Midwives by Chris Bohjalian

I found this book to be quite the nail biter. It was amazingly written, in the sense that the author would make me think the trial would go one way, then in the next paragraph, have me CONVINCED the trial would take a different turn. Generally speaking, I tend not to prefer books with trials for that reason, because I get consumed with having to know what the verdict is, and I speed through the description of the trial itself, basically not even reading the opening or closing statements. And even though I desperately wanted to know how the trial turned out, the way it was written had me not having the desire to speed read through it.

I really responded to the writing style. Originally, from the way the summary on the back of the book is written, I had assumed the book would start at the scene in question, the home birth gone horribly wrong, and have the whole story just be about the trial, but it wasn’t like that at all. In fact, it was told from the midwife’s daughter’s point of view many years after the trial. So not only was it told from an outsider’s perspective, it also had flashbacks and flash-forwards that really keep you in a close relationship with the characters. By the time the trial rolled around, I had very clear pictures of the characters, their homes, and Vermont in general. I felt like I was in the courtroom with everyone…I could see where everyone was sitting, I could picture the supporting midwives in the back rows of the courtroom, breastfeeding their little ones.

This book also had me thinking about motherhood…as well as the terrifying business of going through labor. There was one quote that really resonated with me, especially in the last year or so. I know a handful of women who are pregnant right now and, along with the birth of my nephew, have really had me thinking about being a mom. Not for at least a few years, but nonetheless. The quote: “Some girls got the nurture bug back when they began puberty, and used baby-sitting as a substitute. Others didn’t discover the desire to mother until they were adults themselves.” I hated babysitting. And I felt very uncomfortable around kids. Which is unfortunate because I worked in a day camp, interned at an elementary school and a preschool, and did babysit. But I’m dying to be around kids and babies now. Yes, it still scares me…kids are so…truthful. It’s amazing how things change, though. No, I have no desire to have my babies at my house…it is all hospital and epidurals for me. But I learned a lot from this book, including the reasons mothers do choose to have their babies without any medical intervention. Power to them, that is the definition of strength.

The next book on my list is East of Eden by John Steinbeck, recommended by my friend Sharon. I have read a book by him before, Of Mice and Men, back in my freshman year of high school. Choosing this novel was also a way to prepare for the book after that, which will be one of the books I was forced to read in high school. I hope this novel will remind me to keep an open mind and not judge a book by a previous grudge.

Open House by Elizabeth Berg

I decided that my first book pick would be Open House by Elizabeth Berg. I had originally made this choice for two main reasons, the first being that I had already read books from her before, so I figured I would enjoy reading another one. When I went to figure out what books I had previously read, I realized that I actually hadn’t read anything by Elizabeth Berg. At all. Why do I think I had read this previous work from this author when I clearly have not? I have no idea. Anyway, my second reason for choosing to read this novel first was because the main character’s name was Samantha. Obviously the most legitimate and respected reason for choosing a book is by the main character’s first name.

This book turned out to be exactly how I expected it would be. A story about a woman who is going through a divorce and during a couple of sad and depressing months after, manages to meet some new people, learn some new skills, have some new feelings, and find herself again. A good story, although I wish it would have been a little longer.

It’s funny, though, how sometimes certain characters speak to you in a certain way, even if you have never gone through what the character is going through. I have never had a divorce, but there were a few thoughts in the book that I had previously thought about. For example, this one:

“Oh, what I want to do is hand over my life to someone else. That’s all. And they could rearrange it into something that would make sense.”

I’ve had this thought many times in the past, particularly when I’m sad, believing that someone else could live my life better than me. That I am, somehow, doing it wrong, that there is a guidebook to my life somewhere and I am just not following it correctly, having never been told it existed. And somewhere, someone has this book, has read it, and is laughing at how much I am screwing it up. A depressing idea, no matter how untrue it happens to be. Which brings me to this quote from the book:

“”Oh, God, King. You always make me feel so…Like I’m fine.”

“That’s because you are, Sam. How come you don’t know that?”

I realize this isn’t spoken to me directly, but the fact that it is being said to a character with my name, does help it pack more of a punch. Sometimes, these kinds of reminders are helpful, no matter where they come from.

In honor of the birth of my little nephew this past week, I have chosen my next selection to be Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. The title is, of course, the part of the book I am referring to, as I believe the story itself is dark, sad, and haunting. None of which relate to this adorable little peanut.

The Beginning

I am really excited about starting this reading journey. I am thrilled to be introduced to new authors, genres, and styles of writing. The challenging part about this list will be rereading the books I have already read. Like most readers, I have known about Oprah’s Book Club for many years, and I have read a handful of them over the years.There are also a number of books on this list that I was forced to read in high school, which I am both looking forward to and not looking forward to rereading.

The list of books I have read by choice are:

She’s Come Undone-Wally Lamb

I Know This Much is True-Wally Lamb

Icy Sparks-Gwyn Hyman Rubio

Night-Elie Wiesel

The list of books I was forced to read are:

A Lesson Before Dying-Ernest J. Gaines

The Good Earth-Pearl S. Buck

Great Expectations-Charles Dickens

The list of books I couldn’t get through the first time are :

The Pilot’s Wife-Anita Shreve

We Were the Mulvaneys-Joyce Carol Oats

Middlesex-Jeffrey Eugenides

I am currently reading the newest book in the J.D. Robb series, Treachery in Death (the only futuristic mystery books I have read and probably will read). During the reading of this book, I will be debating which Oprah book I will read first. Any suggestions are welcome!