Looking Back - Here on Earth

Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.

Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman
Fiction
1998 Berkley Books (first published in 1997)
Finished in March 1998
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)

Publisher's Blurb:

After nearly twenty years of living in California, March Murray, along with her fifteen-year-old daughter, Gwen, returns to the sleepy Massachusetts town where she grew up to attend the funeral of Judith Dale, the beloved housekeeper who raised her. Yet returning to her hometown also brings her back to Hollis, March’s former soul mate and lover. March’s father had taken the teenaged Hollis, an abandoned child, and the product of a series of detention homes, into his house as a boarder, and treated him like a son. Yet March and Hollis’s passionate love was hardly a normal sibling relationship. When Hollis left her after a petty fight, March waited for him three long years, wondering what she had done wrong.

Encountering Hollis again makes March acutely aware of the choices that she has made, and the choices everyone around her has made—including Mrs. Dale, who knew more of love than March could ever have suspected, and her brother Alan, whose tragic history has left him grief-struck, with alcohol as his only solace. Her attraction to Hollis is overwhelming—and March jeopardizes her marriage, her relationship with her daughter and her own happiness in an attempt to reclaim the past.


My Original Notes (1998):

This book sure kept my interest. I read it in one day! I really enjoyed it, but hated one of the main characters - Hollis.

My Current Thoughts:

I wonder if this is the first book of Alice Hoffman's that I read. (It was either this or Turtle Moon.) I probably picked it up after hearing about it on Oprah. I vaguely remember the plot and am impressed that I read it in a single day, especially since we were in the middle of moving to Texas! I've gone on to read a few more of Hoffman's books, but she isn't one of my favorite authors.

The Brutal Telling

The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #5
Mystery
2009 Minataur Books
Finished on March 4, 2019
Rating: 4.5/5 (Very Good)

Publisher's Blurb:

Chaos is coming, old son.

With those words the peace of Three Pines is shattered. As families prepare to head back to the city and children say goodbye to summer, a stranger is found murdered in the village bistro and antiques store. Once again, Chief Inspector Gamache and his team are called in to strip back layers of lies, exposing both treasures and rancid secrets buried in the wilderness.

No one admits to knowing the murdered man, but as secrets are revealed, chaos begins to close in on the beloved bistro owner, Olivier. How did he make such a spectacular success of his business? What past did he leave behind and why has he buried himself in this tiny village? And why does every lead in the investigation find its way back to him?

As Olivier grows more frantic, a trail of clues and treasures— from first editions of Charlotte’s Web and Jane Eyre to a spider web with the word “WOE” woven in it—lead the Chief Inspector deep into the woods and across the continent in search of the truth, and finally back to Three Pines as the little village braces for the truth and the final, brutal telling.

So far, this is my favorite book in Louise Penny's popular Armand Gamache series. The mysteries continue to improve and impress and this unpredictable installment kept me guessing until the final page. I appreciate that Penny doesn't feel the need for a happy ending with each of her books. Her characters are flawed and fully realized and life isn't always rosy in these character driven stories. The atmospheric tension is almost palpable and I couldn't put the book down. This is a series on which I'm happy to binge!

Interesting Facts:

The painter referenced in this mystery, Emily Carr, is a real person and we share the same birthday. I love her paintings and am surprised I've never heard of her.

Metchosin, 1935 Oil

Yan, Q.C.I, 1912 Oil

Totem Forest, 1930 Oil

Favorite Passages:

In the kitchen Gamache’s German shepherd, Henri, sat up in his bed and cocked his head. He had huge oversized ears which made Gamache think he wasn’t purebred but a cross between a shepherd and a satellite dish.

and 

Not a spoon clinked against a mug, not a creamer was popped, peeled and opened, not a breath. It was as though something else had joined them then. As though silence had taken a seat.

and

What came out surprised them all. A Celtic lament left the bow, left the violin, left the agent. It filled the cabin, filled the rafters. Almost into the corners. The simple tune swirled around them like colors and delicious meals and conversation. And it lodged in their chests. Not their ears, not their heads. But their hearts. Slow, dignified, but buoyant. It was played with confidence. With poise.

