Death Is Stupid

Death Is Stupid

Picture book
When my son was in middle school a neighbor a year ahead of him
died unexpectedly. She had gone to the hospital for what was supposed
to be a routine operation. She never woke up. She'd been a long time
close friend of all my children. I sure wish Anastasia Higginbotham's
Death Is Stupid had been published then. Just as she did in Divorce
Is The Worst, Higginbotham takes on a truly tough subject with dignity
and grace.
A young boy has lost his beloved grandmother. As he goes
through the funeral and beyond a narrator talks about things that can
happen when a loved one dies. Even your nearest and dearest may tell
you things that seem stupid, if not downright alarming. She's in a
better place. She's at peace. She can rest. She's only sleeping.
Readers are told that everyone eventually loses someone, that
just the act of going on living takes courage, and that people
experience and express grief in different ways. For many kids (and
adults) a lost one can be a cat or dog or other non human being. The
legitimacy of sorrow in this case is emphasized. At the end of the
book there is a lovely array of ways to cherish the memories of a lost
loved friend or family member.
Illustrations done in the form of lively collages are the
perfect accompaniment for the thoughtful and sensitive text.
Death Is Stupid is a must purchase for school and public
libraries and guidance counselor collections. It's also a wise
investment for parents. Sadly, thanks to tv and social media, very
few youngsters are not exposed to the reality of death.
On a personal note, the last Wilson Center Wednesday for the fall
semester was truly something special. After a scrumptious supper we
all set in to bake, frost, decorate, and eat Christmas cookies. I
stuck with gingerbread with frosting and coconut. They were so good.
I brought some home to share with my husband. There was lots of
sharing of treasured memories. It was for sure quality time.
A great big shout out goes out to my Wilson Center family.
jules hathaway



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Goodnight Nobody

Goodnight Nobody

Adult mystery
"The parents behaved as if this was perfectly normal, as if, in
fact, this were the only way they could imagine raising their young.
I couldn't figure out why. Maybe after they'd delivered their babies,
a malevolent lactation consultant had sprinkled Super-Mommy dust onto
their pillows, or had bent and whispered into each sleeping ear, From
now on, the only thing you will care about is breast feeding, toilet
training, Mommy and Me Pilates mat classes, and whether the
kindergarten's better at Greentown Friends or Upchurch Country Day."
At least in the world of adult fiction I have found someone with
a rougher transition from city life to suburbia. (True, Orono, Maine
is not in New York City's league. But, housing the University of
Maine flagship campus, it is the most urbane municipality in Penobscot
County. Veazie is the pure distilled burbs.) Like Kate Klein,
narrator of Jennifer Weiner's Goodnight Nobody, I was totally snubbed
by the wealthier moms of my kids' classmates. Unlike Kate, however, I
did not become the first to find one of these beautiful people lying
on the floor with a butcher knife buried between her shoulder blades.
Sort of give you a clue that not all is right in Paradise?
Kate's usually absent husband, Ben, is a political consultant
for politicians, some not quite so pure. Needless to say, he thinks
Kate should leave all the investigation to the police. As if she
will! The twenty-first century Stepford Wives millieu is driving her
batty. Using her journalistic talents to help bring the miscreant to
justice is the first thing in her eight months of residing in Upchurch
that makes her feel alive. And there are clues and potential villains
aplenty.
*Kitty, lovely murder victim, hasn't always been well heeled. Could
past liaisons or deeds be coming back to haunt her?
*She is the ghost writer for a much hated conservative columnist.
Could one of Laura Lynn's numerous nemesis have discovered the real
author?
*Some of the trophy wives' hubbies haven't grasped the meaning of
monogamy. Could it be a secret tryst gone bad?
Mystery (my not-so-secret vice) lovers will find the novel to be
a delightfully wild ride.
On a personal note, a little over a week ago Eugene wrestled a huge
tree into the living room and put on the lights. I've been enjoying
slowly, reflectively adding our treasured ornaments. The nights I
don't go out, which will be more with the UMaine semester drawing to a
close, I sit with Joey cat beside the tree and read.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene and Joey.
jules hathaway


