As you can see, our website is back!  Which means I will be posting our monthly book group discussion events here.  For February, we will be discussing :

The Help

by Kathryn Stockett

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women – mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends – view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don’t.

Link

Upcoming reads:

March: All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki

April: The Wind-Up Chronicles by Haruki Murakami

If you have any questions or recommendations, please email me at beckyhuss[at]gmail[dot]com or shrinkingvioletsociety[at]gmail[dot]com.

The Geography of Bliss

by Eric Weiner

Weiner spent a decade as a foreign correspondent reporting from such discontented locales as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. Unhappy people
living in profoundly unstable states, he notes, inspire pathos and make for good copy, but not for good karma.  So Weiner, admitted grump and self-help book aficionado, undertook a year’s research to travel the globe, looking for the “unheralded happy places.” The result is this book, equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and philosophical, a journey into both the definition of and the destination for true contentment.

More here

Thursday, November 3rd
6-8pm
Luxe Coffee House
1017 W 1st Ave, Suite A, Spokane, WA 99201

Upcoming reads:

December: The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
January: Let the Great World Spin by Colum Mccann
February: The Help by Kathryn Stocket

We’re on Goodreads! We have both a Profile and a Group,  so please check us out if you are on there!

Please email me if you would like more information about our book group or would like to recommend a book.  Hope to see you in November!

Becky
beckyhuss[at]gmail[dot]com

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

by Junot Diaz

“Things have never been easy for Oscar, a sweet but disastrously overweight, lovesick Dominican ghetto nerd. From his home in New Jersey, where he lives with his old-world mother and rebellious sister, Oscar dreams of becoming the Dominican J. R. R. Tolkien and, most of all, of finding love. But he may never get what he wants, thanks to the Fuk-the curse that has haunted the Oscar’s family for generations, dooming them to prison, torture, tragic accidents, and, above all, ill-starred love. Oscar, still waiting for his first kiss, is just its most recent victim.

Díaz immerses us in the tumultuous life of Oscar and the history of the family at large, rendering with genuine warmth and dazzling energy, humor, and insight the Dominican-American experience, and, ultimately, the endless human capacity to persevere in the face of heartbreak and loss. A true literary triumph, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao confirms Junot Díaz as one of the best and most exciting voices of our time.” -Source: Goodreads

Future Reads

November: The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

December: Life of Pi by Yann Martel

January: Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

**Important Information**
If you need a book, please contact me. I have 5 regular books, a large print book, and an audio book available for you to borrow through the Spokane County Library District book club bags.

We now have a Goodreads profile and group page. Please follow/friend/add us here:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5992664-shrinking-violet-society?ref=header
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/52608.Shrinking_Violet_Society

If you would like more information or have any book recommendations, please contact me at: beckyhuss[at]gmail[dot]com or shrinkingvioletsociety[at]gmail[dot]com

Hope to see you there!
Becky

During our meeting, we discussed our next book group choices.

For September:

Salt: A World History

By Mark Kurlansky

November: The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
December: Life of Pi by Yann Martel

If you have any book recommendations or would like more information about our group, please email:
Beckybeckyhuss[at]gmail[dot]com
Shrinking Violet Society: shrinkingvioletsociety[at]gmail[dot]com

Three Cups of Tea

by Greg Mortenson

Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse’s unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world’s second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town’s first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson’s efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers’ hearts.

Link

So please, join us on:

Thursday, July 7^th

Location: Main Market Co-Op

Time: 6-8pm

For August, we are reading:

Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn

If you have any book recommendations please email the coordinators:
Becky: beckyhuss[at]gmail[dot]com
Hilary: hilwhitt[at]gmail[dot]com

I hired Tiffany to do some artwork for me for another blog I write, and for those of you who don’t know she is the one responsible for some of the Violet’s artwork. Tonight she featured a narrative titled “Flutter” -a story about a girl lucky enough to find herself and a happy ending. I don’t want to give the whole story away in case anyone is heading there later.

It was really hard for me not to cry when I was there because the works are so beautiful, and they say so much. I couldn’t even afford it but I bought a few because I just couldn’t walk away from such wonderful art. And who better to support than a fellow Violet, right?

I’m posting some pictures here so you can see a little sample for yourself. I wish I could have bought the whole set, but it’s something to work for when I finally get a job. Here are some of the pictures and Tiffany if you read this- I’m so very proud of you. I can’t believe how amazing you are and how talented your work is.

