Yesterday, today, and tomorrow are all snow days here in the state of Washington. No kidding- 95% of the state is out of school because of this deluge of snow. It's bizarre.
So it's a good time for me to write about what I've been reading lately. We'll start from farthest back:
Marley and Me.
Marley and Me was a fantastic, feel good book about a very bad dog, and his lucky owners. Really, it was the story of almost every dog family I know. We get these adorable puppies that are full of energy and naughtiness. They grow up to truly be our best friends, and yet they never really shed their naughty natures. -Thank goodness for that. Chester, our beagle, is five- and he still has the occasional day when he acts like he's a brand new pup.
The book was great, and I look forward to seeing the movie that opens on Christmas Day.
I love that each of Jodi Picoult's book challenges in some way what you think and why. This one was no different, but it somehow was just not my favorites of her books. In fact, it was probably my least favorite. The Pact tells the story of two families that are best friends and next door neighbors. Their kids grow up to fall in love, and inexplicably make a suicide pact that goes awry. The girl ends up dead and the boy is accused of her murder.The book examines how lifelong friendships can be torn apart overnight and issues that might push teenagers over the edge.
There was a good reminder in the book, and that is this: teenagers need to be heard. In their lives, their problems are seemingly insurmountable, and adults tend to gloss over those problems with unhelpful sayings like: That happens to everyone. You'll get through it. or It's not that bad; just get over it. My job is working with teenagers (young ones), and it's important to remember to connect with them on their level, because they aren't able to connect with us on our level just yet.
Last night I finished reading John Baxter's non-fiction book Immovable Feast. Baxter was born in Sydney, Australia, lived a while in England, and settled in Los Angeles to make his living as a film critic. He met and fell in love with a French woman and moved to Paris. Did I mention he is also a chef?
This book tells the story of his move to Paris, his gradual acceptance into Marie-Do's family, and his preparation of this year's Parisian Christmas. Throughout the book he examines different Christmas food throughout the world, and what makes Paris unique in its Yuletide attitude and cuisine.
It was a delightful read, full of information and food. The only thing better than reading this book would be hearing these words from Baxter's own lips while sharing the table he so lovingly prepared for his family. -Yum.