Aug 022010
 

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home by Rhoda Janzen

_Mennonite in a Little Black Dress:Β  A Memoir of Going Home_

My friend in NYC is an editor for Henry Holt and she gave me this book when we caught up after four years. She edited this book and she said it was a funny story that she thought I might like. While I’ve become more interested in contemporary fiction, I do find myself drawn to the memoir genre, so I was interested in reading it. Also, it’s on the NY Times Bestseller’s list, so it couldn’t be so bad. πŸ™‚

In fact, I loved this book! It was hilarious, deep and well-written in every way imaginable. Rhoda Janzen has a gift of storytelling that comes through in her journey of healing from a divorce and accident to reconnect with her family and traditions. While finding a balance between Mennonite traditions and her more liberal/independent lifestyle, Janzen tells her story with humor and humility. I smiled, laughed and was totally engaged throughout her story – so I highly recommend it as a read especially for women.

It seems that I’m reading more books about going through divorce or healing from it or relationships by women of my age or slightly older. It’s nice to feel a connection and understanding through these stories. Now, I’m even more drawn to write my own stories, but I don’t know that I have such a gift…. In any case, I was inspired by this book, which doesn’t happen often, so I’m glad that I was able to read this book as I might not have done so unless it had been given to me!

Thanks, Helen!!

More to come…

-T

Aug 022010
 

Usually my summer travels take me to some place in the world, but this year I thought it would be the year that I visit/catch up with friends and family State-side.Β  With such a long holiday (sorry to brag), it was a cheaper option to stay domestic in the States than to try to traipse around the world. Plus, it’s nice to just take it a bit easier!

So, I started my traveling with New York City for just a night. My wonderful cousin let me stay the night with her before I headed down to visit some grad school friends in Baltimore and one night out in DC.

Here are the pics from that:

Summer 2010: Baltimore (July)
 

More to come soon…

-T

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