Correction: Everything I think a book should be. You may prefer incisive commentary on the global impact of Greenland's bustling egg trade, but I like relationship stories. Love Walked In twists up the typical Meeting Mr. Right tale, wrings it out, and flattens it down into a much more satisfying description of love as it is, rather than love as you want it to be.

Plus, Mr. Right turns out to be a secondary character. This pleases me.

Labels: book tips

Thanksgiving is over, my friends. Has been for nearly a week. Time to quit stalling and get off the couch. I hate that part of getting in shape, the one that requires getting off the couch. I walked to work today, I went to a dance class yesterday - probably burning off about three bites of pecan pie in the process. I am unfazed. An object in motion stays in motion, just as an object in sloth stays on the couch, happily watching reruns and burping Cheetos.

Sorry. The Cheetos burping may have been unnecessary.

Day Three

Get off the couch. Which I guess means you need to read this on the treadmill. (Or on the bus. I've never personally been on a treadmill so recommending it to you would make me a dirty hypocrite.)

Mireille Guiliano's French Women Don't Get Fat has practical eating advice that includes chocolate. What more could you want from a diet book? French Women for all Seasons promises similar advice for the upcoming Season o' Gluttony.


Confession: This review officially sucks because I haven't actually read the book yet. It's sitting on my night stand, but I suspect that doesn't count. At least not in the world of legitimate journalism. Luckily, I never claimed to be a legitimate journalist. Instead, I will flip through the book and share my findings.

Main holiday advice from Madame Guiliano: think about everything you put into your mouth. Take walks. Also, eat oysters.

If you're like me, you need something solid to launch you out of glutton mode. By solid, I don't mean fruitcake. December means parties, and parties mean fitting into those party dresses. Staying healthy and keeping your mitts off all the holiday crap people bring into work is mostly about being in the right frame of mind. This book can you get there. (Maybe reread a few chapters toward the end of December, when the real feasting begins. It will help, trust me.)

So take a gander at this book and then take a walk. Nothing long, don't climb any mountains, but get yourself into the forward moving frame of mind. Oh, how you will feel better. Just by getting those little legs moving. Move, legs! Move!

[Avail yourselves of Days 1 and 2 here. Oh, and here.]

Labels: book tips, fitting into the skinny jeans, holiday

This year, I completely ignored Black Friday. Otherwise known as Shopping Hell to the uninitiated, or those unwilling to use elbows where elbows are so clearly warranted. Spending the weekend on a farm in Oregon helps/dictates this resolve. Instead, I would like to recommend some long weekend reading.


I just finished The Deception of the Emerald Ring, the latest novel from Lauren Willig. Start with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, and you'll be sucked straight into the following installments, of which Deception is the third.

I should preface that statement by saying, You will be sucked straight in if you enjoy spy novels, historical fiction, regency romance, contemporary chick lit, or any combination thereof. And if you don't, what on earth are you doing here? I talk about lip gloss and shoes. Go read CNN.

Labels: book tips