June 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 June:

• The People We Keep by Allison Larkin - Another book that I don't remember how it ended up in my "for later" section on my Libby book, but ain't no thang. It was available and I needed something to listen to, so I checked it out. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but this by far exceeded my expectations. The book is set in the 90s (count me in already), there is a character named Carlee (this is the first piece of media that I've found to have my name in it, even if it is spelled 'wrong' ;)), the story feels real and relatable (there is no extra gooey parts or an anticipated 'happily ever after'), one of the character plays euchre (you better believe I've bought in - hook, line and sinker!), need I say more?! But, in all honesty, this book felt like I could've met April in any of the busking folks I've spoken with or house bands I've listened to. It isn't an easy read, per say, since there is a lot of heartbreak throughout, but it was a quick listen that left me wanting to befriend the characters and to have more of the story to devour. Some of the plotlines couldn't been a little better or different (her high school boyfriend becoming a famous soap opera star?!), but overall I say 'two thumbs up'. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid - This was recommended on my Libby app due to some of the books I had recently checked out and since I was waiting for most of the other books on my "for later" list to become available, I figured I'd give it a try in the interim. Seeing as I had no idea what the book was about, it sort of took a little for me to get into it. This is a novel that discusses topics such as race, socioeconomic status, culture, etc in a "language" that many of us understand. A black babysitter was stopped by a white security guard while she was babysitting (a white child) and accused of kidnapping. The exchange, where the security guard refused to let both the babysitter and the kiddo leave, was recorded on a cell phone and the book expands on the experiences that came after. Although this was a fictional telling, I could have just as easily have been reading a current news article. This one can be uncomfortable to read/ listen to (whether it's due to the languages used, the blatant or covert racism that is often seen in our culture or even the reflection of your privilege) - but hopefully that uncomfortability leads to conversations and change. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride - Real talk, I added this to my hold list on the Libby app when I first downloaded it like a month and a half ago. I had seen this "loved" by a few friends so their endorsement gave me all that I needed to give it a try. I'll be honest, the first half or so of the book I kept thinking to myself "wow, either I am not in the right frame of mind, am completely different from my friends or this book is over-hyped." Thankfully I stuck with it, because in the end I really enjoyed it. I loved seeing how everyone's stories and lives in the small town of Chicken Hill overlapped and came together. I would say that because of the time and location this was set in (the 1930's in an area of Pennsylvania where many Jews, immigrants and Blacks lived) there was a lot of language that made me cringe while listening to it (I really dislike hearing the "n" word, no matter who uses it or in what context, but I do realize they were trying to be consistent with the culture at the time). There were also quite a few characters to try and keep straight. (Maybe I wasn't paying perfect attention so missed things, but sometimes I just had to sort of guess how the character fit into the storyline.) Seeing as I wasn't loving it the first 3/4s or so, I have to dock it a couple points even though in the end there may have been a tear or two in my eyes. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee - After a few novels it was time for non-fiction. I'm not sure if you're aware, but my college degree is in economics. This book made my econ heart smile (not to mention, my family has had [and continues to have] many members in unions, which this book also addresses, so this was right up my alley). Heather's hypothesis (which the evidence supported) was that racism not only costs those who are in the marginalized group, but it costs EVERYONE. One of the main reasons for this is that many folks think that things like better working conditions, higher wages, etc are a zero sum, wherein if you get something there is less for me, so I would rather neither of us got anything. I know, I know, when you spell it out it sounds unfathomable that people would act that way if something could better themselves at the same time, but if you look at what actually happens, it's the fact. Doesn't a rising tide raise ALL ships?! And please don't hear my little review and think this book is all doom and gloom. This is not pessimistic at all. In fact, we should be stoked that the answer is for more community, more integration, more diversity. Let's ALL win! This is not about pointing fingers, it's about being realistic about what has happened in the past (and what continues to happen today) and see ways we can all come together. PS And I know I started about the recap about my econ heart, but I think anyone could read this and take many nuggets away. And although everything is well researched, I wouldn't say it felt too data heavy. I honestly think this should be required reading (for society!). There was a quote at the end that I LOVED - "the sum of us is better than some of us". I would give it a 10 out of 10.

• Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - I had heard that this was an AMAZING book, so as soon as I downloaded the Libby app I added it to my "holds". It finally became available so I grabbed it right away. Although I have seen so many friends giving this rave reviews, I actually didn't know what it was about... In case you were curious, it was about the gaming world, friendships/ relationships, etc. I am not super familiar with the gaming world, so there were definitely some vernacular that I was unfamiliar with, but overall you didn't really have to know anything about coding or video games to understand the story. I'll definitely say I was sucked into the story of Sam and Sadie right away. There were points where I didn't like either of the main characters, but overall I was cheering for them to win (and maybe even for them to get together, but actually appreciate that it wasn't a romance and focused more on their friendship). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• 14 Miles by DW Gibson - Let's be honest, living in San Diego County means not only are we front and center when it comes to "Trump's Wall", but we impacted on a daily basis by the border (seeing border patrol every day, having to drive through multiple checkpoints, etc). This book is full of investigational research about the building of the wall. It wasn't only about the wall, but about the people who are impacted by it (whether in the US, Mexico, Haiti, etc). I found it incredibly interesting, especially seeing as we live in the immediate area of where the majority of the research centers around. Even still, I think no matter where you live it is a gripping information for all to try to digest. I won't be adding this to my personal library, but it's definitely one that I will continue to think about and talk to others about on a regular basis. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• None of this is True by Lisa Jewell - This is another book that friends have mentioned was awesome, so I got on the waitlist for it on my Libby app and was pretty pumped when it was my turn to check it out. I know I sound like a broken record, but I had no idea what it was about when I downloaded it, but that seems to be my M.O., huh? I found this immediately intriguing. Maybe it's the fact that "true crime", "podcasts", "off-the-wall stories" are 'hot' right now or maybe it was just the suspenseful writing, but I really enjoyed it. This was a story about two women who were "birthday twins" - having been born on the same day, the same year and even at the same hospital (or, now that I think about it, I don't even know if that is true ;)). One of the women, Josie, decides she wanted to make some major life changes and asks the other woman, Alex, who is a podcaster, if she wants to make a series about someone in the process of changing (rather than what her current series is about - women who already had made changes and were now living their bests lives, becoming successful). There are a ton of twists and turns, which kept me at the edge of my seat, and I'll be honest when I say that even at the end I'm not 100% what was truth, what was fiction and what was fiction that someone believed was truth. Anywho, all in all, I really liked this one (and it wasn't even scary ;)). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Program by Suzanne Young - I was looking on my Libby app for a YA book and this popped up as a recommended series. I am always down for a good multi-book story, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'll be honest, had I known what the series was about I may have skipped it all together (this subject can be triggering for some and I truly do believe there should have been some sort of trigger warning). This might sound a little graphic, but it gave off Hunger Game vibes, except instead of the tributes killing each other this was about the kids killing themselves. There was a suicide epidemic, so the government decides to start a new "program" since the current mental health services aren't helping. The idea of this program is they are able to wipe out the memories of the "infected youth" so that they won't be depressed and wouldn't want to kill themselves. At first I was a little put off because suicide is not something to make light of, but throughout the book I came to see the author isn't poking fun but more trying to take a taboo subject something we can talk about. I will probably give the next book a listen and see how long I stick with the series. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Treatment by Suzanne Young - Well, my Libby app didn't have any of the additional books in the series available, so back to my Hoopla app I went (and thankfully it seemed to have a lot of them). This is the second book of the series and picks up right where the previous one left off. This story is focused on the "rebels" who are trying to outrun The Program (hopefully this isn't too much of a spoiler alert, but some folks do make it out and this explains the outfall afterwards). Also, the scientists/ doctors who worked on wiping the minds of the depressed kids (I think they were focused on 13-17 year olds, but I don't remember if they explicitly mention this or not) worked on a "treatment". Memories can be regained if the participant takes an orange pill which will bring their since erased memories flooding back. The government doesn't really want to admit that the program may not work completely, so they aren't publicizing an "antidote" but through a series of events Sloan becomes in possession of said pill. As you can probably guess, the handlers from the program are trying to track her down so that they can get the treatment back. In my opinion, this book was a bit more action packed than the first in the series, so I'll be interested to see where the next one will go. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Recovery by Suzanne Young - Figured we might as well keep this train a-rollin'. This book was actually 2.5 in the series (I didn't realize that until I already downloaded it). This one is a brief story about Realm trying to make good on some of his MAJOR mistakes. James and Realm go on a week long road trip so that Realm can see some of his old "friends" from The Program to first apologize and second to give them a folder of who they were before they went into the program. It's interesting to see how everyone reacts - some are thankful for getting their memories back and some would prefer to have not known that Realm was their handler and helped get them erased. It makes you wonder which you would prefer, seeing as the reason most of them had their memories erased were because they were depressed and contemplating suicide. I prefer Sloan and James as the main characters, so this was a bit too short (not worth using one of my precious six monthly downloads on my Hoopla app) and didn't do much to change my opinion of Realm. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• The Remedy by Suzanne Young - Fourth of the books I've listened to, but since The Recovery was technically book 2.5, this is the third complete book of the series. This book followed different characters than the first three. I didn't realize until towards the end that this was technically a prequel to the first ones (hopefully that isn't a spoiler, I just wasn't sure if it was obvious to others or if it was actually supposed to be revealed at the end). Instead of "the program" being around, there was a system where loved ones of those who had passed could request a "closer" (for a nominal fee, of course) who would stand in for the deceased and then the family/ friends could get closure so they could move on. The premise was people could move through the grief faster. The population definitely seemed to be split on their opinions of the system - some believing the closers were taking advantage of the vulnerable/ grieving and some believing in the idea and feeling the closers were helping and offering a much needed service. It's definitely an interesting idea. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Epidemic by Suzanne Young - At this point I figured I might as well finish the series out ;) This is officially book number four of the series, but the fifth I've listened to (since book two and a half was just a little one off). I would say, this was actually my favorite one thus far. Chronologically, it would go book three, then four, then one, then two, then two and a half. This book picks up where the previous left off - the end of the grief department and the events that set off the suicide epidemic (which was the beginning of the program). This one was definitely a bit more graphic (since it did technically focus on a suicide cluster), but I felt as though it was addressed cautiously and did a great job of filling in the pieces between the two storylines. Seeing as these characters are all good liars (a trait of being a closer was having to be able to "become" someone else and pull it off realistically) it was hard to figure out who was "good" and who had gone to the "dark" side, but overall it kept me on my toes and wanting to know what would happen next. I would give it a 9 out of 10.  

