REVIEW: Stephen King's Elevation

Date of original post: Dec 5, 2018

Tonight I finally finished this tiny little book. I have no excuse really... except... life. What should have been a couple hours read at most took me two weeks as life just kept getting in the way. Upon finishing, the irony isn't lost on me.

As a lifelong fan of King's, I was thrown by the sight of this little book. Not an example of his usual lengthy works but longer than his short stories and novellas, I saw a lot of reviews from people complaining about paying traditional full price for this little tidbit of a book. But let me tell you, compact in size and in words compared to traditional King, this little book packs quite a wallop.

I wasn't sure as it started that it was going to work for me. As with most King, it requires setting aside some portion of the world you thought you knew and embracing something we have taken for granted in life... but with these limited pages and concise words, you realize in the end that this isn't at all about what's happening on the surface. The story is a distraction. It is the tool he uses to take you on a journey of the heart. It's a story about, ironically, the ties that bind us to each other. How opening ourselves up frees us from all that weighs on our souls and letting go can truly leave us elevated.

Tomorrow I return this to my library and hope the next person of the 80 waiting in line for it steps into it not knowing the journey they are about to take.

In the last pages of the book, King's prowess with words has never been stronger. I know the emotions he tramples on, for me, have been raw and close to surface these past several years but, like a fine surgeon, he knows exactly how to unleash them with the tiniest of incisions to reach deep inside and let them free.

If you've hesitated on this one, don't. I wish I hadn't and will definitely find a used copy down the road to add to my King collection as one of his my favorites.

... and, OMG... the tissues...

Review: Brave

Brave by Rose McGowan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

(listened audiobook)

Fantastically inspirational. I HIGHLY recommend all women...and yes, men...read (or better yet, listen to) this book. If you don't know Rose's story but have been struck over the years by her public persona, it will help you see her in a different light. Though that is not really the subject of this book.

It is not so much a memoir as it is a call to arms...a call to women who have struggled, suffered, felt invisible, felt helpless in the face of a world lived by the rules of a world controlled and designed by men century over century and the place, purpose, and limitations of women within it as they've designed it.

This book is beautiful, poignant, enlightening, and, most importantly, empowering. These messages are important. Be aware...the language is mature but powerful.

My respect for her has grown immensely...as it has for myself. Thank you, Rose, for all of it. Will be right at the head of the line for her next publication.

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James Corden's Carpool Karaoke with Paul McCartney

Okay, I had to wait until I got home to watch this...and I'm glad I did as I'm still wiping away tears more than 20 mins later.

James Corden I've always adored you but I love you more than ever for this.

I still wish I understood what it is...but this man ( #paulmccartney #carpoolkaraoike ) just brings tears of pure elated joy and beauty and peace and love just at the sight of him or the sound of his voice. Even though Bowie will forever be my world and John was my Beatles love, Paul was not only his rival, but he continued to be one of the single most beautiful sources of inspiration and hope we've been blessed to have in this world.

So, just like that night my brother Joseph D'Avanzo and sister Anne D'Avanzo Wuertz gifted me that ticket and I sobbed throughout the ENTIRE show from (literally) the very first note, I can't listen to him without my throat tightening, my nose running, and a constant river of tears streaming down my face...and as much as it meant to FINALLY see one of my musical AND, more importantly, world heroes live, I will treasure that night for another most wonderful reason...because although I sat in that seat by myself...initially feeling all alone, I never felt alone as I dialed the phone just as he was ready to hit the stage.

<3 I will treasure every minute (and the rapidly draining cell battery) of that 3 hour phone call for the rest of my life. I needed it more that night than I ever realized, sharing it with my sister <3 Mary Katherine D'Avanzo <3, allowing us to fulfill a fantasy we had had since we were kids, to hear them play live...together...and while it wasn't all of them, I know John, George, and Ringo were in that arena that night...and I was sharing it with my sister despite the nearly 3,000 miles that separate us...and in my heart with the rest of my family... As he has done since we were children, Paul brought my family together yet again and healed at least a little piece of our hearts again. <3 <3 <3 Thank you, Sir Paul McCartney for...literally...everything. You. Are. Life. <3 <3 <3  

Review: Small Country

Small Country by Gaël Faye
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I struggled a bit with this one. I was excited to receive it as my BOTM selection but did have a tough time getting immersed in it. Someone pointed out that the English publication is a translation fro the original French. Maybe that played a role. I'm not sure.

The story is a difficult one to digest...and fair warning to animal lovers there is one paragraph (only one paragraph) toward the very very end of the book that you will know immediately that you need to skip. For everyone else, it is an absorbing story that will open your eyes ever wider to the struggles of the people of these regions and the power of hate in the world and its impact on a small village of people.

I suspect I will re-read this at some point to catch some things I may have missed as it should be an easier flow on second read. Regardless, I come away with vivid imagery in my head that can never touch on the fear, shock, anger, and disillusion these people faced and had to find a way to make a part of themselves. I don't know how you carry forward from the world they experienced...and some will be forever broken by it. This book broke my heart in so many ways.

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Review: Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sweet. Charming. A nice light read. Being born in NY, there was a nostalgia and a connection I enjoyed throughout the book. I am glad to have read it and Lillian is a fun, quirky character I am glad to have "met". Overall, it was a little too light for my taste, as I tend to be drawn in by books with suspense, emotion, or, my favorites, ones with strong personal or social commentaries. This was a charming detour from my traditional reads but a bit lacking in the kind of substance that keeps me riveted or that ensures I'll remember the bulk of the story long after I've finished. However, Lillian will definitely forever be a part of my future repertoire.

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