That’s right, TODAY is the day that Clash of the Couples is available to your eyeballs. Get ’em while they’re hot! In honor of being a published author (albeit in a book of 42 or so), I’m going to theme The Rundown with some of my favorite and/or most hated reads of all time. Brace yourselves.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 27, 2014
RUNNING: My running this week was most like the book The Leftovers. I used it to fill in spaces in my week instead of it being at the core of my training. I’m trying to be smart about resting my hamstring, without giving up any fitness I will need to race this weekend. However, I would not recommend this book, or this training program as both have left me feeling like something is missing.
(The TV show of the same name, is freakin amazing. I cannot believe someone read the awful book and wanted to make a show out of it?)
That’s right – the main man on The Leftovers is a runner! Just another reason to watch.
CYCLING: I have to go with Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? because I’ve seen so many cyclists on the roads, but I haven’t gotten out there myself. What I’m getting at is, I would also not recommend this book. I’m a huge fan of Mindy’s and I love The Mindy Project but, when it comes to writing, she’s no Chelsea Handler. Of course, when it comes to cycling, I’m no….oh well just fill in the blank since no one knows any famous cyclists besides Lance, so what’s the point?
CROSS-TRAINING: I am all about Chrissie Wellington’s A Life Without Limits here. She’s a three-time Ironman champion and that’s how I felt in the pool this week. I did an extra long pool workout (2600m) that lasted 45 minutes and I absolutely loved it. In my mind, I was racing though the oceans of Kona! Obviously, I highly recommend this book unless you hate inspiration.
In my mind, this is how I look in the pool…that’s what matters, right?
RACING: Fingers crossed that this plays out like Run Like A Girl – How Strong Women Make Happy Lives. You see, my running partner is stressing about racing the 9 miler we have planned for Sunday. I’m going to try sending some ‘helpful’ texts all week like “suck it up!” and “Put your hair in pigtail braids, pull up your skirt, and run!” Do you think that will be helpful? Perhaps I should just gift her this book since it was a great read!
FUEL: It’s starting to be like Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously over here. Ok, so it’s been like two weeks, and there’s nothing dangerous about it, out I have been creating some culinary masterpieces like these peanut butter cereal balls from a Runner’s World article:
They kind of fell apart on me, but they are super tasty!
THINGS I LOVE: It’s almost time for me to start reading A Prayer for Owen Meany. I’ve read it every Christmas for about seven years now. I know that sounds ridiculous but most of the story takes place during the holidays, and it’s written though two young boys’ eyes. I absolutely love it, and I read the real book because I have dogeared pages. You may not believe it but, every time I read it, I discover something new.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Gone Girl. I know everyone loves it but, I hope to God the filmmakers had the good sense to change the horrible ending to this book. I feel like the author just gave up, and dumped it. I absolutely loved it, right up until the awful ending. If I had been holding a real book, instead of my Nook, it may have ended up in the fire. #angermanagement
MUSIC: Â I don’t think I’ve ever read a book written by a musician or about the life of one. This is insane considering how much reading I do. Anyone have any ideas for me here?
READING: Obviously I’m reading MY BOOK, mostly because I want to read and be familiar with all the other stories. It’s funny that, in my story I make a point of saying that the old adage of ‘not going to bed angry’ is absurd and, if married couples adhered to this, they would get very little sleep. Wouldn’t you know that one of the first stories I read declared the exact opposite and was written by Crystal Ponti herself. Oops. I guess that’s part of what makes the book great.
RANDOM QUOTEÂ SHAMELESS PLUG OF THE WEEK: Â I know you’re probably thinking “what can I do to help spread the love of COTC?” Well, here’s a list:
1) Buy a copy of the book! It’s available on Amazon and other retailers! If you do pick one up, THANK YOU!
2) If you received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) or beta review copy, please leave an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Be sure to mention at the end of your review that you did receive an advanced copy.
3) Ask your library or bookstore to order it! Don’t be shy! Mention the success of Crystal Ponti’s other book The Mother of All Meltdowns (#1 parenting best seller; great review by Publisher’s Weekly).
