Posts Tagged ‘relationships’
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The Never-Ending Tube of Toothpaste
1If you’ve ever been in a long term relationship, you would be aware that after a while you start to develop a few quirky habits as a couple. My husband and I have been married for more than 17 years, so we have our share of odd routines.
One of our more entertaining habits is a passive-aggressive battle over who will throw out the tube of toothpaste. Did you know that when a tube of toothpaste reaches the point where you probably throw it away, it still has at least 3 weeks of mind-games left before it is truly empty?
I offer you exhibit A. From this angle, it looks like a tube of toothpaste towards the end of its productive life cycle.
Exhibit A
In reality, this tube of toothpaste passed that point about two and a half weeks ago. From this angle, you can see how the tube is now rearranged into an origami-like series of folds designed to eek the final drops of toothpaste from the tube.
Exhibit B
We are now approaching the final days of our battle of wills. By the end of the week, I will give in and replace the tube, as I always do. My husband would no doubt say this is because he is far more determined and strong of will and character than I am. I’m inclined to think that I’m just more likely to get distressed by the fact that our toothpaste has taken on homeopathic status with merely the ‘memory of toothpaste’ to help us fight off cavities and plaque. Or perhaps my husband doesn’t even notice that the tube needs to be replaced and I do.
Do you have any passive-aggressive struggles in your household? Come and share. It’s cheaper than therapy. 
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Book Review: Family Forest by Kim Kane
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Summary (back cover)
Families come in all shapes and sizes. Half-sisters, big brothers, step-parents…
While some kids have a family tree, others have a family forest!
Comments
Family Forest approaches complex modern family structures in a very light-hearted entertaining way. As the boy narrating the story explains how his family works, children reading the story learn about step-parents and half-siblings and have a few giggles along the way.
This book isn’t just for children from blended families. My own immediate family is quite simple, but my children’s extended family and friendships include far more convoluted relationships and Family Forest is a wonderful way to help them understand the way other families can be both different and similar to their own.
Family Forest is a lovely, entertaining way to show children that loving families do come in all shapes and sizes.
Review copy details
Title: Family Forest
Author: Kim Kane
Illustrator: Lucia Masciullo
Publishers: Hardie Grant Egmont, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-92156-470-3
Genre: Picture book – family
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Book Review: After the Fall by Kylie Ladd
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Two married couples: Kate and Cary, Cressida and Luke. Four people who meet, click, and become firm friends. But then Kate and Luke discover a growing attraction, which becomes an obsession. They fall in love, then fall into an affair. It blows their worlds apart. After the fall, nothing will ever be the same again.
A gripping insight into the anatomy of an affair in the tradition of Anita Shreve, Josephine Hart and Anne Tyler. (summary – back cover)
Comments
I love a story with realistic characters with depth and complex personalities and I think that’s what appealed to me most with this novel. Each of the characters has flaws and strengths that are clearly shown as the story develops.
I enjoyed that with the multi-perspective narration I was able to see into what each character was thinking and what influenced their decisions, especially when some of those decisions seemed so misguided or ill-conceived. Insight into how each character was influenced by their past and their personality kept me turning pages as I waited for them to have moments of revelation or for other characters to realise what was happening around them.
There are no easy answers or solutions when relationships go wrong and betrayal occurs and I appreciated that the novel didn’t finish with everyone’s story tied up in a neat bow. Life is messy and the conclusion of the novel worked for me particularly because it was so true to life.
I bought a my copy of After the Fall after ‘meeting’ the author on Twitter, perhaps demonstrating my own rather pathetic need to establish a connection with celebrity, no matter how tenuous (my connection, that is, not Kylie Ladd’s celebrity status). I’m so glad that I did, as I really enjoyed reading this book and have recommended it to others. I’m excited to hear that Kylie has a second novel due for release in early 2011 and as soon as she announces the title, I’ll be adding it to my TBR list.
If you haven’t read After the Fall yet, you really should pick up a copy. Go on. Off you go. I’ll wait here ‘til you get back.
Title: After the Fall
Author: Kylie Ladd
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, 2009
Genre: Contemporary women’s fiction
Related Links
Review of After the Fall at Suite101.
