Favorite Book of 2012

This is my reading spot! Tucked away in a corner of my bedroom with a view of the pool, I can read, organize my calendar or just take a nap! Keeping me comfy is this quilt I had made out of Mom's old t-shirts, mostly from road races but also just her favorite t-shirts, or tops and as you can see OSU is a dominant theme!

My mother was an avid reader, probably reading at least 1-2 books per week, she was speedy! Of course when she worked full time it was probably less but not by much!

This past year I have been on a reading KICK! For the past 6 years when I was coaching I really didn't have as much time to read other than magazines but after my coaching gig ended and Mom died I have been a regular visitor to the local library! No Kindle for me, I love to turn a page, to feel the book in my hands, the smell, everything! Every night in order to sleep I MUST read. Anything! If I am staying somewhere and Heaven forbid, have forgotten to bring a book, then anything will do, a catalogue even! But, I almost always have a book or magazine with me to read, even if it's just 10 minutes before falling asleep. Jim often finds me with the light on, book on my chest.

Not to be morbid, but that is how Dad found my Mom, in bed, asleep forever, book on her chest. I find comfort in that at least, knowing she was doing what she loved and it was just "her time". We should all be so lucky to pass to the next life so peacefully.

A couple of month's after Mom died and as summer approached, I read a few books on grieving and loss. Then through Oprah's Book Club Newsletter I heard about this book, "Wild", by Cheryl Strayed.  It was a wonderful, true story about her crazy idea to hike the Pacific Coast Trail, ALONE, with no experience as a hiker after the loss of her mother and a few years of self destruction.

So, "Wild", was my favorite book of 2012.  This year has started out strong with the following books: "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie", a great book about a black woman's struggle raising 12 children and their stories. "Saturday Night Widows", a true story written by a NYC journalist who became a widow too young and decided to start a group with other widows and wrote about it. I was inspired to read this because one of my best friends, Marylu lost her husband Bruce a few years ago way too young. Our children are the same age and I often think of her, in particular on Saturday nights, when she may be home alone. "The Last Runaway", a great book, maybe tied for favorite read of the year so far about a young woman set in 1850 who follows her older sister to America from England to marry and the sister dies before they reach their destination. Alone, and with no family, she must adapt. The book is set in Ohio, which was a route of slaves escaping to Canada and the young woman begins to help slaves run away. "Me, Before You", even though this book was predictable for me I enjoyed it very much and is one of my favorite books of the year. It's about a young woman who goes to work for a quadriplegic. My favorite book of 2013 so far is "Killing Kennedy". Mom read every book there was on JFK so I had to read it to honor her and it was very good, and suspenseful even though we know the outcome.

I have two more books from the library I'm about to start and about 3 more at the library. I go through phases where I read nothing but novels, fiction or non, then I get on health or mind/body kick and that is what I've got coming up next. I can't  believe I've never read Micheal P.'s book "The Omnivore's Dilemma so I'm anxious to start it and also one recommended by my friend Adi about ultra running and diet.

I always love to hear what friends are reading, I heard about Me Before You off FB from my friend Jennifer in Colorado, so please comment on your favorite books.  Happy Reading and thanks Mom for sharing your love of books with me!

Gift from Mom-1st Mother's Day 1984 after Jared was born!