Saturday, September 18, 2010

In the nick of time

Holidays have arrived in the nick of time, I was beginning to think that I would never have an un-grumpy day again. I am beginning to think the day-job is not so good for my health. This morning I have put the very very final edits on a pattern and am sending it off in the post on Monday. I rode the black stallion for an hour - yes a whole hour, as in 60 full sweaty minutes....

I know ! I'm a freak. Do you know the secret ? I read while I walk ! yep it takes a bit of balance but in another crazy Jodie-does-deals-with-herself kind of thing, the deal is that I can only read while walking ,so the trick is to get a great book and then I almost actually want* to exercise.

Got any suggestions for me ? I don't do horror or gore and it needs to be a page-turner that doesn't require a PHD to follow.

*want- in an I hate every single sweaty, uncoordinated, uncomfortable step kind of way but if the book is good enough, I just keep turning pages and ignore it.

56 comments:

  1. Tess Gerritsen - Any of her novels except "Gravity" which was terrible. They are can't put down type novels..... You will love them

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  2. 'Fess up. You researched the Australia Post 'P', didn't you? Actually, that's not a question. I know you did. I CAN TELL.

    Have you invented how to row and read yet? I'm having trouble turning pages.

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  3. Have you read "The Time Travellers Wife"? I looooved that book so much I found it very hard to put down.

    Good on you for the walking. I have just started it up about 5 weeks ago, it was kind of fun at first, now the honeymoon is over it's very hard to stay motivated!

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  4. OMG only 3 comments before mine.......have a lovely holiday at home........

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  5. I recently read, and really liked "Her Fearful Symmetry" by Audrey Niffeneger. At the moment I'm reading "The Horse Dancer" by Jojo Moyes - I liked most of hers, "The Peacock Emporium", "Night Music", "Silver Bay". Enjoy your holidays!

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  6. just reread SWEET TEA & JESUS SHOES and still love it ..xx

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  7. If I find you a good book will you do some walking for me????? ....wicked grin.

    Enjoy the hols - first day here and already there are fights - over the fact that plain pancakes were cooked and not chocolate chip ones.....arrrrrrr. Think I'm going to be very glad to go to work with DH this week.

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  8. previous commenter mentioned Her Fearful Symmetry, I really liked that book too if you can handle something a little dark and creepy. The Time Traveler's Wife (same author - Audrey Niffenegger) was a page turner too.

    If you are into more romance-y type stuff, and need some resistance training (very heavy books), Paullina Simons has some good ones - the Alexander and Tatiana novels are good (Bronze Horseman, Bridge to Holy Cross, Summer Garden), although I found the lead character of her latest novel (A Song in the Daylight) really ticked me off.

    If you are into ethical dilemmas, then Jodi Picoult is quite good.

    I have been meaning since forever to read some Terry Pratchett. My other half does (I buy them for him all the time) and I've read little bits here and there and it is quite funny.

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  9. I'm an English mystery buff myself. In particular Martha Grimes's Richard Jury series. I also like Margaret Maron's Judge Deborah Knott series, but that's a bit lighter.
    I like a murder mystery where someone is dead by page 25 but without gratuitous violence or creepiness (sounds like an oxymoron, but it isn't).

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  10. Do you know I saw you and Annie last night out from of BP while I was at the gym? I have some stunning chic lit you can borrow..

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  11. Impressive Jodie. I have tried to knit & do many things simultaneously (mostly not successfully) Have a great holiday!!

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  12. Aha! Another one - I too read whilst walking - usually on my way to work in the morning. People are always commenting - but really it's not that difficult ;o)

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  13. History of tractors in Ukranian which is more about an elderly man marrying a young Ukranian woman and the family reaction... can't remember the author though...

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  14. Anything by Penny Vincenzi and the numbers books of Janet Evanovich are also good for a laugh. Jodi Picoult is a good read but sometimes you feel like slitting your wrists afterwards (or throw yourself head first off a black stallion). Personal favourites for me are 'Golden Mile' (Steven King) 'Rosie Meadows Regrets' (Catherine Alliot) and 'Gang of Four' (Liz Briski). Enjoy!

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  15. I'm going to use my pod casts in the same way

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  16. I recently finished 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society', set after WWII and very entertaining.

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  17. Anything that helps with exercise motivation has gotta be a good thing. I like Annie's idea of podcasts because then I could knit as well (cept I'd probably fall off)

    Tania - get an electronic reader then you can turn pages with the tap of toe!

    Very non girly suggestion, one of my favourite authors is Neil Gaiman, it is all good.

