The Biggest Journey #1 - My FitBit Flex

This will be my first post for my The Biggest Journey series!  Yay!!!  I'm glad you've decided to follow my journey with me.  Make sure you check out my reason behind this series by reading my first post about this series here.  It details the "why" of what I'm doing with this series. 

My FitBit Flex

So, to start, I wanted to do a review of my biggest help on this journey--the FitBit Flex activity tracker.  I'm currently wearing my violet armband with it as you can see in the picture.  When I decided to start this journey, I knew I needed something to keep me accountable in my activity.  I didn't want to belong to a gym (you know, one of those fat people fears that I have...) and I absolutely HATE just walking on a treadmill, even when I'm watching TV, unless I have to use it.  So, I wanted something that would keep me more active during the day, all day.  Enter the Fitbit.  

I enjoy walking and have a goal to eventually become a distance runner.  It's something I've always wanted to do, so it is one of my main goals in addition to becoming healthier in general.  There were lots of options, a regular pedometer, the Nike Fuel Band, GPS watches, etc., but the FitBit really appealed to me as it was something to wear all day every day, even in my sleep.  So after a bit of research, I decided on the FitBit Flex.  I wanted something on my wrist and I didn't need the heart rate monitor and watch capabilities that the other FitBits had.  The Flex was it.  My darling husband went out and bought one and I began using it on January 1st and have worn it every single day since.  I even turned around after leaving the house to go back to get it!

I can honestly say that this piece of $99 equipment is one of the best things I've ever bought.  I downloaded the app to my iPhone and I check it all the time.  In fact, after buying mine, my husband and father both bought one and we all compete with each other.  We are a very competitive family, so this is perfect for us.  I'm not saying it will magically make you get up and walk because it won't, but I've not missed one day and also use the app to count my food.  I've counted every single calorie for over a month, whether it was 1500 calories or 3000 calories.  I attribute the Flex and the Fitbit app to much of the success of my losing 16 lbs since January 1st. I have a goal of 10,000 steps a day and most days I meet that.  It's rough at first since I wasn't used to walking at all. I plan to up that goal to 15,000 each day once my sprained ankle heals (more on that later).

I'm not going to do a complete review of the Fitbit Flex; I may at a later date, but I encourage everyone who is trying to get or stay healthy to get one.  It will definitely help you get and stay accountable in your own journey!

Check out more on the FitBit Flex here.

New Video! Mulberry Postman's Lock Agenda

There is an upcoming post on my Mulberry Postman's Lock Agenda (tomorrow, hopefully!).  But until then, I wanted to make sure you could check out my video on my YouTube channel that I just filmed detailing the agenda.  Enjoy!

Filofaxes, Quality Control, and The Planner World

So, I posted part of this as a reply to a post on the Philofaxy Facebook page, but I also wanted to post it here as a blog post to get thoughts, as well. So bear with me as I'm thinking "aloud" here about quality control, Filofaxes, ring mechanisms and general planner stuff.

Here goes...I'm beginning to think that there isn't just one company at fault when it comes to binder issues such as ring mechanisms, and that it's just quality control everywhere. I don't thing the faulty issues can just be blamed on Pens and Leather or Goldspot or other retailers or necessarily Filofax themselves (although the customer service whether good or bad from each of these can certainly be blamed on them!)

I've had DayTimer, DayRunner, Franklin Covey and even Kate Spade planners with gapped and misaligned rings, too, but I think it is more often seen with we Filofax users because we actually get together and talk about it, or at least those of us who follow Philofaxy do. We take pride in our planners and even collect them--something I don't see other planner users doing to the extent we do. In fact, I for one never even looked at the rings of my old binders from these other brands at the time of purchase, but I went back and sure enough, these issues were there in some.

I'd say the majority of people buy planners for personal or business use without much thought to the planner's make and mechanism or whether or not it is in perfect working order. And while we also buy them for the same uses, we are a particular bunch who expects quality for our money (AS WE SHOULD). It may not necessarily bother the other buyers if there is something wrong as long as the binder still just works decently for the purpose they want, just as it actually may not bother many Filofax users who aren't part of our groups. This could also account for Filofax's 1% comment on the response from the petition several of us signed and sent to them. According to them, "Whilst there has been lots of comments about ring mechanism quality in the social community in recent months, we do believe that as a percentage of our total worldwide production, these issues amount to less than 1%." (See full post on Philofaxy.)

We as Filofax users among the Philofaxy group see our planners differently. Don't get me wrong, as I think we should see them differently and demand quality, but are we in the planner-buying minority as far as thinking about quality control? Maybe so, I have lots of friends who use different planners and have paid as much as we do for Filofaxes, but they see them as just a planner that is for the use it was made and don't worry about whether or not the rings are misaligned or gapped.

