Happy Friday!
Today is going to be a good day for the Fagan family because we will officially be reunited with this crazy lady…
I miss my puppy so, so much. During these past two weeks when we’ve been away from her, I honestly haven’t been able to talk about her too much because I get this feeling of longing in the pit of my stomach.
I can’t wait until she tackles me to the floor at my parents’ house and gives me “nibble kisses.” When Sadie is really excited, she licks your face non-stop and nibbles you a little bit because she can’t control herself.
Nibble kisses are my favorite. 
Breakfast
Let’s fly through breakfast because it’s the same ol’ thang from the hotel buffet.
Eggs, toast with jelly, breakfast potatoes and some Raisin Bran to munch on while I blog.
The belly is full.
Now for the fun stuff!
PBF Book Club
I am so excited that you guys are interested in a PBF book club!
Once I finish reading The Kite Runner, I’ll post a little survey on the blog with three different books for you guys to vote on to select the book we’ll read to kick off the club. And just to clear things up, you definitely don’t need to be a blogger to participate in the book club and if you read the book a long time ago, you’re still more than welcome to participate in the discussion. Stay tuned!
On that note, it’s time for another PBF book review!
The Glass Castle
If I had to use one word to describe this book it would be “struggle.” The first half of this book was a struggle to get through the second half made me struggle with my emotions.
The Glass Castle is a memoir, written by the extremely talented Jeannette Walls. The book details her life growing up in a family that moved around a lot, or “did the skedaddle” as her dad would say. They moved all across the United States, packing up whenever her parents got into financial trouble, craved a new adventure or left to evade the law.
Her parents are non-conformists (to put it lightly). Though they clearly love and adore their children, her father is a drunk while her mother is an artist (though no one buys her work) and an “excitement addict” that feels confined by regular work. At times it’s hard to believe they’re real people because as “characters” in a book, they seem so eccentric.
While your heart breaks for the conditions the Walls children are forced to live in because of their parents, your heart fills up again at the displays of genuine love in the book and the moments of tenderness between the family.
I must admit, I almost quit reading this book in the beginning. The first 80 pages failed to intrigue me. Sure I was amused, but I didn’t long to sit on the couch, curled up with this book, reading for hours on end… until I reached the second half of the book.
Once the author enters her teens and her family moves from Phoenix to a poor town in West Virginia, the book really turned around for me. I found myself emotionally engaged.
I was so incredibly frustrated and angered by the author’s parents and so incredibly moved by the undying love between the siblings in the book. They were truly good people who looked out for each other, despite their unconventional upbringing.
As I closed this book after I read the final page, I realized that this book is more than just a book. It is a lesson. A lesson in appreciation, determination and limitless love.
Past PBF Book Reviews:
- The Art of Racing in the Rain
- Divergent (<—If you liked The Hunger Games, you must read this!)
- The Help
- The Hunger Games Series
- Sarah’s Key
- Water for Elephants
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I’d be psyched for a PBF book club! To save some money before getting a library card, I’d use Amazon. Books are about half as much as the store and if you order over $25, free shipping! I’ve been buying 3-4 at a time off there so I have the next one the minute I’m done reading 🙂
I use Amazon this way too! It’s the best! 🙂
I love the nibble kisses & being tackled by excited dogs! 😀 I was really emotional being away from my dogs for 3 months while doing an internship. I’m so happy you get to see your little girl finally! Can’t wait until you’re all back together & we get to see her crazy shenanigans daily!
I can’t wait for you to read The Kite Runner– it’s my personal favorite.
After you finish it, you NEED to read A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author, Khalid Hosseini. It’s just as good, if not even better!
You have to read the prequil to The Glass Castle. It’s called Half Broke Horses. It’s about her Moms upbringing with her grandma. Kind of explains why her mom was the way she was. Great book!
Yes! Half Broke Horses is also a great read!
Loved loved the Glass Castle. So glad you’ll be reunited with your pooch. The most I’ve been away from mine is a week and it was too long!
Alysha
Though I can’t touch on the Glass Castle as I’ve never heard of it before you read/discussed it, I can speak, rather expertly, on nibble kisses.
They are the very best of all kisses one can get from a dog, and, when translated, say “I love you so much I could just eat you up… quite literally.”
i love this translation!!
I loved the Glass Castle too – it was sad but inspiring. Not a beach read by any means, but definitely worth it!
LOVE nibble kisses! My dog is also currently at my parents house and whenever I am able to see her, she showers me in them!!!
Awww I love puppy kisses! I love when I get to see my family dog. I miss being greeted with kisses from him when I would come home everyday.
A book club sounds awesome! I need to get my butt in gear and start reading again! I miss it!
I hate books that are hard to get into. I tried reading “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” and just could NOT get into it enough to finish. I feel like such a quitter when I stop reading half-way through!
