Monday, March 24

Literary Libations: Spring Cocktails & The Goldfinch

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Well, my refrigerator is down and out for the count. While my liqueur collection survived, my mixers did not, so today I thought I'd direct you to the Stylish Cocktails collection on Gracie B. There are about as many awesome spring cocktails as you could dare to hope for. There is Wild Berry Sparkler, Island Rum Punch, Pink Lady, Lemon Bubbly, and much much more. The best part? All the drinks were created by fellow bloggers! Just scroll down until you see a drink that suits your fancy and click away to the recipe. Don't forget to add a pretty paper straw.

*WARNING: The following has spoilers from the book, The Goldfinch.*

Have you ever had to take a break from a book because the protagonist is annoying you? I have, and I did with The Goldfinch. I'm back to reading now and a little over half way. Oh, Theo, Theo, Theo... what are you doing with your life? Remember when I last told you how little supervision he had? Well he has definitely been using that to his advantage. Between Boris (Theo's one friend) and what Theo's father leaves around the house, drugs and alcohol abound. Keep in mind Theo is only 15, and he is now constantly in a drunken or drugged up stupor. For a while I felt like all I was reading about were drunken revelries and drug trips and that definitely got old fast. That wasn't the part that annoyed me though. On a regular basis Theo complains about his dad's behavior and refers his father's emotional problems to alcohol. Theo's father is a violent alcoholic much of the time. This means alcohol seems to be readily available, but it seems so hypocritical of Theo to complain about his father's alcohol abuse while fueling his own. 

Theo's father is in really big trouble for gamboling. He seems to have borrowed money from the wrong man, a Mr. Silver, who has showed up at the house and talked with Theo several times. Eventually Theo realizes that his father is trying to steal money from the education fund that Theo's mother set up for him prior to her death. When his father is unable to procure the money he becomes violent with Theo and panicked. Mean time Theo begins taking more drugs and talking of running away. This chaotic spiraling finally culminates in Theo's father's death. His father was driving with a .39 blood alcohol level.

Theo is now alone, an orphan, and desperately afraid of what will happen if child services shows back up. Deciding to run away to New York, where he lived with his mother, Theo grabs the dog, The Goldfinch painting, and a few necessities before hopping on a bus. Is it silly that the fact he took the dog puts Theo back in my good graces? Maybe. 

Back in New York it is unclear what will happen with Theo. I have my own guesses. I think he may end up living with the furniture upholsterer he met earlier in the book, but this thought hasn't crossed Theo's mind yet. 

Have you been reading along? Where do you think the story is heading?

17 comments:

  1. I never had a problem like that with a book but honestly last book I read is temptation by golland in November.
    http://tifi11.blogspot.com

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    1. Did you enjoy it? I'm always on the look out for new books! :)

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  2. I only stopped reading a book when I get bored with it
    kss
    new post: http://tupersonalshopperviajero.blogspot.com.es/2014/03/fringed-boots.html

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    1. Normally it's the same for me too, which in a sense, I was bored, but I felt like the direction would change eventually. Hopefully it gets more interesting soon!

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  3. you put it down for a while? not a good sign! eek, i've been a couple books down and never went back to them... but it sounds like this might be getting interesting? off to new york for an adventure?? i'm anxious for your final review: to read or not to read.

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    1. I know... I'm hoping it gets better, it seems like it might be! I'll definitely let you know my final stance. It's a long book, so if it isn't good you really don't want to read it! :)

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  4. Yes I think it's important that the protagonist is someone who you can relate to. Protagonists aren't always perfect. But they shouldn't be too annoying haha

    www.idreamofbunnies.com

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  5. Fun fact- I actually am responsible for the Lemon Bubbly cocktail, haha. That was my post as part of the Stylish Cocktails series. ;) Such a fun experiment- and let me tell you, the Lemon Bubbly is GOOD. Wow. (And a little dangerous.) :)

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

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    1. I know! Your blog post was how I came to know about the series. :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. When I start to read a book I always end up, I never had these problems. Hello dear, follow me, stay in touch.

    Valentina.

    WWW.ZAGUFASHION.COM
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    bloglovin follower

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    1. I normally do too, but this book... I don't know, it's just so intense without feeling like the plot is furthered enough. Hopefully it gets better!

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  7. Yes, I took a break from a book once, but I love the movie version because it's exactly different of the book! Even though, I'm still trying to finish reading it!

    http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/

    xoxo,
    Jess

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    1. Most of the time I think the book is better than the movie, but I have run into the opposite like this before! With Game Of Thrones I quit reading the books because the show was so accurate!

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  8. those cocktails sound delish. i haven't read that book, but i had to put the night circus down a couple of times. hahaha
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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    1. Yeah, I sometimes just need to step away for a bit. I hope you enjoyed the cocktails!

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  9. Thank you! I'll be sure to stop by!

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