September's ARC

For my September entry in Darcy's Artful Readers Club (ARC), I chose Cindy La Ferle's

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: Hearth Stone Books (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0923568638
• ISBN-13: 978-0923568634
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.9 x 10 inches 

Writing Home: Collected Essays and Newspaper Columns is a compilation of stories written over several years about such things as family time, "momisms," working from home, and other relatable incidences.  Funny at times, heartwarming at times, and tear-jerking at times, you will probably have trouble putting this book down. 

Although I don't usually include what's written on the book cover, here is what the publishers had to say about LeFerle's book.

Both a "motherhood memoir" and a handbook for living, Writing Home is a heartwarming anthology of domestic essays and lifestyle columns by award-winning journalist Cindy La Ferle. This timeless collection speaks to every suburban parent who has ever attempted to combine work, parenthood, and homekeeping. La Ferle's essays address such key issues as losing a parent, aging gracefully, reinventing family traditions, facing the empty nest, and finding deeper meaning in the small but defining moments of everyday life. Writing Home has won four awards for creative nonfiction, including one from Midwest Independent Publisher's Association and another from Writer's Digest. Think Club Publications voted Writing Home Book of the Year in 2005, praising it for its values-driven content. Midwest Book Review describes Cindy La Ferle's essays as "Little gems of wisdom from a modern working woman who has a valuable and interesting philosophy on life." The book has been featured on Sirius Radio and in other national media.

Personally, I couldn't have said it any better!  And this gives you a very good preview about what is contained in these 294 pages that features more than 90 essays.
 
This is what my copy of this book looks like.

And yes, it is signed by the author herself.

There are 12 chapters, with several essays in each.  Even the essay titles are funny, like (under House and Garden) "Trowel and Error" and "Zen and Remodeling."

Although I have never been a mother, and quickly explain that Bleubeard's mother is a calico who lives (or now probably lived) in a house in MO, under Child Care are gems like "Quit Picking on Barbie" and "Swamp Hair."  So you don't have to be married or a parent to appreciate LeFerle's humor.

Possibly my favorite was in the chapter called Keeping Up Appearances where I found an essay entitled "Recovering Perfectionist."  I might have to take that one to heart! 

Speaking of Bleubeard, I was brought to tears in the Creature Comforts chapter where I found such essays as "Eulogy for a Very Fine Cat" and "Booger."  Grieving can be so personal, but LeFerle makes it seem less so.

I found humor in many essays in Family Album and Work Ethic, where LeFerle gives us a look at how others look at those (especially women) who work from home. 

When I got to the chapter Keeping the Seasons, I thought about some of my internet friends who were working in Project Life Scrapbooks. "Ordinary Days Deserve Our Best," "Why I Still Love Halloween," and "The Lost Art of Loafing" were just a few of the essays that made the seasons come to life.

After reading these poignant essays, I give this book 5 of 5 stars.  And I suspect you would, too.

For the art, I began with a bit of digital fun.  Several people keep asking me to show more of Bleubeard,

so I took this opportunity to do so by writing home in these books.

Although this is a tongue-in-cheek (some might say cop-out) piece of artwork, I made the house by cutting several paint chips and sewing the pieces together using variegated thread.  I hope you found as much humor in it as I did.  It definitely conveys my take on Writing Home.

Next month I'll be reviewing:

Altered Art by Terry Taylor.

Please don't forget to visit Darcy for the rest of the ARC entries.