Bookish Lifestyle – Page 6

Bridges

October 6, 2017 RaeAnna

Read No
Length 194
Quick Review The plot is flat, and the characters are superficial at best. For having a grammar police of a main character, the syntax is riddled with errors. The cover is incredibly misleading. Overall, it reads like a sub par young adult novel.

Bridges by Maria Murnane is a novel about female friendship. Three women, who met in college, are in very different points in their lives. Told through the eyes of Daphne, a divorcée, mom and aspiring novelist from Ohio; she meets her friends in New York City for a long weekend. Daphne celebrates the impending marriage of the successful and perpetually single Skylar along with KC, the hottest, youngest grandma there ever was. Though they are close, they still have things to learn about each other, which could bring them together or drive them apart.

The story centers around three women in their forties, but the cover is incredibly misleading picturing three women looking to be in their early twenties. Not only is the cover mismatched but the title, as well. I have finished the book, and I still am not quite sure where Bridges comes into play.

Murnane tries to tackle the complexities of female friendship but falls short. Her characters are hollow. Their friendship feels incredibly surface. One of the largest contributing factors to this is the dialogue. Murnane makes a concerted effort to keep the dialogue light and true to how people talk; however, it doesn’t flow naturally. She tries too hard to make the dialogue witty and interesting. There are unnecessary characters, who do nothing to further the plot. Murnane is trying to stay relevant by using Lokai bracelets, but it’s kitschy and overdone. She also tries to incorporate internet dating through an irrelevant side character. The “horrifying” dating experiences she comes up with may have been avant garde in the 1940’s, but they’re nothing to bat an eye at for any actively dating woman under the age of 45.

Daphne seems to be a fictional version of Murnane as an aspiring novelist. The other characters are always referring to Daphne as something of a grammar police. She shows her knowledge of grammar in ludicrous ways, which add nothing to the story except irritate and distract the reader. After constant mention of being the perfect icon of grammar, the novel itself is riddled with grammar mistakes and odd word choices.

Overall, the novel could be something really interesting, but, as it stands, Bridges is a let down falling short of a the complexity that is female friendship. I would be happy to recommend you better novels about female friendship. Just let me know!

Memorable Quotes
“… love is completely random. There’s no rhyme nor reason whatsoever to where we’ll find it, or how.”

Title: Bridges
Author: Maria Murnane
Publisher: Self-Published
Copyright: 2017
ISBN: 9780980042511

Experiences, Travel

Ames Public Library

September 14, 2017September 8, 2019 RaeAnna

I grew up in Ames, Iowa. Growing up the library was a mainstay in my life, and it often comes up when discussing childhood memories. The house I spent my first eight years in was located about half a mile from the library, so my mother, brother, and I would regularly go for walks to return and check out books.

When I was in Ames last month, I revisited the library for the first time in almost a decade. The library I remember as a child does not exist anymore. It has the same location, a lot of the same exterior, and the same name, but it went under an extensive renovation and expansion a few years ago. Walking through the library, I recognized nothing. It had vastly changed for the better. I think the expansion and renovation is amazing. It was a little bittersweet for me, but I think money is best spent on books and knowledge and community outreach, which a library epitomizes. I wandered around with my parents enjoying the newness of the building until I wandered into the kid’s section of the library.

As a little girl, there was a display case made of wood. Every month or few weeks, the display behind glass would change to reflect the season, activities, or holidays. It was the first, the last, and my favorite thing I looked at whenever I went to the library. Even as a teenager, I would stop by the display to take a peak. I had forgotten about the display. Like childhood, it had disappeared into a fuzzy haze I like to call the past. When I walked into the children’s section at the library, the first thing I saw was the display. In a library I no longer recognized, the display had remained the same. So many memories came rushing back all at once. I am normally a very level headed and non-emotional person. I do not cry often. As I stood there looking at the display with my Mom and Dad, I started to tear up. We were taking pictures for this article, and unfortunately, there are no pictures where I was not teary eyed. It’s funny how childhood memories can do that to you: sneak up and pounce out of nowhere.

Libraries hold memories for a lot of people I am sure. The library holds so many memories from my childhood. I grew up in that library in a way. For me, the library was the epitome of the world. Knowledge was always the key to everything. If I could access the knowledge the library held, I would have access to the world. Or at least, that’s how it felt when I was little.

