What I've Read Lately and What I Have to Say About It

Good Morning Monster

Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir

Format: Audiobook

In this book, a therapist recounts working with five different patients who had a huge impact on her life. I really like reading books like this because this is an area of interest for me, but stories of trauma and adversity aren't for everyone. 

Don't Let Him In

Genre: Thriller, Crime

Format: Audiobook

I've enjoyed many books by Lisa Jewell, so I'm always willing to give them a try. This one is about a conman and some of the identities and relationships he forms to commit his crimes. I listened to the audiobook, and one of the narrators is Richard Armitage, whom I refer to as "the best looking of the dwarves" (i.e. Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit) (I've also made mention of the "best kiss" from North & South). So I love me some Richard Armitage, but he always narrates the most skeezy characters in audiobooks! So you just know that when the guy is voiced by my buddy, Richard, he's going to be a total scumbag. 

The hot dwarf

The only part of the show that isn't completely boring

Four stars for this one, but I wouldn't let my grandma read it due to sex and language. 

More or Less Maddy

Genre: Contemporary, Mental health, Family fiction

Format: Audiobook

I've read some of Lisa Genova's books (Still Alice and Every Note Played) and found them touching and informative. She is a neuroscientist and tries to write stories that help bring awareness to various neurological conditions. This particular story is about Maddy, a young adult with biploar disorder. I think Genova did a great job depicting some of the internal battle that comes with treating symptoms - medication can be so helpful, but there is so much to still be studied, and there is always a wrestle with balancing wellness and side effects. I enjoyed this book immensely and think it has an important message, but I found it crass at times (particularly in Maddy's stand-up comedy). I wouldn't let my grandma read it.

Inside the O'Briens

Genre: Mental Health, Family Fiction

Format: Audiobook

After I finished More or Less Maddy, I found another book by Lisa Genova in my Audible line-up that I hadn't yet listened to. Inside the O'Briens is about Joe O'Brien, a middle-aged police officer, who finds out he has Huntington's Disease. Being a lethal, genetic degenerative disease, his family members have to make the choice for themselves whether to be tested for the genetic mutation. Joe must choose how to live with his disease. One of the most poignant parts of the story, for me, is when his daughter points out that he will set the example and teach them how to live with Huntington's. And that changes everything. 

I struggled with Joe's character a little bit, but I wonder if that's because of how the narrator voiced him. I wonder how I would have viewed him if I'd read the book in my own voice. Too late now! Other than that, it was a great book. I wouldn't feel good about letting my grandma read it, however. Language, as usual.

When the World Fell Silent

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: E-Book

This story takes place during the Halifax explosion of 1917. Guess what! I didn't know anything about the explosion prior to reading this book. Now that I've read it, I still don't know anything about the explosion. So that would be my one big critique of the novel - it didn't help me learn much about the historical tragedy. Instead, it's the alternating story of two women - Nora and Charlotte - and their personal experiences after the explosion. 

The good news is, I would let my grandma read this. It does contain pre-marital relations resulting in a pregnancy, but it's not descriptive. 

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

Genre: Coming of Age, Family Fiction

Format: Audible

I've had this book on my to-read list for years. It took a while because my library doesn't have it, so I eventually used an Audible credit for it. 

Sam was born with a condition that gave him red eyes. Throughout his life he is bullied and mistreated. This book is the story of his life, and well, let's just say I'm happy I don't summarize books for a living because this is what you get from me. 

I wouldn't let my grandma read this. There were a couple of things that I wouldn't want her to read in here. 

The Life She Was Given

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: E-Book

This book started out very intriguing - I couldn't put it down. As it went on, I felt like the plot started getting sloppy. By the end, I only gave it three of five stars. It was entertaining, but you kind of have to overlook some flaws in the writing. I don't typically like circuses as a setting, and I tried really hard to not let that affect my opinion of the book, but I remain firm in my dislike for circuses (you may be thinking, "But Britt, you loved The Greatest Showman!" You're right, I did. I put up with a circus for Hugh Jackman). 

Oh, but what's this book about? 

