December 31, 2018 WHY DON'T YOU READ A BOOK

It's that time of year again. YUP. Trying to make my list of the best books of 2018. A few things I should tell you about the list. These are from the books that I read this year. They are NOT necessarily written in 2018 though. First off-- I review my blogs for 2018-- make the "INITIAL LIST"--which is always TOO LONG. Then I start cutting--after a lot of HEMMING AND HAWING. The books that make the CUT have what I think of as "The perfect recipe." Generally speaking--the books that make the cut are BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN stories with CAPTIVATING--QUIRKY--characters set in  interesting places. They are the stories that stay with me LONG after I've finished them because they've transported me to a foreign place where I've learned something new. They are the authors I go back to time and time again because I get lost in their prose. So without further adieu--I'd like to share my favorite books of 2018:

1)  An Atlas of Impossible Longing by Anuradha Roy reviewed 11/26/18--blog title Addicted to Love.

2) Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller reviewed 4/16/18--blog title The Weight of the World.

3 Pachinko by Min Jin Lee reviewed 10/30/18--blog title If a Picture Paints a Thousand Words.

4)  The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jen-Philipp Sendker reviewed 10/25/18--blog title Summer Breeze.

5)  Often I am Happy by Jens Christian Grondahls reviewed 2/4/18--blog title Lottery.

6)  Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo reviewed 6/27/18--blog title Time in a Bottle.

7) The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See reviewed 5/20/18--blog title I Hope you Dance. 

8) There There by Tommy Orange reviewed 12/27/18--blog title House Party. 

Hope this list helps you find your next perfect read. Enjoy. Have a Healthy-Happy New Year.  Happy Reading. 

December 27, 2018 HOUSE PARTY

Exhausted. 3 parties in 4 days--TOO MUCH FOR ME. I don't think I go to 3 parties ALL YEAR. Feel like I'm walking around in a daze. It's funny--when I was in my twenties-- I could party every night and feel good as new the next morning. These days--it's more like a two day recovery between parties--so that means I need  SIX DAYS to recover from the holidays.  Don't get me wrong--I'd do it ALL again in a minute. Great fun with friends and family--playing games-- reminiscing--sipping  holiday drinks. Party #1 used to be a cookie party when my daughter was young. She'd invite friends over and we'd spend hours making cookies. Fast forward 10 years. We still make cookies BUT her friends NOW come over--with their significant other. We still snack--play games but NOW we drink a little JINGLE JANGLE JUICE too.  GREAT FUN. So proud of them. This is followed by the  Christmas Eve & Christmas parties that keep me up WAY TOO LATE.  It's a whirlwind and my heads still spinning BUT--wouldn't change a thing!! Hope to feel like my old self  in time for New Years Eve............... 

Twelve characters, each representing  the urban Native American experience, are on their way to a party too--the Big Oakland Powwow in Tommy Orange's debut novel There There. In order to answer the question--what does it mean to be a Native American today--Orange introduces the reader to a new character in each chapter of the novel.  We learn their history, story and motivation for attending the powwow. Some are looking to reconnect with family, others are searching for their "Indian identity" while others are just trying to understand their place in society. They range from teenagers to the elderly; they come from fractured families, violence, drug and alcohol addiction. This book essentially tells the story of the indigenous community in Oakland, California, and their painful history and detachment from tradition after being forced to live on reservations.  This powerful story is a must read. It is equally funny, disturbing and heartbreaking. The characters come alive because the prose is so deliberate, real, raw, honest. This must read is on the 10 best books of the year list and won The Center for First Novel Prize. It's about 290 pages or a 4 mile run that you will never forget.

December 21, 2018 THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

My students have taught ME many lessons over the years. I am often humbled by their wisdom at such a young age. They continually help me grow into a  kinder and more compassionate person.  Life is fragile as many of my students know. They've lost grandparents--mothers--fathers--siblings whether it be the result of  substance abuse--mental illness--cancer-- bad luck. Life is just not fair. Some are angry and others grapple with crippling anxiety as they face the holiday season without their loved ones. I wish I had a magic wand that could make all of their troubles go away. But I don't. I'm thankful that they've let me into their worlds  though--through their poems.  In an age where technology has taken over--they have learned that  writing is powerful. It's a salve that helps to heal the wounds that come with life. It's an outlet that I hope they continue to utilize forever because none of us get through this life unscathed. A  lesson they've been forced to face-- far too early. Maggie Harris, the main character of Camille Pagan's new book Woman Last Seen in her Thirties, thinks life is great until her husband of almost 30 years decides to walk away from their marriage.

Maggie is a 53 year old woman from Chicago who has spent so long being a mother and wife that she's lost herself in the process (SOUND FAMILIAR TO ANYONE). She is secure in her family and marriage or so she thinks. Soon after her two children fly the coop, Maggie and Adam are left to rediscover each other. Maggie plans a trip to Rome, but two weeks before their dream vacation, Adam drops the bombshell. He's unhappy in their marriage and wants out. (SOUNDS LIKE A MIDLIFE CRISIS TO ME--THE GRASS IS GREENER KIND OF THING). After he moves out, Maggie begins to realize that she has no life outside of her children and marriage. Although she feels completely lost,  Maggie decides to go on the trip to Rome alone. This is only the beginning of her rediscovery--where Maggie reawakens to a new future, maybe one without Adam. Find out what happens in this--SADLY ALL TO FAMILIAR EVENT--when you read this book for yourself. It's about 245 pages--4 mile run--that hits close to home for anyone at this stage of the game.

December 16, 2018 SANTA BABY

SANTA CLAUS.  Not sure if my youngest--STILL BELIEVES--in the BIG GUY or not. He didn't write SANTA a letter this year and hasn't mentioned  him AT ALL.  I'm afraid to say anything for FEAR that he's gonna ask me if Old Saint Nicholas is real or NOT.  It's actually a little stressful. Do I JUST come right out and say there's NO SANTA or go along with it one more year. I have half a mind TO SCREAM--THERE'S NO SANTA because it's ALL TOO MUCH FOR ME. Shipping all the gifts to the office--taking them home-- hiding them-- finding time to wrap them--only to hide them again. I know it's not--ALL ABOUT ME--BUT-- IT'S EXHAUSTING. Although I'm a TINY BIT sad that my little guy is growing up--I'm secretly relieved. This being SANTA CLAUS is a lot of work. It's been 25 years--time to retire. HO HO HO.

If you're looking for a laugh-out-loud collection of essays to get you through this holiday season--check out David Sedaris' new book Calypso.  First of all, I must confess that this is my first time reading Sedaris--not sure why--but look forward to rectifying that over the school break. This book continues (he has apparently written several essay collections) with stories about his relationship with his father, mother, sisters, and partner Hugh. Most of the stories take place at his new vacation home in North Carolina and revolve in one way or another around issues that include middle age, mortality and the breakdown of the body from its former glory. I personally enjoyed the stories about his Fitbit obsession, playing Sorry, crazy shopping sprees with his sisters, and his ever-changing relationship with his 90 year old father. Although many of the stories are quite funny, others are a little dark and serious because Sedaris totally understands the human condition and is sensitive to changes and aging. He reflects back on his life in an all too honest way that is actually quite refreshing. His family isn't perfect and that's okay. Life is what it is--funny-sad-crazy. Take it and run with it. This collection is about 270 pages--3 mile run--that will leave you wanting to read his other books. Enjoy.

