GREAT RACES, INCREDIBLE PLACES, Kimi Puntillo

Having accomplished my "5 marathons in 5 countries" goal, I'm always on the lookout for races in interesting places. This is a compilation of race info, personal anecdotes and informational snippets from the first woman to run a marathon on each continent.

Synopsis: As I already wrote, this book gives information about "100+ Fantastic Runs Around the World". Races (not just marathons) are sorted into categories such as "Hit the Beach", "Eat, Drink and Be Merry", "Spiritual Experiences", and "Because It's There". The author gives insider information that will make the process (registration, training, packing gear, navigating race start areas, etc.) much easier if you ever do run any of these races. Even if not, it's interesting to imagine what it would be like to run some of these races, such as the Antarctica Marathon, The "Original" Bare Buns Fun Run (at a nudist park in Washington State), The New York Road Runners Empire State Building Run-Up or The Burro Days "World Championship" Pack Burro Race (29 or 15 miles, each competitor paired with an actual burro) in Colorado.

My Thoughts: How could I not enjoy this book? It made me dream of running in exotic locales, which is something I obviously love to do. The introduction to each section was interesting, as was the summary of each race, although some sections were very repetitive, such as when the author discusses the several Rock 'n' Roll Races held in various cities. My interest was peaked over the races that are on my dream list, such as the Marathon du Medoc (wine tastings along the way) and the Great Wall Marathon. Although I'm not likely to register for these races in the immediate future, I will keep this book in mind for some practical information about the races when that day comes.

rating: ***
read: June 2009
source: Kenton County (KY) Public Library

LIES MY TEACHER TOLD ME, James W. Loewen

Time to get reacquainted with my country ...


(This one may take me a while, as I'm reading a chapter here and there, along with some other books.)

MY NAME IS RED, Orhan Pamuk

I worked on this book for many, many weeks. I picked it up at the library's big book sale in March. It has over 500 pages. I'd work on it, put it down for a while, pick it up again, ... and in between, I've been rereading magazines that I'm going to donate to the library before leaving France. Busy, busy. But I finally finished it.

Synopsis: Istanbul in the 1590s. We follow a group of illustrators / miniaturists as they struggle with the coming of a new "Frankish" style of illustration that threatens the rich tradition of the Turkish style. What's more, the book opens with the brutal murder of one of these miniaturists. Part historical fiction, part murder mystery, part insight into Muslim culture.

My Thoughts: This book is really long. And to be honest, the only reason I got all the way through it is because of the two books I'd recently started and stopped without finishing. If not for them, I probably wouldn't have gone more than 100 pages. Even though it wasn't as gripping as I might have liked, it truly is an extremely well-written piece of literature. The writer's style can be charming, and he gives us a very detailed view of life in Turkey at that time. It just isn't a good fit for my personal likes. I did enjoy the book ... I just couldn't help but think about the other books that have been waiting for me on the shelf all this time.

rating: **

read: March-May 2009

source: English Language Library (purchased at book sale; will be donated back to be sold again)

Unfinished Business

I've been a bad reader lately. I've done something I hate to do, and it's time to come clean ...

I started a book and I didn't finish it.

Then I did the same thing with another book.

I'm such a quitter!


In general, when I start reading a book, I'm a dedicated reader, in for the long haul. Sure, I may pick up a magazine from time to time, or even pause to read a short "fluff" book if it's taking me a while to get through a particularly long book. But I always finish what I start.

Well ... almost always.

It all started a little over a month ago. I picked up two books at the English Language Library. Both were historical fiction, and I was confident that they would both be very interesting. I started the first, and discovered that although it was a novel based on the life of a 19th-century royal, it read more like a scholarly biography. Too many names being thrown around, too many family lines and relations to keep straight, and not enough juicy bits. I got about halfway through, and then it was time to go on vacation.

I didn't want to get halfway through my vacation, finish the book and be without reading material, so I opted to leave this book behind and take the other one with me to America. This book took place in London, in the beginning of the 20th century. I started it on the long journey from Angers to Paris to London to Charlotte to Charleston ... but once I arrived in Charleston, I didn't pick it up again. Not even once. I was too busy reading housing ads and Charleston tourist magazines. And playing Uno. ;)

So although this second book could possibly have been a winner, I never gave it a fair chance. And for this, I am sorry. Perhaps someday I'll pick it up again. But not yet. I'd have to go back and start it from the beginning again, and I'm just not ready to do that.

Especially because I went to the Big Book Sale at the library Saturday. And brought five new books home with me. And I ony have till June to read these so I can donate them back for the next book sale.

I've started a new book, and although it's taking some effort to get into it, I'll keep forging on. And I'll post about it soon.

DREAMS FROM MY FATHER, Barack Obama

After reading Metropolis, I wanted to find a book about New York City in the 1900s, preferably one with lots of photos. I wandered over to the American History section of the library, but I didn't get very far in my search. My eyes fell on this book, and ... in the excitement leading up to the inauguration ... I decided to get to know my new President a little better.

Synopsis: During the course of the campaign, we got glimpses of Barack Obama the politician; this book gives us an idea of who he is as a man. We all know about his origins ... a mother from Kansas, a father from Kenya, raised in Hawaii and Indonesia, grandparents who played a major role in raising him. But how did this background affect his childhood and the man he would become? We learn about his search for an identity, for his place in the world. We follow him through his struggle to create change in the lives of the people of Chicago's South Side. And finally, we travel with him to Kenya as he comes full-circle to discover his family and his father's homeland.

My Thoughts: I started this book shortly before the inauguration; reading it provided me an additional feeling of connetion to the United States during this monumental event. I feel like I understand President Obama better as an individual, and of course my respect for him has only grown. The greatest feeling I had, though, was that of travelling back in time and getting to know Obama in his early years. As he struggled through challenges and setbacks, I wanted to shout into the book, "Keep going! Hang in there! I know how the story turns out ... and you're going to make it ... big!"

rating: *****
read: January 2009
source: English Language Library in Angers (borrowed)