Bookworm: I Just Finished... Hillbilly Elegy and What Happened in Granite Creek

Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance

A bunch of different factors led me to choosing this read. First, I noticed it was trending on Barnes and Noble. Also, I am not a huge nonfiction reader, but I enjoy a good memoir. And, lastly, I think this past election (it makes me cringe typing this because I’m so sick of all the hate that has been spewed over it) really left me feeling like I needed to clear my head. I struggle with the fact that my beliefs place me in the middle in terms of the political spectrum when I feel like, these days, you need to pick a side. And, what scares me most, is that if you do lean more towards one side, you are expected to veer that way on every single issue. It’s like people choose Democrat or Republican and then think this is what I need to believe instead of thinking this is what I believe, now who aligns most with my views? I’m getting off topic because Hillbilly Elegy was much more memoir than commentary on public policy. It is written by JD Vance, a former marine and graduate of Yale Law School. His story is a unique one, as he managed to rise up from a chaotic, violent, drug addled,  poverty stricken Rust Belt community— something that rarely happens in Appalachia. What I liked about this book is the mix of Vance’s emotionally charged memories and his reflection on the events of his life and how they have formulated his ideologies on topics such as addiction, enabling, child endangerment, poverty, etc., particularly focusing on how and why lower working-class whites can’t seem to get ahead. I felt his viewpoint was fair, enlightening, and spot on. I would recommend this to pretty much anybody, regardless of political affiliation, who enjoys memoir, but also has an interest in working class culture and domestic affairs.

What Happened in Granite Creek by Robyn Bradley

After a couple of highly enjoyable nonfiction reads, it felt satisfying  to pick up a novel. This one came recommended by my friend, Sharon. She had purchased it after seeing an ad online stating, “if you enjoy Jodi Picoult, you’ll love this read.” I enjoy Picoult’s books, and I was intrigued by the New Hampshire setting. What happened in Granite Creek is narrated by Koty, a young mother of three at a crossroads in her life. Her once-happy marriage has crumbled in the wake of her husband’s alcoholism, her kids are growing up, and she has been assigned to spend time with a 26 year old veteran whose service in Iraq has left him a quadruple amputee. The novel started with a jerk (pun intended; you’ll get it once you read) and grabbed me instantly. I will admit that I did predict the ending (mostly), but it didn’t stop me from feverishly turning the pages. I would recommend this book to pretty much anybody who enjoys thrillers and/or family dramas.

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Small Great Things and Killing the Rising Sun

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

I always enjoy Jodi Picoult novels, but this one caught my eye due to the timeliness of the topic of racism. At first, the tension from the election was making me want to steer clear from such a divisive theme, but I’m so glad I didn’t. I was sucked in instantly. The book is told from the perspectives of a black labor and delivery nurse who has worked tremendously hard for her success, a white supremacist whose newborn son has recently died, and a feisty public defender who jumps to the aid of the the nurse when she is wrongly accused of being at fault for the death of an infant. The characters were engaging, and the plot twists were nothing short of what you would expect from Picoult. I will be honest and say that I thought the end of the novel was solidly written and fulfilling, but it didn’t grab me quite as much as the first three-quarters of the book. Still, I would definitely recommend to all!

Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

I wanted to read this because I want to know more about World War 2. My grandfathers and their brothers all served in the military, and even though they were thankfully given fairly safe assignments, I still hoped to learn more about what the world was like when they were just starting their adult lives. I love history, but I am still a novice when it comes to reading books about it, and that’s where I enjoy O’Reilly’s narrative style. This book focuses on the war in the Pacific, specifically between the Americans and the Japanese. Different aspects of the war are focused upon including Truman’s presidency, the nuclear arms race, MacArthur, Iwo Jima, etc. The brutal details and first hand accounts made it a page-turner, albeit a disturbing one. I felt like the information was accurate and well-researched, but I was not bored by the pace and organization. I’d recommend this book to anybody who has an interest in history, especially World War 2, but also likes a good storyline.

Mama Blacksheep: From the Archives... Tips for Introducing Solids

Note: I drafted this post over two years ago, but never finished it up. I figured it’s worth sharing since many of my friends have little ones and/or are planning to in the near future…

Typically pediatricians recommend that babies start being introduced to solid foods between four and six months, so I was not surprised when I took Andrew to his four month appointment last week and his doctor said he was ready. We started with rice cereal for the first three days. I attempted to feed him once the first day and twice a day after that. I say attempted because for the first few days, while baby is getting used to feeding, it is not unusual for him to spit out more than he takes in. On day four, I introduced sweet potatoes. Today, day six, was a busy day, so we skipped Andrew’s morning “meal”, opting for a bottle of formula instead. However, for dinner, he ate an entire cube of sweet potatoes (approx. 1 oz). Here are some tips that helped me, and Andrew, with the transition.

