September 17, 2017 AFTERNOON DELIGHT

There are books--and then there are BOOKS. Some are quick and easy--great for the beach-- I read them on a regular basis. I really enjoy these books--they're fun to read and not too much of a commitment. BUT I have to confess that the books I LOVE--SAVOR--REREAD are very different. I AM A SUCKER FOR BOOKS THAT ARE WELL WRITTEN. In my world this mean anything written by Charles Dickens, W. Somerset Maugham, John Irving, Abraham Verghese, Rohinton Mistry--I'm sure I've missed a few--but you get the idea. These writers set the bar. They have me hooked on page ONE--I fall into them like an old shoe. The writing is magical. These are the writers who  have an uncanny ability to not only  observe life but capture it flawlessly IN THE WRITTEN WORD.  They're masters of descriptive writing too--creating imagery that is almost poetic. It's so beautiful that --IT DEMANDS A REREAD.  They create  characters who are  alive- authentic--old friends. I actually remember their names forever because they have touched my heart and soul. These books don't come along every day--they're far and few between.  I was fortunate enough to find  one though--just last week--WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE.  I have never read Amor Towles before, but after reading A Gentleman in Moscow he has proven himself worth his weight in gold.  

I literally read one page of this book and knew it was going to be -- PURE HEAVEN.  Set in Moscow, it is 1922 and  Count Alexander Rostov has just been sentenced by a Bolshevik official to house arrest for  a "Revolutionary" poem he wrote when he was a student at the university. House arrest for the Count happens to be at a famous hotel called the Metropol--right across the street from the Kremlin. The Count is stripped of most of his possessions and is reduced to living on the 6th floor in an attic room. As fate would have it, the Count's station in life becomes so reduced that he is forced to join the wait staff at the restaurant in the hotel.  The Count, however, is a man of conviction who believes "A man must master his circumstances or otherwise be mastered by them". Over the course of the next 30 years, the Count forges relationships with the staff and guests including movie stars, Russian royalty, Bolshevik revolutionaries, famous intellectuals, Americans, spies and a little girl named Nina who teaches him about life and purpose. I have to confess that I still have 100 pages to read so I'm not sure how things will turn out for the Count--but I don't want it to end so I'm trying to read it slowly. SAVOR EVERY WORD.   This fantastic novel is a bit of a commitment  but so worth it that I hesitate to call it such. It's 480 pages--a 7 mile run--THAT'S WORTH EVERY STEP!!

September 12, 2017 WALK ON BY

The monotony of every day life. It's such a rigmarole. Almost ROBOTIC at times. When my kids were little I couldn't wait for them to get older--to be able to do things on their own. Just a little independent so that  I didn't feel--SO PUT UPON. I kept telling myself -- one day I'll have ME TIME again--a little FREEDOM.  Then TA--DA--All of a sudden--THAT DAY CAME. I finally have time to myself again--BUT NOW I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT I WANTED TO DO THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT?? Life is funny like that. The old me--B.C.--BEFORE CHILDREN--is long gone--replaced by some older, more mature version. The things I thought were important back then seem so SILLY now.  There are many things we don't understand until we've lived a little and reflect back. HOW UNFORTUNATE.  One of my favorite writers once wrote, "You live [life] forward, but understand it backward." I couldn't have said it better myself. With this in mind,  I just finished a wonderful book by Kathleen Rooney called Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk who explores this theme.

It's New Years Eve 1984 and  Lillian Boxfish, an 85 year old octogenarian, is getting ready to go to a party. An avid walker, Lillian decides to stroll to the party through her old haunts in Manhattan so that she can reminisce about the good ole days. She's had an interesting life. Over a 10 mile jaunt,  she  visits many "ghosts of the past" including the  R. H. Macy's building.  During the 30's-40's, Lillian was  the most successful AD woman in the department store. (This part is based on Margaret Fishback, a real-life ad woman and author). A feisty, sophisticated woman, Lillian was a woman who wanted more out of life. She wanted equal pay and  the same rights as men--at a time when women who got pregnant were out of a job. During her walk, the reader learns that Lillian's life didn't go quite the way she planned. As Lillian looks back over her life, she reevaluates many of her decisions. While walking, she also meets a cast a characters who either teach Lillian a lesson or visa-versa. This book is just great. I fell in love with Lillian on the first page. She is funny, passionate and flawed in many ways--a real person. The writing is also impeccable--almost poetic at times. Do yourself a favor and pick up this new release ASAP. It's about 300 pages--or a 4 mile run--that is simply unforgettable.