Agent Morin had changed. His loose-limbed awkward body contorted perfectly for the violin, as though created and designed for this purpose. To play. To produce this music. His eyes were closed and he looked the way Gamache felt. Filled with joy. Rapture even. Such was the power of this music. This instrument.

and

Their main courses had arrived. A fruit-stuffed Rock Cornish game hen, done on the spit, for Gamache; melted Brie, fresh tomato and basil fettuccine for Lacoste; and a lamb and prune tagine for Beauvoir. A platter of fresh harvested grilled vegetables was also brought to the table.

Gamache's chicken was tender and tasty, delicately flavored with Pommery-style mustard and vermouth.

I think it's time Louise Penny wrote a cookbook! 

A Month in Summary - February 2019

Little Whale Cove

Depoe Bay, Oregon

February 2019

Wow! What a month. Winter finally showed up and we had snow a couple of times, although nothing that required a snow shovel or ice scraper and certainly nothing like the storms we used to get in Nebraska. But even with the colder temps I managed to stay very busy. The other morning I realized that my calendar hasn't been this full since my daughter was in elementary school! The only difference is that instead of gymnastics, soccer, acting and piano lessons, mine is filled with yoga, pickleball, mah jong and book club. I even found time to drop in on a bird club (we spotted 4 eagles!) and a gardening club, both of which were fun and informative. With all these social activities, I'm surprised I had time to get in much reading, but I did and all five books were very good. We watched a lot of movies and TV series in the evenings and I finally got back to some puzzle time, which always starts out as a frustrating endeavor, but quickly turns into a compulsive activity. Instead of "just one more page," I find myself thinking, "just one more piece!" Lastly, February 13th marked the 13th anniversary of my blog, which started out as Lesley's Book Nook, transformed into Prairie Horizons and eventually evolved into Coastal Horizons. I'm not sure if I'll continue for another 13 years, but I don't have any plans to quit anytime soon. Thanks for reading!

Books Read in February (click on titles for my review):

A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

After You by Jojo Moyes

First Lines:

In the height of summer the guests descended on the isolated lodge by the lake, summoned to the Manoir Bellechasse by identical vellum invitations, addressed in the familiar spider scrawl as though written in cobwebs. Thrust through mail slots, the heavy paper had thudded to the floor in impressive homes in Vancouver and Toronto, and a small brick cottage in Three Pines. (A Rule Against Murder)

I heard it said God moves on the water. Well, I have looked for Him there. My thirst grows with his flood. (Whiskey When We're Dry)

When I was a kid, my aspirations were simple. I wanted a dog. I wanted a house that had stairs in it--two floors for one family. I wanted, for some reason, a four-door station wagon instead of the two-door Buick that was my father's pride and joy. I used to tell people that when I grew up, I was going to be a pediatrician. Why? Because I loved being around little kids and I quickly learned that it was a pleasing answer for adults to hear. Oh, a doctor! What a good choice! In those days, I wore pigtails and bossed my older brother around and managed, always and no matter what, to get As at school. I was ambitious, though I didn't know exactly what I was shooting for. Now I think it's one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child--What do you want to be when you grow up? As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that's the end. (Becoming)

The last class of my old professor's life took place once a week in his house, by a window in the study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink leaves. The class met on Tuesdays. It began after breakfast. The subject was The Meaning of Life. It was taught from experience. (Tuesdays with Morrie)

The big man at the end of the bar is sweating. He holds his head low over his double scotch and every few minutes he glances up and out behind him toward the door, and a fine sheen of perspiration glistens under the strip lights. He lets out a long, shaky breath disguised as a sigh and turns back to his drink. (After You)

Movies & TV Series:

House, MD - We finished re-watching Season Four and I'm still enjoying the show, but maybe not quite as much as the first time I saw it.

The Last Jedi - Meh. Not the worst Star Wars episode I've seen, but not my favorite.

Solo - Honestly? I don't even remember if I liked this one or not. We watched it early in the month.