• The Adjustment by Suzanne Young - The first two (plus the book 2.5) were about the program. They had the same characters and book two was an extension/ follow-up of book one. Books three and four were another set, more like the prequel (set prior to books one and two), with book three being the very first and book four being an extension/ follow-up of book three. Those two books had different characters than he first two since it happened at a prior time. Now book five (this one) was a more of an extension/ follow-up of book one and two (so, if you've hung on thus far, the chronological order of the books would go more like 3, 4, 1, 2, 2.5, 5, 6) and have different main characters as well. The storyline of this portion was about a possible "fix" of the program, where the doctors would be able to adjust the memory of returners from the program. The thought is they are able to reimplant memories, which they would get from someone close to them as a donor. I know, I know, all a little more scifi than I'd normally do, but I was already hooked on the series ;) Obviously these are all a little far fetched, but for some reason this one seemed 'way out there'. Although I may not have liked this one as much as some of the others, I did appreciate the twist at the end. (It sort of made me want to listen to the book again once I found out about the 'surprise' to see if it would've changed things for me.) I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe - Ok, so I had this one saved in my "for later" section of my Libby app and since I had run out of downloads on my Hoopla app (which is why I couldn't listen to the final book in The Program series), so I grabbed this for our drive to Mammoth. With all the scifi I had been doing, I figured a little nonfiction true crime would change things up a bit. I ended up really enjoying this one (as much as someone can enjoy a story about murder, I guess). There was a mother of ten who was kidnapped in the 1970s and this is a retelling of the crime, as well as what lead up to it, what happened after and how things that were happening in Ireland at the time played into the murder. The book was read by the author (so, beware, listening at a faster than normal speaking speed can be a little difficult with the author's Irish accent). The hubby and I watch the series Wrexham on Hulu, which is about a soccer team in Wales. Coincidentally, the most recent episode we watched focused a bit on one of their Irish athletes, so some of the things the player had talked about (the IRA, Bloody Sunday, etc) were explained and gone into more detail in this book. There were points in the book where I'd wonder why this or that piece of information was being explained, but it all came together nicely and I really liked how everything was intertwined. I've never been interested in the mob, so this was as close to some of that lifestyle I've ever gotten. Interesting for sure. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Complication by Suzanne Young - Remember how I mentioned I had run out of my Hoopla downloads for the month (and the series wasn't on my Libby app)? Well, the hubby hasn't been using his account (the accounts are linked to our Oceanside library cards, so you can't just create an account to get more books), so I was able to sweet talk him into letting me log in on my phone and use his downloads, that way I could finish the series while it was still fresh in my mind. At last, we've come to the final book of the series (the final book both numerically and chronologically). I'll be honest, I was a little sad that it'd be coming to an end, but the author did a great job of not only weaving the different plots together but also the different characters. Some of the main characters from the different sections came together in the end to try and fight the system. I think this was my favorite of all seven, which was surprising because I normally find the follow-up books to not be as good as the original. I could see this all being made into a streaming series or multiple movies. I was obviously cheering for "the rebels", but no spoilers from me as to who "wins" in the end. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

• Blessed are the Bank Robbers by Chas Smith - Shhhh, don't tell, but while I was in the hubby's Hoopla app I used another of his downloads for this book. This book is actually about one of our good friends good friend. I had forgotten about it until I saw it in the hubby's 'for later' list, but since I still had his log in I figured I'd use it ;) This is about a San Diegan who came from an evangelical family and turned into a bank robber. And not just a guy who robbed a bank or two, but who robbers over FORTY and was a wanted criminal for many years. I'll be honest and say that I wish there was more about 'cousin Danny' or the crimes he commited, instead of as much detail about the family and their church relations, but I also realize that most criminals don't want to necessarily want their cousin to write a tell-all of their criminal behavior. I found this interesting because I know most of the areas they were talking about and we have a bit of a connection to the subject, but others may not find this as intriguing. The author seemed to be glorifying the robberies and glossing over the damage that was caused (whether to the family, the bank tellers, etc). I had heard about this author before and know he can definitely be off putting or polarizing, so I could see some folks not loving this one. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

• Pretty Things by Janelle Brown - I don't remember if I had seen this on a friend's recently read lists or not, but I was waiting for it to become available on my Libby app, so once it was my turn I grabbed it. I ended up really enjoying this one. It was told from two different characters perspectives (which I didn't realize for a while since the second 'narrator' didn't come in until much later in the book), which I always like. This is the story of two families who believed negative things about the other and eventually found out that what they believed may not have been completely true. There were a few twists along the way I wasn't completely expecting (I tend to have most novels figured out thanks to my years of watching Law & Order, but this one actually kept me on my toes). I could totally see this being turned into a movie. I appreciate that different aspects of mental health were discussed (even if it was to show how much of a taboo the topic still is). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa - I had seen this book on quite a few LGBTQIA+ must read lists. I have had my eyes peeled for it (even setting an alert on my Libby app to notify me when it became available) and I saw it on the hubby's Hoopla app. I may have done a little happy dance (sometimes it's the little things, hehe). Anywho, I really, really liked this one. I can see why it has been on so many lists. Not only are there diverse characters (non-binary, trans, etc), but it isn't made into a big deal (as it shouldn't be). I also appreciated that many important topics were discussed - from mental health to immigration. Although it is a YA book, I would probably say it's for the older end since there is some sexy time included (but, again, not focused on, not made into a big deal, not discussed in depth). Yup, this one had me feeling #AllTheFeels and can't wait to see what else this author does. I'll totally be recommending this one to folks. I would give it a 10 out of 10. 

