seven days is all she wrote

Well, apparently I have about seven days worth of posts in me.  Yeah, I know.  To the bullets!

• Today went better than yesterday in the food department, but it still could have been better. I'm trying to reduce snacking, and I made it to 3:45 before I had one--a string cheese. But it was kind of a gateway to a handful of crackers, a cup of cocoa (it was cold in the office!).  There were a few graham crackers this evening, too.  But today was better. 
• Something in my right foot is hurting, and I'm stiff up and down my right side. Perhaps Mr. Bump's been kicking me in my sleep? Since walking isn't too fun, I didn't run tonight. 
• I made some vegan pumpkin cupcakes tonight for a wedding on Friday. They were not good. If Mr. Bump doesn't finish a baked good, then it isn't good. Back to the drawing board.
• The guy who won the ING New York City Marathon yesterday set a course record by two minutes, finishing in 2:05:05. His marathon time is 15 minutes less than my half marathon PR.  Crazy.
•  I just finished the latest Alan Bradley book in the Flavia de Luce series: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows. I love these books. Start with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. The protagonist is an 11 year old girl who loves chemistry (especially poisons), her bicycle Gladys, and solving murders. Set in 1950s Britain, the one I just finished is the 4th so far. I love them all, but the first one is the best.  Flavia is one of my all time favorite characters, I have to say.  Alan Bradley talks about her as willful and fully formed. If he tries to get her to do something she doesn't want to, she just gives him a look of withering scorn.
• I love my Kindle, really I do, but I often find if I'm reading a really excellent book, I don't realize how close I am to the end until I hit the next page button and there is no next page. Dismay is the word, I guess, that describes it.  This happened to me in New Orleans with Bossypants by Tina Fey. Such a bummer. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows was much the same way.  
• Finally, this Daylight Savings Time is kicking my butt. I'm just fine with that extra hour in the morning, but I start to drag around 9:30. 

On that bullet, I'll say goodnight, sir!  I'll try harder tomorrow for an actual topic.   

the car goes where your eyes go

So this wasn't a Pullitzer Prize winning book, but I loved The Art of Racing in the Rain and I got something out of it that has stuck with me. That which you manifest is before you.  I'm sorry if it's cheesy to quote a book, but it was a good book.  I cried my eyes out over it on the way back from Africa at that phrase (and other parts of the book too).  I encourage you to read this book if you haven't yet.  Yes, if you have even a black nubbin of a soul you'll cry.  But it's a good read.  And I can't get that idea out of my head.  It reminds me of the setting my intentions I did at the beginning of last year, which was very successful for me.  Goals are good.  But planning and focusing are better. 

 Anyone else have a book they've read that was surprisingly resonant?

resolution: a call for books

My New Year's resolution this year (at least the one I'm owning here) is that I want to read more classics, bone up on the works that I've been neglecting lately for book candy. So I have a list started, but I am also posting a cry for books! I'm looking for your *favorite* book, preferably fiction, but I'll start anything, hopefully meeting my New Year's criteria.

I'll give you my favorite in return. Pride and Prejudice. There is a new annotated version coming out that I can't wait to get my hands on! (It should be noted that I own probably 4 copies of it already.) Sigh.

So I can't wait to hear from you. I promise to read whatever you recommend. Well, I promise to start it. If I can't get into it I'm probably not going to finish it. But if it is your favorite, chances are I'll like it.

This means EVERYONE who reads this blog, I want your book. Even all you lurkers out there. I know you all have one. Even you, Mr. Bump.