While I'm Still Myself by Jeremy Mark Lane

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):  Synopsis 
A passionate December love affair. 
The meeting of an unexpected traveler. 
The consequences of protecting a young new acquaintance. 
A journey into an unknown past. 

In the stories of While I’m Still Myself, Jeremy Lane eloquently describes the life changing impact of the brief encounter, showing that life and love are not shaped by an entire lifetime, but by the fleeting moments with unexpected people in unexpected places.
And here's what I thought:   I had been contacted by the author about reviewing his book, and I was curious --- and, I discovered some pretty good stories as a result.

I like short stories from time to time for a number of reasons.   First, if I put down the book after I've finished a story, I don't have to worry about being lost when I pick up the book again because I'm beginning a fresh story.   Second, if I'm not wild about a story, I have plenty of other ones (hopefully) in the collection to read, and one of those will probably strike me.    That did not happen in this book.

What happened was this:  I liked all of the stories.  The author has a somewhat spare way of writing, but the way that he crafts his sentences, characters and stories, I never feel like something's missing.  Does that make sense?   How about this:  reading these stories is like appreciating a beautiful chair designed by Frank LLoyd Wright (see photo at the bottom of this post) --- it's simple and elegant, and everything you need is right there, without any fuss.     Maybe that analogy makes less sense.

Each story in this collection is relatively short, and each has a thin thread that connects it with the rest of the stories.  I didn't think the connection was so strong that I felt I could predict any of the storylines, which was nice.  Actually, it was very nice.  At times, I had to go back and re-read part of a story just because I wasn't sure I was understanding what was happening, and as a result, I slowed down a bit when I read these stories, and took my time with them.

The characters found in these stories are pretty varied, and sometimes, quite unexpected.  In the first story, the main character falls in love with a girl who seems just perfect ... until she reveals an awful secret.  Or, in another story, just when you think things are going to turn out okay for the character, there is a snag.  And, I'm okay with that --- I don't always need sweet and happy endings and, in fact, I like it when things don't always turn out wonderfully because then I wonder about the story, and the characters, and I wonder what happens to them.  I found it interesting that there was a fragility to some of these characters, which made me invested in them right from the start.  One of the stories, The Pebblestone Five, comes to my mind -- the characters seem strong and fragile, all at the same time, and there is a tension running through the story that kept me on edge.

I'm glad the author contacted me about reading his stories, and I'd encourage everyone to give them a try.  They might not be the kind of thing you usually read, but I'd invite you to try at least one, to see if they resonate with you, too.    This book is due out officially tomorrow, January 10th (please click on the GoodReads link at the top to learn more)

First lines from one of the stories:   As a toddler, healthy and gorgeous with curly, blonde hair and cream-colored eyes, Annabel Shay would roam about the house, ignoring everything bought for her, and find a corner, a bag, a cranny of any kind and begin to rip everything from the location in order to see what the inner workings might tell her.  This was a constant bother to her parents, Jack and Millie.  Yet in between the warnings and the swats on the hand, Jack would marvel at her unending curiosity, it being more than he had ever seen, and he would wonder how this characteristic would manifest itself in the later life of his beautiful daughter. (p 18)

Please note:  I read an electronic ARC of this book, so any page numbers or quotes may change upon final publication.

Frank Lloyd Wright Robie chair

Library Lagniappe --- on patience

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.

Margaret Thatcher, in Observer April 4, 1989
British politician (1925 - )

I found myself thinking about this quote today, while working at the library.   Why?  Because lately, the whole concept of patience has been on my mind .... because of e-readers.   Let me explain.

Our library subscribes to a product called Overdrive, which allows us to provide access to downloadable e-books and audiobooks to our patrons.   As a reader, you may already be familiar with Overdrive if your own library offers it.   It's actually a pretty nice product, as it has a collection of audiobooks and e-books, and recently, Overdrive worked out a business deal with Amazon to offer e-books for Kindles.   And, most of the time, it's pretty great.

But right now, our Reference staff has been working hard to keep up with questions from people who just got some kind of e-reader for Christmas --- and some of these people expect us to 1) know everything possible about how to make it work, and 2) be able to fix any kind of problem .... with a snap of our fingers.  

Thus, my little quote about patience at the top of this post, and the inspiration for today's Library Lagniappe.  If you, or someone you know, has an e-reader (a Nook, a Kindle product, an iPad, a tablet, etc) and you go to the library for help with downloading stuff, please keep this in mind:

Library staff often do not get these devices for in-library use, so sometimes, the first time any of us have seen a device is when someone brings it into the library.   This means ----

* Sometimes, we operate a lot on theory, but not on actual practice.  I own a Nook, so I'm very comfortable with troubleshooting that device.  I do not own a Kindle product (any of them), and until last week, had not physically seen a Kindle Fire.    

* We have a lot of information from Overdrive about how to make Overdrive work with these devices.  However, their information isn't always perfect, which means we sometimes have to search for a solution to a problem.   I know it may be hard to believe, but we do not magically have all of the answers --- we are librarians, and we know how to find them.

