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Show us something that is standing in your way.
After reading two books in a row that were more of a chore than a pleasure, I was so relieved to find, almost immediately, that I was drawn into the story, empathized with the characters, and didn't want to put the book down. I spent the last few nights reading in bed until my vision blurred and I couldn't keep my eyes open.
The Blood of Flowers is set in 17th century Iran, and is about a young woman with a talent for making beautiful, ornate carpets, a craft that was elevated to a high art by the Shah at the time. It follows her over the course of a few years, and details her rise from a willful, rash child to a talented, independent woman. I found it heartbreaking and hopeful, infuriating and satisfying. The main story is broken up with folk tales, which are used effectively as tools of foreshadowing. Perhaps a little too effectively, as I could sometimes tell what was going to happen a good 100 pages out. It was worth the read, though. The story itself was beautiful.
I'm really coming to love these works of historical fiction, focused on the lives of women. I particularly like that the ones I've read recently have been about places that have histories that are largely unknown to me - China, in the case of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Iran in the case of this book. I'm really hoping that this isn't what is considered 'chick-lit.' I must admit that I really don't know what qualifies a book as 'chick-lit,' but I've just assumed that they were the Candace Bushnell kind of books (not that I've read any of her books, but I do know that she wrote Sex and the City). Those kind of books don't appeal to me in the least, but these beautiful historical fictions do. Regardless of how they may be categorized, I'm sure there's a distinct difference.
The second story however, was wonderful, and dreamy, and sad, and very, very good. It's unfortunate that this great story, which could have easily stood on it's own, and even been elaborated upon until it was novel-length itself, was attached to the other.
Were it not for my obsessive nature regarding finishing a book once I've started it, I may not have gotten far enough into the book to reach the good part.
On to #7.
A simple banner for Cinco de Mayo.
Show us something you love about Mexico.
I love the view...
Taking a cue from my ever hip and with it sister-in-law, D, I've started a new topical blog at today.com. EasyVeg will be geared primarily at those interested in making the transition into vegetarianism and those already there who would like tips, pointers, and easy recipe ideas that fall in line with their new diet choice. It will feature recipes, cookbook reviews, product spotlights, vegetarian friendly restaurants, and other vegetarian food related topics.
I'll be looking to my Vox neighbors as well as members of Vox vegetarian and vegan groups for additional topics of interest. Please feel free to let me know about any veggie food products you love (or hate!), vegetarian books, or anything else related to vegetarian food that you think would be of assistance to a vegetarian newbie. ;)
And don't forget to stop by periodically to let me know how I'm doing! Your feedback is welcome, valuable, and very much appreciated.
I was recently tagged by goldie to list 8 things about myself. I actually felt quite popular. I never get tagged for these things. However, since I'm almost certain that goldie is about the only non-family neighbor of mine that reads my blog, I'm going to let the domino-effect tagging die with me. Without further adieu...
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I have never been so happy with myself as I was when I was pregnant. I managed to avoid nearly all the downsides of pregnancy - no ridiculous weight gain (a little less than 20 lbs.), no stretch marks (no, not one), and no morning sickness. I never felt guilty about eating whatever I wanted, and I think because of that, I had a much healthier mindset about food in general. Plus, if I do say so myself, I looked totally adorable.
- One of my myriad 'dream' jobs would be to be a thief. Not the break-out-your-windows-and-steal-your-TV-while-you're-on-vacation kind of thief. More the tech-savvy-I'm stealing-your-priceless-artwork -and-the-whole-operation-is-going-down-as-I-sit-here-with-you-drinking-champagne -at-your-black-tie-event kind of thief. 'Cause I'm classy.
- I've been away from Arizona for nearly six years, and it no longer feels like home. It makes me a little sad.
- I wish I was born a decade earlier so I could have enjoyed the 80's as a teenager. I would have had the hippest new wave hairdo you ever saw!
- After nearly two years, I think I'm finally OK with the fact that I don't have a job. Most of the time now, I don't even want one.
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I desperately want to go to North Korea and see the Juche Tower for myself. I love Communist art. I wish I would have bought a display of North Korean money while I was in (South) Korea. They were fairly easy to find, but I snubbed them as tourist crap. Now who knows when or even if I'll get back to Korea? Damn my snobby ways!
- I somewhat recently decided to stop letting my fear (and loathing) of math prevent me from pursuing a degree in science. It feels pretty good to do something I want to do instead of something that seems OK, and is made slightly better by the fact that I won't have to do a lot of math. Bite me, math! I will conquer you!
- I often prefer the company of my cat to most people I know.
Here's a picture of my new piercing. Well, it's not so much of the piercing itself. It's more a picture of me, including my new piercing. I got new, smaller jewelry for it, so it looks a lot better.
Those hilarious motherfuckers at cracked.com have summed up my thoughts on that terrible, over-hyped, piece of crap movie, Juno, just about perfectly. You can read their witty-ass article, If Juno was 10 Times Shorter and 100 Times More Honest, here.
And I really think you should.
