Of course I love Jodi! You know that..she is one of my faves! I was thrilled when I heard she was releasing a new book and that she was doing a press tour for it stopping in our sleepy litte town! I was able to start the book just a bit before I attended the reading with Jodi and a few hundred other loyal followers. I am always impressed when I see her that she looks just like me and my friends but who just happens to have an amazing writing talent. I love listening to her read from her books. It brings the whole book experience to another level for me. I read the story to myself in my head each time I pick up a book to read, but to hear the author read it is fascinating to me.
"House Rules" is the story of a family whose oldest son has Aspergers Syndrome, which is on the Autism spectrum. Emma, the Mom, is doing the very best she can everyday. Jacob, the teenage son with Aspergers is quite interesting to me to read. I didn't know much about Aspergers, but I sure do now! That is one of the things I love about reading Jodi's books, I always learn something. I told her that when she signed my book and took the picture you see. Huge highlight for me!!! Theo is the 3rd member of the family..the brother who is a teenager as well and is struggling within himself between what his brothers condition has meant to him and not blaming his brother for his crappy cut of life.
I have been so immersed in reading that I have not posted in a while. I started to, as I always do, mark the pages where there is a sentance that I like..but here's the thing. There's too many!! I'm learning constantly and connecting with each character so I can't keep up with myself!! I'm not quite done, so look for more from me soon!
Here's the pic of me and Jodi. March 2010
"The Last Song" really touched me. Nicholas Sparks has a way of weaving a story that tears at your heartstrings every darn time! This book is about a family coming back together to share the summer together..all be it under stressful circumstances.
I'm not a crier per say but I found myself tearing up the last quarter of the book. I so did not want the ending to turn out the way it did! Ug...so frustrating but beautiful in a way. Life has a way of happening whether you want it to or not and presents opportunities that you can choose to take or not. In my own life I have been presented with choices to make and opportunities that have presented themselves as challenging. I did not shy away, I took the challenge and hoped for the best holding on by the hair on my chin. Isn't that what we can ever do? Hope for the best and hope all goes well??? Nicholas Sparks has a gift of writing about every day events in everyone's lives...love stories, parent-child relationships, birth and death. That's why we love him and love to read him!
Ok, so bear with me while I incorporate a little romance in my life! 2 Sparks novels in one month might give me cavaties..but it's worth it!
I know I say this all the time..but this was an amazing book! I guess I am easy to please! The book tells the story of 2 men living 2 very different lives that intersect and then follow the same path. And..it's a true story!
Denver Moore's life is sad, and overwhelmingly tragic as he makes his way through it. When you read it you think you are reading a story that takes place post civil war, but shockingly it starts in the late 1950's and 1960's. It is hard to believe that there was still share-cropping going on in the south which is basically slavery. Denver has no education, no money, no job, basically no life but something inside him draws him to the railroad trains that run not far from his so-called home for a better life. He ends up in Texas homeless just waiting for his life to finish...no family no family no home no nothing. He frequents a homeless shelter where he meets Ron Hall and his wife Debbie. Ron and Debbie are well to do white people who volunteer at the shelter as part of their strong Christian values. Suprisingly, they find common threads and forge a friendship with Denver.
The real-life story tugged at my spritual heart strings and showed me that there is God in everything and everywhere. I finished this book feeling joy and wanting to meet these 2 men.
Here is their picture...
