Monday, August 06, 2012

Sobs, Sports, and New Novels

I've no idea how it's Monday again, but here it is! I think I've slipped into a very pleasant Olympics-induced coma, punctuated by occasional sobs (mine) as athletes climb the medal podium and 'God Save the Queen' rings out in venues across the greater London area. It's rare to see the Brits being patriotic (self-deprecation and all that), so when it does happen, it's jolly good to see.

Hey, I got to finally type 'jolly good'! Maybe I am becoming British, after all.

The best moment for me was watching the Athletics Saturday night, as Team GB pulled in three gold medals within an hour: Jess Ennis in the heptathlon and Mo Farah in the 10k, both under extreme amounts of pressure and typical scepticism they'd be able to perform. And then to top it off, an unexpected gold by Greg Rutherford in the long jump! Watching was somewhat bittersweet for me, as I'd applied to get tickets for that session and was sadly denied. Boo.

With sports in the air, it's only fitting that I take a moment to talk about fellow blogger Kyra Lennon's début novel, Game On. I'm rubbish at writing long reviews, but suffice it to say this novel is a fun, enjoyable read with a hero you'll love to hate until you love to love him (does that make sense? It does in my mind...).

Sparks definitely fly between the two main characters, with numerous twists and turns until . . . well, you'll have to read it to find out!

An entertaining novel perfect for the summer.

On that note, I'll see you on Friday! In the meantime, tell me... are you watching the Olympics? Do you have a favourite spectator sport?

49 comments:

  1. Favourite sport at present is whatever is in tv at that specific given moment. So right now that'll be 1500 metres then. Am loving the Olympics. Sat night was amazing and v happy to see Bolt romp home in 100m too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I enjoyed watching some of the men's fencing, though I didn't manage to catch all of it. The synchronised diving was pretty cool too. I love how Team GB fall into 2 categories:

    "No medal: the home crowd pressure was too much"
    "medal: the home crowd really inspired me to win"

    Jamie @ Mithril Wisdom

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am watching, and now that I am a resident in Mexico, I'm rooting for two countries. Double the pleasure, double the gold.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've enjoyed watching. Our men's basketball team could learn something from the women's team though, because they are kicking butt. And confess, I am really enjoying watching the women's beach volleyball matches.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the kind words, Talli! <3

    I totally understand the Olympics-induced coma you speak of!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's so exciting seeing your country win, especially when the games are held in your own country. I'll be sad when it's over.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOVING the Olympics. Rowing, cycling and track my favourite. Being British I can say, hand on heart (or not because that's an American thing with the Stars & Stripes, right?) I am very proud of Team GB.

    Thanks for the tip re 'Game On' I shall investigate.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes, how did it come to Monday already? I was wondering the same thing when I got up. Congrats to Kyra! Wishing her much success.

    Been keeping up some with the Olympics. Was happy to see Andy Murray win the men's tennis final. That victory, I am sure, is extra sweet.

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tally, I've also been in an Olympic vortex. I cried so much during yesterday's tennis. When Murray won gold I realised that I actually care more about Team GB than Finns winning any medals (don't tell them else my passport will be revoked)! So I decided I will at last apply for UK citizenship.

    Momentous times….(plus my book, The Englishman, is out too!)

    Helena xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've been watching, especially the swimming and gymnastics.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh wow you nearly got tickets for the Olympics!!! Yay for you!!!!

    Wasn't Saturday just brilliant, brilliant!! Highlight has got to be super Mo!! I mean Jessica and the long jump guy were fab but then their wins weren't as instant as Mo - all that waiting!!!!

    Yay for Kyra!! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've surprised myself by actually enjoying some of the Olympic sports! I'm not a fan of sport overall, but I've been enthralled by the overwhelming crowds and emotional ceremonies. It's really a time to be proud to be British.

    CJ x

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've enjoyed watching the gymnastics, although not when one of our girls slipped on the beam. That looked nasty. I'd have given her gold just for getting back up on the beam again.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Olympics have been thrilling! Great Britain has a lot to be proud of :) I love the roaring crowds and the enthusiasm. I can't even imagine the type of crazy wonderful energy pulsing through London right now. (And go team USA! :D)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've loved the Olympics! I'm a sports nut. Tennis is my fave and although I'm a HUGE Roger Fereder fan, it was wonderful to see Andy Murray pull it off :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I watched the opening and gymnastics. Our coverage over here is tape delayed and we get the news before we get to watch.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've been watching a lot of it. I like almost everything and I also get teary-eyed too when the athletes get up on the stand. Especially when they cry or sing along.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm not really into the Olympics, or sports, but I happened to catch Gabby Douglas doing her thing in women's gymnastics and my heart was totally in my throat. What a remarkable young lady!
    Some Dark Romantic

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm not watching the Olympics this year. Usually I follow gymnastics and swimming along with a few others but not this time. Working too hard I guess!

