write meg!

Reading Rosy Thornton’s Crossed Wires was a little like finding a hundred-dollar bill buried in the ground: totally unexpected and awesome! As soon as I read that it took place in England, y’all know I was on board. And I loved it!

So here we meet Mina, auto insurance call center rep and single mother to Sal; and Peter, Cambridge professor and widowed father to twins Kim and Cassie. They live in entirely different worlds, and parts of England, but after a few silly collisions in Peter’s Land Rover — and the subsequent calls to Mina at the insurance company — the two are brought swiftly into each other’s lives.

This story is described as an “old-fashioned fairytale” — and, like in many great stories, we wonder if our two characters will ever meet. Peter and Mina are living out their own stories with friends and family, and we meet many well-drawn, interesting characters: Jess, Mina’s wayward baby sister; Jeremy and Martin, Peter’s good friends; Trish, a grad student who watches the twins for Peter — and serves as his personal assistant, at points; Mina’s mum and Dave, her boyfriend. As Peter is still trying to find the balance between being a single father following the death of his wife Bev, Mina is grappling with Sal’s reticence and disinterest in anything other than her favorite books.

Our romantic leads chat comfortably first about Peter’s car, and later about everything else — a phone relationship, of sorts, begins after Mina calls Peter at home. After their girls are all in bed, their Sunday night chats become a ritual . . . but chatting is as far as it goes. Until fate suddenly brings Peter to Mina.

I really, really loved this book — the push-and-pull of wondering how the story will play out; if Mina and Peter will ever stand before one another, face-to-face; the realistic, heart-wrenching descriptions of parenthood, friendship and sisterhood. I really related to Mina and Sal, and felt very close to them . . . and I adored the twins and their frantic, close relationship. Thornton deftly draws each character and fashions them into people we feel like we really know, or that we could sit beside in a coffeeshop (should I find myself in England!).

I will say that as an American, I struggled with many of the British references and jargon — calling dinner “tea,” a flashlight being a “torch,” etc. Though I’m an Anglophile beyond a doubt and could clearly hear the cadence of each character’s vocal patterns, it was still a little jarring and hard to focus sometimes one what was going on. I almost felt like I was reading a foreign language! But that was part of the fun. Mid-way through the story, I’d gotten the hang of it . . . and can probably imitate some of sayings now!

Overall, a really great, fun and moving novel — and not just light and fluffy fare. After finishing it, I feel like I’ve really been on an emotional journey with Mina and Peter . . . and I love where Thornton leaves us. Great read!

4.5 out of 5!

ISBN: 075534555X ♥ Purchase from Amazon ♥ Author Website

Every time I blink, it’s Thursday! Which I guess is cool, since my London adventure will begin on a Thursday three weeks from today . . . can’t wait! Until then, let’s go Booking Through Thursday, shall we?

Which is worse? Finding a book you love and then hating everything else you try by that author, or reading a completely disappointing book by an author that you love?

Tough question — and I can’t say I’ve had experiences with both . . . but I’d have to say that reading a totally disappointing book by an author I love is worse. Since many folks read books in a loose series — myself included — waiting for the next installment of a great set is always so painful. Having to sit around, pass the time and amuse ourselves with other literary adventures until the next novel comes out only to find that you pretty much hate the new book is such a let-down! If you find a book you love and then hate everything else by that author, at least you haven’t invested too much time in getting attached to him or her . . . or the characters. And at least you have that one fantastic novel to fall back upon!

One reverse example? Emily Giffin’s Love The One You’re With, though I had the opposite experience with this one! I read Love The One… first, was pretty unimpressed but continued to hear good things about her novels — Something Borrowed, specifically. Never one to pass up a popular chick lit book, I finally grabbed the pink beauty . . . and loved it! So much better than Love The One… If I’d read Something Borrowed first, like millions of other folks, I would have been totally bummed out over the new book.

