Read on the Run. Literally.

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Jamie Livingston

Way back in 2001 I trained for a marathon. I was going to run the marathon in Dublin, Ireland, but when the US invaded Afghanistan the trip was canceled. And so was my training. I was so burned out I didn’t even plan to run in another race. I haven’t run more than a couple of miles at a time since then, and I absolutely don’t run on a regular basis. Then, last week, I decided to train for a half-marathon. What does all this have to do with books? Or better question, have I lost my mind? I am 45 ½ years old after all.

Well the thing I’d forgotten was how many wonderful books I’d listened to while running. I only wish that Overdrive online library of audiobooks (www.overdrive.com) had been available back then. Heck, maybe it was and I didn’t know. Audible.com is great for audiobooks, but Overdrive lets you “checkout” 2 books a week! Check their website to see if your local library has a connection. They have eBooks too. And since I have two different library cards I could actually get four a week. Many are unabridged. With a DSL connection the books take only minutes to download and can be played on any MP3 player and most on iPods too. It’s a great way to use your local library without leaving your home.

I promise not to bore you with a long list of books I’ve “read.” But I will provide you with a running link just in case you’ve been a couch potato and would like to start running. I always start with a gradual progression to actually running any distance, and www.coolrunning.com has a great beginner program.

Summer Gold

Posted on June 7, 2010 by Heather Dearly

By Heather Dearly
June is when I make the mental shift from school year’s end to summer break. I know spring isn’t officially over until the 21^st, but the season has already changed in my heart. An emotional weight I’ve been unaware of is lifted and I relax in story; be it one of my own making or a title from the leaning tower of TBR.

I choose my summer reads with special care.

Having rejoined the work-force last year, my schedule no longer reflects that of my children, but working a day job makes little difference—the sabbatical attitude remains. A childhood fear of wasting away precious days of summer vacation lives on at the age of thirty-eight.

I’m not saying that I’m resistant to suggestion during this time. Nothing beats discovering great reads by word-of-mouth, but I am more mindful when making my decisions.

For me, clarity accompanies the calm that summer induces.

With that freedom to focus in mind, look forward with me to fall and remember the myriad changes that define the return to school: hair, weight, wardrobe, social rearrangements, and the glow of growth. I can vividly remember wondering if anyone would guess that the reason for my newness could be attributed to a treasured book.

After the days of summer, what reads will have changed you?

“Don’t squander the gold of your days,
listening to the tedious,
trying to improve the hopeless…
Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you,
let nothing be lost upon you”

Oscar Wilde

Why read YA? (A primer)

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Sonia Gensler

When Malena Lott invited me to blog once a month about Young Adult fiction, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to gush about books from the category I’ve chosen to build a career around.

Maybe you’re already a fan of YA fiction. If not, allow me to list some reasons why teens and adults can enjoy literature from these shelves:

1. Teens make great protagonists because the teen years are inherently full of CONFLICT. (You remember, right? Constant tumult.)

2. During the teen years, many adult things are happening for the first time and thus they are experienced with GREAT INTENSITY. What’s more intense than first love? The first kiss? The first time you really broke the rules? Broke your heart? Gee, even the first time you drove a car was pretty intense.

3. Teens specialize in ANGST and this makes for great reading. Nobody longs to be clinically depressed, but a moderate amount of angst is almost enjoyable. It certainly makes one feel intensely ALIVE. Readers of YA get to experience this vicariously.

4. Teens are less likely than adults to stick with a disappointing book, hoping the pace will pick up or the story will somehow improve. Thus, YA novels tend to have streamlined plots, free of elements that clutter a narrative (like protagonists who endlessly navel-gaze or dwell too intensely on the past). This makes for page-turning momentum!

5. Contrary to what some might think, YA literature is not “dumbed down.” Just like adult literature, YA books come in a variety of genres and are geared toward a variety of audiences. You’ll find breezy reads that leave you in stitches on the same shelves with heftier reads that make you ponder and ache. Something for everyone!

Are you convinced? If so, stay tuned – each month I’ll be recommending a recently published YA novel. Hope you find something new to enjoy!

Sonia Gensler

Merry Christmas Eve, Girlfriends

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Malena Lott

DB102709001 It’s my first Christmas as a Book End Babe. If you’ve joined our sorority of literary sisters, thank you. I’ve gotten to know so many of you in the short three months we’ve been around and I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings. I’ll be sharing more goals and plans for the book club in our New Year’s post, but for now I just want to show genuine appreciation for all of you who have bought books, read books, started a book club, hosted book clubs and take the time to invite and support your girlfriends and the arts. Stories are life and meant to be shared.

Merry Christmas Eve, Babes. I hope Santa brings you what you want this year.
xo,
Malena

Grow Your Book Club Part 1

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Malena Lott

(pictured L to R: Tiffany, Lori and Malena, members of Chapter 1, BEbabes)

DSCN0080 I know. Starting a book club and asking people to join is akin to asking someone to be your friend. Awwwkwaaard. In this 4 part series, we’ll discuss ways to grow your book club, beginning with THE ASK.

Take 1:
YOU: (sheepish) Hey, I’m starting up a book club and thought you might want in on it.

THEM: “What’s involved?” they ask in a tone that sounds like you just ask them to join your pyramid scheme.

“Um, reading.”

“Reading, like, a book? I haven’t read a book in…years.”

Oh, boy. Ship is sinking, and not Titanic-slow, either.

“Yes, a book. It’s a book club. We’ll all read a book and then come together and discuss it.”

“Discuss a…book. I don’t know. With my schedule….”

And…scene. #askFAIL

Take 2, a different approach

YOU: (smiling, as if you just won the lottery or something) Hey, I’m getting some girls together for a book party. I’m making my favorite martinis and some gals are bringing their best appetizers.

THEM: (intrigued beyond belief, after all, you just said (free) martinis and (free) food) What do I need to do?

” Just read a book. Any book you like, then come to the party and we’ll discuss it. I’ll send you a site with some recommended reads and if you pick one of those, awesome. But if not, read something else and then come share.”

With a devilish glint in her eye, “I’d love an excuse to get out of the house for a night. And I’ve been meaning to take up reading again. I love to read, I just never make the time anymore.”

“It will definitely keep you motivated! Besides, we miss you and it’ll be fun, I promise. Can I mark you down for your amazing guac?”

“Absolutely!”

Now, the difference in Take 1 and Take 2 is about confidence, tone and approach. Some women will say yes to a book club even if you said your first selection was WAR AND PEACE. Others, well, they may be afraid that the selections will feel like homework. So let them no upfront how you’ll be selecting the books, how often you’ll meet, where and what you’re expecting of them.

Remember to ask twice as many as you think will be there. You want enough to feel like a “party”, at least five or so. For my first book party on October 1st, I invited 25 and 13 were able to make it. ALL OF THEM are in the book club, but they had other obligations and illnesses that night. Very typical, especially if your members are moms of active children. Or active civic moms in general. I probably asked another 10 or so who declined the invite into Book End Babes.

If you’d like to start up a chapter of Book End Babes in your area, just e-mail Malena at bookendbabes at me dot com and we’ll get you set up with bookmarks, index cards and the next three queenBs to host a chapter will also get a cute tote and free book!