In the 1930's Lilly has albinism, and her parents have kept her hidden from the world. Then one day, her yucky mom sells her to the circus, and then all the circus-y things happen. 

Would I let my grandma read this? I might. There is some sexual abuse and mild immoral behavior I would caution her about first. This is the kind of book that, even though I didn't love it, I want someone I know to read it because I want to know what they think. 

What I've Watched Lately and What I Have to Say About It

Freaks and Geeks

Status: Finished

My friend (and coworker) Jessica recommended Freaks and Geeks, and I usually enjoy her suggestions for books and shows, so I gave it a whirl. It took about four episodes for me to get into it, but I ended up really liking it! I remember when it was on TV, but I never watched it. Freaks and Geeks aired for only one season in 1999-2000, and then it was canceled. That made me worried that it wouldn't sum up in a satisfactory way, and I might be left hanging, but I was okay with the ending. It turns out, they knew the show was canceled before the end of the season, so they were able to wrap it up accordingly. 

There are a couple of things about the show I wasn't super enthused about - I don't care for James Franco or Seth Rogan, and I really hate teen bullying and casual drinking. Those things exist prominently in this show. But there are some really endearing characters, like little brother Sam and his friend Bill (Bill is my favorite). There are also a lot of actors that appeared in the show before they were stars, so it's fun to watch and see who pops up (Mel from Virgin River and Karen from The Office, who plays a character named... Karen... for example). 

Michael

I got to see Michael with some of my best friends, and we all loved it (some more than others, but for our group, the reviews were positive). Mostly, I wanted to watch Christie watch Michael because Christie is a super fan, but we had weird seats and there was a wall between us, so I had to rely on my old lady ears to hear her reacting on the other side. 

I'm excited for part II. 

The Count of Monte Cristo

Status: Finished

I've never read the book, but I've seen some of the movies (the black and white one and the one with Jim Caviezel), and I love the story. I was so excited when I heard that they were making a mini series in 2024. I just had to wait for it to become available in the states. I looked forward to getting more of the story than a two hour movie can offer.

Watched it. Loved it. I look forward to watching it again in a few years. Maybe with Nicky. 

Lord of the Flies

Status: Unfinished

I've never read Lord of the Flies (it was optional reading in AP English - we got to choose what books we read from an approved list, and I never chose this one), but Daisy is reading it for school currently. I started the series last week, and I don't know if I'll finish it or not. I'm not exactly sucked in to the story, but I love Piggy. And yes, I know.

The Forsytes

Status: Unfinished

After I finished The Count of Monte Cristo, I figured I would take advantage of the Masterpiece add-on on Amazon (which I paid for a month for) and watch some other offerings. I started The Forsytes and, as with Lord of the Flies, moved on to other things. The Forsytes has that Downtown Abbey feel, and it’s pretty clean, but it didn't hook me. Partially because I started reading up on the book series it's based on and discovered how many creative liberties they were taking with the plot, and that kind of bothered me even though I've never read the books. I haven't written it off entirely, but as of now, I haven't become invested in it. 

Unchosen

Status: Finished

I love me some good cult stories, but in the end, this show wasn't so much about a cult as it was about a criminal who infiltrated the cult (it's fictional). I didn't really care for it and don't recommend it. It had some yucky stuff.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

I've read the book, and thought it was just okay, but even if I don't love the book, I still like to see what they do with the movie. I'm always curious. I watched the movie the weekend it was released, and I quite enjoyed it. It's pretty clean - just a couple instances of language. I liked Lewis Pullman in it. I don’t like sea creatures, but I survived.

Trust Me The False Prophet

Speaking of cults...

This documentary series feels kind of like a sequel to Keep Sweet, Pray & Obey. It relays the take down of Sam Bateman, who claimed to be Warren Jeffs' successor in the FLDS sect. There is some strong language and descriptions of sexual abuse. 

Sunday Sentiments - Given a Goliath

I have a graphic saved on Pinterest that says, "When God wanted to make a king out of David, He didn't give him a crown - he gave him Goliath. Your challenges prepare you for your purpose."

