The Paris Wife

McLain, P. (2011). The Paris wife.  New York:  Ballentine.

Ernest Hemingway is a name known worldwide for many different reasons.  Hemingway was a known alcoholic and notorious play boy.  He was part of the Lost Generation, which included voices such as Fitzgerald, Stein, Pound, Eliot, during the 1920's.  It was a time of breaking the rules to find oneself.  Hemingway was a love 'em and leave 'em kind of man.  But the first woman who trapped his heart was a woman named Hadley Richardson.  Together, the opposites lived a whirlwind life and tried to find consistency in a world full of chaos.

Paula McLain tells the story of the first of Hemingway's wives in her 2011 novel, The Paris Wife.  The novel is completely fiction but based on actual events of the Hemingways' life together.  McLain assumes Hadley's voice to tell the story through first person.  McLain truly and fully develops Hadley's character to the point that it seems that she's a dear friend telling a story.

Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem

Barnett, M. (2009). Billy Twitters and his blue whale problem.  New York:  Disney-Hyperion Books.

What happens when you don't listen to your mother?  She makes you take care of a blue whale!  Just ask Billy Twitters; he can tell you how horrible it is.  Max Barnett writes a very clever and interesting story about Billy Twitters and his pet blue whale.  Billy's mother constantly threatens buying her son a blue whale as punishment for disobeying the rules.  Billy doesn't believe his mother's outrageous alternative.  But one things for sure:  Billy's mother follows through.  And then hilarity ensues.

In the Night Kitchen

Sendak, M. (1970). In the night kitchen.  New York:  Harper

Since Brody LOVES Where the Wild Things Are, I thought we would try another book by Sendak, In the Night Kitchen.  I'm not sure that he feels the same about the two books.  In the Night Kitchen has been historically a very controversial book.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Dewdney, A. (2005). Llama Llama red pajama. New York:  Viking.

Lately I have seen Llama Llama everywhere!  So I had to see what the appeal is.  I'm still guessing at what attracts to young children to Dewdney's tales of Llama Llama.  Brody loves the picture book though.

The plot is simple.  Little Llama is going to bed and suddenly is terrified of being alone in the dark without his mother.  In the end, Llama's mother explains to him that even when she is not in the room, she will always be near to him.  It's a heartwarming bedtime story.

Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns

Weisberger, L. (2013). Revenge wears Prada:  the devil returns.  New York: Simon.

I was extremely excited to read this book.  I immediately placed this book on hold at the library after I finished The Devil Wears Prada.  When the library called, I was every happy and rushed over to get it. I completed the book in less than twenty-four hours (something I can do, but haven't done in quite sometime); yet not for the reason that most probably expect.

Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are.  New York:  Harper and Row.

Where the Wild Things Are is considered one of the most powerful children's books.  It has been voted multiple years as the number one book for children and received the prestigious Caldecott Medal.   I must agree with the hype.  The story and illustrations by Sendak truly are inspiring for children, both boys and girls alike.  Sendak's picture book is one that I shared with my brother when we were children; it is one that I have recently shared with my own son.  Even at fifteen-months, he is able to sit and listen to Sendak's powerful language.  Fifty years after its first publication, Where the Wild Things Are still speaks strongly to its audience.

The Devil Wears Prada

Weisberger, L. (2003). The devil wears Prada. New York:  Broadway Books.

My goal every summer is to read as many books as I can.  Sometimes these books are thought-provoking and emotional--The Bluest Eye.  Sometimes they are longer than most--The Help.  Sometimes they are a fun summer read--The Outcast.  The Devil Wears Prada falls into the last category.  I have read Weisberger's modern novel a few times now.  I have to admit that I saw the movie first, several years ago.  But like most, the novel is a hundred times better.

The Devil Wears Prada follows the story of Andrea Sachs, an employee as a personal assistant at the fictional Runway magazine.  Andy is forced to endure some rather difficult and humiliating (to say the least) "tasks" as she hopes to climb her way up the literary world's ladder.  Andy must often make the choice of job or her personal life.  Some of the scenes have the reader dumbfounded at the ridiculousness of the Runway world.