• How to be Fine by Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer - I saw this book in the non-fiction portion of my Libby app and thought it sounded interesting. I hadn't heard of these two authors before, but apparently they have a podcast called 'By The Book' where they follow the self-help (to the T) for two weeks from different self-help books to see what insights they may glean. Instead of focusing on one specific self-help "truth", this book gives their overarching feelings (what they think might work, what they wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole, etc). I found it extremely interesting. I don't know that I'd add it to my personal library, but it's definitely one I would read multiple times. (The authors were also the ones who read the audiobook [and took turns writing and reading every other chapter] and I've gotta say, they sound like a bunch of fun!) I would give it a 9.5 out of 10.

• Animals I Want to See by Tom Seeman - This book popped up in the "trending titles" section in the Hoopla app and as soon as I saw the author was writing about Toledo, Ohio you better believe I grabbed it. I grew up across the border (on the Michigan side) from Toledo. Like, legit, we were exit 1 on US-23. This was a memoir from a kid who had the odds stacked against him (one of twelve kids, lived in the projects of Toledo, etc) but succeeded nonetheless. Not only did I enjoy listening about his life, but I loved hearing about very familiar areas (like St. Francis, Catholic Central, Centennial Quarry, Showcase Theater, etc). I'm thrilled Tom was able to defy the odds. I did notice when I was grabbing the link on Amazon for this book that it is technically listed under the Christianity heading. The family went to church and Tom went to an all boys Catholic school, but otherwise God wasn't discussed at lengths (in case that sways your decision on whether or not to read this one). I may be bias because I am familiar with where the author grew up, but even without it I thought it was a good enough memoir to read (who can argue with personal stories?!). I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Project by Courtney Summers - None of the books that I had on my Libby app's "for later" list were available, so I started going through recommended lists and came across this one. I had read this author's previous book and remember enjoying it, so figured this was worth a listen. This one was not what I was expecting, but kept me on my toes. The two main characters were sisters. One was in a car accident with her parents and was the sole survivor. When that sister was in the hospital, the sister who was not in the vehicle prayed for the healing of her sister and when the doctors deemed her recovery a "miracle" the sister knew she needed to follow god. The issue was, when she found "god", she found a cult. She obviously didn't realize it as such and years later, when the sister who was in the accident tried to contact her, she discovered the shadiness of the organization, "The Project". I'll be honest, this was an interesting story, but it lost me in the end. I don't want to give anything away, but the ending sort of felt "phoned in". I'm not sure why I didn't like it, maybe it was not as detailed as I thought it should be or very trite in its storytelling. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson - I feel like I have to look for a new book to listen to just about every other day, so I thought I'd look for another series, that way I at least have a few days worth of listens ;) This series popped up in the recommended YA "thriller" section and all three books were available, so I grabbed 'em all at once. The idea behind the book is a student is tackling her senior project and decided she wanted to try to clear the name of a kid who was alleged to have killed someone (or more find out the truth behind what really happened). Sure, it's a little far fetched that a 18 year old student would be able to solve a crime that happened five-ish years prior (that was technically already 'solved'), but it's still fun to read. The audiobook actually had all of the interviews done by different actors, which I always love. I'll be honest, it might not be 100% believable, but I was still wrapped up in every minute of it. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson - I'm not sure if you are familiar with the show "Only Murders in the Building", but the hubby and I really enjoy it. It's about a trio of friends who make a podcast about MURDER IN THEIR BUILDING ;) If you haven't seen it, I'd totally recommend it, but the reason I bring it up is because this series sort of seems like the teeny-bopper version of it. This book is an extension of the first, with all of the same characters, but a different crime that has occured. Again, I didn't think it was completely believable, but it was still entertaining. There were some different storylines in this book - like catfishing and the witness protection program - but if you liked the first one, I'm sure you'd like this one too. Similar to the previous book, this one kept me on my toes and guessing whodunit until the end (or maybe there was just so much going on that I didn't have time to really consider all of the suspects seriously on my own). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson - Time for the finale of the series. I was a little sad that it was coming to an end, but all good murder mysteries end up running their course ;) The last book I mentioned reminded me of "Only Murders in the Building" and this one was more like "How to Get Away with Murder". I really like that the story just continues (even if it is over the top - being stalked by a serial killer who the police believe has already been caught), especially since I listened to them back-to-back-to-back. I'll be honest and say that my heart was racing a little more during this one - so maybe it felt more realistic (ha, probably not) or maybe was a little scarier. There were parts that felt a little slower, but I never lost interest. I've said it before, but I sort of grew up on Law & Order, so this type of book is right up my alley and I love how there are clever clues left throughout the story that eventually end up playing a much larger role than expected. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

With that, June 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 25

Sunday, June 16th – 7.5 mile hike to Mammoth Mountain Summit (with almost 3,000 feet of climbing)

Monday, June 17th –  Rest/ Travel Day 

Tuesday, June 18th –  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Wednesday, June 19th – 3.5 miles with the hubby

Thursday, June 20th – Rest Day

Friday, June 21st – Rest Day

Saturday, June 22nd – 7 mile run 

The hubby officially started training for Hood2Coast (a relay race he will be tackling with folks from work in August... running from Mt. Hood to the Oregon Coast). The training plan he is using is for the half marathon distance. Normally the race is split up into three runs (there are twelve teammates, each running three times, somewhere around the 13 mile distance overall), so we figured if he can do the 13.1 miles at once he can run it split up over three separate runs over 48 hours. That being said, I've started doing a couple of the runs with him, which I always enjoy (even if the pace is slower than I'd normally do on my own). Here's to getting him (and me in the process ;)) back in half marathon distance shape.

