Workout Recap - Week 41

Sunday, October 6th – 3 miles with the hubby

Monday, October 7th –  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, October 8th – 4 mile lunch run 

Wednesday, October 9th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Thursday, October 10th – 3 mile lunch run with the hubby

Friday, October 11th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Saturday, October 12th – Rest day

A little running, a little biking and do it over and again. No long runs this week, but I did get to run with the hubby twice which was nice (he had been out of town for a little over a week in North Carolina for a photoshoot so it was nice to have a few chance outside of the 'norm' to connect with him). I'm heading back to Michigan today for a week, so I doubt I'll get in a long run while I'm there, but hopefully I can get in a few runs in the mitten (and maybe even one with my padre!)!

How were your workouts this past week?

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress?

Workout Recap - Week 40

Sunday, September 29th – Rest day

Monday, September 30th –  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, October 1st – 4 mile lunch run 

Wednesday, October 2nd – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Thursday, October 3rd – 4 mile lunch run 

Friday, October 4th – Rest day

Saturday, October 5th – Rest day

Welp, no long run for me this week. Originally I was planning on Sunday, but I legit laid on my neck wrong (like while listening to an audiobook in the sun) and apparently pulled a muscle in my neck and was OUT OF COMMISSION for two-ish days! Not even a month into my 40s and my body is already falling apart ;) Thankfully I was okay by Tuesday, but, golly gee, any type of impact or turning my head was almost out of the question for 48 hours! I was then planning on Saturday, but I went and got groceries, had to watch the Tigers (lose to the Guardians... BOO!) and then it was time for some college football, followed by a little maxin' and relaxin' with the hubby since he had been out of town since the previous Friday for a photoshoot. Maybe next week ;) [but, now that I think about it, probably not... more on that later.]

How were your workouts this past week?

September Books

Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd "read enough" to get by, but other than that I did not enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't find it enjoyable, but whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which turned into 88 books in 2017, 77 books in 2018, 67 books in 2019, 66 books in 2020, 67 books in 2021, 41 books in 2022 and 98 books in 2023). The majority of my "reading" has been listening to audiobooks since I don't have as much time to sit and read physical books once I started working full time (not to mention I walk to work and walk on my lunch break so have two-ish hours a day I can listen to something). Even still, holding a physical book is the bomb dot com and I hope to get back to adding more reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I get through is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. So, here are the books I finished in the month of September:

