somewhere you go alone? Or is it a regular outing with family or friends? Which do you prefer?

I love my library. The bookshelves are overflowing with books and there's a coziness to it that I cannot find anywhere else. I sometimes will visit my library by myself. I like to browse the shelves, remembering books I have read and craving the books I have yet to. My husband is a frequent fixture there. He comes and goes with or without me, depending. I never mind his company, although sometimes it is nice to have a some time with my books to myself.

I often have other companions too. My library companions are the best I could ask for. They are quiet and do not complain if I linger long over the books. I can settle on the floor or curl up on a couch and they are content going their own way. They like to explore the library too, taking in the sights and smells. Sometimes they may be curious about what I am reading and come see what's caught my attention.

There are those moments, however, when my companions have other ideas. Climbing on books to sit in the window has become a popular past-time. According to at least two of them, books make a good perch all their own. The one who isn't quite so agile sees the stacks of books not yet on the shelves as part of an obstacle course. Unfortunately, he hasn't quite mastered how to clear the jumps as of yet.

I once dreamed of living in a library. Just imagine! Not having to go far to check out a book, no waiting for the doors to open and being kicked out by a certain time, no deadlines and late fees, thousands of books to choose from . . . Doesn't that sound like a slice of heaven? Fortunately, dreams do come true. My house is my library.

For this week's Tuesday Thingers, Wendi asks

Christine over at Erotic Book Junkies / Romantic Crush Junkies actually gave me the idea for this post a while back. There are so many wonderful resources available to us as bloggers and individuals. Take a look at just a few of the many social networking sites: Facebook, MySpace, Library Thing, GoodReads, Twitter. . . the list can go on and on!

Sometimes it is hard to keep up with everything, and sometimes we all need a place just for us - where we don't have any blogger responsibilities.

Questions: How do you feel about social networking sites? Do you have any you like more than others? Are there any you don't like? Do you have any that you don't associate with your blogs and/or book reviewing? If you could only belong to one of these sites, which one would it be and why?

Pen palling was my first experience with social networking. There is a huge community out there made of people who share an interest in making friends via letters. Pre-computer days, I belonged to a birthday club and several other pen pal related clubs. There were monthly newsletters full of opportunities to meet new people as well as share in the love of the craft.

I eventually was able to connect with other pen pals online, but that was not until much later in my life. I discovered pen pal clubs much like those I belonged to before only these were strictly on the computer. I made friends and found new ways to connect with old ones. It was through these types of groups that I discovered online reading groups. Yahoo and MSN had what seemed to be an endless number of them. To this day I still belong to several Yahoo online reading groups, each of them unique. We talk about books and life. We share resources and make recommendations. We discuss the books that make us think, those we love and as well as those that disappoint us.

It was through those groups and with a big shove from my husband that I discovered blogging. I took to it like a fish in water. Well, not really, but at least enthusiasm-wise. My blog opened my eyes to a slew of other social networking communities out there. I still don't have a handle on them all and doubt I ever will.

I did not join LibraryThing for the social networking aspect initially. I was looking for a place to catalog all the books I own. I researched similar sites right along side LibraryThing and decided that LibraryThing was, in fact, my perfect match. Since joining, I have explored the more social features of the site and taken part in a few of the discussions.

My first attempt with GoodReads was disappointing. I could not see a purpose for it in my already busy online schedule. Last April, I decided to give it a try again. This time I am using the site a little bit differently, logging in the books I read this year. I have not ventured too far into the more social side of GoodReads. I imagine it is a combination a lack of time and being unsure exactly where to begin.

Along with the several online book groups I belong to through Yahoo, I also belong to Book Blogs and Readers Anonymous, Ning sites that are very much a part of the social networking environment. I am still learning my way around both of these communities, but I have to say, I have enjoyed exploring the different nuances of each site. I like the individual and community aspects that they offer.

I do belong to Twitter, and, I confess, I am totally overwhelmed by it. I have heard its praises sung from the treetops, but frankly, much of the appeal is still lost on me. I have had some good conversations on Twitter, gotten closer to a couple of fellow book bloggers, and reconnected with an old friend. I guess that's something.

I have stayed far away from MySpace and FaceBook and have no intention of joining either one. I am quite content with my blog and other social networking sites. I belong to. I mean, I can barely keep up with what I already am involved with!

At this point in time, my online identity is closely tied to books and my blog. I do not talk about my work other than in vague generalities, and I tend to be guarded in what I share about my personal life.

Social networking has provided me with the opportunity to interact and get to know people I may never have come in contact with otherwise. It has opened doors for me that I never thought would be opened to me. But what I value most from it all are the friendships I have made.

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!
*Click on the image above graphic to get to the Friday Fill-In headquarters, hosted by Janet!*

1. The last thing I ate was a turkey sandwich and pretzels.

2. A little bag of gummy bears for my husband is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, I like to put on my boots, grab my umbrella, and go for a walk, or, better yet, curl up on the couch with a good book.

4. My husband was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are a cure to a bad day.

6. After the week I've had, I am definitely in need of extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to celebrating Riley's birthday; tomorrow my plans include sleeping in and sneaking in a little reading time when I can; and Sunday, I want to continue with the celebrating, this time with my husband for our 11th wedding anniversary!

The Birthday Boy

© Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty 2009. All rights reserved.
If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

The Spoiler Odyssey (Well, Sort of)

I am not a big fan of spoilers. At least book spoilers. I am much more easy going about spoilers when it comes to television or movies. Except for certain shows, that is. Please don't spoil Lost for me. When it comes to books, however, I would rather find out for myself. So, no spoilers please. Since spoilers mean different things to different people, I want to be clear about my definition. When you give away a major plot point or twist in a novel, you are spoiling it for me. When you tell me the outcome before I read the book, you are a spoil sport. I do not consider a synopsis a spoiler. In fact, I will not read a book without having some idea what it is about. How else will I know I want to read it? But this is not a story about spoilers. Not really anyway. Well, maybe just a little.

The only time I am okay with hearing or reading a book spoiler is when I ask for it. And in this instance, I truly wanted to know what the outcome would be. I put forth the question to two of my online reading groups:

I was wondering if anyone here has read Homer's Odyssey and would be willing to e-mail me and spoil the ending?

I went on to explain that I was considering reading it, but that there are certain types of animal-focused books I would rather not read, particularly if the animal dies in the end. It's silly really. I'm an emotional reader as it is and cry all the time over books, but with memoirs in which the animal dies in the end, it's too much. I'd rather avoid it even for the sake of missing a funny or inspirational story. It just hits too close to home, I guess.

I waited in anticipation all morning for a response.

The first response: There's a cat in it?

And then the second: So many people die in the Odyssey but I don't remember any cats.

After about the fourth comment, it finally struck me: Homer's Odyssey. Homer wrote The Odyssey. How could I be so dumb as to not see it right away? I was not asking about The Odyssey by Homer but rather Gwen Cooper's Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat. How was anyone else supposed to know that?

I never did get an answer to my question, at least not from anyone in my online reading groups. Which brings me to my other mistake. I did not realize the book has not been released yet. On the plus side, with a little help from Google, I found a You-Tube video that gave me my answer. Well, enough of an answer to decide whether or not I will be reading the book.

We won't even go into how I keep picturing Gwen Cooper from Torchwood with a cat named Homer.