How were your workouts this past week?

Workout Recap - Week 24

Sunday, June 9th – 3 mile run with the hubby 

Monday, June 10th –  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, June 11th –  4.14 mile run

Wednesday, June 12th – Rest Day

Thursday, June 13th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Friday, June 14th – 5.55 mile downhill run (from Lake Mary to Shady Rest Campground in Mammoth Lakes)

Saturday, June 15th – 4 mile run with the hubby

Because I had to cover a coworker one of the previous weekend's, my off days ended up being Friday of this week (and Monday of next), so the hubby, pup and I decided to head up to Mammoth to camp a bit. We left Thursday after I got off work and were enjoying the Eastern Sierras before the clock struck midnight. Although running at altitude can be tough (really gets you sucking wind no matter the pass), we love running up there. Every once in a while we ponder moving up there, but I can't do that much cold and snow... Maybe when we win the lotto and we can retire and have TWO houses ;)

How were your workouts this past week?

Workout Recap - Week 23

Sunday, June 2nd – 3 mile run with the hubby 

Monday, June 3rd –  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, June 4th –  4 mile run

Wednesday, June 5th – Rest Day

Thursday, June 6th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Friday, June 7th – Rest Day

Saturday, June 8th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Well, um, this week wasn't my best. I was originally going to do a HIIT workout on Wednesday, which I just didn't feel like doing, so skipped it. Then I was planning on doing a long run Friday morning since I had the day off (I worked 11 days in a row because I was covering for one of my employees since he was out of town for a race), but, again, I just didn't feel like it. Saturday I went to actually get in a 10-12 mile run, but my stomach wasn't having it, so ran 2 miles and then jumped on the bike to at least get in a sweat... Here's to moving on from these seven days and having a much better one next week.

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 22

Sunday, May 26th – 10 mile run  

Monday, May 27th –  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, May 28th –  4 mile run

Wednesday, May 29th – Rest Day

Thursday, May 30th – 4 mile run

Friday, May 31st – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Saturday, June 1st – Rest Day

Normally Saturdays are my long runs, but I had/ have to work 11 days straight (starting with Memorial Day and going through next Thursday) and when I woke up it was rainy/ misty, so instead I went to the grocery store and meal prepped lunches for the upcoming week. I want to 'want to' run, I don't want it to be just another thing I am crossing off my to-do list or something I see as a chore - and that's not how it has been feeling lately... Here's hoping when May Gray and June Gloom finally hit the road and the sunshine returns in full force, that it will bring my love of running back with it too.

How were your workouts this past week?

May 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 May:

• Here for It by R. Eric Thomas - I actually finished this one on the final day of April, but my recap had already posted, so May it is ;) I saw it on my Libby app under the memoir section and it caught my eye so I grabbed it. Let me be real, I normally write these little recaps a day or two after I finish the book... With that being said, although I remember enjoying it, nothing really stood out when I thought back on it. Don't get me wrong, I remember nodding my head, laughing out loud and cringing at different times, but specifics just don't come to mind... I guess that means I probably wouldn't really recommend it... I would give it a 6 out of 10.

• Couple Found Slain by Mikita Brottman - This book was in the "autobiographies/ memoirs/ nonfiction" section of my Libby app. The blurb really intrigued me. The premise is that often times we hear about a crime (in this case - the murder of a husband and wife) and maybe about the trial, verdict and sentencing (in this case - the person who committed this violent act was the son of the couple who asserts he was having a mental break at the time of the murder), but rarely, if ever, do most folks think about what happens next, because the defendant's life keeps going. This author followed the son, who admits he killed his parents, through some of the experiences he went through afterwards. Another thing most people have never really considered is what happens once someone is deemed not competent to stand trial. I found this extremely interesting (and extremely heartwrenching, frustrating, disappointing, etc). I also had never really thought about after a crime (whether it be the person who was a victim, the person who enacted the crime, the family of both parties, etc), so it also opened my eyes to something I had never really pondered before. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson - I have had this book on my "for later" list for such a long time, but it wasn't available on my Hoopla app and it has been checked out on my Libby app until now. I knew the premise of the book (which has since been turned into a movie) - a young lawyer working in the south to help release wrongly convicted people on death row. Obviously, with that sort of topic you know it isn't going to be an "easy" read, but oh so important. I am forever grateful that people like Bryan and others exist, are willing to do the work and fight the good fight. While listening to this book I was continually shaking my head - not out of shock, since I'm pretty sure most of us know that people of color, poor folks, mentally unstable people, etc do NOT get a fair shake in the current "justice" system, even if not everyone wants to admit it - but because our culture is so entrenched in white supremacy and the patriarchy that we continue on as though this is status quo and okay! It is heart wrenching and infuriating. I think had I read this book while in high school or college, I probably would have pursued a law degree. What the people at the Equal Justice Initiative (and similar type organizations) do is beyond! It's selfless, it's dedication, it's hope-filled and, unfortunately, it's necessary. I think maybe only two things would have made this true story even more powerful and that was if it was longer (following more stories) or if Bryan gave tangible steps on how to join with them in the work. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson - Since I had checked out one of this author's books last month, the Libby app brought this one up as a suggested title. The cover grabbed my attention (since it was a "real person" I thought maybe it had been made into a movie and this was one of the actors), and since there isn't a limit on the number of books I can have (there's a limit of 6 at a time, but I normally only check one out at a time, so I haven't had an issue), I grabbed it without reading the synopsis or anything. The premise of this novel is a teen who is living in a hospital - not because he is sick, but because his family was killed in an accident and he doesn't have anywhere else to go so is hiding out there. I thought it was an interesting story, but overall I wasn't too enthralled. (You can't see the comic Drew is writing while listening to the audiobook, obviously, but they did their best to describe the story he was telling.) I doubt this was the author's hope, but I actually liked the side characters a little more than Drew. I would give it a 7 out of 10. 

• Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan - The number of books I'm allowed to check out on my Hoopla resets every month, so I looked through my list of "favorites" to see if there was anything worth grabbing. I don't remember how or why this book got on my "for later" list, but I saw the length (less than two hours I figured it was worth it, even if it was terrible ;)) and snagged it. It is a short story about an Irish coal merchant and his family. Seeing as it is short, there wasn't much depth you could dive into, but you still were cheering for Bill. For what it was, it was a powerful story about courage, family and doing the right thing even when you don't "have to" and when it might be uncomfortable. I definitely would've prefered it to be longer (more of a short story than a novel), but it was surprisingly captivating for the brevity of it. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Foster by Claire Keegan - Seeing as I enjoyed the previous book by this author, I figured I'd see if she had any more on the Hoopla app. This one popped up so I wanted to check it out. Similarly to the previous book, this is a very quick 'read' (since I listen at 1.75x speed it took me less than an hour for the whole thing). I actually think I liked this one more than Small Things Like These. This story is about a young girl who is sent to live with a couple while her mom has another baby because the family can't afford (financially or emotionally, it seems) to raise them all. The story was told from the girl's perspective, which I enjoyed, especially since she didn't know how long she would be with the couple. It was a sweet look into everyday life (again, maybe more like a short story than a novel) that I would have been okay with being longer. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown - This was in the Young Adult section in my Hoopla app (I had actually saved it in my "for later" section a few weeks ago, but I was out of downloads for April, so had to wait), so I figured I'd enjoy it - and enjoy it I DID! This is part memoir, part magic, part coming-of-age, part survival guide, but ALL AMAZING! Don't get me wrong, this wasn't an "easy" read, especially knowing that much of the story was autobiographical, but oh so important. Echo really showed the intersectionality of poverty, racism, mental health issues, the prison to pipeline issue, domestic violence, sexism, colorism, homophobia, etc. I love how this is about not only saving one's self, but also relying on your community and finding your people. This book doesn't only focus on trauma, but on healing too. It was also pretty incredible how the author interwove the different stories/ narratives together and how it flowed. Wow. I absolutely loved it! I would give it a 10 out of 10.

• Weyward by Emilia Hart - I had been hearing such great things about this book so when I saw it pop up on my Hoopla app (it is still "coming soon" on Libby), I grabbed it right away. I can absolutely see why it is getting the praise it has. This is a novel that weaves together three different women's lives (during distinct times in history). I love when books do this and you get to see how decisions of someone made many moons before impacts others later on down the line. Also, when it is flip-flopping between plots I think it keeps the interest and intrigue high (not to mention, the story tends to change at critical spots so it makes you want to keep listening/ reading to find out what happens next. I think I especially enjoyed this book for two reasons - strong women and animals. The hubby jokes that I'm like Snow White because I am always chatting with the creatures around us (but unfortunately they don't talk back to me... yet ;)). I don't want to give away the plot, but having strong women so connected with nature made my heart smile. I would give it a 10 out of 10.

• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston - I've seen this book on quite a few lists, so I thought it was finally time to find out why. Wow, so this novel was originally written in 1937 and I can see why it is often included in the catalogue of highly acclaimed African American literature - even with it being out of print for nearly 30 years. This is the story of a black woman and her trials and tribulations in love. Although there's a lot of strife in Janie's experiences, this is also hope and triumph. During the years (and three marriages), she intimately learns about poverty, hard work, despair, gossip, loss and life in the Deep South at the beginning of the twentieth century. This story is beautifully written about a strong and independent woman, during a time that was not appreciated/ accepted (but when is it in a patriarchal culture?!). I would give it a 10 out of 10. 