4) Spread the word! Please tell your friends, colleagues, family, the guy at the toll gate—anyone and everyone—about the book!
5) Share it on social media—Facebook, Twitter, and so on. Use the hashtag ‪#‎ClashoftheCouples‬ to get retweeted or shared by a buttload of co-authors!
[Tweet “Today is the day! #ClashoftheCouples release day! Get your copy here: http://www.amazon.com/Clash-Couples-Collection-Completely-Relationship-ebook/dp/B00OYWM2CE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415009818&sr=8-1&keywords=clash+of+the+couples “]
6) Instagram a picture of yourself holding the book for a chance to win a free copy! Remember to use the hashtag #ClashoftheCouples.
Thank you so much for all of your support!
 What book are you reading?
What book is most like your life right now?
I am glad you are resting the hamstring! I loved A Life Without Limits. So inspiring. Currently, I am reading a book on best practices in Performance Coaching. Yup! Total nerd but I am developing a bunch of programs for corporate and non-corporate clients so it is giving me a ton of ideas.
I can’t think about a book that describes my life right now…I am tired and need a vacation book!
Good for you! I love doing research for work that I love.
I hated Gone Girl the book. I really didn’t see why everyone loved it. I need a good book to read…my mind has cobwebs!
Thank God! At least there are two of us 🙂
Yay t o your book being released today and it is on my list. Just need more hours int he day as the the girls are off tomorrow for Election Day. Emma has two half days this week for Parent Teacher conferences and we see Frozen on Ice tomorrow evening. So, I am not even sure what extra time I will find this week, but hopefully soon 🙂
The Election Day no-school is throwing me for a loop as well! Frozen on ice seems like a no-brainer 🙂 Have a blast!
Can I tell you that one of my all-time favorite books is Owen Meany? It’s been years but was just thinking I need to reread it. And OF COURSE I have to add Clash of the Couples to my reading list! So, so cool. I hope it has a great launch week.
Get that hamstring in line so that you can kill it this weekend!
I am not surprised that you love Owen Meany as much as I do. Thanks Amanda! I had a great 6 miler today so I will be raring to go. And, NO pace groups at this one – yes!!!
I am pretty sure that the end of gone girl was supposed to send us all into a rage. I couldn’t stand the ending but it was nice not to have something have a pretty ending too. Nobody won in that scenario, but you must see the movie. I read the book when it came out years ago but seeing it all come to life? #worthit
I trust your judgement so I will definitely watch the movie! And, yes, when I complained to my SIL (who recommend the book in the first place) she said “Well, it has you talking about it, right?” Ugh. So frustrating and so right! Darn you Gillian Flynn!!
Love that you themed this post! And Yay! How Exciting! Just don’t forget us when you become a big time author 😛 That is so cool to say you are part of a book! I hope someday I can say I wrote my own book! I am LOVING the run like a girl movement!
I for one would buy any book you authored! You could definitely write one on being a champion. I assume I can have an autographed copy? 🙂
Yay for launch week! So excited for you 🙂
Thanks Jill!!
I never read the book, but I am fascinated by The Leftovers show! He is a HOT runner. That works for me.
I loved “A Prayer for Owen Meany” I haven’t read it in such a long time. You’ve inspired me to read it again this holiday season!
I *do* have a recommendation for a “music” book. A few years ago my book club read “Just Kids” by legendary punk rocker Patti Smith. It wasn’t the best book in the world, but it was really eyeopening and featured a lot about her time with artist Robert Mapplethorpe.
But MOST importantly…congratulations on YOUR book!! YOU GO GIRL!!! Whoo Hoo!! –Lisa
Thanks so much Lisa!! “Fascinated” is the perfect word to describe watching The Leftovers! And yes, watching him half-naked is not bad at all, right?
Love the music book recommendation! I will have to download it.
Glad that you are “resting” your hamstring too and i hope that it’s back to 100% soon! I’m reading This is Where I Leave You right now (finally). I also just finished Eleanor and Park which was really great.
