Memories: Objects in the Rear View Mirror Resemble a Fun House

So, Mrs. B, on the topic of romance novels, I decided to go to a book I remembered reading and loving as a young girl and realized just how different it seems to me now. For one thing, I'm a very different girl. I've grown up a lot, learned a lot about what healthy relationships are (as well as what they aren't), and have developed decided tastes for things like, well, romantic relationships and what is "good writing" versus bad.

The Haunting of Brier Rose is a product of the era of romance novels that produced it. It was written in the mid-90s and reads like what was popularly published at the time, even for the budding genre of supernatural romance. The heroine is more Jane Bennett than Lizzy  and is certainly no Buffy, the hero more Heathcliff (and an unmitigated ass), than someone I can get behind (and granted, I've loved some unmitigated literary asses over my time as a reader, although, never really Heathcliff who seems abusive for no reason.) and perhaps that's part of the other problem I'm finding with the story.

Shaking My World

Hi Mrs. B.,

Just so you know, romance isn't the only thing I've been reading of late. I've been OBSESSED with alternate histories. In particular, at the moment, I've been on a kick for books by Cherie Priest.

Old Books, New Me

Hey Mrs. B.,

Back when we moved, I found several boxes worth of books that I couldn't remember what I thought of them. Several, I couldn't even remember what had happened in them. So, I'm giving myself a challenge through the end of the year: Re-read, remember, and share as many as possible. 

This weekend, I re-read Rebecca York's Midnight Kiss.

I couldn't remember anything about it, going in. I had a few guesses about the ending but I was happily surprised to realize that I didn't actually know. 

This book brings an author and a film maker together to bring his book to life, but disasters plague the set and the cast as someone claiming to be the antagonist in the movie starts terrorizing the director, a game that proves deadly.

Some of the prose choices were not ones I would have made, but all in all, it's a good story, one that's held up well. I like the characters: the wounded hero and heroine that come together in the face of adversity. They make me smile and their relationship feels genuine. And don't you want some purple prose in a romance novel?

I think this one is going to be a keeper.

Much love,

Odd

Dramamine

I've got no idea how it happened, but I finished that book...  It's been a about a month now since I did.

There were a lot of reasons I wasn't entirely ... pleased about this book, and yet for some unknown reason I did finish it. And quickly. It is a fast read and not a terrible beach book, and if you could get it second hand, it's something you're not going to feel too terrible about if it gets full of sand or washed out to sea.

So, if you're looking for a beach read and you don't have the under-18 set around the house, go for it. Just know, I don't exactly recommend it. The writing's pretty awful and I HATE the nature of the "romance." I kinda have to wonder if it was written by certain political figures in the news lately. Which, by the way, makes me think of this horrible article I read recently about ducks (Thank you, by the way Ms. W, if you're reading this). But, I digress and I don't want to make you lose your dinner.

Moving on.

Not a fan. But, if you do pick it up, it's a fast read that you won't mind losing at the beach. Or using for the signal fire if you get shipwrecked.

Until next time,

OA

The Circle is Broken

Dear Mrs. B.,

I know I'm late on the news, but believe me when I say I am heart broken to hear about Maeve Binchy's passing on July 30th. I still remember Circle of Friends as being one of the first books we shared, you and I. We talked about it the way no adult had ever talked about books with me before: we talked about the characters and the story in a way I'd never done before, like it really meant something, as opposed to the dry-retelling book reports I'd become accustomed to. I have always been a book lover, but you and Maeve Binchy showed me that there were other book lovers out there and that critical thinking and opinion meant something -- my opinion and critical thoughts meant something-- whether or not I was a kid.

So, while I know she will never read this -- and I know you don't either, Mrs. B. -- thank you both for what became a lifetime of critical reading.

I think I need to go reread that book now....

And maybe cry a little.

Much Love,
OA.