do I have to wear an apron for this?
Book 9: The Future Homemakers of America
This is a book about friendship, about women and the lives they lead, the mistakes they make, the challenges they overcome. A product of the 80s and brought up in an environment where women are empowered to become anything and everything they wish to become, I often feel angered by stories of women who are oppressed by society. This book did not make me angry, however; it made me further understand the struggles and triumphs of women living in 20th century America.
I very much enjoyed seeing the world through Peggy's eyes, the eyes of a woman who became independent and successful after coming home to a changed post WWII world. Her life was not without its challenges and disappointments, but she survived and she helped others to succeed along the way. I found myself being able to identify with a part of every female character in this novel. I could see myself growing up and seeing my friends develop into one of these women: a driven Lois hiding a dark secret, a dedicated Betty holding her family together, a strong-willed Kath making her own way in the world.
More than once I put this book aside and sat thinking-thinking about my friends and where the future might take us, whether we are strong enough to maintain a lifelong friendship. Will I be the one weaving the web of friendship twenty years from now, planning reunions and writing letters and making long-distance phone calls? Only time will tell.
** Recommended for women
Book List:
1. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini (370)
2. Veronika Decides to Die - Paulo Coelho (210)
3. My Darling Dead Ones - Erika de Vasconcelos (195)
4. The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank (274)
5. Never Satisfied: How & Why Mean Cheat - Michael Baisden (254)
6. Atonement - Ian McEwan (351)
7. Jemima J - Jane Green (373)
8. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut (287)
9. The Future Homemakers of America - Laurie Graham (378)
Also posted here: http://community.livejournal.com/50bookchallenge/9380160.html