Traveling to the march this past weekend put me behind on everything. Sigh.
First things first, though: I didn’t make it to the actual march because on the way there, about two hours outside of DC, I got sick and knew I wouldn’t be able to handle the walking or the crowds.
However, I still had a positive experience because of all the awesome women in my life, most notably my friend Monique who was willing to brave traffic, etc. to pick me up from RFK at 7:30 a.m. when I told her what was going on and also a woman named Crystal on our bus who supplied me with Dramamine and anti-nausea meds when I got motion sickness on the bus ride home (before I knew her name, even!).
And, yes, that means I got sick on the way there AND the way back.
Anyway, the best sign I saw this weekend was black text on a white background that said, “NOPE.”
Then, of course, there were the books.
Last week, I read:
Giant Days, Vol. 2 by John Allison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This series remains super cute. Best part was Daisy becoming totally obsessed with Friday Night Lights–excellent running sight gag.
Leave Me Alone by Vera Brosgol
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I can relate to this book on a cellular level. I am also 99% sure I would have to go to the lengths this grandmother does just to take a break. I mean.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
If you want to know why I hate prologues, this is why. I thought the middle of this book dragged–mostly because I wanted Gruen to hurry up and get to the action from the prologue. BAD MOVE.
I listened to the audio of this. It is delightful, and the voice work is fantastic.
Old Jake >>>>>> Young Jake by a mile. Rosie is the actual best. Walter isn’t so bad either. So good character work is what I’m saying.
Also, wow, was that ending a deus ex machina or what? I mean, I get it, and I get why it happened that way, but still. Wow. Kiiiiiiiind of a cop-out too, yeah?
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I listened to the audiobook narrated by McMillan, and I am so upset that this is an abridged version. I do not believe in abridged versions! So yeah, that part is my fault because I *thought* that’s what she said at the beginning, but I guess I just talked myself out of it.
Anyway, this is fine and was a fun listen for a road trip. This was more about the men than the friendships, though, so I’m not sure how that compares to the unabridged version.
Bonus: I just want to listen to the soundtrack to the movie non-stop now. It really matches the heart of the story.
Currently, I’m reading:
The characters in The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner are delighting my soul. Also, I love friendship books with my whole heart, so this is obviously right up my alley.
The Englishist 
I’m sorry you got sick and didn’t get to attend the march in person, but the fact that you tried is significant.
Wasn’t Waiting To Exhale a movie? I think I saw it at the theater back when that’s how I saw all movies. Funny I never put together that it was a book first. I don’t remember much about the movie, though.
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Poor you getting sick! Are you better now? On the road to recovery?
I absolutely cherish Giant Days. I got the third volume out from my library on my last trip there, and it cheered me up so much. I love that comic and am always thrilled to see that more of it is on the way.
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So sorry to hear that you got sick! Glad you had people looking after you.
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Awww, 2 stars for Water For Elephants 😦 It’s been a while since I read it, but I liked it a lot!
The Serpent King sounds great. Hope you enjoy it all the way through and give us a review 😀
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My daughter thinks I would have liked Water for Elephants more if I had read it with my eyeballs instead of my ears. She may be right since I found the narrative a little draggy and the book isn’t actually that long.
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