Book Review: If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t) by Betty White

I’ve been trying to mix up what I read lately. Though I generally prefer books in the fantasy realms, I know it is imperative that I branch out. This was the second biographical type book I’ve selected and it just made me love Betty White even more. She is brilliant. She works hard. She’s hilarious.

If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t) motivated me. I laughed out loud and even teared up a bit. There’s nothing overly complex about this book, just a writer telling stories, doling out lessons learned from her life experiences. It reminds you that there are people behind the cameras, people who suffer love and loss like the rest of the world. Betty White has been a part of my life for many years (yeah, I grew up watching Golden Girls) and she continues to amaze me. Her work ethic and general outlook on life are inspirational.

There really is not much more to say about If You Ask Me(And of Course You Won’t). I wish I could go into detail, to explain how each story affected me on a personal level. But I can’t. This is a book that you should experience on your own. Pick a rainy (or snowy) afternoon, curl up with a cup of tea (or coffee if you’re like me) and let Betty White instruct and entertain.

Book Review: The Art of War by Sun Tzu

This book has been on nearly every “To Read” list I have ever seen. I’ve heard much debate regarding whether or not it is deserving. On a visit to my library I saw a new translation (a lovely traditionally bound copy) and decided it was time to make my own decision.

This translation of TheArt of War was a rather quick read but I found it interesting. There are references that have been attributed to actual armies and battles though most of the book seems to be general rules based on the author’s experience. It reads like an instruction manual for those wishing to wage successful campaigns. I confess, I am not well versed in military strategy but the author supports his theories with examples. Be sure to read the footnotes as they add to the overall experience.

Again, the material was interesting and unique with historical significance. I am pleased to say I can mark it off my “To Read” list but I’ve got no desire to purchase a copy or read it again.

For my first solo review: The Library at Mount Char

I read The Library at Mount Char (author Scott Hawkins) on a suggestion from a friend. Honestly, I’m still not sure how I feel about this novel. I don’t dislike it – far from it, actually. But it left me unsatisfied if that makes sense.

Let me start by saying that I have no difficulty suspending reality and tend to revel in fantasy worlds. That said, Mount Char will push not only your take on reality but your entire belief system. It does not matter what religion you are, Mount Char asks you to – for a moment – discount everything you’ve been taught to accept a larger, broader theology that incorporates elements of science as much as every religion I have ever studied. This may have been the most appealing part of Mount Char, in my humble opinion. There are clear references to a variety of religious doctrines and I would argue it leans on typical Christian principles but the characters are very clear about their personal alliances residing in their own life experiences more than being ruled by a singular religion.

As I am writing this, I find it difficult to discuss the book without giving away some aspects of the story that I rather enjoyed discovering on my own but I will try to keep things vague for now. Initially, I was skeptical of Mount Char and voiced my concerns to my friend – brutal, disgusting, disturbing – on several occasions. But once I surpassed the sixth chapter it made sense - somewhat. 

The story lines began collapsing on each other until they blended into a single character’s struggle. Caroline is cold, calculating and thoroughly damaged to a level reminiscent of a feral child. In many ways that’s what she is. Make no mistake, Caroline is well read, funny and completely brilliant but her emotional development is so damaged or stunted that despite her intelligence she fails to grasp the grand plan that has driven her own designs and effectively manipulated her from the start. Mount Char poses and attempts to answer the question “can even the most wretched soul be redeemed?”

I may be painting Mount Char as having an overabundance of doom and gloom but it is more than that. Mount Char is raw look at the best and worst of human nature. It challenges the reader’s perceptions of right and wrong by constantly playing devil’s advocate on behalf of its characters. In the end, I was left wondering how far I would go to protect those I love most in the world and what I would do if they didn’t return the love or understand my actions. This is why I remain torn over my opinion of Mount Char. It pushed me to take a hard look at things I’d rather not consider and most people would find that uncomfortable. But again, I did not dislike this book and I would strongly suggest it for those looking to try something a little different that just might make you feel a bit off balance.

I borrowed The Library at Mount Char from my library. I wish I could afford to buy every book I read but sadly, that’s just not possible. However, if you want to purchase Mount Char, I found it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Questions? Comments? Books to tack on to our To-Read List?? Email us at kharmicchaos@gmail.com.

