One of my favorite humorists of all time, Erma Bombeck ruled the newspaper pages, inspiring and amusing readers with her entertaining observations abo...moreOne of my favorite humorists of all time, Erma Bombeck ruled the newspaper pages, inspiring and amusing readers with her entertaining observations about the nature of motherhood. "Forever, Erma" was a labor of love: a posthumous collection featuring the most loved Bombeck columns, as well as a smattering of lesser known pieces and a chapter of tributes from colleagues, friends and family. For those unfamiliar with Bombeck's work, it's a good introduction. For those, like myself, who have loved her work for years, the book is both a delight and a revelation.
Bombeck's columns elevate the trivial moments of motherhood: mining them for both humor and for meaning. While, on the surface, she may simply be sharing a story about a difficult child, she is also making a then-revolutionary statement: "I'm not a perfect mother or wife, and that's OK." She wrote such columns years before comedian Roseanne Barr introduced the idea of a sublimely flawed family; and her columns predated by decades the first by humorist Dave Barry, who explores similar territory from a father's point of view. Indeed, Bombeck was one of the first to discount such unrealistic role models as TV's Donna Reed and to air her dirty laundry (both figurative and literal) in print.
Such insights won her legions of fans -- mothers and children, wives and husbands -- and this book does a good job of illustrating why.(less)
Erma Bombeck, the beloved newspaper columnist who wrote about the foibles of motherhood, expanded upon her familiar territory in "Motherhood: The...moreErma Bombeck, the beloved newspaper columnist who wrote about the foibles of motherhood, expanded upon her familiar territory in "Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession." The result is a work that, though familiar-sounding, delves deeper and sometimes darker than her newspaper columns did.
For example, Bombeck reruns one of her most popular columns, a paean to the mothers of disabled children, answering it with a new companion piece where the mother of a disabled child criticizes the original column, calling it naive and speaking about the realities of her life. In another piece, Bombeck expands upon a newspaper column where she had joked about leaving behind letters for each of her children to tell them she'd loved them best. In "Motherhood," the expanded piece takes place at the mother's funeral, as each of the children reads his or her letter privately. The resulting work takes on a more serious, almost ponderous import.
In the pages of "Motherhood," Bombeck shows that she is capable of contemplating more than just the whereabouts of wayward socks disappeared from the dryer. While these pieces still evince her trademark wit, they go beyond classic Bombeck, exploring the deeper side of motherhood.(less)
In this fanciful children's book, the protagonist explores a variety of options for adult occupations, ranging from outre chef to gorilla masseuse. Th...moreIn this fanciful children's book, the protagonist explores a variety of options for adult occupations, ranging from outre chef to gorilla masseuse. The playful verse by Al Yankovic (better known as music parody king Weird Al) is accompanied by colorful pen and watercolor illustrations by Wes Hargis.
Wisely, this young hero realizes that the answer to "what will you be when you grow up?" may not be simple. Learning from his grandfather, who held many jobs throughout his life, the boy suggests one outlandish occupation after another, not ruling out the possibility of trying each in turn.
My eight-month-old boy was captivated by the drawings and engaged by the rhyming. He enjoyed it just as much when my husband read it to him a few days later. I predict that, unlike many of the board books he currently shoves in his mouth, this traditional hardback will remain a favorite as he grows and gains vocabulary and comprehension. While some of the vocabulary could make it difficult for beginning readers, it's a terrific book to read to children of any age.
Disclosure: The author received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through the Goodreads giveaway program.(less)
In these days of the Great Repression, readers seek escapism: fantasy, romance and sparkling vampires. Jess Walter's book, by contrast, is an unblinki...moreIn these days of the Great Repression, readers seek escapism: fantasy, romance and sparkling vampires. Jess Walter's book, by contrast, is an unblinking look at the reality of many Americans. The protagonist, Matt Prior, is about to lose his house and possibly his emotionally estranged wife. Matt is a poor communicator when it comes to his family, so he bears these burdens alone. Obsessed with such thoughts, he goes to the convenience store to buy milk and walks right into a youth-filled world of drugs and bad decisions.
