6 posts tagged “books”
The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal by Lily Koppel
rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is so cool. Florence wrote 1-2 sentences a day in her diary from 1929-1934, ages 14-19. She lost the diary, Lily Koppel found it in a dumpster in 2003, tracked down 90 year old Florence and wrote this book. It's the single line entries expanded with Florence's stories, and what stories.
One of my favorite documentaries is about women in pre-code movies and it opens, "Between 1929 and 1934, women in American cinema were modern. They took lovers, had babies out of wedlock, got rid of cheating husbands, enjoyed their sexuality, lead unapologetic careers, and, in general, acted the way many think women acted only after 1968." Florence only talked about seeing plays, not movies, but her life was certainly reflected in the movies of the time. She had numerous love affairs with both men and women and delighted in being "the man" of a relationship, floating from woman to woman. She said, as a 90 year old, that such things were fashionable at the time, but based on the responses of the people around her then, it wasn't in her usual circle. Anyway, the author made the time period come alive with her prose and the wonderful pictures, and Frances was a fascinating girl and woman.
Oh, where to start? At, perhaps, staying up until 5am reading this thing? And still only getting to about page 500, and so then reading nearly immediately after waking? Previously, I'd only done that for Harry Potter. *g* But I couldn't put it down.
It really is everything I hoped it would be. It went so in depth to the aftermath of Long Live the Queen. At the start, I kind of felt that it was rehashing things that had been covered in that book, but it wasn't, really. Comparatively, not much had been resolved in that book. How could it? It was so new. And Meg and her family really aren't the type to get over things quickly at all.
It was a little odd at first to see the Powers' with internet, blogs, World Champion Red Sox, etc. (And not even ONE Hill Street Blues mention! She got in Joan Jett and the Doors, but not HSB, Tab, or I Love Rock and Roll. Sadness!) And it was so very cool to see Susan McAllister - I never was able to track down Friends for Life but Life Without Friends is nearly as beloved as this series, and I had to contain my glee when Susan was on the phone with Beverly and asked about Derek. YAY! I love that Beverly and Derek are still together. And I love the intersection of the books.
Honestly, reading this felt like visiting old friends. I found myself watching for Russell to call the President Katie, as a sign that things would be okay. I wanted to hug Meg. (And smack her, when she was being stupid and more jerk-like than usual.) I was thrilled to see Beth, and seeing more of their friendship. (Hopefully we'll get to see them in law school together one day. I can only imagine. *g*) And honestly, I loved Jack and their relationship. Meg is not an easy person, but neither is he, and I can totally see shades of her parents' relationship in them. They are equals, and that's awesome to see. Not many people are in her league.
Just, you know, love. All around love. I want the first three books to be re-released very soon - I don't know how well this one stands alone, being so immersed in the world already, and the first three are out of print. The world needs to be better acquainted with Meg Powers.
Where do you get recommendations for new books to read?
Usually, from browsing. I find a lot of bibliographies at work, and grab what looks interesting. I also use the monthly book reviews from School Library Journal.
Now, however, I've joined Good Reads, along with most of my co-workers. We rate and review everything that we read, and it's been absolutely fabulous on getting ideas. You organize your books onto shelves, and so it's easy to find recommendations/reviews in various genres. I don't think I've ever read as much as I have this summer, thanks to GR!
On one hand, yay! I love Christmas. On the other - what the hell? I know that according to Betty's folks on Remember WENN, Labor Day starts the Christmas season, but it still feels crazy. LOL
All my signs of autumn are starting to appear, though. First Christmas book, BPAL's Samhain update, fall scents in Yankee Candle, etc. I'm quite pleased - I am not a big fan of summer, but I love and adore autumn and winter. I am ready for the seasons to change!!I was adding the Ellen Emerson White book I'm currently reading (All Emergencies, Ring Super) to Good Reads last night and what did I see? A link to EEW's Long May She Reign. I stared at it and immediately did a Google search.
The fourth Meg Powers book is coming out October 30!! I just did my preorder at Amazon. According to the Publishers Weekly article I found, it's going to be 700 pages. OMG I can't wait. I have mad love for Long Live the Queen, especially, but the entire series as well.
Eeeee, so exciting!!!!
Ooh, this woman got a galley copy and EEW commented on the post. Oh, man, seriously can't wait. Beth!! And Preston and Meg and oh, I'm sure it's going to be wonderful. I can't wait to reread the series in preparation.
I'm not sure I can even explain the impact that this series and this
writer has had on me. She was my first introduction to politics, the
Vietnam War, hell, to the Boston Red Sox. *g* The way she wrote her
books, her style, her dialogue, influenced my own vocabulary and verbal
and mental speech syntax. Just, everything. I am so very, very glad
that she's got another book coming out.
Oh, Lordy. I have books everywhere. Currently, I am reading SGA: The
Chosen, Enchanted Inc (both carried in my purse), Karen, With Love from
Karen (both on my nightstand) and Doctor Who: The Monsters Inside (on
my desk).
The Chosen is my favorite of the Stargate novels. Enchanted Inc is enchanting. It's a library book, so I think I'll have to buy it and the sequel.
The Karen books are as fascinating and fun as they always
were. I've not yet started the Who book, but I can't wait to.
