5 Things

Call them goals, call them guidelines, call them to-do's. But please, don't call them resolutions. I don't know why, I just don't like the word resolution. (I feel like calling it a "resolution" makes it more official, and that's not how I roll. You feel me?) Like everybody else and their mom, I have a few five things I am going to share with the world wide web; five things I'm hoping will bring a bit more happiness to 2013.

: : read more : :

I love to read, absolutely love it. Unfortunately, though, my reading goes in waves. I'll read two books really quickly and then not pick up another one for months. I need to work on making time for reading, whether at lunch or before I go to bed. There is nothing better than being immersed in a good book.

: : run more : :

Running clears my head, which I seem to need desperately these days. I can't wait for it to warm up so I can hit the Burke-Gilman. June 22nd will be here before I know it!

: : write more snail mail : :

C'mon, who doesn't love getting a letter in the mail? I'm always so surprised when I get a "just because" note, or a "thinking of you" card. I'd love to be able to put a smile on someone's face. Plus, it will allow me to keep in touch with those out-of-state.

: : take more pictures : :

Sometimes I wonder if I'm "that girl." You know? The one with her iPhone out, taking pictures of EVERYTHING. I really try not to be, but I don't want to miss out on anything! I wouldn't mind cutting back on the iPhone paparazzi game, but I want to explore Seattle behind the lens. I've been dying to bring my camera to work, so I can get down to Pike Place on my lunch break. (Nerd alert.)

: : shop less : :

I have a feeling this will be the most challenging, especially since Nordstrom has the cutest stuff right now. I don't even think I shop that much, but I tend to buy things that I don't necessarily need. (I'm sure Mr. Malone will be a-ok with this plan.)

Read It: My Sister's Keeper

I think I may be one of the last people to read this book, but it was worth the wait. I don't even know what the hold up was to begin with... so many books, so little time!

Jodi Picoult is Jen's favorite author, and during one of our regular dinners, she brought this along for me to borrow. I was hesitant to get started, because I assumed it would be so emotionally draining. And while it was sad, the way it was written didn't leave me feeling sorry for anybody.

I think everybody is aware of the main premise: a thirteen-year old has acted as a donor for her older sister, who is battling a rare form of leukemia, for all of her life. (In fact, she was genetically "designed" to be a perfect match.) But now she is wanting to make decisions for herself, as opposed to having her parents choose for her. I'm usually not keen on books that are written from multiple points of view, but I think that is the only way this can work. There was no confusion, no thoughts of "wait, who is this again?," and it was absolutely crucial to understanding how each character is being affected by this situation.

It really is a heavy subject, and left me wondering "what would I want if I was Anna?" or "what would I do if I were her parents?" With the different points of view, the reader is able to learn about each character on a deeper level; and the smaller stories help the reader escape the burden of cancer. For me, the book was nearly impossible to put down.

This recommendation is a no-brainer for me - read this! (But maybe not on the bus or in the office... you never know when your tear ducts will start working overtime.)

Read It: The Opposite of Me

I absolutely loved this book. It was another one that my dear friend Jen let me borrow. (I wasn't kidding when I said we talk about books during our dinners. We also exchange five or six at a time.)

This novel was so easy to relate to. The main character, Lindsey, gives everything to her job, only to be disappointed in the end. She moves back home to Maryland and essentially starts life over from square one. Like many others, it is a book about finding oneself.

The only downside? The ending was way too abrupt. I turned the page expecting there to be more, but I was finished. I understand why it left off where it did, but I wanted to keep reading!

Overall, a quick read that will tug at your heart strings. I found myself choking back tears on multiple occasions. (But I also cry while watching BET, so take that for what it's worth!)

Read It: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Well, this is embarrassing. I read this book almost THREE MONTHS ago. In fact, I started it immediately after finishing Bossypants. But alas, life got in the way. It has been so long that I can't even come up with anything witty to say about it. (This post is embarrassing for so many reasons now. Me? The inability to be witty? The humanity!) 

Here is what you need to know - I liked it. What I enjoyed the most was the fact that I went into with no prior knowledge on Mindy Kaling. I had no idea she went to Darmouth, no idea she created an off-Broadway show with her roommate ("Matt & Ben"), and I only assumed that she liked to indulge in retail therapy every now and then.

While I didn't find it as funny as Bossypants, it was a quick read and really enjoyable. Get your copy today! (No, this is not a paid advertisement.)

Read It: It Sucked and then I Cried

My friend Jen let me borrow this book and I was so excited to get started. I had heard a lot about the author's blog through the grapevine and had happened upon it a time or two. She seemed hilarious, so why wouldn't the book be the same?

Well, the book is hilarious... at times. I will say, though, the book made me extremely anxious! Like, heartbeatingfastandnowIhavetoputthebookdown anxious. It is centered around the birth of her daughter, Leta, and the depression that followed. She is completely honest about how hard she found motherhood, which in a way, was extremely refreshing to read. But I seriously found myself swearing off children because I was destined to become a nervous wreck and stay awake at night to make sure they were still breathing. (There is a 95% chance of that really happening in my future.) I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through the end of the book. And that's when I read this -

"The only problem I had with the TV being permanently tuned to the Olympics was the Bob Costas factor. Please, Bob Costas, JUST SHUT UP." 

- Heather Armstrong

There is nothing I find more ridiculous than Bob Costas' remarks during any kind of sporting event, especially the Olympics. It was at this moment that I knew I would finish the book, and by God, I would love every second of it.

Overall, I did enjoy it. Some parts were hard to read and truthfully, very sad. But by the end, I was rooting for her. I wanted her to be mother of the year! And, c'mon, what is better than an underdog?

Read It: Bossypants

I love to read. I love talking. I love people. Therefore, I should recommend books to people. (I know, it's shocking I'm not a philosopher after coming up with that theory.)

For my birthday, I received a copy of Bossypants by Tina Fey. (Thanks, Emily!) I love me some Tina Fey! I may or may not want to be Tina Fey, more so after reading this book. I think what made this book so enjoyable was the fact I could hear her voice while reading it. All this means is that I pictured Liz Lemon reciting it to me in the writer's room of 30 Rock. Once I started the book, I knew I wasn't going to be able to take it out in public - it was laugh out loud funny.

I did have one complaint, though. There was simply not enough about K to the N to the O-P-E (she's the finest little shorty in all of Pawnee.... Indiana). If you do not get that reference, I am not only saddened by your lack of John Ralphio quoting skills, but disappointed that you do not know Amy Poehler's alter ego on Parks & Rec. I was expecting three, maybe even four chapters, on their friendship... not the case. I guess this means Amy needs to come out with a book ASAP.

I definitely recommend this for anybody looking for a light read and a good laugh! If you're looking for techniques on how to properly manage a hedge fund... well, you may want to look elsewhere.