While the initial pages of the book are often entertaining, like a well-written blogger grousing about his day, as the book slogs on, the fun dissipates, as Matt struggles with the weight of his poor decisions. At this point, I found myself saying, "Why am I reading this?" If I had been less of a completist, I would have certainly put it down. In fact, I almost wish I had, given the way the resolution peters out, with an ending as dissatisfying as the so-called economic recovery has been for many families. (less)
These poems were primarily written in my grad school days and in the five years following. These poems are more languid and lyrical than my recent poe...moreThese poems were primarily written in my grad school days and in the five years following. These poems are more languid and lyrical than my recent poetry, which tends to be more tightly-packed, but some of these poems remain my favorites for the way they addressed issues in my personal life and broadened them to incorporate universal concerns. This book really was a literary catharsis for me to write, and I imagine it would be for a reader, as well.(less)
This book was 13 years in the making, as it incorporates columns from my newspaper days as well as some Internet columns and personal essays. Rather t...moreThis book was 13 years in the making, as it incorporates columns from my newspaper days as well as some Internet columns and personal essays. Rather than organize them chronologically, I treated this like a volume of poetry: arranging the pieces so that they flowed naturally into each other in terms of theme, mood, imagery, etc. The result is a multifaceted exploration of love, friendship, pet care, pop culture, and even, at times, philosophy and religion.
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First, a shout-out to Greg, the owner of Between Books in Claymont, Delaware, who recommended this book. James VanderMeer takes a detailed, informativ...moreFirst, a shout-out to Greg, the owner of Between Books in Claymont, Delaware, who recommended this book. James VanderMeer takes a detailed, informative look at the practical realities of the modern writer. Many books have been written about the writing process, but VanderMeer writes from a business and marketing perspective, with hints on how to go from being someone who loves to write to someone whose works are published and read.
His instructions are inspirational and helpful, not just because of specific tips. He also provides a framework for how to think about what sort of writer you want to be, what kind of career you want, and how to achieve those goals.
In addition to the main book, there are a wealth of appendices picking up side topics. One of those chapters I found especially interesting dealt with the despair of not living up to expectations. Not only are many writers solitary folks, but many of us are also perfectionists who place our expectations too high. This often leads to disappointment and disillusionment. A friend recently told me how proud I should be to have my work in books I can actually hold and show to people. Yet, I am not the success I feel I should be: I feel like I should be supporting myself with my writing, not through other work. Apparently, I am not alone in feeling frustrated, and VanderMeer's book provides some good ideas about how to transition to the sort of career I want.
This book gets at the core of essential questions and concerns of the modern writer. It is not only a good resource now but will likely continue to prove useful.(less)
James R. Whitley combines richly-textured language with thoughtful introspection for a lyrical journey through heartbreak and loss into acceptance and...moreJames R. Whitley combines richly-textured language with thoughtful introspection for a lyrical journey through heartbreak and loss into acceptance and healing. His poem "Chai Tea, Raw Sugar" once appeared in my magazine, WildViolet.net, and it embodies the center section, about a troubled relationship. Ultimately, the poems progress into hymns of hope, as in these lines from the last stanza of "Cantata No. 21": "And I'm thinking about the coming dawn and how, / despite the nagging hangover I'm sure to have, / that brilliance will flood every dim corner of / my room with its sweetness, like an auspicious / heralding, like a merciful golden revision." (less)
When it comes to wordsmithing, Eric Greinke is adventurous. He tries on forms and subjects as joyfully as an outdoorsman discovering new territory. Th...moreWhen it comes to wordsmithing, Eric Greinke is adventurous. He tries on forms and subjects as joyfully as an outdoorsman discovering new territory. These poems range from imagistic free verse to langorous prose poems to surreal landscapes. Greinke is always looking for new inspiration, new ways to express what he sees.(less)
Carol Frith's poems are alive with rich detail: sycamores and verbena, sugar cookies and moths with "wings yellow / with half-life." She sha...moreCarol Frith's poems are alive with rich detail: sycamores and verbena, sugar cookies and moths with "wings yellow / with half-life." She shares stories about her family, especially the women: how they explore and cook and garden and sometimes grieve. She also writes movingly about a cousin with mental illness. Textured and evocative.(less)
Poet John Lee Clark is deafblind and writes about his experiences. His poetry is simple and direct. At times there is a playfulness, as he muses on la...morePoet John Lee Clark is deafblind and writes about his experiences. His poetry is simple and direct. At times there is a playfulness, as he muses on language and on his tactile way of viewing the world. These lines from "I Do Not Stop Because the Sign is Red" illustrate: "Some reach their self-portraits / by eyelashing at mirrors, // but, sightless, what I reflect / is at my fingertips." He makes his world come alive for the reader.(less)
