We open on a dark room. A single bulb illuminates a cozy chair in the corner. The chair has a book on it. You walk to the chair and lift the book. Out of nowhere a rogue Jillian Michaels pops up. You yell out, “you gave me a spook Jillian!” She doesn’t flinch. She just stands there all swoll and stuff. Jillian moves closer and you feel fear dripping down your spine. She smells like Sugar Free Jello and sweat, but like the healthy sweat that fit people make. She opens her mouth and yells, “I’m not here for me – I’m here for you! Get your ass in that chair! Have you seen my new TV show on E?!”
You assume the position: feet curled under, book in hand, super chillaxed. Jillian is standing behind you now. Long pause. Long pause. Seriously, what is this bitch gonna say? She opens her mouth: “I know you’ve been working out that bod. Now work out your MIND!”
“But Jillian,” I start to say.
She interrupts, “No! No ‘but Jillians’ today. Today you have to exercise your brain! It’s almost as important as exercising your body. So lift that book, turn that page! Faster! Harder! Read!”
“OK,” I say as I start to read. “Ok Jillian.”
She slowly backs into the darkness. “And don’t forget to watch my reality showwwwwwww…”
End Scene.
(This post brought to you in no way by Jillian Michaels and E!)
While eating well and exercising are two major components of a healthy lifestyle, we at The Struggle think it’s important to keep your brain healthy as well. Part of this means spending a little less time on Facebook and a little more time with your face buried in a book. If I’m going to be completely honest, there have been months of my life where I don’t pick up a book at all. Normally it’s because work is busy and all I want to do is collapse in bed or in front of the TV. When I do finally get around to reading again I am reminded of how much better it makes me feel. If you don’t have the time to commit to a book, even catching up on non-celebrity news just makes you feel smarter. At a certain point people start to notice when your only criticism of the 2016 is election is “Trump, huh? Crazy stuff, right? That dude from The Apprentice? Not on my watch. Hey, uh what’s for lunch?” Great commentary for sure but we all know we can be a little more informed.
Which is why we created THE STRUGGLE BOOK CLUB! Each month we’re going to suggest a new book for you to read. Since you guys live all around the world (special shoutout to our reader in Brazil who checks in every day – we see you boo! Thanks for the loyal support), we can’t hold an actual meeting to discuss each book. Instead we invite you guys to read along with us and feel great about exercising that brain!
((Insert drumroll))
The Struggle February Book of the Month is Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff! Not only is it a New York Times Bestseller, it also has one of the prettiest book jackets I’ve ever seen. And that’s really what’s important, right? Just kidding. Like 70% content, 30% cover right? It even matches my favorite sneakers!
Here’s a brief synopsis from Goodreads:
Every story has two sides. Every relationship has two perspectives. And sometimes, it turns out, the key to a great marriage is not its truths but its secrets. At the core of this rich, expansive, layered novel, Lauren Groff presents the story of one such marriage over the course of twenty-four years.
At age twenty-two, Lotto and Mathilde are tall, glamorous, madly in love, and destined for greatness. A decade later, their marriage is still the envy of their friends, but with an electric thrill we understand that things are even more complicated and remarkable than they have seemed.
Intriguing stuff! And if you don’t have the time to read the book (cough it’s only 14 pages a day which is like 30 minutes of swiping on Tinder end cough) here are a bunch of articles we’re reading lately too:
Dream queens Broad City interviewed by other dream queen, Ellen Page
This dude is considered the world’s happiest man
Dairy free Ben & Jerry’s is finally a reality. Be still my heart and my soul crushing lactose intolerance
Our #wcw is Arielle Calderon who lost 85 pounds (and counting) by eating right and working out
Tips for accomplishing any goal by starting small and working up to it (like reading a book just a couple pages at a time)
Happy reading strugglers!
❤ CG
The Struggle 
ty ty sm feelthestruggle for motivating me to read my 1st book since college (jk kinda). me thinks its gunna rly help my grammor and spellink.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear “what’s a book” – we thank you for reading and hope this takes you on a journey of self discovery and learning. Emphasis on learning.
LikeLike
I tried Ben & Jerry’s “Tonight Dough” last night. I highly recommend!! (for cheat day of course 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person