Julie's List: What's in a Name Challenge 5

Beth Fish Reads is hosting her annual What's In a Name Challenge and I signed up again.

Here's How It Works:
Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley

A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas

A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of WormA book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House
A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary

A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking

Other Things to Know
Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
Books may overlap other challenges.
Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.

You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

Of course, I immediately made my list! Here it is: 

Topographical Feature: The Bone Yard by Jackson Bass

Something You'd See in the Sky: The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard

Creepy Crawly: Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

Type of House: The Bungalow by Sarah Jio

Something You'd Carry In Your Purse, Pocket or Backpack: Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

Something You'd on a Calendar: Think of a Number by John Vernon


Intrigued? Then run you butt over here & sign up!

I will keep you updated on how I'm doing periodically throughout the challenge.

Alice's Review: While We're Far Apart

Summary:  In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother. Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the war. And elderly Mr. Mendel, the landlord, waits for the war to end to hear what has happened to his son trapped in war-torn Hungary.

But during the long, endless wait for victory overseas, life on the home front will go from bad to worse. Yet these characters will find themselves growing and changing in ways they never expected--and ultimately discovering truths about God's love... even when He is silent. ~www.lynnaustin.org

Review:  There is a lot I want to say about this novel.  First is if I had know it was faith-infused historical fiction, I wouldn't have read it.  I downloaded this novel for two reasons: it was a Kindle freebie and it's set during World War II.  When I started reading it, I didn't know the story would unfold the way it did.  The next thing I want to say is good thing I didn't know what I was getting into because this was one of the best novels I read this year.

The novel begins when Eddie, widower and father of two children, enlists leaving his children in need of a guardian while he was away.  To his surprise, slightly pathetic next door neighbor Penny - who is secretly in love with him - volunteers to watch them while he is away.  I know I may be a little harsh on Penny by saying she's pathetic , but sadly it's true.  She is the product of two overbearing parents who not only belittle her at every opportunity but are so protective she has no confidence in herself at all.  One of the joys of this novel is watching Penny grow from an insecure girl to a mature woman.  I absolutely disliked her in the beginning, she was mousy, needy and giving all at the same time.  I was surprised to see how much she changed.  More importantly, I thought her rebirth was completely believable.

Mainly the novel focuses on the life and relationships of Penny, the kids and Mr. Jacob Mendel, their landlord.  I loved the time I spent getting to know Mr. Mendel.  I do not know a lot about the Jewish faith.  I also have never read a novel which focused on a father's point of view, waiting for news of his Jewish son in war stricken Hungary.  It was so heartbreaking emotional.  I think Ms. Austin did a beautiful job of making Mr. Mendel's heartache and grief so real to me.  I also enjoying watching him heal from the loss of his wife and the uncertainty of his son's welfare. 

With each character Ms. Austin introduced, I was more and more engrossed in the story.  It flowed so easily.  And I really felt like I was a becoming part of their makeshift family.  I loved that there was a bit of mystery and romance.  I loved that there was hope. 

As I said earlier, I wouldn't have read this novel if I knew it discussed faith.  I think it didn't take anything away from the novel, in fact I think it added to it.  I was moved by their struggles with God, and their spiritual reawakening. 

Overall this novel was a great read and one I would have gladly paid for. 

Final Take:  4/5

Author Interview: Jamie Patterson

Jamie Patterson wrote an extremely personal book about heartache. Read my review here. We are pleased she took some time sit down and answer our questions.

Girls Just Reading (GJR): I absolutely loved reading Lost Edens. It took a lot of courage for you to write. Why was it so important to share your experience?

Jamie Patterson (JP): Thanks so much, Alice! As a writer I came back to the manuscript after leaving it in a drawer for five or six years and wasn’t able to recognize myself in the pages. The story was so raw and emotional I thought there was real value there because it wasn’t a story I would tell now, even about the same events. The writing really came from a place I’ll never be in again so I thought the honesty of the moment that is presented in Lost Edens might benefit other people who have, are, or know someone going through something similar. There are so many books on what to do after a marriage falls apart and not as many on what the falling apart looks like. I think there’s a benefit to that.

GJR: How is life now?

JP: Life is really fantastic. I have a lot of freedom and have two jobs I really love. One thing that was so difficult as I was emerging from the time chronicled in Lost Edens was imagining a new life, because I had spent so much time building the life I’d lost. At a certain point I just had to have faith that I’d be okay and life really is better than I could have imagined.

GJR: How is Huey?

JP: Huey is doing so well! He’s enjoyed the last five years as man of the house and is just beginning to slow down a bit, which is nice for me—we’re closer to the same pace now. I read Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz about the importance of “smell walks” for dogs, so Huey and I head out for nice, leisurely walks. I bring a book and he smells every inch of ground we cover.

GJR: Are you still writing?

JP: I am still writing! I’m working on a follow-up to Lost Edens, which has been more difficult to write than expected. I’m trying to be kind to myself and allow rough drafts but it’s sometimes frustrating not to have a polished text at the end of the writing day.

