Learning to Push Myself

I just finished up PUSH: 30 Days to Turbocharged Habits, a Bangin' Body, and the Life You Deserve!

I started reading it at the suggestion of my Beachbody coach and have to say I am glad I did. It's not that anything Chalene writes is revolutionary. In fact, it's mostly just a book of common sense. But she lays it out in a way that makes it easy to apply some significant changes to your everyday life. I would like to use the phrase life-changing here, but I will reserve that label until I've had a few months to continue following these new habits.

The book is actually set up with 30 daily readings, each between 2 to 6 pages. Nothing overwhelming, for sure. Still, it took me two months to finish the book. I don't fault Chalene for this. It took me 11 years to finish a 4 year degree and I have been working my dissertation forever (literally, forever), so I tend to be on the slow side with this type of thing.

But I did finish it and I have applied the recommendations Chalene provides in this simple, yet powerful book and I have felt a shift in my life. A shift for the better. And I plan to revisit the book every few months to make sure I'm still applying the knowledge and pushing myself forward.

Bonus? There are some yummy recipes at the end of the book, none of which have I tried to make. I don't cook. In fact, if I ever make my million, I'm hiring a personal chef. And grocery shopper. Grocery shopping also makes me sad. I'd live off of TV dinners if I didn't believe they would give me cancer. (Yeah, I totally believe that.)

Happy reading!

A Peculiar Read

Book Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs

I was initially drawn to this book because of the title. I was intrigued by the label "peculiar children." What could the author mean by this? Then I saw the cover and my intrigue only grew.

That is peculiar.

I drove to the bookstore, purchased the book, and immediately began devouring it. The first half of the book was nearly riveting. It was somewhat put-downable, but still very intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half.

The second half of the book, however, is more of a mystery to me. Don't get me wrong, it was well-written and the premise was clear. But I have spent the past few weeks puzzling through my emotions and thoughts and have yet to arrive at a solid opinion. I simply don't know whether or not I enjoyed the book, as a whole. I cannot say whether or not I find the author's resolution entertaining.

Perhaps the author accomplished exactly what he set out to do: create a work that leaves the reader with the most peculiar sense of confusion over how they felt about their experience with it. I suspect not. I suspect that my conflicted reaction to this strange story is unique to me and that other readers will either love it or hate it. I would suggest that it is worth your time to determine which group you fall into.

Amazon offers a trailer for the book that makes it seem spookier than it actually turns out to be:
Trailer for the book

If nothing else, you'll want to read it before they make it into a movie, which they undoubtedly will. And then please let me know whether or not I loved it or hated it. Because I just can't decide for myself.