Extra Special Books
It is such a treat to read a book written by someone you know.
This past weekend I read (more like inhaled) Wil of God by Carrie Wilson Link. Carrie and I met at a writing workshop years ago. She has a wonderful blog (I laugh out loud every time I read it because of her sense of humor). Wil of God is Carrie’s memoir about parenting her son, Wil. He’s s boy with special needs who loves Elmo (“Elmokins”), numbers, and garlic toast. I wanted to keep reading story after story about him; his personality is irresistible. I loved the part where Carrie talked about how spring is not a cheery time–it’s a hard season (I agree). And I loved the part where her family adopts a companion dog for Wil. Carrie is a compulsive cleaner, vacuum-er, countertop-wiper-downer, etc., so you can imagine her hesitation about bringing home Flicka, a lab that sheds like crazy twice a year. Carrie wrote, “I brush and brush and brush and brush. It is rhythmic. It is soothing. It is peaceful. It is, dare I say, healing … (Flicka) is losing what she is no longer in need of … I want to shed profusely twice a year and a little all year long.” Love that.
I also read Desperado’s Wife by Amy Friedman. Leo’s owner (remember Leo, the camping dog?). Amy’s book is about falling in love with man in prison. She was a columnist on assignment when she met him. They married. When he was released from jail they moved to a bungalow where her husband built a giant sea wall on the property. Of all things. He literally cemented himself in, stone by stone. And of course the story dealt with the emotional wall he had built up. And how Amy had trapped herself in the relationship. Fascinating. I have definitely cornered myself in my own prisons. So many of us do, whether it’s with jobs, money, relationships, addictions. Have you? How have you been released?
On top of reading books written by my friends (I love saying that), here’s the biggest news: Meet my nephew, Hudson James.
Isn’t he adorable? He was born the day after Valentine’s Day. Welcome to the world little Hudson.