• The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Figured it was a good time to snag another "coming of age, young adult romance" type book. This popped up in the new section of my Libby app and the colors grabbed me so I downloaded it. Just like the majority of YA romances, there are struggles and speed bumps to contend with as the two friends/ enemies explore their relationship. I found this one interesting because the two main characters were actually in the foster care system - I don't know that I had ever really read one with "kids in the system" as a focus. Obviously this is a novel, but I am sure there are way too many children than we'd like to admit who are stuck in helpless and hopeless situations. There was a lot going on in this story and I'm actually hoping there is a follow-up book because I'd love to see where the characters go from the end of this one. This'll hit you in #AllTheFeels, so get your tissues and mind ready for it! I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price - I had listened to one of this author's books last month, so I figured I'd give this one a go. This was a quick listen and had some great suggestions on how to "break up" with your phone. As I'm sure you are WELL AWARE, our culture is pretty dependent on our cell phones (or other wireless capable devices such as tablets, etc). This book contains an easy thirty day challenge on ways to move towards less of a dependence. I don't think I'll do everything that the plan lays out, but there are definitely some nuggets I will implement. I recently ordered a basic alarm clock so that I don't have to keep my phone in the bedroom. Also, I have (prior to reading this, but still some of her suggestions) placed limits on my phone - I get a popup when I've been on a social media app for more than 10 minutes and I also have a limit of 30 minutes a day. She goes as far as to say to delete apps from your phone and either add them as needed or use them on a computer instead (for things like social media). As I mentioned, I won't do everything, but I'd love to take back the part of my life I waste focusing on this screen in my hand. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Evicted by Matthew Desmond - This book was in the biography and autobiography section of my Libby app and it caught my attention. I will be honest, my privilege has allowed me to not only never experience eviction but to not ever even have to give it much thought. This book was extremely interesting because it not only followed folks who were being evicted from their current living situation, but also landlords who were having to do some of the evictions. I wasn't sure how the author was able to get this close to the story, but in the epilog he explained that he had actually moved into the areas (whether it was in the trailer park referenced or in with the family of someone one of his subjects know who lived in the "bad part of town"). Not only was the process of eviction something I had never really considered, the fallout (whether than be the inability to be able to move somewhere else because of their eviction history, the impact on families, how services offered to folks in this type of situation are implemented, etc). I finished this book wanting to open our home to anyone who needs it (although the fix to this issue is more about the system in general). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Off the Record by Camryn Garrett - This was in the Young Adult section (and was available for immediate check out) of my Libby app, so I snagged it. This is a story about a 17 year old Black female journalist who stumbles into a bigger story when on assignment for a contest she won. I would say it was very engaging but I sort of wish there was more (I would like to note that this novel is about sexual assault and r@pe which can be difficult for some to listen to). Maybe it was setting up for a follow-up book (I didn't see it was part of a series on my Libby app), but if it isn't I felt like there was so much after the conclusion of the book that could've kept going (how the fallout from her article went, how her relationship unfolded, etc). I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson - I have seen this book on so many of my friend's book lists who raved about it, so I've been on the waitlist on my Libby app for over a month and it finally became available. Well, my friends were right. This is a great book. I also love the voice of the reader - perfect for this story. This is a story of a mom's passing and her sharing the history of her life with her children (what they knew or thought they knew their whole lives was a bit of a lie...). I would say that there were A LOT of characters that you had to keep straight. The story jumped from past to present and back again, so sometimes it was hard to keep things straight, but the story overall was very well written. I noticed the cover said there was a series on Hulu on this book, so I will have to give it a watch (probably while on my stationary bike ;)). I would give it a 9 out of 10.

• Unbound by Tarana Burke - This was in the autobiography/ biography section of my Libby app and I wanted to give it a listen. Many of us are aware of the hashtag "Me Too", but Tarana was doing this work YEARS before someone tweeted using the hashtag. This is about the work behind the movement. I'll be honest, this was a hard listen. There's a lot of domestic violence, sexual violence, rape, physical and emotional violence, etc. This is an extremely important issue that we need to be demanding more support, resources and accountability with. I appreciate that Tarana was willing to share her experiences with readers and hope that her vulnerability allows others to know that they can tell someone, can report and can survive. I would give this a 10 out of 10.

