Book Review: Ruby

I strongly believe that life is too short to spend reading books that are not enjoyable. 
Recently, however, I've read a string of books that I've grudgingly and somewhat unwillingly forced myself to finish. 

First up was Moby Dick, a book that took me weeks to finish. It was all about whales, boats, and crazy people. 

Then I read 12 Years a Slave, which is a harrowing account of a Freeman's kidnapping and sale into slavery. While Moby Dick was just plain boring, 12 years was emotionally exhausting. The constant cruelty and abuse suffered by the slaves was upsetting and overwhelming. Of course, it is important to remember this part of our nation's history and this book serves as a great representation of that time but it was still difficult to read.

Then, as part of Blogging for Books, I started reading Ruby by Cynthia Bond. I have a bad habit of blindly choosing books without really learning what they're about. I'm about halfway through this book and I can't bring myself to finish it. It's well written, has some beautiful language and imagery but it's just too much. Too much imagery. Too much sexual violence. Too much hate and pain. My heart just can't take anymore. I'm not attached to the characters enough to want to discover what happens to them. With 12 years, I felt invested in the lives of the slaves but the characters in Ruby left me with no feelings at all.

Clearly, this book was not for me but I don't regret giving it a chance. I'm sure it will find its way into someone's heart.

Disclaimer: while I received a free copy of this book in return for a review, all opinions and views expressed are my own.

running things in list form

I had every intention on posting before we left for our massively long visit every family member in the Eastern part of the United States trip but then I remembered I had a billion things to do and blogging was very low on the to do list.

I somehow managed to get everyone and everything packed and here we are in NE Ohio, where the weather is BEAUTIFUL. Nothing like that furnace I left behind in Georgia. Running has been fabulous.

Which leads me to a quick list of running related things...

1. #100milesinamonthstreak is still going strong. June was another month where I was all like "ahhh probably not going to happen" but I only need 16 miles over the next 5 days to make it which is easy peasy.

2. Marathon training for the Mainly Marathons Appalachian series and the Greenville Marathon starts next week. I'm running 2 marathons in the same month. Even I can't believe that. Just goes to show you that anything is possible :)

3. One night during #runchat on Twitter, someone mentioned that they used #earthathon as a means of motivation to get up and out the door to go for a run. I had no idea what #earthathon was. So I did what any self respecting smart phone user would do and googled it and this is what I discovered...

 "EARTHATHON is a 25,000-mile running relay.

We tweet our running in miles or km to #earthathon.

Run anywhere.  One team, one planet.

Join Us Today.

Be A Part of Something Big.

Become an “Earthathoner”

Pretty cool huh?

I joined team #uponeaglewings and have already met some amazingly supportive and encouraging people. The relay officially kicks off on July 1st so head over to www.earthathonrelay.com and get signed up! 

4. I am sick to death of EVERY SINGLE song on my running playlist. If you have any new favorites, old favorites, suggestions please let me know. I'm not picky. 

6. The Ohio Metroparks System is the greatest thing EVER. Miles of paved roads that are free from traffic, meandering through woods and backyards. So far on this trip, I have run a very pleasant 12 miles and look forward to logging some more. If you live here and are not utilizing this amazing thing, you should be ashamed of yourself.  

5. Not running related but worth noting is that I made the questionable decision to start reading Moby Dick. There's a whole chapter just about the different types of whales. A whole chapter. I'm determined to read the whole thing. Sometimes, the skills you need as a long distance runner can be applied to other areas of your life. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.  

previous post: Product Review: Jawbone UP Move

Book Review: "The Long Run"

If I'm not running or changing a diaper or arguing with a 4 year old who thinks she's an adult; I'm reading.

In a good year, I can read about 100 books. Young adult. Mystery. Historical fiction. Contemporary fiction. Fantasy. I'm not picky.

I'm still a sucker for physical books, where I can feel the pages and actually turn them. I visit the library pretty frequently and wait impatiently on Fridays for the branch van to show up with reserved books.

Recently, I've read a slew of good books, including The Long Run by Matt Long with Charles Butler.

picture courtesy of Amazon.com

It is the amazing, mouth dropping story of New York City Fireman & runner Matt Long, who was riding his bike to work when he was hit by a commuter bus. His injuries were catastrophic. At the time of his accident, doctors gave him a 5% chance of recovery. Not only did he recover but three years later he ran and completed the 2008 New York City Marathon.

Yes, you read that correctly. A man who was HIT BY A BUS and basically had his body ripped to shreds found the strength, determination, and the courage to fight for his recovery and run a marathon.

Runners are a special breed. We are tough and unyielding. I have yet to meet a runner who has given up running voluntarily. I know people who may have stopped running due to injury but they miss it - I can see the yearning in their eyes whenever running is mentioned. All Matt wanted to do was run again and he did whatever he needed to do to make that happen.

You feel his pain as he truthfully describes the hardships, the embarrassing complications, and the dark despair he felt during those long months. I literally cheered out loud when he ran his first mile. Having run NYC myself, I could not help but sob like a fool as I read his description of that epic day in 2008 when he defied all odds and crossed that finish line.    

His story is inspirational and it gives you the push to be better, do better and to run the crap out of your life. Definitely worth the read.

Have a recommendation for a good running book? Let me know!

previous post: do you #runchat?