Mudbound

My colleague and loyal blog reader Linda recommended Mudbound by Hillary Jordan and I got it from the library. Historical fiction isn't usually my favorite, but this book was intriguing from the start.

An honest and unflinching look at rural life in the Mississippi Delta immediately following World War II, this book alternates narrators with convincing and terrifyingly real characters. A book about families, secrets, and finding one's own truth, Mudbound is not to be missed. 33/100

Little Bee

Little Bee by Chris Cleave is a powerful and moving book. I won't tell you what the book is about, as the front flap reads: Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

I liked this book so much I read it in one sitting. (I read this book in December, so it doesn't count toward my goal of 100 books in 2010). I've since passed it on to three other readers and encouraged them to devour it.

After my colleague Carol Nganga read it, she walked in with the book and said: Wow. Following is her guest review in her own words. Captivating and engaging with a strange turn of events at the end. I felt guilty putting it down for a break.

Women Food and God

Women Food and God by Geneen Roth. Very interesting. I’m still thinking about it. 32/100

Today I am grateful for being able to look on the bright side, getting in 5 workouts this week, the white noise machine near my desk at work, Fage + granola (my favorite breakfast), another walker joined Furiously Walking, plans to visit family this summer, not watching much TV this week, clean towels and sheets that dry on the line, and plenty of sunshine.

Happy Earth Day!

I participated in the Earth Day 5K last weekend and did much better than my first race. I was 4th to last! I ran/walked and though it was a chilly day, I had a lot of fun.

Since today is Earth Day, I've been thinking all the ways that I'm environmentally friendly.

• Turn the lights, TV, computer off when I leave a room
• Take canvas bags shopping
• Joined local CSA
• Shop at the hippie store, where I can buy items in bulk
• Use refillable water bottles (have a Brita tap filter on the kitchen sink)
• Use dishwasher rather than wash dishes by hand
• Replace paper napkins with cloth for most meals (I've also got my eye on some adorable cloth napkins to take to work)
• Eat lots of meatless meals (one of my 2010 goals is to eat vegetarian food 90% of the time)
• Use Tupperware rather than plastic bags for food storage
• Donate used clothes and household to Goodwill
• Buy used books and check out books from the library
• Call catalogs I don't want to get off the mailing list
• Take short showers (the water heater does not provide much)
• Recycle metal, glass, plastic, and paper
• Wash all laundry on the cold cycle
• Hang sheets, towels, and most clothes on the line instead of using the dryer
• Use cool hippie wool dryer balls (use instead of fabric softener to make clothes soft and static-free)
• I just got the Method ultra concentrated laundry soap

My Heart's Desire unplugs kitchen appliances that we are not using, uses rechargeable batteries, plants flowers, veggies, and plants in our yard and in containers, and replaces burned out light bulbs with fluorescents.

The Minotaur

The Minotaur by Barbara Vine. I listened to this book waiting for something to happen... and it took 8 CDs to get there. By the time it did, I didn't care anymore. The only reason I kept listening was to hear more about the library labryinth (10,00 books!). 31/100

Happy Second Birthday, Furiously Writing!

Today I went for a quick walk/job, tided up the house, worked, met my mentor for dinner, shared some delicousness with her from Lavender Moon Cupcakery, considered going to Target, decided against it, came home and watched Everybody's Fine (thumbs down) and now am going to read.

Furiously Walking

One of my 2010 goals is to participate in a race to raise money for a worthy cause. I decided to participate in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®. I put together Furiously Walking, a team to participate in the 5K walk on June 5, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Up to 75 percent of the Komen Global Race's net income stays in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to fund local screening, treatment and education programs for the medically underserved. The remaining dollars support the Susan G. Komen Global Promise Fund, a program dedicated to reaching underserved people in areas where breast cancer mortality rates are the highest.

With your help, there's no limit on how much can be raised and the impact we can make. Help me reach my goal for the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure!

Today I am grateful for clementines, being really happy for other people's good news, a short commute, the bright azaela blooms in my yard (so colorful and springy!), sunshine, green monsters (I am hooked!), health insurance, and doing my best to stay aloha.

Today I got up early and run/walked for 3.4 miles, went to work, smiled every time I saw the pink and yellow gerber daisies on my desk, had a nice chat with my mom, went to Takoma Park, found the perfect birthday gift for my honorary Jewish grandmother at a hippie store, met with my writer's group for dinner, went to a fiction reading at my alma mater, bought the book (will review later, have read a few stories and am really liking so far), connected with some fellow alums and my favorite teacher, left around 10 (on a school night!), spoke with my cousin about her upcoming summer wedding (love is in the air! so exciting!), came home, found my hippie wool dryer balls (use instead of fabric softener to make clothes soft and static-free) arrived from Vermont, and am going to read a little then go to bed.