This is Where I Leave You was one of the best books I read in a long time. I’ll go see that movie before Gone Girl! I’ll have to check out Eleanor and Park as soon as I finish The Rosie Project – which I LOVE!
So very excited to be in a book with you! Congrats on the release today!
YAY for us! Thanks Chris!
Now I want to get A Life Without Limits. Sounds awesome! I’m sorry that your hamstring is still bothering you. I can’t wait to read Clash of The Couples too. I’m sure I can relate to a LOT of the stories. LOL!
I actually keep it near my desk so I can flip through it every once and a while. She is an amazing woman, both as an athlete and just a human being. Great read!
Happy Book Launch Day!!
Right back at ya!
Congratulations on your book! I love how you did this week’s rundown. Hopefully, you’re non cycling time is as funny as Mindy 🙂
If it were, I would do a lot more of it! Thanks Kate.
I go to bed angry sometimes. It’s better than saying something I’ll regret, and I wake up feeling much better. Go figure. Congrats on the book!
Thanks Dana! I feel the exact same way.
Congrats on the book launch. I have to say I did not read Gone Girl but just saw the movie and was deeply disturbed and left totally unfulfilled. Julie and Julia did inspire me to get in the kitchen and cook although this week my inspiration is low.
I was really hoping the movie was a lot better then the book. I’ll wait to see it on Netflix.
I have to admit that my cooking mojo has also waned this week. Maybe it’s because I hosted TWO parties over the weekend?
YAY congrats on the official release of the book! I’m going to have to get it and then brag to everyone I know that I know one of the authors. Also I misread your “shameless plug of the day” as “shameless PUG of the day” — since i have nothing to plug shamlessly today I’m going to leave you with this image: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/4b/8e/91/4b8e918a64d36e11e23941952be1504c.jpg
HA!!! I’m so doing a ‘shameless pug of the day’ next time. Love yours 🙂
I really need to read more…I always find something else to do and I LOVE to read. I’ve been “reading” Unbroken since August when I started it on my vacation. Yea, it’s been sitting on my night stand ever since. I have been dying to read Gone Girl, but now I’m not sure 🙂 Congrats on the book!
Unbroken is infinitely better then Gone Girl, although I would still recommend reading it. I love hearing what other people think of the ending.
Awesome Rundown!!!
I just bought your book for my Nook – can’t wait to read it!!!
YOU ARE THE BEST! Thank you so much Kim. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
The other night I was giggling out loud while reading a book and Scarlet asked me why I was laughing. It was cool because I could tell her it was about some cute twin boys she has met at a trampoline park and at a dinosaur park. And it was about them!
Cool, right?
You are SO AWESOME and YES that is the very best ever!!! We seriously need to get together again.
BAH HA HA! I love you! So creative, it’s not even funny. I certainly could NOT compare my life to books because, um, I am so embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read a LEGIT BOOK in a long long time!!!
GiGi!!! I am shocked! Now go to your room and stick your nose in a book. There are other things in life besides cooking you know!! 🙂
There are no books in my house, BAH HA HA AH HA AHA HA! #fail
This is some kind of emergency. I feel like I need to send a book doctor or maybe have some sort of intervention!! hahahaha
Congrats on the book!! How exciting!
Gone Girl is crazy but I kind of felt like they were both so screwed up there was no other way for it to end. I just wish there was another book that gripped me like that. I have been having a hard time finding one (shockingly The Happiest Baby on the Block is just not a page turner)!
I guess you’re right but I was waiting for an ending that was as great as the whole book. Have you read This Is Where I Leave You? Amazing. Another great one I’m reading now is The Rosie Project…although I haven’t finished it so you never know…
Congratulations on the book, Allie!
Thanks Alison!
You. rock. So proud of you! I have never read Owen Meany so now I will have to after that review. I didn’t hate the end of Gone Girl, but my husband had a similar reaction to yours. He did, however, like it better when it played out in the movie, so give it a shot if it’s worth the babysitter $$ for you.
I’ll probably wait until it comes to TV. I don’t want to risk it:-) And YES, read Owen Meany!