The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

So did Penelope really want to be an example of a virtuous woman, held over the heads of lesser mortals while their husbands philandered and used the “I was ensorcelled, I didn’t mean too,” excuse? Did she ever envy her cousin Helen who turned so many heads, including her husbands? Did she have friends among the household either before or after it was invaded by suitors?
I didn’t even remember the 12 maids hanged by Telemachus after he forced them to clean up the gore of their dead lovers. Atwood spins an interesting twist on it, which ended up bringing to mind Captain Kirk as an archetype of Odysseus.
I will admit that I did have to brush up on some of my mythology. I had forgotten the tale of Clytemnestra, Helen’s sister. And I do want to find her source on the relationship between Odysseus and Hermes.
Make sure to read “The Chorus Line: And Anthropology Lecture.” It brings the entire book into focus. It’s much more entertaining than “Helen takes a bath.” This is a quick read with a lot to think about. And brings home the conflict of many women - - Is it better to be thought of as good, or would she rather be adored?”

The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer

I grew up on Dr. Wayne Dyer’s How to be a No Limit Person and Gifts from Eykis. But as I listened and read growing up I often wondered, where is compassion and courtesy for other people in this concept? It’s good to see that Dr. Dyer has found those two things. It’s wonderful for him to catch up and find that being in tune with one’s divine nature allows us to do more. Go with God has even more meaning when one realizes that with God you can have any righteous thing that you desire. It’s pretty easy to tune into the intention of the Universe when you open your heart to God and look for the work that He has for you. Working for the power of the universe has great reward, not all of them spiritual. After all, God has said that all things (including the temporal) are spiritual and men are that they might have joy. Just remember that pleasure and joy are not necessarily the same thing. Pleasure on occasion can prohibit reaching joy. I may go check out more of what Dr. Dyer has done lately.

Crossroads – edited by Mercedes Lackey

This made me realize that I probably should re-read the Valdemar series since I’ve forgotten much of the geography and a few of the characters (especially the Gryphons). No one can forget Tarma and Kethry and there’s a pretty tame but good story of theirs in here. I think Larry’s Gryphon story was the best of the collection. I passed the book on to my daughter when I finished it. I may go borrow her Gryphon trilogy once I get through my new Christmas books.

The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

Consider the squabbles and traditions that we have every season, what will you miss when the people you share them with are gone? Would you try to help other people start new traditions or at least revive some of the fun ones that you remember? Sylvia remembers the Christmas Quilt that her aunt started, and the appliquéd wreath blocks her mother made, the six misshapen star blocks her sister did, and the log cabin squares that she was adding to it. The tradition was to take out the quilt on Thanksgiving and work on it through New Years. Sylvia’s convinced that there aren’t enough blocks to complete the quilt, after all, only her untalented sister was there at Elm Creek to work on it. This book talks about history and tradition and what happens when we lose touch with those we love. This book recaps the history already shared in the other Elm Creek books. However, there is some new information shared. It makes me even more curious to learn what really happened to Claudia while Sylvia was gone. She must have been a lonely person. I did make another square for my Christmas quilt after reading it.

A Couple by Carol Lynn Pearson

Girlfriend, You Are the Best!: A Fable for Our Times

Girlfriends, Angels, what's the difference? Enough Said.
(Needless to say, I ran to 5 different stores to get enough for Christmas presents for my Broad Squad!)

Will You Still Be My Daughter?: A Fable for Our Times

Please tell me most mothers are not this neurotic? There is no way I could give this to my daughter, she's smart enough to know that her daughter will not be just like her and I was smart enough never to try to make her just like me.

Callahan's Con by Spider Robinson

I love Spider Robinson, I love his puns, and I love his quirky views on things. I hit his webpage today and although they don’t have a way to contact him directly, I plan on sending him a fan letter. I usually love the Callahan books but I kept getting lost in this one, mainly due to some continuity problems that the editor should have caught. I’m of the opinion that the scenes with Ludnyola Czrjghnczl were added later since most of the continuity problems involve her. I’ve ended up marking my book where I got lost and going back to research to see if my memory was off. My memory was on, the editor was off.
I'm sorry to see the loss of one of my favorite regulars at Callahan's and I wonder who in the author's life had a brain tumor which affected him enough to add it to the story and add a plea at the end for donations. Beyond that though, this is the crowd that I've grown to love over the decades and harbored a wish that I could belong.
Let’s face it though; as much as I love Spider Robinson’s Callahan series, I wouldn’t fit in at The Place since I’m one of those creatures liberals consider mythical – an open-minded religious conservative. I have no problem with a live and let live attitude as long as I’m allowed to live life the way I want to also. If that means I leave the building when you start rolling your own smokes with a plant that has been genetically enhanced to alter brain cells, I shouldn’t be condemned. Frankly, I’ll even go so far to turn my back if you want to slip extra ingredients in the chocolate brownies I’m baking. I’m fine with it as long as you warn me that I really shouldn’t taste them. Luckily, I have friends who know, understand, and love me anyway. I’m just glad I have an o’pun forum to discuss it.

Hot Stuff by Carly Phillips

The second in the Hot Zone Romance series. This time it’s tomboy Micki who wants to catch the eye of a baseball star who doesn’t even look at her, after all, she’s just one of the guys and he’s know for dating big busted blondes. It doesn’t take much for one of Micki’s other friends to give her some pointers and the sparks fly from there. Plus we still have the sub-plot of Yank and Lola going. I need to go looking for Sophie’s story now if it’s out.

Delectable Mountains by Earlene Fowler

Ford Hudson is back and still his randy self. It’s going to be interesting to see how this ending effects Gabe and Benni’s marriage. The mystery in this one seemed to take a subset to the emotional attachments and to the religious message inherent in putting on a children’s play at church. I didn’t like this one as much as the others. I’m getting really tired of quilters always having to be old women.