I have more books to tell you about. Should we do the good or the bad first? Let's do bad? I'm the one who is "bad." I have chosen not to finish the book for tomorrow night's book club. I knew into the first chapter this wasn't my type of book. People in the book club I run and LOVING IT. So to be fair you may love it too. But, March, for me was like being locked out on a cold winter night. I just couldn't get into it! It is is historical fiction. Which I do enjoy. But, the author wrote it like you were living in that time. I mean by this that the language she used was more accurate to the era. I could get past this. But the main character. I didn't like him. It has been a long, long, time since I read Little Women (this book is supposed to be the Father's story from this book) but I don't think that I pictured the father this way. I did not like how he treated his wife. Never really opening up to her. Maybe I missed something in Little Women. But, I just didn't like this guy. Amazon people really liked it. It has 122 reviews and 4/5 star average. So good luck if you decide to read it. Maybe it was that I didn't care for the author's style because really I don't care to read anymore of her books. I just felt like it was too romantic in ideas and notions and not "real." Sorry, I know I am so vague. I did skim the rest of the book for the plot and have a good idea what happens to lead discussion tomorrow night. This was a library book, so yay, no cost outlay.
Second book I am not going to finish. Every Mother Is A Daughter This book I can't get into because I don't identify with the characters. I think I would like it if I had a good relationship with my mom and could relate to them as a mother daughter pair. But, I just am not coming into the book with shared understanding. I see great potential in this book and that it could be very touching. But, I was not the right audience. I can't encourage or discourage you to read this or not. I could see how a lot of people would like it. I just wasn't the target audience, I think. Unfortunately, I bought this book. I had a gift card and wanted to try something new. I was caught up in the knitting pattern and recipe inclusions. They weren't anything to advertise. Just a couple here and then there and that was it. But, that is what half.com is for right?
One more thing on not finishing books. This. is. so. not. me. I always finish books I don't like. I feel like I have no right to an opinion unless I finish it. But, lately I am giving myself more grace and realizing that reading is my enjoyment. I don't know if it is me trying to extend forgiveness and grace to myself or turning 30 this year. But, I realize I don't have to read something I am not enjoying. Freeing!
The good: The Birth House This book is two big thumbs up. I really enjoyed it and felt in a lot of ways it was very well researched and accurate. It is about an early 1900's midwife who only catches 4 or so babies. So she is an occasional midwife. This is so much about her and her learning to accept herself and grow into her own space. From the outside you see how strong and true she is. I identified with her a lot. My favorite part of this book is the struggle between her and a local obstetrician who is trying to shut her down. It amazed me how this is exactly how this struggle plays out today. It was affirming that just because of attack midwifery can't die out. It is as old as dirt and can't be snuffed. I think lots of people would like this book and that it would be able to demonstrate the struggle of midwives and the practice of traditional midwives fairly accurately. I would say that today's midwives use a lot more research. But the thread of evidence based care is the same then and now. You do what works. You listen to the mama and you respect the wisdom of lifetimes of babies being born. I think you could read this book and not feel like home birth is being thrown in your face. I have to admit I cried a lot during this book. It reminded me of all the things I miss. My apprenticeship, the feeling of being at a birth, and the joy of pregnant women being nearby! I cried about not being in a place where I get to do my life's work right now. I questioned my decision to take the "safe, legal" nurse midwifery route. But, I am finishing this book with peace knowing that in time I will be catching babies being at births again and doing what I am called to do. I hate learning patience.
(This post is lifted from my original blog, The Mama Chronicles)
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