• After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Last month one of the Taylor Jenkins Reid books I had on hold became available on my Libby app, then one popped up at the beginning of this month. SCORE! As you may probably guess from the title, this story is about a couple ten plus years from their wedding. They have come to the conclusion that they don't love one another and decide to take one year apart and after that separation time decide if they want to get back together or split for good. I love that characters in this get to create their own happily ever after. It's definitely not what most would think of when writing a “romance” novel [death, divorce, etc], but for TJR it works! Similar to the previous book (Malibu Rising), this jumped back and forth in time, which helps to keep readers on their toes. I feel like I was going back and forth between what I wanted to happen (as I assume most other readers would - should they fight for their marriage, should they move on, etc) just as frequently as the characters were struggling with what to do. I appreciate that it takes a nonjudgmental approach to doing what works best for you (divorce isn’t a failure) - there are a lot of different ways to do marriage! Maybe this just struck a chord with me because so many people believe they know what is best for others, but the people in the relationship/ situation should be trusted in their beliefs and feelings (I cannot tell you how many people have tried to talk me out of the fact that I don't want kids!). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman - Okay, this is another book that I had on my Libby hold list for quite a while! I read a book a while back (The Thursday Murder Club), which I loved, and this is the second book in the series. If you haven't heard about these books before, let me sum it up in three words - grandparents solving murders! I mean, how can you get better than that?! Alright, so the idea may be a little far fetched, but the author has been believing it to the T as soon as I read the first sentence (or maybe I just want it to be true so I can picture my grandmas as part of this 'gang'). As the title suggests, there has been a murder (or two) that this group of four best friends who live in a retirement community 'need' to solve. I love that the point of view switches between Joyce writing in her journal to an observational narrator and back again. The cast of characters stays consistent with same folks from the first book, plus some extras (including spies, drug dealers, ex-husbands and more ;)). Listening to this books (or more accurately - this series) just makes me smile. I know, the subject matter is not sunshines and unicorns, but the reunion of old friends, the sleuthing skills and the relationships amongst everyone can't help but make me happy. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean - Last month I had listened to the first book in this series and once September started and I got five more downloads on my Hoopla app I grabbed the next installment. I'd say that it's nothing very creative or earth shattering. If you read one 'fake dating turned real feelings', then you've probably read them all ;) With that said, I wasn't grabbing this book to gain awesome insight, but just to keep me entertained for a bit, which it did. I'm not sure which guy you wanted Izumi to end up with at the end, but I was definitely Team Aiko throughout. I appreciate that Izzy was finding her voice and figuring out who SHE wanted to be, rather than who Japan or others in her life wanted her to be, but this felt a little too surfacey and not enough substance. I did like how the relationship with her cousins morphed in this book. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi - The third and final book in the Legacy of Orisha series. I've had it on my "notify me" list on the Libby app since it wasn't available to check out [or even put on hold] yet (it was just recently published). Once Libby got a copy I was able to 'get in line' and finally it was my turn - WHOOO HOOO! In case you don't have my January of 2023 book recap memorized, you may have forgotten what this series is about. I feel like it's part Black Panther, part Hunger Games, and part West African culture/ religion. Now, don't get it twisted, this is very much a story all on its own and I don't think it's trying to "be" anything, but that gives you an idea of the epic adventure the characters of this story go on (while trying to fight the violence and oppression of the world around them). The new installment was not my favorite (it sort of felt like the third book of the Hunger Games where there was a lot of war, reconciliation of relationships to come together against a single enemy, etc), but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I think there was more battling than I would have liked (you know I have a soft spot for the love stories and was wishing the relationships between Zelie + Inam and Tzain + Amari were more of a focus) and parts felt rushed [the first book was 18 hours, while this one was 'only' 8], but I do think it did a great job concluding the series and the different storylines. Now, that doesn't mean I like how it ended ;) but the writing had nothing to do with that. I would give it a 7 out of 10. 