I had the same problem with that book, but seriously, after that confusing first part, like 50 pages, it gets so interesting, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off it :)) Seriously, worth reading. One of the best books I’ve ever read, if not the best.
I also had that problem!
I will have to give it another try! I heard SUCH good things about it! I was so dissapointed. I am going to just have to push through those first couple of chapters!
that is exactly why i haven’t attempted to read that book yet! i like books that take off immediately – which i why i wasn’t enamored with the glass castle at first. sometimes you gotta stick it out though!
Julie!<3 I'm so glad that you stuck with the Glass Castle through to the end. I knew that it would grow on you eventually. When i read it, I wanted to stop, but my mama forced me to keep reading haha.
Have you ever read Secret Life of Bees? It's an AMAZING book and movie. It's similar to the help in the fact that it's set in southern US while struggling with segregation. It's also the kind of book that will have you laughing one minute and then hysterically crying the next. It definitely needs to be on you "MUST READ" list =).
no but i really want to read that book!
you HAVE to! it’s amaaaazing!
Love glass castle! You should definitely check out Wall’s next book – Half Broke Horses!
I think a PBF book club is a great idea! I need extra motivation to get into some reading too, so this would be great!
Oh my goodness, Glass Castle sounds like quite a moving read! Thanks for the review, Julie!
And PS. The photo of Ryan and Sadie is priceless! Have fun with her this weekend!
it’s one of my favorite pictures of all time. 🙂
I’m excited for the PBF book club!
YAY for being back with your Sadie!!!! Is this just for the weekend or is it ‘officially together’ again! …..Whatever the case, get excited!
just this weekend, unfortunately. we move into our new home w/ her on sept. 1 though so the countdown is ON!
I loved the Glass Castle, and I’m a big, big fan of memoirs in general. Can’t wait to see what your next selection will be!
Oooh I can’t wait for the PBF bookclub! I’m reading the White Queen by Philippa Gregory right now.
Enjoy your time with Sadie 🙂
A book club is such a good idea! I can’t wait!
My dog does “nibble kisses” too! Typically, they are on my ear. I love it!
If you liked the Glass Castle, you should read “Room” by Emma Donahgue. SO intriguing.
I had to put my 11 year old chocolate lab down this week :(( Don’t take any moment with Sadie for granted!!!! I will live vicariously through you and your sweet vizsla!! 🙂
oh karina, i am so sorry. dogs really are members of the family and my heart goes out to you.
Thank you, that really means so much. Dogs truly are little blessings. Enjoy every second 🙂
I love how Ryan is mimicking Sadie’s expression in that photo. Too cute!!
Yay for the book club!!
I LOVED The Art of Racing in the Rain! I was sobbing at the end.
I’m reading an amazing book right now called Unbroken. World War 2 pilot who survives A LOT and it’s amazing. I cannot put it down at night and read it until my eyes literally can’t stay open any longer.
I felt much the same when I read The Glass Castle—at times I couldn’t believe it was a memoir and not fiction. Makes you appreciate what you have, huh?
I think you summed up Glass Castles perfectly. I think if this weren’t a true story, most people would find it too bizarre to be believable.
Looking forward to the book club.
Yay for your day! I bet your super excited to see Sadie!
I’ve tried memoirs in the past but always seem to struggle with them, or really any non-fiction for that matter. I’m definitely a fiction/fantasy gal.
Love the book club idea!!! I need to finish The Help now!
That book looks really good!! I looove reading reviews like this! 😀
Sounds like an interesting book. I have SO many on my list right now..so what’s one more? ha! Have a great Friday Julie and I hope you get tons of nibble kisses!
I am really glad to read your review of this book. I started about a month ago, and stopped it in place of another book because I just couldn’t get into it. The first 50 pages or so I read just seemed to be the same type of stories over and over. Glad to hear you say it picks up. I think I’ll give it another shot.
that was exactly my issue! once she’s a little older in the book it delves into her feelings a lot more than just her “go with the flow” attitude. much better!
Woo hoo for PBF book club!
Sounds like it’s a good thing you didn’t give up on the book! I’ll have to try it out! Also, I’m so glad you’re starting a book club!
Great review! I really enjoyed the glass castle.
I LOVED this book! It’s on the list of books I ALWAYS recommend to people! I *just* bought her new book which is a memoir of her grandmother and they describe it as “Laura Ingalls Wilder for adults” It’s called “Half Broke Horses’!
I seriously think I finished The Glass Castle in less than 2 days! I thought it was fantastic. Such a different side of life than we live.
Other books kind of like The Glass Castle are “A Tree Grows In Brooklyn” think drunk dad, hardworking mom trying to make it in NY in the early 1900s, AND “Angela’s Ashes” which is about a family coming to NY and then having to go back to Ireland and their struggle to raise a TON of kids, while once again, the dad is a drunk and the kids and mom try to pick up the slack.