Of course, I absolutely think we need to keep on Filofax about quality control, and we should also keep on the retailers about quality control and customer service, but I worry that we are in the minority about all of this, so I wonder know fast Filofax will work on the issue. I hope, as rest of you do, that they get if fixed quickly and correctly, and I do not blame anyone who gets upset at getting a defective binder. I do sincerely thank Steve and the rest of the team from Philofaxy for always making sure to keep us updated on talks with Filofax and actually making some progress, and I thank Kate from The Life of the Perpetual Student for getting the petition together. I hope we can eventually make some progress with them.

These are seriously just random midnight thoughts, but with all the issues with every Filofax retailer and Filofax themselves, it just got me thinking. None of this post is meant to anger or offend anyone, and I apologize if it does. I just wanted to get my thoughts out there. Personally, I will continue to use my Filofaxes as I do love them, and I like their range better than other planning systems. I would like to try maybe a Mulberry or Louis Vuitton organizer eventually, but for now Filofax still makes me happy.

Happy Filofaxing!

Filofax Organization Tote

If any of you are on the Philofaxy website or facebook pages, you've probably seen the newly popular organization tote for Filofaxes. If you are into Filofaxes (like REALLY into them) like I am, you enjoy decorating them and having fun with them. Sometimes that obsession leads to other obsessions--washi tape, stamps, sticky notes, etc.--that prompt the need for an organization tote so you can organize your Filofax anywhere!! So, I went on a hunt to find one. I travelled through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest--wait, wrong journey... Ok, so I went to Hobby Lobby, Michaels (which is an hour away from me), and both Wal-marts in my town. I finally found it at the LAST Wal-Mart I went to, which is actually the closest store to me--go figure.  Anyway, I bought this great tote for $17 there, and immediately went home to set it up.  It really works great and I've actually got it next to me on the couch now.  I decided to make a video, which you can see below, about the tote and how I organize it.  Enjoy!

 

Book Review: Dan Brown's Inferno

The fourth installment in Dan Brown's series with the main character of Robert Langdon definitely did not disappoint.  His newest book Inferno was entertaining, suspenseful, and not terribly inaccurate (although there were some inaccuracies).  The book is set in Italy (Florence and Venice) and one other country that I won't name so that I won't give away any spoilers.  Langdon awakens in a hospital believing he's been shot but no remembering anything else from the recent events of the evening before.  The plot revolves around an altered image of Botticelli's painting depicting Dante's version of Hell from his masterpiece, The Inferno.  Langdon finds a small projector in his coat pocket that contains the image, which has been altered to reveal clues to a mystery--although not necessarily an ancient one.  Langdon, along with the typical cliché female sidekick, goes on a wild goose chase through Florence and Venice in search of the meaning of the painting and the clues left on the back of Dante's death mask, which was stolen by a friend of Langdon's.

The use of Dante's Inferno as the main focus of the novel is done well by Brown as he uses this as an obsession of the villain of the novel.  Overall, the book had a very Angels and Demons feel since it revolves around something ancient yet modern in that Langdon is once again working to save the world from a disaster. Brown also obviously did his research before writing this one as far as literature and art are concerned (there are a few historical inaccuracies, but they do not detract from the enjoyment of the book).  I would also say that this book (up to the end) is much less controversial than some of Brown's other books, and I would say that it is definitely Hollywood worthy.  The suspense and plot definitely will do well as a movie, so I hope to see one eventually just as I hope they come out with an illustrated version depicting some of the art work and literature just as they did with The DaVinci Code and Angel's and Demons.  As far as the writing style, it is typical Brown and not a literary masterpiece, but a good read for the weekend (I finished it in about 2.5 days of slow reading trying to enjoy myself!).  It held my attention to the very end, but I was somewhat left unsatisfied by the ending as, in my opinion, some things were unresolved (sequel, maybe??).  But, overall, it was not a terrible ending, but it wasn't satisfying, and the ending will definitely cause controversy in some who read it.  However, it should not stop you from picking up this summer thriller for a good beach or weekend read.  If you love Dante and/or Italy (as I definitely do!) you will enjoy Dan Brown's latest thriller, Inferno.

Coffee & Literature's rating: B

New Filofax Personal Finsbury in Antique Rose (and a small rant)

Filofax sales are entirely too easy to take advantage of....so of course, I got sucked into one.  They were having a huge 60% off sale on lots of binders, and who can resist, right?  I caved and purchased an antique rose personal finsbury.  So far I like it ok.  The color is really pretty, much darker than you see online. Here's the front of the binder...

You can sort of see that it is a little darker than it shows online.  It seems to be a very good quality leather, and the pattern is nice and different.

There are some paler spots and those somewhat show up in the picture but it doesn't bother me really.

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the leather is very, very stiff as you can see here.  When you open the binder, it doesn't stay flat, which is something I do like in my Filofaxes, so I'm not sure if this one will continue to be used as my main diary or if I will use it for something else.

It also doesn't lie flat when you open it up, even though I have my diary more towards the middle of the filofax.  It's not a huge inconvenience, but it is bothersome.

