Endurance Series 2012

Am I crazy...well the answer is probably. I have decided to run the Disneyworld 2012 - and I mean the whole damn thing. Yup that's every race: the 5k, the half, and the full marathon. That's a little over 42 miles that weekend....

In a little over 98 days I hope to be a full fledged running machine. So I'm back in training mode and in addition to my book and travel rantings I will keep you posted on my training as well. Stay fit my friends :D

The Flirt - K. Tessaro

The Flirt by Kathleen Tessaro - an easy but entertaining read...

On loan from a friend this summer, I read The Flirt. Intrigued by the plot it was the first of three Tessaro books I read whilst basking in the OC sand and sun. Well not so much sand and sun....but it sounds good right?!

The story is set in London, England where we meet Mr. Hughie Venerable Smythe, a handsome BUT out of work actor that charms his way from lunch to lunch. In a twist of fate Hughie responds to an intriguing job ad that thrusts him into the world of professional flirting. Yes, that's right - people, mostly husbands purchasing the services of professional flirts to keep their wives happy.

I have to be the first to admit - the business plan though not savvy in our current economic condition could have once been a viable enterprise. The book is cute and like I said easy to read....but very entertaining. The ending is a bit cliche if you ask me but ITS CUTE. So if you want to find out what happens....well pick up the book in a store near you (And that means Barnes and Nobles nowadays).

Heaven is for Real

During my time away from writing - I have been doing some reading, traveling, and starting life anew. So as I get back into it after some gentle persuasion from friends I have a reading recommendation.

A few months back I read Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. It's an amazing and TRUE story about a young boy (Colton Burpo) and his trip to Heaven. Colton, only 4 years old recounts stories about what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was in surgery, meeting his grandfather that died man years before Colton was born, stories in the Bible he's not yet learned, meets Jesus, etc. Though it takes a little while before you get into the heart of the story, it's a very good read. If you're a little spiritually lost I think this book can help you rediscover your way. And it's a really fast read - I finished it in one day because the story was so inspiring.

If you do happen to read it let me know what you think....

The Help by K. Stockett

The book club I'm part of nominated and voted for "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.

The book takes place in Jackson, Mississippi at the onset of the Civil Rights movement in 1962. Skeeter, a new college graduate is determined to become a writer while the rest of her friends pine for husbands, pop out babies, and hold bridge club nights in their home. A New York editor willing to give her a chance tells her to write down some stories that she can review. After a couple unsuccessful attempts, Skeeter finds the story of a lifetime - the black maids of Jackson Miss will tell their story; the good and bad of working for the white women employers. And then "The Help" turns into a sad but moving story about the African American help and the white women they work for.

The main characters - Abileen, Minny, and Skeeter are a trio to reckon with. I loved their interactions, ups, and downs. Despite the book's sad tone - there were many times when I found myself laughing out loud. Interspersed through the bleaker stories are those of friendship and love. I loved that Stockett represented both sides of the coin - we all know not everyone was a bigot back then.

I think I loved this book because the story was moving and I related to the characters, being from the south myself. So I'm not sure if everyone will enjoy the book as much as I did...but waiting almost 4 months on the library check out list was definitely worth it. Kudos Ms. Stockett!

The Last Summer (of You and Me) - Ann Brashares

This is a book about growing up, learning to love yourself, learning to love others, and how to forgive. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Riley, Alice (sisters), and Paul have been best friends their entire lives. Their respective families summer on Fire Island every year away from the hustle and bustle of the big city NYC.

Now they're all in their 20's spending one last hurrah on the island together before they officially venture into adulthood on different paths while trying to keep their relationships intact. Riley, steadfast and unchanging is still a lifeguard at the beach while Paul and Alice find themselves torn by feelings that have always shadowed their friendship. Where do they go without betraying Riley and endangering their friendship forever?

