Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

I read Margi Preus’ Heart of a Samurai shortly after it was named a Newbery Honor book and found it captivating; when I read the description of West of the Moon, her 2014 novel, I was pretty much instantly sold.  Historical fiction inspired by an entry in the author’s great-great-grandmother’s diary?  Historical fiction blended with fairy tale?  Historical fiction about immigrating to America in the 19th century?  Sign me up!

Here’s the thing, though.  West of the Moon is most certainly captivating; there’s no denying that.  It’s also, however, more than just a little macabre.  The fate of the goatman, the truth about Spinning Girl, Astri’s dream (or was it a dream?!), Mor Kloster–this is a book that kept me reading, but also one that messed with my head.  (I was on the phone with my friend Andrea while I was reading it and I was talking about a bad dream I’d had; I started to read her the description of the book as a way to explain the probable inspiration of the dream and she interrupted me after the first sentence.  “I have READ this book!  And I had nightmares for days while I was reading it!”)  Realistically, old fairytales and folktales aren’t exactly made up of fluffy material, but the 19th century cultural traditions and common diseases referenced only added to the atmosphere.  This is a well-written, well-told story, and if you’re a fan of historical fiction and fairy tale re-tellings it’s most definitely worth your time, but–the dreams are a doozy, friends.  Be prepared.

Too tired to review the book I finished, sadly.  Next time!

In our newlywed years my hubby and I went through a “Lois & Clark” phase; his sisters had taped most of the episodes off of TV (back when VHS was king, you understand, and DVDs were just beginning to creep onto the scene), and what they hadn’t gotten, he managed to find online (because he’s cool that way).  While looking for missing episodes online, he also found a “Lois & Clark” novel and ordered it; I read it with gusto, but that was my only foray into the world of superhero novelizations.

Until now.

Because, hey, SHANNON HALE, I had The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl:  Squirrel Meets World checked out of the library to preview for my girlies when I stumbled upon a beautifully pristine copy at the dollar store and snatched it up.  Back went the library copy and onto my ‘I’m getting there!’ shelf went my lucky find, and there it sat until Elizabeth, the person (presumably) in charge of my county library’s monthly Goodreads challenges, went for a superhero theme in April.  Perfect, I thought.  It’s even available in audio!  Without further ado, I jumped into the Marvel universe in a whole new way–and I loved it.  Doreen Green–aka Squirrel Girl–is positive and nice and perky in a completely non-annoying way (which is quite a feat, really).  Her squirrel friends crack me up–especially some of their names–and her newest human friend is nicely characterized, right down to the socks and the Thor obsession.  My favorite part of the entire book, however, was NOT the battles with the Micromanager (although they were certainly entertaining in their own right), but the encounters, via text and otherwise, with various Avengers.  I haven’t seen all that many of the movies, being a live-in-moderation fan rather than a die-hard one, but that didn’t really matter.  (Well, seeing Guardians of the Galaxy might have helped.  I’ll work on that.)  Some of the texts threads were so fabulous that I thrust them at my husband and close friends, insisting that they HAD to read them–and their reactions did not disappoint.  If you’re into Marvel, or superheroes, or girl power in a fun, actually non-objectifying way (believe it or not!), pick up Squirrel Meets World.  You won’t be disappointed either.

I promise.

4YO:  I YUV you, Momma!  You are my favorite person in the whole world that’s a girl!

Me:  Aww, thank you Sweetie!   Who’s your favorite person that’s a boy?

4YO:  Daddy!  You and Daddy are my favorite girl and boy when you do the thing I like!

Me:  What about when we tell you things you don’t want to hear?

4YO:   Then you’re the WORST.

12YO, as I came in the door:  Mom, 9YO is sobbing over her book!

Me, upon heading downstairs:  Oh, Sweetie, what’s wrong?

9YO, looking at me with red eyes and a tragic face:  I don’t WANT Pippi to sail away on a boat!!!