December 9, 2018 IT AIN'T MY FAULT

Blamers. I can't stand people who BLAME EVERYONE ELSE whenever life doesn't go their way.  It's NEVER THEIR FAULT. They keep making the SAME mistakes OVER and OVER--AND STILL DON'T GET IT. Are they Dumb--Knee deep in denial-- Narcissistic--HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND--PLEASE. On to the Whiners. OMG--I'm pretty sure I have even less tolerance for WHINERS. The people who live to complain. For some CRAZY reason--they harbor great enjoyment from this activity--it feeds their soul. We all have a list of "those people." Yup--they are the people we RUN from--LITERALLY. AND if they're not WHINING--a shock in and of itself--they are TALKING ABOUT THEMSELVES--because it REALLY is ALL ABOUT THEM. How about THE ONE UPPERS? These are the NAME DROPPERS--MATERIALIST DESIGN CONSCIENCE--folks who have to tell you they're friends with "So and So"  even though you don't know "So and So". And they always have a nicer CAR-HOUSE-KIDS-VACATION--EVERYTHING. That is their goal in life so that they can feel better about themselves. Do you see why I only have two friends? Enough said. 

 David Hedge, the main character of Stephen McCauley's new book My Ex-Life, realizes how few friends he has after his much younger lover walks out on him and he finds himself alone again. 

David is a college planner who lives in San Francisco in a rented carriage house. He's not only disgusted with his life and career, he's just found out that his beloved home is being sold to his ex. When he thinks life can't get any weirder--he gets a phone call from Julie Fiske--his ex-wife and ex-best friend--with whom he hasn't spoken in 30 years. Julie Fiske lives on the east coast outside of Boston on the shore. Life hasn't been kind to her either. Her husband of 20 years has recently left her for a much younger woman and they are going through a messy divorce. Although she has her daughter Mandy, she still feels very much alone. Her husband is trying to sell their home in an effort to save his dying restaurant, while Julie longs to hold on to the property even though she can't afford it. After speaking on the phone, David agrees to fly east to help Mandy with the college process and help Julie save her home. This NPR best book of 2018 is funny and sad, with a cast of characters you will really enjoy. It's about 380 pages --4 miles run--well worth the read. Enjoy. 

December 3, 2018 FAINT OF HEART

Went to a  studio last week that practices Ashtanga yoga. I had NO clue what I was getting myself into. It was quite a work out-- the BOOT CAMP-- of yoga.  Ashtanga actually mean eight limbs or branches of yoga.  Postures or physical yoga is one branch but others include--breath control--moral code--meditation--concentration. Ashtanga is more than just yoga--it's a way of life. I met some incredibly gifted people at the studio who are deeply commitment to their practice. KUDOS.  Ashtanga goes something like this-- students follow a sequence of poses--holding each for five breaths before moving to a different pose.  They continue through three series that become more challenging as the practice continues. The focus is on forward bends, back bends, and then CRAZY HARD arm balances. I could get through (OK--BARELY)  the first two series but the arm balances were a NO GO.  This practice demands concentration-- commitment--AND IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. If you're looking to broaden your horizons-- challenge your body and mind--give it a try. YOU WON'T REGRET IT. Didn't regret reading Don't Let Him Know by Sandip Roy either.

Thought I'd give this book a try because one of my favorite writers--Abraham Verghese--recommended it. It also attracted my attention because it was a series of short stories--much like Olive Kitteridge--but in this case--an Indian family who live in Calcutta and America. The stories center around Romola Mitra, her husband Avinash and their son Amit. In the first story called "A Happy Meal" Romola is an old woman who has come to live with her son Amit and his family in California after her husband dies. She doesn't understand the language or culture but tradition dictates that she be taken care of in her old age. One day Amit finds an old love letter in a book and wrongly  assumes it was written to his mother years ago. The letter takes Romola back 40 years when she opened the letter-- addressed to her husband-- by mistake and discovered his secret. In another story "Requiem for a Star", Romola is a teenager falling in love for the first time. After her mother forbids her from dating an actor, she promptly arranges Romola's marriage to Avinash.  Every story is  equally wonderful, with characters who come alive. This beautifully written book is about 230 pages or a 4 mile run that you won't regret either!

November 26, 2017 ADDICTED TO LOVE

 If you'd asked me LAST year to take a MUCH needed brake from running--I would have laughed in your face. Fast forward one year--Believe it or not--I haven't run for 8 WEEKS. At first it was really hard--the routine so ingrained--but substituting it with yoga has helped a lot. Now that I'm off the "Treadmill" I realize a few things. Running had become a job. A rollercoaster of EAT--RUN--EAT--RUN. EXAMPLE--hot fudge sundae-- run 6 miles. I was going--round and round--to NO avail. The scale kept tipping in the wrong direction--SO--I'd run more. Get it?? This sounds like great confessions of a RUNNING ADDICT. Sad thing is--I googled the signs--and  had like--ALL OF THEM to one degree or another. Feel guilty about missing a run--YUP. Not able to take time off when injured--YUP. Give up social or family obligations to run--YUP. Run more than you intend to--SOMETIMES. Run to change your mood--SOMETIMES. You get the idea. Gaining a much needed NEW perspective on running. When I get back on the pavement--I will appreciate that I--CAN RUN-- NOT WORRY-- about how many calories I'm burning. NO MORE TREADMILL FOR ME. Since I'm not on the treadmill anymore--I've had a little more time to read. So I decided to sink my teeth into something a little heavier AND I'M GLAD I DID.

Just finished a captivating, beautifully written novel by one of my new favorite authors Anuradha Roy called An Atlas of Impossible Longing. This lovely novel is set in Songarh, a small town in Bengal. As the multigenerational story unfolds, it is the beginning of the 20th century and Amulya has moved his family from Calcutta in order to run his herbal medicine factory. Living in such a secluded area has a negative effect on his wife Kananbala as she goes crazy and spends much of her time locked away. Years go by and  their sons, Kamal and Nirmal, grow up and marry. Nirmal's wife dies in childbirth leaving him to raise his daughter Bakul. Heartbroken over her death,  Nirmal then leaves Bakul with his family.   Along the way, an orphan from a different caste named Mukunda  comes to live with the family. Mukunda and Bakul forge a relationship that is later torn apart when he is sent off to school--leaving them both longing for the other.  Roy is such a gifted writer--she brings the story to life--sounds--senses--description. The reader not only learns about different cultures, but to appreciate them and realize that we all have far more in common including-- family experiences, romance, death, abandonment, forgiveness and impossible longing. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It's about 340 pages or a 5 mile run that helps you remember why you love to read.

November 20, 2018 LIFE CHANGES

When I was a kid my grandmother used to whip up this dessert--Ice Box Cookies--all the time. Picture this--old fashioned chocolate wafers--and freshly whipped cream-- frozen--kind of like an oreo--ONLY A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER. I thought I had died and gone to heaven every time we had that treat. It was the best. So--when my kids were little I decided to carry on the tradition. Fast forward 25 years-- IMAGINE MY HORROR WHEN I WENT TO STOP & SHOP THE OTHER DAY AND THE WAFERS WEREN'T THERE. At first I thought they moved the thin-- yellow-- rectangular boxes to another area--BUT NOOO!!!  By this time--I was frantic--so I asked a manager--Who knew exactly what I was looking for. We searched like treasure hunters--every NOOK and CRANNY of the cookie aisle to NO avail. NO NABISCO FAMOUS CHOCOLATE WAFERS!!  It can't be possible. These little gems have been around since 1927-- People have been making Ice box cookies for over 75 years!!! How could they just disappear. Now I'm kind of in a funk--missing my grandmother--missing our tradition. WHAT'S THIS WORLD COMING TOO??  I bet you Benny's would have had them! NO BENNY'S--NO CHOCOLATE WAFERS. Next thing you know we'll be having another PROHIBITION. Sometimes life changes for the better and sometimes not. This is a major theme in Anna Quindlen's new novel Alternate Side. 