I read A Midsummer Night’s Dream in second grade. I was inspired. When I was done, the first place I went was the library. I had no idea how to navigate the library, so my mother taught me. This was in the era when the card catalogue still existed next to the computer while everything was digitized. My mother taught me how to look up books in the card catalogue and then through the computer. At first, it was difficult, and I kept having to ask my Mom for help. Eventually, I got the hang of things. It was the clouds parting and the sun shining through moment for me. I was able to find books about history, literature, language, and more.

The library was the beginning of the story of my life that would unfold.

In college, I worked all four years at the library. I enjoyed it immensely. It was a wonderful way to spend my academic career surrounded by the books I had worshiped my entire life. At Cornell, I studied Literature, French, and Russian, which is basically a triple degree in how to read well. In my life after college, I am now a freelance literary translator and editor and writer, a senior editor at a literary magazine, a rampant reader, and a book blogger – obviously, you are here reading this.

The Ames Public Library founded a passion that will stay with me forever just like the memories I cherish.

Experiences, Travel

Week in Hot Springs Village

September 10, 2017September 8, 2019 RaeAnna

I’m getting around to this post so late!!! I’ve been busy with life. There’s no other excuse.

I ended up going to Hot Springs Village because of Hurricane Harvey hitting Houston hard. I like to call this time my hurrication. Luckily, my grandparents live six and half hours away in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. I planned on being there for three days. Unfortunately, I ended up staying nine days. Oh well! I had lots to keep me busy, and many books were read while I was away.

Hot Springs Village is a gated golfing community twenty minutes outside of Hot Springs. It’s a beautiful area. My grandparents moved there from New Orleans when I was fifteen. They’re always surprised I love visiting them. It’s a golfing community, and I hate golfing. The residents are mostly retired, so no distracting activities for a young person. The entire time I’m there, I entertain myself by walking in the mountains and reading. So mostly reading because I’m not a huge fan of exercise. It’s really a reader’s paradise. So much outdoor space and very few people make for a fabulous back drop for a reading marathon.

If you get bored of reading inside or around the village, you can always wander your way into Hot Springs, which is full of fun things to do.

Hot Springs is a tourist town with lots of national parks to adventure through. Hot Springs is a city with quite the history. It was first explored in 1673. The land was a part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Prudhomme became the first settler of what would become Hot Springs in 1807. In 1818, the United States gained the land from the Quapaw tribe; you can find many businesses and landmarks named after the Quapaws including a Bathhouse. Hot Springs was a renowned destination for bathers drawn to the healing thermal waters bubbling up from the underground springs. An area of downtown Hot Springs became known as Bathhouse Row for their beautiful spas. During the Civil War, there was a decline in bathers coming to the springs, and many citizens of the city fled as troops neared Little Rock. Post-Civil War era saw a surge in population as the city rebuilt and expanded. In the early 20th century, Hot Springs was attractive to the rich and famous, as well as, the rich and infamous. It became a hotbed for gangsters and illegal gambling.

Hot Springs is now a tourist destination attracting those who want a piece of Americana and to experience the lovely spas fed by the hot springs. The architecture in historic Hot Springs is absolutely gorgeous. Only a few bathhouses are still functional, but many still stand and house museums, shops, and even a brewery. I have experienced the spas at the Quapaw Bathhouse, and they are gorgeous! The floor in the basement is warm because of the heat radiating from the springs, which run underneath the ground.

I love shopping in the historic district. I can’t go to Hot Springs without frequenting the Bathhouse Soapery. Though they ship and have other stores, they are headquartered in Hot Springs. There shop is beautiful, light, and smells like heaven. Their products are the only ones I use! There’s a great candy store next door called Pour Some Sugar on Me Sweet Shoppe. It was definitely difficult for me to leave without handing them my wallet because of my addiction to sweets! There’s a great place called The Pancake House. It’s only open until 12:45 pm, so get there early. I highly recommend the sausage; it’s homemade. There are gorgeous fountains throughout the historic district fed by the springs; you can see steam rising off the water. The historic Arlington Hotel is a must see. It’s huge and you can’t miss it!

If you’ve had enough of the historic district, there is more than enough to do for the outdoorsy folks. Hot Springs is surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains. Everywhere you look you’ll find gorgeous views of the mountains and forests. Lake Ouachita is amazing for those who enjoy the water! It’s huge, and you could spend days exploring it. It’s great for those who want a break from technology. There is no reception in that area… At least, for me anyways. If you’re into kayaking, this is an amazing destination. There is also Hot Springs National Park, which is awe inspiring.

Arkansas may not be at the top of everyone’s must see list, but Hot Springs is a beautiful place to visit, relax, and read. It has good food, good views, and enough history and activities to keep everyone happy. If you’re every in the area, let me know! I’m happy to lend a suggestion or twelve.