And I can’t let my Meg Cabot get by on this one, either . . . though I often fashion myself one of her biggest fans and have read and loved her Princess Diaries series from day one (and OMG OMG she mentioned me on her blog a few months ago!), I really didn’t like the Queen of Babble books. They just felt . . . thin. Maybe a little contrived. And those aren’t words that I ever want to associate with Meg! Still, she remains my favorite author . . . and though I was disappointed by them, it doesn’t change my undying loyalty to her! So while the disappointment stings and is probably worse than not enjoying anything other than one, lonely book by a writer, I’m still okay with pressing on and getting the next next book by an author I love! Until I just can’t take it anymore, I guess. But I haven’t reached that breaking point just yet!

Ah — the sugary smell of springtime! (Thanks, Death Cab For Cutie!) Who doesn’t love the warm temperatures, the pretty flowers opening up? We can forget about all the cold, dark days of winter . . . or, well, the closest to “dark days” we can get in Maryland. Because I can’t exactly claim to live in a harsh climate! A brisk day here is around 30 degrees. I know some folks who would scoff at that! But all scoffing aside, the changing of the seasons makes me feel revitalized — happy, ready to tackle a new era.

Until I actually, like, breathe. Or go outside. Because all I see is this:

My car, covered in 'gold dust'

POLLEN. It’s everywhere. When I woke up Saturday morning and ventured out into an odd 90-degree day, the pollen was thick on our cars I could have just run my hands through it. I didn’t, of course, because that’s just gross, but I could have! That’s how bad it is! I mean, it’s like someone ran through town with a sack of gold fairy dust and just had a field day!

So, sadly, after wishing away the rain for the past few weeks or so, we’re all now praying for it again. Because my throat hurts, and I’m too lazy to take my car to a car wash!

Here’s my not-so-secret confession of the day: By the tender age of 12, I was one of the biggest Hanson fans on the planet (the other being my younger sister, of course). We knew all the words by heart; screamed and cried when the blonde-haired brothers appeared on the screen; our bedrooms were adorned with every poster from Teen Beat and Tiger Beat we could get our little hands on. To date, Kate and I have seen the boys in concert more than a half dozen times — and grown up with them, too.

I won’t wax philosophical on you . . . suffice it to say that Hanson has been an absolute constant in my life since Kate and I first saw their “MMMBop” video on VH1 (yes, VH1) in June 1997. We were sitting with our parents in the living room, all of us eating pizza, and my dad said something like “those kids like they’re your age” (how right he was!). More than a decade later, I still lovingly play “Thinking Of You,” “Where’s the Love” and all the newest records over and over (I’m pretty partial to “The Walk”, their latest album, released in 2007). I know my parents and grandparents will recall all those summers I sat around with my Walkman, my grainy “Middle of Nowhere” cassette playing over and over. I had enough Hanson shirts to wear a different one every day for three full school weeks — and frequently did! My best friend Kelly and I would often coordinate them, going with the “green shirt” one day and the “black shirt” the next. We had our own Hanson code — no English necessary. I’ll dedicate a future post to all of our Hanson adventures . . . I have plenty of hilarious stories and blackmail photos to share!

So zipping along — 2009! Brothers and bandmates Isaac, Taylor and Zac are all married with kids of their own. (No word yet on just how musically inclined they are, but my money is on very!) Taylor has actually branched out and is lead singer of . . . another band: Tinted Windows. Their debut album was out last Tuesday and, without a second thought, I grabbed that puppy off iTunes. I had no idea what to expect — or even what their sound was like. But if Taylor was the voice of this crew, there was no way my loyalty would wane!

Because let me tell you — Hanson fans? Loyal. Fiercely, embarrassingly loyal. When Kate and I saw them in Falls Church, Va. last year (and then wound up lost in Southeast D.C. trying to get home afterward), I took more than a few elbows to the face as my fellow fans clambored over me to get just a wee bit closer to Isaac’s sweaty face or Taylor’s keyboard.

So I’m listening to Tinted Windows, my heart hammering at the sound of Taylor’s familiar voice filling up my car and iPod. Hanson is my band and I love them as a unit, but honestly — Tay (yeah, after 12 years? We’re on a nickname basis) is the voice I associate with the group. Wherever Taylor goes, I go.

