The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

This is the story of Hadley Richardson, the first wife, The Paris Wife, of Ernest Hemingway.  Hoping to find adventure and inspiration, the young newlyweds set out for Paris.  Hemingway is there to write.  Hadley is there to love and support him. I found Hemingway's daily writing regimen fascinating.  His relationships with mentor's Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott Fitzgerald were quite intriguing.

Paris in the 1920's was truly a unique time for writers and artists.  But it wasn't an easy time for Hadley and she struggled to find her purpose beyond supporting Ernest. She seemed stronger to me as they traveled  through Europe, especially during their time in Spain where they experienced the running of the bulls and bullfighting.

Unfortunately their relationship begins to unravel.  The heartbreak,  humiliation, disappointment,  and betrayal left me unnerved.  In the end, thankfully, there is peace for both Hadley and the reader from an unexpected phone call.  And I cried.

As I read The Paris Wife I couldn't help but think of Anne Morrow Lindbergh and how similar their situations were.  And I'm glad to know both their stories.  I'm also very interested to read A Moveable Feast, Hemingway's memoir of his time in Paris with Hadley as well as The Sun Also Rises, which he wrote while they were married.

Happy 4th of July!

Love your Freedom

Seventy years after landing on Omaha Beach,  a soldier who survived to become a husband and father returned to visit with his family.  He spoke with Tom Brokaw about what he wants his family and future generations to understand.  "Love your freedom. " He said.  " Because that's what we fought for. "

I'm going to unearth my copy of "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw.  

I'm so inspired by this generation.   They truly understand the meaning of sacrifice.  I can show my appreciation by reading their stories.

And loving my freedom.

Betty Books on Instagram

I hope to return to blogging soon,  but for now this is a quick way for me to share the book love!   Follow along!  And happy reading!!

Nano Nano

 

So excited to participate this year.  I can't believe it's been two years since I did this for the first time.  I went back and read it and daang it is baaad.  I feel like I need to redeem myself a bit.

Since I'm obsessed with the show Once Upon a Time, I thought it would be fun to delve into a fairy tale world. 

What if I did a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty???  The Disney movie shows her as an infant and then skips to when she's 16.  What kind of childhood did she have?  What was it like living in the woods with three women?  Did she teach herself how to hunt with a bow and arrow? Did she garden? AND what if she met Prince Phillip when she was younger and they were secret friends for years?  I have so many questions.  There's a lot to explore here.  So here it goes...A re-telling of Sleeping Beauty meets The Queen of Attolia meets Katniss?

Off to write!!

Hunger Games Trailer

Um....wow.

Check out the trailer!!!

4th "Edition" Coming Next Spring!!

So in case you haven’t spoken to my mother recently (love you mom!) or you thought the sudden and horrifying weight gain was due to extra trips to Krispy Kreme, then I’m here to inform y’all that we are expecting baby number four!!


Here’s the scoop in list form. I’m too tired to write paragraphs.
• I’m 11 weeks.
• Yes, I’ve been throwing up. It’s as fun as I remember it.
• I found out I was pregnant the day before my 34th birthday. I told my family on my birthday. It was kinda cool.
• I’m due March 21st (my mom’s birthday)
• My house is in ruins and I often feed my children chicken noodle soup from a can.
• Yes, this was planned.
• I know, I know. I told you all we were done. Sucka!!!!
• I think I’m having a girl.
• I’ve discovered that orange & spice herbal tea helps with the nausea.
• One night I wanted guacamole so desperately I cried when I didn’t have the ingredients to make it. Casey was in Mexico.
• Hannah found my pregnancy test. She kept asking me about it, but I played dumb. She wasn’t fooled. Who taught her how to read anyway?
• If it’s a girl, Sydney wants to name her Flower Power.
• When we told Jack there was a baby in mommy’s tummy, he said, “What the heck?”
• At my first appt. my doctor asked me for some parenting advice. She’s awesome.
• I don’t like the taste of diet coke right now. Tragic.
• Every night Hannah pats my belly and says, “Good night, peanut.”