Lots of reading

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literature, Meg Wolitzer, Pat Summitt, reading

One of the great things about summer is all the reading one is able to do.  One can stay up late finish a book.  One can grab a pitcher of water and enjoy a good read on the patio.   For me, it is about catching up.  Catching up on books that I have been wanting to read, but have not had the time.

Here are two such books.

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I grew up admiring Pat Summitt.  She was a little scary sometimes, but oh what she accomplished.  This book was exactly what I thought it was going to be, inspirational.  The lessons I will be taking away will be chewed on for quite a while.  Her work ethic.  Her desire to instill the ability to be better than ourselves.  Her love passion for life.  What an amazing individual.  I can see why even after they graduated, her players were always in touch.  And speaking of graduating, when she was the head coach at the University of Tennessee, 100% of her players walked with a college degree. Wow!  I am so glad I waited to read this book.  I have had plenty of time to reflect on it and apply it to my little world.

The Meg Wolitzer book is one that friend recommended.  She told me that it would challenge my morals.  As always, she was correct.  I wanted to put down the book several times.  I cannot stand self absorbed people.  (I was one of the strange people who despised the book Eat, Pray, Love)   I really tried to have feelings for these characters, but I just really wanted to slap them.  Yes, there are people who have money.  However, living in envy of them is so time consuming.  You miss out on your life.  No you might not have the ‘stuff’ they have, but you have your ‘stuff’.  Embrace your life and be content!   If you are not, decide what you are going to do about it.  I cannot wait to discuss this book with my friend.  I have been reflective about this one also.  The author must have done something right for me to have such an adverse feeling about the characters!

Okay, enough already with my ramblings!  As you can tell, I love literature!

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For the Road

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Andrea Mitchell, books, Jhumpa Lahiri, literature, reading

When you are on the road as much as I am you need a partner.  I have  chosen  a ‘cultured’ partner.  One that makes my mind wander.  However, I like variety.

This week my partner is Andrea Mitchell.

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I do love reading/listening to other people’s lives.  I am so enjoying this book.  What a strong woman!  Wow!!!!  It is a step back in our nation’s history.  I am walking along memory lane in her shoes.  I have watched her for years.  I have admired her.

Next up is….

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Cannot wait!  I do enjoy a road trip.

Free time

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biking, cooking, hiking, reading, time

A couple of years ago, I balked at those two words.  When you have kids you are running around with them.  When Amazing Daughter went to college our lives changed.  Of course we became college parents, empty nesters.  The first weekend we were back after dropping her off, we sat there and just looked at each other.  We did not have a volleyball, basketball or soccer game or tournament to attend.  We were not coordinating our weekend plans with hers. 

Odd, we thought this new life was.  However, after the third weekend we were planning and doing.  Loved it!!!! 

I do miss the sports events.  But now we have time on our hands.  We are masters at making the most out of our time.  We work hard during the week.  When Friday evening rolls around, we shed those thoughts, that routine for one that is slower paced (sometimes), and make the most of every single minute.  Making the most might be sitting on my sofa reading a book but it is my time.

Having this free time has us discovering things we like to do.  We are in better shape physically than we have been in a long while.  I am learning to be adventurous as I cook.  I am really enjoying decorating. 

Now that the weather is FINALLY starting to warm up, hiking and biking will be added to our weekends and free time.  YEA!

Free time, is something that is sacred.  It should be personal.  It should be appealing! 

What do you like to do in your free time?

Hey, those are my thoughts…

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Berlin, books, Europe, reading

This weekend I spent strolling the streets of Berlin, Paris, and New York and I did not even leave my sofa.  You know when you have found a great book when everything is piling up -laundry, dishes, housework- and you are engrossed in pages of words and not really caring about those piles.  That happens to me a lot.  I always say I will read for only one hour.  I even set my alarm.  Then the alarm goes off and I’m wanting to know more and more.  So I set it again, 30 minutes.  I should just accept the fact that when I’m ready a really good book I’m down for the count!

I started this book Saturday afternoon.

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I could not put it down.  That fact that I have been to basically all of the places that the author talks about made this book real to me.  Ms. Weiss was born in West Berlin in the mid 1970s.  Her father is American and mom is Italian.  She describes what it was like growing up in Berlin and when her parents divorce about growing up shuttling back and forth from Boston to Germany.  Each chapter is intertwined with her love of food and cooking.

Why does this resonate so much to me?  Of course, I live in Europe.  I realize a lot of people do not understand that I really consider this my home.  This is where I became an adult.  Our daughter was basically raised here.  When I’m visiting the states, even though I’m excited to be there, I long for the relaxed slower pace of Europe.  I love that in the spring I can stop on the side of the road and cut my own flowers and that I can be trusted to pay.  I love walking the downtown streets and venturing into shops- not malls.  I love traveling by subways and trains.  I am able to view the country side.  I love watching the ladies hop on their bicycles to go into town every single morning during the summer for the day’s food supplies.  They are always dressed nicely with their hair done.  I want to be like that when I grow up.

I love that fact that Hubby and I can go for a walk and hear nothing at all except for our voices.  For me, Christmas is about gluwein, Christmas markets, and advent candles.  Easter is about braided bread and hand painted eggs.  Walking along cobblestone streets looking at century old buildings is how I want to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I totally understood this author as she followed her heart and gut and moved from New York back to her home of Berlin.  I did a lot of “Amen sister!” as I was reading.  Her home is mine.

I am torn also because I’m a very proud American.  I miss things about the states- Whole Foods, HEB Central Market, football.  However, I have come to realize this is my true north.  This is where I belong.

The book is fabulous!  The recipes are interesting.  I will be trying out a few before long.  But now, it is time to really look at those piles….

Book Review

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books, reading

If you remember a week or so ago I was reading this book- In The Walled Gardens by Anahita Firouz.

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I have finished.  To say that it was thought provoking would be an understatement.  It takes place in Iran right before the revolution.  I remember this piece of history.  I was in elementary school so my understanding was well, nil!  After finishing this book, I have done alittle research on the matter.

The book is centered around two characters who grow up together.  Mahastee grew up in privilege.  While Reza was the son of one of the workers in Mahastee’s house.  Now before you say, Oh, one of those stories, stop.  It was not.  The author does an excellent job in taking us into the lives of these two as they are changed because of the actions of their countrymen and the role that the US played.  That would be the only drawback to this book, I wanted to know more about that.  However, I realize that was not the point of the novel.

I have read several books on Islam and traveled to Turkey and Egypt.  I think I’m pretty open minded about people.  I might not agree religiously, but I respect their culture.

I cannot imagine what it would have been to live in Iran at that time.  One minute a friend is sitting in a seat next to you and the next day, they disappear.  College is a place where people form their ideas, morals, and beliefs.  I’m sure that it happens everywhere around the world.  This was a powerful story about the collapse of the Iran that we read about in the 60s.  It is so relevant today considering the world events.

If you are into reading about different cultures, this might be a book for you!

I would love for you to share any good reads!!!  What are you currently reading?  What would you recommend to read?

Thanks for stopping by!