Book Reviews and more views of home

The biggest news from the weekend is that Noah took his first steps! We were all there, including the great grandparents, and he got up from his chair and took four steps right over to his mom. We all cheered him on, and Noah looked so pleased with himself! He kept performing for us, but he didn't actually manage to walk that far again last night.

Saturday was the Hallowe'en party at Nina's. Mike's friend Jeremy and his wife Nina opened a restaurant a few months ago, and named it Nina's. They decided to throw the party there, and everyone who showed up in a costume got a $5 drink voucher, good for any other Saturday but that one. First prize for costume also received a prize, and guess who won?! None other than my lovely blushing bride. He won a $100 bar tab, which I'm sure he will be able to use with no problems. I dyed my hair blonde to be Marilyn Monroe, and I keep wondering who's in the house if I catch myself in the mirror out of the corner of my eye!

Friday we did more running around and erranding, surprise surprise. Got a few more things for the apartment, and a few things we didn't really need but thought would be fun. We got our Hallowe'en costumes all finished up, and by the end of the day we were so exhausted that we didn't do anything.

Thursday night, the boys came over to watch the Leafs game, and I almost felt out of place, but it was fun anyways. The guys are all good people, so it's never tough to hang out with them.

On the way out to Mike's parents' yesterday, we stopped off at the top of the escarpment to take pictures. There is actually water visible in the distance, and we actually got up out of the valley a fair distance! Mind you, that's the absolute top of the escarpment, which isn't really that high when you think about it. the pictures should show Dundas better, I even put a square around our building, which you can see from the viewpoint! The weather was fairly clear, but rather chilly. It's really fall now, you can smell winter in the air.

Book Reviews:

The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Kim Edwards

Set in 1960s USA, the book follows the story of a set of twins separated at birth. The boy is born healthy and normal, the girl born with Down Syndrome. True to the 60s conceptions of Down Syndrome, the girl is sent to live at a home. The nurse in charge of dropping her off at the home, however, refuses to leave her there after seeing the condition of the home, and instead raises the child as her own in the big city.

It's an interesting exploration of changing social views of mental conditions, and the uphill struggle of acceptance into mainstream society.

The Other Side of the Bridge, Mary Lawson

Set in Northern Ontario, the story winds through the differences between family expecations, native Canadian stereotyping, and the demands of rural farming. The story spans five decades, and encompasses the Canadian response to the second world war, along with the post-war social reconstruction.

The challenging countryside, however, is nothing compared to the demands that family and society put upon the characters. Familial obligation is a major theme throughout the book, and the characters are continually faced with decisions about how much they are willing to give up to keep others happy.

A Pocketful of Pearls, Shelley Bates

A little heavy on religion at times, it does not distract from the author's examination of an isolated religious sect. The leader of the religion finds it easy to get away with incest, rape, and betrayal, passing it all off as his right as the voice of God. Using fear and conditional love as tools, he creates a warped and twisted view of God, which is accepted as truth by his victims.

As the protagonist comes to dread his presence, she becomes emotionally stunted and lives in a constant state of fear. Bulemia becomes a crutch, as it is the only part of her life she feels she can control. A stranger one night begs for a meal, and she offers him a job, against her better judgement. As they slowly develop a friendship, she begins to question the religion that she has been taught is right since birth.

I enjoyed all three of these books immensely, thought they were great. I'm working on Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy right now, about half way through (it's the trilogy). It's fun!