I recently read a book called Good Morning Monster which is a memoir written by a therapist named Catherine Gildener (I have a post in my drafts folder about some of the books I've read lately, so stay tuned for that). 

In the book, the author writes about five patients she worked with during her career that had a profound impact on her. One of the patients was named "Peter" (I think she used pseudonyms), and he was severely abused as a child. He was isolated and locked in an attic for much of his upbringing. During that time, he played with a toy piano and discovered that he had an amazing gift for music. In adulthood, he was a prestigious pianist. 

In one of their sessions. Dr. Gildener asked Peter if he would change his childhood if he could. Peter had realized that if he hadn't suffered the abuse and been locked away, he wouldn't have found the piano, and he wouldn't have discovered and honed in on his gift for creating music. 

This, of course, doesn't make the mistreatment okay or justified, but it's an example of rising above horrible circumstances. 

I keep thinking about this because I'm sure there are examples from my own life where a challenge has prepared me for a purpose. My brain just hasn't been able to deep dive on it yet because this week was INSANE (five dance concerts! FIVE!!! And we're not even that kind of dance people!)

I just wanted to throw this out there this Sabbath Day as something to think about. Has there been adversity in your life that prepared you for a purpose? 

(I'll be contemplating mine) 

Things My Kids Said to Me During Sacrament Meeting on Mother's Day

"My scissors aren't scissoring."

Complained Zoe. Zoe crochets during sacrament meeting, so she often cuts yarn. She was making some yarn pom poms, and her dull scissors were giving her grief. 

"Can I have yours?"

Asked Eva, when they announced that Mother's Day gifts would be handed out to the women outside the chapel doors. She didn't even know what the gift was, and she immediately tried to lay claim on it.

(It was a loaf of bread, and my answer was NO! YOU CANNOT HAVE IT!)

"Will you pay me a dollar to sing?"

Eva requested when they announced that the primary would be singing for Mother's Day. Again, No! I told her I'm not paying for my Mother's Day gift, and if I hadn't been in church, I would have said, "Now get your @$$ up there and sing to me!”

"I want Swig!"

Another request from Eva, and another big, fat NO! from me.

"This water is too watery."

Whined Eva about the sacrament.

"Can we go home?"

"I don't want to sit on the end."

"I'm cold."

"I'm bored."

"I'm thirsty."

"What time are we going to Grandma's house?"

"Do I have to go to class?"

"Can I come to your class?"

"Can I drink Dad's water?"

"Do you have any gum?"

"What's for lunch?"

"Can I play on your phone?"

Needless to say, second hour couldn't come fast enough. 

It's the Merry* Month of May (and ten other random facts)

Fact #1: This week I stumbled across a post I wrote during COVID. Reading anything from that time is sure trippy. Those were crazy years. It doesn’t feel like it really happened. Now that it’s in the past, it feels like some weird lie we all agreed to tell.

Fact #2: My kids have a lot of performances right now. Daisy recently competed at Region and State for theatre. At the Region competition I overheard one of the judges ask, “Does Nicky Brittish have a sister because I saw a girl here who looks just like him.” I just chuckled and carried on with my favorite pastime of eavesdropping. 

Fact #3: I see what the judge saw.

Fact #4: May is insane. This week is probably the worst. 

Fact #5: My Mother’s Day gift from Zoe and Eva was a 20 minute presentation comparing city life and farm life in hopes that I will move them to a farm. 

Fact #6: Mother's Day was so long and exhausting. What's the point of it, again?

Fact #7: I appreciate a good melt on a hot sandwich. Look at this beauty:

Fact #8: Saturday was our 23rd anniversary. Don't get married in May. 

(We didn't know). 

Fact #9: We did nothing for our anniversary, by the way. Unless you count serving refreshments at the high school dance. 

Fact #10: Our swamp cooler died, so I guess that's what we're getting for our anniversary. 

*I am not feeling a single ounce of "merry" right now. 

Sunday Sentiments - Hell Shakers

As women and mothers, we are so prone to feelings of inadequacy. We compare ourselves to others, and we tend to be really hard on ourselves. It's so easy to feel like we aren't good enough, strong enough, or capable enough, especially when the standards we set for ourselves are so high. Young mothers tend to fear that they're doing everything wrong. Older mothers tend to look back and wonder if they should have done things differently.

