July 29, 2018 FAT BOTTOMED GIRLS

Dry Needling. Just found out that it's a highly regarded treatment for piriformis syndrome-- WHICH HAS BEEN HOUNDING ME FOR THE LAST YEAR. So-- I spent some time today reading about it and this is what I've learned.  A TRAINED physical therapist penetrates the SKIN with LONG NEEDLES--right into the muscle-- in order to relieve the trigger points.  It reminds me of acupuncture but other than the needles--they have little in common.  In theory this all sounds great right??  RELIEF FINALLY--FOR MY ACHING ASS. Then I decided to watch the procedure on YouTube. BIG MISTAKE. First of all--I would have to BARE my PASTY WHITE LEFT BUTT CHEEK--A FRIGHTENING PROSPECT FOR ANYONE OVER A CERTAIN AGE RIGHT???  Have you looked at your BUTT lately?? Do you want to share it with the world--NEITHER DO I!! THEN--the SKILLED therapist would have to touch my PIMPLY ASS to find the TRIGGER POINTS-- at which point-- REALLY long needles would be pierced through my skin --DEEP--right into the muscle.  YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT DOESN'T HURT. I literally almost THREW UP just watching the procedure. Not sure what's worse--EXPOSING MY ASS-- THE ACTUAL NEEDLES--OR LIVING WITH THIS PAIN.

 Aaron Hernandez, the subject of James Patterson, Alex Abramovich and Mike Harvey's new book All-America Murder The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez, made decisions that ultimately ruined his life. Aaron Hernandez seemed to have everything. All American college football player from University of Florida--the youngest to ever play in the NFL--Super Bowl appearance--and star tight end for the New England Patriots with a 40 million dollar contract. He was destined for greatness, but it all began to crumble after the death of his father when he was seventeen. Over the course of five years, Hernandez was linked to a series of violent deaths and was eventually arrested for the death of Odin Lloyd in Massachusetts. He was later convicted of first degree murder--life in prison without parole--and later committed suicide in his cell. So what went wrong? This book investigates just that.  Ultimately it's  about decisions--the bad choices Hernandez made in his short life.  He chose--gang members as friends--drugs--violence--and the rest followed suit. This is a frightening look at a world that is becoming familiar--a world where the rules don't apply. I have to admit that I wasn't really all that interested in reading this book, but came away with a different attitude. It's about 350 pages--I read it in one afternoon--so it's a 3 mile run--that's an easy, but essential read.

July 25, 2018 SUMMER BREEZE

Yoga on the beach. There's something about the waves matching the breath that makes it  transformative. It's like HOT YOGA--but outside--with a twist. The sand actually makes you work harder as finding balance--or your center--can be a bit precarious. It takes CONCENTRATION--but finding your Drishti--YOGA GAZE--in this case the New London Ledge Lighthouse--makes it worthwhile.  Being at the beach also makes you feel more connected to the earth. You really need to DIG into the sand-- literally be grounded to it--to be successful. The body and the earth actually work together--a symbiotic relationship of sorts--to hold yoga poses. Did I mention the AURA too?  The breeze--waves--blue sky--scents and sounds REALLY make you forget everything. Worries dissipate--the mind is FREE and CLEAR--for a little while.  It's a wonderful way to connect the mind--body--spirit--environment and I can't think of a better way to start the day. Thanks for including me in your yoga practice. OM. 

All this spiritual talk made me think of a wonderful book I finished last week by Jan-Philipp Sendker called The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. Not sure how I missed this International bestseller from 2002 but so glad I found it. Better late than never right?  Set largely Burma--today Myanmar--this uplifting novel is about the power of love not only for half a century but also a world away. At the start of the novel, Tin Win, father of Julia Win, disappears right after her graduation from law school in New York City leaving the family devastated and confused.  Four years later, an unmailed letter written by  Tin Win several years earlier is found in a desk by his wife.  The letter is addressed to a woman named MiMi from a mountain village in Burma called Kalaw. After reading the letter, Julia sets out on a journey to find out what happened to her father. Shortly after arriving in Kalaw, she is approached by a man named U Ba who claims to know her father. He proceeds to tell Julia a story about her father's life that  she has  never heard.  This is a lovely, touching book that I highly recommend. The characters are real and the descriptions of Burma create a vivid picture of what life is like for the inhabitants of this harsh land. Just found out that there is a sequel. Can't wait to read it and find out what happens next. This book is about 325 pages long--but only a 4 mile run--as the pages melt away like butter. It's that smooth!