Nora Nolan, the main character, lives in New York City with her husband Charlie and 18 year old twins.  They live in a nice neighborhood of old brownstones where  everyone is well off--and everyone knows everyone else's business. They share a handyman, have block parties and gossip about each other while walking their dogs.  After the twins go off to college, Nora and Charlie are suddenly empty nesters. They start to realize that they don't have much in common without their kids around. They also begin to realize that they've changed in ways they could never have imagined over their 25 year marriage. Compromise is an issue, especially when Nora wants to stay in the city and Charlie want to move South. Nora is also more successful than Charlie, and he resents it. This is essentially a story about a neighborhood where everyone looks successful, and happy but that's just the veneer. This is also the story of a long married couple facing a cross roads. Quindlen is a great writer with a keen eye who really hits the nail on the head. She says--there are three kinds of marriages--happy--miserable--or somewhere in between. The key is to find out where you are and recognize that it can change with time. This sad story is about 300 pages or a 3.5 mile run that really makes you reevaluate your life and priorities.

November 15, 2018 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

 If you grew up in MY generation--go see BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. I wasn't a QUEEN FREAK or anything BUT THEY WERE IT--IN THE EARLY 80's--for good reason.  Freddy Mercury was an incredible performer. He could REALLY work the stage--much like--Mic Jagger, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler. His--energy--charisma--personality--were second to none. He also had a keen sense of style and could ROCK the CRAZIEST OUTFITS. Not too many men can wear WOMEN'S CLOTHING AND LOOK GREAT! Most important though-- he could really SING--PLAY several instruments --WRITE his own songs. What a talented individual.  The other members of the band--although much TAMER--were equally incredible--musicians--singers-- songwriters-- in their own right. They were the perfect cocktail for that time period. Can't help but wonder what QUEEN would be up to if Mercury were alive. So-- If you're looking for a temporary BLAST TO THE PAST check it out. It is well worth the ride. Not sure Linton Malegarde  will think his plane ride to Paris was worth the effort, especially, after the the Seine bursts its banks and floods the city in Tatiana De Rosnay's new novel The Rain Watcher. 

After many years apart, Linden, a celebrated photographer, is traveling from New York to Paris for a reunion with his family. His father, Paul, is a renowned arborist,  whose obsession  with trees has taken a toll on his family, especially, his wife Lauren. They are also joined by Linden's unhappily married  sister, Tilia and her daughter Mistral. This seemingly happy family hasn't spent time together for good reason. They each have hidden fears and secrets that keep them apart.  While at dinner the first night, Paul has a massive stroke and is rushed to the hospital. The next day, Laura comes down with a case of pneumonia and is quarantined to her hotel room. Paul and Tilia must take charge of the family and wrestle with the ghosts of the past while Paris is being evacuated as water covers the city.  If you read Sarah's Key a few years ago and liked it, this book is written by the same author. She is a good writer who knows how to tell a story. Find out what happens to this family when you read this 225 page novel --3 mile run--  for yourself. 

November 10, 2018 YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Although I've read MANY books this year, they have--for the MOST part been-- easy--light-- reads.  Nothing I'd put on my 10 greatest books--of ALL times list. THOSE books are far and few between. And I miss them. So I went on a quest. Traveled many miles and traversed many internet sites. YUP--needed  to find a book that had the ability to transport me into another world.  With TOP NOTCH WRITING-- Descriptive without being too cumbersome and characters who come alive--grow and change as the story unfolds. Unforgettable characters like-- Pip, Ms. Havisham, Dr. Darawalla, Garp, Owen Meany, Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, Ghosh, Heathcliff, The Count, Scout, Dolores Price, Om and Maneck--to name a few. After searching high and low--I came across a book from 1997 I thought would fit the bill. Couldn't believe this little gem slipped by me. Come to think of it--yes I can. I had a two years old and a VERY COLICKY baby at the time. Surprised that I even survived that year! Sorry--I digressed. Anyways, I just finished a lovely novel that was just what the doctor ordered. This winner of the Man Booker Prize from 1997 is called The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.

Set in Kerala, India in 1969, Rahel and Esthappen are "two-egg twins" who come to live at Aryemenem House after their mother Amma shames the family by leaving her abusive husband. They share Aryemenem House with their uncle Chacko, grandmother Mammachi, and great-aunt Baby Kochamma. Aryemenem House is a grand home with several acres that also includes the family business Paradise Pickles. As the story unfolds, the family is on their way to the train station to pick up Chacko's ex-wife Margaret and his daughter Sophie Mol for the Christmas holiday. Shortly after they arrive, a tragedy occurs that rips the family apart. The narration flips each chapter from past to present so that in the next chapter Rahel is 31 years old and has returned to Aryemenem House to see Estha for the first time since the tragedy 25 years earlier.  When she returns, the homestead has seen better days. The property is in a state of disrepair and neglect which mirrors the state of her family.  And so the story continues and I don't want to say much more and ruin it for you. This is ultimately a novel that is part family drama, part political commentary, part a denouncement of the caste system in India as Amma becomes involved with an untouchable named Velutha and pays the price for their forbidden love. The writing is so incredible it is almost poetic--metaphors, lovely description--the house is practically a character in the story, repetition, random capital letters and a fluidity like butter--if you're open to it. Give this 331 page book a chance. It's about a 4-5 mile run well worth your time.

November 5, 2018 SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS

Not sure WHY we still turn the clocks back every fall.  It's pretty ridiculous. I get  that once upon a time--we needed Daylight Savings in order to take advantage of the sun during the summer--but why are we STILL doing it?? It's not a better use of daylight for me. IT'S PITCH BLACK BY 5:00!! It's a real drag. Why can't we just leave the clocks alone?? I like it lighter longer. Maybe I should start a campaign. LIGHTER LONGER. Wonder if anyone would join my campaign?? There is nothing worse than getting home from work in the DARK. Guess I'll have to double up on my vitamin D so I don't go into a PURPLE FUNK.  Seriously--Getting TOO much SUN is bad for you--BUT getting NO SUN is equally BAD. Scientists believe we should get between 10-30 minutes of sunlight SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK.  Not sure how that's supposed to happen now. Might have to invest in one of those lamps or move to the Arizona OR Hawaii--the ONLY states SMART ENOUGH TO DO AWAY this pesky tradition.  Annie, the main character of Mitch Albom's new book The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, has to go through her own rite of passage too.
If you read and enjoyed Mitch Albom's novella The Five People You Meet in Heaven then you will definitely want to read this sequel.  This lovely story is about Annie, the little girl Eddie saved at the amusement park. The accident that killed Eddie, left Annie with a severed left hand that had to be surgically reattached. She has blocked out the accident and has never been the same. As the story unfolds, Annie is marrying Paulo, her childhood sweetheart. She has finally found happiness--but for how long? After tragedy strikes, Annie finds herself  on a journey with Eddie, one of the five people she meets on her way to heaven. Don't want to say anything else except this short novel is full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Albom's fine writing helped me realize that every ending is actually a new beginning. The book is only 210 pages or a 2 mile run that you can literally read in one sitting. Enjoy.

