My Summer Reading

Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
I've read all 13 Stephanie Plum novels. This one is the same as the others--a light read with amusing portions, but containing smutty language and adult situations. Absolutely no redeeming value.


Dialogue Magazine
I almost always sit down and read my Dialogue the minute it arrives. My favorite article in this issue was Cetti Cherniak's "The Theology of Desire" (Part 2 in a series). Loved her discussion on artists and all those who exercise creative agency. Another great piece was Wrathall's "Trial of Faith." Wrenching.


Religious Literacy by Stephen Prothero
Written in the same vein as "Cultural Literacy" by Hirsch, Prothero makes a great case for the need for familiarity with world religion. Go here to test your religious literacy!


The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay
This novel's themes of loss, power, love and impairment resonated with me. How can we regain the things we lose, or cope with never finding them again? Which of our secrets are destructive, and which are necessary?


Lucy's Book by Lavina Fielding Anderson
I wanted to read this to get Lavina's take on the changes that were made to this memoir in it's various publications, and on Lucy's role in the early church. I haven't been disappointed! I'm still working my way through this one--I've had to renew this library book twice. That never happens! When I get some extra $$$ I will add this to my collection.


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
I have to reread the last two Harry Potter's before the new one comes out, so I can remember what is going on! I just finished all 870 pages of #5--now, can I read #6 by Friday night??


Sunstone Magazine
I've finished the latest issue of Sunstone--Enjoyed reading Margaret Toscano's "Are Boys More Important Than Girls?" I heard her give this talk at last year's Symposium. To read it online, click on the Sunstone link!


Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
I'm done with Book 6 and now I've refreshed my mind on all the events of the previous Harry Potter books. I still can't believe Dumbledore really died in this book. I'm ready for Book 7 to come out, and I sure hope it explains Snape's treachery and why he was so trusted by Dumbledore!


Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay
Another fun summer read. This book combines fantasy with a bit of Celtic and Roman history. It's entertaining, but nothing special. This book is supposed to be more contemporary than his other works. I think I'll try his earlier fantasy novels. His Fionavar Tapestry series and "The Last Light of the Sun" are international bestsellers.


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I read it! and I'm not telling.


Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
I read this novel of nineteenth-century China for a Book Club group. I'm driving all the way to Highland to reunite with some friends I knew in Houston. We will spend the night and discuss the book. This one's worthy of a blog post, too!

Bookshelves

This is way more than any of you want to know about me, but it's the only way I could respond to Kevin's post.



This is one wall of the library. It holds all Mormon books. One shelf is devoted to notebooks containing my notes on Isaiah. Another shelf has books on Isaiah. A shelf has OT, one has NT, one for BoM, another for D&C/PoGP. I have a shelf for my Seminary materials and lessons, and one with Primary games/ideas. The Work and the Glory are there, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, etc. One shelf is packed with a bunch of random Mormon fiction.



Here's another wall of the library. Shelves are arranged loosely according to subject. Books on Joseph Smith, Books on each of the prophets, Church manuals, Sunstones, Dialogues, notebooks with my kids' certificates and report cards, Childcraft, lots of other Mormon stuff. See the Journals of Discourses hiding in the back, on the top right shelf?

Below are extra books stacked up in the library!



Moving to the next room:



This one's in my bedroom, and has scrapbooks of my children, with more hiding in two closed shelves underneath. Also the Great Books, World Book Encyclopedia, and some really old Bobbsey Twins.



This is also in my bedroom--it's all Genealogical material, well-organized at last!
uh, looks like I need to clean that big cobweb in the corner--didn't notice it till I posted this pic!

Next come several boxes of duplicates and extra Mormon stuff awaiting more bookshelves. Some of this stuff consists of old manuals. I have many of the Priesthood manuals back to the late 1940's.









Following is a bookshelf in the garage with some books nobody reads. Also in a storage room (not pictured) are every Ensign ever published, and an incomplete set of Improvement Eras back to the 1930's or 40's. With them are some Liahonas, Friends, New Eras, 7th East Press (only a few, I wish I had a full set!) and other magazine type things.



In the kitchen is a bookshelf with art supplies, scissors, yarn, beads, tape, staplers, calculators, etc. Under the counter (not pictured) are about 100 cookbooks and magazines.



The next bookshelf pictured is next to the piano, and has a bunch of music books and sheet music. It includes the Baptist and Episcopalian hymnbooks, and at least 4 editions of Mormon hymnbooks and Primary song books.




Next bookcase shown is in my daughter's bedroom. She just barely graduated from high school, and all the books that used to be on it are scattered on her floor, along with papers for her final exams. I'll give her a few days to relax, then force her to clean up in there!



A book case in the room that 2 daughters share:



A book case in the room that my daughter who just came home from college is now using:



My 12-year old son is sleeping on the couch in the living room since above daughter took over his room. He keeps about 10 library books behind the couch, for easy access.

