Tuesday, June 18, 2019

The one where I blame the books

I logged two entries in January in an effort to fulfill my 2019 goal of writing more on here.  And then....hello mid-June!  I'm trying.  The excuse that I will use this time is books.  I like to read, but the spring semester was rather busy at school with field trips, basketball games, parent conferences, and something called National History Day that will require another post entirely. So, the 3 books that I have manged to get in took up all the nooks and crannies of my time.  (Ok, Netflix is still a big player here, but I didn't want to use that excuse again.)

So books.  I was gifted 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret for Christmas from my sister-in-law.  I am always intrigued by the Royal Family and British history.   The book doesn't read like a novel, but is rather a collection of diary entries, news articles, and interviews showcasing her life.  Being in the constant shadow of her sister, Elizabeth, Margaret felt the need to lead a very bright life full of scandal and controversial relationships. It was entertaining and sad.  I thought to myself several times, had their birth order been reversed, would we have seen a different side of Margaret and Elizabeth? 

Frankenstein was next thanks to a work friend.  I think everyone knows who Frankenstein is, but until you read the book, you just don't get it.  This is a story meant to be haunting but I was close to tears numerous times.  The short of it is this: Frankenstein rejects his creation (the monster) with disdain and loathing.  Being rejected by my Creator is something I can't imagine and I'm grateful that I will never have to experience it.  The more the monster learns about love, he realizes how wretched he is and he craves to have this affection from Frankenstein.  How awesome it is that while we are wretched sinners, our Creator doesn't reject us, but offers us his unconditional love.  Apart from which we are nothing. 
I almost didn't give The Woman in the Window a chance because it started off just like Rear Window and "I've heard this story before" came out of my mouth more than once.  But....while it's very similar, it's also offers somethign new, and it was a page turner.  I get so excited when a book wants to keep me up at 2:30 in the morning just so I can figure out what the heck is going on. If you like a good "Who done it?" and old Hollywood movies, I think you would enjoy this book. 

Summer time is so special to me.  I can get a little break from teaching and spend some time with my boys.  I can watch more Netflix documentaries and read more books!  And, hopefully get more writing done too.