Feature Friday: Book Review & Pick ONE questions!

Happy Friday! This week felt like it went by so slowly. I mean like Turtle-speed slow. I blame it on the rainy/ cold/ cloudy/snowy weather that we’ve had this week. Also this weekend looks like basically another wash (tomorrow looks OK, but cold again) so looks like more house chores and epsom salt baths will be on tap! What do you love to do when it’s rainy/ cold outside? We’ll also have to stock up on more hot cocoa & whipped cream (what makes the cocoa extra delicious) since we consumed them almost every night this past week. I’m getting my long run (13-14 miles) done this morning rather than waiting until tomorrow since the weather will continue to get worse and I’ve got a crazy week of running on-tap next week before the Lake Powell Half. Hence the meme about being overly excited to get up extra early (I was literally wondering how I could possibly fit in swimming/long run/barre class tomorrow while also working —> I didn’t come to a conclusion yet, but I’ll let you know if I somehow miraculously fit it all in!)

SOURCE

I also blazed through another book (less than 2 weeks time!), so I’ve got a book review for you! I recently read The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I had purchased this book several years ago (got through maybe 30 pages?) and then it got lost among the shuffle of moving.

SOURCE

I normally shy away from these types of books because 1. Reading sad stores —> meh. not really my thing 2. The writing was a bit “young” for my taste, but I wanted a fast read so I picked this up on our bookshelf, dusted it off, and used it as a “lighter” story. I wouldn’t say I really enjoyed it- I thought the storyline was cute and the characters were very well-written-, but it just wasn’t my “cup of tea”. I know some who are absolute fans of John Green and his books, so maybe his writing style isn’t “my style”.

The story encompasses two teenagers who both have cancer, fall in love, and one of them eventually passes away (spoiler alert!). It was pretty predictable, but had a fun storyline in regards to the “cute teeny love” that they showcase and the viewpoint of the young girl who has struggled most of her life in-and-out of hospitals. Anyone a fan of John Green? What were your thoughts on this book? I’ve picked up How Bad Do You Want It by Matt Fitzgerald at the library (since sadly my copy that I purchased was left at the hotel in Vegas last year and I’m too stubborn to purchase another one for $12 on Amazon).

I thought it would be fun to see your thoughts on some of the questions below to kick off the weekend! Let me know your preferences and have a great weekend!

If you could only travel to one new destination in your lifetime WHERE would it be?? —> I think mine would probably be the Pacific NW. I’m dying to see Seattle, Bend, the cascades….

What would be the LAST meal you had on Earth?? —> Mac ‘n cheese probably? or garlic bread? or peanut butter cups? all three maybe?!?

Chinese, Italian, or Thai food? —> Italian!

Run in one weather season for the rest of your life? —> definitely Fall. Hands down.

Iced or hot coffee?? —> Probably iced because most places don’t always have the best hot coffee (but iced it always tastes infinitely better)

What is your DREAM everyday schedule?? —> Wake up at 5am, drink coffee & read or catch up on emails/ the news, go out for a run at 6:30am, breakfast and showered by 8:30am, do some more work (ideally from home), run some errands around noon, pilates or yoga or read for a bit, lunch, get some chores done and a bit more work, dinner eaten by 6pm, in bed by 8pm

Hot Cocoa WITH or WITHOUT whipped cream?? —> with. 100% better



Feature Friday: The Paris Wife Book Review

Happy Friday! We made it through another week! Yay! Is anyone racing the Chicago Marathon this weekend?? My goal is to qualify for that someday! I’m so excited to watch it and cheer for Gwen Jorgensen (but sad that both Amy Cragg & Jordan Hasay won’t be competing). I’ve got an easy 8 miles on the schedule this morning plus some time in the pool swimming. I also have a manicure scheduled for this afternoon (yay!)- a perfect way to kick off this rainy and dreary weekend. It also might SNOW tonight?!? WHAT. Guess I’ll be switching out my Summer clothes for Winter ones this weekend as well….

Not so sure I’m ready for THIS quite yet….

I wanted to share with you my book review of the latest book I finished: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.

This was my last book by McLain that I read and heard that it was the best one. My expectations were really high before diving into this book because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last few books that I’ve read by her. Unfortunately, it wasn’t AS captivating as the other ones that I read by her (Love & Ruin was my favorite).

This book focuses on Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, how they met, and their move to Paris (along with their demise). I didn’t think that the main character, Hadley, (his first wife) had as much of a connection with me as those in McLain’s other books. It was so neat to hear about their first encounters with those famous literary writers (before they become famous) like Fitzgerald. It was also really exhilarating to follow along as they faced struggles moving to Paris, getting married rather quickly, and how Hadley struggled to find herself in Ernest’s light.

I think anyone who really enjoys historical fiction or those books particularly on Hemingway should absolutely pick up this one. It’s captivating, relatable in some regards (especially to those women who either are in their 20s, young moms, or women who married at a young age), and overall interesting to be transformed back to the early 20th century.