But the only real complaint I have is that one ring is misaligned, and I think another may be, also.  I almost don't want to even send it back (1) because it was so cheap and (2) because this will be the THIRD Filofax I would have sent back since like October.  I'm getting really peeved at their lack of quality control.  I've sent back an Ochre Malden and a Regency, both personal since then for exchanges, and I'm glad to say that the Malden did come back with good rings.  I'm not sure about the Regency yet as I only sent it back last week.  But it is my FAVORITE Filofax so I really hope the new one comes back ok.  But if not I still have my compact regency and another one on the way from the lovely Imy from Imysworld!  So I'm definitely not Filofax-poor.  But I am quite irritated.  I've used other systems before (Franklin Covey & Day-Timer) but I really, really like Filofax and want to stick with them, especially since I don't really like any FC binders other than an old Classic one I have, and I don't really want to go back to that size at the moment.  Oh, what to do!!!  Filofax, why can't you just get better?  I so want to love you whole-heartedly again!

Anyway, my rant is now over, sorry for those who didn't want to read it, but I had to get it off my chest. I hope you are enjoying my Filofax posts as they are quickly becoming a big part of my blog.  I promise some book reviews will come soon!

Review: GRACESHIP's New York Laptop Bag

Stylish & chic aren't usually words you apply to laptop bags.  They're usually chunky, ugly, and not something a Southern Belle or a city chick would be caught dead carrying. Even the usual "ladies" bags aren't anything to write home about. It's just impossible to find a great laptop bag that would work for a stylish modern woman that doesn't cost a fortune, right?  Wrong!  Finally, there is a designer who knows exactly what to put in a laptop bag for the chic modern woman.

You may remember the SOAP network's show Southern Belles: Louisville that premiered a few years ago.  The show followed five women from Louisville through love, heartbreak, and new ventures.  Now one of the show's stars, Emily Gimmel, has taken her career to a new place with the development of a chic and affordable line of ladies' business totes with the label GRACESHIP.  With three great bags already available and one (maybe more!) on the way, Emily is well on the way to becoming the next name in women's accessories.

The bags--the London, the New York, the Chicago, and the in-production Hong Kong--all take their names from some of the most stylish cities in the world.  I mulled over which bag to buy for months when I heard that they were being developed. I could not decide between the New York and the London bag. Even when production had begun and bags were being shipped, I still couldn't decide which bag was for me.  Ultimately, I (of course) chose the New York bag.  I mean, come on, Southern Belle, City Style?  How could I not choose New York when it is the ultimate CITY!  (I will say that I do still LOVE the London bag, though!)

I waited patiently for my bag to arrive once I placed my order.  Finally, it was here!  I opened the huge cardboard box, and inside was a gorgeous black laptop bag that would make New York women and Southern Belles alike swoon.

Smooth material with gorgeous gold hardware makes this bag a chic addition to any business

woman's accessory closet.  Big, but not too large, the bag will fit a laptop or tablet up to 15.4" leaving plenty of room for necessities such as your wallet, documents, iPad if you are using the center for a laptop, and planners.  Both interior sides of the bag have zippered pockets and one side boasts two pen holders, a phone holder, business card holders, and a key clip to make sure you don't lose your ride.  The center laptop/tablet area is padded on both sides with a magnetic strap to hold in the precious cargo.  It is very secure and even when I carried the bag open and not zipped, nothing even attempted to fall out.



The bag can be carried a variety of ways due to its smart design of having two long handles to use carrying it by hand or on the shoulder as well as a long removable shoulder strap if you want to carry it that way.  I have used both and find that if I am also carrying a purse, the long strap works best, but if I am just carrying the bag, the two shorter straps work great.

The bag is just big enough for me to carry my important documents with me in addition to my planner, laptop, charger, iPad, iPhone, and several other things.  I've gotten lots of compliments on it since I've carried it, and I can't wait to take it to meetings or lunches with friends, clients, or anyone!  Since the color of the bag is my favorite (black!), it goes with every outfit, which is key for any fashionista.  There isn't anything that I dislike about the bag, and now, I just have to keep myself from buying all of the styles!

Chic, stylish, & affordable, GRACESHIP's bags are something every woman should add to her collection!

Happy shopping, belles!

For more information about the bags or to purchase, visit GRACESHIP's site.

GRACESHIP's New York Bag Video

Solid by Shelley Workinger

I'm not a big science fiction fan, so when I received an email from author Shelley Workinger requesting a review for her book, Solid, I had my reservations.  But I decided why not try it.  So I emailed back saying I'd be happy to review her latest young adult sci-fi novel that is part of a series.