October 30, 2018 IF A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS

Remember Bob Ross?? The man with the red afro taught people how to paint HAPPY LITTLE TREES on public television?? Well--I'll have you know--I'm NOW the PROUD owner of a BOBBLEHEAD Bob Ross. It's the FUNNIEST thing. YUP--that's all it takes to make me happy. If you press the button-- he ACTUALLY speaks. It's REALLY Bob Ross' voice serving up his witty advice and humor!! What a blast to the past. I can remember watching Bob Ross with my grandmother. We were glued to the television and not because of the RED AFRO. It was the  combination of his SOOTHING VOICE and MAGICAL brush strokes. He was incredible. He could paint a beautiful piece of art AND give advice in thirty minutes! Bob Ross was a positive, encouraging person who was famous for saying--We don't make mistake--just happy little accidents.  My Bob Ross Bobblehead dished up some sage advice today when he said --We all need a little dark--so we can see the light--much like life. WOW--That's deep. A funny aside--No one ever called him BOB OR MR. ROSS. It was always BOB ROSS--both names--interesting. Thanks for the memories.
Currently reading a a National Book Award Finalist from 2017 by Min Jin Lee called Pachinko. This wonderful saga is the story of four generations of a Korean family. The story begins in 1910  during Japanese colonization and ends in 1989. At the beginning of the novel, Sunja lives in a small fishing village in Korea with her father Hooni and mother Yangjin. As a teenager, Sunja  falls in love with a wealthy, powerful man named Hansu and becomes pregnant. After she finds out he is married, she refuses to see him and instead marries a sickly minister named Isak and moves to Japan to be closer to his family. Sunja's son Mozasu is born and takes her husband's name. She also gives birth to another son named Noa. Her husband is later imprisoned because he is a Catholic and the family struggles to survive. Don't want to say too much more but Hansu lives in Japan and wants his only son to be a part of his life. The women in this story are strong characters who hold the family together against incredible odds. Find out what happens to the next generation when you read this novel for yourself. It's about 500 pages--6 mile run--that is a real page turner. The characters are rich and unforgettable. Enjoy.

October 25, 2018 UNDER PRESSURE

Okay--I'm not one of THOSE people. I can't stand Party City and I DON'T want to spend a gazillion dollars on a dumb Halloween costume. But what's the alternative??? I also DON'T want to spend what LITTLE free time I have  making a costume either. It's really a catch -22.  That's how I found myself at that ridiculous store the other day--practically begging my son to buy a costume. I'll admit it. I would have paid up to $50 for a costume--JUST TO HAVE IT DONE. I know my older kids are just shaking their heads. I would NEVER have spent that kind of money on costumes for them. I guess that's a perk??  of being the youngest--I just don't care anymore. LET ME BE. Sooooo--we walked up and down every aisle--AND I tried to convince him that the costumes were cool--BUT--OH--NO--He didn't like A SINGLE ONE!!!   So what am I doing?? SPENDING MY FREE TIME TRYING TO MAKE A VERY COOL COSTUME THAT ALL HIS FRIENDS WILL WISH THEY HAD. Yup--spending my time fashioning  a costume WORTHY enough to win the COSTUME CONTEST at his school.  And I'll be the one REALLY DISAPPOINTED if he doesn't win.  IT WILL ALSO BE MY FAULT--of course. It's A LOT of PRESSURE. It's also a lot of pressure for Frances Jellico after she arrives at Lyntons, an English Country Mansion, in Claire Fuller's new book Bitter Orange.  
Frances is a 39 year old woman who has spent her entire life with her mother. After her mother's death, anxiety ridden Frances takes a job at Lyntons, where she is to survey the gardens and architecture surrounding this once grand mansion that has been  purchased by an American named  Mr. Lieberman. Once she arrives, she meets a seemingly perfect couple, Peter and Cara, who have also been hired to report on the contents and condition of the mansion. The couple seamlessly envelop Frances in their daily rituals--eating, drinking, smoking to excess-- and she happily accepts their lifestyle as this is the first time she can remember having any friends. But are the couple really who they seem to be?? Why does Cara tell elaborate stories and more importantly, why does Peter put up with her?? And how does Frances find herself falling in love with Peter while Victor  stands by and lets her ruin her life? Find out for yourself when you read this atmospheric, psychological thriller for yourself. This haunting tale is about 320 pages --a four mile run--with twists and turns that will leave you wanting more.

October 20, 2018 LET IT BE

What idiot runs on an injury for a whole year and EXPECTS IT TO GO AWAY. ME. I have ISSUES. It would be a NO brainer for most people RIGHT?? Just give it a rest. Stop running for a bit--NOT ME. I  struggled to get through the summer--Yup--kept running even though my body was SCREAMING for a break. NOW-- I CAN'T RUN AT ALL AND I'M HAVING DIFFICULTY EVEN WALKING MY DOGS.  My leg starts TINGLING AND MY FOOT  GETS NUMB. My piriformis muscle is SO SWOLLEN--it's pressing  against my SCIATICA. OUCH. Living in denial really got me in trouble this time. SO--I haven't run in 2 weeks. It was hard at first but I'm getting used to it. I'm going  to take a few months off.  Concentrate on yoga more. Can't believe I'm even putting this in writing--EVIDENCE--but after talking to my physical therapist I feel A LITTLE  better. As he was trying to convince me to take a break from running he brought up a good point.  He asked-- When's your off-season?  Even professional athletes take a break right? And he's right.  I've been running for 20 years and never had an OFF-SEASON. I guess it's time. It's also time for Texas Ranger Darren Mathews, the main character in Attica Locke's new book Bluebird Bluebird,  to take a ride up Highway 59, a place where justice is hard to find. 

Set in East Texas, Lark is a small rural town of 200, essentially stuck in time. After a local white woman is found dead in the bayou, Mathews is sent to investigate her murder only to find out that a black lawyer from Chicago was found two days earlier. Although the sheriff of Lark doesn't  see a connection between the two deaths, Mathews knows better. Growing up black in East Texas, Mathews has learned all about prejudice.  Shortly after arriving in Lark, Mathews meets the widow of the lawyer and promises to find the killer whom he believes is being protected by a white supremacist group.  This is a story about race and justice in America--and it's not always black and white as Mathews finds out--no pun intended. This is a well written story with severals plots and subplots as well as secondary characters who come alive because of Locke's wonderful writing. This book is about 320 pages or a 4 mile run--well worth the read. FYI--just found out that this book is coming to FX as a new television series. 

