It's January, 2011

and my last post was in December, 2009. I guess I've been busy with other things.

Although I'm still running, the focus of this blog is no longer exercise, training for races, running gear, etc. I'm not sure what I'll be writing about; a little of this and a little of that, probably.

Some of my children have the goal of reading 12 books in 12 months this year--I decided to join them. I've just completed my January book, all 776 pages . . . The Brothers Karamazov.

Having never read this book, when I saw it mentioned on Tim Challies' blog, I decided to tackle it on his strong recommendation, not realizing what a hefty tome it is-both in number of pages and in the subject matter.

The story is set in Russia and mainly concerns a wicked, "sensual" father and his 4 sons (one illegitimate). And a large "inheritance." And of course 2 women. And then there was a murder-"parricide", they called it. And a murder trial. And a sub plot re school boys.

I enjoyed the book, the story, very much, although there were portions so dense that I ended up skimming them, rather than trying to understand the philosophies being espoused. I don't think it mattered for the flow of the story.

Some of my impressions of the story and the people: lots of passion, pride, and unrestrained emotion, ridiculous buffoonery, overanalysis of conversations and situations, and characters who seem uneducated yet are crafty and insightful.

Although I'll probably not re-read this book, I do recommend it, if you have the time.

I'm eager to start my February read, Unbroken, by Lauren Hillenbrand.