It took a while for me to actually have the time to pick it up and read it, but I began it yesterday and actually finished it today (a few minutes ago, actually).  A surprise to myself, I got into the book, wanting to know what happens and what kinds of twists were going to be at the end.  I can honestly say I did thoroughly enjoy reading it.  I'm a big fan of young adult novels; I suppose because there is always that little part of us that enjoys the less stressful and more fun times of those years.  And anyone, whether  a young adult or a "young at heart" adult, who enjoys reading these types of books, will enjoy Solid.  We begin with a group of similarly aged teens who, at no fault of their own, were the result of secret experiments done by a crazy military doctor after the Gulf war.  They had gone about their normal lives, not realizing that they had super-abilities, when suddenly they were asked to spend the summer at a military research facility because they had been accidental experiments and there was a need to discover just what was going on with them.  Among these students are some with super-athletic abilities, abilities to be "stars," abilities to go unnoticed, and those who can avoid people if needed or wanted.  What I found was interesting was that none of the kids actually realized that they had special abilities.  By using this literary tactic, Workinger made you want to keep reading so you could see what would happen when they did find out what was going on with each one.  This was definitely a book that I read wanting to finish so that I could find out the whole story, if you will.  Workinger didn't disappoint.  She masterfully created a novel that is appealing in its mystery, science, and general plot.  The characters are very real and you can easily relate to them, whether you are a teenager yourself or you remember what it was like being one.  The only thing that caught me as not the best part of the novel was that some things are referenced that young adults won't "get."  A few television shows or tech items that were referenced might not strike home with some teenage readers, but I don't think it is enough to stop them from reading this book or reading the rest of the series since Workinger uses several references that are a bit more up to date with today's youth.  Overall, I can say I really did enjoy this book, and I can't wait to see what else Workinger creates.

The final grade?  I give Solid a B.  Well-written book with a great and different plot line with only a few minor changes to references and maybe adding a bit more to make it a bigger book so we can see more character development.  Looking forward to reading more from this great author!

Review: Being Light by Helen Smith

I've been promising a review on this book since October, and I've finally gotten around to finishing it!  I was asked to review this book by the author, Helen Smith, quite a while ago.  Thankfully, Helen was very patient with me as I dealt with many different things throughout the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 that kept me from doing a timely review of her book.  So, without any further delay, here is my review of Being Light by Helen Smith.

This book is definitely a different comedy novel than I've read before.  We begin with our "main character" Roy, who happens to be suddenly swept away by a strong gust of wind while trying to install one of those bouncy castles (You know, the ones you can't keep the kids off of at the fair, flea market, etc.).  So, Roy is swept away to former circus performer/trainer Sylvia's farm.  Roy actually believes that he has made it to heaven.  Smith's description of Roy's views of the farm really make you see how dumbfounded Roy is at his circumstance, making for a wonderfully funny story.  Our absent Roy has also left behind a loving wife--Shelia.  Shelia, not wanting to believe Roy is really gone forever, goes on a hunt to find him, ultimately believing that he has been kidnapped by aliens, so she enlists Mrs. Fitzgerald (and her missing persons bureau) to help find him.   We also meet many other characters such as Alison, Jeremy, and others, who all end up somehow being a part of this crazy chase to find long-lost Roy.  It is almost a comedy of errors as Smith takes us through different scenes in each character's life, and it becomes almost a six-degrees-of-separation type of story that keeps you reading until the end to discover how everything will be brought together and whether or not we will ever see Roy reunited with Shelia again.  I really did enjoy Smith's story telling ability with this book.  The only thing that could have been improved was the connection of the characters.  This could have been only my taking so long to read it due to different circumstances, but I thought some more information on each set of characters would have been nice so we could enjoy the reaction of the ending scene a bit more.  I suppose I would have liked to have seen them be a bit more relevant to some of the story than it seemed some were. Overall, however, Being Light was a great read and very entertaining.  I will most likely revisit this book in the future in the hopes to be able to read it straight through with no distractions.

Coffee & Literature gives Being Light a B.  Great work, Helen!  I look forward to reading much more from you!

Facebook, Classic Literature, and a Whole Lot of Humor

"Elizabeth threw a sheep at Mr. Darcy."  This is only one of the many hilarious lines from the Sarah Schmelling's book Ophelia Joined the Group Maidens Who Don't Float:  Classic Lit Signs on to Facebook.     Schmelling has brilliantly taken our obsession with social networking and applied it to some of our favorite authors and characters from classic literature.  I actually discovered this book after reading a fabulous review of it on English Major's Junk Food.

I must say that I was not disappointed when I decided to purchase it as an eBook for my new Barnes & Noble nook.  Each one of the sections (with titles such as 'Oedipus has some things to talk over with his wife' & 'F. Scott Fitzgerald beat on, a boat against a current, borne back ceaselessly against the past.') contains mini-sections dealing with either authors of books.  And I have to say that Schmelling's interpretation of what these classic people would have said if they had a facebook account is completely accurate.  She even manages to make the not so funny (Romeo & Juliet, for example) hilarious!