And so I boldly dove into the tunes of Tinted Windows, a band that . . . is awesome! Their music is decidedly upbeat, quirky and fun — and perfect for the summer. I’m so tired of listening to the same stuff over and over again, and I can say for sure that this album will be the one I associate with the summer of 2009. (Uncoincidentally, I associate “The Walk” with summer 2007.) Their single “Kind Of A Girl” is a great song to crank up and sing in the sunshine . . . which is exactly what I did while driving to see my best friend on Saturday. The sun was out, the air hot and windy, sunglasses were on, windows were down . . . I’m young, alive and free. It’s the sort of fun, energetic music that reminds you to be in the moment – to stay here and now, remembering everything that’s good and awesome about the world.

Okay, I know. I promised I wasn’t going to wax philosophical! But when it comes to books and music, it’s hard for me not to get all . . . squishy on you.

So back to the songs. We have eleven of them — twelve, if you get the bonus track from iTunes. The thing that really surprised me was the lack of anything “slow” — another reason it’s a great warm-weather album. Nothing to bring you down here. My favorites are definitely “Messing With My Head,” “Dead Serious” and “Back With You” — the classic combination of awesome lyrics, great rhythm and energetic appeal.

I’m pretty much in love with it.

Rock on, gentlemen.

Check out the album on Amazon or visit the band’s official page.

After the early death of her adventurous (and eccentric) Aunt Peg, Ginny embarks on a trans-Atlantic romp that brings her from London to Greece, Rome, Copenhagen (and back again) by way of instructions in thirteen envelopes written by Peg to recreate her own travels through Europe. Worried that her beloved niece has been too quiet and shy for far too long, Peg develops the envelope adventure as a way to bring Ginny to a totally new place — and give her the ride of her life — after she is no longer there to guide her into adulthood.

I really enjoyed Maureen Johnson’s 13 Little Blue Envelopes, though I felt as though there was a disconnect between Ginny and everyone around her. Because the book was told in third person and we weren’t privy to Ginny’s private thoughts, the book seemed to amble along and keep us totally separate from our main character. She seemed numb — someone emotionally stunted. And after she meets boisterous and talented actor Keith in London, we only find out she’s somehow interested in him through a letter she writes to her best friend . . . a person we never actually meet. It was just a whole lot of telling and not enough showing for my taste. At the end of the novel, I still felt like I didn’t really knew Ginny at all.

But that being said, I can’t say I didn’t like this book . . . I really did. I loved the glimpses of European cities, especially the ones I’ve visited. Y’all know me well enough to be sure my little heart was palpitating at Ginny’s adventures in England and the friendship she strikes up with Richard, a man from Peg’s past.  Aunt Peg’s letters were really interesting, and I found myself reading compulsively to see where they would guide her next. The characters she met along the way were fun.

This was definitely an easy read — I finished it fast. Perfect for a car or plane ride. I would have liked a little more resolution at the end of the novel — what happened with the love interest? that was just it? and what’s going to happen to Ginny now? — but my fun reading about the international locations saved it for me.

3.75 out of 5!

ISBN: 159514191X ♥ Purchase from Amazon ♥ Author Website

Genetics, senses of humor and outstanding good looks aren’t enough for me to share with my mom and sister — we just have to all love cameos, too! I’ll admit that Kate and Mom share a love of them that’s perhaps a bit more intense than mine, but I can certainly appreciate the old-fashioned beauty while admiring the contemporary way in which many are updated these days!

You can find a cameo to represent pretty much anything or anyone . . . and choose from vintage pieces, contemporary ones or something a little bit in the middle! I love the fad of cameo rings now, and have to stop myself daily from clicking that pesky little “add to cart” button on Etsy. I’ve been a good girl, though! With London on the horizon — less than a month to go! — I’m trying to hold on to my cash in order to buy even more of the tackiest, whackiest and most “British” stuff I can find in the city. Cheers!

So indulge while I force myself into a cameo drought . . . for now.

Handpainted Victorian sisters/friends cameo necklace by daliadaliak, $17.99

Large London cameo ring by amylynnbuttchin, $8

Kitty cameo by Ritzyknits, $12

Carnation cameo necklace by JaneGarbini, $16

Iridescent vintage cameo ring by RelicsRenewed, $8

Skeletal seahorse cameo pendant by agonysdecay, $10

French rose cameo necklace by amyhatch, $23.50

Red owl and cameo necklace by daliadaliak, $18