• The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther - A few weeks back I was scrolling through the YA 'romance' section on my Libby app and added a few books to my 'for later' list in case I was low on options or needed to change it up a bit. This one actually wasn't available on Libby, but was on my Hoopla app so I grabbed it while waiting for more to become available. It's cute, easy to read and the perfect book for a beach vacation. I normally expect pretty much the same old, same old plot from these books, which it was, but I still enjoyed it. Two young adults met while together for a week due to family members getting married. Throw in a weeklong game of assiasan and you've got yourself a receipt for a good time ;) Although it is a 'light' read, there are definitely some heavy topics (grief, drunk driving, etc). I was pulling for Wit the whole time (and guessed the connection earlier in the book) and would totally watch it if they turned this into a movie/ series, but am I the only one who scratches their chin at how 'laid back' all of these families are?! I mean, yes, obviously it's a novel, but do things like this happen in real life?! Anywho, it was endearing and did it's job as a piece of YA entertainment. I would have liked a little more at the end or even a bit more details about the wedding, etc. We go through this whole week of build-up and other than a few dances at the reception it wasn't really focused on. And obviously I 'need' to know what happens next (not just romantically, but what about the cousins or the book store guy and the sailing guide). It seems like the ending was rushed and not all loose ends were tied up (or maybe shouldn't have been mentioned to begin with). I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• What Happens After Midnight by K.L. Walther - None of my other books were available on my Libby app, so I clicked over into Hoopla and saw the author of the book I had just finished had a few more. The last one was entertaining enough, so I grabbed this one. I am happy to report I actually liked this one a lot more. Although I thought the idea of a week long game of Assassin in the previous book was novel, I liked the senior prank in this one a bit more. Or maybe it was because there were fewer characters we could drive into each of them a little more. This reminded me of a tamer (maybe more realistic) version of a Gossip Girl. I didn't go to boarding school, but this sort of seems like what they are typically (or stereotypically) portrayed. But, let's be real, this is a lot more wholesome [+ more my speed] than the shenanigans on that show ;) I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Maybe Meant to Be by K.L. Walther - Since I rather enjoyed the second book of this author's that I listened to, I decided to finish up the available titles on my Hoopla app. I'm happy to report that I enjoyed this one as well (maybe some people like The Summer of Broken Rules best [they do have it listed on the cover of the other too books, sort of touting that this is the same author as that book], but I would say it's my least favorite of these three). Similar to the previous one, this is set at a boarding school, but it focuses on four main characters (two twin males, one of their long time female neighbors and a new male to the school). Unlike the previous one, this didn't remind me of Gossip Girl, I think because it was more focused on the relationships amongst everyone rather than a prank or activity. As always, I loved the fact that it switched back and forth between two of the characters' POV (and even had two actors reading the different roles). I also really appreciated not only the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters, but that you get to see them at different parts of their journey (whether it is out and proud, closeted and ashamed, coming out to friends and family, etc). It's great that the community surrounding these students was accepting and loving, but we do all know that is not always the case. This was one that I'm hoping there's a sequel to. I'd love to see how college goes for "the squad", which relationships flourish and which ones flounder, etc. Anywho, I would say this and What Happens After Midnight were my top two picks with The Summer of Broken Rules bringing up the rear of the list. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid - All of this author's books that I've read/ listened to have been great (in my opinion), so a few weeks back I went through and added the rest of her available titles to the 'hold' list on my Libby app. This one was the next to become available. I didn't know what it was about (although TJR tends to be amazing at weaving love and life together, so assumed it'd be something along that vein), which I sort of enjoy because sometimes reading the synopsis can give away major plot points. The premise behind this story is first loves and true loves. Obviously I don't want to spoil anything, but the main character of this book, Emma, is struggling between different loves (and the guilt that can come along with the decisions that must be made along the way). As to be expected with this author, this made me feel all the feels (and maybe let a few drops of salty water leak from the corners of my eyes ;)). Apparently this book has recently been turned into a movie, so maybe I'll get the hubby to watch it with me at some point. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers - This popped up in the "New to Hoopla" section [looks like it's so new that the print version won't even release until December] and as soon as I saw that it looked like a "little free library" on the cover I knew I had to check it out immediately! This novel is told from the point of view of two characters (with two different actors reading the parts) and surrounds swapping books with a "mystery person" in their neighborhood free library - obviously these different aspects already have it starting leaps and bounds ahead of some audiobooks ;). Oh yeah, and since the story is set in London the characters have accents, which, for some reason, tends to make the audiobook more interesting. It ends up being a love letter to old relationships, new beginnings, going after your passion, literature and so much more. I found the order in which the story was told (or revealed) kept me interested, the character development and relationships (whether familial, friendship or romantic) all felt relatable, the destigmatization of mental illness was appreciated and seeing the way people grieve and deal with forgiveness (either of themselves or others) seemed real and raw. I saw a quote and I think it sums up the book perfectly - "What a depressingly cute story." I would give it a 9 out of 10.  

• Hello Girls by Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry - Seeing none of my books on hold or in my 'for later' list on my Libby app were available, I went over to Hoopla to see what I could find. I typed in "Emily Henry" since I was waiting for a few of her books over on Libby and a book I hadn't seen before, this one, popped up on the available books. I was assuming, since most of Emily's books are about love and life, that this one would follow in a similar vein. I was a bit surprised to find out that this novel was actually more of a modern, teenage version of Thelma and Louise (maybe that was thanks to the help of the co-author, Brittany Cavallaro?). It's definitely a dark storyline, including heavy topics such as domestic abuse, drug use, parental neglect, gun and physical violence, murder, etc - not that I had an issue with it, but I just wasn't expecting it, that's for sure. With that being said, I was hooked within the first few sentences and was extremely invested in what happened to Winona and Lucille (and probably would've loved being friends with them). I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

• Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister - Seeing as people seem to be taking FOR-EV-ER to return books on the Libby app, I went perusing in the "trending" section of my Hoopla account and came across this one. Most of the ones that I've grabbed with the "Reese's Book Club" sticker on them tend to be winners, so I went out on a limb, assuming this would be great. I actually found it really fascinating. The idea is that a son commits a crime while the mother is watching. Once her and her husband go to sleep, she wakes up the previous day. Instead of Groundhogs Day and living the same day over and over, she keeps jumping backwards in the timeline. Her goal is to stop the crime (or whatever leads up to the crime) and realizes she is showing up on days where something significant happened that related to the incident or to their family. Not my normal type of book, but I really enjoyed it. I' say it kept me on my toes - having to keep everything straight. I actually guess the ending, which is a sign of a well-written book (in my opinion). It's also interesting to think about what moments end up being significant but were originally overlooked. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I was stoked when I saw another one of my TJR books become available on my Libby app and checked it out immediately. Let's just say, this one did NOT disappoint (but what can you expect from such a talented author?!). The idea behind this one is that there are different lives we live (in parallel universes) where one decision can change the course of your life. This incident occurred for Hannah when she moves back to Los Angeles. One of the first nights she is back she goes to a bar with friends. At the end of the night her high school ex-boyfriend tells her that she can stay out with him and her friend she is staying with tells her she can take her home. From this point on her life splits in two - one where she goes home with her friend (and is in a terrible accident) and one where she stays out with her ex-boyfriend (and goes on to explore their relationship). I found this incredibly fascinating (whether I believe in this theory or not) because while these two lives are being lived, some of the occurrences happen in both and soe never come to fruition. As per usual, I felt all the feels and at the end wasn't sure which one of the lives I would have preferred to be reality because I love how Hannah's life eventually turns out in both of them (and, not to give anything away, but the author never even hints at which one is the 'real' one). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo - I had read a few of this author's books before, so when I saw this pop up on my Hoopla app I figured I'd give it a go. I forgot that her previous books were very lyrical (beautifully written, with a certain flow, but definitely not straight lines and sharp corners), so at the beginning I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. The way I described it to my hubby was that it was more like a conversation. You know when you're at a gathering of people who have known each other for a while and things come up like... "remember when", "oh yeah, what about..." and it isn't in a particular order, well that's sort of like how this book was written. The main plot is one of the matriarchs of the family is going to have a "living wake" (she has watched a documentary and agreed with the idea of celebrating people before they pass) and one of the younger family members starts asking the different women for stories about each other, growing up, etc. Not only are you getting history about the family, but you are also going along with the family in the present while they are preparing for this event. I loved all the women power and magic throughout the stories (the men who were mentioned were few and far between and weren't the focus). I'd totally recommend it to others, but would suggest that you have a certain mindframe to really focus or you might not grasp all the nuggets and truths. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Rez Ball by Byron Graves - I have had this book in my "for later" list on my Hoopla app for a while, but for some reason kept passing it by. Well, not any longer. I didn't realize at first, but this book was based on the author's life and made into a movie. A lot of sports movies/ books you find yourself cheering for the underdog and everything seems to all come down to a single moment ;) Obviously I'm not going to give anything away, but this story has whispers of that, along with a lot more. The main character is Ojibwe, so not only is there the story of basketball and overcoming and all that jazz, but there's also undertones of the racism and erasure that many Natives face (not to mention the pressure one feels to represent their community well). I really enjoyed this one and hope the author has a long career (with many books on the way!). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz - This popped up in the popular section of the thriller tab in my Hoopla app. I'm never sure if 'thriller' will be too scary for me, but thankfully this one wasn't. I was expecting it to be a good listen because of the "Reese's Book Club" sticker on it, but I've gotta say, I was disappointed. For me, it read like a played out version of a Law & Order episode. Instead of the 'don don' sound of L&O it gets a 'womp womp' from me. I felt like there were details mentioned that seemed like they were going to be a big deal that never came up again and a lot of the situations seemed outlandish or unbelievable. I know different folks like different things, so I'm not saying it's a terrible book, just not my jam. I would give it a 4 out of 10.

• Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood - I decided after a dud of a thriller, I'd go back to a little romcom action. I saw this title pop up a few times on my Libby app and figured now was as good of a time as any to snag it. When I noticed the cover I thought it'd probably be a fun, nerdy type love story (all the books in the background and the male has a scientific tattoo on his forearm) and I was totally right. I absolutely loved this one. The main character, Elsie, is in the educational field, but since it pays so little she also has a side gig - as a fake girlfriend. As I'm sure you can guess, drama ensues and love transpires. I don't want to give it away, but I love the interactions between Elsie and Jack (maybe it's because I can be a little direct with my conversations, which Jack tended to be with Elsie). While I was still in the middle of this audiobook I went through and added all of this author's available books to my 'for later' list on my two book apps ;) I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu - This book popped up in the 'series' section of my Hoopla app. The cover looked like some of the T.J. Klune books I love, so thought I'd at least give the first book a try before signing on to the full series. This one is a bit more fantasy than I normally go for, but I definitely enjoyed it. Think Harry Potter (because the main character is 14) plus The Sixth Sense (because she can communicate with ghosts and her job is to bring messages back and forth between the realms). I was sort of hoping that the "library of the dead" would be a little more of the focus (because, duh, I love libraries), but maybe it was introduced in the first book and will come into play more in future books. Overall it was entertaining (I originally thought it'd be a YA novel, but once the curse words started flying I figured it was more in the adult realm), but I'm not sitting on the edge of my seat needing to know what happens next. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood - Since I wasn't too excited about jumping into the second book of the previous series, I went back to some of the books I had saved by Ali Hazelwood. This book was actually YA (I believe all of her others are for a more mature audience) and of course I enjoyed it. It's the classic rivals to lovers type story, but enveloped in the chess world. I have dabbled in chess (I know the rules and will play for fun, but have no idea about the different strategies (openings, middle game, etc)), but even still I found it intriguing. Similar to the previous book I read (Love, Theoretically), I appreciate that the stories are set in an environment that women are normally seen to NOT fit (science, academia, chess, etc). I went on a walk during my lunch break and wanted to listen to more of the story. I actually said "no way" out loud when I saw I had less than 30 minutes left in the book (but I felt like there was so much more to the story I'd want to know). The epilogue wrapped it up nicely, but I wouldn't have been mad if it was longer. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

