Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

 My first Ann Patchett novel. I'm so glad I fixed that.What a treat, a joy, an escape. From the Goodreads blurb...

"It is 1964: Bert Cousins, the deputy District Attorney, shows up at Franny Keating’s christening party uninvited, bottle of gin in hand. As the cops of Los Angeles drink, talk and dance into the June afternoon, he notices a heart-stoppingly beautiful woman. "

That's really all you need to start this book. Set in California and Virginia, from those opening lines, you are plunged into scenes with wonderfully engaging characters - lots of them - well, it is a party after all.  They dance, drink, fall in love, raise children, and so Commonwealth exists.

Bert is married to Teresa and they have four children. Franny is the younger sibling to Caroline,  Beverly and Fix Keating their parents. But all this is turned on its head at the infamous christening party. Switching effortlessly from 1964 to much later, the children, all grown up now, hold us in to the chronicle of life, which has moments of delight, hilarity - drama and heartbreak too.

So true to life, it hurts as it pleases. The only thing wrong was that it had to end. I could have done with double the time with these people who have entered into my head, my heart and become part of my family.

This will not be the last Ann Patchett book I read.

Quirky and warm, this is a great story.

ISBN: 9781408880401

You may also enjoy the Blue Ann(e)s - Blue Shoe by Ann Lamott or A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler.

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Faces to the Sun

Good morning everyone. It's time to start another week - with the right attitude and with as much energy as we can muster. The only way I can do that is to start with some form of exercise.

And exercise needs a soundtrack. With some words that get our minds ticking, a beat that gets our feet pounding and maybe a few dance moves going? I see that chasse. You go for it.

This song has all of the above. And it's appropriate for those of us going outdoors in SA to exercise. In fact, we'd better finish up with this blog post, because it's getting too warm out there. By 06h30 where I live, the sun is streaming through the trees, and the sky is the cleanest blue, with that hint of crisp cool in the air that won't last long. Breathe it in, and feel the slow burn on your back, your legs.

Faces to the Sun by Mango Groove - listen to the words

The end of the fairy tale

Gosh, was it only a week ago, that I, full of optimism about what our young protesters and university students may possibly achieve, had a rant in opposition to those who suggested that there were hidden agendas, that #feescanneverfall and that free university education was not something to be desired or pursued in our happily ever after?

As early as Sunday evening, reports of extreme violence and looting occurred at WITS and in Braamfontein, with more students following suit across campuses in SA. UCT has now been closed for a total of 4 weeks, with classes resuming on Monday - mostly through internet access or ‘by correspondence’. Students must sit exams on the 7th of November, with no  study week, as is usual. Most universities have been affected in some way, and there are certainly fears of more violence ahead this week on the major campuses. Negotiations have failed and comparisons with Nixon's response to protesting students have been drawn..

Ten of the Best #67

What a week. If yours was anything like mine, it was a roller-coaster of incredible highs and dark despondent lows. It’s all I can do to walk in an upright position. Part of me feels like I’m holding on so hard and tight, I’ll never stand up straight again.

This makes me think we are in need of some serious stress relief. What do you think? We need to laugh. A lot.  It helps us with that tricky thing called perspective. Let’s see if we can find the funny side of life this weekend. Laugh. Sing. Dance. Yes, all at once, if you must. I won’t tell.

So much stuff on the students and why #FeesMustFall. But for reason in this space, we usually turn to Jonathan Jansen. Here’s what  he wrote for the Financial Mail this week. It summarises the state of play well. Click the pic of the cutest protester ever.

Friday Book Share Game

It's the Friday Book Share Game to help search for that ideal novel/author, created by Shelley Wilson.

Anyone can have a go – all you need to do is answer the questions based on a book you enjoyed reading and use the hashtag #FridayBookShare

First line of the book.

Today I was told that I have a heart-shaped uterus.

It sounds quirky, cute, but makes carrying a baby complicated.

Friday Book Share

It's finally Friday.

It means we get to link up with these wonderful Blogs and share our favourite things - Books.

BookBeginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader, and The Friday 56 - hosted by Freda’s Voice are where you'll find them. Both involve sharing excerpts from a current book - the beginning and - you guessed it - page 56.

My book this week is 

The Underachieving Ovary by JT Lawrence. 

I read this book over a full-of-fun weekend. It was hilarious and tragic simultaneously. The story of the author's infertility journey, told with wit, sarcasm and humour. 

Here's my review, and the Goodreads link.

Tell me what you're reading in the comments, and I'll pay you a visit. 

Happy reading everyone.

Mixed Greens with Kidney Beans and Ginger-Raspberry Dressing

Hello everyone. Did you miss the recipe yesterday? You didn't notice? That's what I figured.

Here's one of my favourite dressings. Oh, and a salad to go with it...


