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Friday, September 3, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Pressin' On
Good morning everyone, I am angsty today; I'm halfway through literally an entire week at work, plus I lost some of my blog notes.
I am displeased, to say the least.
But I must press on or lose my head, and I'd like to avoid the latter. So here, for your education, is a new kind of post. I call it Words I Don't Know.
I've been reading a book by Kerry Cohen, and it's incredible. I'm almost done with it, so expect something on that soon. Anyway, while reading this excellent book, I came across this word:
anodyne
I have no idea what this word means, but it interests me. It has almost a clean, sterile look to it. It sounds like some type of medicine, and given the context it could be some sort of cleansing agent. Here is what dictionary.com tells me about it:
a medicine that relieves or allays pain.
Something that relieves pain. For those who have known me for a good length of time, it's obvious without being said that books are my anodyne. They have always been my escape, my solace, my Novocain. I find comfort in pages more than any other place.
It's been this way since I was young. I didn't grow up in a happy home; my parents divorced sometime before my memories begin, and not long after that my mother remarried. My stepfather is not a loving person. He's always been hard, harsh. In our home, 'parenting' was just yelling and spanking over every little infraction. It was rare that anyone would explain to me exactly why my crime was wrong. I was just told that it was and I must be punished.
I must say, for the sake of my mother, that things weren't all bad; there were brief moments where we felt like a family, where we liked each other and could get along and joke and tease for awhile. But the teasing always went too far, for I was what is considered 'too sensitive'. I was an annoying, needy parasite. I was difficult.
I hid in my room often. Just me and my books, it felt safe. Books don't tease, they don't judge or push or yell or tell you how worthless you are. They always have time for you. In my books, I was not me. I could be anyone: Anne of Green Gables, one of the Babysitter's Club, Nancy Drew... anyone. I would ignore my homework, skip meals, give up sleep just to read.
Even now, I turn to books. Sometimes I prefer them to people. I've come out of my shell, but I still need the pages, the text. I have over 200 books, and that's not enough. I'll always want more.
What's your anodyne?
I am displeased, to say the least.
But I must press on or lose my head, and I'd like to avoid the latter. So here, for your education, is a new kind of post. I call it Words I Don't Know.
I've been reading a book by Kerry Cohen, and it's incredible. I'm almost done with it, so expect something on that soon. Anyway, while reading this excellent book, I came across this word:
anodyne
I have no idea what this word means, but it interests me. It has almost a clean, sterile look to it. It sounds like some type of medicine, and given the context it could be some sort of cleansing agent. Here is what dictionary.com tells me about it:
a medicine that relieves or allays pain.
Something that relieves pain. For those who have known me for a good length of time, it's obvious without being said that books are my anodyne. They have always been my escape, my solace, my Novocain. I find comfort in pages more than any other place.
It's been this way since I was young. I didn't grow up in a happy home; my parents divorced sometime before my memories begin, and not long after that my mother remarried. My stepfather is not a loving person. He's always been hard, harsh. In our home, 'parenting' was just yelling and spanking over every little infraction. It was rare that anyone would explain to me exactly why my crime was wrong. I was just told that it was and I must be punished.
I must say, for the sake of my mother, that things weren't all bad; there were brief moments where we felt like a family, where we liked each other and could get along and joke and tease for awhile. But the teasing always went too far, for I was what is considered 'too sensitive'. I was an annoying, needy parasite. I was difficult.
I hid in my room often. Just me and my books, it felt safe. Books don't tease, they don't judge or push or yell or tell you how worthless you are. They always have time for you. In my books, I was not me. I could be anyone: Anne of Green Gables, one of the Babysitter's Club, Nancy Drew... anyone. I would ignore my homework, skip meals, give up sleep just to read.
Even now, I turn to books. Sometimes I prefer them to people. I've come out of my shell, but I still need the pages, the text. I have over 200 books, and that's not enough. I'll always want more.
What's your anodyne?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Little Bird of Heaven
From the first word to the last, Little Bird of Heaven is a novel of enticement. It begins in the midst of the decay that has become Krista "Krissie" Diehl's family. Though she is only in high school, the pain that the murder of Zoe Kruller has caused will shape the rest of her life.
Also changed forever are her mother, Lucille; her brother, Ben; and most of all her father Eddy, who has been accused of murdering Zoe. Zoe had many lovers and an abusive, estranged husband, but Eddy was with her that night. In fact, Eddy wasn't home at all that night. To everyone but Krista, this is irrefutable evidence of his guilt.
Only Zoe's son Aaron knows that there's another suspect: his father Delray. Delray is a drinker, a temperamental man. Aaron knows this, knows his father never came home that night, but he also knows that his father loved Zoe too much to hurt her. When police question him after he discovers Zoe's body, he lies. His father was home all night, he tells them. Aaron is sure that it was Eddy Diehl.
The whole community of Sparta feels the same. Eddy Diehl, once an upstanding citizen, a good guy, a pal, is now considered a criminal, not convicted but ostracized. His death with change Krista's life even more than Zoe's.
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Also changed forever are her mother, Lucille; her brother, Ben; and most of all her father Eddy, who has been accused of murdering Zoe. Zoe had many lovers and an abusive, estranged husband, but Eddy was with her that night. In fact, Eddy wasn't home at all that night. To everyone but Krista, this is irrefutable evidence of his guilt.
Only Zoe's son Aaron knows that there's another suspect: his father Delray. Delray is a drinker, a temperamental man. Aaron knows this, knows his father never came home that night, but he also knows that his father loved Zoe too much to hurt her. When police question him after he discovers Zoe's body, he lies. His father was home all night, he tells them. Aaron is sure that it was Eddy Diehl.
