clm's booklist

"Almost French: Love and A New Life in Paris"

by Sarah Turnbull. 

Memoir of an Australian woman who meets a Frenchman on holiday in Europe and a short visit to Paris to see him turns into a new life and many years later, marriage. My dream story.

Catching Up -- 2009 Reads

2009 Reads.....

"We Might As Well Win: On the Road to Success with the Mastermind Behind 8 Tour de France Victories" 

by Johan Bruyneel. Fantastic book. Full of great information and motivation.

"Master Your Metabolism"

by Jillian Michaels.  Good solid advice--no processed food, eat real foods, watch and limit additives.

"A Dog in A Hat: An American Bike Racer's Story of Mud, Drugs, Blood, Betrayal and Beauty in Belgium"

by Joe Parkin. Good book about bike racing in the pro peleton, at least in the lower ranks, in Europe in the 1980s and 90s.

"Major: A Black Athlete, a White Era, and the Fight to Be the World's Fastest Human Being" 

by Todd Balf. Autobiography of Major Taylor which was a good read, but it bogged down in places. 

"NaNo for the New and the Insane: A NaNoWriMo's Survival Guide"

by Lazette Gifford. An online book, read in preparation for the November Writing Month. Good tips and motivation.

"Page After Page: Discover the Confidence and Passion You Need to Start Writing and Keep Writing"

by Heather Sellers. Really good book about writing with chapter after chapter of exercises. Why do you write? Write every day. Be focused. Stay simple. Don't overthink it and just write. 

"Listen To Me: Writing Life into Meaning"

by Lynn Lauber. Another good writing book.

"On Writing"

by Stephen King. Half memoir and half writing guide. Really interesting to see how King came to being the writer he is. Really, really liked this.

"You Don't Have to Be Famous: How To Write Your Life Story"

by Steve Zousmer. Pretty good read but the author seemed a bit condescending at times.

"Life Makeovers: 52 Practical and Inspiring Ways to Improve Your Life One Week at a Time"

by Cheryl Richardson. Weekly chapters to work through to clean up and organize your life. Some good ideas and thought-provoking questions. And it did get me to clean out a few boxes of papers in my room.

"Inside the Postal Bus__My Ride with Lance Armstrong and the U.S. Postal Cycling Team"

by Michael Barry

A quick, fun read about Michael Barry's 2004 season with U.S. Postal. No shocking insights but I was extremely interested since it covered 2004 and that's one of the years I went to the Tour de France. Recommended if you are a cycling fan.

La Bella Figura

by Beppe Severgnini

Why Italians are why they are. And why we love them for it. Fun read and now I'm ready to hop a plane and go visit Italy.

"Mind Gym...An Athlete's Guide To Inner Excellence"

by Gary Mack with David Casstevens

Pretty much what the title says by sports psychologist Gary Mack. Lots of good information and good quotes.

I like the 4 "Ds".

Desire

Dedication

Determination

Discipline

"Roadie....The Misunderstood World of the Bike Racer"

View As Web Page

by Jamie Smith Are we really like this? Yes. Very amusing book, written for friends/family of bike racers, but there is a lot of good information in it. Especially if you are somewhat new to racing. I can see a few people (including myself) in there. He covers training, racing, the types of races and especially, the quirks surrounding the bike racer. At times, I had to laugh out loud. Best line: There is no dabbling in bike racing.

"A Year in the Merde"

by Stephen Clarke

Englishman moves to Paris for a job and becomes immersed in the French culture. This book was a very fun read, laugh-out-loud at times. Clarke has written a second book about Paul West's adventures in Paris and it's on my to-read list.

"One Gear, No Breaks"

Lori-Ann Muenzer's Ride to Belief, Belonging, and A Gold Medal by Lori-Ann Muenzer with Karl R. Wilberg

A memoir by the Canadian track sprinter Lori-Ann Muenzer, who spent nearly 20 years chasing her dream of being the best. She was a woman, told she was too old and had lots and lots of self-doubt and insecurities, but also a strong desire to be the best and was driven and motivated and very hard working. Determination in spades. She also had a coach who truly believed in her.

She was 38 years old when she won gold, beating women young enough to be her daughters, and had spent years and years giving up a lot--career, social life, family, a "normal" life. A very interesting glimpse into what it takes to reach the top.

"It's up to you to decide what your limits are." Damn straight!

"Jarhead"

A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles
by Anthony Swofford

Wow. That's my first thought when I think about this book. What I know of the Marines doesn't jive with the book so the realities of war were quite eye opening. Swofford is a very good writer and the tales he tells are often spellbinding. I both enjoyed the book and was disturbed by it. A highly recommended read.

"A Writer's Paris"

...A Guided Journey for the Creative Soul by Eric Maisel

Maisel is a creativity coach and author and in this book of short essays, he suggests that spending time in Paris can inspire you to create. Whether for a week or a year, Maisel feels that getting away (to Paris, but really, anywhere, will make you put your writing first, instead of fitting it around "real life", or more common, putting it aside altogether.

"Paris is a place of associations: It moves the mind, stirs the heart, and resonates forever." With this, I agree!