1. Set realistic expectations. As mentioned above, it is not uncommon for babies to appear to spit out food for the first few days, or possibly longer. It doesn’t mean your baby is not ready or that something is wrong. He/she is tasting the food and learning how to swallow, so it’s a totally natural part of the process. It is unrealistic to think that baby will be able to make a jump from a formula and/or breast milk diet to three meals a day right out of the gate. Start with one or two attempts per day.

Andrew after his first meal. 

2. Start small. It may seem like common sense, but babies are not going to eat much at first. It is also smart to slowly introduce foods to be sure that baby does not have an allergy. Whatever you decide to start with, be it rice cereal or a fruit or veggie, start with a small amount. Wait at least three days before introducing a new food as this makes it easier to determine if baby is allergic or if a certain food does not agree with him/her. I started with a small amount of rice cereal mixed with formula. I made the consistency a little thinner for the first couple of days. It should also be mentioned that you do not need to start with cereal. It is just a popular choice because it is generally well tolerated, and, because it is mixed with formula or breast milk, somewhat a familiar taste.

Rice cereal mixed with formula. Make the consistency even thinner for a newbie.

3. Avoid feeding baby when he/she is too hungry and/or tired. Babies are human, obviously, so when they are feeling too sleepy or ravenous, they are not going to have the patience to learn a new skill. Use baby’s current routine to determine a time during the day that would be best to start introducing solids. Andrew typically has his bedtime bottle between 530 and 630 depending on when he wakes from his afternoon nap. I try to feed him about an hour before I plan to put him to bed, which tends to be directly in between bottle feedings. He is interested in food at this point since he hasn’t just eaten, but he is not so hungry that he wants the instant gratification of a bottle. If baby is cranky, I wouldn’t force a solid feeding. It’s just going to lead to frustration for both parent and baby.

Happy Baby. Successful Feeding.

4. Be patient. As with all things parenting, it’s important to remember it’s not a race. Some babies adapt to solids faster than others. Some days are better than others. Your baby might have great feedings for a couple of days and then seem completely uninterested the next day. Welcome to parenting. Children are intrinsically inconsistent; it is up to parents to create consistency. So, try to establish routine mealtimes for baby, but don’t force things if it just isn’t working out one day. You’ll be surprised at how fast your adapts. With both of my kids, I was skeptical as they spit out pretty much every spoonful. But, I could tell they were tasting and enjoying, so I stuck with it, and it was a matter of days before they had it down.

Chunky Chace had a similar introduction to solids, however, he started closer to six months due to being a preemie. 

5. Don’t stress. At this age, babies should still be getting the vast majority of their nutrition from formula or breast milk. Appetites change day to day, and sometimes schedules don’t permit a completely ideal meal setting. Roll with it. Work with baby’s natural schedule to establish a meal time (you’ll eventually work up to three, but only need to start with one), feed him or her for as long as he/she seems interested, and then continue with with the regularly scheduled program. Even though the results are not usually instantly gratifying, you will notice a progression. It’s not worth getting wound up over, especially since babies can smell fear and stress. Blood in the water!

Uncle Chip getting in on feeding Chace. 

Bookworm: I Just Finished... Are You Experienced? and Trailerpark

Are You Experienced? by Jordan Sonnenblick

My most recent YA pick came from my class’ book talks. Several of my reluctant male readers chose Are You Experienced? to recommend to their peers. When I found out the book mostly takes place at Woodstock, I was sold. The sixties are a fascinating decade, and I’ve always had a particular interest in this time period. So, back to the book… Richie is a typical teenager who is frustrated by his parents who don’t seem to understand or listen to him. They are older than most of his friends’ folks and very overprotective. Richie knows little about his parents’ younger years, especially his father’s, but he does know that his dad’s older brother died of a drug overdose in late 1969. A freak accident sends Richie back in time to Woodstock where he meets none other than his teenage father and uncle. The story weaves historical pop culture with the emotions behind the coming-of-age moment when young adults finally see their parents as people. I thought this was a solid read all-around. It was sentimental and thought-provoking without being too dramatic, and I really enjoyed the 1960s references, especially when they met Janis Joplin in the infirmary. I’d recommend this book to young adults and to grownups who enjoy the occasional teen fiction read.

Trailerpark by Russell Banks

When I applied to be part of the inaugural class of the MFA program at SNHU, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into. Russell Banks was our visiting writing during the first residency, and I was initially impressed by his austere, yet poetic style of prose. And, I’ll admit, I liked that he made reference to smoking weed and writing episodes of, I believe it was, Miami Vice. His mix of artistic talent and relatability resonated with me. His novel, Rule of the Bone, is one of my favorites. Looking for a new read, I typed his name into a search on Barnes and Noble and found Trailerpark. I am not typically drawn to short story collections, but the fact that all of the stories revolved around residents at the same central NH mobile home community intrigued me. Trailerpark’s strength is in its characters. They are distinct, awkward, and the connections between them are as entertaining as they are strange. There were some moments where I chuckled to myself and other moments where I felt like I might cry. Was this my favorite book? No. But I’m not a short story girl. Did I enjoy it? Yes, and for a collection, it was one of my favorites. I would recommend, but only to those who enjoy a quirky read now and then.

