Friday, October 30, 2015

Come Away With Me by Karma Brown


Cue Norah Jones' song, because this book will have you up reading into the wee morning hours. This was a selection for Fit Reads, our reading/fitness book club, and I am the worst leader, because I couldn't wait to finish it! There was a twist at the end that I didn't see coming, and I did shed a few tears. Read the following synopsis and think about joining our Fit Reads Book Club for discussion of Karma's book!

Synopsis
An unexpected journey leads one woman to discover that life after loss is possible, if only you can find the courage to let go… 

One minute, Tegan Lawson has everything she could hope for: an adoring husband, Gabe, and a baby on the way. The next, a patch of black ice causes a devastating accident that will change her life in ways she never could have imagined. 

Tegan is consumed by grief—not to mention her anger toward Gabe, who was driving on the night of the crash. But just when she thinks she's hit rock bottom, Gabe reminds her of their Jar of Spontaneity, a collection of their dream destinations and experiences, and so begins an adventure of a lifetime. 

From the bustling markets of Thailand to the flavors of Italy to the ocean waves in Hawaii, Tegan and Gabe embark on a journey to escape the tragedy and search for forgiveness. But they soon learn that grief follows you no matter how far away you run, and that acceptance comes when you least expect it. Heartbreaking, hopeful and utterly transporting, Come Away with Me is an unforgettable debut and a luminous celebration of the strength of the human spirit.


Thank you, Karma for a book that was totally worth sharing and working out with!
Fit Reads meets once a week, to discuss the book that has been chosen and to get a little work out in! It's kind of perfect. 

Monday, October 19, 2015

Great Americans in Sports: Mia Hamm



This entry in a brand new line of sports biographies from Matt Christopher takes readers onto the field with a soccer legend
Mia Hamm's speed, aggressive play, and ability to "read the field" helped her become the best women's soccer player in the world. Her stellar performance as a college, World Cup, and Olympic champion made her a sports hero, and her story will inspire a new generation of young athletes. This comprehensive biography - with bonus photos and infographics - gives readers an up-close look at one of America's greatest soccer stars.


Pioneer of Women’s Soccer
Biography of Mia Hamm
Born March 17, 1972 in Selma, Alabama, Mariel Margaret "Mia" Hamm-Garciaparra is one of the best athletes to ever grace the US soccer fields. From the time she was born, her family knew and recognized her talents and abilities. Originally her mother, a ballerina herself thought her daughter would be a dancer. They soon realized that Mia was more like one of the boys. Mia came from a military family and it was during their time in Italy that Mia fell in love with futbol (as they say in Europe). She had a knack for being a smart player, and coaches began to see that this girl was something special. Mia Hamm was born in an era when soccer in the United States was not a widely publicized or viewed sport. There were no television channels that you could turn to and watch your favorite player enter the stadium and score goals for your team. It took decades, but that would all change, and in time an unparalleled soccer player would enter the US Women’s National Team and lead in to one of the most exciting televised sports event in history. She played for 17 years and won Olympic gold during her tenure as a US soccer player, and is respected as one of the best players that ever played. To inspire other athletes like Mia, this audio provides a glimpse into the life of an athlete, what it takes and how grit, determination, sweat and tears can make you resilient and the best at your sport!

“I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.” 

  • Audiobook
  • Publisher: Hachette Audio
  • Imprint: Little, Brown Young Readers

  • Thursday, October 15, 2015

    Being Audrey Hepburn by Mitchell Kriegman


    Today's feature is Being Audrey Hepburn by Mitchell Kriegman. It's a bit of a throwback Thursday post since this is nearly a month after the release of the paperback, but just as Audrey is timeless, so is a great YA read. From the outset, readers are invited into a world where Manhattan's social elite party it up, clinking champagne glasses, and enjoying luxuries that the lower-middle class serves for them. The trays handing out those expensive beverage glasses are held by the hand of employees working three jobs to stay afloat. Would they trade places? Hmmm...this is the essential question.