Bookstores, Houston, On the Town

Texas Independent Bookstore Day

August 5, 2017June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

August 5th, 2017 is Texas Independent Bookstore Day! BookPeople in Austin, Texas and Brazos Bookstore in Houston, Texas came together to begin this new tradition in 2017 with the hope it will become an annual, widespread celebration.

I have been in and out of Houston so much since I moved to the city, I really have not had enough time to explore the city I live in. I knew Brazos Bookstore was a place I had to see because being a part of the Bookstagram community, Houston can’t stop talking about this lovely store. I had been to Brazos the weekend before spending more than I needed to, which happened to be my first time in the store. When I found out about this celebration, I knew I had to go back two weekends in a row. So… I spent even more money!

In this ever changing world of technology and online shopping, I do my best to support small businesses especially independent bookstores. There are so many people and so few active readers, I want to do my best to support and encourage writers, the publishing industry, and bookstores. As much as I love Barnes & Noble, I love the little bookstores that feel like home when you walk in the door.

To celebrate Texas Independent Bookstore Day, Brazos had a number of events. They kicked off the day with a Texas themed family morning, the debut of their Paper and Pen Pal Club, a Happy Hour, and a vendor market! I had wanted to be there for the Paper and Pen Pal Club since I enjoy writing letters and do so as much as possible. Alas, I laid on the couch reading too long. I made it in time for the Happy Hour, but I don’t drink. So I bought two books instead. It was hoppin’! Lots of people buzzing around the bookstore looking, chatting, and buying. Nothing I love more than listening to the hum of people discussing books, authors, and what makes a good book.

I really enjoy Brazos Bookstore. It is well organized. The decor is sparse with all the walls, shelves, and tables painted white allowing the books to become the centerpiece of the shop. Every month, they highlight a different cause. This month they are honoring female writers in translation. (As a woman and a translator, I am very excited about this.) The large windows at the front of the store are currently painted with a mural of Jane Austen. There are comfy leather chairs sitting by the windows for those too eager to wait until they get home to start reading, or maybe for those who are waiting on the more inclined readers. It is evident everything in Brazos is geared toward the reader, the writer, and the reader-writer because the most dedicated readers are usually aspiring authors. The people behind the counter making the magic happen are wonderful, knowledgeable, and helpful. Shelves are dedicated to staff picks, plural because it’s impossible to pick just one. Throughout the store, there are cards with helpful hints and facts about books and authors making it easier to decide which ones to take home. The store is full of gorgeous notebooks, stationery, which is incredibly dangerous for me, and other items helpful to the reader.

Brazos does not just sell books. They foster a sense of community creating spaces for those of all ages with a love of the written word. They are currently hosting a summer long series entitled “Summer of Austen” celebrating the life and work of Jane Austen. I’m hoping to make it to their final book club if I can read Sense and Sensibility in time. There calendar is full of events from Book Clubs to Story Times to readings and things in between! I love how involved they are in the literary scene and the Houston community.

I will be back… When I can afford it.

Brazos Bookstore
2421 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005

Experiences, Travel

Los Angeles Trip

July 20, 2017September 8, 2019 RaeAnna

I had not been to Los Angeles in… twelve years. So, you know, I was completely old enough to remember everything but at the age where you’re just along for the ride. This is the first time since I was fourteen, I’ve done anything more than fly through LA.

If you can’t tell from the over-saturated book theme of this website, I’m not a big partier. I prefer to spend my nights on the couch with a blanket and book or at cafes with, again, a book or my laptop writing. There will be no tour of nightclubs here; it is a strictly daytime fun and embarrassingly touristy list of things to do.

I had been wanting to go to Urban Lights in downtown LA pretty much since it went up in 2008. A public exhibit consisting of 202 antique cast iron street lamps restored by Chris Burden dating from the 1920’s and 1930’s. The lamps are solar powered after the sun goes down. Sitting right outside LACMA – Los Angeles County Museum of Art – it is in the heart of the museum district and historically gorgeous. It’s incredibly touristy yet a wonderful place for taking pictures. Instagram is saturated with the lamp photos, including mine, of course! Urban Lights is a can’t miss. Being such a huge tourist attraction, it gets quite crowded around noon. In the morning, it makes for an ideal reading spot. It’s beautiful to just wander around and look up. The lamps vary size and shape but are uniformly painted a light grey.

