Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

YEAH! Got another Keeper.
I picked out an ancient copy of this book at the library. I had heard the title before, most recently in association with a movie starring Steve Martin, but the original book interested me a lot more. The book was written by two of the title "Dozen" in 1948 about their family and growing up in the turn of the century in such a mischievous and brilliant mob. Much of the story focuses on the Patriarch of the family, Frank Gilbreth, a self- made man who really pioneered motion study for efficiency. He is quite a character too! This book is fun, and silly ,and wonderful. The stories are cute and worth repeating aloud. I told a bunch of the tales yesterday in the car on our adventure to Dayton, and all my kids are now interested in reading this book. I think, even my 10 year old (10 today!) who has a bit of trouble getting interested in a book will enjoy this one. I plan to start reading it aloud with him, he will appreciate the humor. And, I am stuck on a mystery I discovered while reading the book. Will go on the Internet today to see what I can find out about the mysterious 12th child.....

Good one.

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

Everyone remembers the movie Titanic, right? There was this huge frenzy, "best movie ever", "must see" yadayadayada. Well, I didn't really want to see it. I knew the story of the Titanic, and it didn't end well. Just thinking about the panic of all those people about to become Popsicles, trying to save their children and loved ones- not my cup of tea. Yet... Huz and I found ourselves and our three year old at my parents house in 1998. A grand opportunity for a child-free date night. What to do? We somewhat reluctantly bowed to media pressure and bought tickets to the 7 hour torturefest that was Titanic. Somehow, we just couldn't leave, but I couldn't really watch either.
Well, Freedom by Jonathan Franzen was my Titanic in book form. "The best book of 2010" number one on NY Times bestseller lists, hitting a Kindle in the subway near you. And, I read it. Some days, being annoyed with myself for continuing to read. I never really liked any of the characters, and the fact that they didn't like themselves much either was no solution. I decided that the characters were not particularly unusual, or deranged or anything, but that the author sees them all in as unhealthy a light as possible. This is NOT a book for children. And, although I now feel guilty about having three children, and barn cats, and living near a field, and even about my own existence in causing the extinction of all species more worthy than the human one, I don't highly recommend this book for anyone. Unless you're in a mood to feel guilty about your existence too.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Ugh. I kind of disgusted myself by reading this in two days. I put it down time and again, but then picked it up somewhat in desperation, not willing to stop altogether, and not willing to drag it out.
Here's how I think this book came to pass:
Dan Brown writes megagazillion best seller The DaVinci Code. Editor and Publisher start leaning on him to write another "Best Selling Book of ALL TIME".
Mr. Brown is stumped. Hmmm. What to do, what to do. On his next trip cross the Atlantic, the in-flight movie is "National Treasure". Brown thinks "Nic Cage is cool. I like D.C. I'm totally into symbols and hidden stuff. I'll write 'National Treasure' the book! "
So, he needs a bad guy, a bunch of symbols to chase around the capitol, and his old friend, Professor Langdon. Work in an attractive, smart woman character, and you have The DaVinci Code meets "National Treasure" and you make another gazillion dollars.
Only, this book is no DaVinci Code. This book is loosely written, not believable, too convenient and frankly disappointing. One thing after another rubbed against all logic and annoyed me considerably.
Example : Old guy gets his hand cut off by a lunatic, then waterboard tortured with some oxygenated gel stuff over and over, tells some secrets, then somehow gets shaved clean (somehow doing quite well, handless with no medical intervention) then, eventually gets rescued, and instead of shipping him off to the hospital to fix up the old stump, he wants to show his friend around a few special places in Washington. Sure, I've had my hand chopped off, tortured for a few days, watched some folks die, found out my son's a complete wackjob, now, he's dead too, but let's go see some cool symbols in the greater Washington area we missed cavorting through earlier in the book.
Like I said "Ugh."