I, like many who have read this book, skipped around to read the books and authors that I am familiar with, and the way the book is organized definitely helps with this.  Just so you have a little taste of what this book has to offer, let me give you one of my favorite examples, from the section on Pride & Prejudice:
Mrs. Bennet hacked all of her daughters accounts.
Mrs. Bennet changed all of her daughters' Relationship Statuses to "SINGLE REALLY SINGLE!"
Mr. Darcy is new to Hertfordshire.  Suggest friends for Mr. Darcy.
        Bridget Jones: Me! Me! Me! Me!
        Mr. Darcy: I don't need friends


That's just a quick taste, but I definitely think anyone who enjoys classic lit, teaches lit, or remembers books you read in high school (even if you hated them at the time) will enjoy this book.  Schmelling takes our modern day obsession with technology to a classic level with her book.  I highly recommend it to, well, to anyone!


Coffee & Literature gives this book a solid A.

On Writing by Stephen King

After taking what seems like forever to finish this book, I finally did. No, it didn't take me three days short of forever to finish it because it was boring, nor did it take me a long time to finish it because it was tedious reading. I simply took too long to read it; I blame NaNoWriMo since I basically took an entire month off of reading to write a novel, which I did finish! Now back to reviewing...

Being an aspiring writer, I am always looking for tips and books to help me make my stories, poems, and novels even better. King's memoir does just that. I call it a memoir because, first of all, he does in the title of his book, and also because he has kindly included different stories from his own life to help the reader understand how to become a better writer. The first part of the book, in fact, is completely dedicated to this, and it was very enjoyable. The reader learns the different ways he sort of "began" writing some of his best known books such as Carrie, The Stand, Misery, and others. The end of the book is also a memoir of sorts as it details the horrific incident in which he was hit by a van while he was taking a walk near his home. Despite the accident, he finished the book he was working on--the book happened to be On Writing.

Now, what about the "stuff" in the middle now that I've told you about the beginning and the end. Well, it is good, too. I'll admit that I was hesitant to even pick up this book. It is, believe it or not, the very first book I've ever read by Stephen King, but it has inspired me to read some of his others simply because when reading this, you really see just how brilliant of a writer he is.

The pages between the two "memoir" parts consist of many helpful tips and tricks for writers. The first part, aptly named "What Writing Is" is King basically telling the reader if he or she isn't going to take writing seriously, then this isn't the book for them. I would agree. King, in his way, basically tells the reader "how it is" and doesn't sugar coat things. That is part of the charm of the book.

We are then given the "Toolbox." This is the vocabulary, grammar, and basics section, if you will. Obviously tools that all writers need, King helps this section not be the typical boring "ok, a comma goes here, period here, adverb here, etc." He really shows the reader what needs to be in his or her own writing "toolbox."

The meat of the book consists of different sections under the "On Writing" name. King uses this section to talk about everything from where you should put your desk to the theme of your book or story to characterization to editing to agents. When reading this section, you truly understand why King is considered to be a brilliant writer. He, in my opinion, really does know it all when it comes to writing.

So, what does On Writing receive from Coffee & Literature. I give it a B. There were a few things that I didn't really like from a writer's perspective, but overall I thought it was a good book that I would recommend to anyone who is serious about writing.

Wednesday Poetry Café (December 8)

Welcome to another Poetry Cafe on Coffee & Literature.  I'm actually writing this from Starbucks, so I guess it is fitting that today is Poetry Cafe day!  Ok, back on topic...This week's poem comes from Poetry.com.  It is entitled "The Passage" and is written by Michael Christiansen.  This poem is short, but quite deep, in my opinion.  It speaks to the soul, and one can interpret it in many ways.  So I say "Bravo!" to Michael for a very insightful and deep work.  So, for your enjoyment, here is "The Passage."

"The Passage" by Michael Christiansen

Actions taken

thoughts, deep pondering

vision's cost?

minds are wondering.

life plays out

options ending...

of choices seen,

wounds need mending 

the drama closes

lights are dimming...

another soul

seeks eternal cleansing.

Monday Musings: NaNoWriMo is Finished & I won!

I can't believe it!  I actually was able to write a 50,000 word novel in less than 30 days!  I kicked NaNoWriMo's butt!  Ok, well not exactly since there were several days I didn't write anything, but I still persevered and made it through 30 days of crazy noveling.  My novel is still quite rough, but at least I now have something I can work with to make it better.  To give a short synopsis, my novel is about a girl who moves to a small Tennessee town and discovers she has a deep rooted connection to it.  It's sort of like The Crucible meets The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane meets Gallows Hill meets a typical ghost story.  People always say write what you know, and ever since I was little I was fascinated with the supernatural.  I was the one who was addicted to the R.L. Stine Fear Street series and the Christopher Pike books in junior high.  I loved anything about the Salem Witch Trials after reading The Crucible in high school.  I remember writing a short story in junior high and I wrote it about a lake where people were haunted and then died.  Morbid, I know.  But I promise I'm not a weird, recluse-type of person.  To look at me you would have zero inkling that I loved books, movies, and TV shows about the supernatural.  I would have liked to have written a chick-lit sort of book or a good funny romance, but honestly, I don't know how to write that stuff.  So, for National Novel Writing Month, I wrote what I knew--ghosts.  I think the book is a good read.  Once I get through editing over 50,000 words and 256 pages, I will probably be the typical first-time novelist who self-publishes it only to be struck down by the hardest critics, but hey, if one person enjoys my book, then I'll be happy.  I'll try to keep you updated on my editing of the novel, and if it ever does happen to be published you all will be some of the first to know.