    When you have Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's dress and gloves sitting in a box in front of you, the $923,187 price tag doesn't deter you when your best friend agrees to let you try on THE Audrey Hepburn LBD. The line "Ok.Try it on. But just for a minute" hooks readers into what is a whimsical tale of what happens on the other side. So the tale of Lisbeth Dulac unfolds and the problems of every day life take the back seat to becoming one of the most iconic characters to grace the silver screen. When you are from the land of too much...hair, make-up, and behavior, being a class act is what you desire. Lisbeth, inspired by Audrey finds out just who she really wants to be, but not before immersing herself in another world. If you are looking for an escape this New YA book will satisfy your thirst for a great read. Being Audrey Hepburn is now available in trade paperback from St. Martin's Press.

    Synopsis
    Book Trailer

    Book Information
    Being Audrey Hepburn





    Thursday, October 8, 2015

    Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain

    Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain
    St. Martin's Press

    A master of fiction, Diane Chamberlain writes from her background as a therapist in this newest novel about a 14 year-old girl who learns about something taking shape in her family that threatens her father's life. I loved finding out about Diane's background because it helped me to understand her process for writing this novel. Molly is a keeper of secrets, and keeping secrets becomes difficult when you are trying to adopt a baby. Background checks, endless interview questions, it is tough trying to keep everything straight. Especially if you're trying to cover up secrets that have their origins in your childhood. It has been twenty years, and Molly's childhood in North Carolina that she has kept at bay comes screaming back in to the wheelhouse. It could not only destroy her marriage, but her chances for a successful adoption.As Molly struggles to come to grips, she must come to accept and work through her painful childhood without unraveling at the seams. Diane Chamberlain is the master of storytelling. Read the synopsis to see if this book may be something you'll want to add to your October reading bag!

    Synopsis
    Molly Arnette is very good at keeping secrets. She and her husband live in San Diego, where they hope to soon adopt a baby. But the process terrifies her.

    As the questions and background checks come one after another, Molly worries that the truth she's kept hidden about her North Carolina childhood will rise to the surface and destroy not only her chance at adoption, but her marriage as well. She ran away from her family twenty years ago after a shocking event left her devastated and distrustful of those she loved: Her mother, the woman who raised her and who Molly says is dead but is very much alive. Her birth mother, whose mysterious presence raised so many issues. The father she adored, whose death sent her running from the small community of Morrison Ridge.

    Now, as she tries to find a way to make peace with her past and embrace a future filled with promise, she discovers that even she doesn't know the truth of what happened in her family of pretenders.

    Told with Diane Chamberlain's compelling prose and gift for deft exploration of the human heart, Pretending to Dance is an exploration of family, lies, and the complexities of both.

    Happy reading!

    Wednesday, October 7, 2015

    Rising Strong

    Rising Strong by Brene Brown
    Penguin Random House Audio

    This audio has been one of the best books I have listened to in a very long time. I know it may have made me seem crazy to the people driving or walking near me, but I found myself nodding over and over again at the words spoken by the author. In just the title, the word rumble jumps out at me. Of late, rumbles have been my M.O. One thing I can hang my hat on is that I have always gotten up from the rumble and continued to fight. In this newest book, Brene revisits vulnerability and what it means in our lives. When you dare to be vulnerable, you are, on a daily basis, volunteering to get your butt kicked by people. The truth is, if vulnerability is part of your life, you will inevitably get knocked down. Life cannot always be sunshine and stars. 

    But, it is not so much about getting knocked down, but in showing up every day to be in the arena. Large or small, the arena is the test of strength. In theory, we show up to the "arena" every day. I feel like being vulnerable has allowed me to walk away the victor in the arena. I have been taking steps to put myself out there, and to be honest and open and to share some of what I have with others. Has that always made me feel accepted? Hell no! I feel like I have been virtually hit...hard. I would be lying if I said I did not feel bedraggled by life, and all of the troubles I have recently faced. But you know what? I am so much stronger than I ever thought I was. The appropriate timing of this audio has provided a perfect ointment for the bumps and bruises of my life. Many thanks for the audio. I highly encourage you to get it for yourself. 

    Happy listening!