Sherlock - We are now caught up, having just watched all of Season 4. The final episode was quite creepy and disturbing!

Collateral - A 4-part British TV series, starring Carey Mulligan. Very good!

First Man - Good, but on the verge of becoming too sentimental. It's been years since I watched it, but I prefer The Right Stuff. I also liked Apollo 13 better than First Man. Maybe it's just that I don't care for Ryan Gosling. On the other hand, Claire Foy was excellent!

Hellboy - I was pleasantly surprised by this action hero movie. Yes, I'm ready to watch II.

Mars - After watching First Man, we found this on Netflix and pretty much binged on Season One in a few short days. I just discovered there's a second season! Yay! I loved the historical segments (2016 versus 2033) and could easily watch this a second time.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - If it weren't for the great cast (Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, John Malkovich, Bill Nighy, and Alan Rickman, to name a few), I don't think I could have sat through this entire movie.

The Night Manager - We watched the first two episodes of Season One and I'm still on the fence. I like Hugh Laurie, but I'm not sure I care for him in this show. I do like Olivia Colman, however!

The Escape Artist - Next to Mars, this may be my favorite of the month. I love David Tennant and he was exceptionally good in this 3-part series. It's a very intense drama that had me holding my breath on more than one occasion. Loved it!

Puzzlemania:

This 1000 piece puzzle was pretty challenging! It took us two weeks to complete.

Mah Jong - Early this month, I taught two of my friends how to play and four of us have been getting together once a week to play for a few hours. We laugh, drink wine, eat chocolate and have a wonderful time. It's become one of the highlights of my week.

Pickleball (not my photo - we play indoors) - This has become my other favorite activity! I went to a neighborhood clinic for beginners and was immediately hooked. We've played a few times and I even got Rod to go hit the ball with me the other day. It's a great workout and a lot of fun!

So, as you can see, it was a fun-filled month! With warmer weather on the horizon, we're beginning to think about some RV road trips. 

Fort Sumner & Clovis, NM

Monday, September 24, 2018
Fort Sumner to Clovis, New Mexico
Distance: 85 miles
Walmart (boondocking)
Cost: free
Weather: Warm and sunny

We decided to leave Sumner Lake State Park a day early, even though we couldn't get a refund for the second night. The flies were so annoying and the amenities at the campground left a lot to be desired. By driving ahead to Clovis, we could shave off some miles on Tuesday's drive, which, otherwise, was going to be a fairly long day.

We left the park after 11:00 and made a stop at the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner. I'm not sure it was worth the $5/person, but it was something to do and we had time to kill.

When we arrived in Clovis, we found a coffee house (Java Loft) and spent an hour or so there, uploading pictures, working on blog posts, and catching up on social media. It would have been a nice place if the employees weren't so loud and talkative. Next time, we'll remember to bring our noise-cancelling earphones. 

We got settled at Walmart (our first experience boondocking at one) and went inside to grab a few groceries and ask the manager if we were ok parking there overnight. Not every Walmart allows this anymore, but the manager was very friendly and said it wouldn't be a problem. It wasn't long before several other RVs pulled in and parked on the outer edges of the large parking lot. Other than the glare from the tall overhead parking lot lights, we didn't have any problems. It was a very quiet night. 

Bill the Kid Museum

Fort Sumner, New Mexico

Our first boondocking experience at a Walmart.

Our view from the parking lot.

Could be worse.

After You

After You by Jojo Moyes
Fiction
2015 Pamela Dorman Books
Finished on February 23, 2019
Rating: 4.5/5 (Very Good)

A NOTE FROM JOJO MOYES ABOUT HER EXCITING NEW NOVEL, AFTER YOU:

Dear Reader,

I wasn't going to write a sequel to Me Before You. But for years, readers kept asking and I kept wondering what Lou did with her life. In the end the idea came, as they sometimes do, at 5:30 in the morning, leaving me sitting bolt upright in my bed and scrambling for my pen.

It has been such a pleasure revisiting Lou and her family, and the Traynors, and confronting them with a whole new set of issues. As ever, they have made me laugh, and cry. I hope readers feel the same way at meeting them—especially Lou—again. And I'm hoping that those who love Will will find plenty to enjoy.