October 14, 2018 SHALLOW

Incredible. Amazing. OMG. I now have a new obsession. Yup. I am now officially a member of the LADY GAGA club. You will be TOO  after you see A STAR IS BORN.  Okay--I'm a little obsessed with BRADLEY COOPER and SAM ELLIOTT TOO--but I HAD completely dismissed Stephi (yes, we are now on a first name basis)  until yesterday. Her performance  and singing brought ME TO TEARS!! She literally blew me away. Without  the make-up--costumes--fan fare--SHE was a completely different experience--AUTHENTIC--RAW--HEARTBREAKING. As for Cooper-- Believe it or not-- He can REALLY sing too. He actually took voice lessons for 18 months in preparation for the movie.  Cooper played a  gifted musician  haunted by his past. His performance was  HONEST--TRAGIC--UNFORGETTABLE--much like your FAVORITE character in a book--one whose name you'll never forget. This movie was seriously--like a fine wine or a favorite book that demands a reread. Now that I'm obsessed with Stephi--I learned that she's really into yoga--so in her honor--I'm going to review a book I've been reading lately called Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater.   Lasater, whose been teaching yoga since 1971, has a doctorate in psychology. She also  has a degree in physical therapy and is President of the California Yoga Teachers Association.  In addition, she's  written several books and articles on the benefits of yoga. I'd say she's a serious yogi. In Living Your Yoga,  Lasater does not teach poses or breathing techniques, she teaches embracing the whole. The book is divided into three parts where you asked to examine  yourself, your relationships, and finally your relationship with the world. The chapters are short and easy to read. I really liked the suggestions she offered after each chapter to carry the lessons into every day life.   Essentially, Lasater wants the reader to combine mind, body and spirit in a new way in order to practice mindfulness. She wants the reader to let go of self-judgment, fear, control, and find the courage to live a more  ethical/authentic life.  Lasater's book is wonderful because she reflects on her own personal journey with yoga and the things she has learned  about love, life, family during her journey toward mindfulness. This is a 190 page book  for anyone interested in working on self-improvement. The advice is sound and applicable even if yoga isn't your thing. Namaste.

October 9,2018 YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUTTA MY MOUTH

As much as I hate to admit it--I'm a little obsessed. It's not your typical addiction though--its with a game on my phone--WORDS WITH FRIENDS. I can't believe this is happening  to me!! Don't laugh. It's keeping me up at night--It's keeping me from my other addiction--READING BOOKS. I know I have to get it under control--BUT IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE. I'm an English teacher--grammarian, writer, reader, speller--I should be winning EVERY game. But I'm not. This is a game of strategy BUT I'm so busy constructing the BEST word that I practically spoon feed the best options to my opponents. I waste time looking for the LONGEST word or the most CREATIVE word instead of just adding an X to an A for 45 points. It makes NO LOGICAL SENSE. I know that--but I can't get away from CARING MORE ABOUT THE WORDS THAN THE POINTS. To all my opponents out there--I know you think you're smarter than I am but YOUR NOT. I don't care about the WORD RADAR--EXTRA COINS--RIBBONS--BELLS AND WHISTLES. I care about the word--I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME.  Adelaide Blake should have paid more attention to what her fiancee Conrad Massey didn't say in Amanda Quick's romantic mystery The Other Lady Vanishes. 
After agreeing to marry Conrad Massey, Adelaide wakes up to find herself committed to Rushbrook, a private asylum in California. Conrad has had her committed so that he can steal her inheritance to save his company. One frightening night at the asylum, Adelaide witnesses the death of a doctor while on the drug DAYDREAM. In the chaos that ensues, Adelaide escapes and later reinvents herself in Burning Cove, a seaside resort town frequented by Hollywood stars. Jake Truett, a recently widowed business man arrives in town at about the same time claiming his doctor wants him to rest. HHHMMM. Throw in a psychic to the stars, a famous actress, some drug dealers,  gangsters, con men and we have a real mystery. Who drugged the doctor and sent him to his death?  What is DAYDREAM? Will Adelaide be discovered by her husband and sent back to the asylum? Why is Jake really in town and just where does the physic fit in?? Find out the answers to these questions and many more when you read this fun thriller with many twists and turns. It's about 335 pages--4 mile run--that is fun and addicting from page one.

October 3, 2018 ROCK BOTTOM BLUES

The dreaded colonoscopy. YUP. It's the worst thing about turning 50. I know they're a necessary EVIL but really--the indignity of it all. First of all--it DRAGS on for days. Gotta go on something called a LOW RESIDUE DIET and then-- the LIQUID DIET. Remember when you were a kid and thought JELLO was a HUGE TREAT. THINK AGAIN. Not sure if it's changed over the years--or we were just so POOR that ANY FOOD WAS GOOD FOOD. Hell--we probably considered it a fruit TOO!! Sorry--I digressed. Anyways--after almost dying of starvation it's FINALLY time to GUZZLE THE GASOLINE. Believe it or not--this is actually WORSE than sitting on the toilet for hours getting hemorrhoids.  NOT KIDDING. IT'S LIKE DRINKING A GALLON OF CHERRY FLAVORED COUGH MEDICINE. I literally almost threw up. IT GETS WORSE--12 hours later--you have to drink another GALLON OF COUGH MEDICINE and SIT YOUR SORE ASS ON THE TOILET AGAIN. By the time you drag your SORRY SELF to the ROTO ROOTER FACTORY-- you don't care who see's your SAGGY ASS--you just want it over!! THE GOOD NEWS-- If ALL goes well--you REPEAT it again in 10 years. YIPPIE.  Anthony Peardew, the keeper of lost things, hopes everything goes well for his assistant Laura after he leaves her his estate in  Ruth Hogan's The Keeper of Lost Things. As this lovely story begins, Anthony, a famous author of short stories, knows the end is near. He is worried about his collection of lost items which are catalogued and hidden in his mansion called Padua. He has been collecting lost items for over forty years, since the tragic death of his fiancee. This collection actually saved his career as he used the lost items as a springboard for his stories. Upon his death, Laura is shocked to learn that Anthony has left her his estate--with conditions. Laura must try to reunite the lost objects with their rightful owners--a daunting task. After moving in, Laura befriends the gardener and a lonely neighbor who not only help her find the owners, but more importantly, find herself. This is a beautiful story about love, loss and friendship. I really enjoyed the writing--as it comes full circle. Every character has some connection to Anthony that in the end is very satisfying. It's about 275 pages--a 4 mile run--that I truly enjoyed and think you will too.

September 28, 2018 YOU FILL UP MY SENSES

Have you ever read a book that hit a little TOO close to home?? I just finished one. I totally understood the main character--she could have been me thirty-something years ago. Her plight was mine-- I too had been in her shoes--sort of. NO--the gist of the plot didn't happen to me--but other events did that left me feeling as she felt. She was a hard nut to crack and so am I. I sometimes feel sorry for my family--I'm sure they find me a frustrating person to live with. My layers are almost impossible to peel. Things happen in life--that we HAVE to learn to live with--NO ONE IS IMMUNE. And much like Loveday Cardew, the main character in Stephanie Butland's novel The Lost Words Bookshop, books became my sanctuary too. 
 In addition to our affinity for books, Loveday and I share another commonality, she also prefers books to most people. Loveday is a tweny-five year old lost soul who works at the Lost for Words Bookshop in York, England. Loveday has a secret that she's been running from for fifteen years. After three suspicious packages get delivered to the bookshop, Loveday realizes that someone knows her secret. Could it be Archie, the owner of the shop or her ex-boyfriend Rob who seems determined to make her life miserable? Maybe it's the poet/magician Nathan who's always just a little too nice?? Find out what Loveday's been running away from and if she finally faces her past and lets it go. This little gem is a mystery and a love story written especially for book lovers. The cast of characters are authentic and wonderful--you will want to join them for poetry night at the local pub--guaranteed. It's about 370 page--a 4 mile run--that you will wish was a marathon.

September 23, 2018 Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate THE POSITIVE

Positive--Peaceful--Present. Trying to live in the moment these days. Remembering to appreciate life even when it doesn't go my way. It's life after all-- a long winding road with valleys and peaks. Some days are just better than others--that's the nature of the beast. And we can't possibly appreciate the good days unless we have some bad ones mixed in there. We have to experience it ALL in order to feel fully alive. Working on being positive too. I think it's key. There is power in POSITIVITY. It rubs off on everyone. Shaking the dead weight of negativity--complaining--whining. Wasted energy--TRAPS--life suckers. Staying away from people who dwell there too-- Surrounding myself with whom I want to be. It's a better way to live. My mantra--Positive--Peaceful--Present--the secret to living a more fulfilled life. Happy to share it with you.  Miranda Brooks, the main character of Amy Meyerson's debut novel The Bookshop of Yesterdays, is trying to unravel a secret too. 