You can click on each on to make it uber large. Enjoy!

What are you doing with your three day weekend? I will be slaving away over papers and crying my eyes out because my man is moving to Boise for an internship. My lil sis and some friends are headed for Sasquatch, and other unfortunate souls are working.

Speaking of working, I have this overwhelming urge to talk about kindness. Yes, I watched Oprah’s last show and she said a few things that amazed me. Now, I didn’t coin this thought or be the first to share it, but I have always believed that we are simply energy- and when you boil it down to that it makes sense to be kind and compassionate to others. Oprah said that people should be responsible for their energy and then quoted Newton’s third law of motion which is easiest described as ‘every action has a reaction.’

I spent a lot of time thinking about this. There are a million ways to become self aware and positive, the hardest part is making the commitment and keeping the change in your heart at all times. Lately I’ve been practicing meditation and the hardest part so far has been the simple act of clearing my mind and breathing. Whenever I did, I would be disrupted by every little sound. See, the first time I went to meditation group it was at a church here in Spokane. The group was free and the time they met was perfect for my schedule. Just when I started to clear my mind I heard all these little coughs, people moving in their chairs and stomachs growling. Some one came in uber late and was wearing a nylon coat, so every time they moved it swished and swished. They never stopped moving. I was about to show stand up and freak out when I swear one of the monks read my mind and said; “Free yourself of judgement and judging others around you.” I snuck a quick peek at the noisy late person. It was an old man with a breathing tube, carrying a huge air tank.

I then declared myself an ass-holio.

We are humbled every day when we read about terrible tragedies and things we cannot control. But at what point does the humbled, new-found sense of gratitude saturate ourselves and stay? This is something I don’t have the answer to. I am still a beginner when it comes to centering and becoming the positive  being I strive to be. So, I am challenging you all to question those negative voices in your head. Be kind to everyone, especially those who are rude to you. Be quiet. Listen and learn. Be true, be real and respect yourself and others.

I know I’ve been very touchy feel-y lately, but I think it’s important to share knowledge with others. Every day I am going to check myself at random times of the day and ask myself about how I’m expending my energy and what sort of message I’m sending and how it can be more positive. I hope you feel inspired to do the same.

Instead of the third Sunday of every month, our meetings will be the first Thursday of every month. Our first meeting back will be June 2nd. I don’t know a better way to kick off an amazing weekend (Elkfest! Artfest!) then by hanging out with lovely people discussing an awesome book!

For June:

“The true story of one family, caught between America’s two biggest policy disasters: the war on terror and the response to Hurricane Katrina. 

Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun run a house-painting business in New Orleans. In August of 2005, as Hurricane Katrina approaches, Kathy evacuates with their four young children, leaving Zeitoun to watch over the business. In the days following the storm he travels the city by canoe, feeding abandoned animals and helping elderly neighbors. Then, on September 6th, police officers armed with M-16s arrest Zeitoun in his home. Told with eloquence and compassion, Zeitoun is a riveting account of one family’s unthinkable struggle with forces beyond wind and water.”

Future Reads:
July: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
August: Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn

If you have any book recommendations please email the coordinators:
Becky: beckyhuss[at]gmail[dot]com
Hilary: hilwhitt[at]gmail[dot]com

I hope to see you all there!

It’s these things I think about when times are uncertain. Just recently I set out to de stress and come to some sort of new realization about all of the things going on in my life. Seems so much has changed over the last year, and for some those changes have included gaining or losing their dream jobs, houses, everything.

When I began walking towards the woods I have to admit I no longer felt comfort. I felt something closer to fear as I kept looking around me for strange people and swatting incessantly around my head whenever I thought I heard a wasp. It was almost as if I had lost my sense of adventure. I am always hearing the ever popular; “Take the time to smell the roses,” but I wonder what happens when one forgets how. Maybe I always loved the mystery of life, but as an adult it can be too much. Now, mysteries are real and possible. I mean, there might be someone dangerous in the woods. Unlikely, but plausible. Even more likely, I might get stung and shriek so loud all wildlife runs for the hills. And if either of these things were to happen, I’d be alone and exposed. My mom isn’t going to give me a bandaid and kiss and my dad isn’t going to whip out his .38 and shoot some stranger. It’s up to me. Thinking about this, I decided to meditate (or try to) and gain some perspective. With finals, internships, job prospects and everything else looming, maybe I should take a second out for me. Something to remind myself to stop and be grateful for all I have and the possibility that maybe more or maybe nothing would come my way in the future, and to ultimately accept that.

