Beneficial Thinking

Three books down, nine to go to reach my goal for the year. [Re: 52 Things To Do In 2010.] What's even better... all three books have been great reads!
Run Like a Mother by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

I just want to start this book review off by thanking Cathy Zielske for blogging about this book (and inspiring me to start running).

Although I have no desire to run a marathon (at this time), as a beginner runner, I feel like I get it now. I am not afraid to lace up my Nike shoes and go for a run any more. Even though I have runner friends, this book opened a whole new world to me. I feel like I'm in on the secret now and I am confident to go out on a run.

Thank you to Dimity and Sarah for sharing your stories with me. Their lighthearted, straightforward writing style made me feel like I was one of their friends. If you are a runner, want to be a runner, or know a runner, you should pick up this book.

I am on the summer reading bandwagon, not just for my son, but for me! Here are two books that I have recently read that I just couldn't put down! And, not only were they great books, but they also got me two books closer to marking something off of my 52 Things To Do In 2010 list.

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

If I didn't have things that tore me away from this book, I would have gladly sat and read it from start to finish in one night, that's how good this book was. Even being raised as a "good little Catholic girl," I could easily relate with Mitch's religious upbringing in the Jewish community. It made me want to sit in the pews for one of the Reb's sermons and it made me wonder if the priests that have been a part of my religious upbringing were such dynamic human beings. I will definitely be putting Tuesdays with Morrie and For One More Day on my reading list. Also, if you haven't read 5 People You Meet in Heaven, I highly suggest that book as well.

Heroes for My Son by Brad Meltzer

What a touching book. When I first picked this book up, I thought the heroes that were included in the book would be strong males. But there were women and men alike. Each hero embodied a trait (or traits) that the author wants his sons to have. I am looking for the book Brad is writing for his daughter!