It's been a decent week weather-wise here in New England, most days it reached the 40's which is great for this time of year. Although I made it to yoga 3x again this week, I haven't been walking or doing cardio exercise. Our fitness center closed its doors at the end of December and since I took a fall on black ice a few weeks ago, I'm not crazy about walking outdoors right now.
My reading has slowed since last year, I normally read or listen to (3) books a week but, this year I'm reading about 1-2/per week max. I need to get back to audios as I haven't listened to any in 2017, although yesterday, I picked up (2) when I visited a new library in a few towns over.
This week I finished, The Leisure Seeker; Michael Zadoorian and really enjoyed it: it's funny, tender and sad all in one. I'm also reading, The Marriage of Opposites, Alice Hoffman, for my book group meeting next week. It started off great but, now 1/2 way through I seem to be losing interest (we shall see).
The Leisure Seeker; Michael Zadoorian
William Morrow - 2009
(soon to be a movie)
One
MICHIGAN
"We are tourists.
I've recently come to terms with this. My husband and I were never the kind who traveled to expand our minds. We traveled to have fun--Weeki Wachee, Gatlinburg, South of the Border, Lake George, Rock City, Wall Drug. We have seen swimming pigs and horses, a Russian Palace covered with corn, young girls underwater drinking Pepsi-Cola from the seven-ounce bottle, London Bridge in the middle of a desert, a cycling cockatoo riding a tightrope."
(MY THOUGHTS) - John and Ella are a sweet senior couple who have been married 60 years and have enjoyed traveling in their RV "The Leisure Seeker" much of their married lives. Both Ella and John have health issues and against their children's wishes they decide to embark on one final RV journey from Michigan to Disneyland in CA.
A fantastic story, sometimes funny, sometimes tender, sometimes sad. John and Ella are terrific characters that felt like family by the time I finished the book. This book is well written and immediately hooked me. I saw the ending coming but, that did not spoil my enjoyment in the least. The Leisure Seeker is a book that addresses the issues many of us try to avoid as we age or see our parents age. (5/5 stars)
Current Reads -
- The Beautiful Dead; Belinda Bauer (eGalley) (Atlantic Monthly Press)
- The Marriage of Opposites; Alice Hoffman (eGalley) (Simon & Schuster)
We went to see Manchester By the Sea this week and wow, did this movie move me. Such a sad but realistic story about how our lives can change us forever in the blink of an eye.
Lee (Casey Affleck) is a handyman at an apartment complex who returns home to "Manchester-By-the Sea, a quaint seaside town, when he learns that his brother has had a heart attack and soon after passes away, leaving behind a high school aged son. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn why Lee's return to Manchester By the Sea is so difficult for him. He's forced to relive a tragedy from his past in addition to dealing with the final arrangements for his brother. The acting is wonderful and I can't stop thinking about the movie even though the ending was a bit disappointing (abrupt). I'm hoping this one will win some awards. (BE SURE TO SEE IT)
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Have a Good Weekend Everyone
Contrasting reads!
ReplyDeleteYes, I like doing that from time to time:)
DeleteDiane, enjoyed hearing about your week. Good for you for getting to yoga. The walking will come in a few weeks I imagine. I feel very spoiled with my indoor walking track at our local rec center. They are pretty hard to come by and my allergies make walking outdoors hard at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteTHE LEISURE SEEKER sounds good and I'll be interested in hearing what you think about THE BEAUTIFUL DEAD. I've heard a few things about that one too. Hope your upcoming week is great!
The indoor walking track sounds great. I use to use the one at the college now and then when I was working. The Beautiful Dead is one that I've been reading a few chapters before bed each night (probably not a great idea LOL) Have a great week.
DeleteI'll look for The Leisure Seeker! Have a good week. I hope you can get outside for a walk. Fresh air makes such a difference for me.
ReplyDeleteI think you will like The Leisure Seeker, Mary. I did walk outside on yesterday, it did feel good.
DeleteMy favorite thing about heading south for the winter is being able to continue walking outdoors every day. I hate black ice (and snow) and stop walking outdoors by November :( It's great that you got to yoga three times last week! The Leisure Seekers sounds like a good one... will check the library here. Have a good weekend, Diane!
ReplyDeleteI'm not one for too much hot weather but, FL this time of year sounds great. Leisure Seekers was great and have just started the debut novel by same author - also good.