September 10, 2017 WRITE ON

Had the opportunity to see Louise Penny--author of my FAVORITE mystery series-- in Madison last night. Pretty exciting. What an interesting lady.  Come to find out--E. B. White's Charlotte's Web was as instrumental in her life as it was in mine! In her case,  Penny read this classic when she  was 8 years old and was so touched by it that she decided  to be a writer someday. She understood the sheer magic of the written word and wanted to help others feel the same. Her journey to become an acclaimed writer took many turns --she actually didn't finish her first novel  Still Life until she was in her forties. That's amazing. It took her quite a while to realize that she didn't have to write the perfect book-- just the book she had in her heart. She also had to learn to take that leap of faith--face that demon known as FAILURE--in order to realize her dreams.  She's learned my lessons along the way and willingly shared them with her audience. LOVED HER--wish she would have spoken longer--but I'll take it.  Also, loved finding out that the cast of characters in her books are loosely based on friends and people she has met. Writers really do write about who they know--what they know--where they've been--and what's in their hearts.

Penny's series includes 13 books of which I have read 12.  The characters are so endearing  and the town of Three Pines is so wonderful that I can't help myself. Thought I'd review book 9 How The Light Gets In--one of my favorites. In this installment, Gamache is called to Three Pines to investigate the disappearance of Myrna Landers' friend. It's the Christmas season and Myrna is really excited because an old client has decided to spend the holidays with her. After her old friend fails to appear, Myrna calls  Chief Inspector Gamache to help locate her. Gamache, whose best agents have left the homicide department--after big shake up--welcomes this distraction. Gamache is also torn in this book because he and his long time partner Beauvoir are  estranged. This is a pretty intense book with a lot going on.  Will Gamache be able to locate Myrna's friend? What is her mysterious past? Will Gamache be able to restore goodwill in the homicide department? Will he mend his relationship with his partner so that it can be a Merry Christmas?? Find out for yourself when you read this book for yourself. It's about 400 pages of intrigue--a 5 mile run--that will leave you dying to read the next book. Enjoy!

September 5, 2017 TEACHER TEACHER

Who would ever want to teach their own kids?? Sounds horrible right--TMT?? Believe it or not-- it was  one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had--Seriously. Our kids only get to see us as parents--the cook, cleaner, tutor, chauffeur--I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS-- but I'll spare you. My kids got to see me in a completely different way--WHEN THEY SPENT-- a year in my classroom. They called me Mrs. Regan and as far as I was concerned--they were just another member of the class. REALLY. They learned that their mother was much more than a mom.  I'm a very different person at school. My teacher persona clicks on and I'm -teaching-laughing-teasing the kids.  Hoping that they enjoying spending time with me as much as I do them.  It's a two way street.  I feel very fortunate that I was also able to see my kids in a different light too. They weren't my kids at school--they were students--EAGER to learn new things.  I was also lucky enough to forge lasting relationships with their friends too.  It was a WIN--WIN for all involved.

 Randy Pausch, a university professor with pancreatic cancer, shared his thoughts on life in his wonderful book The Last Lecture.  Pausch gave his Last Lecture in 2008 when he knew his illness was terminal.  This is a wonderful book full of inspiration for many reasons.  Pausch's lecture reminds the reader to live each day with purpose--to seize the moment. He spends time discussing his childhood/life to offer words of wisdom to not only his audience but also his own children. This is not a pity party, Pausch is actually quite funny and upbeat. Pausch wants people to come away from his lecture  understanding that WE must all live life to the fullest because WE never know what's around the corner-- appreciate life and have fun. It's ultimately up to the reader find joy in everything. That's the challenge.  This little treasure actually stayed on the bestseller list for 112 weeks. It has also been translated into 48 different languages--selling over 5 million copies in the United States alone. It's only 224 pages long--a mere 3 mile jog--that will have you adjusting your attitude.

September 2, 2017 WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER

268 miles left.  Just updated my mileage for the year and as of today I've run 732 miles. NOT TOO SHABBY. I definitely ran a lot (TOO MUCH)  this summer--June 112--July 120--August 102. I was really feeling it though--ESPECIALLY--after the Kelley Race in August. I WAS HURTING ALL OVER. I can honestly say that I haven't enjoyed A RUN since THAT race UNTIL today. It's so weird. I felt light as a feather today--AND--that's NO small feat. It really isn't much fun running when your legs feel like tree trunks and every muscle and joint aches--AND THAT'S LITERALLY HOW I WAS FEELING --EVERY time I ran-- until today. Guess that's ANOTHER good reason (besides paying my daughter's tuition) to get back to school. At least I WON'T run myself to DEATH because I don't have the time. I can get back to enjoying my runs and not worry so much about the challenge. I have four months to run 268 miles. That's a mire 67 miles a month right??