Miranda is a 28 year old history teacher living in Philadelphia with her boyfriend Jay. One day she gets a package in the mail from her estranged Uncle Billy. The package is the first of many clues her uncle has left her to explain why he disappeared from her life when she was twelve years old. After finding out that Uncle Billy is dead, Miranda returns to Los Angeles to attend his funeral. Miranda is then stunned to learn that she has inherited his bookshop--Prospero Books. Once inside the bookshop, Miranda finds other clues that Billy has hidden for her inside some of his favorite novels. Working through the clues, Miranda eventually  uncovers the terrible secret that tore her family apart. This is a fun, exciting read--especially if you love books and bookstores. This family drama/mystery is about 320 pages or a 4 mile run that I could not put down. Enjoy!

September 17, 2018 THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE

SHAKING MY HEAD! YUP--that's what I'm doing. This post is dedicated to ALL my friends out there who are "NEW" to dating--2018 style. WHAT A WORLD. First of all--you need to learn the LINGO out there OR you will feel like a FOOL:

1)  Bread crumbs are NOT for cooking ANYMORE. In 2018--people are BREAD CRUMBING--YUP--IT'S BECOME A GERUND. In dating terms this means communicating via a dating site BUT IT NEVER GOES ANYWHERE--GOT IT.  In layman's terms--it's stringing someone along for NO apparent reason. 

2) The  NOUN--ghost--has also been turned into  the gerund--GHOSTING--and it's NOT a good thing. If you have been ghosted--someone you think you have a "THING" with has stopped communication--blocked you--whatever. Apparently it's over and you're the LAST TO KNOW.

3)  Here's a goody--FUTURE FAKING. What the hell?? Okay--this is making fake plans with someone for a future date when YOU KNOW DAMN WELL THAT YOU'RE NEVER GONNA SEE THAT PERSON AGAIN. 

4) The catfish is NO longer a SMELLY OILY fish because it's also become the gerund--CATFISHING.  This is a person who sets up a fake profile--not sure why. Maybe they are TROLLING and don't want to be caught. 

5 The submarine we see in the ocean--is NO longer-- it too has been turned into the gerund-- SUBMARINING. This is when someone shows interest--disappears for a while--and then reappears again. HHHUUUMMMMM.  

That's enough for today. There will be a test on Friday. SINK OR SWIM. 

You think you've got problems, poor Kate Matthews, one of the  main characters in Libby Page's first novel The Lido, hasn't had a date in forever. Kate moved to Brixton after graduation and has been living there for a few years. She's lonely, depressed and ridden with anxiety. After she is assigned by the local paper to cover the closing of the lido, the community pool, her world is forever changed. When she goes to the lido, she meets Rosemary Peterson, an 86 year old widow and life-long resident of Brixton. Rosemary has watched Brixton change tremendously over the years, but when she finds out that a developer wants close the lido, she takes action because the lido is much more than a pool to her. The lido has been a part of her life forever. It's where she learned to swim, met her husband, and it is where she found community and solace after his death. Kate and Rosemary become friends as they work together to keep the lido open. This is a fun, easy read of about 300 pages--3.5 mile run. This is a feel good story about the importance of friendship across generations. Enjoy!

September 10, 2018 PURPLE RAIN

BEFUDDLED. That's how I feel. This weather really has me shaking my head. What the Hell? Three days ago I was dripping--LITERALLY--in sweat. Today  I'm wearing--sweats--long sleeve shirt--sweatshirt. CRAZY. Have you noticed that we don't seem to have SEASONS anymore?? I think SPRING lasted all of two days. There are only TWO words to describe this weather phenomenon--GLOBAL WARMING. How else can we account for the EXTREME weather patterns--heat waves--heavy storms--flooding--hurricanes--earthquakes--droughts. And that's only the tip of the ice berg. What about the animals affected by our irresponsible behavior?? They will  be forced into extinction if things don't change. SCARY STATISTIC--Although 97% of scientists believe human activity is causing global warming--ONLY 43% of Americans worry about climate change. So--57%  aren't concerned about global warming. And you know why??-- BECAUSE THEY DON'T THINK IT WILL AFFECT THEM. That's SO single minded. What about the animals? What about future generations? Landforms? The oceans? Be the change you want to see.
Not much changes in Grouse County Minnesota, the setting for Tom Drury's highly acclaimed novel from 1994 The End of Vandalism. 
Not sure how I missed this lovely novel, but was happy to stumble upon it a few months ago. This story is about small town life --the mundane of every day life--with wonderful characters who become more alive with every page. Dan Norman is the county sheriff who's in love with Louise Darling wife of Tiny Darling. Tiny is a thief who's never had a real job. One night after drinking at the local bar, he goes on a rampage and vandalizes the town. He's later arrested and sent to jail. Louise finally divorces Tiny after many unhappy years--making way for Dan. Nothing huge happens in this story other than Drury drawing the reader into his world--one filled with quirky small town characters who face many of the same problems we face. It's an often funny but also sad look at life from a great writer. This best book of the year from 1994 is about 320 pages long--or a 4 mile run--that will stick with you for a long time.

September 6, 2018 DEAD WEIGHT

Generally speaking--I would have to say that the SCALE is and has been my nemesis for many years. That is until today.  I had a doctor's appointment to check on my shingles--AND THE NURSE HAD THE NERVE TO WALK BY THE SCALE. Couldn't believe they weren't gonna weigh me. NORMALLY-- I'd  sign in relief--BUT TODAY WAS DIFFERENT. I wanted to be weighed. HELL--I'D been on MY diet for 6 months--I needed AN OFFICIAL WEIGH IN--recorded for posterity. It's not everyday that you lose 17 POUNDS--right?? This just goes to show that if I can lose weight--anyone can. First off all--I had to hit my ROCK BOTTOM. That's different for everyone but for me--THERE WAS NO WAY IN HELL I WAS GONNA BUY A BIGGER SIZE. My clothes were TOO TIGHT-- AND I HAD some  back FAT and belly FAT hanging over my pants.  SO NOT ME. Then I made the decision to do something about it. I already exercise A LOT--so it was time to look at my diet.   I decided to--CUT out the processed CARBS--cereals--pasta--rice--ice cream--and find healthier alternatives that I COULD LIVE WITH. I think that's the key. It had to work for me or I wouldn't have been able to do it. Before you spend money on some FAD DIET--think about a diet--or new lifestyle that you can live with because there's NO GOING BACK.

 After Emmeline Lake forges her bosses signature on some letters, she realizes there's definitely no going back either. Told in first person, A. J. Pearce's debut novel Dear Mrs. Bird is set in London in the 1940s. Emmy Lake and her best friend Bunty share a flat in London where Germans are regularly bombing the city. Emmy dreams of being a Lady War Correspondent but after a mistake she finds herself typing letters for an advice column with a crotchety boss named Mrs. Bird. She also volunteers as a telephone operator for the Auxiliary Fire Service with Bunty's fiance William. Because Mrs. Bird refuses to reply to letters that she deems unsavory, Emmy takes matters into her own hands--replying and signing Mrs. Bird's name. After tragedy strikes, Emmy must reevaluate her choices and come to terms with the mistakes she's made in order to find her way back to her best friend. I really enjoyed this novel. It was silly, funny, and heartbreaking. This is another novel that looks at the different roles women took during war as they tried to contribute to the war effort. It's about 260 pages or a 3 mile run that will have you laughing at the quirky English humor one minute and crying the next. Enjoy. 