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Book Review – Why She Loves Him by Wendy James
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Title: Why She Loves Him
Author: Wendy James
Publisher: UWA Publishing, 2009 (240 pages)
ISBN: 9781921401190
Genre: Short stories, Women’s fiction
Synopsis (from publisher website)
These are tales of fugitive lives: dazzling portraits of women and men on the run; from their present, their past, their future – from themselves…
Here, finally, is the complete collection of short fiction from award-winning author Wendy James. Holding a discerning mirror to seemingly ordinary lives, James captures recurring themes of love, betrayal, passion and guilt to show just how vulnerable and intricate the human heart really is.
Whether narrating from the living room of a contemporary marriage, from the wheel of a desperate getaway car, or while composing an elaborate diversion in 18th century Salzburg, James has the rare ability to wryly comment on humankind with unnerving clarity and precision.
James has a strong reputation in sales as well as critical acclaim and awards, and has occupied a somewhat more mainstream position than the standard literary writer in Australia.
Comments
I found this amazing collection of short stories by Australian author Wendy James quite challenging. The characterisation and writing is very well crafted and I enjoyed the quality of the writing, but the 21 scenarios highlighting the many ways that individuals use and abuse the tender emotions of those around them left me feeling vaguely distressed.
I guess it is a testament to James’ skill that she was able to create characters that I identified with so quickly. I was often left wanting more at the end of the stories and I wanted the characters to find happiness, although this very rarely happened.
I read and enjoyed James’ second novel, The Steele Diaries, last year. On reflection I probably shouldn’t be surprised that she has opted to portray the complexity of human relationships in her short stories, as The Steele Diaries captured the contradictory emotional demands that many women face in their role as mothers with a similar confronting honesty.
Despite the short story format, Why She Loves Him is not a light-hearted or relaxing read but rather a very interesting exploration of the emotions that linger behind everyday relationships and situations.
This is review is part of my contribution to the Literary Road Trip hosted by GalleySmith. I am highlighting authors from New South Wales, Australia.
Related links:
Suite101 review of Why She Loves Him
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Book Review – The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
1Title: The Love Dare
Authors: Stephen Kendrick, Alex Kendrick
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group (213 pages)
ISBN: 978-0-8054-4885-6
Topic: Christian – Marriage Relationships
Featured in the movie Fireproof starring Kirk Cameron, The Love Dare is a 40-day marriage challenge aiming to bring a greater level of communication and connection to marriage relationships.
The Love Dare challenge can be undertaken as an individual or couple. It is a Christian-based program containing numerous biblical references.
Over 40 days, couples are encouraged to complete one Love Dare task per day. This involves reading a three-page explanation, undertaking a “dare” and journaling the response to the dare. There are questions provided as a starting point for the journaling.
Dares range from reasonably straightforward tasks, such as speaking only positive words to your partner on the day of the challenge, to more complex tasks that involve dealing with ongoing issues that are causing conflict in the relationship.
In addition to the numerous tasks aimed at helping an individual focus on the needs of their partner, there are several dares that encourage the reader to focus on their own spiritual journey.
I found reading through this book very challenging, even before trying to undertake any of the specific dares. The explanations offer a lot of food for thought regarding the importance of open communication, kindness, honesty and trust within a marriage relationship and how these qualities are demonstrated, and undermined, with our everyday actions and attitudes.
The Love Dare is ideal for use within a church as a way of building and encouraging healthier relationships. If this was 
considered, however, I think it would be important to ensure that there were counselling and support services available for couples who might find that some of the dares uncover issues that need to be dealt with at a deeper level.
I haven’t seen Fireproof, so I can’t comment on how the book ties in with the messages it conveys, however The Love Dare is suitable as a stand-alone relationship guide without any knowledge of the movie.
The Love Dare promises to take husbands and wives on a journey to “understand and practice unconditional love”. It is certainly not a journey to be undertaken lightly, but this book does offer some thoughtful advice that could help healthy relationships to grow stronger and faltering relationships to pinpoint weak areas that need improvement.