Then an unexpected illness sends the family back to NYC, Paul is left heart broken and angry on the ferry dock plunging in for the ceremonious dive as Alice walks away from their romance without reason. What happens next, you'll have to read it for yourself!

I'm a sap for a romance novel...and as soon as Brashares created the romance between Paul and Alice I was hooked. Paul is wealthy, sexy, and emotionally handicapped from the death of his father, his unstable mother, and the endless legal battles between his mother and paternal grandparents. Paul has always found his anchor in Riley and Alice - they are literally his best friends and the family he's ever had. But now in his mid 20's he allows Alice to become something more, something he's not sure he's ready for. The transformation is heart wrenching and the love scenes are steamy :) How could a girl not love Paulo by the end of this novel!?

I hope Brashares writes a follow up...in the meantime I've heard Warner Brothers bought the rights for the movie. The sucker in me rates this 4 stars...I was completely enthralled despite the slow beginning.

Light on Snow - Anita Shreve

I just finished a short and easy read by Anita Shreve- Light on Snow. The story is centered around Robert and 12 year old Nicky (Nicole) who live off the beaten path in more ways than one. While venturing on their evening walk, Nicky and her father discover a new born baby abandoned in the woods near their home.

The rescuing of baby Doris dredges up their own personal tragedy as Nicky and her father face the 2 year anniversary of her mother and baby sister Clara. Through flashbacks we learn of Nicky's mother and sister, her family life pre and post tragedy. While trying to deal with their emotions separately, Nicky and Rob receive an unexpected visitor in Charlotte, the mother who left her baby to die in the woods.

So that's the basic synopsis...it was a decent story, easy to read. But on another level, it didn't rouse the emotions in me that I'd expect from such an unsettling topic. The only time I felt really moved was Charlotte's visit to the 'scene of the crime' in the woods. Through Nicky's eyes I could see and feel the grief for myself. The descriptions were vivid and full of emotion. But other than that, I wasn't moved by the story. One could argue that was sorta the point, but to that I say...you can describe grief and loneliness in a multitude of ways that reach your reader.

The relationship between Rob and Nicky was so complicated, and then throw Charlotte in the mix - Shreve just scratched the surface and before you know it the book has come to an abrupt end. What happens to Rob, Nicky, Charlotte, and Baby Doris? She seems to foreshadow that Baby Doris will find a good home...but what about the rest of 'em? We're simply left wondering.

Two stars.....

What's up next you wonder? The Last Summer of You and Me by Ann Brashares. (Author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants)

Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt

Angela's Ashes a memoir by Frank McCourt is about his family and personal experiences from early adolescence until he is 19.

We first meet Frank and his family in New York...struggling to make ends meet. After a family crisis they all return to Limerick Ireland, (his mother's home town) for better job prospects; however, his father is unable to collect money from his previous military service nor can he get a job since the townsfolk don't look very kindly on those from northern Ireland. And the family continues to struggle.

As we travel through Frank's life we find nothing but extreme poverty, hardship, sorrow, hope and disappointment. If it isn't their father losing every job he gets, then he's spending all the dole (welfare) money at the pub. I was so mad at Malachy (the father)...yes, he was an alcoholic and had a problem BUT he obviously loved his children. How hard is it to give them SOME of the money for food. And then after he ships off to England, in sum they receive 3 shillings....and that's it! Pitiful excuse for a man...c'mon the kids are wearing rags, living in a flooded apartment, and eat nothing but BREAD all day. Unforgiveable.

Of course we see Frank develop into a young teen, eventually working enough to save money, feed himself, and get his family back under one roof. Obviously I'm skipping a lot of the details in order to avoid spoiling the book for you...but there are rays of light and endearing moments throughout the book. Without the love and companionship of his brothers and mom, I'm not sure how one would have survived.

It is a Pulitzer Prize winner, and was also developed into a movie...you may find the book slow at times but stick with it. It's a good story that reminds you just how lucky and fortunate you really are.

Note: Author also wrote a follow up titled 'Tis.