this post is really about books

I can not tell you how much I dislike running.  I do it, 1) To keep in shape for my old lady soccer games; 2) To keep my weight in check and 3) To be healthy.

Truth be told, the order of the list is pretty accurate as well -- which I know is sad.

Another good thing about running? 

I see things I wouldn't normally see.  Example #1 -- Katie's desk.  

Example #2:  Last week I was running and went past this old fence which had an abundance of yellow wild flowers growing around it when I realized it was really picturesque.  

So, I dragged the kids out there later to take pictures of them.

Okay, onto what I wanted to write a post about...  Books (squeezed between pictures of my kids for the grandparents...)

Summer is approaching and I feel like it's time to starting reading some truly entertaining books.  While not a romance novel reader, I do tend to lean towards books that are well, a little on the "soapy" side.  I also love witty/funny books.

What are you reading?

Here's my current "To do" list which I may or may not tackle anytime soon.

1. Drop Dead Healthy - I really enjoyed his A Year of Living Biblically and look forward to getting my hands on this one, maybe when it goes to paperback.
2. Steve Jobs -- also one I'm waiting for paperback or perhaps for the library to have less than 75+ holds.
3. A Moveable Feast - I just finished A Paris Wife, and it's made me want to read Hemingway's account on his first marriage.
4. Gone with the Wind - I never get around to this one, and I don't know why. 
5. The Lord of the Rings - I've got a soft spot for the pseudo sci-fi/fantasy -- e.g., A Wrinkle in Time, Hunger Games, The Princess Bride, Percy Jackson -- and haven't gotten around to reading these (or even seeing the movies!) 

Here are my top 5 Favorite Fun (& Easy) Summer Reads

1. Valley of the Dolls -- A cult "classic" it's a step above a traditional trashy romance novel.  Think soap opera meets Sex in the City meets a lot of alcohol and pills.
2. Persuasion -- My all time favorite Austen novel.  Read (or re-read it), then watch the BBC series.
3. Tales of the City -- Fantastically entertaining first novel of a series about the crazy intertwined lives of a handful of people living in San Francisco in the 60s.  Saw it on stage a couple of months ago and it was great.
4. Orlando -- Don't be intimidated by Virginia Woolf, this novel made me laugh way more than I thought it would. 
5. Pride & Prejudice & Zombies -- While I don't usually like spin-offs or parodies of Austen, this one is totally worth the read if you are a P&P fan.  Plus, they are making a movie out of it next year if you can believe it.

While I'm making lists, here are three novels I think BBC should consider...

1. Shirley -- Love how strong Shirley's character is in this generally passed up Charlotte Bronte novel. 
2. Sandition -- What can I say, I'm an Austenite at heart.
3. Sister Carrie -- I found myself really liking this one and could see it being translated to the screen.

Katie is starting to read chapter books.  Any suggestions?

Happy summer reading!!!