Yellow Crocus

by Laila Ibrahim
April 21-May 8, 2015


I've had a bit of reading ADD lately. And it's so not like me. I have a bunch of books started and I've put them down to begin others. I never do that! I'm craving a book that sucks me in and won't let go. It's been too long. Short books seem to be finding me lately, and luckily this one was short and sweet.

“This is as true a story as has ever been told: the story of my love for Mattie, and, I suppose, her love for me in return.”

It's hard for me not to directly compare Yellow Crocus to The Invention of Wings, given that I read them so closely to each other. But if it were a contest, Crocus would win hands down. The emotion, truth and heartbreak was just better represented here. The relationship between Lisbeth and her wet nurse Mattie was so believable and well-written. The story didn't drag on either, like Wings did, so I was captivated until the end. It's amazing to read about the bond that can form between a free white person and a slave. Like it's been said before, love is love.

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Play On: Now, Then, and Fleetwood Mac: The Autobiography

by Mick Fleetwood
April 21-May 5, 2015

My love of Fleetwood Mac knows no bounds. If I met Stevie Nicks, my life would be complete. Does that sound sad? Hell no!! She's my favorite. I would at least love to sit and chat with her for an afternoon. But my obsession continues into all of Fleetwood Mac's music. I know every single song forward and backward. Not as much the stuff before Lindsay and Stevie joined the band on New Year's Eve 1974, but from then on, I know and love it.

I'm not sure that there's a ton to say about an autobiography as far as the subject matter goes. I mean, would you read one about someone who didn't interest you? Right. So why wouldn't I love this one? I feel like I knew a lot of the history going in to it, but I learned so much more about the early years and got the real scoop on Mick's love affair with Stevie. It was also fun to hear about the other big bands on the scene around the same time: the Stones, the Beatles, the Dead and so on.

The audiobook, read by Martin Dew, was the perfect companion to my spring cleaning. Listening away while being insanely productive makes me very happy. It also helps that the narration was great. Not necessarily the next literary prize winner, but a must read for any Mac fan.

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The Enchanted

by Rene Denfeld
April 6-20, 2015

I'm way behind on my posts. Three or more to be (sort of) exact. Though I won't do them justice, these posts will be short and sweet so I can get caught up.

The Enchanted. Poetic. Stunning. At first a little confusing. A lot depressing. But just beautifully written.

"The sun sets over the scrubby woods below, and the sweet peach juice runs down the lady's throat. It takes like a miracle."

At only 237 pages, this novel has a lot to say in a small amount of space. Denfeld was quite successful, knowing what to embellish upon and what to leave be. The statement about prison life is loud and clear. I personally struggle with this though because isn't prison meant to be a punishment? Do hardened criminals, murderers and child molesters deserve any better than they get? I completely understand why a prisoner would choose death over life in a cell.

The Enchanted, seen through the eyes of a mute, death row inmate, is one long metaphor. The inmate interprets his surroundings into what makes sense to him. He sees prison through a magical lens. I had the sense that there was a fuzzy haze over the whole novel. A calming feeling even though the subject matter was so intense. It's a quick, thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it.


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