Olympic Candy

So, I know you've been wondering what I've been up to now that the road trip is over. Basically, I've been sleeping, reading, eating, and watching the Olympics. It's been glorious :) Here are some lists to get you updated!

Books I've Read (courtesy of the Pasadena Public Library and my brother's spankin' new library card):

1. The Blue Shoe by Ann Lamott: I've only read her nonfiction (mostly quirky thoughts on Christian faith and her own personal struggles) and I don't think this novel was autobiographical but you might think it was, it seems like such an honest, personal story. It's about a middle aged woman going through many life obstacles all at once and the ordinary moments of happiness that get her through it. The story dragged on a bit for me but I do love how she develops characters and describes simple, everyday things in a beautiful and unexpected way. I'll probably stick to her nonfiction though...I'd like to read Traveling Mercies next. I'll give it 3/5 Meena stars.

2. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella: ok this was my brit chick lit pick of the week from the lady who wrote all of those Shopaholic books. It's obviously not the most sophisticated writing but it's an easy, witty read with a farfetched but entertaining plot. A plain jane gets knocked unconscious and wakes up 3 years later to a new life that she doesn't recognize...the story is a bit more complicated than your usual amnesiac plotline but it's an interesting read and it's sort of a fun journey as she puts the puzzle pieces of her life back together. 2/5 Meena stars.

3. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James: I'm a major Jane Austen fan (Pride and Prejudice might be my #1 of all time) so I was intrigued when I picked this up. It's basically a fictional tale of the author getting caught up in a romance that is exactly like a plot line she would have created herself for a character. In true Austen form, she falls in love with someone outside of her social standing and their love for each other is complicated by familial and societal expectations. I found myself totally enraptured by their relationship and rooting for an ending that I knew would not happen, this is after all, Jane we're talking about. But, it was beautifully written in the style of Austen's work and it's nice to think that she used pieces of her real life to craft her beautiful novels. 5/5 Meena stars.





4. Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri: Another collection of short stories (her first, the Interpreter of Maladies won the Pulitzer) by one of my favorite authors. She writes fondly and candidly about the lives of immigrants, most specifically Indians in America, and the cultural conflicts that occur naturally between parents and the children they raise in a new country. I feel such a personal connection to these stories, mainly because I think about my parents and their desire to hold on to their past and cultural traditions while raising my siblings and me in a completely different world. She writes about familybonds and expectations and creates amazing characters and stories that feel so real to me. I think her stories are meaningful, insightful and touching and I wish they weren't short stories but complete novels where I could further explore the lives she created. 5/5 Meena stars.

Ok and on a much different note, I present to you:

Meena's top 3 Olympic Crushes

3. Steven Lopez: USA Fencing--I don't know anything about fencing but it's a shame they have to cover up this guy's face with a mask while he competes. His brother and sister are on the US Olympic fencing team as well, I think that's pretty cool.













2. Oussama Mellouli : Tunisia, gold medalist 400m freestyle-- the only time I wasn't rooting for US swimmers. And he probably speaks French since he's from Tunisia so that scores him beaucoup de points in my book.



















1. James Blake: USA, tennis-- he is my favorite tennis player, based on looks alone as he's yet to win a major title. He had a pretty epic match v. Roger Federer but then lost the next day to some dude from Chile so no Olympic medals for this guy. Good thing he's so pretty!

Ok that's all for now. I was going to do a top 5 or top 10 but I'm afraid I don't have time for such things when it's another lovely day in sunny CA.
I'm going for a walk (to get some frozen yogurt...)

bye for now!