Enjoy reading Kite Runner! 😀
The Glass Castle is one of my favorite books, and that’s because I grew up in a family that was similarly messed up. (Not SO bad as Jeannette’s, but still.) I found this book to be so powerful and validating and I kept thinking to myself “me too”!!!When I’m with my family members who are constantly demeaning each other, hoarding, overcooking everything to death, sleeping in until noon, letting the dog pee on the floor, conspiracy therorizing, and criticizing everyone, I wonder how on earth I became a “normal” human being. I think it’s because I became a Christian at 13 and the wonderful men and women at my church really took me under their wing and showed me wisdom. I thank God for his grace and help(!!!), and though I still love my family, it’s really hard to be with them for more than a few days. I know my folks each had quite rough childhoods too, so that’s a factor, but it made for a tough upbringing for me. It’s sad but hopefully when I have kids it will happily different. My marriage is wonderful and so much fun so the buck has already stopped here. Anyway, that’s why the book was so powerful to me – you CAN be a productive member of society even when you grow up with a messed-up family. :0)
LOVE this comment. i actally watched like 3 interviews that jeannette did on my computer when i finished the book because i found her so intriguing and she said a LOT of people told her all about their childhood and how her book was something they use as inspiration and her stories made them feel less “alone.” very interesting!
PS one more thing…it was amazing to look at the Amazon reviews for this book; some neighbors of Jeannette’s in Virginia commented and said that they had no idea things were that bad and that they would have intervened if they knew. Yipes!
I SAW THAT!!! crazy.
So glad you stuck with this book and ended up liking it. This is one of my favorite books of all time! I loved it! I always recommend it to people. I am definitely going to be reading it again!
I’m so so glad that you stuck with The Glass Castle! I knew you would love it once you read a few pages more. It’s one of my favorite books, and you’re right – it’s such a beautiful, heart-wrenching lesson. Hard to believe that there are people whose lives are lived that way every day.
Several people have recommended this book to me, and here is why I will NOT be picking it up anytime soon. I am definitely curious to see if anyone has a similar feeling.
I have LIVED through my own highly dysfunctional, crazy craze family situation. I don’t need to read about someone else’s heartbreak to learn a lesson in appreciation, determination, and limitless love. I’ve already lived it and survived it.
ALL families have a crack. Some can be more damaging than others, I think. I just think this book might hit too close to home for me. anyone else??
in many interviews the author says how surprised she is that so many people opened up to her with stories so similar to her own. i think her stories hit home w/ a lot of people.
Oooh! Yay a book club! You know what else would be cool? I do this with a few girls that live by me currently…to exchange books in the mail. We have a google docs list of books/reviews and if someone wants the book, we either mail it to them or bring it to them. It helps save on book buying expenses!
I had a tough time with The Glass Castle too. It was interesting, but hard to get into at the same time. I powered through and it definitely got better as it went on, but it really wasnt my favorite book.
So excited for a PBF Book Club!!
agree!
The PBF book club is a fantastic idea! I can never do book clubs because they don’t typically read books I’m interested in but you do!!
Hi Julie!
I am so excited for the PBF Book Club! I also loved some of the books you read recently (Art of Racing in the Rain, The Help, Glass Castle) so I can’t wait to start the first book of the club!
I just have to say I totally feel your pain on missing Sadie. My husband and I left our dog with my mom when we went to Europe in May for two weeks and the whole time I kept asking my husband “what do you think Rigby is doing right now?”. My mom would e-mail me updates on Rigby and I analyzed every word of her e-mails to get a sense of how my baby was doing!
It is so hard being away from your dog. Don’t you worry sometimes what it will be like when you have kids!?
Ha my first thought was ‘uhoh she’s going to be a mess with kids!’
YES!!! if i love sadie this much, i think i’m going to want to take my kids around with my in my pockets.
Limitless love- i love that! What a great description.. I’ve always been hesitant to read this author’s book bc they seem so sad, but this one does sound like it’s worth a few tears..
The Kite Runner is an AMAZING book, def some tough parts in it. You should also read A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author. Kite Runner is more about the men and TSS is about the women and their lives in afganistan etc…
Exactly why I loved that book so much…it is a LESSON!
I loved the entire thing, it had me right from the beginning. But my parents are also kind of weird, so I felt like I could relate just a little bit.
I’m so glad you finished it and enjoyed it 🙂
Another great book I would suggest reading is Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. It was absolutely amazing and I couldn’t put it down!
Loved the Glass Castle and definitely recommend Half Broke Horses!
I hope you like the Kite Runner. I loved it! (Wish it was a little more pg-13 than r, but I guess that’s how writers are these days…)
i’m about 50 pgs. in and the “c” word was dropped w/in the first 20! i think i’m in for a lot!
I’ve been dying to read the Glass Castle! I’m so excited about the book club, I feel like we have similar tastes. If that is true, you will love the Kite Runner.