Jill Grunenwald

I should have just abandoned this one. Grunenwald spends 350 pages on the unimportant details of being a prison librarian. I was hoping to hear about the inmates and the impact that the library had on them, but very little is actually written about them.

The author repeatedly references Harry Potter, uses the word well to the point where, well, the point where it drove me nuts. She mentions a class in high school that gave a spoiler for a classic, then proceeds to spoil said classic herself. There's a fair amount of profanity, mostly from the author, rather than the inmates.

There was also an incredible amount of typographical and grammatical errors, which were very distracting.

The book was rambling and repetitive and could have been condensed to a third of the size, if only a proper editor had taken hold of it.… (mer)

Grunenwald has written an inspiring memoir about running and her journey to become a runner. It was an easy read, with her friendly, chatty style peppered with geeky references and the occasional swear word (so, basically, she talks like me!).

It was really great to see a book about running from somebody who is slow (like me), and has trouble with motivation to exercise (ditto). I'm really happy to see this.

And this book also motivated me to sign up for a 5K. So thumbs up for that!

Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss.… (mer)

Gruenwald describes her job as a librarian in a minimum-security correctional facility for men in Ohio. She writes about the small library which she nurtures and slowly improves; the few inmates who work alongside her, and the readers. She finds friends among the staff. And how she came to understand the inmates' personalities and preferences, always trying to help them find what they were looking for. She cared about both the inmates and the books just as a librarian should.

While running this little library she always had to be concious about staying safe, and not allowing herself to be tricked or taken advantage of by the inmates, and after some time she did.

Gruenwald also addresses her private life particularly the painful break up with her boyfriend who had cheated on her. It caused to feel depressed for quite some time but she doesn't ask for help.

Less than 2 years later she decides its time to move on. She's had enough of her long commute, the strict rules; the bureacracy, and the frustration of getting new books but feels it was a positive learning experience for her.

Readable but not remarkable.… (mer)

I picked up this book because of it's title. Jill Grunenwald could be any number of people. She is a woman who has struggled with her weight all her life. She talks about her sedentary lifestyle from the time she was a child and the kickstart she received from her younger sister to get her to start some kind of exercising program. This is a body positive book, but in a very real story and way that many people will be able to relate to. I did not expect to read this book as fast as I did or enjoy it as much as I did. Jill's writing style is very conversational. It felt like we were friends talking about our successes and failures. She does use some profanity in the book so be prepared for that. Jill tells about her struggles to start a running program and her challenges along the way. She is not apologetic about being a slow runner, and gets angry at one point when the finish line of a race is basically torn down, they are running out of medals, spectators are walking all over the course and there are still people to finish, including herself. The point she makes about it being okay to come in last, at least you ran and finished the race is so empowering. Yes, she loses her mojo at times, yes she actually gains back some of her weight and yes, maybe her goals are not as lofty at others, but she kept at it, she did not give up and she makes the reader and others feel that it is okay to be slow, to come in last and to have a normal, not perfect body. I learned a lot about running and found myself feeling a bit enthusiastic for a topic I never found interesting. While this book isn't exactly focused on body size, there is a body positive message to this book: no matter what size you are, you can accomplish your goals. I enjoyed this book very much and think maybe even I might be able to start a running program. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.… (mer)