August 31, 2018 WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES

Many people have never heard of Williams syndrome--a rare genetic disorder caused by a spontaneous deletion of  26-28 genes on chromosome 7--that occurs at the time of conception. Williams syndrome affects 1 in 10,000 people in the United States. Complications of Williams  include delayed development, cardiovascular disorders, scoliosis and many other significant health problems. People with Williams are unique in many ways but a hallmark of Williams is having personality plus.  These special people are overly friendly and affectionate to everyone. They don't understand stranger danger-- believing instead that everyone is their friend.  They have excessive empathy, anxiety, phobias, and attention issues. I have to admit that I had never heard of Williams syndrome either--that is until my brother called me about twelve years ago to tell me that his son was being tested for it. When my nephew was about three months old, doctors discovered that he had VSD--ventricular septum defect-- a 10 millimeter hole in the wall of his left ventricle. Luckily, his heart doctor recognized it as a symptom of Williams and recommended they see a geneticist. At the tender age of twelve, the poor kid has had 19 surgeries because he has scoliosis and he has been shuffled around to more doctors than most people see in a lifetime.   So why is he lucky?? He has parents who educate themselves on the subject and work hard to make sure he has every advantage in and outside of school. He has had OT, PT, speech therapy and attends school where he learns social and life skills. He has parents who will ensure that he reaches his highest potential and a family who loves him-- accepts him and will continue to care for him in the future. If you are interested in learning more about this syndrome then you should read The Boy Who Loved Too Much by Jennifer Latson. 

After reading a review of this book, I decided to read it so that I could learn more about Williams. Although I learned more than I bargained for about genetics and research-- the most important thing I learned was about the unique challenges parents faced when their child had Williams syndrome. Latson wrote this book after spending three years with Gayle D'Angelo and her twelve year old son, Eli, in their Connecticut home. Eli was diagnosed with Williams when he was young after missing several developmental milestones. His parents divorced when he was about 5 years old leaving Gayle a single parent. Between medical appointments and schools meetings, Gayle was forced to change jobs because her employer had no empathy for her situation. The challenges Gayle faced were endless too. The vigilance to keep Eli safe was constant --she never left his side unless he was at school. The worry about "inappropriate behavior" and phone calls from school were a mainstay.  Just being his advocate at school and doctors appointments--making sure he had every possible service was mind boggling. I learned so much about what it was like to be a parent of a special needs person--things  I could never know or understand unless I lived it.  Bless you all.  Seriously, I walked away from this book thinking--Never judge anyone until you have walked a mile in their shoes!! Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book. It will change your life and humble you. Its only 260 pages--or a 4 mile run--worth every page.

August 29, 2018 EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT

Shingles. I thought those were only on roofs. Dragged myself to school on Monday--with what I thought was a pinched nerve in my neck.  Barely survived the HEAT  and PAIN only to repeat the same on Tuesday. Noticed I had some weird rash on my neck when I got home on Tuesday.  Seriously--I thought it was poison ivy. Then my husband said something about shingles.  I ignored him--OF COURSE--for a little while. Then I started reading about shingles and looking at images online and--LO AND BEHOLD--HE WAS RIGHT.  Not sure if I caught it in time but started taking Valacyclovir just in case. I have this weird rash that wraps around my neck--up my scalp--following the nerve endings behind my ear. Literally feels like someone is yanking my hair at its roots OR an alien is trying to break out of the side of my head--its that PAINFUL!!!!! Can't go to school til next week because it's CONTAGIOUS TOO. As a teacher--it's really hard for me to miss the first week of school--it's such an important time.  I have to let it go--BREATHE deeply-- go to my ZEN place. In the big scheme of life this is just another bump in the road-- far from the horrors Isabelle Rossignol experienced in The Nightingale.  

TRUE CONFESSIONS FIRST--It took me a while to pick up this book because I generally lumped Kristin Hannah into the CHICK LIT category.  I APOLOGIZE--I CAN BE SUCH A BOOK SNOB. After reading The Great Alone last month and loving it, I knew that I had to give The Nightingale a chance.  In this work of historical fiction, two sisters must confront the atrocities of war while living in German occupied France during World War II. Vianne Mauraic is a teacher and mother living in Carriveau. When her husband is called to serve France, she's left to manage the home front.  As Nazi soldiers invade her small town,  she is forced to let them billet in her home. When her Jewish friends start to disappear, Vianne finds the  courage to make a difference and becomes a Nightingale in her own way. Her younger sister is Isabelle Rossignol. She is a bit of a renegade. She joins the war effort and eventually escorts downed airmen through an escape route to Spain whose code name is Nightingale. This is essentially the story of the fortitude of women during war. Hannah tells the reader what it was like to be a woman during World War II, setting the record straight because this glimpse into history is accurate.  In addition to the historical aspect of this novel,  I loved  the writing and character development. I'm actually having trouble letting them go. Although this novel is 565 pages--or a 6 mile run--I could not put it down and was sorry to see it end. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of the powerful novel.

August 22, 2018 GOOD LIFE

All good things must come to an end. At least that's what they say. It's been a great summer. One of the most relaxing that I've had in a LONG time. Perfect-- running--yoga--reading--painting--and hanging at the beach. Mostly--Carefree. It's wonderful when the biggest decision of the day is what time we should go to the beach. WHAT A WORLD.  Wish I could stay there. It took me a long time to learn to relax though.  When I was younger-- I always felt like I had to complete AN IMPORTANT task--cleaning--organizing--STUPID STUFF. It took me a long time to let that go. Then I remembered some SAGE ADVICE from my grandmother. She actually told me not to waste my time--changing curtains every season--shining the silver--waxing the floor.  Those things really weren't  that important in the big scheme of things. As I've grown older--I've also grown a TINY bit wiser. Today I find things that bring me joy and help me appreciate life. That's what  really matters. These are some of the issues Julia Win struggles with in Jan-Philipp Sandker's novel A Well-Tempered Heart. 

A Well-Tempered Heart was written in 2014 and is the sequel to the wonderful novel The Art of Hearing Heartbeats of 2004. In the sequel, it has been 10 years since Julia's return from Burma. She is now a high powered attorney in Manhattan who is at a crossroads after her fiancee moves out. To make matters worse, Julia starts to hear a voice inside her head that makes her question her life. Unable to work because of the voice, Julia takes an unpaid leave and returns to her father's homeland of Burma to see her brother U Ba. Once in Burma, U Ba helps  Julia figure out that  the voice belongs to a woman named NuNu.  U Ba takes Julia to visit NuNu's sister in an effort to be free of the voice. Julia learns about NuNu's life and later decides to visit NuNu's son Thar, where the story comes full circle. This is a beautifully written story about love, loss, family and forgiveness that I thoroughly enjoyed. Please read them in order though or you will not fully appreciate the story. A Well-Tempered Heart is about 400 pages--or a 4.5 mile run--that I will never forget. Enjoy.

