"Friends are the family you choose for yourself"

Book: Recipe Book Club

Authors: Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel

I shamelessly stole this quote from a candle holder thing that I got for Leah for Christmas. It perfectly expresses our friendship and also in my opinion this book. Recipe Book Club, was written in letters which is a style that I love and am personally contemplating as an option for Leah and I to write about our lives. We have kept all the letters we have ever written to each other and wouldn't it be so cool to put them all together??? But anyway, about this book...

Leah picked it out and to be honest I wasn't sure I would like it, but she knows me and has great taste in just about everything so I gave it a shot. And I read it...And it made me sooooo angry! My first strong reaction is that Lily is an utter bitch and that Val is an utter snob. But I couldn't put it down at the same time. I read and read and read. The more I read, the more comparisons I found myself making between the characters in the book and the people/friends I have and have known. Yes, I could see similarities between myself and Val just because we are both quiet and shy, and between Lily and Leah since they are both bold and creative and fun. But I could also see similarities between Val and a girl Leah and I were friends with in HS. And after reading Leah's post on the book, I could see her comparisons between Lily and her friend Sadie. Bottom line, though, I just kept thinking throughout the whole book how glad I was that it wasn't Leah and my story. It was a wonderful story in and of itself and I enjoyed the book and loved how it made me think about and remember so many people that I have known. I loved that it made me angry and sad, and ultimately happy. But all in all I was just glad that our own story was so different from Lily and Val's.

My theory on our friendship which has lasted so long and is so integral to our lives, is this: We see each other as totally different people. I think Leah is the pretty, exciting, creative one and I have no idea how she sees me but I think of myself as the quiet, shy, sarcastically funny one. But regardless of how different we may perceive each other, we are basically the same. Different interests, different lives, but the same personalities. I think Val and Lily were total opposites and that is why their friendship was so tumultuous but also so great. Leah and I are different but the same and that is why our friendship has always been steady and strong. I wouldn't want Val and Lilie's story, but I can't imagine our own being any better or different. Now as Leah begins preparing for her wedding and marriage, I just am faced with all the different possibilities for how our lives will change. Whatever changes come though, I will be right here for her like she has always been for me...because that's what family does;D

........In case you haven't read the book yet, Val and Lily turn out to be sisters for real.........

.........I still like our story better though!..................

"Rachel, love, what did they do to you?"

Book:Pale Demon

By: Kim Harrison

So.....a little preface: I have taken an extended absence from blog writing for awhile due to sheer laziness. But I'm back! I have thoughts that just demand to be shared with the world! I can't in all decency deprive the masses of my intellectual input and guidance regarding what books to read and enjoy any longer. SO that said, here is the first of many blogs I have to get caught up on.

Read and be delighted!.....

"Pale Demon" a book about love, loss, and redefining how you view the world. I would like to address the world view aspect first just to be difficult and backwards. There are characters in this book who view the world as black, white, right, wrong and they are the characters who by refusing to allow for individual circumstances dictating the courses of actions necessary, condemn thousands of lives to horrible deaths. I am speaking of Oliver and the majority of the coven, and the witch community in general. And I am also referring the horrible deaths caused by Ku'Sox in his soul eating march across the West after his prison release. The reason I wished to address this part of the book first is that it is so applicable in our reality and such an conundrum. Isn't it admirable to stand firm and fight for the right and against the wrong as you see it?? Shouldn't more people be willing to be offensive and stubborn as they defend their opinions and ideals against popular conceptions??? But also, how can any one belief ever manage to address a universe of differing situations and circumstances? Who are any of us real or imaginary , to condemn innocent lives in defense of an ideal? Obviously, in the book Oliver is a pompous ass, a betrayer, and just an unpleasant fellow, but he fought for what he believed to be right. Like Rachel always does, but she ends up as the hero because.....she is supposed to be the hero. Now, don't get your panties in a wad I still and always will love these books and Rachel, but this book really just made me think about the real life equivalent situations and I couldn't as easily decide who would be right or wrong. I just wanted to share that thought with everyone and ask for input. Which is better? To let people die in the pursuit of "your" ideals or for the greater good to make deal's with a "demon"?

Moving on to the loss now. Oh where to begin???? Ivy feels she is losing Rachel because Rachel is a force of motion and is outgrowing her life and her partners. Rachel loses her bet with Al and in conjunction loses her entire world. Ku'Sox loses his fight with Rachel and is banished back to the ever after. Al loses Rachel when Trent hides her soul/aura. Pierce loses Rachel when he sacrifices himself by allowing Al to believe Rachel is dead and it's Pierces fault. And finally, Trent loses some fingers in the whole big mess. It makes you wonder, how is it possible in the face of so many shattering loses to even fit in a happy word??? But Kim Harrison in all her genius makes it happen. For isn't it true that in the face of tragedy life and love is all the sweeter for the understanding that it all comes with a price???

Now the mushy love stuff;D Seriously, though, this is why I read and love these books. It's the love that holds everything together in these stories. Ivy and Jenks and Rachel's love for each other. Trent's love for his new found daughter. Rachel's love for the good in the world and her willingness to fight with every thing she has to protect it. Quen and Ceri's love for each other that will help the elven race survive and thrive. The love that Rachel's mom feels for Rachel is so powerful and wonderful. Pierce's love for Rachel and willingness to condemn himself to save her. And what about even the possibility of Al's love for Rachel????? You know what I'm talking about....something is there and I for one really want to see where it goes!

So as I bring this long and overdue post to a close, I just want to dedicate this blog to my best friend, Leah. She never gives up on me, and always waits patiently for me to get my act together. Thanks bestie!!!!!;D Love you!