—Jojo Moyes

Publisher's Blurb:

How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?

Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.

Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future. . . .

For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await.

The first book I read of Jojo Moyes' was her smash hit, Me Before You. I loved everything about that novel and once I finished, I was eager to try more of her works, so I read The Girl You Left Behind and The Last Letter From Your Lover, neither of which were anywhere near as good. So, when I saw that she had written a follow-up to Me Before You, I may have cringed just ever so slightly. I honestly didn't think a sequel could be half as good as the first book, so why waste my time. Until book club. One of my "reading twins" told me she did read both After You and Still Me and said they were both as entertaining as Me Before You. That's all it took to convince me. (We all have those friends who love the same books as we do and never steer us wrong. Gotta trust them!) And, yes, she was right. I loved the book! I devoured it in a few short days, reading late into the night, but saving the final chapters to be savored without interruption. I laughed, but also had my heartstrings tugged, as I read of Louisa's journey through grief and the new friendships and challenges that came her way. Moyes' novel is not a romance, but it speaks about love and how we are able to find joy and happiness when we least expect it. It's also not a fluff story, but rather a satisfying, comfort read with an uplifting conclusion. I can hardly wait to read Still Me, which is the final installment in this trilogy.

Looking Back - A Light in the Window

Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.

A Light in the Window by Jan Karon
Mitford Series #2
Fiction
1995 Penguin Books
Finished on April 17, 1998
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)

Publisher's Blurb:

His attractive neighbor is tugging at his heartstrings. A wealthy widow is pursuing him with hot casseroles. And his red-haired Cousin Meg has moved into the rectory, uninvited. 

As you can see, Mitford's rector and lifelong bachelor, Father Tim, is in need of divine intervention. In this beautifully crafted second novel in the Mitford series, Jan Karon delivers a love story that's both heartwarming and hilarious. Only time will tell if the village parson can practice what he preaches. 

Like At Home in Mitford, the first novel in the series, this book is filled with the miracles and mysteries of everyday life. And the affirmation of what some of us already know: Life in a small town is rarely quiet. And absolutely never boring.

My Original Notes (1998):

Wonderful! I love these books and think Karon is a talented writer. I feel like I know these people, feeling their happiness, sadness, hopes and fears.

My Current Thoughts:

I don't remember very many details in the Mitford series books, so I flipped through my copy of A Light in the Window and found a Post-It Note marking the following:

The snow has left the cottage top;
Thatch-moss grows in brighter green;
And eaves in quick succession drop,
Where grinning icicles have been,
Pit-patting with a pleasant noise
In tubs set by the cottage door;
While ducks and geese, with happy joys,
Plunge in the yard-pond brimming o'er.
The sun peeps through the window pane;
Which children mark with laughing eye,
And in the wet street steal again
To tell each other spring is nigh.
       ~ John Clare

Lovely. I'm eager to give this book a second reading.

Called It Quits

All four of these novels came highly recommended by several respected bloggers. I was thrilled to find them at the library earlier in the month and was eager to settle in for some great reading. Sadly, each and every one of these books failed to capture my attention. I even set one aside to try again later, but once I resumed reading it a week later, it continued to disappoint. Back to the library they went. On the plus side, I didn't waste any money. #lovemylibrary

Coming Soon - The Starless Sea

I listened to The Night Circus in 2012 (reviewed here) and thought it was a beautifully crafted and imaginative tale about love and illusions. As it often happens, I forgot all about the author until I recently read a glowing review of Morgenstern's debut novel, which got me to wondering if she had written any other books. Lo and behold, I stumbled on this article from Entertainment Weekly:

Erin Morgenstern is finally ready for her encore.

The best-selling author of The Night Circus will next publish The Starless Sea, a sweeping new novel interweaving romantic and fantastical elements, in late 2019, EW can announce exclusively. The book is Morgenstern’s first in seven years, and publisher Doubleday is planning an ambitious rollout, with a first printing of 500,000 copies.

