The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

A recommendation from a friend, this mystery crime story kept me reading and delivered a surprise ending; but overall it didn't pique my interest enough to claim as a favorite future genre.  This was supposedly a "first" crime novel by this author, but in reality it was written by J.K. Rawling, of Harry Potter fame.
As is my usual criticism:  too much raunchy language for my comfort zone.  There was enough psychological background on the main character, Private Detective Cormoran Strike, to feed my need for deeper character understanding...but still can't give it a great recommendation.

July 2017 Happenings

Lots of crazy activity in Michigan this year!  The Hendren crew arrived late on the 10^th and we didn’t stop until August 2^nd when Ben & Jenny departed with their kiddos.  In between, the Tegelaars dropped in, left the kids for 6 days & headed to CO!  Lake Michigan was the place to be this summer!  We visited Holland, South Haven and Saugatuck; as well as a day at Yankee Springs and pool days at Tillers and Meyers!!  Lots of water, sand and sun.  As usual, it was so great to watch Boppa at play in the water--reminded me of when our kids were young!

Thankful for the Otsego Public Library—which kept the littles entertained with their play area, weekly movies and special events.  Azi joined in with the “tweens” at some of their meetings too.  Mostly the memories involved hanging out while the kids played in the front yard:  shooting hoops (Jet w/ Keith; Abbott dribbling quite well on his own), utilizing the garage sale kitchen (outstanding buy), driving the Barbie car (Evy, Maelie, & Trux's fav plus Walk learned to drive too!), and riding bikes & scooters.  Ben & Keith checked off a few projects on Bill’s list and Plainwell Ice Cream got extra business!  Elliott got lots of love from all the cousins!

Girls Outing to Kindleberger Park to watch “Once Upon a Mattress” was a great success (I loved that Zeal was so enthralled), as was the Boys Trip to Kalamazoo Soccer Club game.  A trip with the Walker Fam to Boulder Ridge Zoo proved better than anticipated, and may be added to our list for another year (thanks to Amy DeBoer for her recommendation).  Kinda felt like Lynne Ott or Aunt Arlene when I gathered ceramic tiles for a craft project  (ha)–with much apprehension, knowing my skill set, we forged ahead…and it actually went well, even though we picked the wrong glue!!

As happens every year when the whole tribe descends—I enjoy so many great moments, but also learn so much about myself when the words “let it go” must ring continually in my head in order to keep my sanity and frustrations at bay.  My expectations crash right into my weaknesses…it isn’t always pretty to see that side of myself, but I’m learning to accept that tidiness and control are a part of who I am, and to give myself grace when I blow it!

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Thanks to my bookclub, I am definitely branching out in my reading genres!  Originally written in 1986, this book has become a Hulu movie and now has been re-published with a 2017 intro by the author--which does help in understanding some of the plot.

The main character is documenting her life somewhere in the future, after the United States has collapsed into a variety of geographical sections (similar to The Hunger Games).  Because of pollution and toxin issues, the population is having difficulty pro-creating.  Those who have moved into leadership have devised a plan to assign the residents to specific roles,  whereby "handmaids" (basicly mistresses) have the important task of having babies ---babies they will give up to the Commanders and their wives.

This is a chilling and dark futuristic tale.  It attempts to show how power and evil come together, using half-truths of Biblical ideas, to twist people's minds.  As always, there is an underground revolt which is fighting against this government.  I love that the author includes the Quakers, the peace lovers, as the quiet revolutionaries.

Offred writes with desperation, having been torn from her husband and child, and now in the clutches of the government leaders.  After following passively, she begins to quietly revolt (to either find herself again or to sub-consciously get caught), before being captured.  Again, an unsettling ending--to an unsettling story.