* We are not allowed to touch your device if you bring it in to the library.   We can show you where to touch on it, etc., but we are not allowed to touch it, ourselves.    And also ..... if you call us on the phone and ask for help, we cannot magically see you, your computer, or your device.   All we can do is go on what you are telling us, and try to help.  

and finally ---- We are doing the best we can, so please bear with us.  Overdrive and Amazon worked out their deal and didn't let us know until the day the e-books became available, so we all had to scramble to come up with instructions for our library patrons, and figure out how the downloading process works (because it's very, very different for any Kindle device than it is for any other e-reader).  Then, Amazon came out with things like the Fire, which work differently, as well.    We are working as fast as we can to keep up with the changes, and the technology, and how to get that information to our patrons.   We do not work in the world of Harry Potter and do not know a specific spell to make the downloading work, work faster, etc.  

So .... we do our best to be patient with the technology, and all I ask is that people be a bit patient with us.   We almost always get to the root of the problem and get everything working, as quickly as we can... and a with a smile.   Even if it takes 45 minutes.   Yes....   you might find that exhausting, and so do we.

Thank you!!!

TGIF!

Since it's a new year, thought I'd try something different on a Friday -- TGIF @ GingerReads!   I've seen a lot of bloggers's TGIF posts, and since I am glad that it's the end of another week, figured I'd join in.   

So -- this Friday's question is:  Reading Resolutions: What are some of your reading goals for the new year?

* I resolve to read more books that are on my personal bookshelves.   I plan to revisit some of my favorites, and also read books that I bought and haven't gotten to yet.  I don't usually buy a lot of books, and when I do, they tend to be ones that I have already read ...   but I have a handful sitting there that I picked up because they looked good and I should read them and find out.

* I resolve to read some classics.  I signed up for the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Challenge this year, and that will get me reading some classics.   Actually, I can't wait!


* I resolve to get through my review requests in a more timely manner.  Once in a while, I let something completely slip and I'm going to get better about that.   


I think that's it, at least, for right now.    I'm more or less happy with the amount that I read, and I'm looking forward to doing lots of reading in the new year.   However, I'm sure I'll get some more ideas as a I visit around and see what other readers have to say for this Friday's question.


Happy Friday, everyone!!!!     And thank you. Ginger, for getting my Friday off to a good start!!!

Wordless Wednesday - poppet photo

Girl Meets Boy -- edited by Kelly Milner Halls

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads):What do guys and girls really think? Twelve of the most dynamic and engaging YA authors writing today team up for this one-of-a-kind collection of "he said/she said" stories-he tells it from the guy's point of view, she tells it from the girl's. These are stories of love and heartbreak. There's the good-looking jock who falls for a dangerous girl, and the flipside, the toxic girl who never learned to be loved; the basketball star and the artistic (and shorter) boy she never knew she wanted; the gay boy looking for love online and the girl who could help make it happen. Each story in this unforgettable collection teaches us that relationships are complicated-because there are two sides to every story.

And here's what I thought:  I think it's an interesting way to write a story --- 2 people, each writing one character's side of the story.  All of the stories are relatively short, so it's like one short instance out of two people's lives, but you come at it from two different viewpoints.  And, depending on the people, it can seem like two completely different occurrences.

I thought all of the authors did a good job of collaborating on the stories.  Although I liked some stories more than others, I found all of them interesting.  And the nice thing about a book of stories is that you can easily finish one and if you put the book down, you don't feel lost when you pick it up again.     The other thing I really liked about the stories was that they weren't all completely predictable.  What I mean is: I couldn't predict that I knew what was going to happen, or what a character thought had happened.  Every so often, I'd get thrown for a loop.   It's also nice that the characters are diverse in background and ethnicity --- I think that a lot of readers will find at least one character they feel they sync with (or find a story by an author they know and like).

First lines (from the first story):  My name is John Smith, and though I'm aware that an overwhelming number of men use my name to check in to motels they shouldn't be checking in to, I try to be a man of virtue.  Okay, I'm sixteen; a boy of virtue.

Thoughts on the cover art:  I like how the two are entwined, and up in a tree --- and I like wondering about these two: is he just staring up at the leaves, sighing, and she's sleeping?  Is she listening to his stomach rumble?   Nice, and suits the book.

Please note: I received an ARC of this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers -- as a result, any and all quotes and page numbers may differ upon final publication.

Actually, not........

actually, not really.

 I had been planning to do many things in December.    These things did not include: having to replace our house's HVAC system, having dental surgery, and being struck down by a nastyawful (yes, I believe I just made up that word.... and it perfectly suits) flu this last week.

Needless to say, things have not gone as planned.    But, we're almost at the end of this year, so I'm sure that January will bring many good things to all of us.   Personally, now that I'm finally feeling better, I plan on spending some quality time this weekend catching up on my reading....   and then making sure I get posting again!   Thanks for bearing with me.  

And blah blah blah ... enough about me!   I'm also looking forward to being online this weekend and seeing what all of you have been up to!

Hope everyone has a wonderful New year's weekend!!  

Merry Holidays!

I'm coming up on a three-day weekend, since my library will be closed .... and I plan to indulge in some reading.    So, wanted to wish everyone a nice holiday and hope you all enjoy your weekend!