Busy, stressful, and overwhelming pretty much sum up the past month for me. Between buying a house, moving/unpacking/decorating, setting up for the baby, preparing for the home birth (which could happen any day now that I’m 38 wks), dealing with a stomach virus that spread through our family like wildfire this week, and the normal day to day SAHM stuff, I haven’t had much time to myself. I knew, when I committed to reading Diary of a Mad fat Girl by Stephanie McAfee for the BlogHer book club, that this would be a stress reliever. I was right.
This book was about the Graciela “Ace” a high school teacher in a small town, who doesn’t particularly like her job or her town, but feels anchored there (do to some pretty tragic childhood events). She’s a big mouth and a fierce protector of her friends who finds herself in and out of situations most people would avoid altogether. It’s a book full of whit and adventure and I loved it.
I honestly found myself going back and forth between loving Ace and wanting to yell at her. I’m somewhat like her in my tendency to expect too much from people (ie not trust that sometimes there’s a good reason for a secret) and her need to get involved in sticky situations out of love and loyalty for the people she cares about. At the same time, however, her dry and downright violent view of others put me a little on edge (ie constant comments about wanting to strangle, punch, kill, etc. along with occasional physical follow through). I’m just too much of a wimp I guess. I get just as mad as anyone else when someone cuts me off or is mean for no reason. But, when I think angry thoughts, I think about the things I’d like to say to someone or how I could get someone in trouble. My way isn’t necessarily better and her way was definitely much more entertaining.
So basically, if you’re looking for a quick and very entertaining read, this is the one for you! I’d call this one a beach read. Aaah, to be on the beach right now… 🙂