July 22, 2018 THE LONG RUN

Back on the ice pack. YUP. Can't seem to WILL this injury away. I can run a  decent 5--with TOLERABLE pain--then by mile 6 it's over. Maybe my days as a DISTANCE runner are over. Not sure. Do know one thing for sure though--I won't be running the 56th annual Ocean Beach/ John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon this summer. First time in 10 years I'll be a SPECTATOR. Think I'll volunteer instead so I can still be a small part of the action. Or maybe I'll ride my bike and cheer on my comrades. Either way--I'll find my way to the GAM for a beer to celebrate with all the runners. If you're looking for a half marathon this August--look NO FURTHER. The Kelley Race is August 4 and it's the ONLY FREE RACE I'VE EVER RUN!! Free admission to Ocean Beach--Free Clam Chowder--bananas--water--after the race. There's even a band performing after the race. The only thing that's not free is the beer. Seriously, I'd never lie!

 Speaking of lies, I just finished Alice's Feeney's International bestseller Sometimes I Lie and I'm still not sure who to believe. This psychological thriller begins when Amber Reynolds "wakes" up in the hospital. She can hear what's going on around her, but she's in a coma. She doesn't remember what happened to her; however, she suspects her husband. The story then alternates between Amber's hospital stay, a week before the accident and a childhood diary from 20 years ago. There are many twists and turns as you never know who is lying and who is telling the truth. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, there was another twist in the story and I was questioning who to trust again. By the end of the book though, the three story lines converge in a shocking way. Don't want to say much more, but I hear there is a sequel in the works that answers many of the loose ends. This real page turner is about 270 pages or a 3.5 mile run that is bent on confusing you and making you ask......did I miss something?? 

July 16, 2018 WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

Yippee. Finally placed in the Sailfest 5k road race. Ok--so it was ONLY third place in my age division but SO WHAT. I've been trying to medal in that race for 20 years and always end up in fourth or fifth place. One year I even missed out on a medal by ONE SECOND. What makes it even more fun is that two of my comrades also placed in their respective age divisions. GOOD TIMES. I know it really means nothing in the BIG scheme of things--but it means something to us. Running is HARD WORK. It takes dedication and time. While most people are sleeping in or enjoying their coffee--we are out pounding the pavement. We are a community of friends who keep running ESPECIALLY when the times get tough OR we have a string of injuries THAT JUST WON'T GO AWAY. Running Grateful. Every mile with a comrade or two is a gift. 

Saeed is thankful when he meets and falls in love with Nadia until their homeland is bombarded with violence and he is forced to choose between his family and freedom in Mohsin Hamid's 2018 LA Times Book Prize and Aspen Words Literary Prize winner Exit West. This timely novel is set in an unnamed city reminiscent of perhaps Syria or Pakistan that is on the brink of civil war. Saeed and Nadia are forced to flee and leave their loved ones behind. The interesting thing about this novel is that Hamid employs "magic doors" to transport refugees to different destinations. It's not about the journey, rather the reality of exile as Saeed and Nadia are surrounded by other refugees and are forced to make difficult decisions regarding  their future. This book is about the experience of the refugee, a relevant topic especially in our political climate as Hamid says, "Geography is Destiny." The writing is urgent and sometimes difficult to read as entire paragraphs contain only commas--but it is still worth the read. It's only 240 pages or a 3.5 mile run --every American should read in order to appreciate the refugee experience.

July 13, 2018 EVERYDAY I WRITE THE BOOK

2 years. Can't believe The Belle of the Book just marked its second year!! Over 25,000 views from all over the world. Even been--liked--retweeted--messaged--by several authors whose books I've reviewed. VERY COOL.  When I started this blog--I had a dream.  I really wanted to MATCH BOOKS WITH PEOPLE--A CAREER CHANGE. Then low and behold--I was reading the New York Times Book Review a few months ago and--SOMEONE STOLE MY IDEA.  They have a new column called Dear Match Book--SO CLEVER. Tears literally formed in my eyes--pretty sure I screamed and had a temper tantrum too!  I had a VAGUE IDEA--but someone else MADE it a REALITY.  UGH!! It's sort of like a Dear Abby column. People write to Match Book about their BOOK LIVES and ask her for literary advice and book recommendations. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?! I get a pit in my stomach EVERY time I read the column. Shaking my head--cursing myself. I knew it was a good idea. In Kristin Hannah's new book The Great Alone, Ernt Allbright thinks it's a good idea to move his family to Alaska but quickly realizes they are completely unprepared for the harshness of the land.