I tried sitting down on a log by a rushing brook. I smiled when I remembered the smallest of gifts: how the lily and lichen actually grow in their half drowned state. A beautiful wild turkey poked its head out at me. The sun felt warm on my back and the water, so cool in its comfort.

Of course, I wasn’t able to master meditation that day. I am working on it. And I have a wonderful friend who created a group on facebook for those of us searching for more relaxed, meaningful lives. I always liked to tell myself that there is solace in the ongoing certainty of things. Although that is true, it seems to me there is no harm with wanting to know if your dreams will come true.

I apologize if I see too poetic today, maybe even a little cryptic. But I have to believe there are many people out there working at jobs they hate and waiting for the big break. I know some people have lost so much and then there are those about to graduate that have no idea what is waiting for them here in the real world. I personally can’t stand to hear the words “In this tough economy…” one more time or I will wig out. But the simplest things made me remember that the fight is always worth it. Applying for job after job is just like swimming upstream- which does suck- but in the end you have killer abs and say you fought the good fight.

It’s beautiful out there, isn’t it? I’m going to force my man to go on a nature hike with me later. So if you do hear a resounding shriek today, it’s him complaining. I just couldn’t think of anything else to talk about today other than to remind all of those who are struggling to go out there and kick some ass. Don’t forget how to smell those roses.

Anyway, back to why I love Spokane. My friend Mariah has this awesome blog and site dedicated to this very subject and before I moved here I would read it and think, “This chick is crazy! Spokane is gross.” But I’ve changed my mind. When I drive or walk downtown, I look up at the highrises and wonder what those vintage apartments above look like inside. It must be awesome. When I preformed at the Bing Crosby theatre a few weeks ago, I was more excited to be surrounded by the stunning architecture than I was to be singing the blues, and that’s never happened to me before!

I remember the first time I walked by the Peaceful Valley area and crossed the bridge over the river. I saw a HUGE pile of trash/random stuff and  I thought, “Here we go again, why can’t people clean their stuff up? This isn’t a dump!” Then I see a whole herd of people wearing the same shirts and it dawns on me that what’s going on is a river cleanup! Who’d a thunk it?

Then, whenever I’m driving I come across tons of little businesses that rock. Like Wolffys. Best burgers ever! And there’s this place on Monroe called the Waffle House or something like that. There’s all these little pockets of surprise and always something amazing to do. I still haven’t been on the sky ride over the falls, I wish someone would tell me if that is cool or not because it seems like a death trap. But my point is there is always so much to do and although I can feel bad about Spokane’s hoarder houses and stupid graffiti people that just spray paint tags and not cool art, there is so many more people wanting to bring change and beauty to our area! And by the way, on the corner of Browne and Main there is a vintage Sprite advertisement that someone defaced with stupid black spraypaint and although I consider myself a lady, I hope I never run into you because you deserve a beat-down and I’ll be the first in line.

I think the reason why people dismiss Spokane is that I know most people come here to go to the mall, their fav restaurant, and then go home. They don’t take the time to explore the area, get to know the locals and random streets. That’s the sad part! I was one of those: “Off to Northtown Mall, then Olive Garden and home again!” Now I’m thinking, what does Jenny at Carousel have today that I need to buy? And secretly I think the Olive Garden sucks although I fear no one will be my friend now that I’ve confessed it. I think Pizza Hut has better breadsticks for sure, I always lick off that seasoning stuff, it’s so delicious. But as far as Italian places go there is one next to The Onion downtown that is amazing. I don’t think it’s Luigis but I can’t find the name on google. The lasagna there makes Olive Garden seem like airplane food served by Southwest Airlines. And we have all read about the Southwest Airlines mice infestation! Gross.

So what am I off to do today? Go pick up a copy of my very first published article in Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Living Magazine, stop by Anemone, and on the way home my FAVORITE place: Carousel Vintage Clothing. On the way I will gaze at amazing homes from the early 1900′s and imagine I will own one some day. I just wanted to share that with you all, I just can’t imagine someone not loving Spokane.

Peace out.