EASY compared to what I've been doing.  All this talk about challenges made me think of a great book  by one of the most hilarious writers of all time, Bill Bryson. In 1998, Bill Bryson decided he would attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail. NO SMALL FEAT. Beginning in Georgia and ending in Maine--this is a 2, 200 mile trek. His book A Walk in the Woods is the story of his journey with his high school buddy, Steve Katz. This is a serious undertaking--not sure they thought this one through--especially for men in their forties with limited hiking experience. Katz was also a recovering alcoholic who was overweight, and seriously out of shape  at the time. Sounds like a recipe for disaster right?  They learn several lessons on their journey and  meet some interesting, quirky people along the way too. Some of the situations they find themselves in are laugh out loud funny. Bryson is great because he can find humor in almost every situation. The trail is actually quite dangerous--a difficult, treacherous trek at times too with black bear, moose and serious bugs. YUK.  In addition to being an adventure story, Bryson travelogue is interesting for many reasons. It's also part history, geography and ecology lesson. Find out whether Bryson and his buddy complete their challenge when you read this book for yourself. It's about 350 pages--maybe a 5 mile run--that you will thoroughly enjoy.

August 31, 2017 SHAKE YOUR GROOVE THING

This getting back into the school GROOVE is a killer. It's been a whirlwind--running here/there--bombarded with  questions AND information that my brain  ACTUALLY HAS  TO PROCESS. AND I'm supposed to look professional too.  NO MORE SHORTS AND TEE SHIRTS. I Wore REAL shoes with a HEEL the other day and thought I would die. It was HELL. WHY Can't we just wear flip flops year round?? I swear my feet are getting WWWIIIDDDEERR--with each passing year. Must be all the running that somehow NOW has to get sandwiched in after school and preferably before dinner.  That's REALLY the worst part of going back to school. IT'S REALLY HARD TO RUN AFTER SCHOOL. My feet hurt, I'm dehydrated, hungry, bloated, tired AND JUST NOT IN THE MOOD. As I ran over these complaints in my mind yesterday-- WHILE RUNNING at 4:00--I had to remind myself to flip it around. I had to tell myself to be thankful that I can still run--regardless of the time of day. Just getting out there WILL HAVE TO BE present enough for now.

Britt-Marie the main character of Fredrik Backman's book Britt-Marie was Here has her hands full too. I first met the character Britt-Marie when I read Backman's My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry a while back. Britt-Marie is an odd duck. She's a neat freak, cleaning fanatic who can't stand the site of dirt or disorder. She also has difficulty in social situations because she has spent many years taking care of her husband without venturing out on her own.  In this book, Britt-Marie has left her husband, Ken, after she finds out he has been unfaithful to her. Britt-Marie is on her own trying to manage in a world she doesn't really understand.  She finds a job in the town of Borg taking care of a run down recreation center--her only prospect because her skills are limited. Borg is a rundown, sad town.  After a financial crisis, many  businesses have closed down and most people have moved away.  Britt-Marie finds herself surrounded by the left overs--several quirky characters who need her help. Britt-Marie has never been needed like this before. In order to help her new found friends, Britt-Marie must face her own ghosts, let down her guard and learn to love again. Find out what happens to this interesting, funny cast of characters when you read Backman's sequel of about 320 pages. This is an easy read--a 3.5 mile run--that will have you laughing one minute and teary-eyed the next. Enjoy.

August 27, 2017 SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY

It's not really Sunday's fault. It just happens to be the day that signals the end of the weekend. We either go back to SCHOOL the next day--or we don't.  Sunday is my FAVORITE day of the year when it signals summer vacation--AND THEN IT'S NOT--you get the picture. Had my last leisurely run of the summer this morning. Boy am I going to miss that--but it's all good. I have to remind myself that most people DON'T get summers off and be THANKFUL THAT I DO. One more day in DENIAL then I'll PLUNGE right in. That's generally how I operate.  Tomorrow I'll actually string together entire sentences --AND MAKE SENSE. Not sure how that's going to happen--but it will. I'm a soldier--preparing for battle.  I'll face parents, tired AND many times uninterested students--with STYLE. THAT'S WHAT I DO--I'm a teacher.  Hopefully, my students will learn a lot--laugh a lot--and become more competent, compassionate people along the way. That's my prayer!
The main character of Thrity Umrigar's new novel, Everybody's Son, has a lot more than school to worry about during the heat wave of 1991. He just wants to survive the day. Anton Vesper is a 10 year old African American who lives in the projects with his drug addicted mother, Juanita. Determined to find drugs one day, Juanita locks Anton in their apartment--with the intent to return in an hour, and never returns. Day Seven--Anton has no food, electricity or lights. It's 95 degrees in his apartment when he finally shatters a window with a chair and escapes his prison. He's rescued by a policeman and taken to child services. Anton later becomes a foster child to a white privileged family--David and Delores Coleman --after Anton's mother is sent to prison. Because the  Colemans  have experienced a huge loss,  they immediately fall in love with Anton and want to adopt him as their own. Desperate to keep Anton, David uses his political connections to make sure it happens. Anton grows up--becomes Harvard educated and is on his way up the political ladder when he receives a letter from his birth mother. Anton must come to grips with the truth about the family he loves as well as  whom he has become while living in a white world.  This exceptional book explores  many issues--race, class, culture and privilege to name a few-- All of which  are relevant in our world today. It's about 350 pages or a 4 mile run that will have you thinking long after the story is over.