What I'm Reading: Angela's Ashes: A Memoir - Frank McCourt

Thumbs way up! I'd heard people say that Angela's Ashes was a must-read book, but for some reason it took me a very long time to get around to agree. I think I made the decision to put it on my 2008 list when we got back from Ireland and wanted to mentally prolong my visit. After reading The Glass Castle (TGC), I thought "eh, why not another memoir?" I was on a memoir roll!

Once again, I listened to the audio - which happens to be done my McCourt himself. I found this particularly nice because he sings all the old Irish songs.

Overall I thought it was well written and very good. As with TGC the subject matter was at times difficult to listen to, but what amazed me in McCourt's experience, was that often times, there were people around to help out. That's not to say he didn't endure hardship, it was just different from TGC.

I feel like I have a much better understanding of what it means to be Irish and Catholic (I'm neither). McCourt does an amazing job of setting you in his shoes - tape and holes included - to get an idea of what it is to be both.

What I'm Reading: The Glass Castle: A Memoir - Jeannette Walls

Thumbs way up! I just finished The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls and found it to be so interesting. What I found most surprising, was that even though the subject matter was often difficult to read (Walls' life was filled with neglect and the struggle to survive each day), it was done in such an un-drama-like way. It was partially so striking because I listened to the audio version and the reader did a great job reading the horrors of Walls' life with a sense of nonchalance and at times, even mirth.

Walls recounts her childhood from about 3 to adulthood and the many difficult things she had to endure (from getting burned, eating out of school trash cans, moving and being on the run, and almost raped to name a few). I know some people have criticized Walls' ability to remember things that occurred when she was a small child, but I think she should be given a little slack. While the events may not be 100% accurate, her story is one of survival and shows that if you put your mind to something and work hard, that you really can accomplish great things. It would have been so easy for Walls to play the victim, follow in her father's footsteps (a very smart man, who unfortunately, was very in love with the bottle), or live a life convinced that she wasn't worth anything, but she somehow managed to get past that and come out standing on top. It's well worth reading and makes me thankful and grateful for the childhood I had.

What I'm Reading: Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen

Thumbs way up! I recently read Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen and really enjoyed it. The story was good, but I was really impressed with the way Allen created an environment where you felt like you could literally smell, taste and feel right along with the imaginative characters she created. Her descriptions were so good that I swear I could feel the sun or smell the herbs and flowers she was writing about.

The plot reminded me of the book/movie Chocolat a bit since it's about influencing people with food. There is good character development and drama, and the characters are quirky and fun. As an added bonus, the cover is really pretty and looks nice on an end table!

On Allen's website: http://www.sarahaddisonallen.com/ she lists some recipes that characters were making in the book which is wonderful. I really want to try the Lavender Bread. Yum!

It seems like Allen is on a roll because soon to hit the shelves later this month is her second book: The Sugar Queen. I am eagerly looking forward to reading this one as well and will be sure to pass along my opinion once I'm done!