Quiet Hero: Secrets from my Father's Past

While not remarkably well-written, there is a sweet element of respect and love for a father from a daughter. It's clear that the author, Rita Cosby, was hurt as a child by her father's stand-offish manners. But after framing his quirks against the Warsaw Uprising and surviving Stalag B, Cosby reaches understanding and compassion for the man who is her father.

The book isn't an easy read. There is a monotony about it. One can imagine these tales being shared across the kitchen table. As they are presented here, the story is moving and often convoluted because Cosby insists on interjecting when the reader reaches the pace. I needed to read the story--not your thoughts on it. I was frustrated as a reader.

Ultimately, though, the book is a harrowing reminder of the brutality of war, the ugliness of it all and the scars that remain. The tenacity of this man in remarkable. He makes a conscience effort to rise above the horror and create for himself a world that he desires.

Mary, Bloody Mary

Imagine being Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry the VIII.  Princess one day, afforded all the luxuries of high station, palaces, servants, gowns, and never-ending displays of loyalty and love.  Servant, the next... cast out, separated from her mother and all those she knows, declared a bastard and forced to care for the next heir to the throne.

Carolyn Meyer's YA novel about the woman who would eventually claim her title as Queen and seek vengeance upon her enemies is perfectly written for the desired audience.  Written in first person, Mary details her decent into servant-hood and the deadly game of 'chicken' she plays with Anne Boleyn..  The young Mary's perspective, although dramatized here, is spot-on enough to be a satisfying read for young people.  This reader wants to know more and will use Meyer's book as the stepping off point.

As I see it, Meyer's Mary Tudor is pretty close to the real thing.  There's enough intrigue, terror, sadness, and truth to keep you slack-jawed in amazement at how royal behaved.  This is drama for the ages!

Task 11: A YA novel

To Be Takei (2014)

In this day and age, George Takei has transcended generations, mediums, and cultures to truly become an icon.  He has successfully remastered his career and pro-actively shaped his legacy.  In his 2014 documentary, Takei examines the events of his life that have shaped the man he has become.

Oddly enough, this view didn't learn anything new about the cultural icon.  I continue to be impressed by his overwhelmingly positive view on everything and how he comes across so authentic instead of a cloyingly one-dimension.

Kudos to Takei for being to frank with himself and his fans.  He exposes himself--warts and all--to his fans and celebrates all the things that make him George.  And at the same time, he challenges you to embrace all the things that make you... you.

As I see it, fans of George Takei may not learn anything new here; however, this documentary is the closest we will ever come to having over for tea.

Nell (1994)

How have I not seen this movie before 2015?!  Oh wait... I remember... because I made fun of Jodie Foster's character and her 'language'.  Fast forward to today and I look back upon my youth...

Nell has certainly aged; but the performances from Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson, and Natasha Richardson are beautiful.  As Nell, the surviving twin born as the result of a rape, Jodie is incredible.  This powerful performance a 'wild child' is unforgettable.  As a young woman, born about the trees in North Carolina who has lived in isolation from the world and learned only the doctrine of her stroke-felled mother.

Neeson as the young 'heart of gold' doctor and Richardson as the mature (read evil) shrink battle it out, in stereotypical roles, for Nell's soul.  The due create a a chemistry that is believeable despite it's predictability.

As I see it, the message of Nell is timeless.  We are all 'hungry for silence'.  The film, amidst the mom jeans, inexplicable court-room speech, and distractingly bad hair, will resonate with the heart.

bonus feature: book

Discovering this retro gem in the local used book shop, The Potluck Cookbook by Dolores Kostelni sates a unique passion of mind.  Cookbooks with an period flare.  The very term, potluck, is unique.  It implies the luck of a covered dish.  Will you all get together and wind up with a dozen spaghetti casseroles?  Will Edna bring her famous crab dip--you know that's the only reason she's invited?  Will Kitty bring the tuna delight?  Potlucks imply a communal meal filled with laugher, family and friends, and memories--lots of those.

The cookbook has a very conversational tone about it.  The author shares the origin of each recipe with a sentence or two after setting each chapter with a memory inducing introduction.  There's no fancy eats here just tried and true classics from the 1950s and a few that have shown up in the many potlucks I've attended over my few years at community clubs, churches, and family occasions.  No, I will never serve salmon pate' or beef and macaroni casserole.  Are you kidding?!  Lord knows, I've had to eat them both as a kid.

As I see it, The Potluck Cookbook is an ideal gift for a new wife or homemaker.  It's a well-organized, approachable, recipe book that will never overwhelm.  It's a fun look into kitchen history and downright entertaining for everyone else.  The retro-inspired illustrations enhance the sometimes cringe-inducing recipes.  Does tuna really need to be in a casserole, I ask you?!  Still, the index in the back will help you find the real gems herein.

22 Jump Street (2014)

Let's be clear.  22 Jump Street is a sequel.  With that in mind, the second pairing of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill will entertain.  Returning as cops Jenko (Tatum) and Schmidt (Hill), the duo join the 22 Jump Street squad and head undercover, this time, as college students.  Add the returning foul-mouthed Ice Cube as Captain Dickson and a cameo by every one's favorite man's man, Nick Offerman and you have a comedy this is too smart for it's own good.

The movie runs a little long milking the audience for laughs, but it's funny enough that you won't mind a bit.  Peter Stormaire is under-utilized; but with the proven duo of Tatum-Hill, it's just fun to watch them play off of each other.  As expected, the two have grown up and go their separate ways as married couples do.  When the movie separates them, the viewer is sad and their world darkens much like Jenko and Schmidt's.  The movie is at it's finest when they are onscreen.

As I see it, you won't find anything remotely Oscar worthy here.  Who cares?!  Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller don't take their movie too seriously and neither should you.  Grab a beer and enjoy!  Then stick around to see Seth Rogan.

Five Quarts: A Personal and Natural History of Blood

Five quarts is the amount of blood found in the human body shares author Bill Hayes.  And with that we begin tracing the history of blood.  From the gladiators of ancient Rome who would drink the blood of vanquishes foes to the introduction of hemophilia to European royalty, Hayes writes a fascinating look into blood.

Early advances like Antoni van Leeuwehoek's microscopes and Paul Ehrlich's Nobel prizing winning discoveries in immunology are included.  The author does wonderfully in explaining erythrocytes and lymphocytes to the layperson.  Hemoglobin will make sense after this.

Amid the mythology and musings, is the author's very personal story of his committed relationship with an HIV-positive partner.  He traces the discovery of the virus that causes AIDS and the early years of the AIDS scare.  The love for his partner and the frustration behind the lack of a cure for this disease is very clear.

As I see it, Five Quarts is an interesting read. I wish it were more history and less memoir; however, it is a lovely work and a beautiful homage to his partner.

Task 5: A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ

Read Harder in 2015

What started as a resolution to track all of the books I read for one year became a reading challenge where I digested 52 books in 52 weeks.  I was pleased with the results even though at times it felt like more of a chore.  Still, I was committed and failure was not an option.  Thus success was mine in 2014.

While wondering what to do next in 2015, I stumbled upon this challenge.  Game on.

I will chart my progress through the challenge here as well as Good Reads.  My interest in bookriot's challenge is simple.  I admire the thought process behind bookriot's id of pressing your boundaries and pushing past your personal norm--reading harder.  I dread the audio book task and probably the sci-fi task the most.  What the hell is a microhistory, anyway?!

24 tasks equates to two a month. Deceptively easy, I think.  Along with this challenge, I aim to read a childhood favorite series through to completion.  I will be with you soon, Anne of Green Gables.