Hibernation

Its seems I've been on a somewhat unintended, yet rather necessary, little hiatus.

It all started with a book: "American Wife" - and once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. And while I was reading that, I should have been reading this: "When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present." So this week, I've been curled up on the couch, a mug of hot tea by my side, and a copy of "When Everything Changed" in my hands. I've been hibernating and its delightful!

Delightful and productive ... I finished "When Everything Changed" yesterday afternoon, just in time for my book club's discussion of it tonight. Phew! I've been part of a book club for the past 12 years and I love it. Prior to joining the club, I probably wouldn't have picked up a book like this, as I vastly prefer fiction to non-fiction. But that's the great thing about a reading group, it stretches one's boundaries.

Written by Gail Collins, and published just last Fall, "When Everything Changed" is a remarkably informative history of American women's lives over the past 50 years. Chronicling everything from politics to fashion, the sexual revolution to changes in family dynamics, this book offers a broad yet intimate perspective on the struggle of women to gain parity in all facets of society. Collins uses a deft mix of historical record and personal stories to tell the tale; weaving together the accounts of "average" American women with those of the famous (i.e. Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan - and even Sarah Palin, among others) to create a history that's as compelling as it is informative.

While I greatly enjoyed this book, I must say that I preferred Collins' first book in the series - "America's Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines" ... and I think its because of my age. I've lived through most of what was written in "When Everything Changed" and, save for the parts related to the early 1960's - I remember it all. "America's Women" begins with the history of our country ... and I'm not that old, so, consequently, it was more illuminating for me. It will be interesting to see how the rest of my group feels.

That said, I do recommend it. In fact, I recommend all three of the books I've mentioned. February is such a dreary month - though there's something almost inviting about that dreariness. The bitter temps and snowy skies seem to issue an invitation to simply curl up and read; to ignore the necessary and escape to other climes, other countries, other times. I've already succumbed to the siren's song of my next book: "Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris" ... and I probably don't need to tell you where I'll be spending the rest of this day ... mentally in Paris, physically on my couch.

I know I've got a foodblog to run here and I promise I'll get back to it. The husband will need to eat again at some point, after all.

For now, what are you reading? Curious and cozy Diva wants to know!

Happy Reading!