Chocolat Pour Vous

Several weeks ago I was browsing the used books at Goodwill.  I spotted a nice copy of Chocolat by Joanne Harris.  Although I have not seen the movie, I had heard good things about it.  I decided to buy the book.

I found it to be a fun read.  When I was done I took it to work and asked a coworker if she'd like to read it.  She said she had seen the movie and liked it.  She thought it would be fun to read the book.

Today she brought it back and said she had enjoyed it very much.  She said it had taken her the better part of the week to read it because she doesn't have a lot of time to read at home (family concerns).  Her only current chance to read is when she's riding the bus to work.

The even-more-fun part of this?  Because the bus she takes to work is used by other coworkers, there's a consistent group of people who ride the same bus every day.  Several other women saw what she was reading.  Two of the women - one had a copy of the movie and brought it in for the other to watch.  A third woman asked my coworker if she (third woman) could read Chocolat now that my coworker was done.  Since the book is mine my coworker said she did not feel comfortable loaning out my property. 

Me?  I said what the heck.  It's not like I bought the book brand new especially for me.  Let's get folks reading!  I told my coworker to let the third woman read the book.  All I ask is that she use a bookmark and not fold the pages to mark her spot.

Unleash the books!

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Another Recommendation (Actually Two)

I just finished reading the book The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan.  It's about how her mom raised 10 kids (with very little help from her alcoholic husband) using 25 words or less in corporate contests.  For those who don't remember, after World War II a lot of companies helped drum up product sales by sponsoring contests where consumers bought their products and then sent in proofs of purchase along with entry forms.  The consumers would dream up catch phrases or advertising slogans for the companies as an integral part of the contest.  If the judges liked your entry - you could win big prizes (trips, cars, cash, etc). 

Evelyn Ryan (the prize winner mentioned in the title) won a large number of these contests.  Not only did she win, but quite often did so in a very timely fashion.  Her son's bicycle was irreparably damaged in an accident.  A short time later, a bike arrived from a contest Evelyn had entered.  Ditto for the family toaster. 

I recommend this book, it's an interesting read about a woman who found a way to rise above all adversity in her life.

I also recommend the movie based on this book (it stars Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson).  I saw the movie first.  Usually I prefer one treatment or the other - in some cases I really like a movies, but not the book and vice versa.  In this case - I really liked both the movie and the book, just about equally.

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