My 8-year old daughter has about 50 childrens books in her closet.

Buck Up, Ladies!

I'm pretty steamed about a comment on Amri's post "Part-Time Jobs and Part-Time Daycare." Amri wonders if a part-time job might help her SAHM friend's mild depression, and asks if part-time daycare is really all that bad. Several commenters defend stay-at-home mothering, and offer suggestions on how to alleviate the depression. Then bbell chimes in with some advice he says comes from his wife, who "at one point had a 4-year-old, 20 month old, and a set of newborn twins at home." Here is the advice:

1. Shower, dress and put on makeup. Being slobby is not going to help your mental state
2. get other SAHM friends including non LDS SAHM friends. The non LDS SAHM friends will be guilt free friends who will not see you thru a pressure filled LDS SAHM prism. You will be able to relax a bit in their presence
3. have lots of sex with hubby
4. Make the bed in the morning
5. Clean the house. Do not have a messy house it will kill you mentally
6. Work out. Get a jogging stroller and go every day
7. Get unlimited long distance and call lifelong friends regularly
8. Do not use food to help you feel better. Getting fat will not help you feel better
9. Date night on the weekend
10. New hobbies
11. Buck up
12. Make your husband cook, clean, laundry, dishes etc. at night Never go to bed with a messy house. Its a horrible feeling to wake up to a mess

And now, here is how some women reacted to that advice:

"I believe you, bbell, that these are your wife's suggestions. But somehow, I wish she had commented herself. I don't know why, but it makes me MORE depressed to hear a man tell me that the way to cure my depression is to have lots of sex with my hubby, don't get fat, don't look slobby, and clean the house..."

"buck up is quite possibly the worst advice i've ever heard. ever."

"I don't think bbell's list would help someone who is already depressed. Those items take a lot of energy and ambition. When I had depression, I'd make lists like that too. Then I'd stare at them and cry..."

"That list looks like exactly the thing that creates that guilt-inducing pressure that mormon women suffer from. You will only be happy if you wear makeup every day, your house is clean, you work out, aren't fat, and have a great sex life. I mean, duh, I think every woman wants her life to be like that. But isn't the point that you get bored, depressed, and often overwhelmed? How is adding tasks to the day going to make someone less overwhelmed? How is telling a woman unfulfilled with her life as a SAHM that she would be happy if she were just, you know, skinny and cute and sexy every day, going to help her? yeesh."

When I was a young SAHM, I was given similar advice in the form of a book by Daryl V. Hoole, The Art of Homemaking, published by Deseret Book. A representative piece of advice in this book is the following:

"Not only is your attitude of great importance, but your appearance also plays a vital role in a happy home. One of the most common complaints unhappy husbands have is that their wives have neglected their appearance and slop around the house with uncombed hair and in runover slippers which look like two dead rabbits. If for no other reason than to keep the romance alive in your marriage, it is worth it to put your best self forward. Each morning get up and get completely dressed...And remember, as far as make-up is concerned, Even a barn looks better if it's painted!"

As I was looking for a link to Ms. Hoole's book, I discovered that she had written a new, updated book called The Ultimate Career: The Art of Homemaking for Today. I figured that perhaps her views had changed since she wrote The Art of Homemaking in 1967. Perhaps she had advice which addressed some of the challenges of being a homemaker in today's world. I haven't read the book, but Meridian Magazine provided some quotes from this new and improved version:


"The hope is to have many more good days than bad ones and to experience joy in our daily lives. To bring this about, our best efforts are required; yes to be happy at home is the result of all ambition. Now, while you're waiting for more to come in the months ahead, treat yourself today to a quick lift and some instant satisfaction by doing three simple chores:

First, sweep your front porch or outside entry way. This stops dirt at the door and provides a welcoming experience for family and friends who approach your house.

Second, wash the window over the kitchen sink, if there is one. As you look through a clean, sparkling window the entire world brightens up. If you don't have a window, shine your sink.

Third, pick up and put away, give away or throw away ten pieces of clutter..."


Now, I am sure there are many "feminist Mormon housewives" out there who will tell me that the advice to "buck up" has changed their lives, or that shining that sink can give one a whole new perspective on life. But to me, this type of advice is at best, silly; and at worst extremely damaging to a woman today. To a woman plagued with guilt, boredom, and depression, one need not pile on more inane and worthless chores such as sweeping the front porch or putting on makeup each day for hubby's viewing pleasure.

Book Meme

I found that I had read many of the books on this book meme. I have read the ones in bold, and the ones in italics I read with my book club in Houston (I miss them!)
Which ones have you read? Am I missing anything important?

1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (J.R.R. Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (J.R.R. Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (J.R.R. Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (J.K. Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (J.K. Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (J.K. Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (J.K. Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (George Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Charles Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Scott Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (J.K. Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolsoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davies)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Victor Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Helen Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (John Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down (Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In the Skin of a Lion (Michael Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (William Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)