Like Me by Chely Wright

I just started reading Chely Wright's Autobiography, Like Me.  My sister passed it on to me, after she had read through it, with a very high recommendation.  Having put off reading other suggestions from my sister, like Chaz Bono's Bio, I felt I should attempt this one.  So far it's been a very quick read but quite compelling as well.

Chely Wright was one of my favorite Country Music artist's back in the day.  I used to sing along to "Single White Female" and her rendition of  "Jezebel" to the top of my lungs while driving to and from classes or work.  When I took my sister to see her country music fav, Terri Clark, Chely Wright was one of the opening acts.  She put on a show with so much heart, I couldn't help but be impressed.  Granted we were at the local Army Base for their summer concert series for the troops, so all the artists were giving their very best.  In her book, Wright talks about how important it is for her to go and perform for the military personnel in combat locations as well as at those back at home.

Her discussion of the Country Music Industry is eye-opening and, so far, I feel like she adheres to the school of thought that if you can't say something nice about someone it's best to not say anything at all.  She talks about the bad behaviors of some music executives and artists at promotional parties but she never names names or goes into specific detail.  She does, however, talk very warmly about her friendship with Vince Gill and Amy Grant as well as other country music stars.  Chely talks about her relationship with Brad Paisley and her own regrets in regards to her behavior towards him.  The respect she still has for Paisley is very obvious and it is very reassuring to know that the persona most of these stars present to the public isn't that far off from who they really are.  I will just say right now that SheDaisy and Rascal Flatts gained a lot of respect from me after reading a few chapters in Chely Wright's book.

She also talks very openly about her journey to become a Country Music Star and her internal struggle with being a Lesbian in a very conservative atmosphere.  She talks about knowing she was different from a very young age and how that conflicted with the message she was getting at church and from the small town community in which she grew up.  There are times when I want to weep for the things this woman has had to endure.  The title of the book really covers a lot of ground.  Like me, for those that are like her and struggling with different identities in a complex world.  Like me, for those that have felt they weren't good enough and just needed someone to bolster their self-confidence.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who may be or ever has struggled with coming out.  I would also recommend this book to anyone dealing with their own issues about a relative coming out.  And last, but not least, any Chely Wright or Country Music fan who would like an insider view.

Mary Poppins by Dr. P.L. Travers

I recently picked up a copy of the original Mary Poppins by Dr. P.L Travers (Illustrations by Mary Shepard) at Book Thing in Baltimore, MD.  It's a favorite movie of my sister's, has been since she was little, and I figured I would check out the book that inspired it.  So far, the movie is pretty faithful to the original story.  However, in addition to Jane and Michael there are a set of twins that never made it into the film.  (They are babies in a pram for most of the book, so I understand why they were left out entirely.)  Also, as of yet, they do not mention the Mom being a Suffragette, though Mary Poppins plays on Mrs. Banks' desire to be modern and fashionable.  The chalk adventure is only with Mary Poppins and Bert, a.k.a. the Matchman, on her day off.  Bert usually takes Mary out for Tea on her days off, but on this particular day he had not made enough money to do so. 

It is, however, at his suggestion that he and Mary pop into the chalk picture and they do end the day by riding Carousel Horses across the country side.  Mary Poppins still slides up the banister when the children first meet her.  She still has a very large Carpet Bag that's bigger on the inside.  And she still spoons out different flavored medicine from the same bottle, though the babies get plain Milk out of it.  Some of the lines in the movie are directly out of the dialogue in the book as well.

So far, I am only a few chapters in, but the style is very simple.  Each chapter is like its own little short story and would make for excellent bedtime reading with a little one.

December Reading List 2010

The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter by Russell T. Davies & Benjamin Cook (11/14/10) - Started 11/15/10
Changeless by Gail Carriger (10/16/10) - Started 10/24/10
Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas (6/01/10) -Started
The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (05/01/10) - Started
The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl (07/01/10)
The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl (07/01/10)
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin (08/01/10) - Started 10/25/10
Lamb by Christopher Moore (11/01/10)
Harry Potter Series Re-Read (9/01/10)