Book Reviews and Running Thoughts

I adore books. I always have at least 2, sometimes 3, books going at any given time. This usually consists of one pure fiction, one informational and one inspirational.  I cannot get on the Kindle or any other e-reader bandwagon. I want to hold the book, feel it, smell it. It is a tactile experience for me as well as a cognitive one. Maybe it's because I have to look at computer screens for so many other reasons, I don't want to look at one when I'm trying to escape into a good read.  Rarely do I buy a book; it's the public library for me folks! Free! Just walk right in and take home an armful.  I often wonder when the checkout screen is going to start blinking with an alarm saying that I have too many checked out and I will be given NO MORE until I bring some back. Hasn't happened yet, I'll be sure and let you know when it does, should be a good story.

If I didn't have a book to read, I would feel lost and unhappy. This was where I found myself last night.

I finished my current book and there I was, 8pm on a Thursday night. Too late to go to the library. Thought about digging one out of the bookshelf, but as much as I love books, I rarely want to read one more than once. So I had to resort to one of my technical books to read before falling asleep, which is one of my habits: get into bed and read for about 30mins before going to sleep. Love it.

I've had some nice reads lately and thought I would share. Just like a man, a good book can be hard to find...........

Meg Gardiner has two very entertaining series: one is about Evan Delaney and the other is Dr. Jo Beckett. The two pictured are from the Beckett series. Both feature very strong female leads, lots of action, fun. I'm missing 2 from the Delaney series that my library doesn't have, but Amazon does.....:-) Good bedtime, beach, lazy weekend reading, you don't have to think too hard.

Here is the technical book I'm all about at the moment: Running for Mortals. Lots of great advice for new runners, practical, doable! Husband and wife authors, both very different runners. I'm following their 10K training plan, started this week.

Got my new VegNews mag this week. The best vegan magazine on the market, in my humble opinion. I've been a subscriber for about 2 years now. Always get excited to receive this, it's a great way to learn about new products, new recipes, interviews with people who are trying to make a difference and promote a healthy plant based lifestyle.  Sometimes being a vegan (forget about gegan!) in a world of carnivores is hard and it can wear on a person. Then I get my new VegNews, read it, and I instantly feel recommitted and energized. It always makes me think: "Yes! This is why I'm vegan and proud of it!"

Okay. I mentioned in another post about a great book called the Hypnotist by Lars Kepler. Wandering around the library today and look what I find?! The next book by Lars, The Nightmare. It features the same police detective from the first novel. I will report back to let you know if it lives up to the first one.

I am doing something in the morning that both excites and terrifies me. Several of the local running groups are doing a run for Boston at 7am and I'm going to join them. I'm putting it on here to make myself go. I'm afraid no one will be as slow as me and I'll look stupid. But, maybe it will be ok, I need to run in the am anyway, trying for 3miles. It's going to be cold, but I must say, running in this warmer weather just might make me appreciate the cold.

I'm also taking up a challenge called Plank a Day. I really need to strengthen my core and I suck at doing a plank. But there is a challenge on Twitter to just do one plank a day for as long as you can. I'm going to try to do one in am and pm. And..... throwing out this challenge to my friend Robin. She could always plank better than me. Let's see who can hold one the longest! But if you think I'm going to post a pic of my holding a plank, think again. Nope.

This post was mostly to take my mind off the Boston coverage on tv, it's starting to overwhelm me. Just want it to be over. Still praying for all the people affected by this tragedy.