    ReplyDelete
  20. The women's heptathalon ceremony was so emotional! I'm also loving women's gymnastics. Those girls are incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yay for Kyra! Yep, Saturday night was pretty incredible. I had no idea we had so many talented athletes!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am up at 6 am waiting for the women's shotput and our Kiwi champ Valerie Adams - who hopefully will get her second gold - the first one the Kiwis will have got standing up! Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  23. Isn't it funny how your adopted country can bring on the tears so easily? I choke up every time I hear "Oh Canada".
    And yes, sporting events can be wonderful for a nation's self-esteem. It's lovely to see.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats! to Kyra on the releas of her new book. I love the Olympics. Track and Field is my favorite as I ran track one year in high school. But I really like all the events.

    ReplyDelete
  25. They mentioned the British medal haul the other day as arguably the best day in British Olympic history.

    I've been watching some of it, mostly not live, unfortunately. I personally like the rowing events.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the Olympics! It's on in the background all the time here. :)

    P.S. Congratulations to Kyra! <3

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm watching a lot of them. No choice really...the wife is an Olympic fanatic so that's the only thing on the TV these days. I love watching the beach volleyball! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I haven't had near enough time to watch all the Olympics that I want to get in. :( So depressing. But I've enjoyed what I've been able to see. Such an amazing event!
    And I love Kyra's book. Very fun read :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love that you worked jolly good into a post : ) It is fun to see the Brits doing so well on their home turf.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I used to love watching gymnastics but I haven't caught any this time. I get choked up watching anyone get the gold, I just think about all the sacrifices they made to get there.

    Game On sounds great I've seen it around so much! I'll have to get it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love the Olympics. I'll watch whatever is playing when I turn on the TV. Thanks for the book recommend!

    ReplyDelete
  32. i am just getting on with olympics as of now :D

    ReplyDelete
  33. Congrats to Kyra! I enjoyed your review Talli! We've also been watching the Olympics, and I fell for gymnast Gabby! Julie

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm seeing Kyra all over the place today, huge congratulations to her!

    Hope the pregnancy's not too bothersome, Talli! (Apart from the sorrow of minimal wine, that is...)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I so love the Olympics! My fave is beach volleyball - Kerri Walsh and Misty May. Love those gals. I just get so inspired and want to push harder in life when I watch. It is a dream to attend someday. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I don't like sport but I have been watching lots. Show jumping, gymnastics and 10,000 mtrs. Enjoying dipping in and out of lots of sports.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm also loving the Olympics Talli and I'm definitely not a sporty person. In fact when sports are on the TV in our house you can usually find me hiding in another room with a book! The Olympics has definitely converted me though. My favorite at the moment is the Velodrome. On that note, I love the cover of Kyra's book, I may have to look it up :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. This book sounds excellent. I love a character that I love to hate until I love to love him! Makes total sense to me. ;) Unfortunately, I haven't been watching the olympics because I can't seem to find even a moment of free time lately.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I haven't been watching the Olympics, though I have been reading several of the articles about the athletes. I felt sorry for that one girl who didn't win the fencing event because of an error with the timer or whatever it was; it sounds like she should have won.
    I wish I could run half as fast as the athletes. I admire them for being able to do that kind of stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Can't wait to read it. Love football!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I haven't got into the olympics this year, just keeping up somewhat by listening to the news. 'Game on' sounds good - I love twists and turns :-)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Sounds great novel - can't wait to read it. I've been loving the Olympics and have jst blogged about Vic Penderton's last race. What an inspiration she is!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Congratulations to Kyra—what a cool cover!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I can't watch the Olympics, I only have netflix. Though my youngest daughter and I look for snippets of the gymnastic portion online. She really likes Jordyn.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I haven't been watching the Olympics at all. I'll watch all the highlights at the end. I decided not to turn it on in case I became addicted and lost valuable working hours. :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. I've really been pretty sporadic watching the Olympics this year, and I'm sad to say that. We love the gymnastics! But I've been hearing that GB is having something of a gold rush! I bet that is making it fun around jolly old England! :D

    The book sounds great, too! Checking it out. Thanks, T! And happy anniversary~ <3

    ReplyDelete
  47. Talli, I'm excited Bolt won, but so far I'm not that interested. "Numerous twists and turns until . . . " Hmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  48. Not really a sports fan, though sometimes I watch it. I like the gymnasts and the 100 best sporting moments TV programmes.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I wish I had more time to watch the Olympics... especially the swimmers and gymnasts.

    ReplyDelete

Coffee and wine for all!