Bookworm: I Just Finished... For One More Day and Testimony (September 2017)

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom never disappoints me. For One More Day tells the story of Chick Benetto, a washed-up baseball standout, who has decided to end his life. In attempting to do so, he spends one more day with his deceased mother. The story is told through his own account, alongside chapters that recall times his mother stood up for him and times he did not stand up for his mother. I was sucked into the story immediately and couldn’t put it down. I love the emotion that Albom brings to his writing, and he has such an articulate way of capturing the human experience. Even though it made me ugly cry on more than one occasion, I would highly recommend For One More Day to just about anyone.

Testimony by Anita Shreve

Another recommendation from my coworker and friend, Sharon, that I enjoyed. Testimony tells the story of a sex scandal in a Vermont private school. Three of the school’s star basketball players are involved in a consensual tryst with a 14 year old freshman, considered, by law, to be sexual assault. The incident is filmed leaving the school and those involved vulnerable and volatile. I honestly couldn’t put this one down. The shifting perspectives made it continually engaging, and I found the story to be thought provoking and not the least bit trashy. Like the many other titles by Shreve that I’ve read, I’d highly recommend.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Into the Water and All the Missing Girls (back to school 2017)

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

Girl on the Train had me like what?!?! That being said, I was super psyched to read Hawkins’ latest novel. I’m going to be honest (not that I typically hold back); Into the Water was not as engaging, but I did enjoy it. The story shifts point of view between several different residents of the town on Beckford. The town is a picturesque backdrop. Despite its quaintness, there has been a history of women being pushed off cliffs/jumping off cliffs and drowning. Into the Water focuses on Beckford after Nel Abbott, a woman who had been working on a manuscript about the “drowning pool,” is found dead within it. There was never a point in the book where I wanted to stop reading, but I definitely felt confused with all the point of view changes early on. As I got into the second half, I had an easier time following, and the suspense picked up. The plot had entertaining shifts, but nothing that totally surprised me. I’d recommend this book, but to those who are expecting it to be as good as Girl on the Train, it’s not.

Note: I thought it was worth mentioning that my mom (our taste in books tends to align) loved Into the Water. I took an unintentional break from reading at the beginning of the summer, and there was at least a two week span between when I read the first sixty pages and when I resumed reading. This could be why I felt confused by all of the different points of view.

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

Jumping right into it, I really enjoyed this book. All the Missing Girls tells the story of Nic, a woman returning to her hometown to help her brother sell the house they grew up in. Since she left town ten years ago, after the disappearance of her best friend, her father’s mental and physical states have deteriorated, forcing him to be moved to assisted living. Upon her return, another young girl goes missing prompting Nic, her brother, her high school sweetheart, and others to reexamine the past. All the Missing Girls is unique in the sense that the story is told backwards; each chapter is the day before the previous (I may or may not have been half way through before figuring that out and eliminating a lot of confusion). You’d think this would make it difficult to build suspense, but it really worked well. I was super engaged from start to finish, and, even though I did predict a few things, I would highly recommend this book to pretty much anybody who enjoys a good mystery.

Mama Blacksheep: Eight "Sort of Basic" Things Your Family Should Do This Fall

I often have trouble picking a favorite season because they all offer something refreshing and comforting. I will admit, in my early adult years, as I found myself caught up in the daily grind, I stopped appreciating how fortunate I am to live in a place where we truly experience the glory of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Having kids made me realize the importance of acknowledging the best of each with the hopes of creating memories similar to the ones I carry from my own childhood. The following are some of my favorite autumn activities. Traditional, yet guaranteed to add the warm and fuzzies.

1. Apple picking is a September staple in New England. Take a family trip to a local orchard, and enjoy the fruits of your labor (whomp whomp) for days to come. Whether you bake them into a pie, dip them in caramel, or enjoy straight up, there’s nothing quite like the crispness of a farm fresh apple you picked yourself. It’s an added bonus if there are cider donuts involved. Sunnycrest Farms in Londonderry is our favorite spot. You can even visit the goats. :)

2. Speaking of animals, fall is a great time to check out a local farm. I grew up down the street from Carriage Shack Farm in Londonderry, and, last year, Dave and I took the kids. We enjoyed pony rides, the petting zoo, and a hayride (complete with complimentary snacks). In addition to all the fun, I honestly think it was nice for the kids to see three generations of family working together to maintain their legacy. Good stuff!

3. Carving pumpkins together is a quintessential fall family activity. The gooey feeling of pumpkin guts, seeing your jack o’ lantern glowing outside, and chowing down on toasted seeds make it totally worth the time this fall.

4. Decorate. This can be done on any budget. Whether it’s going all out or adding a few small decorations, it’s all about expressing enthusiasm for the change of season. Get the kids involved by having them help or allowing them to place a knickknack or two in their bedrooms/playroom. For each season/holiday, I buy cheap window clings at Market Basket or Walmart and let the kids stick them to the back door.
5. Even though us Northerners are used to being outside year round, as the temperatures cool and daylight wanes, you’ll likely find yourself spending more time indoors. Keep the youngsters entertained by completing a few seasonal crafts. Spray paint some pinecones and acorns and display in mason jars. Gather some leaves to frame or use as stencils for paint. Or, if you’re feeling really crafty and ambitious, make your own scarecrow. The bonus is that these creations can help add to your fall decor.
6. Camp out in the yard. Even if your family is used to the great outdoors, a backyard campout is a wonderful way to enjoy the last bits of sunshine. A fire pit, lots of cozy blankets and pillows, snacks, s’mores fixins, and a board game or two are essential to the ambiance.

7. It’s fair season! Eat your way through one while your kids have fun checking out all the animals, farm equipment, and amusements. Our favorite, and, in all fairness, the only fair I’ve been to, is the Deerfield Fair. Fresh cut french fries, lemonade, chocolate milk, and the lobster roll in the butter-sherry sauce are our must-haves.

8. Appreciate the foliage. Cruise through the mountains, or, simply take some time in your daily travels to admire the view. A tradition in our family is to visit the Fall Foliage Festival in Groton, VT. We are so, so fortunate to have this beauty in our backyards.

I hope the above suggestions are helpful. No matter how you pass your time this fall, remember it’s all about making memories.