Now, on to the business of books.  I can now start reading and reviewing again!  Yay!!! I'm about half way finished with On Writing by Stephen King, so that will probably be one of the first I review.  I've also got a few books by up and coming authors that I will be reviewing at their request.  One is Being Light by Helen Smith.   It looks to be a good book, and I'm anxious to get started on it.  So, be watching for new review posts and of course I'll get back with my reviews of other things as well as my "Whats in Your Bag?" posts that seem to be enjoyable.  So, I hope everyone has a good end of November, and I'll see you in December!

Happy Reading!

Pride & Prejudice

Pride & Prejudice is probably one of my favorite books of all time.  I hadn't read it in a little while, but since I am teaching it to my honors sophomores, I reread it, as I always do with any book I'm teaching.  Some I always tend to enjoy more than others, and this is one of those books.  There are several different couples in the book--Jane & Bingley, Lydia & Wickham, Elizabeth & Darcy--but the most intriguing and arguably one of the most famous couples in literary history would have to be the last couple.  Elizabeth & Darcy are, in my opinion, years ahead of their time in their actions and their character.  I think what draws me to this book is the fact that they remind me of the way my husband and I act toward each other.  Being from the South, "ladies" and "gentlemen" are expected to act a certain way sometimes.  And, well, sometimes I'm not a perfect lady and my husband isn't always a perfect gentlemen.  Elizabeth and Darcy are so similar in personality that they end up together.  Their relationship pretty much throws out the old saying that "opposites attract."

Having read Pride & Prejudice again, I would say that my opinion of it hasn't changed since I read it several years ago to when I reread it recently to now, the most recent time I've picked it up to read.  I personally think that this is probably one of Austen's best works if not the best, and I know that that's also the popular opinion, but it's true.  How can you not like Elizabeth Bennet's spunky personality that is years ahead of her time?  Ladies, how can you not be almost drawn to the snotty Mr. Darcy?  There is just something about him that is attractive!  And let's not leave out the other characters.  If you're like me, you love to hate Mrs. Bennett, Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine, and Mr. Collins.  They are some of the most despised characters in any piece of literature I've read.  They are quite fun to dislike, actually.  In fact, all of the characters you can either love to love or love to hate.  

Comparing Pride & Prejudice to other novels of Austen's and to more modern novels, I think it can stand with the best of them.  It is a novel that you can read just for pleasure when you want a good love story or when you want to look for some deeper literary themes.  Coffee and Literature gives Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice an A.  

Halloween Review: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays for various reasons, so I always try to read a scary, semi-scary, or strange book around that time.  This year my Halloween related read was The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe.  I read through several reviews of the book before I decided to buy it--some were scathing and some were good.  I decided it would be best if I just picked it up and read it to decide for myself.  I'm glad I did.  I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  I'll agree that there were some things I would change, but overall, the book was well written and historically accurate, which was a must since it is technically a work of historical fiction.

The book draws its story on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.  Connie, the main character, is a PhD candidate at Harvard who is struggling to write her dissertation in American colonial history.  Ultimately she picks the Salem Witch Trials as her focus, but she doesn't yet know what exactly she will be writing.   While working on her dissertation, she has to go to Marblehead to prepare her grandmother's antique house for sale. In the process of cleaning the house, she discovers a key with a hollow interior in which she finds a slip of parchment with the name Deliverance Dane written on it.  I'll interject here that, yes, Deliverance Dane was a real person accused of witchcraft at the end of the Salem trials, although very little is known about her.  Anyway, back to the book.  This discovery leads Connie to discover many oddities about herself and her family.  It also beckons the question, "What if the Salem hysteria was really based on real witchcraft?"  Thankfully, the book doesn't turn into a strange, new age, Wiccan type story, but stays true to the Old World idea of witchcraft complete with old incantations in Latin and descriptions of the "physick" that really was used to help people.  I won't give away much so that you can read this book for yourself.

I could really put myself into the place of Connie since historical research and writing are my passion.  I'm sure the first short story or novel I produce will be a historical fiction book.  Howe beautifully describes her characters and the different settings from Harvard Yard to the old house on Milk Street, and I think this is really what helps the reader get into the story.  I also liked that a small romance is included in the book, but it doesn't dominate the entire story line.  There wasn't a character in the story that wasn't a real character that one could relate to, even the one who ultimately became the villain.  As I mentioned before, Howe's description of the settings--the hallowed halls of Harvard, the libraries filled with the ancient texts, the inviting streets of Massachusetts, the antique house on Milk Street--all really help the reader picture each place down to the tiniest of details.  Some reviews I've read didn't like the fact that Howe included so many details, but in a work of historical fiction, I think this is key to making the book work as both historical fiction and an enjoyable novel.  I think the book is simply wonderfully well written and intriguing.