The Night Circus, a fantasy told in nonlinear form from multiple viewpoints, marked a smash debut for Morgenstern, going on to award-winning acclaim and drawing the immediate interest of Hollywood. The book has sold 3 million copies since its 2011 publication and has been translated into 37 languages; in addition, both film and stages adaptations are in development.

Here’s the official synopsis for The Starless Sea: “Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a strange book hidden in the library stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues — a bee, a key, and a sword — that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to a subterranean library, hidden far below the surface of the earth.

“What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians — it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose — in both the mysterious book and in his own life.”

Several years in the making, The Starless Sea is a much-anticipated second novel from Morgenstern. “When I started working on my new novel, I thought I was writing a book about books, but as it turns out I was writing a book about stories,” the author said in a statement. “Stories and choices and change and also time and fate and video games. It took quite a while to get it all to fit in a single book, even down to the bees.”

The Starless Sea will publish Nov. 5, 2019.

I don't know about you, but I plan to read this as soon as it hits the shelves. Read or listen, a book about books (or stories) is bound to be a winner!

Looking Back - Tuesdays with Morrie

Addendum:

Finished on February 17, 2019

New Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)

After posting this "Looking Back" entry, I decided it was finally time to re-read Albom's book. I began reading and was quickly drawn into the narrative, remembering bits and pieces, but not so much that I was bored or impatient with the writing. It was as fresh and inspiring as the first time I read it in 1998. It's a quick read, easily finished in a day, but I took my time, both savoring Morrie's aphorisms and Mitch's thoughts and reactions to his friend's decline.

The last class of my old professor's life took place once a week in his house, by a window in the study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink leaves. The class met on Tuesdays. It began after breakfast. The subject was The Meaning of Life. It was taught from experience.

No grades were given, but there were oral exams each week. You were expected to respond to questions, and you were expected to pose questions of your own. You were also required to perform physical tasks now and then, such as lifting the professor's head to a comfortable spot on the pillow or placing his glasses on the bridge of his nose. Kissing him good-bye earned you extra credit. 

No books were required, yet many topics were covered, including love, work, community, family, aging, forgiveness, and, finally, death. The last lecture was brief, only a few words.

On Death & Dying:

How can you ever be prepared to die?

"Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, 'Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?'"

I thoroughly enjoyed this experience of re-reading Mitch Albom's book. I did find that I was preparing myself for the heartbreaking finale and was surprised that I didn't shed a single tear. Since reading this back in 1998, I have lost three very close family members, so maybe I am now better equipped to handle the tragic details of death and dying. Or maybe knowing the outcome softened the blow.


Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
Nonfiction
1997 Doubleday
Finished in March 1998
Rating: 5/5 (Excellent)

Publisher's Blurb:

Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, and gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. 

For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago.

Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger? 

Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final 'class': lessons in how to live.

Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's last gift with the world. 

My Original Notes (1998):

Awesome book. Moving without being maudlin. Introspective. Wonderful words of wisdom from a tremendously brave old man. Courageous. Inspirational. A great gift book. I cried like a baby when I finished. Sobbed! 

My Current Thoughts:

I remember when I read this book and how the ending gutted me. I've had it on my shelf for over 20 years and have never read it a second time. I did later read Albom's popular novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and didn't care for it at all, so I wonder if I'll still like this biography about Morrie. Guess it's worth a try.

Becoming

Becoming by Michelle Obama
Memoir
2018 Random House Audio
Finished on February 15, 2019
Rating: 5/5 (Outstanding)

My first 5/5 for 2019!

Publisher's Blurb:

An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African-American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments.

Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare. In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.

I not only got to see Barack Obama speak at a rally in Omaha, Nebraska in 2008, but I was also able to attend an event at the Lied Center in Lincoln, when Michelle Obama spoke about her husband and his run for the White House. It goes without saying that Obama is a great speaker and he had the entire crowd cheering and eager to get to the polls to elect him as the 44th President of the United States. But it was Michelle's speech that truly inspired me. She spoke with great eloquence and conviction and I walked out of that venue feeling hopeful and proud of my country. And now a decade later... well, I won't go there.

