what I'm reading

Here's a quick look at what I'm reading lately.

Recipes for a Perfect Marriage by Kate Kerrigan



Do not be alarmed! This is not a cheesy self help book. Unless you want it to be. It is in fact a lovely easy to read, under-rated, haunting piece of  fiction that has stayed with me now for the two years since I first turned the cover. I borrowed this story from the library on a whim and after finishing was so grateful to find my own copy to have and to hold till death do us part from trade me!

It's the story of a newly married couple struggling with doubt.
The crazy thing about this book is that it literally was right under my nose on a very gloomy day I was having while I was moping around in the library. I hadn't even been looking properly.
It's a story of a young wife who feels her own situation doesn't measure up to her idea of the ideal. Interwoven with a beautiful story line from her heritage in Ireland. Each chapter begins with a recipe from her beloved Grandmother's recipe diary.There's a twist ending too. hoorah!
In short I really loved it and it remains one of my most favourites on my book shelf.

Onto something completely different...

Rod The Auto Biography


baha!
This was sent to me as a review copy from Random House a wee while back.
I giggled when I first opened it as there was his huge FACE and HAIR smirking at me.
However after reading through the first few chapters the giggles didn't stop. This guy is one funny dude! He dedicates an entire chapter to his hair  and I also love how each chapter begins with a little forthcoming explanation for example:

                                            Chapter 4 
 in which our hero has a fortuitous and life-changing encounter on a railway station, is almost asphyxiated in the back of a van and conducts his first experiment with tartan trousers.

Growing up in New Zealand as a child in the 80's for me, Rod Stewart is all about being the guy who married our very own super model Rachel Hunter so I enjoyed reading about that. Also the photography in the book which dates back from the 1950's is super cool!

In short, this is not usually a book I would normally pick up, however I am partial to auto biographies and I'm glad it was sent my way. So is my Mum who is asking to borrow it.
Available form all leading book suppliers $29.95 NZ

He'll Be OK by Celia Lashlie


This is a book I've been skimming through the last few nights which I've borrowed from my Brother in law who is a teacher at an all boys school.
The author Celia Lashlie conducted an in depth study back in 2001 of adolescent boys from around New Zealand ultimately to find out what makes our boys tick.
I'm finding the introduction period of this book very long and drawn out, a good third of the way though and I'm still wondering when we are going to get to the good stuff about making sure He'll be ok!
It's interesting to read while my own son is experiencing his first year of high school. Lashlie already stresses the point over and over through this first third of the book that it is important for us Mum's to step down and let Dad's walk our sons through this time of their life.

What I have learned is that it is thoroughly normal that my own teenager isn't as keen to have an indepth conversation all about his day as I am.
As a Mum and a woman (who loves to know what's going on!) this has proved extremely frustrating for me since he has started high school. I want to know all about how he is finding his classes, teachers, who he's making friends with etc...and all I get in reply is mono syllabic grunts and a husband who tells me to leave him alone! haha
It's hard. But entirely normal. Apparently.

If this book does reveal any earth shattering information I will be back to let you know.

Now for the smaller versions in our house



This is a cool wee story of kids and pee-higher-ing at it's best. Anyone who has children with close age gaps is going to fully relate to this one and the kids can learn through this book to see how silly their one-up manship really can be! (let's hope)
I loved the quirky illustrations and it's an easy enough read for my youngest reader to pull out and have some fun with.


If you would like to own yourself a copy of this book you can leave me a comment and you might win one. Score! look at that cheeky Rod eyeing up the prize...hehe