Rodeo Drive is world famous for the shopping; of course, I absolutely cannot afford to shop there. Maybe someday, I’ll write a book (or a million) and be able to afford socks on Rodeo Drive. I call this my California dream. Anyways, Rodeo Drive is also a beautiful street to walk up and down peeking in windows, people watching, and grabbing a cupcake from Sprinkles because I can afford to spend $4 on a nibble of yummy cake. There are some really beautiful areas to sit down and read a book on Rodeo Drive if you can tear your eyes away from all the beautiful things and people.

I walked up and down Hollywood Boulevard. It’s not a place to read. It is, however, an interesting place to look at the stars in the floor. The amount of talent is enormous. Actors, producers, singers, writers, directors, and more line the street. I stopped to take a picture of a book, but the photo is about all the bookish things that can be done on that street. Too many people walking to and fro. Also, I had to hurry along because the sidewalk is black, and my dog had hot paws. So we did not tarry long on Hollywood Boulevard because the beach was calling our name!

The last thing we did before leaving Los Angeles and California was spend the afternoon at Venice Beach. It’s been almost twenty years since I had been to Venice beach. It’s just like I remember along the boardwalk. People everywhere in nothing but swimwear. There is so much going on; I do not suggest reading here. Nowhere comfortable to snuggle in with a book except for the sandy beach, which is not dog friendly. The boardwalk is fun because loads of people are wandering around with and without dogs. Lots of spots for pictures. Muscle beach is great for looking at men. Venice Beach is a huge touristy spot, but my favorite part was just off the beaten path walking up and down the historic canals of Venice Beach. The houses are in the style of bungalow, modern, cottage, and more running along the canals in every color of the rainbow. There are delicate, white wooden bridges criss-crossing the canals. I loved walking up and down the waterways. Beautiful and serene.

I really enjoyed LA more than I thought I would or at least more than I remembered. The traffic sucks. After living in Chicago and Houston, I am extremely used to it! So for me, it wasn’t that bad.

Books

Gracious

April 11, 2017 RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 256
Quick Review A comprehensive overview on how to be gracious… Or, as I would phrase it, being gracious is easy but takes a little bit of thought, and if you have a hard time being a good person, this will help you get there. It’s also incredibly funny in an honest kind of way.

Full of unwaivering grace, humor, and optimism, Kelly Williams Brown forgoes asterisks for pineapples. This is just the beginning of all the wonderful tidbits, side notes, anecdotes, interviews, opinions, and solicited (because you’re reading it sans force, hopefully) advice. I had high hopes after her debut best selling book Adulting, and she exceeded my expectations: Brilliant!

Gracious is an important book on how to be a decent, if not good, person in this world full of hardships and less than pleasant cohabitants. Brown spent, what I imagine to be, a good amount of time talking to the gracious people surrounding her; from those she’s looked up to since childhood to those she encountered through her career. Giving credit where credit is due, she mentions so many beautifully souled people I wish I knew.

She writes exceptionally well. Maybe it’s because I connect so thoroughly to her topics (shameless plug: I wrote a thing about living through kindness before I read her book, but KWB did it so much better. You can read it if you want at: Living Out of Kindness). Basically, I think we could be best friends because reading her book is like having a one way conversation with your close friend over cake and adult beverages on a comfy couch. She has a remarkable sense of candid humor. Fearlessly Gracious tackles awkward situations such as how to be gracious when a lover (teehee) spends the night. Let’s be honest, there is no guide book on how to make that not awkward, so tips on grace are always welcome.

Gracious is a straightforward easy read with an incredible amount of depth and brevity. Vacation season is just around the corner, so if you have a beach or pool in your future, this will be the perfect companion.

I will recommend Kelly Williams Brown to anyone and everyone. Go buy it; link is below! Or it is available at Target, in case, you are out of toilet paper and going on a late night run today. I’ve never been there…

Side note about the publisher. I love that Rodale is eco friendly; meaning Gracious was printed on acid-free recycled paper. So buying this book is good for the environment! She’s even gracious in publishing.

Memorable Quotes
“It’s a word that is both feminine and divine, unlike most ancient feminine words, which often seem to be something along the lines of root vegetable/soil/something to put a penis into, etc.”
“The 1800’s, ladies and gentlemen! Definitely not as long ago as we’d like.”
“Our lives are filled with beeps that don’t stop, and each time we hear that sound, we hear that someone needs us, which means we exist.”

Title: Gracious; A Practical Primer on Charm, Tact, and Unsinkable Strength
Author: Kelly Williams Brown
Publisher: Rodale, Inc.
Copyright: 2017
ISBN: 9781623367978