BOOK CLUB: THE GOLDFINCH

Whew!! What a book! I must admit this took me a lot longer to get through than I was expecting. Not because it wasn't good - it was very good - but it was definitely a "requires all your mind" type of read. Thus why it took me three beaches (New Jersey, Keowee Key & Siesta) & many trips to The Park to finish.

I picked up The Goldfinch because I love art & I love literature. Also, I heard it was the Pultizer Prize Winner for Fiction this year... better keep up to date. The way I interpreted the back teaser, I thought it would be similar to Barbara Wood's The Blessing Stone - following a specimen through the ages & looking at all the people it touched. Now that I've finished, I can safely say, that was the general idea (as Theodore Decker explains somewhat lengthily & roundaboutly those last 20 pages). Guys this book was DEEP. It's been a long time since I read one like this & days later I'm still thinking about it.

A couple thoughts & PLEASE I'd l.o.v.e  to discuss in the comments!! & warning - if you haven't read The Goldfinch yet, this may  cause a few spoilers.

The Narrator: I didn't quite trust Theo. As a first person narration, I didn't quite realize til the very end that Theo was literally writing the pages to this book as we were reading them. Given his admittedly heavy drug use throughout the narration, I couldn't help but feel that he was mis-communicating details, or perhaps leaving them out entirely on purpose. Theo had a need to prove himself: to his father, to Pippa, to The Barbours, et. al. Do you think he may also have felt a deep need to prove himself to we, his reader, & purposely twisted his story to do so? But then, aren't we all guilty of twisting our stories? Human Nature, yes? How'd you feel about Theo? Did you trust him?

The Length: Now I'm no Fiction Pulitzer Prize Winning Author, but this little book didn't feel so little. I guess the only place I would have cut some pages was in Nevada.. but then again, it was imperative to see the relationship grow & turn between Theo & his father. Was there any place to cut or was The Goldfinch the perfect length?

Boris: Did any of you see this coming!?!? I didn't. I was reading this part in Siesta Key when BAM. & then I was like, THEO GET WITH THE PROGRAM! I mean yes, I knew Boris was acting weird when Theo's father died, but I thought he was being a chicken. You know? All talk, no game. Wow. Did you know that all the anxiety & angst that Theo was feeling about The Golfinch in New York was completely unnecessary? WAS it even unnecessary?

The Girls: Pippa, Kitsey. Pippa, Kitsey. Pippa, Kitsey. It was like ping-pong! I felt awful for Kitsey for a long time, until I realized she was using Theo as much as he was using her. I don't know, obviously I root for true love (Pippa) but also, isn't true love just the scariest thing you could ever encounter? Man. This was one I don't want to touch with a ten foot pole. I'm pretty glad that Tarrt really did leave it up to the readers decision in the end. Who did you let Theo choose in your ending? Pippa or Kitsey?

The Painting: Have you ever seen a piece of art (or literature) that connected to your soul the way that The Goldfinch connected with Theo? I haven't, yet, but.. how incredible. I love that art & literature & really so many things that we create outlive us. That's a cool, cool thing. What were your thoughts about the power of the painting?

I'll keep it there for now. Overall, I really loved The Goldfinch. What I think is really amazing & magical about literature is that you carry an entire world between two hard back covers. All new places, things, rules, an entire society that exists purely out of the imagination of one person's mind. Donna Tarrt made a slue of in depth characters with layers & levels so utterly human we could relate to them. That is true talent. 

What was your overall thought on the book?

Fun sidenote: I love the name Theo. Mostly because one of my best friend's name is Teddy (I thought this was short for Theodore Gumbleton III the whole first year I knew him... turns out its short for Edward).

Next up to discuss: + UPDATE!!!  Prisoner of Heaven. I'm super excited because this is part of a triplet series rotating around my favorite  book Shadow of the Wind.