I saw Carlos Andres Gomez perform at an event at the University of Pennsylvania several years ago, where I bought this book. His work, though clearly ...moreI saw Carlos Andres Gomez perform at an event at the University of Pennsylvania several years ago, where I bought this book. His work, though clearly playing off aural techniques, such as repetitions of sounds and parallelism, also reads well on the page. Writing a poem is like having sex, he explains in the poem "poetry like sex": "be mindful and patient of diction / stagger and alternate the rhythms / climax at the apex of emotion and sensation." Although, like his spiritual forebears in the Black Arts Movement, he sometimes veers too far into the polemical, he always brings it back to the visceral and the personal.(less)
Most poems involving children are hopelessly sentimental, but Brad Buchanan's poems depict the full range of parental experience: from hope and pride ...moreMost poems involving children are hopelessly sentimental, but Brad Buchanan's poems depict the full range of parental experience: from hope and pride to fear and frustration. He does it all through vivid imagery, as in these lines from "The Feral Child": "The womb has produced these faint traces of wolf: / dark hair on the tailbone, and fuzz on her elfin, / elephant's ears." Through his words, he captures his daughter's first days with an intimacy not possible in photographs.(less)
In this memoir, William Styron shares a personal view of his experiences with depression and recovery. The book explodes popular notions about depress...moreIn this memoir, William Styron shares a personal view of his experiences with depression and recovery. The book explodes popular notions about depression and shows just how the disease affected him. A slim volume, at just 84 pages, it is nevertheless compelling and enlightening. (less)
Laverne Frith strives for clarity and sparseness in his poems. His words paint minimalist watercolors of nature imagery, observations of human nature,...moreLaverne Frith strives for clarity and sparseness in his poems. His words paint minimalist watercolors of nature imagery, observations of human nature, and responses to photos and paintings. These lines from "Spirit Moth" demonstrate his compactness of form: "spread wide you are / the umbrella of morning". In a sense, these poems are almost evocative of Japanese forms, where each word must matter.(less)
The first poem, "How to Fit God into a Poem," serves as her ars poetica for this collection, suggesting that writers "Break him into st...moreThe first poem, "How to Fit God into a Poem," serves as her ars poetica for this collection, suggesting that writers "Break him into stanzas. / Give him a pet albatross / and a bon voyage party." Marjorie Maddox's vision of God is of someone omnipresent in life, as much in playtime as in prayer time. Ranging from whimsical to contemplative, these poems explore Christian beliefs and their relationship to everyday life. (less)
Poet Irene Koronas prefers a very loose form of free verse, where line breaks often feel accidental and the music of the language is untrained. Her mo...morePoet Irene Koronas prefers a very loose form of free verse, where line breaks often feel accidental and the music of the language is untrained. Her most engaging poems are tributes to famous artists and writers, such as Picasso. But in her personal poems, and in her "language poems" (musing on words), her choices are often too unfocused.(less)
A thoughtful collection of essays addressing issues of cultural appropriation as it relates to modern paganism. These authors approach the subject fro...moreA thoughtful collection of essays addressing issues of cultural appropriation as it relates to modern paganism. These authors approach the subject from various angles, exploring the pluses and minuses of adopting spiritual practices from other cultures. Some authors rely a little heavily on online sources, but for the most part, this is well-researched, scholarly and yet accessible.
I picked this up because an online friend, Thea Faye, wrote one of the essays, and I found her exploration of concerns related to New Zealand paganism to be fascinating.(less)
A conspiracy-laden autobiographical account of the author's introduction to and adoption of a splinter belief called Soul Craft. Believers rely on "...moreA conspiracy-laden autobiographical account of the author's introduction to and adoption of a splinter belief called Soul Craft. Believers rely on "new revelations from Christ," which come from conduit individuals, to underpin their often racist and extreme right views. The book is dense and poorly crafted. I read this to review it for Wild Violet and will give it a negative review.(less)
This book was a Christmas gift to my husband from my sister and her husband. When I first started reading it, I thought it was going to be a biblical ...moreThis book was a Christmas gift to my husband from my sister and her husband. When I first started reading it, I thought it was going to be a biblical "Mary Sue" story, where someone injects a character into an existing story. That "Mary Sue" character tends to be smarter and more perfect than everyone else, leading the action and ultimately becoming the focus of the tale, winning praise and admiration from the existing characters.
While Levi that is called Biff initially originally seemed like a "Mary Sue," he soon became much more than that. Rather, he is an ordinary Joe, fallible and petty, who often has difficulty understanding the motives of his godly friend. Still, in his faulty way, Biff comes to appreciate and believe in his friend's message of hope and salvation.
In many ways, Biff's story is the story of all Christians who are truly honest with themselves about their natures. Much as the faithful might try to be like Christ, they are closer to Biff: self-aggrandizing, materialistic and fearful. Yet, even Biff finds a way to rise above his baser nature and learn important lessons.
I would have rated this book higher except for a few key things. It started slow, and the use of modern idiom from bibilical characters initially grated on me. (I mean, really, his name is Biff?) Still, this book is worth reading to the end.(less)
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