It's been over a week since I finished listening to this remarkable memoir and I'm still sorting out my thoughts and feelings, so bear with me. I began listening to the book on New Year's Eve day and it took me over six weeks to complete, not because it was slow and plodding, but mainly because I didn't spend as much time outside walking, which is when I typically listen to audio books. I was not aware of the length of the print copy (426 pages) when I downloaded the audio and since I rarely look to see how that translates to listening hours, I was surprised to see that it is a 19 hour audio. (To give you a point of reference, the audio of A Gentleman in Moscow is almost 18 hours.) Anyhow, it's a long book, but well worth every minute! And, my goodness, does Michelle nail the audio! Her clear enunciation, as well as the emotion and passion behind her words, makes for a marvelous listening experience. She is articulate and intelligent and has experienced an extraordinary life that most of us will never know, and yet, she sounds no different than any mom, wife or daughter, sharing the same concerns, fears and frustrations that most of us have. I loved learning about her childhood just as much as her life in the White House. I enjoyed hearing about her relationship with her daughters and Barack (and all its challenges) equally as much as her achievements as First Lady. I was moved to tears when she spoke of her father's final moments, as well as the intense emotion of election night (2008) and her last day in the White House. She is one classy, witty and kind woman and someone whom I would love to have as a friend.

Favorite Quotes:

For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.

and

For every door that’s been opened to me, I’ve tried to open my door to others. And here is what I have to say, finally: Let’s invite one another in. Maybe then we can begin to fear less, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us. Maybe we can better embrace the ways we are the same. It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.

and

It hurts to live after someone has died. It just does. It can hurt to walk down a hallway or open the fridge. It hurts to put on a pair of socks, to brush your teeth. Food tastes like nothing. Colors go flat. Music hurts, and so do memories. You look at something you’d otherwise find beautiful—a purple sky at sunset or a playground full of kids—and it only somehow deepens the loss. Grief is so lonely this way.

I can't recommend this heartfelt and honest memoir any more highly and while I plan to buy a copy of the book for a future re-read, I absolutely loved the audio and am glad I listened to it first. Oh, how I wish I could once again see Michelle Obama at one of her speaking engagements. I would give her a standing ovation. This woman has my utmost respect. Bravo!

Ravioli Lasagna

I love Italian food and have a couple of delicious recipes for lasagna and baked ziti, but they are both fairly involved, so I rarely take the time to make them. After reading Candace's post with her modifications for Food & Wine's Vegetable and Ravioli Lasagna, I knew I had to give it a try. This one's a winner and couldn't be any easier! I've fixed it so many times, I can do it in my sleep. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I've made it at least a half dozen times since I first read about it on Beth Fish Reads Weekend Cooking. My family, friends and neighbors all thank you, Candace!

Ravioli Lasagna

(Photo Credit: Food & Wine)

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

4 mild Italian pork sausages (6 ounces), casing removed

1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce, or vegetable pasta sauce

1/2 cup water

2 (14-ounce) packages fresh cheese ravioli

1 (14-ounce) package fresh spinach-and-cheese ravioli

12 ounces (3 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese

3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 375F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Lightly oil a 9-by-13-inch baking pan (3-quart baking dish).

In a large flying pan, cook sausage over moderately high heat, stirring and breaking up the lumps with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain the accumulated fat and add the marinara sauce and the water, simmering for 5 minutes.

Add all the ravioli to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain the ravioli and return them to the pot. Add the sausage marinara mixture and toss gently to coat the ravioli.

Spoon one-third of the ravioli and sauce into the baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella and 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan. Repeat two more times (to make three layers in total).

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, until bubbling. Remove the foil and bake 25 minutes until browned and bubbling. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

My Notes:

Any type of ravioli works well for this recipe. I even found some with Italian sausage, which saved me a step and ingredients. I have used cheese tortellini instead of one of the packages of ravioli, as well. If the leftovers are a little dry, just heat some marinara and spoon over each serving.

Adapted from Food & Wine (found on Beth Fish Reads)

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