Have you ever read any of McLain’s books?

I need a NEW book! Any recommendations?!?

Next race you’re doing? —> I’ve got the Lake Powell Half Marathon in a few weeks!

When do you switch out your summer clothes OR do you rotate through all the same clothes year-round?!? —> normally when it dips down into the upper 20s that’s when I’m reaching for the leggings for my runs and sweaters for work, so I swap out the shorts/ tees for longer stuff :)

Book Review: Circling The Sun by Paula McLain

I hope you're having a wonderful Labor Day weekend! Hopefully we are still out backpacking (I did this post a bit early last week) or maybe we're just sleeping in and cuddling with the kitties! I'm always equally happy for the long weekend and a bit sad because the next Holiday weekend that we will have isn't until November for Thanksgiving (so far away)! What's your favorite Labor Day tradition?!?

I recently read Circling The Sun by Paula McLain and breezed through it (aka read it in maybe 2.5 weeks?!?). This is my third book by McLain and I'm so in love with her writing style.

She chooses such strong female characters and adventurous storylines. I always see a bit of myself in her main character (Beryl, in this particular book) and wish that I had the opportunity to live in the early 20th century. It seems (to me anyways) like such a unique time period with their lifestyle/ discovering new inventions/ clothing and this book was no exception!

Beryl's story revolves around living in Nairobi and growing up with only her father as her main role model. McLain blends Beryls' feelings about her father and her separation from her mother so well throughout the entire storyline. She also experiences many bumps in the road and takes chances on things that I didn't see coming a few chapters earlier. When things seem like they couldn't go any worse for Beryl, she finds a way to rise above it and becomes stronger in the end. 

I love how unpredictable this story was and how I felt like I lived through it all with Beryl. McLain mixes in some love stories along with the independence that Beryl showcases and it kept me on the edge of my seat (..or well actually kept me up later at night reading in bed ; ) ...) until the last page!

Ever read any historical fiction books?

Who's your favorite author? 

Favorite tradition for Labor Day?

Feature Friday: Book Review- My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry

Happy Friday! We made it to the weekend! What does everyone have planned? We're heading out backpacking tomorrow and I can't wait. I have 15 miles on the schedule this morning (so I'll have an easy 6 to do tomorrow before we head out hiking) and have been looking forward to Saturday since last Sunday ; ) Ha. ANYWAYS. I finally finished another book last weekend!

I really loved both of Fredrik Backman's other books that I read (A Man Called Ove & Beartown), so I was pretty excited to start this one. Unfortunately, I may have been too hyped up for this book because it didn't quiet live up to my expectations. I breezed through A Man Called Ove (after the first 30 pages or so that were slower) and really got into Beartown after the first 100 pages, but this book never really 'hooked' me in until the last 30 pages or so. 

I think the storyline (it's centered around an (almost) 8 year old girl, Elsa, and her relationship with her Grandmother) is a really cute idea and it does make some really great connections between their relationship and Elsa's relationship with others, but the book never hit a 'high point' for me. I have also heard that Britt-Marie is a character in both this story and in Backman's other book, Britt-Marie Was Here, so maybe I should have started with that book? 

I felt a bit lost in sections and would definitely agree that Backman's writing is similar to Roald Dahl (as some critics mention)- quirky and funny and sometimes a bit sad. I was laughing in some sections and could relate to Elsa in some regards. The story does also center around a fairy-tale that is a secret between Elsa and her granny, which I thought was cute, but also sometimes had me a bit bored and lost. 

Cute book and Backman is an excellent writer, but it wasn't my favorite read from him. Already diving in to my next historical fiction book! 

What are you reading right now? 

Last favorite book you read?

One thing you're most looking forward to this weekend?

Book Review: Love & Ruin by Paula McLain

Happy Monday friends! I hope you had a great weekend! I've pre-scheduled this post before my 50k to give myself a few extra days of rest, but I'll be sure to get you up-to-date on how my race went (along with a full recap) ASAP ; )

I FLEW through this book! I had never read anything in Historical Fiction genre before and honestly this one did NOT disappoint! I read this in a week and really felt like this could be my new favorite "guilty pleasure" reading genre. Anyone else ever read anything in Historical Fiction?!?

I immediately connected with the main character, Marty, and could not put this book down. McLain does an excellent job at making the reader feel like they are 'in the story' along with the characters. I felt myself feeling excited when something great happened in Marty's life and also resonating with her when things felt disheveled. I remember having trouble falling asleep at night because the book was just that good (or I felt like I was currently in the 1930's with the characters, which was also pretty fun). 

I think that Paula did a great job on researching all the historical events going on throughout the world during this time and weaving the characters into the story. The Paris Wife is her bestselling book. so I've already put an order in to read this one next! Can't wait!

How'd your weekend go?

Last greatest book you read? 

Historical fiction- yay or nay?