We haven't had an Emily picture in a while, so there she is. I sometimes forget she's a little dog (I got that reminder when my mom walked her to me yesterday and I went "oh look at the little dog!") Lots of personality in those 12 pounds.
It's tomato season here in New Jersey! And corn season. And blueberry season. And peach season. It's the season of almost all of the things (strawberries are mostly done, but I did see some at the Collingswood Farmer's Market on Saturday). My mom and I split up preserving duties. In the summer, I'm always walking a fine line between wanting to freeze everything and my eczema not wanting me to do that. So we'll see what happens. For the last two years, my skin was so bad I couldn't even think about doing peaches and corn. I hope to at least get to corn this summer.
In book news! I tallied all my receipts from the book tour, presented them to the publicist working on the book and said something that she says she doesn't hear often: I'm under budget. Like, way under budget. I spent 1/3 of what they said they'd pay towards a tour (I may be writing something about the first leg of the tour, so I don't want to say more here except: it wasn't a lot of money, but I stretched it out by only flying to one place and crashing with friends wherever I could). What that means to you: I'm going to do some fall events! I don't know where yet. I'm waiting to see if I got into two November book festivals, and a November trail race (they only let in 200 people). So once I hear back from those organizers, I will set up some fall dates. Stay tuned! (What I do know is that it will not be at the same frantic pace as the spring events. They were fun, but I'd like to keep my voice this time).
Recent Bylines
"Dean Karnazes Runs the Silk Road" for The New York Times
"Rio airport preps for Olympics with new Wi-FI network and mobile app" for CIO.com
"Take a Hike" for The Philadelphia Inquirer
Jen Talks About Her Book
"5 Questions for Author Jen A. Miller" on Fox5NY
People Talk About Jen's Book
"Discovery Monday: Running: A Love Story" on Recorded Books
What I'm Reading
Over Fourth of July week, I read Susan Freinkel's American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree. The chestnut blight has shown up in a few books I've read in the last year or so, and I wanted to know more. This was the way place to do that. It's a well written, scientific and historical read. Last night I finished Amy Stewart's Girl Waits with Gun, which is based on one of the country's first female crime writers. Part of me wishes I had waited to read this one when I'm down the shore for a week at the end of the month, but there are plenty more beach reads to be had. Now I'm onto Lydia Reeder's Dust Bowl Girls: A Team's Quest for Basketball Glory.
What I'm Watching
A few things! I finished the first season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which is now streaming on Netflix. So unbelievable smart and fun. Lots of people have written lots of things about why, so I'll leave it to them. Glen Weldon from the Pop Culture Happy Hour (PCHH) podcast has ranked the songs, and I have to disagree with him. "I Give Good Parent" is #1 Glen! Speaking of PCHH, on this week's show, they did a segment on The Great British Baking Show, which is airing on PBS. It is delightful, and without any of the things about American reality TV that drives me nuts. That last episode of PCHH also introduced me to the podcast My Dad Wrote a Porno. I listened to two episodes yesterday while driving back from the Double Trouble Trail Run (I did the 15k). Holy hell. I laughed so hard that my abs, which were already a bit sore from the run, started aching. Part of me wants to save this for my next road trip, but I don't think I can hold out until then. Anyway – back to what I'm watching, I'm onto Jane the Virgin, season 2. Can I have that drum line be the theme music for my life?
Until next time,
Jen A. Miller
jenamiller.com
runningalovestory.com
twitter.com/byjenamiller
instagram.com/jenamillerrunner
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