Mixed Greens with Kidney Beans and Ginger-Raspberry Dressing

1  cauliflower, chopped
3 cups mixed salad greens
10 to 12 cherry tomatoes
1 medium carrot
1 tin  kidney beans, rinsed
Small red onion, cut into half moons
6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp sour cream/plain yoghurt
2 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tbsp all-fruit raspberry jam
⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger

Cook cauliflower in a small saucepan with water added. Cauliflower should be tender - 3-4 minutes. Drain and rinse to cool. 

Arrange the mixed greens. Add  the tomatoes to each salad. Use a vegetable peeler to shave the carrot into large strips and add.

Add the beans, onion slices and cauliflower florets.

To make the dressing, combine remaining ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.

Voila! Dinner is sorted. 

Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

I've seen this book everywhere. It tempts me with its pretty cover, and I've picked it up loads of times, wondering....

The last Anne Tyler I read was A Spool of Blue Thread, which was well-written, but...

Ok, let's talk about this one. Dr. Battista has two daughters - Kate and Bunny. Kate is elder, responsible, runs the house, bosses Bunny and fusses over her father. Mrs. Battista died many years ago, and there's no one else doing this, and Kate has no complaint. She also works at a kindergarten, where her forthright attitude and tactless ways do not endear her to the little darlings' parents or her boss.


Dr. Battista is not very successful, but currently on the edge of a breakthrough. This all depends on whether his young assistant, Pyotr can stay in the country - he's about to be deported. Do you see the plot unfolding? Anyone want to finish the story?

Based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, this is a heartwarming read that shouldn't take you long to finish. I have never actually read the famed play, but know the story through watching the ballet, and other film and musical adaptations. There is something about the shrew's character and the plot that appeal to me every time. I definitely relate very well to her (I hear that gasp of surprise), all except the taming part (no surprises there!). 

Anne Tyler has had a lot of writing practice, and has a deft way with words. I loved the scenes between Kate and Pyotr, between Kate and her affable loving father and even flighty Bunny.

A most enjoyable and diverting read, warmly and lovingly told.

4 stars.

ISBN: 9780804141260

You may also enjoy A Spool of Blue Thread, also by Anne Tyler or what about Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott? 

More reads.

The Underachieving Ovary by JT Lawrence

I'd like to write a review that is in keeping with the style of this book, but I fear I am not as witty, darkly funny, or self aware enough to do it justice. JT Lawrence is all of those things. And she has a wonderful way with words. 

Her "memoir" or ode to infertility - for it only covers that period of her life - is diabolically funny, and tragically despondent. Oh, on the same page? No, in the same %^&$ing sentence.

Some gems...

"I wondered how I would tell Mike...tell him in the most reassuring way that I could that he is married to someone who is harbouring a little (heart-shaped) pocket of Satan."

"I hate telling people about it because they look at me as if I've just spoken in tongues and then licked their face."

I'll stop there - I hate spoilers, and want to give you just enough to make you want more.

Don't read this if you're easily offended by bad language, detailed descriptions of female body parts, told with the most whacky sense of humour. Fun is poked (yes) at everything from the "act of marriage", to the crazy things infertile women have to do (chapter on douching right here) and the early morning appointments with specialists. It's wicked. Hilarious. Brave. Warm. Touching.

I loved this book. I devoured the moments of excruciating pain, terrible sadness, and exhilirating heart-stopping joy. I laughed hysterically and wept dramatically. 

Bravo, JT Lawrence. I trust that this will appeal, not just to those who have walked the same path as you have, but also to those like me, who love to live inside the head of someone else for a few days - to understand their journey and know their highs and lows. That, after all, is what life is about. Thank you for letting me in, it's given me a better understanding.

Bravely brilliantly done.

5 fabulous stars.

ISBN: 9780620716734

You may also enjoy Ms Conception by Pamela Power or anything by Janet Evanovich - here's my review of Four to Score. That reminds me, it's about time I picked up another of those books. Or more from JT - Why You Were Taken and The Memory of Water.

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Don't Let Me Down

Confession time.

It's Monday. Not raining. Time to run and get moving, to get a good start on the week.

Only I'm not running this morning. I have an early meeting, and I can't fit my morning exercise in. Sigh. I'm so irritated about it. I would really rather be running.

But that's no reason for me not to persuade you to go.

It's Monday. Let's do this - and by let's, I mean you. Just think - you'll be one day fitter, one day stronger. And I'll have to push so hard to keep up.

The song this week is Don't Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers.

You can sing it at me as I dash out of the door - teetering in my heels, wishing they were my running shoes. I'll miss you. Promise. And tomorrow, I'll be back.

Crashing, hit a wall

Right now I need a miracle

Hurry up now, I need a miracle

Stranded, reaching out

I call your name but you're not around

I say your name but you're not around

I need ya, I need ya, I need you right now

Yeah, I need you right now

So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down

I think I'm losing my mind now

It's in my head, darling, I hope

That you'll be here, when I need you the most

So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down

D-don't let me down

Don't let me down

Don't let me down, down, down

Don't let me down, don't let me down, down, down

Running out of time

I really thought you were on my side

But now there's nobody by my side

Have a good one, and a great week.

Here's last week - Touch The Sky.

And some more.