August 17, 2018 YOUNG, WILD & FREE

Ah--to be 22 again. Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. I get such a kick out of how much she LOVES HER BIRTHDAY. She starts THE countdown to THE BIG DAY at least a week before. Maybe it's just to remind us--TO GET HER A PRESENT--who knows. She loves the whole SHEBANG. The balloons--glitter-- party on the beach. She's had  birthday parties on the beach--with various themes--AND the same group of friends--forever. These days-- a party on the beach IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THOUGH. It involves having a few cold ones with the gang--AND some complicated form of BEER PONG--I still can't quite figure out.  After a day at the beach--the party continues-- dinner with family and a few friends--followed by a night on the town with the gang. CRAZY.  That girl's got a lot of energy. Up at 8:00 this morning to spend the day in Block Island. Ah--to be 22 again. Maggie O'Farrell was about 22 when she had a near death experience as she describes in her memoir I AM, I AM, I AM:  Seventeen Brushes with Death.  

I have to admit that I was really on the fence about this book but decided to give it a chance after reading an article about it in the paper. It's essentially seventeen brushes with death that O'Farrell has grappled with in her life and the appreciation she feels for her life because of these experiences.  The stories are terrifying, tragic, and at times it's unbelievable that so much has happened to her.  Like I said, wasn't sure about the book but decided to read the first story and I was hooked. The first story is about an encounter she had with a VERY SCARY MAN while out hiking one day. I really could relate to this story because like O'Farrell--I was really naive when I was younger--too trusting of people. Luckily for her, she made some smart decisions out on that trail that saved her life--not sure I would have done the same. Each story will help you appreciate your life and encourage you not to take it for granted. The writing is lovely and easy to read. It's about 300 pages--or a 4 mile run--that will help you feel grateful too.

August 11, 2018 HOTTER THAN HELL

 Imagine. Standing in your kitchen making chocolate chip pancakes at 8 in the morning covered in sweat. That's my life. I'll let you in on a little secret --I DO NOT HAVE AIR CONDITIONING. Not even a window unit in the bedroom. Isn't that CRAZY?? Whenever I tell people I don't have AC-- they look at me like I HAVE A SCREW LOOSE. And I must BECAUSE what normal person would tolerate this heat-- It's NOT like we live in a third world country. It's definitely been a BONE OF CONTENTION in my house EVERY SUMMER FOR 25 YEARS. My husband is NOT a fan of AC but he goes off to his air conditioned office every day--while I sit at home SWEATING MY ASS OFF all summer. A few years ago after a particularly HUMID--SCORCHING--HOT summer--and a HELL of a lot of WHINING-- he DID have someone come to our house to give us an estimate for central air-- Apparently it was just a RUSE meant to appease me until the HOT SPELL ended though.   How much do you want to bet we will have AC when he retires?? SHOULD HAVE DEMANDED IT FROM DAY ONE. Once a SETTLER--always a SETTLER.  Harriet "Hal" Westaway, the main character of Ruth Ware's new psychological thriller The Death of Mrs. Westaway should have been more demanding too.

After the tragic death of her mother, Hal Westaway is barely making ends meet. Desperate for money, she borrows from a loan shark but can't afford the payments on her meager salary as a tarot card reader on Brighton beach. Her prayers seem answered after she receives a letter from a solicitor informing her that she is to inherit a significant amount from her grandmother. Even though Hal thinks it's a mistake, she decides to skip town and the loan sharks  to go to her grandmother's funeral  and find out about the inheritance. When Hal gets to St. Piran, she finds that her  grandmother lives on an old Victorian country estate and that she is the sole beneficiary-- much to the chagrin of the rest of the family. It doesn't take long, however, for Hal to realize that something is very wrong at Trespessan House and she must uncover the past to understand how she is entangled in the web.  Hal doesn't know whether to trust her new found family either. Will they  keep her safe or would they rather see her dead?  Ware does not disappoint, another great read with lots of twists and turns. This mystery is about 365 pages-- or a 4 mile run--that you will have a hard time putting down.

August 8, 2018 WHEN I'M SIXTY-FOUR

It's all relative. So I'm a physical therapy the other day--strengthening my GLUTES--watching this 20 something year old woman in PERFECT shape--work on a shoulder injury. Couldn't help but check her out--WOMEN ARE LIKE THAT OKAY--she was LONG--LEAN--BEAUTIFUL. Flash ahead 15 minutes. The beauty queen leaves--in walks Sally--80 SOMETHING YEAR OLD. I'm still busy working on the BUTT--when Sally yells--Hey Blondie. I have NO IDEA she's talking to me because it's FAKE--but I look up cause there's NO ONE ELSE AROUND. Sally's checking ME OUT-- She THINKS I'M--LONG--LEAN--WOULDN'T GO SO FAR AS TO SAY BEAUTIFUL-- but you get the idea. She bellows-- like a drunken sailor--a few compliments my way. I'M SHOCKED--but want to PAY IT FORWARD--so I say--I  HOPE I look as good as you look when I'm 60!! She gave me a hardy laugh--blushed-- and went on with her workout. We all need a little ADMIRATION now and then--whether we're 20-50-80. A little compliment can go a LONG WAY. 

 In Jane Harper's second book Force of Nature, Falk and his new partner, Carmen Cooper,  are sent to investigate a woman gone missing while on a corporate retreat in the Giralang Range--a long way from home. Not sure if you read Harper's first book The Dry which won the Golden Dagger Award for best Crime Novel last year--but I'd start there first. It's a great read and since this is a series, it's nice to get to know Falk in book one. In this installment also set in Australia, the missing hiker is Alice Russell. She disappears on a weekend retreat  meant to be a bonding experience. Five women walked into the woods and only four walked out. Five women who didn't necessarily get along in the first place. Add to the mix the fact that Russell  has been secretly working with Falk to uncover a money laundering scheme that her company is involved in.  It's a great mystery with several suspects and twists and turns. Wasn't sure about anything until the bitter end. If you're looking for a new crime drama series-I'VE FOUND IT FOR YOU! It's an easy read of 325 pages--or a 4 mile run--that will keep you guessing. Enjoy.

August 3, 2018 WHAT HURTS THE MOST

I am the BIGGEST PROCRASTINATOR. Seriously. What NORMAL person would walk around for a YEAR with an ACHING ASS??  Finally couldn't take it anymore.  After seeking the WISE counsel of my running circle--I finally took the plunge and found a new PT.  I really DREADED going--but can happily admit that I think I've found the RIGHT PT for my problem. And the best part--He's young--has a good sense of humor --AND IS GOOD LOOKING. You already know how SHALLOW I am--ENOUGH said. On a serious note though--there are all types of PTS out there and you need to find the one who can help with your specific problem. Should have listened to my running GURUS months ago but I really thought --PTS WERE all the same. How DUMB--that's like saying all teachers, lawyers, writers, doctors are the same. Today people specialize in certain areas so it's important to ask around. Another lesson learned..........

Seems like Arthur Less the main character in Andrew Sean Greer's Pulitzer Prize winner of 2018, Less,  has difficulty learning lessons as he keeps repeating the same mistakes. Arthur Less is a gay man on the cusp of fifty living in California.  After his lover of nine years breaks up with him to marry someone else, Arthur Less, a struggling writer, accepts several literary engagements around the world  to avoid the embarrassment of  the wedding. He finds himself in Paris, Berlin, Morocco, India and finally the Arabian Sea. During his travels, Arthur Less reflects on his past and realizes his mistakes.  In the end, this is essentially a love story--quirky, bizarre at times, but I couldn't help but like Arthur Less and have empathy for his situation. The writing is also top notch. Find out what crazy situations Less finds himself in and all the discoveries he makes when you read this novel for yourself. It's about 270 pages-- or a 4 mile run--by a fine writer that's worth the read.

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.