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Artichoke's Heart

Artichoke's Heart

YA fiction
"I just can't believe I've packed on thirteen pounds. Thirteen
pounds! How did that happen? How can I make it stop? Why can't I
make it stop? What if it never ever stops? What if I'm twenty-five
and still tortured by talking scales and well meaning bakers who keep
trying to feed the fat girl? What if at my ten-year class reunion I
am still the Artichoke?"
The plight of a teen struggling with weight problems and self
esteem issues can be dreadfully formulaic. Suzanne Supplee's
Artichoke's Heart is a notable exception. The authentic regional
voice of the author and the unusual setting in which much of the
action takes place makes this slightly older (2008) book something
special.
Rosemary is deeply disappointed by her Christmas presents a
treadmill from her mother and diet books and conference tickets from
her Aunt Mary. She'd like her excess weight to disappear in one grand
holiday miracle. She wears sweatpants because she's outgrown
everything else. But constant observation from family and her
mother's beauty shop clients drives her into the arms of her under the
bed secret lovers "Mr. Hershey, Mr. Reeses, and Mr. M & M."
School is anything but a joy. At one point she self induces
food poisoning to get out of a couple of days. She has been stuck with
a distasted nickname since sixth grade. A much yearned for down
jacket came in avacado green instead of the sold out berry pink.
"I could tell by their dumb, blank faces that most of the kids
at Misty's lunch table didn't even know what an artichoke was, but the
damage was done, and artichoke is a very catchy word for twelve-year-
olds. From that fateful day forward, I became the Artichoke, Arti,
Chokey, Fat Artichoke..."
The bright spot in Rosemary's day is being able to sit near
handsome (very plus size) athlete Kyle who is kind and polite and
never makes fun of anyone--even fat girls. He's actually smiled at
her. But could he ever fall for someone who's such a mess?
You'll have to read the book and see.
Supplee was inspired to write Artichoke's Heart by childhood
memories. "When I was a little kid my mom used to take me with her to
the beauty shop. I loved the smell of shampoo, the whirring of hair
dryers, and the chattering ladies, young and old..." Her affection for
that setting and its regulars creates a memorable place for a distinct
narrative.
On a personal note, we had a really fine Christmas karaoke at UMaine.
I love the instrumental part of Santa Baby but hate, abhor, loathe,
and detest its glorification of materialistic excess. So I changed
the words. My version was Grad School People: about why they should
admit me. My words fit the notes perfectly. People loved it. Later I
sang In My Life (Beatles) and dedicated it to my husband. A lot of
people (even some stage shy ones) belted out songs which made the
evening totally excellent.
A great big shout out goes out to all who participated in this festive
event.
jules hathaway



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Here Today

Here Today

Juvenile/YA fiction
"Ellie could think of about a thousand questions. Everything
from Are you taking the Buick? to Where are you going to get the money
to live in New York City? But two questions rang loudest in her head,
over and over, like the bonging of great church bells: Why don't you
want to be our mother anymore? and How will Dad take care of us when
you're gone?"
In the first paragraph of Ann Martin's Here Today, narrated by
young Ellie Dingman, we learn that 1963 was the year her family began
to fall apart. The book is her attempt to tease the strands apart to
figure out exactly what happened. It's a heartbreaking narrative of a
young girl having to come to terms with a very distant mother.
Ellie's mother, Doris Day Dingman, is haunted by an inner
awareness that there must be more to life than cooking, laundry,
packing school lunches, and doing the other chores assigned to mothers
in the early 60's. Because there are few opportunities in her small
town to make herself larger than life she creates whatever she can
whether it's a fashion show in a department store or a parade complete
with Harvest Queen.
The assassination of Kennedy is a turning point in Doris' life.
The parade with her Harvest Queen role is cancelled. She becomes
obsessed and overidentified with JFK's first lady widow. Life can be
too short. Hopes and plans can be shattered in a moment. If she
doesn't leave a town that feels too small to nurture her ambitions...
...she may never get the chance.
But what about the family she chooses to leave behind?
On a personal note, Transgender Day of Remembrance was commemorated
fittingly and touchingly at UMaine. There was a candle light vigil in
front of Fogler Library. It was followed by a solidarity supper of
spaghetti, garlic bread, and hot spiced cider served up with love up
to Wilson Center.
A great big shout out goes out to the transgender community and their
loved ones.
jules hathaway




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Moment Of Truth

Moment Of Truth

Adult mystery
"Jack Newlin had no choice but to frame himself for murder.
Once he had set his course, his only fear was that he wouldn't get
away with it. That he wasn't a good enough liar, even for a lawyer."
Mystery lovers, I'm guessing you can't read the first paragraph
of Lisa Scottoline's Moment Of Truth (above) and put the book down. I
surely couldn't. Who is this Jack guy framing himself for a serious
felony? Why does he see it as his only option? Inquiring minds want
to know.
When we meet Jack, an estates lawyer, he's in handcuffs and
under arrest. He's making a confession to two detectives. He'd come
home to find his wife dead. Before he'd called 911 he'd arranged all
the evidence to indicate that he'd murdered her in a drunken rage,
even consuming alcohol in case the police tested his blood. All he
wants to do is get convicted.
Self incrimination may not be all that easy despite all the
evidence pointing to Jack's guilt, evidence that has the District
Attorney thinking he's got a slam dunk. His attorney, Mary Dinunzio,
thinks he's framing himself to protect someone he loves dearly, his
daughter, Paige, a model abused by her Manager mom. One of the
detectives who first interviewed him is thinking his story rings
false. First separately and then together, they work to get him
exonerated...
...which could be a very dangerous move. The case is a lot more
complex than they can imagine. There are links to people in high
places who have a vested interest in seeing Jack take the fall.
Moment Of Truth is a mighty fine read for a dark and blizzardy
winter night.
On a personal note, UMaine commemorated Transgender Day of Remembrance
in a low key and decorous but highly inspiring way. We started with a
candle light vigil and then went to Wilson Center for a supper of
spaghetti, garlic bread, and hot cider. The room was alive with love
and solidarity.
A great big shout out goes out to the LGBTQ community.
jules hathaway



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What Is My Cat Thinking?

