Coop A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting by Michael Perry

Summary:
Michael Perry ventures off to live with his pregnant wife and step-daughter on  a many-acred property in a lopsided farmhouse. As a reader you are able to follow Perry on this adventure while also reliving his unique but charming childhood of growing up on a dairy farm with more then 10 siblings. Even though Perry may seem to have a hard childhood as the son of a dairy farmer he wouldn't have it any other way, and his recollections are magnificently dreamy and desirable.  He elaborates on many other topics including his wife's home birth and his daughter's desire for a pony. Perry does finally achieve his goal of a somewhat subsistence life when he wakes one morning and everything that is on his plate for breakfast is from his backyard (minus the Salt, Pepper, and oil).

My Opinion:
Well I was intrigued by this book only because of my "dream" (yes it is referred to as the dream) of owning my own little farm somewhere, with animals (yet to be determined) and lots of homegrown vegetables and fruits. I obviously don't know how this will work hence the reading of "Coop". This book is by no means a "how to" but more of a funny narrative on how to do it with lots of laughs, curses, and lessons. My biggest problem with my "dream" is my sensitivity towards animals in otherwords to butcher or not to butcher? Perry has helped me with this overwhelming question by explaining on the morning of his pigs slaughter day he has a gut filling of guiltiness, but he goes through with the butchering thinking about all the times the pigs bucked him in the groin or escaped from their pen. As much as this sounds inhumane Perry explains it such a persuading way that it makes sense to me. I can almost understand and conceptualize actually having animals on my little farm for the purpose of nourishing myself with protein. Not only is Perry great at explaining farm-going life to the average urbanite he expresses stories that will make you heart grow fuzzies for a life of subsistence and family.

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Summary:

An asteroid hitting the moon shouldn't cause worldwide panic, mayhem, and the end of the world, Right? Well in Miranda's world it does, the moon is a little too close for comfort in small town Pennsylvania. In a sudden moment Miranda is whisked out of school by her mother and assigned to the grocery store to buy several cart loads of food, gasoline, and winter long johns! Miranda finds herself wondering if her mother has gone mad just like everyone else, I mean why long johns in the middle of spring? Months later Miranda can't thank her Mom enough for all the crazy planning, because as the moon gets closer to earth, more volcanoes and earthquakes appear and less sunlight and warmth. Can her brothers and Mom survive and if they can what are they surviving for? What does the future hold for Miranda's family? It is filled with rations of canned peas? Then what kind of life are they living, or are they holding on for each other?

My Opinion:

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer is more of an adorable type of dystopia or at least that is how the main character Miranda is represented. She is a growing character, much more aware towards the end of the book, but still holds on to her infinite desire of normalcy with her new life in a world that could be ending. I don't think Miranda as a character should really be whining about boys, privacy, and doing chores when life as she knows it is ending. Yes, I can admit that Miranda does realize all of her faults, but it is a constant battle between being a bigger person and complaining. This was tiring throughout the book especially when neighbors, family, and friends are dying all around her from starvation, dehydration, and diseases. Who knows how any of us would act in the same situation, but I would hope more of us would be a little more forgiving and thankful about actually having food, water, and heat. I was more interested in Miranda's older brother Matt who seemed to have some character! I was also intrigued by Miranda's family dynamic, Pfeffer really does produce a great family story that many readers including will enjoy. I am anxious to read the next few installments of this series to see how these dynamics play out. Overall I did enjoy Life as We Knew It especially examining a family that is facing and dealing with their world catastrophically coming to an end.

Series (Companion Novels are included)

Life as We Knew It

The Dead and the Gone

This World We Live In

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Summary

Alexia Tarabotti is soulless, which sounds pretty terrible but actually is really not half bad. She is immune to supernatural’s special abilities, for instance when she comes into contact with a vampire their fangs detract and werewolves gain sanity and human form during the full moon. But she finds her days dull so she spends them in her late father’s library reading books on science and technology. Oh yeah and eating trifle. Her life gets a bit more exciting when Alexia has been targeted by a mysterious group of scientists. Will she participate voluntarily or will she fight along side her handsome companion and werewolf Lord Maccon?

My Opinion
Now there are a lot of debates out there as to if Soulless can be put under the Steampunk genre, I have to admit I think it deserves to be included. Yes, much of the book is a witty romantic story but you are eventually introduced to a science that is highly industrial and advanced for this time period. Also you have Alexia the main character who embodies the counterculture of the time; she is an Italian, unmarried, 25 year old women who is highly interested in science and educating herself. Most importantly she doesn’t rely on the men folk to protect or accompany her in daily tasks; she defends herself with a silver pointed parasol. Alexia is obviously not the stereotypical average women of her time. I love books that combine Victorian/historical well mannered societies with kick-ass fantasy like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame Smith. Soulless fits this hilarious mold perfectly and I fell in love with Alexia, I think in some ways I would be just like her if I had to live in 19th century England, polite well mannered with a slight hint of audacity.

Parasol Protectorate Series

Soulless

Changeless

Blameless

I checked out Soulless from Lafayette Public Library