DeleteBased on comments from many people, I can't wait to see Manchester-By-The-Sea. I believe it's coming to Amazon Prime streaming very soon.
ReplyDeleteI also want to let you know that I thought Under the Influence by Joyce Maynard was exceptionally well done. Thanks for bringing my attention to it.
Yes, Manchester By the Sea has all but left the theater now. Be sure to catch it on demand when you get a chance. Glad u liked Under the Influence; I do like Maynard.
DeleteDiane, it sounds like you have had a good week. The Leisure Seekers sounds like a book I'd also enjoy. The name of the movie brings to mind a song from the musical Hair, which sticks in my head after many years (Manchester England England, across the Atlantic sea...). I saw the musical movie La la Land last weekend, which I really enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, I wanted to se La La Land but didn't think my husband would like it. Glad u enjoyed it. Hope u have a great week.
DeleteDisappointing endings are so, well, disappointing. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian -- good weekend it was.
DeleteI took a fall on the deck last year and have been super worried about ice ever since. We don't get too cold here but when we do it's always ice. That's great about yoga! I've recently gotten back into it and while it's not my favorite fitness class it's always the one I'm the most glad I took because I always feel so great afterwards. Your reading looks interesting and I'm curious about Manchester Across the Sea.
ReplyDeleteI feel terrific after yoga as well and, keep telling myself that when I don't want to venture out in cold at 7:45 am :)
DeleteSomething is wrong with the awards system if Casey Affleck doesn't win for his performance in Manchester by the Sea. Our lows have been warmer than your highs!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I also though his nephew was great!
DeleteBlack ice is one of my fears as well. With our weather above 40 lately, I've been able to walk outside. Manchester By The Sea seems to be the movie to watch. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nise...glad your temps have been above freezing as well. Be sure to catch Manchester By the Sea.
DeleteMy reading has been really slow so far this year, too!
ReplyDeletePost election depression for me I think.
DeleteI loved The Marriage of Opposites. It did sort of ebb and flow but completely pleased my by the end. My review: http://keepthewisdom.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-marriage-of-opposites.html
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure about Manchester By the Sea but your review makes me want to see it.
BTW: If you want to work out inside your home there are tons of good videos available now for little or no $$ on line. That is what I do.
Judy -- Glad u liked Marriage of Opposites 3/4 through now. I'll be curious to see what my group thinks. I have a few diff DVDs for exercise but, always find reasons not to watch them LOL
DeleteI really want to see Manchester by the Sea, I'm going to have to seek it out, it's now been removed from the closest theaters near me. My reading pace was off all of 2016 and I'm determined to get it back!! Good luck, and enjoy those moderate temps while you can.
ReplyDeleteAnita, yes, Manchester By the Sea has all but left the theaters around here now as well. I hope to improve my reading quantity and quality this year as well.
DeleteI think I need to start doing yoga, but I don't even know where to start. My students and I watched a video just last week for our anti-bullying program about a man who persevered beyond his disability and a yoga instructor who didn't turn him away. He lost over 140 pounds in a year. We get ice here, and I have slid on it before going into work. I would be quite nervous after a fall. Good for you getting out so much!
ReplyDeleteCharlie, I started yoga -- first time ever around Labor Day and I so look forward to it now. I feel fantastic afterward and notice my posture improving everyday as well. How great for the man who had such determination & success with yoga.
DeleteI am experiencing the opposite effect this year. usually I read 1-2 books a week, but I am doing 3 a week now. I have no idea what happened. Just found my groove maybe.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you had some good weather. We had some miserable weather this weekend, but it was a treat to listen to the rain and wind and snuggle up inside.
I love the sound of The Leisure Seekers....and I want to see Manchester by the Sea.
ReplyDeleteI am curious about The Marriage of Opposites, but I'm not thrilled about a book that loses my interest halfway through. I'll wait for your final thoughts.
Enjoy your week!
I envy the number of books that you are able to finished, even with your slower pace.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward on reading your further thoughts on Alice Hoffmann, I was thinking of reading her this year.
Toady, lucky you. I hope to pick up my pace a bit and watch less tv.
ReplyDeleteMy reading has slowed down too, but that's usual for me for January - somehow, I read very little until mid of Feb. I want to see Manchester by the Sea - been hearing good things about it.
ReplyDeleteManchester By the Sea wrecked me and I agree about the abrupt ending being disappointing. The Leisure Seeker sounds just up my alley.
ReplyDelete