Now, what would I change about the book...  As I said, it is a well-written and intriguing work of historical fiction, and being a history major and being fascinated with the Salem Witch Trials, I enjoyed the treatment and use of them in the book.  One of the things I liked and disliked at the same time was Howe's inclusion of chapters that take the reader back to the 1600s & 1700s so we can learn more about Deliverance and the trials.  I think that these should have been included but they were at such sporadic points that you sort of lose the back story and lose the connection to the main "modern day" characters with the back story.  I also loved the way Howe ended the book; however, I found it to be a bit predictable, at least for me.  But I'm also notorious for figuring out endings of lots of books that many people don't, so that may just be a "me" problem.  There were also a few inconsistencies in the book, but I'll chalk that up to this being a beginning novel for Howe.

Overall, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane was a very easy and enjoyable read even if it was 376 pages long.  There were nights that I would read it that I didn't want to put it down.  So, with the mixture of good and mediocre things in the book, I give The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane a B.  I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction, books about the Salem Witch Trials, or anyone who wants to read a good spooky book.

Into Thin Air

I was intrigued to read the book Into Thin Air after reading an excerpt of it that was in the literature book I used for my sophomores last year and the year before.  Both the students and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the excerpt, so I thought I'd give the book a try.  I can say that I did honestly enjoy reading a non-fiction "adventure" story in its entirety.  I use the word "adventure" loosely only because this book recounts the most disastrous month in the recent history of Mount Everest.  I wasn't sure how I would like the book, since I'm not a big fan of non-fiction accounts.  But this book definitely changed my outlook.  Jon Krakauer takes the reader from his arrival by plane, on which he realizes that he is only about one thousand feet above the summit of Everest, all the way to the harrowing descent from the summit during which many of the climbers lost their lives.  One part of the book that only took up a chapter or so that I surprisingly enjoyed reading was the history of Mount Everest in which Krakauer included stories of the surveying expeditions of the mountain as well as the first climbers to make it to the summit.  I think that understanding the rich history of the mountain and of the people that aspire to reach its heights is vital to really getting into the book and feeling as if you are really watching the desperate attempts of the May 1996 climbers to reach and descend the summit.

One thing that I would recommend doing both before and during the reading of the book is to Google a few pictures of Mount Everest, the different camps, the routes to the summit, and the summit itself.  That will really give you an idea of how treacherous Everest really is.  Not that Krakauer doesn't do an exceptional job of describing the various landmarks of the mountain, but to actually see what they look like takes you to an entirely different level.

Back to the actual review of the book, I think that Krakauer, as a journalist, did a good job of piecing together the information to make the book a coherent account of the climb.  Understandably, with the events that took place, some of the information is a bit jumbled, but overall, it is fairly well-put together.  I thought it was a nod to his effectiveness as a writer that he begins the book in the middle--the first chapter is about when Krakauer reaches the summit.  This sets up the reader to be anticipating the disaster that he or she knows is impending.  The only thing I would try to change about the book is that, although it flows well for the most par for a non-fiction account, some of the chapters are a bit choppy and you have to re-read a few paragraphs every once in a while.  It is a fairly simple read, and the footnotes Krakauer makes regarding the definitions of certain mountaineering terms and Buddhist culture references do help, but it wasn't one of those books I could just pick up and not put down.  It did peak my interest in reading more books like it and even more by Krakauer.  I might even try to read this one again.  For a final verdict, I give Into Thin Air a B.

Ariel: The Restored Edition

Having read The Bell Jar within the past month or so, I thought that it would be good to also read Sylvia Plath's collection of poems entitled Ariel, after one of the poems in the book.  I actually taught both The Bell Jar and a few of the poems out of Ariel to my students this year, and I have to say, they all seemed to really enjoy Sylvia Plath's work.  Plath is one of the most haunting modern authors that I have read, and Ariel truly reveals to us her haunting way of delving into the innermost thoughts that she had as well as those that we all have.  Many of the poems were written about people in Plath's own life such as her husband, Ted Hughes, her parents, her extended family, and even some neighbors.  But I think they yield so much more than descriptions and metaphors describing those close to her.  They reveal to us many things about Plath herself.  We are led into her mind.  She shows us what it is like to be her.  She shows us what was going on in her mind, however strange it may be to some.  Plath, who suffered from mental disorders, uses her poetry to bring out the reality and depth of what she suffered, I think.  She was truly a great artist in that respect.

