A little note to say that Im taking a hiatus from writing about the books that I read here. Im not sure if its a break, or if Im through with my written musings but right now I wish to concentrate on my Life During Wartime Challenge (I plan to do it for 2015, too!). I feel like I have so much to say about sustainability, frugality, making, and doing, and want to spend what time I have to write musing about those subjects.

Im still a voracious reader (to put it mildly), and will continue to write bits about what Im reading on twitter I hope youll consider being my twitter friend!

Thanks for reading throughout the years! xoxoxoxoxo

image: Vanessa Bells painting, Interior with artists daughter, 1935-1936. ❤

Last week, I had an overwhelming desire to re-read The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Tis the season, yes?

Ive spent the last few days clutching my throat, reading wide-eyed late into the night. Although I loved the book the first time I read it, I loved it even more after another read. It was just as eerie and chilling as my first time, but the element of surprise was replaced with a superior sensation: that of wrestling with Kostovas overarching themes. History: what and who makes it? Power. And what about scholarship this obsession with books and chasing ideas across countries and centuries, and how it intertwines with history and the present. Evil and Good (and the grey, the blur, between). East and West. What a heady, rich stew of ideas!

The characters and settings are so well-drawn. You smell each place. You eat there. You know the characters habits and clothing and quirks. They become very real, and very dear.

Without giving anything away I think the next to last chapter is one of the most mysterious, spectacular, spine tingling things ever written! The part in the not called the Rosenbach museum in the book, but actually the Rosenbach in Philadelphia if youve read it !!!

Although the book was written in 2005 and takes place mostly in the early to mid 20th century, it feels much older. Thats a compliment and speaks to the characters world views as well as the style. That you believe the characters have a world view is also a compliment.

Gosh I think this is a fantastic book! A new entry on my special read again and again and again and again shelf.

image: Vlad Tepes. This drawing is said to be a copy of an original drawing of him done during his lifetime. Chills!

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters is one of the page turning-est, excruciatingly suspenseful books Ive ever read. It is also one of the books most filled with minute, painstaking detail. It also made me blush. I loved it! I devoured it. It was over too quickly. Again, please.

It is after World War I and England is a different place. Fathers and sons are dead, or back from the war with no prospects and much anger. Gentility is crumbling. The middle class are going places theyve never been before. Things are different for women do you keep your old role or bob your hair? Things are different for everyone.

I am so moved by the way Waters shows not tells. A thousand tiny details. Reading by the dying light to save electricity, the mends mended in Frances underthings, red hands from too much housework. The fathers faux Jacobean furniture showing  all you need to know about how he lived his life. Lillians fluff and feathers. The accuseds teeth.

I also appreciate my unsureness? of the motivations and inherent goodness of every single character. The complexity is refreshing and very, very human. Its been a week since Ive finished the book and have been mulling over Frances and Lillian, and I still find certain of their actions inscrutable in a good, rich, intense way. Like life. Life-like.

The book also asks some hard questions about World War I about those who gave their lives, and those who were left to pick up the pieces. About responsibility.

It is also a book about freedom and life. Who gets to live? Who gets to live the way they wish to?

Like I said before again, please. I know I turned the pages too quickly, my heart in my mouth. Bravo, Sarah Waters. Thank you, Sarah Waters.

At Home with Madame Chic: Becoming a Connoisseur of Daily Life the title really does say it all. In her latest book, Jennifer L. Scott exemplifies how to revel in the art of everyday living. Shes not writing about grand dinner parties, telling you to do a $20,000 renovation of your kitchen, or pushing you to buy anything. Rather, she advocates mindfulness, appreciation, and grace whist straightening clutter, emptying  the dishwasher, and gathering your loved ones for a meal. Her message is one I can get behind wholeheartedly: make your home life a priority.

Scott argues that how you do the things we think of as  mundane can set the tone for how you do everything. I must say that my experience leads me to agree I have the best days when I know things are in their place, I look presentable, I have a nutritious lunch packed and ready to go, and Ive thought about what were having for dinner and know we have the ingredients in the house. I then feel centered and free to wholeheartedly engage in the work of my day, whatever it may entail. Scott outlines how you can accomplish this not by spending all your time slaving in the house, but by setting a few simple routines, having a minimal, put together wardrobe, and a good attitude. Her book is full of inspiration, tips, and tricks. There are recipes for everything from cake, a 10 item wardrobe, to homemade vinegar cleaner.

Im a Feminist-with-a-capital-F and consider myself more concerned with whats going on inside of people than outside, but this is very much a subject I am passionate about. I feel that weve lost so much  as a culture by working too many hours, not breaking bread with those we care about, and treating ones home HOME with all of the loaded connotations that holds as sacred, as a sanctuary, rather than a pit stop or dumping ground. I am so happy to read a book by someone who feels the same way, and who is exploring this topic with insight and flair.

I also really like the design of this book. Its just a little bigger than your hand, and is organized so that after you read it, you can easily flip to a section that you need at the moment. For example, I re-read the chapter on throwing a tea today because wed like to have a tea for our student worker who is graduating in December. Scott offers such delightful ideas for making a gathering that is special and do-able. I look forward to returning to little snippets in this book again and again just the bit I read today had me feeling calm and smiling! Thank you Jennifer Scott! I am so happy to consider you a bird of a feather

TAGS:jackiemania 

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