#127 Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

I just loved this book!!!! I read it before and when I saw it on Karen's list I was so happy, that I quickly signed up to read it again. I normally don't read books multiple time, in fact this is the first book I have ever read  twice. I wouldn't have read it again but knowing I was reading it for Karen this time made me so excited. As I would get to a part in this book that I had remembered and enjoyed I would feel anxious as I envisioned Karen reading it and then I would hope she liked it as much as I did. This was fun, I may just have to reread some of my other favorites!!

This story is about a 12 year old girl who is basically caring for her mentally ill mother. The book begins with the mother dying in a horrible accident. CeeCee then finds herself in a new life, a life where for once she is taken care of and she truly feels love.

The story takes place in Atlanta Ga in the 1960's there is just something I love about the old south. 

Some of  my favorite quotes:

People is wise 'cause they get out in the world and live. Wisdom comes from experience - from known' each day is a gift and accepting it with gladness. you read a whole lot of books, and readin' sure has made you smart, but ain't no book in the world gonna make you wise."

___________

"It's how we survive the hurts in life that's brings us strength and gives us our beauty."

___________

“That's what friends should do. cherish the good and pretend not to notice the harmless rest.” 

_________

And this one just cracked me up and I hope I get the chance to say this sometime in my life.

"We just cleared up twenty years of bad karma. I feel thoroughly cleansed. This has been a spiritual enema."

#462 The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

It's no secret I am not a fan of Nicholas Sparks.  I feel he is over rated and writes the same story with the same characters, just different names.  This book was no different; we have the bad ex-husband/cop that mistreats his wife (cliché), the apparition or ghost that helps the wanderer along his/her path (both characters overly used in Sparks books) and even the location, the small town that helps the downtrodden turn their lives around by falling in love with the small town girl (or boy, depending on the book). Oh, and don't forget, there is always a death.  Always. Sparks books annoy me as they are redundant and lack originality. 

Karen and I had this conversation many times and she would laugh with me and even would agree, but she still enjoyed the stories.  So, I read this one for her because I do love her and will sacrifice my time and enjoyment by reading this book for her.  That's what friends do for each other. 

#215 Honolulu by Alan Brennert

As I just titled this blog post it hit me this book was written by a man, that's amazing, as the story was told by a Korean woman.  Never once did I think a man might be telling this story.

Karen and I both had this one on our to-read list as it was from our online book club we participated in together.  One round of reading everyone in the book club picked a book where they were from or had lived and one of the members chose Honolulu.

Neither one of us got around to reading it that month for whatever reason so when I saw it was still on her to-read list I knew I should read it. 

The story is about a girl, born in Korea to a family that only wanted sons.  Her father named her "Regret".  She wanted to make her father proud of her so thought she would surprise him and learn how to read, however, when he did find out he was more disappointed in her and expressed his disappointment with a slap across the face.  This was just the start of her life.  Once Regret got a taste of education she wanted more.  She found out about Hawaii and how men were sending for Korean women to be their picture bride.  She was told the women in Hawaii were allowed to have an education and would have more rights so she signed up and became a picture bride amongst several friends.  Once she moves to Hawaii we are introduced to many more characters and the challenges Regret had to face only escalated.  However, she endured these trial and grew and became an amazing woman. 

I learned so much by listening to this book (I chose to listen instead of reading it) such as what Korean women had to face, what is considered the norm in this culture, the early times of Hawaii and the injustice the natives must have felt at that time and so forth. 

Honolulu was a very good book.  It is long and every character and story we learn what happens to them. No page is left unturned.  (heehee!)  One will not leave the book with questions as there is closure, however, if committing to read this one, it is not a light read.  Take ones time and enjoy the rich history and culture that comes out through the pages.

#153 Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

This was a cute story about how this naked mole rat decided he wanted to wear clothes.  He was mocked and chastised by his fellow naked mole rats until they all went to the wisest naked mole rat, their grandfather, and discussed it with him.  The grandfather listened to both sides of the story and thought about what he heard and then he surprised them all by telling the clan there's nothing wrong with being different and wearing clothes and he wished he thought of it earlier as it's kinda fun wearing clothes (as grandpa is now in a suit). 

#136 Time to Pee! by Mo Willems

Karen loved Mo Willems!  She has a whole stack on her to read list and we are all trying to divvy up books from the same author so this is one I chose from the Mo Willems pile. 

It's a pretty straight forward book sharing how kids, "when they get that funny feeling" need to use the bathroom.  It goes step by step with what to do and even explains how the kids will not miss anything when they leave to go to the bathroom.  The illustrations were great with mice helping out through the book. 

A cute book for those dealing with potty training.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio book #29

This was a story of a boy that was born with a genetic defect that made him pretty hard to look at. He didn't start attending school with other children until his 5th grade year due to many medical procedures. As we all know middle school is a super tough time to even have a pimple so having a kind of condition that this August was born with I cannot imagine. 

The story is told through many different view points from Auggie, to his sister to the friends around him. They were each effected in one way or another by Auggie. It was lovely to see this boy had such an amazing support group. 

If you are looking for an underdog story that will warm your heart this book will do it. I just know Karen would have finished this book and texted me right away to add it to my list!

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom #75

One of the things I like about Mitch Albom is how he understands life has meaning, however, this book missed the mark.  It was so, so bad.