I enjoyed reading the poems in Ariel.  In fact, I had thumbed through it several times while reading other books but I had yet to actually finish it.  But I sat down tonight after finishing To Kill a Mockingbird, and I read through Ariel in its entirety.  It took me roughly a couple of hours since I spaced my time out by watching a bit of The Breakfast Club and playing Frontierville.  About halfway through reading, I decided to have a couple of glasses of wine, and, I swear, that helped me understand her poetry a bit.  I doubt she was drinking or drunk when writing them, but I think that helped clear my mind a bit while reading them.  I found them to strike me in the depths of my heart and soul.  I kept thinking to myself, "What does that show about me? Am I mentally ill like Plath?"  I finally concluded that, no, that is not necessarily what it means.  Maybe it means that I am more sensitive to people and their emotions.  I've always thought of myself as that type.  I personally don't think you can be a good writer if you are not.  So, Ariel touched me on a personal level.  I think that is why it is one collection of poetry that I will probably read several times. Maybe I will learn a bit about myself while I continue to re-read it.

I highly recommend Ariel to anyone who enjoys reading Sylvia Plath's work or who enjoys reading poetry.  It is well worth your time.  I give it an A.

To Kill a Mockingbird

It has been many years since I have read Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird.  I read it the last time as a freshman in high school because it was part of the required reading.  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the book, so I thought,"Why not read it for Banned Books Week 2010?"  Although I didn't finish it within Banned Books Week, I was able to finish it roughly a week or so later.

I remember enjoying this book when I was in my teens.  It was one of the few books that I had to read that I truly did enjoy.  This time, I enjoyed it even more.  To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most "real" books ever written.  Taking the reader through the story of a Southern town's biggest hurdle--the trial of a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman--we are shown the 1930s through the eyes of Scout Finch and her brother Jem.  The story takes us from the innocence of Scout and Jem's imaginative play time to their maturing into a wise-beyond-their-years knowledge of the world's ways.  I would dare say that most of us see a little bit of ourselves in either Scout, Jem, or even the comedic relief of Dill.  We all have our own coming-of-age story.  Harper Lee created a true masterpiece with To Kill a Mockingbird.  Rarely does one come across such a well-written, heartstring-tugging, simple-but-complex novel.  I think that's why most readers find this one such an enjoyable read.

Since I hadn't read it in such a long time, I opened the book with no pre-concieved notions of what I would determine the review to be.  However, I find that I was not disappointed at all in this masterpiece.  It was just as good as I remember it being and as most people say it is.  Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird receives a solid A from Coffee & Literature.

New Posting Schedule!

So, after thinking and looking at other blogs, I've changed up my posting schedule a bit.

Here is the new schedule--

Sunday: Reviews

Monday: Monday Musings

Tuesday: Teaser Tuesdays

Wednesday: Poetry Café & What's in Your Bag?

Thursday: Booking Through Thursday

Friday: Reviews

Saturday: Short Story Saturdays

I really didn't change too much, but I think this will all work better with my schedule.  Happy reading!

The Bell Jar

I don't know if I've ever a more hauntingly real and deeply mental book as The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.  Plath gives us a semi-autobiographical journey through the mind of Esther Greenwood from her internship in New York City to her stay in a mental institution.  While reading the book, I realized that there is a little bit of Esther in almost everyone.  Whether it is our paranoia or anxiety about little things every once in a while or simply the feeling of madness that we all can sometimes get, Sylvia Plath reached previously unattainable levels with her only novel.  The Bell Jar is possibly one of the best books I have read recently. Plath uses the first person point of view to take us through Esther's thoughts, which are sometimes coherent and easy to understand.  But at other times we are thrown into Esther's true mental illness and are able to experience her anxiety along with her.  Esther embodies the true way that mentally ill patients were treated in the 1950s and 1960s.  Plath, by taking some of her own experiences and turning them into fiction, shows us the reality of experiencing being in a manic depressive state.  Surprisingly, I especially enjoyed the way Plath would take each chapter and jump back and forth between the 'sane' Esther who was telling us her story as an adult and the manic-depressed Esther that is ultimately institutionalized.  Also, the semi-feud that Esther has with her mother is something that many women and young ladies could possibly relate to.  While Esther feels that she is sometimes never good enough to please her mother, she still loves her mother and wants to keep trying to please her.  The different relationship presented throughout the novel, Esther/Buddy, Esther/Joan, Esther/her Mother, Esther/the other interns, Esther/the other patients, Esther/her doctors, all embody relationships that we all have had at one time or another.  Now, obviously, I'm not implying in any way, shape, form, or fashion that everyone who reads the book or gets something out of the book is mentally ill.  I am simply saying that in almost every piece of literature, there is something that one can take from reading it, and I think that Sylvia Plath has given us all a little piece of ourselves that just happens to be a bit crazier than we would normally deem ourselves to be.  I do also think that the novel itself is more geared toward women than men.  Women, by our nature, are more emotional and anxious creatures, and I think this is why this novel appeals to mostly women.  But I do think that it is a good novel for men to read, as well.  Guys, you never know what you'll get out of a book until you read it!

Overall, I give The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath five stars, a solid 'A'. ★★★★★