Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Music, Books, Miles, and Looks of June

Greeting and Happy Wednesday!  This recap is a bit belated, but better late then never right?

Here's the June recap!

Music:


You Do What You Have to Do by Sarah McLachlan - I am going a bit old school as this song was on an album released in 1997.  I knew other songs from her "Surfacing" album, but discovered this one thanks to Pandora.  Such a beautiful song.  Makes me really want to go see her live!



The Show Goes On by Lupe Fiasco - This is very out of character me to post a Hip-Hop/Rap type of song, but I love this song's beat.  You can't help but bop your head or dance or sing along.  Well, at least I can't help doing those things when I hear this song!  I do fee like I should have spinners on my car when I listen to this.  Ha.


Miles:

I ran about 60 miles this month.  That's not stellar, but it's not terrible either.  July will be much better since I am joining a running club and will start training for a half I'll be running in October!
Books:

Whoa - I read a ton this month!  Which is not surprising now that I am not studying 10-15+ hours/week!

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin - this was the blogger book club book for June.  It was a fast read, but I did not care for it.  I give the content 2 stars.  For most of the book, the main character tries to justify why it's ok to sleep with her supposed best friend's fiance.  Repeatedly.  I don't think that infidelity is cute or justifiable for any reason.  But I must be in the minority because this book got made into a romantic comedy.  Maybe I am just too much of a prude to appreciate books like this.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - This book was recommended to me by a couple of friends.  I have to say, I was a bit skeptical about it because a) I am not a dog person and b) I have zero interest in car racing.  I ended up loving the book, though.  I highly recommend it, although I do NOT recommend reading it in a public place as it may make you cry.  And crying in public = embarassing!  Also, it looks like this book will be made into a movie in 2012!

Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani - Nora recommended this one to me and was once again spot on with her recommendation.  It was very easy to get into and difficult to put down.  Which explains why I read it in the span of about 2-3 days.  It tells the story of Lucia, the daughter of Italians who have immigrated to the US.  The book basically makes me want to a) learn to sew (so not happening), b) move to NYC, and c) be Italian.

Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand - This book was amazing.  It was recommended by one of my boss's friends who is an avid reader.  It tells the story of a WWII soldier fighting in the Pacific.  His plane crashes and he spends years as a POW in Japan.  This is a very, very heavy read, but it's worth checking out.  As I have gotten older, I have tried to sprinkle in more non-fiction books.  I will say, this gets off to a bit of a slow start, but it's worth sticking to it!

Style:

When Lauren emailed me last month to draw my attention to this shirt, I knew I had to get it!  Stripes + a French phrase?  Yes, please.  It was on sale and the shipping was free so I just had to get it!!  Maybe I will attract a fellow Francophile when I wear it!  Ha!  It earns bonus points as it's a long tee which is so important for me as I sort of have a longish torso!



19 comments:

Gracie said...

That's shirt's adorable! And your mileage looks better than mine...being injured took care of that...

Raquelita said...

I read more recreational books than usual this month because I was on vacation for almost two weeks. It was delightful. I really should try to read more evenings instead of watching Netflix after dinner....

That shirt is very cute!

AshleyD said...

I just started reading Something Blue this weekend (haven't read Something Borrowed yet), but I agree with you. The content isn't fabulous and I can't stand the characters. People have told me that Something Borrowed is from Rachel's pov, which I assume is less frustrating that reading about how self-absorbed and materialistic Darcy is, but still. I have very little desire to read it anytime soon.

Mandy said...

Can I just say how much I love the fact that you posted a hip-hop song. That shirt is definitely one that you needed to own and I love Lucia, Lucia too. It was a big reading month for me too.

Amber said...

Hehehehe the sentence about having spinners on your car made me LOL a little :) You did read a lot this month. I did too, I always start reading more in the summer! Loved The Art of Racing in the Rain - I'd say that was my TOP book from 2011 so far!

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

I have heard wonderful things about Unbroken as well! Hopefully I can pick it up sometime.
That shirt is so cute! It will look great on you! :)

Unknown said...

I read "Unbroken" as well and found it amazing to believe a person lived (and survived) through so much. Hillenbrand is an excellent writer.

Anonymous said...

Love the shirt! I can totally see you in that- now you need one with a Minneapolis reference and you have clothing to match your two favourite neighbourhoods :)

Nora said...

I bestow upon you an honorary Italian heritage line =) So glad you liked Lucia, Lucia. One of my favorite books I've read this year.

Side note: I heard Something Borrowed was not such a great movie. On the flip side, many people have told me to read the book Something Blue so I might just to see how it goes from Darcy's point of view? Maybe? I dunno. I still wasn't crazy about the book.

Also, I totally just rocked out to the Lupe Fiasco song =)

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I didn't know Art of Racing the Rain was going to be made into a movie! That could be good :) Personally I think Something Borrowed will be a better movie than a book, and I preferred Something Blue as a book, which was from Darcy's perspective. Clearly its' not really the best topic but hey.

crystal said...

I loved the Art of Racing in the Rain!! Im super excited for the movie, but scared that they are going to make it into one of those corny dog talking sort of movies, hopefully not!

I love the shirt too, very you!

Marlys said...

I agree with your judgment of the book, Something Blue! And I think 60 miles is quite a good number! A good steady pace is better than none. I fall into the "none" group - :(!
Love the shirt!

Stephany said...

I actually loved Something Borrowed and hate the concept of infidelity. I just thought it was well-written. Well, for chick lit anyway! Obviously, I don't have a great taste in books, ha. :) I also really enjoyed the movie but only because it was almost identical to the book. I also have a bad taste in movies, if you can't tell. Hehehe.

Maris(In Good Taste) said...

60 miles is pretty awesome.Especially outside in the heat!

Leigh said...

Loved "the art of racing in the rain"! Such a great book and definitely made me cried. And love the song "the show must go on" too. Definitely catchy!

Abby said...

I almost read "Something Borrowed"...but didn't for some reason. Now, after hearing your recap, I'm glad I didn't! I'm so sick of the world's obsession with infidelity!

I love that shirt! It's too cute!

I can just tell by reading your post how much happier & at peace you are in the new place, Lisa! Makes me happy to see :D

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

I love that you bought that shirt!! You'll have to wear it in your new neighborhood and maybe you'll find the man you love so much you want to marry in the neighborhood you love! ;)

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I have heard that the "Something Borrowed" movie isn't very good either.

Oh said...

wait, wait, so much to say/comment on, but let me begin with that shirt!!!! I must remember I saw it here and will have to fineggle (sp?) a way to order it when I get home - I love it.

Now, there's some other "francophile" thing I wanted to tell you....what is it?
Michael Corleone and I went to see MIDNIGHT IN PARIS last weekend. Well, it was perfect, for my mood, expecation, etc. It is NOT perfectly believable, it takes some stereotypical shots at literary characters but HM believes it was all purposely done (good old Woody Allen) and well, we just enjoyed it. No tension, no deep underlying disturbing stuff - just one main simple thing. And a good bit of Paris.
Ten stars!

And thanks for the Art of Running in the Rain recommendation - I HAVE read it! Racing not my thing either but became caught up in the "what will happen?" and the emotion of it all. My mom told me about it and loaned me her copy. I am thankful; I would not have otherwise picked it up.

So what is my summer read, you ask? Still wallowing through franzen's FREEDOM. and will finish off 4 New Yorker mags and 2 VOGUES. Let's see how long this lasts before I plunk down $10 for a mass paperback....!

So glad you found your "spot" living in the urban hub. Hope we get to visit there - bet it's Fabulous!