Sunday Salon: November 6, 2011

Today was a great day in the city - it's Marathon Sunday! The New York City Marathon took place today and spectators were out in force to cheer the more than 40,000 runners. I am lucky enough to have friends with an apartment right across from the 59th Street Bridge - they hosted a party and we had a great view of the runners as they crossed the bridge from Queens to Manhattan (about Mile 16). We enjoyed mimosas, bloody mary's and assorted brunch items while cheering the runners. I did head out onto 1st avenue so I could cheer for them from beside the course - I know how much cheering means to the runners! Here are some pics from the day:

59th Street Bridge

View of Runners From Party Location

Some bunnies (um, runners) hamming it up

Rounding the corner of 1st Avenue (catch the guy on left all in yellow)

In Case You Missed It

The Next 15 Minutes by Kim Kircher  This memoir chronicles the author's experience waiting for a liver transplant.  Kim Kircher is a ski patroller who uses her experience from the slopes to help her cope with the rollercoaster of her husband's health crisis.  The memoir is remarkably well written and will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts but also to those that just enjoy an inspiring, realistic read.

Falling for Me by Anna David Anna David spends a year following the advice of the iconic Helen Gurley Brown as she tries to find love (or least a sustained relationship) in the city.  This memoir hit close to home in many places but the author's wit kept things light enough for an enjoyable read. She discovers the secret to finding a man is not learning to roast a chicken or the right clothes but loving herself first.  Simple enough advice but not always so easy to do. 

I have been on a memoir kick recently but I want to give it a rest since I am a  voting member in the Biography/Memoir category of the  Indie Lit Awards.  Have you voted for your favorite books published in 2011 in this or any of the other categories?  There is still time - nominations are open until December 31st - but why not stop by today and nominate some of your favorites?

Giveaway

The giveaway for Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire ends tomorrow.  Enter for a chance to win!






Hope you all had a great weekend!

Saturday Snapshot - Nov 5, 2011

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books

Me- NY City Marathon - 1998

Tomorrow will be the 41st running of the New York City Marathon and more than 45,000 runners will take to the streets of New York City's 5 boroughs to conquer the 26.2 mile distance. I have run NYC three times and each times the crowds made the event for me - especially when I hit the dreaded wall at Mile 20 in upper Manhattan - their cheering and encouragement spurred me to push on.

I will be out tomorrow doing my part to cheer on this year's participants because I know just how much it means. Of course, I get something out of cheering too - inspiration. As Kathrine Switzer said, "If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon." Good luck to all the runners!