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  18. I don't like horror or gore either, so you'd think Stephen King would be out, but... Needful Things is niether horrorful nor gory, and just so clever. I read it a long time ago but I loved it. Otherwise I would recommend Like Water For Chocolate and Life of Pi, both page turners for me. Good luck with it.

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  19. Hope you have a great holiday. I pretty much love any crime book - James Patterson, Faye Kellerman. Can't wait to see what that photo becomes I love the little postman satchel

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  20. Jodie... One author... Janet Evanovich.. I have been reading her books for years, too funny... I have laughed that much I have had TEARS rolling down my face.. she is the worlds worst bounty hunter.. and there are 16 books in the series plus another probably 10 books by her in other types.. even her 'romance' books are a HOOT..
    Now grumpy isn't good.. when I feel a tad pissed off with my lot in life, I tell myself I am lucky.. today is a bonus cause some poor bastards didn't wake up today... You gotta think positive.. I try to put a positive on every negative, and it makes life sweeter (and helps with the ulcer I have! LOL)


    Lissa
    who thinks if she wasn't a glass half full person, she'd be a glass empty person - empty from voddy cruisers!

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  21. Yep Jodi Picoult My Sisters Keeper . waaaay better than the movie and definately no PHD required , had you thought of books on tape , really might be better for your balance , lol !
    Thanks for reply much appreciated .

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  22. I like lowbrow trash (much like my fave tv shows), so I'm going to recommend Stori Telling, and Mommywood by Tori Spelling - loved them, and the bonus is that you can finish each one in an hour on the black stallion!
    PS - How do you not fall off?

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  23. Have you read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series? They'd be great as there's 3 really thick books (completely compelling and excellent read) which would mean heaps of sessions on the stallion, plus some bonus arm strength holding them up whilst reading.

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  24. I agree with Stomper Girl above. I've only read the first two in the Steig Larsson series but I couldn't put them down. (I read them one at a time, not in tandem) :o)

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  25. Brilliant idea! I read in the bath but somehow I don't think that and a black stallion would work do you???

    I am reading The White Queen, Philippa Gregory....a nice bit of juicy english history with a story to it :-)

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  26. Dont be hard on yourself for reading whilst exercising - thats why gyms have tv screens in front of the machines! lol
    You could break down the exercise into chunks - advice for doing 3 x 30 mins a week (or is that just in Britain? lol )is just as effective if your 30 mins is done in 10 min chunks through out the day.
    Good on you for exercising! Most of my exercise is moving a mouse - I blame having ME but every body needs to move. Thanks for inspiring me.

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  27. I with you on the reading through exercise thing. It's the only way I can manage my ten minutes on the exercise bike. So I am really in awe of your 1 hour. Well done. Cherrie

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  28. What coordination. I'm a tripper upper, i would need a crash helmet & knee pads to walk & read, plus i'm a terrible reader, it's the scientist in me. Love Posie

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  29. authors: Stieg Larsson, Lisa See, Sue Monk Kidd, Sphie Kinsella I enjoyed reading books by all of them! Real page turners.

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  30. If you like historical fiction with a bit of fantasy/romance thrown in, I cannot recommend enough Diana Galbadon's Outlander series. 7 long and enthralling books (and she STILL hasn't finished the series). If you read them all (and they are a most compelling read) while treadmilling, you'd be SUPER skinny by the end!

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  31. My favorite author is Mary Stewart. Her first book, Madame Will You Talk? was written in 1955. All are beautifully written. Enjoy!

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  32. The Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde.

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  33. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, or Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, both of which are good.

    Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons is a giggle. Great Expectations by Dickens, The Moonstone and The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins are also good.

    Anything by P.G. Wodehouse is fun and light.

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  34. I agree about Diana Gabaldon and Stieg Larsson. Also, I HIGHLY recommend The Hunger Games. Such a page turner!

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  35. I second the Millenium trilogoy, and the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I also just read Room by Emma Donoghue - nearly broke my heart, but definitely a page turner.

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  36. Walking?! You are a better woman than I am!!
    I read a comment recommending Stieg Larsson...I don't do blood and gore, and that series is too much for me. I haven't read through the first book. Yikes! I may be a wuzz...
    I love "The 5 people you meet in heaven" by Mitch Albom. And anything by Dostoyevsky - except "The house of the dead", that's awfully boring IMO!

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  37. I just read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. Really most of her books are easy to follow but quite interesting. I LOVE the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Andrew McCall Smith and These is My Words by Nancy Turner.

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  38. p.s. I see someone else mentioned the Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society and I second that. Great book!

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  39. How about books on tape? or CD .....Janet Evonovich is a scream....she's written a series....each with a # in the title....Stephanie Plum will keep you laughing and gasping....as in oh know...not
    that!