New Year, New Look

We've been VERY bad about keeping up with our exploits this past year. With that in mind we set up a new resolution for our blog. There will be several changes over the coming months as we add in book reviews, movie and TV show reviews, game reviews and more! We have to catch you up on the costumes and projects we've done over the past year so we will toss those in randomly but our resolution is to be MUCH better with our blog in 2016!!

 

To start it all off......here's my intro to our book reviews. Stay tuned for more!!

Books are an integral part of my life. It is rare to find me without one. Ask my Mom, I’ve been this way since I was a wee thing. She will tell you about buying Little Golden Books on grocery trips so they would have new books to read to me. There are pictures of a scrawny little girl with big bushy hair sitting on a 1970s green couch with stacks to either side – read and to be read piles. I plowed through The Boxcar Children, Babysitter’s Club, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, and Cam Jansen. My librarian introduced me to NancyDrew, Sweet Valley Twins and then Sweet Valley High. When I asked for something less, well, girly and more advanced, Miss Amy presented me with Carrie. I was in the fifth grade. It was love at first page. True story.

It’s no surprise that my daughter turned out much the same way. When she was three, Autumn received a LeapFrog Tag Pen and a few books. I cannot say enough about this toy. Autumn taught herself to read with it (because we just weren't going fast enough for her). Many nights Autumn would stay up “reading” until I went to bed. When I walked in to her room she would just smile and say “But, Mommy, I’m reading.” I would tuck her back in and take the pen and books away until morning. It was not long before Autumn began reading to her little brother. And the dog. And, well, anybody who will listen. She was reading street signs and advertisements, the newspaper and my fantasy football magazine. When we went to the library, Autumn began selecting her own books. And we were there weekly. 

By the end of second grade, Autumn had finished the entire Cam Jansen series just for fun. In third grade she read Frindle, polished off Superfudge, How to Eat Fried Worms, and The Forgotten Door. At the end of her fourth grade year, Autumn asked for even more. She wanted to read and write beyond what she was assigned at school. She wanted to be challenged. Autumn and I read Animal Farm together. Actually, Autumn read Animal Farm to me and then we discussed what she learned. She answered comprehension questions at the end of each chapter and ultimately wrote an essay that would make much older students jealous. Autumn has since been to the island with Jack and Piggy in Lord of the Flies, played with Scout and Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird, traveled through memories with Jonas in The Giver and explored the world of PeculiarChildren in the Miss Peregrine trilogy. And that is just a touch of what she’s read in the past year. Much like me, Autumn juggles a few books at once. And she’s always on the lookout for her next read.

That’s why we’re adding book reviews to our blog. Our life may be chaotic but we always find time to read. We won't always post joint reviews since we both read independent selections. We've also got some guest bloggers penciled in. You may even see Maddox pop in once in a while to weigh in but he REALLY doesn't like to write as much as craft and explore the artsier side of life.

We are open to suggestions – email us and we will add them to our list.

Happy reading! 

New Wine Couture option

Thanks to a delightful challenge presented by one of my customers I am proud to announce that I have a new option available for my Wine Couture line.  Check out my medical jacket wine cozy!!

Available for custom order via my Etsy store here.

NEW Steampunk Mad Hatter Hat

Sooooo, out with the old and in with the new!  Something I've been busy working on is a new Mad Hatter costume for this year's cons.  I figured I would show off my hat since it is complete and looking rather spectacular if I do say so myself!

Here is the half way point:

But it was missing something so I went back and embellished some more.....to make this:

I just love how this hat came out!  And, good news for all the people who have been asking, I will be posting custom top hats as items for sale in my Etsy shop very soon!

always so busy!

We have been pushing ourselves a bit too hard so crafting has taken a backseat.  I've sold a few of my Wine Couture pieces and I think they may be catching on.  Look for a really cool one I have coming soon - for a medical school grad!!  Right now my daughter and I are working on tutus for the 5K we are running THIS WEEKEND!  ACK!  My allergies have been killing me and I've been looking for (and trying) every possible "remedy" I can think of so I will be able to breathe this weekend.  We've trained - my kiddo through Girls on the Run after school and myself on my own - so we are ready to roll.  I cannot wait to show off our tutus!!!  They are going to be stellar once complete and I am REALLY proud of us for wearing such "girly" garments!  Anyhow, here is the "before" pic of the tutus!

Bet you can't guess what they'll look like!?