Biting The Apple

It’s a cloudy day,

 looks like snow is a real possibility.

I don’t know why,

 but I’m feeling strangely optimistic.

Maybe I should buy lottery tickets?

Maybe a voluptuous woman is about to drop into my life?

Oh well…

I am officially out of my book slump.

This week I read two books that I liked very much.

I have already discussed My Year Of Meats,

the other is Biting The Apple by Lucy Jane Bledsoe.

I loved this book.

It left me feeling buoyant.

The last book I read that I enjoyed this much was,

 Aquamarine by Carol Anshaw.

Oddly enough,

both of these novels,

 have former Olympic athletes,

 as protagonists.

Eve Glass, is a former track and field star.

She competed in the 1500 metre in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Eve had shown great promise and star power in Montreal,

 and was considered a real medal contender for Moscow in 1980.

But, 1980’s games were boycotted by the west,

 and she never got her chance.

Now in her forties,

 Eve is a successful writer,

 she wrote a book about going the distance,

 to attain success,

 and has recently penned one about Grace.

Like everyone,

Eve has a past,

and like everyone sooner or later,

 she must deal with it.

Joan is a freelance journalist,

 she knew Eve when they were sixteen.

Eve and her coach Nick,

 changed Joan’s life.

 After twenty five years,

 they are back on each other’s paths.

This novel is short and  dense.

So many ideas, so many themes and yet,

it is a flowing and thoroughly enjoyable read.

There are no heroes and no villains just people,

who live their lives.

With the past casting shadows, light shadows but,

 shadows

Your forties are a time,

 when you wonder about your life path,

are you really living your life,

 or going through the motions set up

by the the road you took in your youth.

This book made me think.

Not a splitting headache kind of think,

more like a smooth reflective think.

The kind you have,

 after a really good philosophical talk,

 with your smartest friend.

Beautifully paced, beautifully written.

An enlightening quiet book.

No telegraphing, no cheap plot devices.

Real, organic.

Worth your time.

Track it down.

Later girls

BB

Library visit

It’s going to be a cold one.

The sky is blue but, only five degrees.

The Canadiens lost again last night.

Last night, I went to the Library.

I’m doing some background reading for an idea I have for an article.

One of the books I picked up is, Gender queer: voices from beyond the sexual binary.

I have recently become interested in the transitioning phenomenon,

 and I need more info.

Also I have been reading a blog, the dirt by dirt.

Man , some very angry stuff being said on both sides.

I don’t really like this sides attitude.

The, if you’re not with us you’re against us, school of confrontation.

My position has always been,

 can’t we talk with respect and try to get along.

Really issues, require real thought.

The blog is interesting and makes valid points but,

there is much acidity.

I’m also reading a fabulous book which I should finish, today.

Biting The Apple by Lucy Jane Bledsoe.

My friend, a Toronto writer,

recommended it, she has recommended

many fine books over the last couple of years.

She has impecable taste,

 and has yet, to steer me wrong.

Let you know what I think of  Bitting the Apple, soon.

I also got out of the library,

 a volume containing two novels, by Pat Barker.

Union Street and Blow your House Down.

Many of the British blogs I read, mention Barker,

these sounded right up my alley.

Well, have a good one.

Later girls

BB