• Beach Read by Emily Henry - I love it when I log into my Libby app and have an 'alert' (I have all phone notifications off [unless it's from work or a family/ framily member] so I only get the heads up when I actually click into apps). This time around it was that another one of my Emily Henry's books was available - YIPPEE! I didn't know what it was about (hello, broken record here), but I knew it'd be good... and it didn't disappoint! This time one of my fave authors sets a story in Michigan with two graduates from the University of Michigan (okay, okay, those may be two very small details, but you had to have guessed it'd make me enjoy it that much more ;)). The overall storyline is of two authors, one of romance and one of gloom and doom. The two end up being neighbors and loandbehold, they had been classmates almost a decade earlier and each may have had love/hate feelings towards one another. I'm not going to give it away, but you can figure that the character development will be great, the story intense, the relationships raw and real, all while making you feel all the feels! Never any doubt that I would enjoy it (and, I wouldn't even say this is a easy, breezy 'beach read' type book - I'd read it anytime!). Now to wait till another of her books is available... I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• All Signs Point to Malibu by Jennifer Snow - I think this one popped up in my "recommended" list on my Hoopla app (but I don't remember 100%). I thought the cover was cute and didn't have anything else to listen to, so checked it out. It ended up being a cute, beach-type read. Sort of that traditional love-triangle/ eh-turned-lovers vibe. An ex-boyfriend moves back into town, the girl isn't sure if she wants to get back with him or not, her and the ex-boyfriend's friend have to start working together on an event and fall for one another. Like I said, probably a story (or mix of stories) you've heard before, but it was still entertaining. I'm not sure I loved the 'supernatural' part of the story (I know romcom's are already far fetched, but this was a bit much ;)), but understand how it played into the overall plot. I'm not scouring my apps to find another book by this author, but it was something fun to listen to while I was laying in the sun on afternoon. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Of course I was thrilled when I saw another of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books become available on my Libby app. I noticed that the cover showed it was turned into a series and assumed they wouldn't do that with a bad book, so had a good feeling about it. I would say I think the audiobook is the way to go for this one. The story reads as an interview with multiple characters and the audiobook has different actors reading the different parts and it felt like you were sitting backstage just listening to the conversations. I would say I didn't love this as much as I have loved some of TJR's other books, but that doesn't make it a bad thing. This one is focused on a fictional rock band in the 70s and although it was a made up story, I 100% felt like I could have been watching a VH1 "Behind the Music" episode ;) I also appreciated a few easter eggs that connected to some of the other books (names dropped here and there). I'm sure the series on Prime would be worth a watch, so if we ever get that service again I'll have to give it a go. I don't want to give anything but I thought the reveal of the "narrator" was pretty great. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger - I think this was recommended by a friend (it was at the bottom - meaning oldest - of my 'for later' list on my Libby app so it's been on there for a while and I just now had time and saw it was available), but obviously was clueless as to what the book was about. The story is set in a small Minnesota town in the 1950s (I'm normally not a huge 'history' reader, but was intrigued in the small midwest city :)). I was laughing to myself because I thought the story felt a little sluggish, then thought that life was a little slower then too. I'm not sure how I felt about the book to be honest. At times it felt like the white savior complex rolling in (the white sheriff has to protect the indigenous community member because he can't do it himself) and other parts felt as though they were actually getting into some of the REAL history of the tribes in the area. I realize the author was trying to portray the sentiment of society at that time, but I don't feel as though this book really brought anything "new" to the table. There are also a lot of serious topics (rape, physical abuse, gun violence, etc) that aren't really explored or given as much attention as I would have liked to see. Maybe I was expecting a little more 'mystery' since it was in the thriller/ mystery genre... Ah well, wasn't my jam (they can't all be ;)), took a while to get into, but I stuck with it till the end. I would give it a 5 out of 10.

• F You Very Much by Danny Wallace - I saw this book when I was scrolling through "now available" titles on my Libby app. I was very interested because it was about rudeness and, let me just tell you, working in the retail space you encounter quite a bit of it on a regular basis. The book uses humor to get down to the nitty gritty about the culture of rudeness. The idea for the book came from a 'silly' place (the author had to wait over an hour for a hotdog... that wasn't even that good ;)), but the research done on the topic is very fascinating. I was engaged from the getgo and although it is a quick listen I think it's actually something absolutely worth discussing and diving into. Some of the statistics (about doctors, about how long a rude comment can have impact, about who we expect or allow to be rude, etc) were extremely interesting (and I'm crossing my fingers that they're correct and I don't have to fact check it all ;)) and thought provoking. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Women by Kristin Hannah - I have had this book on hold (meaning I've secured a place in line) in my Libby app since I downloaded it. I currently have two of this author's books in my personal, physical library (The Nightingale and The Great Alone) and once I saw folks mentioning this one I knew I HAD to read it. I didn't know what the book would be about, but I assumed I'd enjoy it. Come to find out, it is about 'the women' who served the United States of America in the Vietnam War and who were almost always overlooked. I'll be honest, had I know this book was set during a war, I don't know that I would have been so excited to check it out. Military media (movies, documentaries, books, etc) aren't normally my forte, but seeing as there was so much great press around this book I gave it a chance. I'm glad I did because I'm sure I'll add it my personal library. The Vietnam War started and concluded before I was born, but one of my uncles (my mom's older brother) served during this war [and actually even learned how to surf then] so I guess I have more of a connection to it. Also, the main character, Frankie, lived on Coronado Island so I knew the majority of the places and events that happened stateside. It's weird to say I "enjoyed" this book due to the subject of the story, but it definitely made me feel, cry, think, gasp and look inside myself. I know this is a novel, but Kristin does heroines and historical fiction pretty amazingly (and at the end of the audiobook there was a little blurb from the author about how she wanted to keep things as accurate as possible). I would give it a 10 out of 10.