A Collection of Beauties at the Height of Their Popularity

A Collection of Beauties at the Height of Their Popularity by Whitney Otto is a collection of interconnected short stories. She calls it a novel but I disagree. Short story collections are not my favorite genre but when it's done well I can appreciate it. And this book does it very well. A Collection of Beauties at the Height of Their Popularity is almost hypnotic in its beauty. At times brutal in its honesty, it is tempered by endearing characters. 30/100

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White. My colleague lent me this book and I read it very fast, as the writing is very John Grisham-y. The author wanted to make a change in his life but hadn't made it yet. 29/100

2010 Goals: March Progress

I set specific 2010 goals so here's an update on March progress.

1. I read 6 books this month, raising my yearly total to 28. I thought I would read more in March but I ended up not finishing a lot of books. I used to finish every book I started, but now I just give it a chance (a few chapters) then I can abandon it.

2. I met with one member of my writing group (the other member was still away at the retreat) and workshopped his story. We have plans for an April meeting.

3. Submit... This I still have not done yet.

4. Blog regularly — this I am doing. This is my 61th post of the year, which means I am on track for 200 blog posts this year. After I got back from Hawaii I slacked a little bit on posting.

5. Spring is in the air! And I'm ready to lace up my sneakers and walk, jog, and run! I've been training for the upcoming Earth Day 5K with several short walks and one long walk per week. Now that it's nice out, I really enjoy exercising outside.

6. This month I ate more meat than I have in a long time. Mostly because it was easy or I was starving. Also most of the meat-y meals I had were not very healthy and I didn't feel good after eating them. I am now trying to be prepared for such occasions by having easy/fast veggie meals ready in the freezer.

7. & 9. This month I did some new things with My Heart's Desire in Hawaii. We rented a Jeep Wrangler (fun!) and went up to Haleakala National Park, where we hiked and admired the views from the volcano, drove to Iao Valley State Park and enjoyed. We took hundreds of photos on our trip.

8. Seeing friends. This month I caught up with a friend over a mani-pedi, celebrated My Heart's Desire's birthday and his friend's birthday with a nice dinner, met up with pals for cupcakes, had lunch with a friend, had a pre-wedding extremely fancy mani-pedi with the bride the day before the wedding (my nails never looked better), witnessed the wedding, and enjoyed a luau with the bride, groom, and their families and friends. I exceeded my goal of seeing friends at least once a week.

10. Photo taken of My Heart's Desire and I did not happen. We had the opportunity in Maui but didn't take it.

Today I went for a walk/jog in Rock Creek Park (it is so green and alive!), got a manicure (Mademoiselle), met a mentee for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants (Indian buffet nom nom), got the battery replaced in my running watch, came home and hung out, My Heart's Desire and I went on a date (dinner + a movie) and now I'm going to read.

Beach Books

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman. I bought this because I love her previous book Kiss My Tiara, which I get a big kick out of (and even gave a copy to a friend in January). But Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven was simply awful. 24/100

Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell is a fluffy book with LA drama and a few laughs. 25/100

Lost and Found by Jacqueline Sheehan tries a little hard, even the stock characters have quirks reminiscent of Ally McBeal, but it was better than staring at the back of the seat in front of me. 26/100

The Monk Downstairs by Tim Farrington was perfect for the beach. A single mom with a precious young daughter (naturally) rents out her basement apartment to a former Monk and of course complications ensue. 27/100


Moloka'i by Alan Brennert was awesome. This book starts in the 1890's and follows 7-year-old Rachel from her family to a quarantined settlement the island of Moloka'i. Well-written and interesting, it took a little while to connect to the story but it ended up being better than I expected. Enjoy this book with a cold beverage (orchid optional). 28/100

Rocks and moon

Today I went for a long walk with a friend (gorgeous weather!), met another friend for her celebration, enjoyed the company of a bunch of people I haven't seen in ages, ate huevos rancheros at the celebratory lunch, saw blooms everywhere and evidence of spring, got my hair done in DuPont (DC has so many tourists it might tip over!), was taken to a lovely anniversary dinner by friends at The Cheesecake Factory (red velvet cheesecake - nom nom!), and now am going to watch TV with My Heart's Desire, then go to bed early.

April Fools!

On this day three years ago, My Heart's Desire and I were married.