UPDATE!!!! We've started a real book club in conjunction! August is #GIRLBOSS. Let's talk about it in August! Happy Summer Reading! P.S. I'm trying to expand these posts to a real thing. Anyone want to read with me? We can make appetizers & desserts & discuss over fine (read: heavily discounted) wines. Think about it :)

10 CINCINNATI ICE CREAM ORIGINALS

Hellllllo, lovelies. We have a few days left of National Ice Cream Month & I want to help you make the most of it.... ice cream connoisseur that I am. (In cleaning my wallet I have found I'm the proud owner of five ice cream cards + four coffee rewards cards.) (Yes, seriously.)

So here's the rundown of an ice-cream-aholics Cincinnati Ice Cream Staples:

1: Aglamesis Bros: (1908) Located in Oakley (though I hear there is a second establishment in Mongtomery) Aglamesis is an old-school ice cream parlor if I ever have seen one. For real! They sit you down & wait on you: everything from a menu, to ice cold water, to adorable  ice cream dishes. It was intimidating at first.. but it kind of makes things special. + their ice cream is top notch... one hundred years in the biz will do that.

2: Graeter's: (1868) Graeter's is one of those Cincinnati staples. & I can't blame the hype. When Louis Graeter moved to Cincinnati in 1868 & started selling ice cream in the street market - our city was forever changed. People ship Graeter's across the world. Their chocolate chips are the size of my fist. The Buckeye Blitz & Salted Caramel grace my dreams. Luckily, I'm not the only one that feels this way -- you can find a Graeter's in just about every neighborhood in Cincy. & their rewards card really adds up. So get that too.

3: Yagoot: You know, I wasn't sure if Yagoot was a Cincinnati original until I wrote this blog post. & technically it's fro-yo, not ice cream. But for my purposes, I shall let it remain. Yagoot: the first one I knew of was located in Rookwood Commons, though I know for a fact they also have one at Kenwood Mall (across from Starbucks) (Sustaining my theory that ice cream + coffee is the world's best combo). It's a little more tart than you might expect, tastes like you literally froze a yogurt. I go original & add peanut butter cups & cheesecake bites. Also, rewards card: yes. It's a good one. I have it.

4: Dojo Gelato: God opened the heavens the day my friend Teddy introduced me to Dojo Gelato. (Literally, it was raining.) We were waltzing around Findlay Market for our lunch hour when he said, "Annie you have to try this." Boom. My heart has never felt so full. Now, Dojo has a traveling truck that pops up at my favorite establishments (Like Eli's, The City Flea, & ya know, everywhere I find myself...) (...I think they follow me). I get Dutch Chocolate + Salted Caramel. Every time. If you tell me its "too rich," I'll snatch the cup right out of your hand.

5: Whippy Dip: For all my Lovelander's out there... The Whippy Dip (or the Creamy Whip as the non-locals call it) is my childhood. It's one of the drive-up or walk-up joints. All outdoor seating. Cash only. But their chocolate dipped ice cream cone in chocolate dipped hardening sauce.. holy smokes. I ask for a cup on the side of mine, & a spoon, because you bet it'll melt pretty fast in the seasonal-only heat. Also, this is a great date place. Yes, I know from experience. I also know, if you're ending a date at the Whippy Dip - you should bring bug spray. & YOU should know, if you're ending a date with me at the Whippy Dip - I'll probably fall in love with you. Crushes + Ice cream = Boyfriend Material.

6:  Putzs: I've only been here once. It's somewhere on the West Side. Colerain, maybe? It reminded me of the Whippy Dip & made enough of an impression to find its way on my Cincinnati Gem List.

7: Madisonos: I stumbled upon this in Rempke Market one day & just about died. One taste of Pretzel Chocolate Crunch Gelato (or something to that effect) & my grocery trips doubled in frequency. A little research shows that, though a popular gelato indeed, this Cincinnati Staple has no true home. But here's a list of where you can buy it. (& I highly suggest you do.)

8: Buono Terra Gelato: Welcome to Mt. Lookout! My old stomping grounds! This Gelato place graced Mt. Lookout Square in the Summer of 2013. Though I can't say I loved it (not enough chocolate for my taste), I do like that it's there. A lot.

