Rainy Bay Area Bookish Fun

North Beach on a Rainy Night

Last week was full of rain, which is great for the drought, but a bit difficult for running.  Total mileage for the week was 25.89, with 9 miles of walking (more than normal), so the increase in mileage is almost entirely walking with running staying the same.  I'll take it.

I was jostling my workout schedule around work craziness, so I fit in whatever I could (which was no yoga or cross-training) and 3 separate runs of 3 miles each at about target race pace.  My "long" run was relegated to the treadmill on Saturday due to the rain, but after 4.25 miles in the humid garage, I decided I was just as wet with sweat as I would be if I ran outside, so I headed out for another 2 miles in the cool rain followed by 0.25 mile walking cool down.  6.5 mile "long run", huh?  Guess that means I'll have to fit in an *actual* long run before Thursday (the magical 10 day cut off before Oakland running festival).

Saturday night, E & I attended a birthday party at a speakeasy in SF in North Beach.  I hadn't been out in North Beach on a Saturday night in forever (possibly since my 20s?).  The speakeasy was across the street from the historic City Lights Bookstore, which I hadn't been to in a very long time.  I was so excited to poke around amongst the quiet patrons and the smell of books.  I bought next month's book club book as well as a collection of Ferlinghetti poetry and a collection of Spanish short stories with English on the opposite page to take to Mexico. 

 

Sunday AM, I co-hosted a book exchange brunch.  Like last year I took notes while guests spoke about one or more of the books they'd brought.  So, without further ado, here's the list of books the guests recommended:

JL -- A Visit from the Good Squad

CM -- Storming Heaven and Travels with Charley

KC -- God's Chinese Son (This one sounds fascinating.  I had no idea there was a guy in China during the 1800s who honestly believed he was Jesus Christ's little brother -- and he had followers!)

HG -- By Nightfall

CD -- Many books she really couldn't get into.  Several folks in the group agreed with her about The Poisonwood Bible (which I loved, but I do agree that it's a bit preachy).

CT -- Blink and David & Goliath.  With a thoughtful discourse on how Gladwell plays fast and loose with statistics and that she would encourage readers to pull the actual studies to see if they agree with how Gladwell chooses to characterize and use them.

KT -- Death and Life of Great American Cities.  Coupled with some thoughts about living in San Francisco for the last 13+ years and how these issues have always existed but are *very* obvious in the San Francisco of today.

CP -- The Midwife's Confession and Icy Sparks

CP2 -- The Emperor of Ocean Park

BT -- The Story of My Teeth, My Brilliant Friend, and Winter's Bone

E2 -- Purity