Channeling my inner beach

On the eve of what promises to be the worst Walk-In Tuesday in some time (crap - I really should be sleeping right now!), I am trying to "channel my inner beach".

What the hell are you talking about Kim?

I am trying to reconnect with the utter serenity that was my world just 240 short hours ago. I returned home from Bear Lake this year so completely relaxed, I was practically comatose. The heat that kicked in the day after returning home made me a bit cranky and irritable - but it was a relaxed irritable!

Hmmm....what exactly was so soothing and soul nourishing? The nightly cards games were great - Oh Darn the first week and BS the second (please let my kids not share the real source of that acronym when they return to school soon). The night beach fires were festive, with s'mores and glow sticks. Drinks were aplenty - keg beer and slushy "girlie" drinks during the day and red wine or "Bear Lake Stingers" at night. (Now getting "stung"? Not so relaxing)

I'd have to say, as much as I enjoyed all of that, it was the reading that really brought me to that peaceful, laid back place. I read 4 1/2 books over the two weeks, including a re-read of one favorite, a "fun" read that brought me back to middle school, and two excellent books that came highly recommended, and rightly so.

I kicked off the first week with The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. At 487 pages, translated from spanish, it wasn't what I would normally consider a "beach read". It garnered high praise from Kate & Ron Bernas - two whose opinions I trust, so I dove in. Rich in description, containing every element I could hope for from a novel - fascinating history, intrigue, tragedy, love story, great metaphor and even seemingly mystical elements - I was hooked. This book is a must read, particularly for people who love books and all they offer. My one and only problem with it? It has intimidated me. I don't think I could ever live up to that level of writing.

After that spellbinder, I definitely needed some levity. John, ever the thoughtful husband, overheard me talking about The Official Preppy Handbook by Lisa Birnbach with some friends. He managed to find a copy for me and presented it to me just before our trip. It was delightful and somewhat hilarious to re-read the "bible" from my middle school days. The most hilarious part about it? I don't think we actually ever got the satire when we were 13. Yikes!

Back to something more "meaty", I took a tip from my sister-in-law, Holly, who has also suggested several fantastic title to me. One of her favorites (and now one of mine) - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. At this point, I believe books about books was officially my Bear Lake reading theme. This tale, however, centers on a very special and particular book and weaves tragic and poignant historic tales through the fabric of a significant modern story. Again, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Next, in anticipation of the movie debut I re-read The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffeneger. One of my absolute, top, favorite stories of all time, I truly lose myself in this story. I read the book 3 years ago at Bear Lake and distinctly remember the feeling of discombobulation every time I was forced to close the book and refocus on real life. The re-read was equally satisfying and I'm glad I took the time to do it, although I don't anticipate much from the movie. At least I like Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. That will just have to do.

I finished out the second week with Craig Ferguson's Between the Bridge and the River. For anyone who follows late night television, Craig Ferguson hosts the "later" show after David Letterman on CBS. He's scottish and I find him very funny. John actually stumbled on his show and DVR's it all the time. It is a little odd watching it in the middle of the day, what with all the psedo child-porn 900 number commercial breaks, but never fails to make me laugh out loud at some point. I have read half of the book so far and I am enjoying it. He entertains as well on paper, if not better. Were I beachside, the book would be long finished, but sadly life interrupts.

Life? Like Walk-In Tuesdays? Good god - what am I still doing up at near midnight? That's all for now..... Night!