Silver Linings Playbook

I'm part of a group that reads books before film adaptations are released.  I loved The Book Thief, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The Fault in Our Stars, Mockingjay, Wild, and Gone Girl. I also read but didn't care for This is Where I Leave You.

I loved the movie Silver Linings Playbook and when the book was offered as part of a two books for one credit promotion on Audible, I went for it.  While it didn't qualify for my group, I was still very interested.  I listened to this book in the car, walking to my office from the parking lot, while wearing headphones at the grocery store, and while working out.  I usually only listen to books while driving.

The novel is so much more than the movie, as is usually the case, and I was hooked as soon as I started listening to it.  The movie wraps up in a nice ending with a bow. The ending of the novel was also satisfying, but messier and more authentic. And I've been looking online for crabby snacks recipes. A

Grateful Thursday

Today I am grateful for finally getting adjusted to daylight saving time, a short commute, hot water, listening to library audiobooks on my iPhone, Green Monsters with protein powder, being able to go with the flow sometimes, listening to Babyface sing happy birthday (to pizza, usually), consistency, and Meetup.

Eat, Move, Sleep

Tom Rath's Eat, Move, Sleep tackles the three most important factors to living a healthy life. The book is very well researched and Rath is obviously passionate about the subject. In addition to learning facts and big picture ideas, Rath shares his personal, serious health issues.

The upshot of this book could be described thusly: Every single choice you make gets you either closer or farther from your goal.  And at the end of every chapter are challenges, from recognizing what your least healthy snacks are and replacing them with healthier snacks, finding ways to add easy daily activity, to having a technology-free hour before bed to help restful sleep.

None of the suggestions are radical or overwhelming.  In fact, Rath encourages readers to make small changes that are sustainable rather than attempting dramatic ones for a short time.  Last year I made small changes that equaled big results. I've built on all of these small changes and strongly agree that even the smallest change brings a healthy goal closer.

Interesting and motivating, I liked this book so much that I went on www.eatmovesleep.org and created my own (free!) personalized plan. And, me being me, I created a document so that I could see the questions and my answers. A

Spring!

I am ready for you!

The Book Thief

For my first meeting with my work book club, they pick was Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief.   I was on the list for it at the library but my name was nowhere near the top and the clock was ticking so I ordered it from Amazon.  I had sort of vaguely heard it was good but wasn't very familiar.  When I opened the package and saw a 500+ page book, I inwardly groaned.

I let it sit around for a few days then picked it up last weekend and gave it a start.  This book takes place in Nazi Germany in 1939 and is narrated by Death.  The more I read, the more I wanted to keep reading.  

The Book Thief

I read the first half of the book in less than two days!  Though the book is long, it reads very fast and the story is both interesting and written beautifully.  It's heartbreaking, emotional, and even funny at times.  I was afraid to reach the end but found it satisfying.  Get your hands on this book!

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