9: Fillmore's Dairy Hut: FLORENCE. Y'ALL! I guess I'm jumping city lines by including this, but Fillmore's is right by my office. There's something like 27 froyo flavors. I've never had any. Because... there's a magnificent, glorious, stupendous treat called a Cyclone. Chocolate (or vanilla, I guess) Ice Cream with any candy you want mixed in. Obviously I chose Reeces Cups. + they have crinkle fries. So bad... but oh-so-good. Did I mention how dangerously close Fillmore's is to my office?

10: The Cone:  Westchester. I've never been!!! Who can fill me in? UPDATE... quoted word for word from my friend Courtney Jo: "The thing about The Cone is that they have a drive-thru but it's also a walk-up & its shaped like a cone & its water fountain is a lion & they have little kid rides." (Annie interjects: The website says its Cincinnati's #1 Soft Serve) "Seriously, its poppin'. There are cars everywhere & people everywhere. Obviously. It's the #1 Soft Serve. That's my story & I'm sticking to it."

BONUS (& edit:) UDF: A Cincinnati original started by the great Cincinnatian, Carl Lindner (who knew?!). I can't write up an ice cream post without mentioning this perfect ice cream shop. I think I get UDF at least once a week. My fave is a chocolate deep freeze with Reeces (are you sensing a trend?)

What am I missing guys? Fill me in. I'm trying to make a comprehensive Cincinnati-List. Ice Cream & I are in a long term relationship, you see, so it's best I know these things. So go ahead!! In the comments below, please!

 & in the meantime, from me to you (& my boyfriend of the frozen dairy variety) - have one happy heck of a finale to your National Ice Cream Month. 

SIESTA KEY IN PHOTOS

Hellllllo! I am back & I have a little self diagnosed sun poisoning! (I'm from Ohio guys, that Southern Sun called to me like Siren... I blame geography.) Anyway, I thought, if you're interested, I'd share a few of my photos from this past week in Siesta Key, Florida. I told you last week that I was crashing my good friend, Courtney's, family vacation. My oh my, you know how some days you can just tell that you've met a really good person? Well I spent my week with nine of them. I could never thank them enough for inviting me into their home away from home. 

Siesta Key is as beautiful & colorful as it looks. I had a fantastic week of sun all day & ice cream every night (I mean...it  is National Ice Cream Month, right?). & now that I'm back (besides mourning the loss of the sun, seriously, has it been raining since I left?!?) I've been working on The Studio! As a direct quote from my father: "It's starting to look like a real apartment in here, Annie." (Keep your eyes open for my favorite DIY yet. I'm calling it the Corner Coffee Bar & it's almost done & I can't wait to share it with you!) Update: here it is!!

Anywho, thanks for taking a peek into my trip. It sure was one heck of a good one. Have a happy Monday. I promise if we stick together, we can make it through! Xo, Annie

LIVE EVERY MONTH LIKE NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH

As you all know (or goodness gracious, I sure hope you do!!) July is National Ice Cream Month. &, as you also know, I. Love. Ice Cream. How much? Enough to post about it all year long. Here's a little Throwback Thursday for 'ya documenting my love affair with ice cream this year.

Now, if I were to document EVERY time that Ice Cream & I had a rendezvous this year.. well that would be embarrassing. But needless to say, I wish all of you a HAPPY NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH & encourage you to live this last week of it like there is no tomorrow. & to you, ice cream, my one true love: I hope you enjoyed this tribute. I'll see ya tonight. Probably. 

TOES IN THE WATER

I'm taking a little hiatus, y'all. Just a brief one! I'm crashing my good friend Courtney Jo's Family Vacation in Siesta Key & taking every minute to soak up the sun with this glorious set of perfect people. I'll check in & out of course -- but I hope that y'all have a FANTASTIC week. I'm coming back soon - with sun kissed & even tan (yea right - I'm already burnt as can be). Xoxo, Annie