Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler

The book opens with Pearl Tull about to die. Her youngest son, Ezra, with her. Jenny her daughter visits while Cody, her eldest is nowhere near. It’s the story of these four individuals in alternating chapters.

This is my first Anne Tyler read and I loved her writing and the way she develops her characters. The author was also able to depict what really happens in a family, petty jealousies and stuff. Realistic really.

It is a very touching story of survival of a family with damaged individuals.

Quotable Quotes:

“When you have children, you’re obligated to live.”

“…he thought of dying as a kind of adventure, something new that he hadn’t yet experienced. Like an unusual vacation trip.”

“There ought to be a while separate language, she thought, for words that are truer than other words – for perfect, absolute truth. It was the purest fact of her life: she did not understand him, and she never would.”

Rating: 4/5 stars

 

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If We Were Having Coffee #2

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you I’m surprised that you’re drinking coffee now.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you it’s nice catching up with each other’s lives over a cup of coffee, not beer.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you you have always been the nicest among us three since we were children.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you I’m glad I always share my secrets to you first.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you please take care of yourself, too. You’ve done more than enough for us that you deserve to think about yourself as well.

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you you can always count on me, too! I will always be here to listen and support. I’ve got your back! You know that! 🙂

If we were having coffee…

…I’d tell you I love you and I’m so lucky I’ve got you, the best big brother in the whole world! 🙂

Sometimes…

Happy Birthday Bro!

My older brother and I shared a room since we were kids until he started college. I remember being fascinated by everything he tells me. He talks about stars, bats, video games, haunted houses and more. We’ve always loved the glow-in-the-dark stuffs in our room. I loved it so much when he reads books for me before we sleep or when he tells me stories about what happens in school that it made me itchy to go to the same school with him.

We basically enjoyed the same things but it was clear even when we were younger that we are different from each other. He has always been the shy, private, reserved type. And I have always been the extrovert. But even though we’re opposites, we always get along very well.

We had too much memories together. Concerts, horseback riding, bullying our youngest sibling, drinking, food trips, name it and we’ve done it! We even wore the same clothes!

Today is his birthday but sadly, I can’t celebrate it with him again. Sometimes it’s still hard to believe that we’ve grown this much already. (He knows how much I hate the idea before that he’ll someday get married and have children because when that happens, I won’t be his baby anymore.) But even though we’ve grown up, it’s nice to know that things are still the same as it was then. I can still talk to him about anything and he’s still very patient as ever.  I can never repay him for everything he’s done for me but I’m forever thankful!

Happy birthday, Kuya Kots! A lot of people say you are their friend but I brag about you as my brother! I miss you and I love you always! Mwah!