books | BulgingButtons

May 8, 2015
by BulgingButtons 2 Comments

Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Love This Book

I recently read a book that really spoke to me. Actually, that’s not strong enough. I fell in love with it. I hated to leave it when I had to, and I kept thinking about picking it back up in my free moments. It was beautiful.

That book took me places I had never been, yet it made those places familiar and comfortable. As I read, the book transported my heart too, and I felt as though I were living someone else’s life, at least for a little while.

It sounds magical, doesn’t it? It was. In fact it was an almost spiritual experience. I read and read and read and didn’t want the story to end. Sadly, though, like all books, it eventually came to a close. A lovely, satisfying close, but a close all the same. How unfortunate.

So why would anyone tell me that I couldn’t love this book?

Well, there are a few reasons that come to mind. First off, it’s technically not a story for adults. It’s not my story. It’s not my life. It’s not my history or my culture or my race or my religion. But does that matter?

As a writer, I hope that my readers can find some connection to the stories I tell. I hope that something on the page resonates with them. As I writer I don’t care that your history and mine are different. I want you to immerse yourself in mine, and see if any of it feels familiar. If it does, great, we may share some sort of connection. If it doesn’t, that’s fine too. We compare our experiences and make note of their similarities and differences.

I was a young girl growing up during the same era as the author. I chewed Bubble Yum. I listened to the O’Jays on the radio. I remember hearing about babies suffering the damaging effects of eating lead paint. I wondered why a baby would eat paint. I loved my grandparents and I made friends in school. My life was not so different in so many ways, but our paths were light-years apart. I thank her for showing me her world, and doing it so beautifully.

Don’t tell me I can’t love this book. I already do.

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The book, of course, is Jacqueline Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming, and it is stunning.

August 31, 2014
by BulgingButtons 6 Comments

Ten Books and Then Ten More

The ten book challenge has been going around Facebook. I already gave my ten books answer there, but a quick little list didn’t seem to do those books justice. If you’ve missed it, the idea is to write down the titles of ten books that have stayed with you in some way. They don’t necessarily have to be the ten best books you’ve ever read, or your ten favorite books. You’re supposed to list ten that come to mind quickly.

I’ve really enjoyed reading the lists that have been generated as a result of this challenge, and I’m taking note of titles that keep popping up. My original list (done quickly, as the challenge requested) is as follows:

1. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger

I wrote my first huge term paper on this book, and spent a lot of time thinking about Holden Caulfied and his life.

2. My Brother Sam is Dead, James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

I read this book in the sixth grade, and it was the first book that I literally couldn’t put down. I read until the middle of the night to finish it.

3. The Notebook (not the movie!!!) , Nicholas Sparks

I sat down on the couch one rainy Saturday afternoon and cried my eyes out.

4. Little Women, Lousia May Alcott

I read this at summer camp when I was about 12 during the daily enforced 30 minute silent “rest” time after lunch.

5. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, Jan-Phillipp Sendker

This is possibly the most beautifully written and haunting book I’ve read.

6. The Time Traveler’s Wife , Audrey Niffenegger

The time travel and the fully dimensional characters have intrigued and stayed with me.

7. The Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins

I was right there with Katniss every step of the way. A glorious, exhilarating read.

8. The Little House on the Prairie series, Laura Ingalls Wilder

My second grade teacher read us the first book, and I was hooked. I saved my money and bought the whole series, which still has a place of honor on my bookshelf.

9. My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George

I read this one in fifth grade and was completely taken into Sam’s world. The setting description is phenomenal.

10. The Deep End of the Ocean, Jacquelyn Mitchard

A mystery, a family story, and an all around wonderful book. A book that makes you question what you would do.

As I’ve read other lists, I keep thinking about more books that have stayed with me, and I’d like to add an additional ten. I hope you’ll indulge me.

11. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, John Boyne

A Holocaust story that is incredibly personal and different from so many others. Impossible not to be moved.

12. My Orange Duffel Bag, Sam Bracken

A memoir of struggle and triumph done is a graphic, almost scrapbook style.

13. The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein

So many lessons in this one, and a beautiful dog too.

14. People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks

This is a huge story, done so carefully and beautifully as it takes you though history to a modern mystery. Stunning writing.

15. Chains, Laurie Halse Anderson

Slavery in New York City at the dawn of the American Revolution. Laurie Halse Anderson is an incredible writer, and her historical fiction, in particular, is genius.

16. Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire, Rafe Esquith

An inspiring book about doing much with little for kids who have almost nothing.

17. The Accidental Tourist, Anne Tyler

A quirky love story with characters who you feel like you know.

18. Saving Dinner, Leanne Ely

Ok, I don’t know if cookbooks count, but this one has so many great recipes in it, I had to include it. It’s my go-to cookbook.

19. The Official Preppy Handbook, Lisa Birnbach

Sure, it’s silly. But what a terrific little book, full of humor and wit and prep lore and wisdom.

20. The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom

Lessons to learn in a beautifully written story. Stunning.

Please share your list with me in the comments. Writers are readers, after all, so let’s share the book love.

October 8, 2013
by BulgingButtons 16 Comments

15 Favorite Books

The Rules:
Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen books (or series) which have influenced you and will always stick with you.
List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. In no particular order:

1. My Brother Sam is Dead, Collier and Collier

2. Little House on the Prairie Series, Ingalls Wilder

3. Harry Potter Series, Rowling

4. The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger

5. The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne

6. The Time Traveler’s Wife, Niffenegger

7. The Deep End of the Ocean, Mitchard

8. The Notebook, Sparks

9. The Lightning Thief Series, Riordan

10. The Hunger Games Trilogy, Collins

11. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, Frank

12. The Story Of America, from the US bicentennial era, I don’t have much information about it but I loved it

13. The Secret Life of Bees, Kidd

14. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Boyne

15. A Thousand Splendid Suns, Hosseini

I’ve stolen this prompt from Lynne McAennyl who used it in her blog. I’d love to hear what your favorites are, if not all 15 maybe just a top 5 or even 3. I’m sure Lynne would like to read about them as well.