What Is My Cat Thinking?

Adult nonfiction
If you are a member of a feline's family, that thought must
cross your mind now and then. There are times our favorite critters
can seem quite inscrutable. To animal behaviorists, however, cats are
open books. Gwen Bailey, a member of that profession, tells all in
her What Is My Cat Thinking?
The focus of the book is the pictures on every page of cats
doing cat things. A short paragraph explains what's going on
succinctly. Two cats, tails high, approach a human. They are showing
happiness in the arrival home of their person. Two cats appear to be
in mortal combat. Clues show them to be in a play fight. A cat
sprawled on her back, arms outstretched, is making a bid for attention.
One aspect of this book I truly appreciate is the discussion of
how some feline behaviors we don't appreciate are wired in, not
subject to learned control. We should do the adapting rather than
punishing our confused cat companions. A good example is digging with
claws when they sit on our laps. A thick blanket on a lap can protect
human skin and cat contentment. I have found a new use for one of
Amber's baby quilts. :)
Joey cuddled on my lap this morning while I read the paper. We
had some fun time on the floor playing with his cat toys. Now he's
sleeping. Judging from his very relaxed posture he feels safe and
secure in his home.
On a personal note, the most recent UMaine blood drive went really
well. I donated the first day and volunteered at the canteen the
second. Got to take lots of snacks home. I finally got to try on the
blood drop costume. Lisa had said I couldn't. Rather than admit she
was wrong she now claims I couldn't climb stairs in it.
A great big shout out goes out to all who worked, volunteered, and
donated at the blood drive.
jules hathaway


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Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep

Adult mystery
"'Dick, what the hell am I supposed to do?'
'Get the girl what she asked for.'
'Where are these, these empty devils?'
'In your childhood, where every devil comes from. I'm not
allowed to say more.'
'How do I stop them?'
'The only way to stop them is kill them. Make them eat their
own poison. Do that and they disappear.'"
For two decades now my daughter, Amber, and I have been fans of
Stephen King's The Shining. We were really excited when we learned
that he was working on a sequel. When it came out at $30.00 it was
not in our budgets. Luckily, helping at the recent friends of the
Orono Public Library book sale, I got a hard cover copy for about a
dime. Doctor Sleep, in my opinion, is a very worthy sequel.
Do you remember Danny, the poster child for Children's
Protective Services, who lived at a demonically possessed hotel, the
Overlook, with his parents and a number of malevolent spectral
entities? How his dad lapsed into insanity fueled by these beings who
wanted Danny for his shining, his package of sixth sense abilities?
How Danny and his mother barely escaped with their lives when the
Overlook exploded?
Well Danny's back folks--back and grown up. Like his father,
whom he'd sworn not to emulate in this fashion, he's succombed to
alcoholism. He has achieve sobriety, thanks to AA. He has a life he
feels comfortable in. He works in a hospice. And he still has the
shining...
...which is a very good thing...
...because a little girl, Abra, who shines very strongly is in
terrible peril from monsters even more evil than the Overlook daemons
of Danny's Youth. Members of the True Knot look like a group of older
mobile home and RV nomads. Nothing more sinister on their minds than
getting their full AARP discounts. Don't believe that for a moment.
They were alive when the United States became a nation. Their
unnaturally long lifespans demand regular infusions of steam, the life
force of dying children with the shining.
Rose, leader of the True Knot is determined to kill Abra not
only because she believes her steam will be of prime quality, but
because Abra knows too much and has personally challenged her. In
other words it's personal. Abra has Danny on her side. But can two
humans hold against such a strong force of pure malevolence? Read the
book and see.
On a personal note, I greatly enjoyed my three Thanksgiving dinners on
three consecutive Thursdays. The first was Gay Thanksgiving. The
second was multicultural Thanksgiving. The third was the one you
probably celebrated. It was such a rare treat to have my three kids
together! I live for times like that.
And no, I did not get up insanely early and battle the Black Friday
crowds to buy, buy, buy. Joey cat and I stayed in our attitude of
gratitude mode. The only years I ever did Black Friday were when the
kids wanted to. One very thoughtful thing Amber did was saving up and
buying Katie and Adam as many gifts as she could afford.
A great big shout out goes out to all with whom I celebrated.
jules hathaway



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