Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Music, Books, Miles, and Looks of May

This May recap is a little late as May got away from me.  I have to say, I am SO glad May is over and I am hopeful that June will be a better month.

Music:

 

Gone, Gone, Gone by Phillip Phillips - I think this song has such a catchy beat.

Books:

I actually read A LOT this month!  7 books!  Which is far more than I expected to considering I studied about 105 hours!  I guess that is what happens when you have very few social plans on the weekends and aren't into TV.  I really liked all of the books I read this month and would recommend most of them if you are looking for a summer read!

Still Alice by Lisa Genova - I reviewed this book in this post.  This is probably one of the best books I have read this year.

The Dinner by Herman Koch - This book is being marketed by the "Gone Girl" of Europe.  It is very messed up, so I can see why they are marketing the book that way.  The entire book encompasses one dinner between two brothers and their wives, with several flashbacks to previous times. The brothers are meeting to talk about a terrible thing that their sons have done and how they should handle it.  I will warn you - this book is dark and none of the characters are likable, so if you struggle with books like that, you might want to pass on this one.  But it was well written and engaging, and I enjoyed it.

The Keeper of Secrets by Julie Thomas - I will be reviewing this book next month for a TLC tour.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - I read Kite Runner years ago for a book club and loved it so much, I promptly bought this book when it came out.  And then I never got around to reading it!  6+ years after buying it, I finally pulled it off my shelf this month and am SO glad I did!  It was such a fantastic read.  It is very, very sad, but I think it's important to read books like this so we can understand the tragedies that are happening in other countries, like in this case, Afghanistan.  I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading Hosseini's 3rd book, which came out last month.

My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock - I really enjoyed this book.  It tells the story of Noelle Hancock, a celebrity blogger that has recently been laid off from her job. She realizes that she has been letting her fear about various things in life hold her back, and was inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt's quote of "do one thing every day that scares you."  So she spends the year leading up to her 30th birthday facing her fears head on, and learns a lot about herself in the process.  I liked how she weaved in pertinent information about Eleanor Roosevelt in each chapter of the book.  It made me think about some the of the fears I've have and how I can combat them in the future.

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - This was another fun, light read. It is set in my new home state of NC, but in a fictional city.  My favorite quote from the book was: "Happiness is a risk. If you're not a little scared, then you're not doing it right."

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck - I would give this book 3.5 stars.  I read it because it was available for download through the Minneapolis library (I have yet to get a Charlotte library card...  I need to get on that). It tells the story of 4 different women who are connected by a wedding dress. I liked the way their stories were weaves together. There is a Christian element to the story, which I did not mind, but is something to be aware of if you plan to read this. 

Miles:
I was able to return to biking part of the way through the month, but did not keep track of my miles.  It's not the same as running but it's nice to be able to do some cardio. Here's hoping I can return to running in mid-June.

Looks:
I felt pretty uninspired when it came to outfits this month.  Having to wear the boot makes it hard to really want to put forth much effort as no matter what I wear, the boot is what draws the attention. Like it did when I wore this business suit...



I can't say I have high expectations for my outfits for this month either as it's hard to feel fashionable when you are rocking tennis shoes with work clothes...  but it is better than the boot!  Maybe by July I won't feel like fashion roadkill and will have blog-worthy outfits to post.

22 comments:

Lisa-Marie said...

I got comments to work!

You've read a lot! I've only read a couple of those books, so will put the rest on my list.

I think you're rocking the boot!

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

Wow you really did read a ton this month. It was a bad month for me on the reading front, and I'm having trouble finding a book I want to put the effort in for right now. Book rut, I guess! I am not all that fashionable as it is, but I think I'd be okay with wearing sneakers to work every day haha. Maybe not when its hot though!

Marlys said...

That suit is so smart, even with the boot! The books sound like interesting reads! I am excited to hear about your new adventures now that you don't have to spend so many hours studying!

paigearoo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
paigearoo said...

AHHHH!

This is probably the first time I've had your song of the month in my iTunes already!

I love that song :)

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

I love that song! Such a good one :)

You read so much this month! That is really impressive!

My thoughts are with you and I hope that you can put the CFA behind you and enjoy the summer. You deserve some fun and relaxation!

Jeanie said...

I think that sans boot you will suddenly have a delightful new look. Of course, you might not have pointy toe, thin soled high heel girl shoes (Chenille Sisters song) but you'll still find something perfect for the heat of a Charlotte summer!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Loved listening to that song as I read your post - gave a very upbeat perspective. =) I really liked Kite Runner, but I don't think I got around to reading A Thousand Splendid Suns ... I should do that. "Fashion Roadkill" made me laugh - you're far from that, friend.

Abby said...

I think you look smokin in that suit! Especially your good leg ;). Soon this will all be behind you, my sister.

I am impressed with your reading. I am so darn slow at reading a book - it frustrates me!!

Now you completely get to read for fun! No more CFA!

I adore Phillip Phillips. I used to watch American Idol when he was on it -- and seriously loved him them. Just love his voice.

J and A said...

Great books you have been reading, I will need to read those on your list I haven't! You look awesome in a suit! wow!

Nora said...

The Eleanor book sounds really intriguing; thanks for sharing! I still need to read a Thousand Splendid Suns. I bought it at the used book fair a year or two ago and still haven't read it!

Carolina John said...

I know you are so relieved to have the exam behind you! And June is going to be brighter and sunnier, and have more outgoing fun now that all of the studying is behind you.

Shoshanah said...

I am really impressed with the number of books you go through this month especially considering the amount of studying you did. I really enjoyed The Keeper of Secrets and can't wait to read your review of it. And I keep seeing The Peach Keeper in the bargain section at Barnes and Nobles. I haven't picked it up yet, but give the feeling it'll happen if I wait long enough.

Melissa said...

So many books! I've had a few of those on my bookshelf for years as well. Still Alice and Khaled Hosseini's books among them. Must get to those ASAP!

Leigh said...

I've read Still Alice, A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Peach Keeper as well...loved them all!

Amber said...

I am really intrigued by the Dinner book. I think it takes a great author to write unlikeable characters but also keep readers engaged through a good story - that was half of what I loved about Gone Girl!

Also I am SO excited to hear Hosseini has a third book out! I did not know that!

Amber said...

PS: You could be "Canadian" for the month of June and take photos of your outfits sans the shoes! Lots of my outfit photos don't include shoes since my full length mirror is on the top floor and I don't put shoes on until right before I walk out the door!

Becky said...

I cannot believe you read SEVEN book WHILE studying for the CFA! Wahoo! I absolutely adored My Year with Eleanor - I'm glad you liked it!

Happy June my friend!

Crissy Rae said...

Hi! I just started reading your blog. I am a fellow Minnesota girl living here in Charlotte! The transition is difficult especially since MN is the best state ever :-) Keep smiling, the days will get easier

Stephany said...

I just requested The Dinner from my library, through Kindle. I have a long wait ahead of me but I figure I'll give it a try since I loved Gone Girl so much.

Way to go on all the reading!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I need to get back into reading this summer when I am off. I used to crush a book a week, and now I rarely read.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Wow, you read a lot this month! I also had a great month of reading due to a one week vacation without a TV (or work, of course)! I read A Thousand Splendid Suns as well and liked it a lot. His other book, The Kite Runner, I remember liking but not loving, but this one was very hard to put down. In fact, I didn't!

I hope that you get out of the sneakers ASAP, but I am sure they are way better than the boot! Are you going to burn that thing as a symbol of new life for your foot!?