GJR: Will you write another memoir or are you venturing into writing novels?

JP: I’d like to write just one more memoir to follow Lost Edens because I have had such an incredible life the last few years. I think some of the adventures I’ve had would be worth sharing just to really show the resiliency of the human spirit and the ability to create new versions of you and your life. I’m trained as a fiction writer, though, and am really looking forward to getting all my personal stories out and refocusing on fiction.

GJR: What are you working on next?

JP: The follow-up to Lost Edens is mainly focused on time I spent in London the last few years. So far, the majority of the book takes place in North London, where I lived on and off in a flatshare with a rotating cast of characters. I learned a lot about myself and the ability to view life from new angles. The difficulty in writing right now is bringing together all these amazing stories in a clean, clear way. It’s tempting to consider a memoir of essays but I think there’s a story in these events somehow.

GJR: Who are your favorite authors?

JP: Joan Didion is my favorite author by far only because I will gladly buy absolutely anything she writes, regardless of the topic. I just bought her latest book, Blue Nights, and am really looking forward to curling up with it. My favorite poet is Philip Larkin and I love coming across poems of his I haven’t seen before, too.

GJR: What are you currently reading?

JP: I’m currently reading a lot of journal articles on adult education; I should complete my doctorate in higher education and adult learning within the year (fingers crossed!). I’m also a dissertation editor for my daily work so I spend eight or nine hours a day reading academic writing. That’s one reason I’m so looking forward to Didion’s latest: so I can read something completely unrelated to research in the social sciences!

GJR: What is your “desert island” book?

JP: This is a tough one—I’d definitely bring The Great Gatsby because I learn something new every time I read it. I’d probably also bring Ken Follet’s Pillars of the Earth or Infinite Jest because those are two hefty books I could probably read again and again and pick up a new piece of the story.

GJR: Something different: If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

JP: I was a big fan of the show Ally McBeal and loved that the characters would have theme songs of their own. Just like the characters, my theme song changes and lately I’d say my theme song is Good Life by One Republic.

GJR: If you had to do it all again (the marriage, the heartbreak, the divorce), would you?

JP: I’ve actually thought about this and my answer is no, I wouldn’t do it all again. I learned some really valuable lessons and grew a lot as a person but I think that the situation presented in Lost Edens would not be the only way to learn these lessons or to grow as an individual.

Giveaway Winner: Lost Edens

Congratulations to Melissa.  You have won your very own copy of Jamie Patterson's Lost Edens.

Please email Alice to receive your book.
As always, Girls Just Reading uses random.org to choose our winner.

Giveaway: If You Give a Kid a Cookie, Will He Shut the $*%& Up?

We are lucky enough to have 1 copy of If You Give a Kid a Cookie, Will He Shut the F**k Up?: A Parody for Adults up for grabs. Please fill out the form below to be entered by midnight EST November 20, 2011.   Must be over 18 to enter and a resident of US or Canada.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing the giveaway copy!

Good Luck!

(As always, Girls Just Reading Blogspot uses Random.org to select our winners)

Parent's Corner: If You Give a Kid a Cookie Will He Shut the $*%& Up?

Jenn's Thoughts:  Unlike, Go the F**k to Sleep, which is an original story told in rhyming verse, If You Give a Kid a Cookie, Will He Shut the F**k Up? is a spoof of the children's story, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. The original tale is an imaginative supposition of the chain of events set into motion by feeding the mouse, ending in having to give the mouse another cookie. It's a book that helps children think through consequences and imagine, 'what if'. I actually find the original a little too cutesy for me, so I was interested to read the spoof.

The spoof takes the zaniness in another direction, starting with a father who is too busy drinking to pay attention to his child. The chaos that ensues is amusing, but certainly not as raucously funny as Go the F**k to Sleep. The premise actually detracts from the story for me; there is never a time when it's okay to not pay attention to your child. However, if you can get beyond that, it's a good chuckle.

Julie's Thoughts: Don't leave If You Give a Kid a Cookie, Will He Shut the F**k Up?: A Parody for Adults laying around the house especially if you have a child that is trying to read everything in sight. Sure it looks like a children's book but it is definitely not. I can't say that we've read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (If You Give...) in our house, so I don't know how closely this parody follows the original text. What I can say that while I found it highly entertaining and chuckle worthy; I didn't feel that it was as relatable as Go the F**k to Sleep. I don't know too many parents who end up in jail and are handed divorce papers because of events steming from their kids tantrums. Yes I know that it's a parody/satire but it still needs to draw in its audience. The illustrations are quite good and very descriptive of the events taking place on each page. For me, this would have worked better if it has centered around daily life and not extremes. If you give a kid a cookie will he...eat his dinner, go to bed, jump around like a jumping bean, etc. You know all the things parents regret doing even for a moment of silence.

That being said, it is definitely enterataining and would make a great holiday gift for your friends who have a sense of humor.

I wonder where this trend of parody books will take us. Will we see more children's books being hijacked for adult humor? It will be interesting to see if this is a long-standing genre or a flash in the pan.


Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing Jenn and I our copies.