    Susan

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  40. How about books on tape? or CD .....Janet Evonovich is a scream....she's written a series....each with a # in the title....Stephanie Plum will keep you laughing and gasping....as in oh know...not
    that!

    Susan

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  41. Okay, my talented walking friend, The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale is a VERY good book and fast. I also recommend The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I think she's an Australian author. It's awesome.

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  42. If you're looking for ideas/endorsements from someone who reads 150+ books a year try... Diana Gabaldon, Janet Evanovich, Tess Gerritsen, Sue Grafton, Kathy Reichs, Linda Fairstein, Karin Slaughter, Mary Wesley, Dick Francis, Michael Connelly, Leah Giarratano, Lisa Scottoline, Jennifer Chiaverini, Jeffery Deaver, Catherine Coulter (FBI series), Tony Park, Monica McInerney...

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  43. I understand that deal so well! In fact I'm almost missing my last job in all it's stressful grottiness and the hideous half hour tube journey there because that's a whole hour and a half of reading time that I've lost each day (if you count my lunch break where I used to simultaneously knit, read, listen to music and eat)!

    Locket xx

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  44. Do you have access to *old* books? I love the Mrs. Tim series by D.E. Stevenson, and several of Elizabeth Cadell's books will have you rolling off the machine laughing. "My Dear Aunt Flora" is one of my favorites.

    In case you don't get enough children's literature at school, "Charlotte's Web" is a great choice, and The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder are timeless treasures. I reread them every few years.

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  45. I forgot to mention how much I love the "P" handbag. Too cute!

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  46. Have you read any Ben Elton? The First Casualty is good and my favourite is Grid Lock (but I am a traffic engineer so it's more like a how-to guide than anything else!).

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  47. I knit or crochet while walking much easier than trying to concentrate on the words in the book and means I get to check out the scenery - which with all the building going on around here, not to mention the uniformed minders - lots of eyecandy!
    I have recently read two quite amusing biographys - I guess laughing could be bad for your health on the Black Stallion - Michael Parkinson and Michael J Fox - laugh out loud funny!
    Enjoy the holidays.

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  48. Oh wow! I never have time to browse in the library and so end up just walking out with a pile of kids books (for the kids...). So now I have a pile of recommendations - thanks everyone and thanks Jodi for asking!!

    PS The Guernsey Literary etc is very good so is The Book Thief but that is set in WWII so a bit grim at times.

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  49. When you say page-turner, that implies a bit of action and suspense...so I'm not sure if these will fit but I loved the whole series of No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Wonderful characters! It's about the same "speed" as Guernsey Literary and PPS (also great!) and mentioned several times.
    --Vicki K.

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  50. I don't know that I'd recommend Janet Evanovich while exercising (I would laugh so much that the black stallion would certainly buck me and trample me to death!) I loved The Zookeepers War, The Book Theif (and Zuzak's other book The Messenger)and also The Memory Keeper's Daughter (can't remember the author) I'm currently reading the Julie/Julia Project but I think that would be too funny for serious exercise too! Good luck with the exercise efforts.

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  51. "The Romeo Flag" by Carolyn Hougan is a fun espionage novel. It's got a decent amount of mystery, romance, and chase, too. A few people get knocked off (it is espionage, after all!), but I wouldn't call it gory.

    -Holly

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  52. I would recommend "These Is My Words" by Nancy E. Turner. It wasn't a popular book, but I read it in my bookstore manager days and everyone I recommended it to loved it.

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  53. Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series is a must for anyone who likes Jayne Eyre/Wuthering Heights or just reasing in general. He has even come up with an explanation for why you read a book someone else reccomends and don't find it an marvelous as you were told.

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  54. read anything by Louisa May Alcott. I love it. And it is inspirational to me how hard the women worked at things I have to do everyday but without any modern conveniences.

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  55. Hey, you're not weird. As a child I always read whilst walking to school or to my friends' houses. My parents eventually made me stop as it was a little bit dangerous (I couldn't stop reading to cross the road!) and unfortunately I never took it up again as an adult. I wish I could read whilst driving...

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  56. Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, Girl who Played with Fire, Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Lovely Bones- books I have recomended over and over and no one has been disappointed. One caveat, the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, you really need to get past the first 100 pages & then you will be awake until you finish them. The whole world is talking about the author and the series!!! Join in! Lovely Bones is amazing. I recomended the book to dozens of high school girls who claim they don't read & the read it. They loved it. The halls were filled with copies of the book. I am a HUGE Anna Quindlin fan- essays, books, whatever! Her latest book Every Last One was one of the very best. A month later I still think about it. Enjoy!

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Hellloooooo !!!!