Several years ago I was having a Bad Mom day. I couldn't figure out how I would ever succeed at raising my children. It seemed like no matter how much I was doing, it wasn't enough. There were so many things I was overlooking in raising my kids. Too much was falling through the cracks - How was I supposed to raise them to be good humans?

And potty train them?

And teach them to have work ethic and how to do their taxes? 

And help them get into college?

And validate their feelings?

 

And promote their mental, physical, and spiritual health?

And, along with everything else, get them to wear stinkin' sunscreen?

As I sat on the couch in my vulnerability, a scripture from the Book of Mormon came to mind:

"...If all men had been, and were, and ever would be like unto Moroni, behold the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men." (Alma 48:17)

Then the Spirit posed a question: If all mothers were like unto you, how would that be?

And my immediate response was Are you kidding me?!? That would be horrible!!

And this is mean! 

But then I realized that I take pretty good care of my kids. I keep them fed and clothed. I tell them I love them. I don't abuse them. I do everything I can to watch out for their well-being, to show them my love and support, and to identify their unspoken needs. I make a lot of mistakes, and I'm nowhere near perfect, but if I were the worst-case scenario - meaning that all other mothers were the same or better than me - this world might be a pretty decent place. 

Does that shake the very powers of hell? Actually, yes, it does. With or without sunscreen.

So now I try to not be so hard on myself, and I've had some years to practice. I still face Mom Guilt sometimes - I don't think that's something I can completely eradicate - but I try to acknowledge the things I do well and give myself some grace. Motherhood is an imperfect work and often feels like a weird experiment, but there are a million ways to get it right.

Currently {May 2026 Edition}

Reading: 

So far, I would let my grandma read this book. 

Listening to:

I would not let my grandma read this book. 

Playing: Ark Nova always. 

Eating: leftover pizza.

Singing: Rolling in the Deep

Watching: 

The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorite stories, so I was very excited to watch the new mini series (streamed through the PBS Masterpiece app). I would let my grandma watch this. 

Craving: a scalp massage. 

Buying: Little People

Suffering from: seasonal allergies and a broken crown. My crown cracked in half last week, and I had a temporary crown put on while I wait for a new one, and it fell off (while at the movie theater watching Michael, of all things  - there may have been Hot Tamales involved). Now my tooth nub is exposed until I can get into the dentist post-weekend.

Wondering: why kids love to make believe that they are orphans. My kids and their friends always kill off their parents first thing. “Let’s pretend we’re sisters and our parents are dead.” I did the same thing when I was a kid. Barbies? Orphans. Stuffed animals? Orphans. Playing “house?” Orphans. Did the Box Car Children do this to us? Did anyone else watch On Our Own? Did we somehow find Miss Hannigan and Madame Medusa appealing?

Feeling: kind of yucky. I’ve had really bad allergies for about two months. At least I think it’s allergies. I’m a bit miserable. 

Surprised by: how fast the last year has gone by. All of Nicky’s friends are posting about how they finished their first year of college, and I can’t believe we’re already (almost) a year out from graduation. When I see these kids posting pictures with all of their college room mates and friends, I feel like I’m looking at the wrong people. I don’t know them! Who are they? For several years all the same kids have been in photos together, and now they’re all off taking photos with strangers! 

Nicky one year after graduation

Sad about: having to put a chicken down today. She couldn’t walk anymore, so we had to bit her adieu. It’s always a hard thing to do. 

Proud of myself for: ordering Daisy’s yearbook and registering her for her summer class.

Procrastinating: planning my Relief Society lesson and picking up some prescriptions.

Loving: baby goats. My parents’ goats birthed five babies in the past two weeks. Unfortunately they live two hours away, so I don’t get to have regular goat therapy. 

Hoping: to finish planting our garden this week.

I pulled a radish yesterday just for funsies

Wearing: a Beatles shirt and black joggers. 

Grateful for: dental insurance.