• Kill Joy by Holly Jackson - I had already used all of my downloads on my Hoopla app and all of the books I had on my 'for later' list in my Libby app weren't available (all of the available copies were checked out), so I clicked on some of the authors I had listened to in the past to see if there were more books from the ones I enjoyed. This one popped up as book #.5 in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Series and I was intrigued. It was a short listen (about 3 hours and since I have my audiobooks at 1.75x speed it goes even faster!) so I thought I'd give it a go. I actually enjoy reading prequels after I've finished a series because it helps give you an idea of why the story started as it did - and this one was no different. This part of the story happens at the end of Pip's junior year, before she starts her senior capstone project. Her group of friends get together after their exams end and have a murder mystery dinner. It shows the audience how good Pip is at coming up with suspects and theories, digging into the evidence and even tying some of the characters of the series into the beginning of the story. I'd suggest reading this one last. It's absolutely not necessary to the trilogy, but I totally felt getting a peek BEFORE was worth it once you knew the AFTER. As a stand alone book I probably wouldn't rate it as high, but as a prequel to the series (which I really enjoyed and would recommend), I would give it a 9 out of 10.

With that, September is done-zo. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always looking to add to my "must read" list! 

What's the best book you've read lately? 

Workout Recap - Week 39

Sunday, September 22nd – Rest day

Monday, September 23rd –  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, September 24th – 4.04 mile lunch run 

Wednesday, September 25th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Thursday, September 26th – 3.5 mile lunch run ("running" errands)

Friday, September 27th – Rest day

Saturday, September 28th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Five days of activity - 3 days of biking and two lunch runs... I'll take it. I was originally planning on a long run for Sunday, but we got doing stuff around the house and I just never fit it in (and didn't want to stress about it). Now that the temps are lower (in the mid-70s), I'm really enjoying my lunchtime runs. Don't worry, I recently made up a "freshen up" kit for work - athletic wipes, deodorant, body spray, bandaids, aspirin, etc. I'm not getting super sweaty (the most I normally do is 4 miles), but I still don't want our afternoon customers having a stinky, sweaty staff member helping them ;) On Thursday I actually ran to the nearby Walmart because one of the truck's blinker bulbs had gone out and so I decided to cross off one of my errands and 'run' my errands. (I used to do this all the time when I worked remotely, like running to the library or post office, but I haven't been able to do it recently and it made me smile.) I'm going to give it my best and try for a long run soon - let's see if I can get it done in the next 7 days (I'm gonna hold you accountable for holding me accountable)! 

How were your workouts this past week?

Workout Recap - Week 38

Sunday, September 15th – 7.17 mile run

Monday, September 16th –  Rest day

Tuesday, September 17th – 4 mile run 

Wednesday, September 18th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Thursday, September 19th – 4 mile lunch run

Friday, September 20th – Rest day

Saturday, September 21st – 90 minutes on the stationary bike

Not too shabby of a week. Got in a few runs (even with having to go to Temecula one day for work and then having to go in early another day for a meeting) and a couple sessions on the bike (one while watching the Michigan football game ;)). My psychiatrist and I are changing my meds, which throws my tummy off a bit, and Mother Nature is playing with my body, but overall I'm still getting some activity in, even if I'm feeling off my game. Here's to everything settling down soon!

How were your workouts this past week?

Workout Recap - Week 37

Sunday, September 8th – 5 mile run

Monday, September 9th –  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, September 10th – 4 mile run

Wednesday, September 11th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Thursday, September 12th – 4 mile lunch run

Friday, September 13th – Rest day

Saturday, September 14th – Rest day

Normally two rest days in a row can be concerning, but don't worry, I'm not injured, we were just doing house work on Saturday and the day got away from me, so I considered building a pergola a 'functional workout' and left it at that ;) I'd say it's very nice since the heatwave broke and we're back to our normal 70s and sunny weather (I'd love less humidity, but if it's helping fight the fires we have burning throughout the state I'm okay so they get a little relief). FALL'S COMING!

How were your workouts this past week?