Running Toward Fate Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

39. Running Toward Fate by Kate Benzin
      Theme/Topic: book based on a true story

Synopsis:
Peter was definitely not the type to believe in love at first sight. He was too logical for that. But when a mysterious woman named Rina mesmerized him from across the restaurant on his last night in Indonesia, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. And Rina didn’t even realize that she’d had such an effect on someone. Peter left Indonesia the next morning without ever having talked to his mystery woman. Could he find a way to meet her? And would she be willing to get to know him?

My Review:
Would you go halfway around the world for someone you fell in love with at first sight? Sounds crazy right? Well that's exactly what Peter did. After meeting Rina on the last night of vacation in Indonesia, Peter is beside himself back home in the States. She becomes his infatuation and it seems that nothing else matters besides finding a way back to her. At first, they only communicate back and forth by mail and then followed by email. Peter eventually can't take no more and devises another trip back to Indonesia so he can figure out if Rina's the one for him. It ends up being the perfect love story.

It was an interesting story. I did think Peter was crazy for falling head over heels about a woman he met one time. However, I did appreciate his determination and resilience in going after Rina. He didn't let anyone stop him from finding out once and for all if Rina was the one for him. I did like how well Indonesia was described, but at times it stopped the story from progressing forward. It was interesting to learn how travel agents book tours.

Since this is based on a true story, the question I have is: do you believe in love at first sight?
I like to believe that love at first sight is possible since I believe that there's someone out there for everyone.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

A Million Steps Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

37. A Million Steps by Kurt Koontz
     Theme/Topic: a memoir

Synopsis:
Kurt Koontz thought he was well prepared for his 490-mile walking trip on the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain. He was fit and strong. He had a good guidebook and all the right equipment. His pilgrim passport would grant him access to the shelter of hostels along the way. But all that, however helpful, did not begin to encompass the grandeur of his external or internal adventure. A Million Steps climbs over the high meadows of the Pyrenees, quests through the unceasing wind of the Meseta, and dances in the rains of Galicia. While following the yellow arrows that mark the route, Koontz also navigates through his personal history of addiction, recovery, and love. With outgoing humor and friendliness, he embraces the beauty of the countryside and joyful connections to other pilgrims from around the world. Part diary, part travelogue, A Million Steps is a journey within a journey all the way to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela and beyond.

My Review:
In recent years, I have really been interested in reading stories about self-discovery or life changing adventures. A Million Steps was exactly that. Kurt is not a natural writer, but everyone has a story. While his actual writing was far from great, Kurt accomplished the task of getting his story across. I've never been Spain and to be honest, I don't have any desire to go to Spain. However, it was interesting to read about all the towns he passed and stayed in on his journey. It was also neat to hear about all the people he met along the way as well. He opened up about his own life stories and struggles and how he was able to meet them head on during the trip.

If you could take a trip of a lifetime anywhere in the world (no matter what the reason), where would it be? For me, that would be Australia and Ireland.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Niagara Falls

 

N is for Niagara Falls. This is for the A to Z Challenge. To be honest, I really didn't know what to write about for N, but then I decided to do it on one of my favorite places that I've ever been to.

 

My family and I vacationed to Niagara Falls in 1999. My brother, for his graduation trip, had wanted to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. We decided to stay on the American side of the Falls and just spend a day in Toronto instead of staying in Canada the whole week. This was before you needed a passport to enter Canada.

 

Highlight of Niagara Falls/Toronto:

1. Seeing the Falls of course!

   

2. Cave of the Winds Tour



 

3. Hockey Hall of Fame

 

Hope you enjoyed this!
Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