Book for June

So my last year of college up here at UAA I took a short story class that I really loved. We read a book called The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. It was short stories that were all tied together and related and were about his experiences serving in Vietnam. When I bought that book I payed $40 for it because that's the only copy they had. I was pretty mad that it was that expensive but I figured I would just sell it back after the semester. Well, I loved the book so much I kept it and it's pretty cool because it's a first edition. Anyway, this is the book for June: In the Lake of the Woods. Here is a little synopsis:

1994 If you thought you knew "Tim O'Brien" after reading his last novel, now he tells you that it could all be illusion. The hero of this novel, John Wade, thinks he has erased his presence at the My Lai massacre. It isn't part of the stories he tells his wife or a part of his senate campaign. When the truth comes out, his wife finds out she doesn't know the man she married.

"ITL" received the James Fenimore Cooper Prize from the Society of American Historians and was named best novel of the year by Time magazine.

I haven't read this book or heard much of it until now, I just think it sounds interesting and I LOVE Tim O'Brien. Also, they made it into a Hallmark Hall of Fame cheesy movie, so it shouldn't be too offensive content-wise. So, there it is. I'm off to Hawaii tonight so I'm going to the bookstore to buy this for the trip. Meanwhile, I really liked Rebecca, but I did not like the ending. Though, it was pretty dramatic that Manderley burned. Bummer. Anyway, enjoy friends.

"Get confident stupid."

That's the title of one of the Simpson's character's self help/how to dvd series or something like that. Micah and I talk about it all the time - how you can't just make people do or be something they aren't. It's not to say that they can't change. It's just that you can't make them change.

I've thought about that a million times reading this book. The no name girl was so infuriating to me because she would have all these fantasies in her head planning what she would do or say or want and then she would say "okay" to the exact opposite of what she had planned. Lame.

Also I thought about the idea of her changing a lot. Carlie got some good counsel lately: Exercise your confidence as you would your body. I mean, in this book she kind of conquered her shyness and fear of Mrs. Danvers, but it was really only because of circumstances outside of her control.
In real life you can't count on a good plot twist to give you the confidence you need. You have to take charge yourself.

Anybody remember my splotchy red neck when I get nervous? I still totally get it sometimes, I just don't care that it's there and I don't let it distract from the task at hand. I don't let it debilitate me, but it definitely still happens sometimes. Now mostly when I embarrassed, not nervous. I think that having a baby with more than 10 people in the room helped me be a lot less embarrassed in life. You should try it :)

I really like Maxims name, in all its forms.

I really think that as far as relationship studies go, I'm not a fan of Maxim and girl. I mean thank goodness it turns out how it does, but I don't like how they got there. I guess I just really think you should tell your husband about things that happen even if the scary dude and Mrs. Danvers said not to. Truthful communication is a recipe for a good relationship. And there was so much she didn't tell him even about her own thoughts and feelings.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I never would have chosen it on my own, but I loved it! I finished it last night and it's been the topic for many good conversations lately. I mean, even just carrying the scandalous looking red book around gets everybody talking.

Thanks Kim!

Randi, I can't wait to hear what's next.

Also, I'm pretty sure I have my next book chosen, but I'm not saying anything until it's my turn.

I love you all.

Love Bee

Ok, so I finally got to the crucial part of the story. And now the movie is coming flooding back to me. How about when she copied that picture for the ball just like Rebecca. Bogus. But, what I like from this part of the story is the character of Beatrice. Actually, I think she is my favorite character.

Beatrice is genuine. She almost reminds me of myself in the way that she does not have the best filtration system in her head. But, she cares about people and does not mean any malice when she says things. I love that she seems genuinely concerned for the narrator even if she did think Rebecca more of a better match for her brother. She likes the narrator and wants her to be happy. She apologizes for her grandmother; she pours her heart out with apologies during the ball. I love Beatrice!

On the other hand, I am still so completely annoyed by the narrator. For heaven's sake, grow a spine. I guess I don't totally understand being really shy, well, because I'm not. But, c'mon. She's going beyond being shy into utter childishness. She gets angry when Max treats her like a child, but she acts like one all the time. He married you and you are now the mistress of the house. So act like it. Who cares if the maids and servants don't like you or think you're stupid. You are paying them. And, really, who wouldn't have fired Ms. Danvers already? Uhh, I would have said, "terminated" the very first day.

Meanwhile, I am attracted to Maxim. For some reason, in my head, he seems so dashing and handsome. Honestly, I keep thinking of Daniel Craig from James Bond. It's nice. But kind of annoying.

And I've picked the book for next month, but I'll let you know next week so as not to jump too far ahead.

Bisous.

Rebecca continued...

First of all, I just want to say I liked this book quite a bit. I liked it enough to finish it in 2 days before the month of May even started. That being said, I found the book to be frustrating until about ¾ of the way through when the author drops a bomb on you and your perspective of the entire situation totally changes. I don’t want to give anything away, but WOW! Didn’t see that coming. But then the last ¼ is frustrating in a different way. So why do I like the book if I was frustrated while reading it? I think I liked it because the author took me for a ride. I fell into every trap she set, but it made reading the book fun.

Most of my frustration was with the main character (whose name you NEVER find out!!!) because she had no ambition and never took any initiative to improve herself, her life, or her relationships. Talk about no back bone! But it did make me think about the fact that in real life there are people just like her and I need to be patient with them. I have a tendency to think that they are in the wrong, when really they are just being true to their personality. Just because I cannot relate to her personality, it doesn’t mean she is wrong, it just means I need to be more sympathetic.

I keep wondering what in the world she did all day. If I were her I would be so excited to plan parties, dinners, learn to ride a horse, hunt, sail, etc. She could have done anything she wanted to do, but she just sat around being lazy. Lame.

I also questioned Max’s love for her, but then the bomb came. Are any of you to the end yet? I really don’t want to spoil it, but maybe I already have. So hurry and read so we can talk about the crazy ending!

rebecca

So this book is a little slow for me, yeah? I think that duMaurier puts in a lot of detailed explanations of things I'm not sure I care about. I'm only on like page 50 or something and I have skimmed more than a few paragraphs. I mean, I'm torn. I like the book. I like the story. I'm just not sure about the writing style I guess. Plus, I really do not enjoy the main character. Uhh, what's her name? I just realized that I don't know. Anyway, she kind of drives me bonkers. She always just like, "uhh, you're so kind," "you want to marry me?""sure, I'll do whatever you want." yikes. It seems like she's been conditioned into acting that way, especially considering what she does for a "living." She gets paid to be this lady's companion? I was a little unsure about that whole situation. It seemed very vague. The sense I got was that she is getting paid to do whatever this lady says and to be sound board for gossip and ridicule. Anyway, this girl kind of bugs me.

On the other hand, I feel a little bad for her because does Max really love her? I'm not sure. He says he does, but I keep thinking about what Ms. Van Hopper (is that her name?) said about how he just hates being alone in that house. This seems very true indeed. He travels around like crazy and is obviously visibly upset by the death of his wife. So does he marry her because he loves her? Or is it to fill a void? I tend to lean towards the void thing. Especially since, in the present day, they seem more like aquaintances and roommates than lovers or spouses.

So, to sum up this weird post....
I like the book.
I think duMaurier is very slow at getting to the point.
Main character girl bugs me.
Max seems like he is very hot. I keep imagining some sort of James Bond type.
The cover of my edition looks like it is a smutty romance novel.

Any thoughts?