The Monday Mention: Nutcracker by E.T.A Hoffman

The Nutcracker  has long been part of  my family's holiday tradition. All three girls danced in local productions when they were younger and we often attended the professional ballet, too. As a result, our collection of Nutcracker  memorabilia - ornaments, books, and figurines - has grown over the years. We enjoy reliving the memories each year as we unpack these precious treasures.

Today I'm pleased to share with you the newest addition to our collection, courtesy of the lovely people at Crown.  But beware, E.T.A. Hoffann's Nutcracker, with pictures by the legendary Maurice Sendak, is not the ballet of our childhoods. This is a slightly darker version of the tale based on Hoffmann's 1816 extended short story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King".

As with any children's book, the pictures really matter most to me and Sendak, as always, perfectly captures the mood with his brilliant illustrations. This book may not be suitable for very young children, but should appeal to the older elementary crowd.

The Monday Mention: Two for One

With the end of the year looming and a backlog of books to talk about, I'm doubling up on today's Monday Mention.

Where'd You Go Bernadette 
by Maria Semple

I was already on my library's waiting list for this novel when Amy's post appeared in my google reader.   Given my weakness for epistolary novels, her description of the narrative as "a crazy quilt of emails, faxes, police records, and Bee's (the middle school daughter of Bernadette) narration" sent me straight to the bookstore. The plot revolves around Bernadette's disappearance prior to a family trip to Antarctica -the trip itself is Bee's reward for getting perfect grades throughout middle school. This novel is full of family dysfunction, but it's pure fun.
My rating:

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry 
by Rachel Joyce
This novel was an unexpected gem! Recently retired, unassuming Harold Fry leads a quiet life. One day he receives a letter from an old friend, Queenie Hennessey, who is dying of cancer. He walks to the mailbox to post his response but decides to deliver it personally instead. Thus, Harold sets off on his unusual journey.  I know it sounds strange, but this was incredibly heartwarming book, and one of my favorites of 2012. For a more complete review, check out what Marie has to say.
My rating:

The Monday Mention: Comet's Tale by Steven D. Wolf

Comet's Tale: How the Dog I Rescued Saved My Life 
by Steven D. Wolf with Lynette Padwa
Algonquin Books , 2012
257 pages
source: library

Comet's Tale is a truly heartwarming story of a man and his dog. As Steven Wolf's spinal health deteriorated and simple activities became insurmountable tasks, his rescued greyhound, Comet, was called to the life of a service dog.

The book begins as Comet 'chooses' Steve. It talks about Comet's adjustment to life as a pet, her eventual training (its highs and lows), and the compromises Steve makes due to disability. I loved reading about Comet's devotion to her master, and frequently found myself smiling and nodding my head in recognition of what I have come to recognize as nearly universal greyhound actions, habits, and mannerisms.

Comet's Tale prompted me to reflect on the many ways Zelda has enriched our lives, and it reaffirmed the decision we made two and a half years ago to rescue a retired greyhound. This is a book any dog lover will enjoy, but for greyhound owners like me (or anyone considering adopting a retired racer) it is a must read.

My rating:

The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki

The Monday Mention is back with another favorite from earlier this year.

The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki, originally published serially in Japan during the 1940's,  offers "a detailed characterization of four daughters of a wealthy Osaka merchant family who see their way of life slipping away in the early years of World War II."

Quite a departure from the mostly British and American classics I have been choosing lately, this book started slowly, mostly due to unfamiliar Japanese names which were hard to keep straight.  A character list hastily scrawled on a post-it note stuck to the inside cover helped immensely and I breezed through the rest of the novel.

What I loved:

• the characters
• cultural traditions surrounding courtship and marriage
• descriptions, especially of dress and dance
• recurring references to cherry blossoms and fireflies

Most of all, I loved how one family mirrored a country's struggle. The four Makioka sisters represented both ends of the spectrum between a traditional and modern way of life.

My rating:

Introducing The Monday Mention

 Welcome to The Monday Mention, a new, occasional feature at Lakeside Musing. After four years of blogging, it's finally time to admit that I don't always have a lot to say about every book I read. Most of those books, however, still deserve time in the spotlight. Monday Mentions may include brief thoughts on favorites (they're always harder to write about), mysteries, 'beach' reads, poetry collections, children's books, nonfiction, and more.

Let's get started...

First up on The Monday Mention is Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen. Listening to this book was like spending time with an old friend. I've been an Anna Quindlen fan for years - from her Life in the 30's columns back the 80's through her most recent novel. This memoir is especially relevant to women over fifty and includes reflections on aging, family life, friends, faith, career, and more.  I loved each and every one of them!

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake also has the distinction of being the first book I have ever knowingly purchased twice on the same day. After downloading the audiobook, I drove off to collect my daughter (with all her belongings) at college and bring her home the summer. Before reaching my destination, I stopped at a Barnes & Noble along the way to purchase a hardcover copy. There were so many passages I wanted to go back and reread, I needed  a print copy, too. This will likely be a favorite book of 2012.

My rating: 5 stars