The whole community of Sparta feels the same. Eddy Diehl, once an upstanding citizen, a good guy, a pal, is now considered a criminal, not convicted but ostracized. His death with change Krista's life even more than Zoe's.
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Thursday, August 26, 2010
More, more, more.
It was just a few years ago that I first encountered her writing. At the time the name Oates meant nothing to me, but now, now it holds the promise of delicious depravity, mesmerizing malice, heart-wrenching honesty. She reveals the true nature of men, the hidden thoughts that are told to no one.
I knew none of this that day, browsing my favorite bookstore with a hunger that had nothing to do with my stomach. I was searching for something. Undefined, but I would know it when I found it. I needed something beyond the common drivel I sometimes cowered behind.
I combed through Fiction, looking for something to fill my shriveling intellect.
The title drew my attention: BEASTS roared at me in fierce red script. I took it gingerly from the shelf, held the small black book in my hands as if it would bite. I opened to a random page somewhere in the middle, read a few paragraphs. Became entranced. I wanted this book, I felt a need for this book, I craved it. But I was jobless and had little money. Jobless, with books as my only solace. Yes, I thought, I need this book.
I checked the back of the book-- less than ten dollars! There was no question now, this book would be leaving with me.
I devoured BEASTS and have since gone back for more, more, more. I added others to my bookshelf: Black Girl White Girl; Faithless; The Falls; The Female of the Species; Foxfire; i am no one you know; Middle Age; Missing Mom; Sexy; We Were the Mulvaneys. Lying next me to me, read and used, is Little Bird of Heaven. These have not satisfied me. On my long "to read" list are more titles: The Gravedigger's Daughter; Blonde; Rape: A Love Story. More, more, more.
Have a favorite Oates novel? Drop me a line at crackingspines@hotmail.com
I knew none of this that day, browsing my favorite bookstore with a hunger that had nothing to do with my stomach. I was searching for something. Undefined, but I would know it when I found it. I needed something beyond the common drivel I sometimes cowered behind.
I combed through Fiction, looking for something to fill my shriveling intellect.
The title drew my attention: BEASTS roared at me in fierce red script. I took it gingerly from the shelf, held the small black book in my hands as if it would bite. I opened to a random page somewhere in the middle, read a few paragraphs. Became entranced. I wanted this book, I felt a need for this book, I craved it. But I was jobless and had little money. Jobless, with books as my only solace. Yes, I thought, I need this book.
I checked the back of the book-- less than ten dollars! There was no question now, this book would be leaving with me.
I devoured BEASTS and have since gone back for more, more, more. I added others to my bookshelf: Black Girl White Girl; Faithless; The Falls; The Female of the Species; Foxfire; i am no one you know; Middle Age; Missing Mom; Sexy; We Were the Mulvaneys. Lying next me to me, read and used, is Little Bird of Heaven. These have not satisfied me. On my long "to read" list are more titles: The Gravedigger's Daughter; Blonde; Rape: A Love Story. More, more, more.
Have a favorite Oates novel? Drop me a line at crackingspines@hotmail.com
Monday, August 23, 2010
Oh technology...
Good morning Readers! This is just a quick line being dropped to inform you all that Cracking Spines is now on Twitter! If you've got an account (or if you want to sign up), follow my every page turn!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
We have a winner!
As you all know, the blog contest closed on Friday. I've spent the weekend thinking about all your entries, and you guys came up with some good stuff.
Props to my mom, who was the first to respond; her title suggestion was Pages Turned. Thank you to computersherpa, who suggested A Better Fate Than Wisdom, something straight from my favorite poet, e.e. cummings. I'd also like to high-five Adam, who was brave enough to suggest [my name here] Proposes a Toast, which is a C.S. Lewis reference. I call it brave because I really... don't like Lewis.
Unfortunately I can't give the prize to all of you fine people, so I must choose one. That one is Mr. Jonathan Scott Wyllys, who said:
"This is Jonathan Scott Wyllys, what is the prize?! How about, Cracked Spine. Get it, books, spines? Eh? Eh? Plus it sounds totally hardcore."
Hardcore indeed, Jonny! Which is why I'm calling my blog Cracking Spines, based on your excellent entry. Please enjoy your Borders giftcard, which you will receive soon! If you are so inclined, please let us know which books you treat yourself to. Happy reading!
Props to my mom, who was the first to respond; her title suggestion was Pages Turned. Thank you to computersherpa, who suggested A Better Fate Than Wisdom, something straight from my favorite poet, e.e. cummings. I'd also like to high-five Adam, who was brave enough to suggest [my name here] Proposes a Toast, which is a C.S. Lewis reference. I call it brave because I really... don't like Lewis.
Unfortunately I can't give the prize to all of you fine people, so I must choose one. That one is Mr. Jonathan Scott Wyllys, who said:
"This is Jonathan Scott Wyllys, what is the prize?! How about, Cracked Spine. Get it, books, spines? Eh? Eh? Plus it sounds totally hardcore."
Hardcore indeed, Jonny! Which is why I'm calling my blog Cracking Spines, based on your excellent entry. Please enjoy your Borders giftcard, which you will receive soon! If you are so inclined, please let us know which books you treat yourself to. Happy reading!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Contest: Closed.
The blog contest is officially closed! Thank you to those who participated. I have a busy weekend ahead, but I'll try (keyword: try) to choose and announce the winner by Monday. The winner gets something readingly rad; I hope you're as excited as I am!
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