She's Come Undone

My friend and I had a great conversation recently about books.  Together we turned our noses up at Fifty Shades of Grey and went on to discuss what we were reading and what our favourite books are.  I mentioned I was reading John Irving's latest novel, In One Person.  She said, "I love John Irving!!!"  I said, "Me too!", and told her which ones I've read (A Widow for One Year, The Cider House Rules, and The World According to Garp).  She shared her Irving reads, and then said, "But as much as I love John Irving, he's competing against one other favourite author ...[dramatic pause]... Wally Lamb."

The friend that I was chatting with is one of my best friends, but I still reeled at her other favourite author.  Could she be serious?!  How was it that we shared the same two favourite authors?!?!  I love Wally Lamb, but even more than that, I LOVE his book She's Come Undone.  This conversation excited me so much that I soon put aside In One Person and began to re-read (my fourth time) She's Come Undone.  I'm reading it right now and it's as good if not better than the other three times I've read it.

Unlike other books I've read recently - the Hunger Games trilogy, or even Tuesdays with Morrie which I love, but still... - She's Come Undone is like nourishment.  The writing is so strong and powerful it's like actual food... like oatmeal, the kind of food that sticks to your ribs, prepares you for the day, warms you up, and stays with you for more than just a few minutes of satisfaction.  The story is deeply upsetting, sometimes depressing, but it's always done in a way that fills you up rather than leaving you simply empty and depressed.  I love this book, and it hasn't lost its effect on me.

This is good timing for a rc-4 update:

1. What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
2. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
3. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
4. Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
7. If You Have to Cry, Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone
8. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
9. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Currently reading... She's Come Undone (duh!), In One Person
On deck... A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Two endorsements

I am ALL. MOVED. IN.  Yes, ma'am.  My girlfriend and I are moved into our new apartment in the Young & Eligible area.  There is still lots of settling in, tidying, etc. to do, but it already feels like home.  I can't wait to post more about how it feels to finally be here, but I'm not ready yet.  So instead, I'd like to endorse two services.  I know, this blog is not usually about that, but when I get such incredible service as I have on two fronts in the past week, I need to advertise.  Here goes.....

Canadian Automobile Association a.k.a. CAA.
When I first got my car (Hubble) last summer, my parents recommended I get a CAA membership.  Like the obedient daughter I am, I did so, and didn't think about it much after that.  When the time came to renew, despite not having once used CAA's services, I renewed.  I'm glad I did.  The other day my GF noticed that my tire was flat.  It's been a crazy week of moving so I didn't really have time to take care of it that day.  Another day passed and I wasn't able to take care of it then either, but I started to have a hard time turning my wheels and my car was making weird noises.  On the morning of our big apartment painting day, I was planning on picking up the GF at 9am.  Around 8am I mentioned casually to my mom that my tire was flat and asked her if she thought I'd be able to pump it that day, since it was Labour Day.  She then asked, "Don't you have a CAA membership?"  She went on to tell me that if I called CAA they would come over and deal with the tire, whether that meant pumping it full of air or replacing it with my spare tire (which I didn't even know I had).  I called them around 8:20 and the gentleman on the phone couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful.  Less than 30 minutes after that, a service vehicle came, the mechanic removed the tire, got the spare, and put it on.  I was on the road before 9:00 just as I'd planned, with the peace of mind that my problem had been taken care of.  Anyway, moral of the story?  CAA is amazing and gives great service, and I'm glad I renewed.

A & D Moving, Toronto.
A & D Moving was recommended to me by my aunt for my move from Port Hope to Toronto (storage unit while I lived at my parents' place for two months).  She's been using them for 15+ years and has always loved their service and said their prices are "as reasonable as they get".  With that recommendation, I booked them right away.  The move from Port Hope to the storage unit was almost seamless, but it was such a crazy day that it didn't sink it quite how good their service was.  It was on my move-in day to the new apartment the other day that really sealed the deal with A & D.  Their minimum is 2 hours and they did the full move in less than 2 hours.  They started before the originally scheduled start time and moved everything so quickly and carefully.  When they arrived with the stuff at the apartment, one of the movers asked me if the paint was fresh, and when I said yes they were extra careful not to hit the walls.  They were friendly but not overly talkative, professional and efficient, and they even put my bed together!  Now that is service.  I highly recommend.