Saturday Review of Books

So, anyone who knows me well will not be surprised to hear that I always have at least 25 books piled by my bed. Daniel teases me that local librarians know me by name. A few months ago Daniel built us matching bedside tables (my dream for years; I'm telling you, this man is amazing). The books that began as manicured, still-life stacks à la Domino are now strewn all over the floor. Last night I tripped over the heap and almost broke my water glass. This is how I roll, people.

Every night I wearily put the world to bed, slip into my PJs, strap on my trusty headlamp, and paw through the books for whatever strikes my fancy. Lately it's been Tender by Nigel Slater (love, love, love), The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine Aron, Free Range Chicken Gardens by Jessi Bloom, Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, and all four books from the Twilight series. Yes, I will go ahead and admit I fell head-over-heels for this series, admittedly a few years behind the trend. I tend to get irritated by trends and I assume I won't like whatever happens to be the current rage. But then Daniel, of all people, convinced me to watch the first movie with him. (He loves vampires and zombie movies for some bizarre reason; the young adult romance element he seemed to tolerate, just barely.)

Of course I got bitten. (Obnoxious pun, I know.)

And then, on the recommendation of all you Twilight fans out there, I dove into the books. Pardon me if my doubt offends you, but they're actually good. I had to skip over some parts because Bella's chronic insecurity was driving me nuts, but they're dramatic and alluring, for sure. The whole chastity element was refreshing and of course what (inner) teenage girl doesn't want to have not one but two gorgeous, sensitive, misunderstood monsters (I mean guys) head over heels for her?

So, on to the real purpose of this post.

My friend Kara suggested we read Tumtum and Nutmeg: Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall. Kara is a former elementary-school teacher and has never failed me when it comes to recommending fantastic children's literature. 

We're only a few chapters in, but on the strength of those chapters, I will go ahead and recommend this book. It's a second- or third-grade reading level, but we're reading it aloud to the boys and they love it. They're a little scared of Aunt Ivy, but who wouldn't be? She's horrible. But they love Tumtum and Nutmeg, and I appreciate the elegant and witty writing. How could I not love a children's book that references "The Charge of the Light Brigade"?

Happy reading!