• Diary of a Drag Queen by Crystal Rasmussen with Tom Rasmussen - While I was scrolling through the biography/ autobiography section of my Libby app and found some of the other books I already listened to, I added this to my "for later" tab. The topic grabbed my attention. This is set up as diary entries (I'm not sure if that is how they were actually written or if the memoir chose to use that format). Tom is a drag queen and his drag queen persona is named Crystal. This book is written both from the perspective of Tom and in Crystal's voice. I do not personally know any drag queens or kings, so I wasn't sure what to expect from their life experience. (Note: This is one person's lived experience, this does NOT translate to the life of every drag queen/ king. I shouldn't have to say that, but I wanted to make it clear.) I realize there is often a lot of trauma in the lives of the LGBTQIA+ community (seeing as we live in a patriarchal white supremacy culture), so I was assuming there would be some difficult parts (which there were) but I also appreciated seeing the love and joy experienced as well. This book reiterates how important chosen family can be. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• The Ugly Cry by Danielle Henderson - Ok, ok, same thing with this book, I saw it in the biography/ autobiography section of my Libby so threw it on my "for later" shelf. This is the memoir of Danielle, but I've gotta be honest, the star of the show (for me) ended up being her grandmother. Danielle (and her brother) eventually ended up living with and being raised by her grandmother. Well, let's just say she is a spitfire and doesn't stand for any shenanigans. She didn't remind me of either of my grandmas, but I still thought she would have been a fun one to have (or at least one to have in the neighborhood). Although Danielle's grandmother brought a little sparkle to the story, there is also a lot of deep felt pain. While listening to this book I wished I could go over and hug Danielle (with her consent, of course). I appreciate her willingness to be so vulnerable and raw with how she grew up - I have to imagine it was incredibly difficult to relive some/ most of her experiences while writing about (and processing) them all these years later. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Find Me by Alafair Burke - After a handful of biographical books, I thought it was time to snag something from my Libby app that was a bit fictionalized. I don't remember which of my friends had this on a recent "must read" list, but I had a screenshot of the cover in my phone so assumed someone I knew had read it and liked it. I didn't realize (until Googling the title so I could hyperlink the title) that there are more books in this series [this is actually the 6th book] but it seems as though they stand alone, so you don't have to worry about knowing any backstory before hand. (Think of it sort of like Law & Order, each episode is a different crime, but some of the characters [law enforcement, lawyers, etc] stay the same. You don't necessarily need to watch the episodes in order or even see all of them.) Anywho, back to this book. It is more of a thriller (thankfully it was not scary because I don't DO horror), where you are trying to find whodunit alongside the detectives in the case. There are a lot of players in this story, but the premise is a woman got in a car accident, lost her memory for 15 years and then someone tied to her previous past is found murdered. I'll be honest and say I guessed some of the twists and turns, but the final one threw me for a loop. It was entertaining enough that I may look for more books of this author, but they won't make it into my personal library. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin - This was another book from the nonfiction (autobiography/ biography) section of my Libby app. When I saw the cover I remembered I had read the previous book (The Happiness Project during January 2017) so I grabbed the follow-up. [#RealTalk - I was too lazy to look, and obviously didn't remember, so I wasn't 100% sure I enjoyed the first book, but thankfully, when looking back for the link, I did ;)] Each month, Gretchen decided to tackle a different theme and try to implement goals around that theme that will help make her home a happier place to be. There were definitely a few resolutions she tried that I'd like to add into my daily routine (having BIG hellos and goodbyes, trying the opposite argument, kissing my partner in the morning and at night, etc). I also think the house is primed for a good spring cleaning to help us focus on our possessions (and make sure we either use them or love them). Gretchen is definitely in a different phase of life than me (she's got kids, works from home, etc), so many of the goals she had wouldn't be able to translate directly to me or our home, but the book at least got my wheels a-turnin'. I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse - After a few nonfiction books I figured it was time again for a novel. I think this was on a friend's list of books they had read recently so I grabbed it once it became available on my Libby app. I didn't know what to expect, but the title sort of creeped me out. After the first chapter or two I was getting a little worried that it might be too scary for me (I don't do scary), but thankfully it was more of a thriller than anything. The story follows a couple who heads to the Swiss Alps for an engagement party and while they're at this fancy-shmancy hotel a woman goes missing. The main character, Ellen, is a detective back home in the UK who is on leave from her job and ends up having to work the case because an avalanche has made getting to or from the property an impossibility. I don't want to spill the beans or give an spoilers, but there were definitely some twists and turns I hadn't expected and didn't see coming (and just when I thought I had it figured out something would throw my suspect right out the window). There were parts I wish had more detail and some side plots that could've been cut, but overall it kept me entertained. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I had heard rave reviews about this book, so as soon as I got the Libby app I put this on my hold list (although there are unlimited 'check-outs' a month, you are technically checking out an actual title, so just like at the actual library, you have to wait in line until the book is returned). This was the first book off my hold list that I've actually got thus far. This was definitely a good novel. It's about an actress in the 50s and 60s who is working with a pretty unknown journalist to write her biography. I thought the individual stories about the different marriages were believable (I actually forgot it was a novel for a bit, hehe), but I did guess the connection between Evelyn and the journalist before it was officially revealed. Well, maybe not the entirety, but knew who'd be involved. Anywho, this was entertaining (and about the entertainment industry) and could see it being made into a movie. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

• Pageboy by Elliot Page - As y'all know by now, I love a good memoir. Like, how can you argue with someone's experiences?! And a glimpse "behind the curtain" - it's sort of like a reality show of the author (if reality shows were ACTUALLY reality ;)). Anywho, I had wanted to read Elliot's book for a while and was finally able to get it on my Libby app. I have to say, I'm very aware of the hate and violence that the trans community encounters, but I would've guessed that Elliot might have been a bit more removed from it, seeing all of the shows/ movies they have been in. I wish I could say it is shocking, but, let's be real, the vitriol people spew is horrific and appalling, but more common practice than not sometimes. I appreciate Elliot's openness to share the good, the bad and the ugly - I just pray there is less bad and ugly in the future with more stories like this in mainstream media (although, if I can just step on my soapbox for a hot minute - we shouldn't have to "know someone"/ have "heard a story" to believe other's experiences or be a decent human being). I would give it an 8 out of 10.

• Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter - After listening to Pieces of Her last month, I noticed that this author has quite a few books. Although my Libby app shows them in the same series, they are technically stand alone books. I found this one as engaging as the previous book of hers. There were some parts I thought were well written and other parts that I felt were lacking or not expanded upon as I would have liked (for example, the cult that Andrea's parents were a part of was glossed over... so if the author didn't want to detract from the "current" story, that shouldn't even have been mentioned at all if it wasn't going to be explored, or at least that's my opinion). Also, there were some very graphic scenes (for me) in this one, so be warned. I would've liked to have had a trigger warning when it came to topics such as violence, suicide, eating disorders, etc. This isn't a romance by any means, but I was cheering for Andrea and Mike to get together ;) I would give it a 7 out of 10.

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - I don't remember which of my friends recommended this one or what list it came from, but I had saved it in my Libby app "for later" for some reason, so once it became available I snagged it. This was a very interesting premise. There is a set of twins that this story revolves around. These two girls are black but very light (white passing) in complexion. As the girls age, they take different paths in their lives. One of the twins marries a very dark man and you can see how she (and her daughter) are ostracized from the community. The other twin actually pretends as though she is white and you follow along with her experiences as well. I really enjoyed this one, but did wish it was longer (or maybe it was made into a series). I think there could totally be a spin-off with the two twins (and their partners) as well as the twins' daughters. PS I see the author went to UofM for her MFA, so obviously I like her ;) I would give it a 9 out of 10.

With that, May 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?