Ernt Allbright is damaged. He is a POW from the Vietnam War who comes home a different man. After receiving a letter that he has been left land in Kenai, Alaska, Ernt impulsively packs the VW van and moves his family to Alaska. Although his wife Cora and thirteen year old daughter Leni have no interest in Alaska, they hope the move will help their emotionally scarred, abusive father escape his demons. With the help of other homesteaders, including Large Marge and Mr. Walker, the Allbrights learn how to survive their first winter when they have 18 hours of night and Ernt's mental state is challenged. This is a frightening sometimes troubling story of love, survival, loss and human resilience. Don't want to say too much more because I don't want to give anything else away. This is a must read. The descriptions of the Alaskan scenery,  untamed wilderness and stark conditions come alive through Hannah's words. This novel is about 420 pages--but it's a real page turner--so it's about a 4 mile run that you will not be able to put it down. Seriously.

July 6, 2018 MOTHER'S MILK

Mammograms. The only thing WORSE than getting your breast squeezed flatter THAN a pancake is perhaps--a colonoscopy prep or child birth. OUCH. So this BREAST SCREENING TECHNICIAN-deftly maneuvers MY saggy boob--twists it and shapes it--much like pizza dough--so it fits-- JUST SO-- into this machine. Then she puts on her DR. FRANKENSTEIN GOGGLES--CRANKS THE MACHINE-- asks over and over again--IS THIS TOO TIGHT??  Choking back tears, I nod--OKAY--even though I can HARDLY breathe. NOT KIDDING. Then she actually tells me to STOP BREATHING and snaps a pic. After barely surviving PHASE ONE-- it's off to the BREAST IMAGING EXPERT for an ultrasound because I have DENSE TISSUE--Who knew?? This involves traversing several hallways-- pretty sure I'm in the basement of the hospital NOW. Seriously. It feels like I'm in a TWILIGHT ZONE EPISODE. I'm strapped to a bed--FREEZING COLD GOO is spread all over my boobs--AND SOME weird contraption starts taking "ADDITIONAL PICTURES". Sounds suspicious right?? I'm pretty sure NO ONE wants additional pictures of these BAD BOYS. AHHH! The indignity of it all.

Maya Anderson, one of the central characters in Fredrik Backman's novel Beartown  faced humiliation and shame but in this sequel Us Against You she finally gets redemption.

I'm a huge fan of Backman and have read all of his novels. Loved Beartown and was thrilled to hear that he wrote a sequel because I loved the town and characters in the first book. So Beartown is a tiny town in Canada that lives--breathes--eats--HOCKEY. This is a poor town--always the underdog. Peter Anderson is the General Manager of the team who lives in Beartown with his wife Kira, daughter Maya and son Leo. After a brutal rape in their small community involving Maya, the team is threatened and the town is virtually torn into factions. Us and Them explores the aftermath as many of the players leave the club to play for the rival town, Hed. Others struggles with guilt and the consequences of doing the right thing. After the team is officially disbanded, a stranger comes into town to start a new team with a new coach who plan to stage a comeback against Hed. His new team includes, Amat, Bobo, Benji from the first book as well as several new players. This is a story about hockey but it's so much more. It's also the story of  people--lifers in a town they love. They are loyal,  determined, quirky--everyday people we all know--insightful and comforting to be around. Make sure to read Beartown first so that you can truly appreciate the whole experience. Us Against You is about 400 pages--or a 5 mile run--that I am truly enjoying. Happy reading. 

July 1, 2018 IT'S A HEATWAVE

CRAZY. Who closes OCEAN AVE on one of the busiest weekends of the summer??? Virtually held prisoner in my own home. The traffic was backed up for at least 6 HOURS--ON ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE YEAR.  Wonder who was responsible for that BRILLIANT  IDEA?? It doesn't take a ROCKET SCIENTIST to know how idiotic that was. AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE MAKING MAJOR DECISIONS IN OUR WORLD TODAY.  Hello--My dog would know  better than to close a major road on a SUMMER WEEKEND--especially BEFORE JULY 4TH. If I were smarter--I WOULDA let people park in my front yard--$25 dollars a car.  SHOULDA had a lemonade/beer stand going too.  Coulda made a fortune--possibly retire. COULDA--SHOULDA--WOULDA.  Don't worry though--I'll be ready the next time some BUREAUCRATIC BRAINIAC  tries to impress us with his BRILLIANCE. Okay--so my  imprisonment wasn't SO BAD--I had an excuse to sit and finish  the International Bestseller I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh.

 After 5 year old Jacob is killed one rainy afternoon in a hit-and-run accident, Jenna Gray quickly moves to a remote coast in Wales to escape the memory of the accident and start a new life. In the meantime, Bristol police officers are trying to piece together the accident and bring the culprit to justice. The chapters alternate between Jenna and the police investigation as Jenna struggles to start over and the police inch closer and closer to discovering what really happened on the day Jacob was killed. Don't want to give much more away but will say that this chilling novel has a plot twist that I never saw coming. It's an easy read of about 370 pages or a 4 mile run that will leave you shaking your head. WOW.