Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Hello, TTP...T!

No, this isn't bathroom humor.

It's Turn the Page... Tuesday
Turn the Page is the brainchild of the fabulous & creative Adrienne who asks that we all post about what we're reading on the first Tuesday of the month.  Want to see what others are reading?!?  Want to join in?!?  Goto Some of a Kind and check it out.

So, what did I read in February?  Quite a lot, especially with it being the shorty month of the year.  But, BOY, are my selections random & disconnected.  Here they are - in order of completion:

The Slow Fat Triathlete by Jayne Williams
About a month ago, I officially said "OK" to a friend who asked me to do a triathlon with her.  At the time, I thought "SURE, easy, piece of cake - I'm in pretty good shape - been working out daily - I can do a mini-triathlon.  It's only a 1/2-mile swim, 12.5-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run."  Then I tried to "run" 3.1 miles a couple weeks ago.  WHEW... this is gonna be TOUGH!
But I digress.

I LOVE JAYNE!

Her book was given to me by a friend who ran a Triathlon with her daughters to celebrate her 50th birthday.  The first thing she said to me way "Don't take this book the wrong way, just read it."

So I did, and it was SO inspirational.  I know this will be a lot of work to accomplish, but Jayne gave me pointers, inspired me, and helped me feel that I can definitely do this.  I can't wait for the weather to warm up a bit (or the snow to melt, at least), so I can get out running and biking.  I'll keep ya posted on my progress.

The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates
I had just started this book when the last TTP...T rolled around.  I finished it this past weekend.  Next Wednesday is Book Club where we'll discuss it - and I have to bring dessert.  Suggestions???

Anyway.  The Falls was good.  At Book Club we rate the books 1-5 (5 being best), then discuss.  When I give my rating next week, it will be a 3.  Here's why.
I LOVED the "local" references - I don't live far from Niagara Falls and my job takes me there often.  After reading, I researched Love Canal because of it's role in the story.  The book mentions the Buffalo News and Courier Express (now defunct newspaper in Buffalo) and other landmark businesses in the area.    It was cool to see "my cities" in a novel.

The story kept me reading.  Just when my interest started to wane, JCO would bring in a "new" storyline or add a character that would pique my curiosity to continue.  She did this very well, all the way through the novel.

The story itself, however, was depressing, dysfunctional, and ... I can't think of another 'd' word.  I felt sad for or angry at the major characters in the book.  Too often I thought "how can she say that?" or "WHY?!?!!?!?!"  But I guess, if I had become a widow only 24-hours after my marriage, I might be a little dysfunctional, too.

This would be a tough one to recommend.  Not because it's not well written, but more because of the content.  It's sad & frustrating... and with life being sad & frustrating sometimes, I've been more into fun or up-lifting reads.  BUT - if you're looking for a weird, tough-to-swallow pill... this book's for you!


And finally... what would the month be without Sookie!?

Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
I'm almost 1/3 of the way through the book and Sookie hasn't been abducted, stabbed, chased by werewolves, or seduced by a vampire.  What's wrong with this book!?!?  Ha!
A lot is going on around her, tho.  Of course.
It's only a matter of time before something "serious" happens.  And it will likely involve Eric (a very old, very beautiful, Viking Vamp).

I told myself to lay off the Sookie books back in February.  But I needed something to counteract The Falls - something brainless and fun instead of dark and heavy.  Sookie comes thru again!


I have The Catcher in the Rye out as something I'm planning to read soon... in honor/memorial of JD Salinger who died earlier this year.  My Hubby has a strong connection to this book, so I'm interested in talking with him about it, too.


Well, I guess that's all.  It's almost 9pm... time to grab a good book and snuggle with the family.
Good night & happy reading!

5 comments:

Adrienne said...

ooohhh looks like such good reads! I'm so glad you joined in again!

* elizabeth * said...

Okay, yout totally want to make this for bookclub:
http://www.bakerella.com/ridiculously-easy/

So freaking easy and DELISH. But, double up the peaches. And it's awesome with pears, too! swooooon!

And I so have to read that fat triathlete book.

And Joyce Carol Oates has a way of depressing the hell out of people, huh? I had to put down We Were the Mulvaneys, it was killing me...

Paula said...

I'm so going to have to pick up some Sookie books. They sound like great beach reads and it will soon be time for that!

Unknown said...

A tiathlon, wow you are energetic. I think that would give you such a feeling of acomplishment. Good luck & keep reading those good books.

luci said...

tiathlon sounds exhausting! The falls idea still grabs me though. happy reading - and baking for your book club!