Bookworm: Me Before You and Before the Fall... (November 2016)

Me Before You  by Jojo Moyes

The hot streak continues. As someone who hates abandoning books, I dread titles that will slow up my reading flow. Me Before You certainly continued my trend of enjoyable reads. I saw the trailer for the film before I even knew about the book, and it piqued my curiosity. Still, I was afraid it would be too cheesy of a love story for me to completely engage. I regret ever doubting this book because I absolutely loved it. For those unfamiliar with the story, Me Before You centers around Lou, a Brit in her late twenties, who is trying to obtain work after the cafe she has long been employed by closes down. Lou lives with her parents, sister, nephew, and grandfather trying to function on a meager budget. Given the lack of appealing options at the unemployment agency, Lou takes a chance and finds a job attending to the needs of a wealthy, once vibrant, young professional, who, after a motorbike accident, is now a quadriplegic. This book made me laugh, broke my heart, and kept me turning pages from beginning to end. It made me ponder tough topics like physician assisted suicide and the limits of love without seeming preachy or definitive. The British vernacular may be distracting to some (I was well seasoned from the Bridget Jones series), but I honestly don’t think it’s strong enough to be a deal breaker. The characters were realistic, refreshing, and well developed. I can’t wait to see the movie.

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

This popped up as a suggested read for me online. The blurb sounded interesting-- a passenger plane crashes off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. Among those on the fight are a billionaire media mogul, a soon-to-be-indicted financier, a gorgeous flight attendant, and a suffering artist who paints disaster scenes. With this cast of characters, and an alternating point of view, how could this book not be interesting? Each chapter kept my attention, and I found the story to embody the disaster theme--I didn’t quite see the big picture, but I couldn’t look away. The pieces did fit together by the end, but I felt the ending to be a little anti-climactic. Still, I enjoyed the read. It is evident that Hawley is a good writer, another credit of his includes the television series Fargo, which I love. I’m not sure I’d recommend it for all. Don’t get me wrong; I think most would dig it, but it’s not one I’d push on somebody who asked me if I had read any good books lately.

DIY: Washcloth Bouquets

These are easy to make and awesome for a baby shower or visiting a new baby in the hospital/home. I made one from my son’s for my nephew’s baby shower.

Materials: 8-10 washcloths, a piece of scrapbook paper, tape, ribbon (optional), and tag (optional)

Directions: 

1. Take piece of scrapbook paper and roll into a cone. Secure cone with tape.
2. Usually washcloths come pre-rolled, but if they don’t, roll the washcloths and fill the cone.
3. Embellish with ribbon and a tag.

As usual, I took a crappy picture. Trust me, the final product was super cute. 

Things I'm Obsessed With... 11/26/16

Shakeology- I understand that many of your newsfeeds are currently blowing up with friends trying to peddle all kinds of products. This is in no way, shape, or form a solicitation for your to purchase Shakeology. I just want to share that it is something I am currently obsessed with. I’ve seen friends of mine walking around with the shakers for years now, but it wasn’t until my neighbor, Shannon, made me one that I really realized how great I felt. I had more energy, my junk food cravings were not as strong; yet, I was still skeptical as I tend to be a person who can be influenced by the placebo effect. Anyhow, the sample packets I purchased had run out, and I can honestly say, after a week of having daily shakes, it wasn’t until I did not have Shakeology that I really noticed how much it had affected me in a positive way. Despite how the Beachbody consultants break it down, it is still very costly ($5 per one serving packet if purchased ala carte), but I do make it a point to buy some whenever I have the cash because I truly did notice a change in my appetite, energy level, and overall mood.

Lularoe leggings- I know this post is probably starting to look like just another advertising ploy, but I swear I am simply posting about what I love, and I love Lularoe leggings. Believe the hype! They are truly buttery soft and oh so comfy. My favorite part, though, is all the fun patterns. And, despite their boldness, they pair really well with flip flops or boots and a solid colored tee or tunic. I’ve even worn mine under a dress. The cost is $25, and I know there are places you can get cheaper leggings, but I honestly believe you get what you pay for when it comes to Lularoe. I’m excited to branch out and try some of their other options, particularly the pencil skirt and possibly a shirt, although those still seem a bit expensive to me (roughly $35).

This Is Us- I’m only five episodes in, so I may be a little premature in labeling as an obsession, but this show is fantastic. I thought the trailers were intriguing, but it was word of mouth that got me watching. It’s difficult to summarize the basic premise without giving away any of the many twists, but This Is Us tells the story of seemingly unrelated people (all turning 36) whose connections are revealed. The characters are engaging, the plotline is fascinating, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Most of the TV I watch is trashy (I’ll own it), so I don’t tune in to many drama series, but I’m so so glad I started watching this one. I hope I don’t end up regretting this post if the rest of the season sucks, but I highly doubt it.