Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Wednesday Reads and My Feet Hurt!

Almost didn’t think I’d finish one before Wednesday. I’ve been reading whoppers for books, which has caused me to be 3 books behind. I think I deserve to read a novella next and have it count for a book. Seems fair, doesn't it? Anyway, here’s what I read this week:

Jul 7: “Mr. Mercedes” by Stephen King, the 1st book in the Bill Hodges Trilogy, a suspense/thriller at 436 pages. Blurb from book: In the predawn hours, in a distressed American city, hundreds of unemployed men and women line up for the opening of a job fair. They are tired and cold and desperate. Emerging from the fog, invisible until it is too late, a lone driver plows through the crowd in a stolen Mercedes, running over the innocent, backing up, and charging again. Eight people are killed; fifteen are wounded. The killer escapes. Months later, an ex-cop named Bill Hodges, still haunted by the unsolved crime, contemplates suicide. When he gets a crazed letter from “the perk,” claiming credit for the murders, Hodges wakes up from his depressed and vacant retirement, fearing another even more diabolical attack and hell-bent on preventing it. Brady Hartsfield lives with his alcoholic mother in the house where he was born. He loved the feel of death under the wheels of the Mercedes, and he wants that rush again. Only Bill Hodges, with a couple of eccentric and mismatched allies, can apprehend the killer before he strikes again. And they have no time to lose, because Brady’s next mission, if it succeeds, will kill or maim thousands. Oh my gosh. This book just FASCINATED me! Totally gripping and a complete surprise. I love it when I find a book like that. I didn’t read the blurb beforehand (I rarely do for Stephen King since he’s an automatic buy for me), so I figured it was a horror book. WRONG! Just about one sick individual and a team looking to take him out. I look forward to the next book in this trilogy.

Writing has been going slow this week. Dentist appointment and writing something new for my newsletter took up my time on Monday. And then hubby and I had an appointment on Tuesday to get our wills revised and pick up prescriptions (plus, I met him for lunch!). I got a little bit written (and some notes for what I want), but mostly I just read because I wanted a book to write about! J

I go walking on the days I don’t work out at the fitness center (usually Tuesdays and Thursdays). I’ve been trying to add distance to my walk (I walked 4.69 miles yesterday), or at least walk faster (my fastest was about a 17 minute mile). And while I’m walking, my feet feel fine. So why is it later in the day I feel like an old woman? My feet are revolting against me and yell (metaphorically) anytime I stand. Maybe I just need new shoes. Think that would help? Or am I just doomed because I AM getting old? Tell me this happens to you. Please!!!!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

7 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

re: wills
Ugh. We've got to do that. I'm not worried if only one of us goes, it's what happens if both of us go at the same time.

re: feet
Sounds like they're just swollen from all the running. You might want to soak them or put your feet up for a while to keep from swelling.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Maria - I'm going to have to figure out how to put my feet up when the laptop is in my lap. I have no trouble putting my feet up when I read, though. Dang. Like I need another excuse to keep reading! Haha! :)

Jennette Marie Powell said...

The hurting feet happens to me too. But it's mostly my left foot. Can't figure out why. Not that that's really been a problem lately, since my daughter took my treadmill computer to Germany, leaving me with zero motivation (sigh).

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jennette - It's mostly my left foot, too. Strange! And you know, you can always READ on the treadmill. Just saying... :)

JeffO said...

I have yet to read Mr. Mercedes, but King is always on my reading list! Just finished Bird Box, which I recommend. It's also short, so you could probably speed through it quickly. I literally read it in a day.

Regarding your feet, it could be your shoes, but I know when my shoes aren't right, it's not my feet that hurt, but my hip. Hope it goes away, pain stinks!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jeff - Now that you mention it, my hip tends to hurt after a walk, too. Maybe it IS time to get new shoes. Doesn't seem like I've had this pair very long, though. Doesn't mean I haven't. You know that whole time-zipping thing. Ugh.

The Happy Whisk said...

I have special jogging sneakers and socks. Makes a huge difference for me.