Tag: Portland

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Wives

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

First line: He comes over on Thursday every week.

Summary: One husband. Three wives. Sounds strange right? Well it is my life. I am Thursday. They are Monday and Tuesday. One is the wife before me. The other came after. But we have worked out a schedule. Until one day I see that he has the receipt from a doctor’s office with a woman’s name on it. Could this be one of them? I must find out.

My Thoughts: This book. Such a roller coaster! First off, I cannot even imagine living this woman’s life and being okay with the family situation. I would definitely be her trying to find out everything I could about these other women. How would it not eat at you and drive a person crazy?! When I got to the half way point it seemed like the book had hit its climax but I was wrong. Everything just got crazier from there.

I jumped back and forth between reading and listening but when it got to the last 50 pages I had to read it because I NEEDED to know how it was going to end. It was a book that I had to set down and breathe a little bit after. It took me on a crazy ride. I highly recommend this!

FYI: Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Mouse and the Motorcycle

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

First line: Keith, the boy in the rumpled shorts and shirt, did not know he was being watched as he entered Room 215 of the Mountain View Inn.

Summary: A young mouse named Ralph is living in a knot hole in Room 215 when a small boy comes to stay. Ralph loves to watch the guests, especially children because they are always dropping food around the hotel. As he watches Keith he sees him playing with his toys cars and a motorcycle. Ralph has always wanted to ride a motorcycle. When the boy is not in the room Ralph gets his chance. However, it does not work out as planned. He falls into the trash can. Keith soon discovers the small mouse and they quickly become friends. With Keith’s permission Ralph is allowed to ride the motorcycle all over the hotel. This is when the adventure Ralph has been craving truly begins!

My Thoughts: This was one of my all-time favorite books as a child. I loved everything I read by Beverly Cleary but Ralph definitely holds the top spot. His adventures were lots of fun and quite funny too. And to have one of your favorite novels also be a movie was so cool! I spent many a summer day watching the movie version of this book as well.

When I just reread this charming story I realized that Wichita is mentioned in it. How cool is that?! The teachers who are staying at the hotel are from Wichita and consider taking Ralph home with them to live in their classrooms. I thought this was a fun little tidbit to find as an adult.

On my most recent trip to Oregon I stopped in Portland for a few hours. While looking for things to do I learned that the Multnomah County Library in Portland has a Beverly Cleary Children’s Library. I immediately added it to my itinerary. We stopped into this beautiful library for a short visit. As a fan of Cleary’s and a librarian I was in heaven. If you get a chance go and check it out.

FYI: If you are looking for a bit of nostalgia then this book is perfect.