Recent Reads #6

1 Star = Hated It -  2 Stars = Didn't Like It - 3 Stars =Liked It - 4 Stars = Really Liked It - 5 Stars = Loved it

The Nickel Boys

Plot: From Goodreads:Abandoned by his parents, but kept on the straight and narrow by his grandmother, Elwood is about to enroll in the local black college. But for a black boy in the Jim Crow South in the early 1960s, one innocent mistake is enough to destroy the future. Elwood is sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called The Nickel Academy, whose mission statement says it provides "physical, intellectual and moral training" so the delinquent boys in their charge can become "honorable and honest men."

What I Liked: This book is based on a real school for boys near my hometown of Tallahassee. It's been in the news a lot in the last few years because of the number of unmarked graves that have been found. It was absolutely fascinating/horrifying to read about something that took place so close to home. My grandparents lived in Tallahassee during this time period, and it was really neat to imagine the Tallahassee they knew and recognize places mentioned in this story. 

What I Didn't Like: Obviously, the subject matter on this one is really tough, and hard to read. 

Rating: 5 Stars

My First Half Marathon

After finding my (hilariously unachievable) 30 before 30 list, I realized one of the only things I might be able to attain in the next few months was doing a Half Marathon. I really wanted to do a Disney Half, but quickly dismissed that after seeing the price tag (we're talking hundreds.). My hometown was offering one at a more pleasant price of $30, and it was in the right time of year, so I signed up before I could change my mind. 

I was so grateful my mom and sister agreed to do it with me! My sister and I started training in late September, and we both agree this was one of the coolest things we've ever done. I don't think either of us has ever successfully seen a goal through like this. The progress we made training was so apparent, before we knew it we were running 8 or more miles on the weekend. (Run/Walking anyway.)

What I Wore In January

Life Lately #9

Ended 2019 in North Carolina 

We love visiting Blake's mom and dad in N.C.! The drive is pretty long, but it's always worth it. We got to spend time with his parents, and family friend's Bill & Connie, who are just the best. It was a lot of relaxing, movie watching, and eating good food.

I also got to go on a few runs in their neighborhood while we were there. It's so nice to run in new places. Changes in scenery really help keep it interesting! It was so cold in the mornings on my runs, but it warmed up to almost 70 degrees in the afternoons. Bummer, because I was really looking forward to wearing all my cold weather gear we never get to wear at home.