My dad is funny. A large part of his humor is driven by his impersonations and his acute awareness portraying idiosyncrasies. Recently he was talking to JD about a trip he and I took together and imitated me with such precision it was scary. My voice, my mannerisms, the way I walked. Everything. He reinacted the story and gave voices to each character and then ended his soliloquy with his hands pushed together at their pinkies, his nose pressed into his palms. This was his way of imitating how I had my nose stuck in a book for most of the trip. Everyone laughed–my mom even slapped her knee–and nodded in agreement.
My totally mature and refined response? WHATEVER!!!
If there's anyone to blame for my reading habits, it's my father. He's the one who stayed up late with me to read Boxcar Children and tested my vocabulary via old issues of Reader's Digest. So, there. Oh, and speaking of reading, here's a few good reads I finished lately…
*Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – This was a new adventure in reading. It took me a while to wade through the lyrical passages, but at page 105, I felt the tides turn and I became smitten with Jane and Mr. Rochester. While I'm not the biggest fan of its ending, it was a pleasurable read and a truly unique love story.
*Loving Frank by Nancy Horan – I became obsessed with this book within the first three chapters. It's historical fiction based on the life and of love of fame architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. It's narrated by the voice of his mistress, Mamay Borthwick Cheney, and it weaves and gorgeous story of forbidden love, art, and separation. The ending left me gasping for air and if you think I'm being dramatic, read the story for yourself and you'll be shocked, too.
*The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck – Wow. And whoa. Buck navigates the entire life of a Chinese farmer and chronicles the life and struggle of peasant living in the early 1900s. The story moves flawlessly and is written in a straight-forward manner, so that when you come across a complex passage of truth and pain, you're moved. At the core. It's much different from my usual reads, but it's really quite lovely. Oh, and it won the Pulitzer, so I guess I'm not alone with my affection for Buck.
*The Room by Emma Donoghue – I couldn't put this book down. I finished it in a single sitting and I still think of the narrator, Jack, a five-old-boy who paints his world with vivid color. Donoghue does a masterful job drawing the reader in and creates emotions of longing and protection for children of abuse. It's beautiful book of strength, power, and perseverance for the voiceless. I loved it.
Happy Weekend!
