Hungry for more.
I just finished reading Life From Scratch, by Melissa Ford. It was like eating a heaping spoonful of chocolate mousse… smooth, sweet, and rich… and then sadness when I got to the bottom of the bowl because I realized I just finished the last bite. This book is Mel’s first foray into fiction, and as a long-time blogging friend, I was so excited to read her story about Rachel’s new love for cooking and blogging in the midst of relationship crisis.
A group of us are participating on the virtual book tour. Below are three questions from fellow readers and my answers. At the end of this post, you’ll find out how to see what others on the tour are saying too, just follow the link!
In your life outlook, are you a Rachel or an Arianna?
Arianna is the cool friend we all wish we had. She’s an expert single mom AND a fashion maven. Oddly, as I was reading the story, I envisioned Arianna as a mix of all the best qualities from the characters of Sex and the City. Carrie’s moxie, Charlotte’s quirkiness, Samantha’s style, and Miranda’s sarcastic wit. No, I’m not an Arianna (although on some days I feel like I “could” be). I’m more like Rachel. A realist, but a dreamer. A hot chocolate and warm sweater girl that is also a risk taker. The more I think about Rachel, the more I like her. She’s complicated and complex and carries her heart on her sleeve. That is the definition of me.
If you had a year to do what you wanted, what would you do? Would you learn to cook or something different?
Well, this is an easy one. As a working mom, I have always struggled with work/life balance. Life just feels rushed a LOT, and I often worry that I am missing out on exposing my son to the nooks and crannies of the world. It’s just challenging being on the schedule our family has become accustomed to. Back in the day when I was expecting to have at least 3 kids (my, how infertility mucks up plans!) I always envisioned eventually being a stay-at-home mom for some period of time. With the constant change going on in our house right now, that’s not very likely. Like Rachel, I’ve always wanted to experiment more with cooking, but I just don’t have the time on my hands right now to do anything other than dabble here and there. But if I had a year off? I would probably take some classes and get my Martha Stewart on!
Towards the end of Chapter 11, Rachel is reflecting on her relationship with Adam when she says “What I really want, more than any other birthday wish I ever made, is to meld what I know now with what I had then and build something entirely new in the process…something potentially wonderful again.” If you could go back to any time in your life and “meld what you know now with what you had then” when would you choose and what would you do with the information you have? What would you tell yourself or what might you try to change about yourself and/or your life?
This question is in my top ten mysteries of life. Hindsight is 20/20 for sure, and if I could go back in time and do the right things with the wrong decisions, and take the good decisions and make them even more positive, surely I would have a pretty charmed life… or would I? The beauty of this story is the lesson that life imprints us no matter what good or bad decisions we’ve made. It makes us a better person because we LIVED it. Rachel (if she gets back together with Adam) will be a different/changed person. So will Adam. Sure, they can repeat bad mistakes again. But the knowledge gained after every mistake makes us better. I wouldn’t want to go back in time. I would only hope that I am presented with an opportunity for a do-over in the present. Looks like Rachel may get her wish for a do-over too.
To continue to the next leg of this book tour, please visit the main list at Write Mind Open Heart.
BagMomma 
Here from the book tour…Arianna sounded way cooler to me than any of the SATC women, but I see what you mean about having all of their best qualities. But don't forget that in addition to Carrie's moxie, she also has at least part of her wardrobe! 🙂
Love the SATC reference, & your answer to the last question had me thinking too. I like that the book was left open-ended, although there's a strong suggestion about what's going to happen. Hurry up & write the sequel, Melissa, so we can find out…! ; )
Loved your answers Shelli! 🙂 Thank you for sharing. I especially enjoyed what you said about Question 3 (and not just because I wrote the question…), I agree with your answer and appreciate your perspective on what we learn from both the good and bad decisions we make in life. I also really liked the first line of your post. So clever. 🙂
Okay, the funniest thing is that right before I read this, I finished my cup of chocolate ice cream and as I got to the bottom, I was debating whether to get some more. But being a good girl, I decided to go the disappointed route and just stare at the cup longingly :-)Thank you so much for writing this.
I so relate to your number 2.
I love your first sentence — very clever.And I can SO see the SATC characters in Arianna.Thanks so much for participating in this tour, Shelli!
Super book review! I can't wait to read it, it is next on my reading list. :)I liked your thoughts on having a present day do-over, rather than going back in time to change things completely.
Here from the book tour, and I really enjoyed reading your answers, especially the last one. It is a weird thing, to think about using what we know now to change our past. It would be a cool thing to do, if not quite possible yet. Maybe if someone finally invents a time machine. (I can't believe that hasn't happened yet. That and flying cars. Where are they?)