I haven't done a random post in awhile and felt the need to catch up on what's been catching my eye.
I'm reading book number three in this series and it's not pulling me in. I think I should have read them in succession, but I purposely left the book at home while we vacationed in Cali. I needed to read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle for bookclub, and our six hour plane ride home was going to present the perfect opportunity to dig in.
I hate to admit that I didn't. I just couldn't get into this book. I don't always love Barbara Kingsolver. Even though I think she's a gifted writer and I'm drawn to her work because of the subject, I often find myself skimming and drifting to sleep, instead of captivated by what I'm reading.
One of the women in my bookclub has a brother that is living the very life Kingsolver writes about. The brother and his family own a small farm and they make a living off their land. They have a CSA and sell at local farmer markets. They're a small operation, trying to reduce their footprint and make a difference in their community. The sister-in-law was invited to bookclub as a guest of honor and it was informative and fun to listen to the stories of their daily life. And I loved listening to the discussion of the book; more of interest to me in the condensed version of conversation than actually having to read.
Instead of reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, I went to a bookstore in Cali and picked up the sequel to this achingly, bittersweet book. I'm a sucker for novels set in Ireland, and Irish characters even if they aren't in Ireland. Roddy Doyle's books are rich in character analysis; completely drawing the reader into his world. Paula Spencer is more uplifting than The Woman Who Walked into Doors. Perhaps there's a trilogy in the works, like this one, another favorite.
Guilty pleasure no. 1
I guess I have to admit that I like reality TV. L.A. Ink and Project Runway. Top Chef and Workout. Most of the shows are on Bravo, one could argue. Considering I've also watched the supermodel show, Bravo or ABC, reality TV is all the same. I spend my lunch hour in the family room, eating and watching one of my shows.
Guilty pleasure no.2
Oxygen magazine. I've exercised most of my adult life in some form. I know my way (weigh) around the gym and know enough that I need to mix it up; doing the same routine becomes, too routine. I like to read Oxygen because it gives good, basic weight routines and workouts. The focus is on clean living and there are simple recipes that are healthful and easy.
All good, but there's another reason, (there always is), that I like Oxygen over other fitness magazines: the pictures. In the back of the magazine are photos from fitness and sports competitions and this is what I like.
Pumped up women with vascular arms and legs; with teeth so white they glow. Ridiculously tan skin, their muscles bulge beneath skimpy strips of nylon, barely covering their contorted poses. It's a little like looking at this book for me; I'm simultaneously fascinated and repelled.
