Are You Inuit Or NOT?

Calling all book nerds, calling all book nerds! Hark! I've read a new whopper, and am pulled into another world yet again. (Ok, I really am an old-timer... who says hark?) The first book from the Storyteller Series is called "Song of the River". The story is of ancient Inuit villages on Alaska's islands; how they love, hate and war. Harrison illustrates a vibrant picture of the intricately woven relationships between family and those from other villages. Just as it is today, they suffer from child abuse, matricide, cheating husbands (and wives), adoption and revenge. Why is it that the wicked stuff is more fun to read than the sweet? But, that isn't all the story tells. The stories characters show love, respect and compassion for family members, strangers and ancesters and their old ways. The vast tundra is the setting, back in 6480 B.C. along the Bering Sea- the Fox Islands are home to one of the world's earliest people, and Sue Harrison combines fiction with history like an artist. I have managed to learn about the Inuit while reading about the main villian, K'os' , latest scandal. I have become attached to these books and find myself not minding the long bus ride(s) home each evening, for it gives me more time with my newest friends. Am I the only one who feels like I'm encountering actual people when becoming engulfed with a new book? Since I have already read the second book in this series (I read the last series out of order too, hey, I need some kind of non-order in my life), I will have only one more book by Harrison. The day I finish "Call Down The Stars" will be a sad one indeed. For now, when I cannot read, I find interesting sites on the 'net that teach about the ancient Alaskans and other Native Americans and their mystical ways. I find comfort in such a peaceful people. When I hear stories about angry Natives (I am also reading books on early U.S. history and the first people to travel to the West in covered wagons), I cringe to see them so misunderstood. After all, they were collectively shoved aside since the white man set foot on this part of the world. I think I would be angry too... am I getting off the subject? So, read this book and if you like good mythology, click this link: http://www.thearcticsounder.com/news/show/4882 and enjoy.

Beautiful Boy

I read this beautiful and moving account of a father's love for his addicted son, Nic, in just under three days. Don't you love it when a book can grab you and take you hostage for it's duration and haunt your every other thought? Well, I do-- and this book does that. David Sheff manages to tell his awful story with a sensitivity and honesty that takes you there. He begins at the start of his son's life and goes through all the ups and downs that we've all been through, and tells how his son became horribly addicted to methamphetamine and other drugs when that wasn't available to him. He tells how his son quickly loses his way in life, along with his dignity, morals and respect for himself, his families and others. Most importantly, because we have all read tons of stories from a junkie's perspective, he tells how excruciatingly hurtful it can be to fear for a person all day, every day. When his son is using, his family (wife and two kids) are all taken hostage by their love for Nic- all members jumping every time a phone rings. David's depression takes a toll on his whole family and scares everyone out of their wits. I think it's so important to see the viewpoint of someone who is hurt by addiction and just how much one person's abuse, to themselves, can completely change another's life. After I finished this book, I immediately got on the 'net and did some research and found that his son wrote his account shortly after "Beautiful Boy" was published- it's called "Tweaked" and I'm looking for it on ebay!! Also, Nic has a blog in which he is continuing his recovery and telling us about his journey. Here's the link: http://nicsheff.blogspot.com I recommend reading this book, reading "Tweaked" and visiting Nic's blog... these Sheff's have a lot of things to say, and from a recovery point of view, it can be a useful tool.